Chapter 39 The Imperial Edict in the Belt (Part 3) This humble woman has no other intention than...
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."
Consort Dong led the palace servants and Deng Jie to pay their respects to the Emperor. The Emperor quickly stepped forward and helped Consort Dong up, saying, "No need for such formalities."
He glanced sideways at Deng Jie and led Consort Dong back to the couch, saying, "You must be the wife of the Military Advisor and Chief Instructor? Get up."
Deng Jie responded and followed, cautiously raising his eyes to look. He saw the emperor dressed in a black robe, with a dignified and upright demeanor. His face was handsome, and he still had a youthful innocence, but deep wrinkles between his brows made him look more serious than his age should be.
This was completely different from the majestic and radiant image of the emperor that Deng Jie had imagined. Although he was only eighteen years old, he seemed to have lived half a lifetime of hardship.
"How are you feeling today, my beloved concubine? Are you alright?" The Emperor held Consort Dong's hand with concern, and the tender affection in his eyes reminded Deng Jie of the scene when she and Guo Jia were in the medical hut. Although they were dressed in fine clothes, she couldn't help but feel a sense of hardship.
Consort Dong snuggled into the Emperor's arms and said coquettishly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. With such a skilled physician as Lady Deng entering the palace, I feel much more at ease and am naturally well!"
Only then did the emperor turn around and, with a hint of reluctance, give Deng Jie a proper look.
"Madam Deng...Mrs. Deng."
Deng Jie was slightly taken aback, then bowed and softly replied, "Your Majesty, please give your orders."
"I've heard that the Minister of Works places great trust in the Chief of the Imperial Academy, so the Lady must have received many favors from him as well."
Deng Jie's heart tightened. Was he testing her opinion of the Minister of Works? She dared not be negligent and bowed her head respectfully, replying, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Works is courteous to the virtuous and kind to his subordinates. He is very kind to Fengxiao and the Chief of the Imperial Academy. As I am by my husband's side, I am also grateful for the kindness of Your Majesty and the Minister of Works. I have no worries about food and clothing and can live a peaceful life."
A fleeting smile appeared on the emperor's lips. He released Consort Dong's hand, slowly walked closer, and circled around Deng Jie, who was bowing his head and bending over, to examine him.
"He was respectful to the virtuous and kind to his subordinates... That's how you see him."
He stopped in front of Deng Jie, leaned slightly forward, and insisted on meeting Deng Jie's downcast eyes. "Then what do you think the emperor should look like?"
Startled by his sudden, sharp gaze, Deng Jie staggered two steps and almost fell down.
This young emperor looked worried, but his imposing presence was no less than Cao Cao's, and his mind was far more complex than that of his peers.
She hurriedly steadied herself, feeling a cold sweat trickle down her back. Suppressing her trembling, she replied, "I am but an ignorant woman, how dare I presume to speak of the emperor's appearance? His Majesty's divine might is beyond my comprehension."
She secretly resented herself for being only there to look after Consort Dong and knowing nothing about such matters, yet still having to face this problem.
"Imperial majesty?" The emperor straightened up and sneered.
He sighed softly and took two steps back, his voice hoarse as he said, "I am curious, in your eyes, what is the relationship between me, the 'Son of Heaven,' the 'respectful and courteous Minister of Works,' and your husband, the 'strategist with infallible plans,' as rumored?"
These words startled not only Deng Jie, but also Consort Dong, who whispered behind the Emperor, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty...!"
The emperor glanced back briefly but ignored him, waiting for Deng Jie's reply.
Deng Jie swallowed hard, her throat feeling dry and sore. She managed to speak with difficulty, "Your Majesty... the Grand Master once told me: 'The Minister of Works serves the Emperor to punish the disloyal, he has the nation at heart, and wishes to restore the Han Dynasty from peril... The Grand Master has received the Minister of Works's favor, and will naturally do his utmost to assist the wise ruler and pacify the four directions...'"
A cold glint flashed in the emperor's eyes, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "'Serving the emperor'... Haha..."
The laughter was short and cold, echoing in the hall, full of self-mockery and anger, making Deng Jie feel uneasy.
After he finished laughing and caught his breath, his voice became even deeper, "Chief Advisor Guo is the strategist who plans and wins battles from afar, and he understands the hearts of men. Even my every move in this deep palace... I'm afraid it's all under the control of his office, isn't it? This is the first time I've realized that the one 'supervising the Emperor' is actually me!"
