Chapter 55 He can now be forced to retire! ...
"His Majesty......"
Ning Wujie's voice was suppressed, his breath unsteady, "I have one more thing to do... I must apologize to Your Majesty."
Wen Xing's vision was blurry, his mind already broken. He simply responded to whatever the other party said, mumbling, "...What?"
Ning Wujie suppressed his heavy breathing, "I...robbed the Heavenly Prison."
Wen Xing blinked, his chaotic thoughts taking a moment to register what was meant. He repeated blankly, "Robbered... the Heavenly Prison?"
Then, he suddenly gasped, and his emerald eyes were filled with physiological tears.
"So... I have committed a capital crime." Ning Wujie suddenly stopped, his deep gaze fixed on Wen Xing, a subtle hint of probing in his voice. "Your Majesty, will you pardon me, my father, and my brother?"
Wen Xing was extremely dissatisfied with this sudden pause. He frowned and said perfunctorily, "Yes, yes, yes. I forgive you. You..."
Ning Wujie narrowed his eyes, a sly glint in them. "Then... I dare to ask for another favor from Your Majesty."
The tyrant emperor was now feeling uneasy. "Hmm... what decree do you want?"
Ning Wujie leaned over to whisper in his ear, his warm breath caressing Wen Xing's ear. His voice held a perfectly balanced note of sorrow. "After this incident, I'm truly terrified. I want a promise from Your Majesty."
Wen Xing frowned:?
However, Ning Wujie just looked at him with his deep eyes, innocent and aggrieved, without saying a word.
The heat subsided, and the foolish ruler's brain finally started to work. He looked at the man and thought for a long time before he understood what Ning Wujie meant. He had no choice but to straighten his waist and urge him, "I promise that I will never test your family again. Is that okay?"
"It's not 'suspicion'."
Wen Xing didn't understand the difference between the two words, so he just nodded perfunctorily, "Okay, okay, OK."
In order to encourage people to work hard, he comforted them, "If you are still worried, I will give your family another reward as a consolation. Is that enough?"
Ning Wujie raised the corner of his lips slightly, said no more, and continued to work hard.
Wen Xing's pupils shrank, and his vision became blurred again, leaving only broken gasps...
*
A few days later, at Ningyuan Marquis Mansion.
The eunuch's shrill voice cut through the tranquility of the mansion and echoed over the courtyard.
"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, decrees: Previously, I set up a dangerous situation to test the loyalty and bravery of the Ning family. Your sincerity is as bright as the sun, which is deeply comforting to me. Now, I have pledged an ironclad oath to forever end all suspicion. In addition, I hereby promote Ning Zheng to the title of Duke of Zhenguo, permanently stationed in the northwest. I decree that Ning Zheng and his son depart today to garrison the border. I decree this."
Ning Zheng took the imperial edict and the iron certificate and was stunned.
The eunuch delivering the decree smiled broadly and said, "Congratulations, Lord Ning. Oh no, you are now the Duke."
"This was bestowed by Emperor Taizu upon the founding heroes. For the past three hundred years, apart from those distinguished old dukes, your Ning family is the only one to have received this gift!"
Ning Buhuo on the side was also completely stunned.
They had just been thrown into prison and were anxiously waiting for news from Wujie. However, after waiting for several days, they did not see Wujie, but instead received an imperial edict.
How come their family was upgraded to a Duke's Mansion in no time?
Ning Zheng thanked the eunuch calmly and respectfully escorted him away. After the door closed, he turned to look at his eldest son, who still looked confused, and his expression suddenly darkened.
"Don't you understand yet?" Ning Zheng's voice was filled with a hint of subtle fatigue and fear. "Your Majesty is testing us!"
Ning Buhuo finally woke up from his dream and broke out in a cold sweat, "Dad, we almost rebelled!"
If Wujie hadn't stopped them, they would probably be on their way back to the northwest by now. By then, I wonder what tricks His Majesty might have left to deal with them!
Maybe, they have already ambushed people on the road, and if they dare to escape to the northwest, they will be captured immediately!
