Chapter 61 Happy Birthday to You~
In the elegant room of Changchun Pavilion.
Delicacies were served in a continuous stream. After several rounds of toasts, the atmosphere gradually became lively, and everyone's face was drunk.
"At the last court meeting, Lord Wang truly turned the tide! Today, I, Xie, will be hosting a banquet to congratulate you on your promotion!"
"Congratulations, Lord Wang, on your promotion to Left Censor-in-Chief. You truly deserve it! Congratulations!"
Compliments continued, along with wine cups being pushed towards Wang Jiang.
Wang Jiang's cheeks flushed red from the alcohol, and he accepted the wine cup without refusing it. "Thank you very much."
"I am still young and need your help."
"Of course!"
"Master Wang, if you need me, just tell me!"
"Lord Wang is so appreciated by His Majesty. His future is limitless!"
The officials kept flattering each other, and a few of them looked at each other with a hint of contempt.
The foolish ruler was fond of the south wind, but he just replaced his favorite minister with a beautiful woman.
The only difference is that Ning Wujie is unruly and has never bothered to associate with them, while Wang Jiang seems to be a simple-minded person who can be coaxed into a state of confusion by just a few words.
In that case, it’s no wonder they used alcohol to pry open Wang Jiang’s mouth and get some concrete information.
Wang Jiang's eyes were blurry, and he looked very drunk. He couldn't even speak straight. "Actually, I know I'm just a pawn used by His Majesty to counterbalance Ning Wujie."
"Your Majesty wants to attack the Ning family, but he uses me as a scapegoat. Alas, I am in a difficult position as well."
As soon as these words were spoken, the table fell silent and everyone pricked up their ears.
Xie Yun asked cautiously, "What do you mean, Lord Wang? His Majesty has shown great favor to the Ning family. He even recently conferred upon General Ning the title of Duke of Zhenguo, a first-class hereditary title."
"Duke Zhenguo?" Wang Jiang sneered, shaking his wine glass with drunken eyes. "It's just an empty title. Your Majesty can praise me as highly as you want. The higher you praise me, the harder I'll fall!"
As he spoke, he glanced at the officials who had gathered around him, "I'm telling you... you... hiccup... you must not tell anyone else."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"In fact, Your Majesty... has long been dissatisfied with Ning Wujie."
An official's eyes twitched, as if he had figured something out. "So, the last time it was rumored that His Majesty was testing the Ning family, it was also because..."
Wang Jiang made a gesture to silence him, "Your Majesty has long been aware of the Ning family's rebellious intentions and is setting up a trap."
"It's just a pity that Ning Wujie noticed it first and didn't fall into the trap."
Wang Jiang sighed and looked very regretful, as if he had lost a great opportunity.
"But it doesn't matter. Your Majesty's bestowing of the Nine Gifts upon Ning Wujie was also a test. See? As soon as he got the Nine Gifts, Ning Wujie became so arrogant! He even dared to sit on the throne. What Your Majesty wants...hiccups...is for him to reveal his true colors and to find something to hold against him!"
The ministers acted as if they suddenly understood.
“No wonder!”
"I knew it! Your Majesty punished Ning Wujie so harshly this time, as if he had seized the opportunity to intensify the punishment."
"But..." Xu Chongyun stared coldly at the cup in his hand during the meal and said calmly, "Since Your Majesty has long been wary of the Ning family, why did you send Ning Wujie to quell the rebellion and appoint him as the Marshal?"
Wang Jiang's expression froze for a moment, then his eyes slightly turned, and he pretended to sigh: "You don't understand, this is called the mind of an emperor."
"Although Ning Wujie may have displeased His Majesty, he is indeed a fine sword. Tell me, besides him, who else could have put down the rebellion so efficiently?"
The officials looked at each other, unable to refute.
"To motivate people to fight, of course you have to offer some rewards, but as soon as they finish the battle, doesn't Your Majesty take back the imperial seal?"
As Wang Jiang spoke, he hooked his finger at the officials surrounding him.
Everyone gathered around. "Let me tell you a secret..." He glanced around nervously, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "But please don't say it was Wang who leaked it."
Everyone was anxiously waiting for his mysterious look and nodded repeatedly.
"Don't worry, Lord Wang."
"Didn't Ning Wujie say that Han Jin's dragon robe was stolen by someone who wanted to harm him? Actually..." Wang Jiang paused, as if mustering up the courage to speak, "The person who ordered it was His Majesty!"
As soon as he finished speaking, there were bursts of gasps from all around.
"Your Majesty?! Frame Ning Wujie?!"
"This emperor's mentality is so..." The person who spoke swallowed the word "cruel" back into his stomach.
At this point, some of the ministers began to look for evidence to support their claims. "I've heard that Ning Wujie had an argument with His Majesty right after he returned. They've been in a cold war for three months."