Deng Jie's knees buckled, and he was about to kneel down, but the emperor caught him.
The emperor drew closer, his tone becoming playful and gentle: "Madam Deng, there's no need to panic. Grand Master Guo is a man of great talent, yet he only serves as a private advisor. Don't you think it's a pity?"
Deng Jie looked up and met the Emperor's eyes. She opened her eyes wide, waiting for the Emperor to openly try to win her over: "I often think that Guo Jijiu has made great contributions to the planning of the Minister of Works, but he is relegated to the nominal position of Military Advisor Jijiu. In the end, his reputation is not prominent."
"My lady believes... if I could personally issue an edict to promote him to one of the Nine Ministers of the Imperial Academy, placing him in the same court as Lord Xun, to recognize his merits and bring glory to the gentry, would my lady be willing to speak on my behalf?"
Deng Jie could no longer muster her strength. With a thud, she knelt on the ground, her forehead touching the floor tiles, and replied tremblingly, "Your Majesty's great grace! This concubine... this concubine thanks Your Majesty for your kindness on behalf of my husband... However... this concubine is foolish and dull. I only came to the palace to help the noble lady with her pregnancy. As for other matters... I am truly ignorant and dare not speak presumptuously..."
The emperor stared blankly at Deng Jie, who was prostrate on the ground and dared not get up. A trace of resentment ignited in his eyes, and he couldn't help but clench his fist.
“Good, very good…” His voice was squeezed out from between his teeth, and a sense of grievance and bitterness welled up in his eyes. “The official titles and ranks that Father Emperor once held were being sold at auction, and there was still a constant stream of people seeking them. But my personal edict to appoint an official is no longer worth this much. He can’t even find a common woman to be interested in!”
Deng Jie lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to move. He was inwardly lamenting how he could be forced into such a situation. A eunuch tiptoed toward the door and announced in a somewhat fearful voice, "Your Majesty, Minister Xun Yu requests an audience."
Deng Jie was startled; finally, he heard a reassuring name.
The emperor sneered, "What was bound to happen has finally happened."
He looked down at Deng Jie, his cold tone carrying a sharp sarcasm: "A mere 'commoner' woman... yet the Grand Chancellor of the Han Dynasty has come all this way for your sake, Madam Deng, what a great honor!"
These words tugged at Deng Jie's heartstrings. She only wanted to be a pure doctor and take care of her own little family, but she was dragged into these power struggles. The pain of her forehead hitting the floor tiles was nothing compared to the grievances and helplessness in her heart.
Consort Dong turned pale with fright at the Emperor's words and called out, "Your Majesty..."
The emperor's words were a direct pressure on her to go before Xun Yu and admit that she had stayed "voluntarily."
“…Yes.” From the moment Deng Jie was summoned to the palace, he never thought he could leave so easily. He preferred to stay with the noble lady and wait for the prince to arrive.
"Summon them." The emperor's lips curled into a satisfied smile. He nodded to the nobleman and walked out of the hall.
When Xun Yu was led into the side hall, he was originally walking with ease, but when his gaze swept over the emperor sitting in the main seat, Consort Dong sitting beside the emperor, and Deng Jie standing beside Consort Dong, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to his usual gentle and peaceful demeanor.
"Your subject Xun Yu greets Your Majesty and Your Excellency," he said, bowing respectfully.
"You may rise, my lord." The Emperor raised his hand. "You are busy with countless affairs of state and planning for the Minister of Works. How do you find time to come to the palace? Could it be that you have come for the sake of the Deng family?"
He coldly pointed at Deng Jie, "She's doing well. The lady just said that she would like to stay here to take care of the noble lady during her pregnancy. Her sincerity is truly gratifying to me."
Deng Jie dared not raise her head and quickly bowed in response: "Your Majesty, Your Highness... I am willing to stay and take care of Your Highness."
Xun Yu's eyes darkened for a moment, then he smiled gently and changed the subject: "Your Majesty is joking. I have come to present Your Majesty with a collection of annotations on the nine categories of the Hong Fan."