"It is indeed true! I heard from a familiar eunuch in the palace that Ning Wujie often stayed in the side hall of the Imperial Study during that period, and His Majesty... seldom summoned him."
Wang Jiang burped, his drunkenness and a subtle hint of guidance in his voice. "Your Majesty's attempt to frame him has failed... I'm worried. After all, even if Ning Wujie's power is stripped away, he still has the Ningyuan Army behind him. Without solid evidence of treason, there's nothing we can do."
After he finished speaking, his eyelids drooped, his head tilted, and he fell on the table with a "thump", still muttering, "If Wang had this kind of evidence... he could... hiccup... accomplish great things..."
The sound became weaker and weaker until it was completely silent. After a few breaths, Wang Jiang seemed to have fallen asleep and made a slight sound.
A group of officials with different thoughts looked at each other.
Xu Chongyun put down the already cold wine cup in his hand and said solemnly, "Everyone, do you think what he said is true?"
Xie Yun said, "I think so."
He lowered his voice as he spoke: "You all may not know, but I recently received some information, which is top secret intelligence from Tingchaoyuan."
A group of court officials came over.
"It is said that the Ning family has long been dissatisfied with Your Majesty and is plotting..." Xie Yun made a beheading gesture.
The officials were startled at first, then acted as if suddenly enlightened. "So, Your Majesty saw the situation first, and that's why your attitude towards Ning Wujie suddenly took a turn for the worse?"
"I think this makes sense, doesn't it? Who is Ning Zheng? And who is Ning Wujie? How could Ning Yuanjun tolerate his young master becoming a twin favorite? I'm afraid this has been planned for a long time."
"So, if anyone can help His Majesty..."
Inside the private room, the officials had different expressions, with gleams of light in their eyes.
*
Time flies and spring comes.
Ning Wujie returned to Funing Palace in the afterglow of the setting sun, but he didn't see the figure lying on the bed as usual. He couldn't help but frown: "Where is His Majesty?"
The attendant bowed his head and replied respectfully, "In the small kitchen, he was talking about what cakes he wanted to make. I didn't quite hear it."
Ning Wujie raised his eyebrows slightly. This tyrant usually only needed to tell the imperial chef what he wanted to eat, but today he was actually cooking himself?
He turned around and walked towards the kitchen. Before he reached the door, he heard Wen Xing's urging voice from inside: "Faster, use all your strength, faster and faster."
"Aaaaaaaaa!" A clear, young voice rang out, revealing a gnashing of teeth. "Master! This is already the fastest! Any faster and Xinghe's hand will be broken, ah ah ah!"
Ning Wujie's brows furrowed more and more, and he walked quickly to the door. In the kitchen, Xinghe was squatting on the stove, his face covered with snow-white powder. He was holding a large bowl with a wide mouth in his arms, and three chopsticks in one hand, stirring the food in the bowl desperately, so fast that he could hardly leave an afterimage.
Not long after, Xinghe lost his strength. He collapsed onto the stove with a thud, gasping for breath, and said weakly, "Master... I really can't stir it anymore."
On the other side, Wen Xing was lazily sitting on a chair by the door, his legs crossed, a piece of paper resting on his knees with his fingers, while waving at Xinghe, "Bring it here, let me see."
Xinghe took two breaths and got up again, bringing the bowl to Wen Xing.
Wen Xing picked up the foamy white milky substance inside with chopsticks and nodded with satisfaction, "It's done."
He ruffled Xinghe's hair and said, "Our Xinghe is still the best!"
Xinghe snorted proudly.
Ning Wujie was puzzled: "Your Majesty?"
They both turned around to look at him.
Ning Wujie walked forward and glanced at the white object in the bowl, puzzled: "What is this?"
Wen Xing shook the paper in his hand mysteriously, and raised his lips, "Today is your birthday. I got a cake recipe. I'll celebrate your birthday when I make it."
Unfortunately, there are no egg beaters in this ancient world, so we have to use the Milky Way.
Ning Wujie's heart skipped a beat. "How does Your Majesty know my birthday?"
Wen Xing raised his head and glanced at him sideways, with an expression that said, "Is this even necessary?" "Didn't you tell me this two years ago when we were providing relief to the disaster victims at the Imperial Farm?"
Ning Wujie's breathing was slightly stagnant.
He didn't even remember the casual remark from two years ago. How could this tyrant...
Wen Xing saw that the tips of Ning Wujie's ears had turned red, and he couldn't help but blink.
What did he do?
Why is this guy blushing again?
But... he admired it for a while with his chin in his hand, and felt sad that he might never see it like this again in the future.
It's a bit of a pity.
He stood up and walked over, gently turning Ning Wujie towards the door, "The birthday boy, don't come in and join in the fun. Go wait inside."
Ning Wujie's heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably until the person behind him tapped his shoulder and urged him on. Only then did he calm down and walk out the door with a slightly stiff body.
About an hour later, Wen Xing stretched himself, rested his chin on his hand, looked at the "masterpiece" in front of him, and nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad."
Perhaps because he had replicated the flavor of his hometown, his voice was filled with an unconcealable joy, "It's not as difficult as my fellow villagers say."
Xinghe stared curiously at the barely formed, uneven cylindrical mass and wrinkled his nose. "Master, is this really edible?"
Wen Xing hummed, "This is delicious."
"Really?" Xinghe believed him, licked his lips, and reached out to poke, "Then let me taste some..."
Wen Xing slapped his hand away, "Only the birthday person can take the first bite. Okay, serve it out."
Xinghe said "Oh" in a sullen tone.
Inside the hall, Ning Wujie sat upright, his expression seemingly calm, but his fingertips unconsciously clenched the hem of his clothes.
Until I saw Xinghe holding a trembling white object, walking in with his eyes fixed and cautiously treading on thin ice.
Because with every step Xinghe took, the thing was shaking, as if it was about to collapse in the next breath.
Finally, it was brought to the table safely. Xinghe took a long breath and then put the thing down carefully.
Ning Wujie's brows slowly tightened.
"This is......"
"Birthday cake." Wen Xing had a serious expression on his face. He took out two white candles from somewhere and put them on neatly.
“Sizzle—”
The cake collapsed under the weight.
Wen Xing's eyes twitched, and he forced an explanation to Ning Wujie: "This is normal."
Ning Wujie looked at him silently.
The candles were lit, and the bright yellow flames danced.
Ning Wujie finally couldn't help but said, "Your Majesty, this white candle..."
Isn't it usually used in funerals?
But just as he opened his mouth, he looked up and saw Wen Xing's excited expression, so he swallowed the rest of his words back.
Wen Xing explained enthusiastically, "One candle represents ten years old. You are twenty this year, so light two. Okay, now start making a wish to the candles."
Ning Wujie: ...
He suddenly had a vision of his father muttering to himself in front of a white candle while visiting his ancestors' graves.
He rubbed his forehead and looked up at Wen Xing, "Do you really need to make a wish?"
Wen Xing argued confidently: "Of course! This is the most important step and absolutely cannot be skipped."
"Oh, right." Wen Xing cleared his throat, "I'll sing a birthday song for you."
"Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~" He paused, then suddenly pulled Xinghe over and waved to Li Dequan who was standing beside him. "You guys sing it too. It's very simple, just one line."
Xinghe tilted his head, "What tune is this? I've never heard of it before. Did the master create it himself?"
In fact, he wanted to say that his master's singing was terrible and he didn't want to learn it.
Wen Xing didn't explain, but clapped his hands and sang enthusiastically, shaking his head and saying, "Happy birthday to you~~"
Li Dequan had no choice but to sing along with a wry smile.
I wondered what new tricks His Majesty was playing.
Listening to the master and servant's absurd singing, Ning Wujie rubbed his brows and interrupted, "Alright, I'll make a wish."
Wen Xing immediately stopped talking and looked at him with a sharp gaze, "Hurry up."
Ning Wujie saw his expression, which seemed to be happier than his own birthday. His heart softened inexplicably and he slowly closed his eyes.
He hopes...
Every year from now on, I will be able to celebrate my birthday with Your Majesty.
When he opened his eyes again, he met Wen Xing's sparkling gaze: "Have you made a wish? What wish did you make?"
He was about to speak, but Wen Xing stopped him again, "No, no, don't say it, it won't work if you say it."
Xinghe stared at the cake eagerly, swallowed his saliva and urged: "Master, can we eat it now?"
Wen Xing took the knife and handed it to Ning Wujie, saying that the birthday god should share it.
After saying that, he became worried that Ning Wujie wouldn't be able to cut it well, so he simply reached out from behind and held the other person's knife-holding hand. He demonstrated and explained carefully: "It should be like this, cut from the middle, like a rice character, see?"
Ning Wujie fell into Wen Xing's arms, his warm breath brushed past his ears, and the rich aroma of ambergris lingered around him.
Ning Wujie turned his head and what caught his eye was Wen Xing's focused profile close at hand, with a very faint curve at the corner of his lips.
He discovered that His Majesty, who was usually lazy about everything, was particularly happy today.
Although these rituals were unfamiliar and strange to him, he was happy to do them as long as His Majesty was happy.
Wen Xing held his hand, cut the "precarious" cake into several pieces, put them on a plate, and told Li Dequan: "Distribute them. Everyone on duty at Funing Palace today will have a share."
Li Dequan responded with a smile and happily called the servants to distribute the cake.
Wen Xing picked the largest piece and handed it to Ning Wujie, his eyes full of anticipation: "Try it quickly."