As he spoke, he gestured to the eunuch behind him to bring out an exquisite lacquered wooden box. “This is a great classic on governing the country and ensuring its stability. Your Majesty is of exceptional intelligence and should devote yourself to studying it.”
The emperor snorted coldly, opened the box with little interest, and took out a scroll of bamboo slips. “Governing a country and bringing peace to the people… If government orders are not implemented and official titles are difficult to bestow, what country can I govern, and what state can I bring peace to?”
Xun Yu was used to his complaints and showed no surprise. He bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty is a man of extraordinary talent, a hidden dragon in the abyss. The way of the sages is also the foundation for self-cultivation and understanding. Now that I have delivered the message, I should take my leave."
As he spoke, he stepped back, and as he looked up, his gentle gaze fell on Deng Jie, and he nodded slightly to her. Deng Jie felt a warmth in her heart and returned the nod.
Not long after Xun Yu left, Dong Cheng rushed into the hall, disregarding formalities, and knelt before the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, great news! The Left General has borrowed elite troops from the Minister of Works..."
"Father!" Consort Dong shouted abruptly, her eyes flashing sharply at Dong Cheng, then quickly glancing at Deng Jie behind her.
Dong Cheng then noticed Deng Jie, realized he had spoken out of turn, his smile froze, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat.
The Emperor calmly asked Dong Cheng to stand up and called out to the eunuch at the door, "Someone, the Lady of the Imperial Academy must be tired. Please escort her back to rest."
Two eunuchs immediately stepped forward and stood on either side of Deng Jie, gesturing for him to enter.
Deng Jie's heart sank; he knew this was an attempt to get rid of him.
As she turned away, the words Du had once spoken flashed through her mind: "Following Liu Bei... Liu Xuande." Thinking it over, it was astonishing that a hero like Guan Yu would always follow Liu Bei and never defect to Cao Cao. Everyone said it was because of the brotherhood between Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, but when Mi Zhu brought Lady Mi to deliver gifts earlier, it was clearly a test of distance and estrangement between him and Guo Jia.
Furthermore, Guo Jia also mentioned the marriage between Zhang Fei and Xiahou Shi, saying that it was "Your Excellency strongly advocated for the marriage to appease them and solidify their resolve," which, to put it bluntly, was still an attempt to win over Liu Bei...
She abruptly stopped, turned around, and said in a deep voice, "Forgive my abruptness... but General Zuo's departure... I'm afraid he will never return. Although I don't know what His Majesty is planning, I shouldn't place my hopes on General Zuo. Even if the troops were borrowed from the Minister of Works, and even if the Minister of Works were to attack him, he would have little power to retaliate."
Dong Cheng stepped forward and shouted, "What do you know, you common woman! General Zuo is..." He almost let slip, but quickly composed himself, "He is acting on imperial orders to suppress the remnants of the traitor Yuan Shu and pacify the world. It is only right and proper!"
Deng Jie lowered her head slightly, "I am foolish and ignorant, General, you are right. Although I do not understand matters of the court, I have seen General Zuo and his entourage."
General Zuo is a man of great talent and magnanimity, with a broad mind; he is not one to submit to others… I have no other intention than to say this to prevent you from being wronged.”
"Hmph, no need for you to worry. General Zuo is a member of the Han imperial family, upright and aboveboard, which is better than..." Dong Cheng suppressed his anger and forced out a resentful sentence, "...better than some people who claim to be assisting the ruler but are actually deceiving the emperor!"
Under Dong Cheng's angry glare and the emperor's complicated gaze, Deng Jie finally shut her mouth. She slightly curtsied to the three men and, "escorted" by the eunuchs, slowly left the side hall.
When Consort Dong looked at her father's trembling back, and then at the Emperor's deep and solemn expression, the flame of hope that had been burning in her heart was suddenly extinguished.
"Your Majesty... Father... She... she said..."
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, do not be afraid, do not be misled by this woman's wicked words. Liu Bei personally swore an oath of blood with Your Majesty... She is Guo Jia's woman, and it must be Guo Jia who taught her to disrupt the morale of our army. As long as Liu Bei still holds military power, he is a general of our Han dynasty. Once Ji Ping succeeds, Xuchang will naturally see the light of day again!"
His self-comforting cry could no longer revive the emperor's hopes.
The emperor slowly closed his eyes, leaned against the armchair, and said nothing more.
A note from the author:
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