Ning Wujie followed his instructions and scooped a spoonful into his mouth. He nodded under Wen Xing's intense gaze, "It tastes like custard."
Xinghe's eyes lit up, and he grabbed a piece and stuffed it into his mouth, then opened his mouth and spit it out again.
Wen Xing: ...
He dug out a piece and put it in his mouth in disbelief.
"Ugh...so disgusting." He curled his lips in disgust.
What the hell is this?
Greasy and choking.
Instead of reflecting on his own cooking skills, he despised the backward productivity of ancient times.
It won’t work without an egg beater, right?
He thought so firmly, then looked around and saw that the servants were holding the plates respectfully, but no one dared to touch the "unknown object" on top, and their hands were shaking as they held the plates.
Wen Xing immediately understood the attendants' body movements—
If you don't eat it, you will disobey the order; if you eat it, you will die.
Wen Xing was deflated and slumped down in his chair. "Forget it, let's not eat anymore."
The servants were pardoned.
When Wen Xing said this, he was about to collect Ning Wujie's plate, but was held down by the other party.
Wen Xing:?
Ning Wujie scooped up a large piece of cake and put it into his mouth with an expressionless face.
Wen Xing quickly stopped him: "Don't eat it."
Ning Wujie looked at him calmly, "It's delicious."
Wen Xing was shocked.
What are this person's taste buds made of?
"No way, you actually think... it's delicious?"
Under his incredulous gaze, Ning Wujie slowly and steadily ate up all the "unknown object" on the plate.
Xinghe widened his eyes, looking at Ning Wujie as if he were a monster, and gasped, "So powerful!"
The attendants all lowered their heads, only Li Dequan was covering his mouth and laughing.
Wen Xing looked at Ning Wujie, who appeared calm and composed, as if he were enjoying some delicious food. He then glanced at the "unknown object" in front of him and fell into deep self-doubt.
He mustered up his courage, carefully scooped out another spoonful, and put it into his mouth in disbelief.
After a moment, "yue——"
Wen Xing lowered his head and gasped for breath. He placed one hand on Ning Wujie's shoulder and slowly gave a thumbs-up with the other hand. "Ning Wujie, you are this."
Ning Wujie looked at him slumped over the table as if he had been poisoned, with a faint smile in his eyes.
Wen Xing raised his head weakly again and said ashamedly, "How about we just have a normal birthday party? Oh, by the way, I've ordered your father and brother to return to the capital. They'll be here in a month or so. Can we have another one then?"
Ning Wujie was puzzled: "Why did you suddenly summon my father and brother back to the capital?"
Wen Xing glanced away guiltily, avoiding eye contact. "It's been over a year. I'm back in Beijing to report on my work."
Ning Wujie narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Your Majesty is guilty.
What the hell is he planning?
But he did not ask further questions, but said: "There is no need for a birthday banquet. I think today is good enough."
As he spoke, he stood up, walked towards Wen Xing, and whispered, "Your Majesty, are you tired?"
Wen Xing nodded.
After making cakes for the whole afternoon, he was really tired.
"Then I will wait for Your Majesty to rest."
Wen Xing raised a faint smile and opened his arms calmly, "Hold me."
Ning Wujie lowered his eyes, picked up the person and carried him to the inner room.
The old eunuch smiled and waved away the servants, then pushed Xinghe out the door.
Wen Xing lay on the couch, warmth enveloping him from behind, and he closed his eyes comfortably.
He suddenly heard someone behind him say, "Your Majesty."
Wen Xing: "Hmm?"
"I checked the Ministry of Revenue's account books today and noticed that this month's expenditure on the Imperial Mausoleum renovation is higher than usual. Is this Your Majesty's will?"
Wen Xing's mausoleum began to be built as early as the second year of Yongjing. After more than ten years, it is almost completed.
Wen Xing's eyes turned, and he said, "The late emperor once promised the Grand Tutor the honor of being buried with the emperor. This money is for the Grand Tutor to build a tomb for him."
After he finished speaking, he pricked up his ears nervously. After a few breaths, he heard Ning Wujie say "Oh" softly, and then he stopped talking.
Wen Xing breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, I felt guilty towards the Heavenly Master in my heart. The person was dead but he still had to use someone else's grave as a cover.
He was still a little nervous, afraid that Ning Wujie would become suspicious. It was not until he heard the even breathing behind him that he completely relaxed and closed his eyes.
I've already started imagining a wonderful retirement life.
The only drawback is that there will be no more hot packs in the future.
Or...retire somewhere without winter?
Lingnan? No, it's too hot.
I heard that it's spring all year round in southern Yunnan, so I decided to go there...
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The author has something to say: 5j, if you knew that your wife would be gone after your birthday, would you still think the cake was delicious?
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As usual, there are 100 red envelopes in the comment section~
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