Thinking of this, his pupils trembled violently.
He was not as smart as his younger brother since he was young, thanks to his younger brother!
He looked at the iron certificate in Ning Zheng's hand again, his eyes shining, "Dad, His Majesty is saying that now that we have passed the test, he will no longer be suspicious of our family?"
Ning Zheng nodded slowly, thoughts swirling in his mind as he quickly went over the whole thing.
The more I thought about it, the more something seemed wrong.
His son might be behind this matter.
He had just scolded Wujie, saying that he was worried that His Majesty would be suspicious of Wujie's thoughts and that this would bring disaster to their family.
Then His Majesty came up with this "test" and made them "pass" the test.
Now, on the one hand, he gave them the iron certificate to reassure them, and on the other hand, he ordered them to return to the northwest immediately in the imperial edict.
It always seemed like they thought he was in the way and wanted to dispel his doubts and get him to leave quickly.
Thinking of this, Ning Zheng's face darkened.
This brat! He even schemed against his own father!
Ning Buhuo then said nonchalantly, "Dad, should we go to the palace to express our gratitude?" He muttered, "The imperial decree orders us to depart today, but I'm afraid it's too late."
Ning Zheng's face turned cold, and he gave his eldest son a cold look: "No need, someone thinks we are an eyesore."
On the other side, "someone" who was working at his desk in the palace's bedroom sneezed.
He rubbed his itchy nose and turned his head to look at the person by the window.
Wen Xing was leaning lazily on the soft couch by the window.
A gauze robe as thin as a cicada's wing loosely covered his body. He supported his forehead with one hand, and the wide cuffs slid down to his elbows, revealing an arm as white as snow.
In the other hand, he held a round fan made of plain gauze, waving it gently from time to time.
Those gem-clear eyes looked at the gurgling stream outside the window, their eyes were blank, and I don’t know what they were thinking.
The sound of bamboo leaves rustled as they peeked in from the window lattice, hanging over his inky black hair and shaking.
A picture of a beautiful woman leaning against the window to enjoy the cool air left Ning Wujie stunned.
Then he heard the beauty sigh.
He put down his pen, stood up and walked over, half-knelt down in front of Wen Xing, and looked up at him.
"What is your majesty thinking about?"
Wen Xing lowered his eyes, and the look he gave Ning Wujie was carrying was filled with a kind of resentment that was almost like he had no desire to live. Ning Wujie's breath stopped, and he asked nervously, "What's wrong?"
Wen Xing looked at the young man and said, "I have read the imperial edict you drafted. Are your father and brother going back to the northwest today?"
"I said I would appease your family, but I didn't say they should go back. Why are you taking the initiative?"
He suspected that the boy did it on purpose.
Once Ning Zheng returns to the northwest, he will no longer have anyone to force to rebel.
After all, it is impossible for Ning Wujie to rebel on his own now. He has forced him many times but failed. This kid even came to him and made a promise that he would "rather die than rebel"!
Therefore, his current strategy was to start with the Ning family, letting them rebel and then coerce Ning Wujie.
But he was half-coaxed and half-tricked by this boy in bed, and made a promise that he would no longer be "suspicious" of the Ning family.
How can he be forced to do this?!
Even the "reduction of vassal powers" that he had thought of before was impossible. After all, he had just promoted someone to the rank of Duke of Zhenguo, and instead of reducing his power, he was promoted!
Wen Xing held his forehead deeply.
For the thousandth time, I despised my own lust in my heart.
Ning Wujie slowly frowned. Why did His Majesty have such a depressed expression when his father and brother were going back?
He can't still be thinking about his brother, right?!
Thinking of this, his face darkened again, and he said dryly, "As my father said before, to prevent those with ulterior motives from taking advantage of the turmoil in the court to cause chaos on the border, it would be best for my father and brother to return and take charge."
He choked upon hearing this.
This guy always has the most plausible excuses!
He refused to give up and tried to appeal to his feelings: "But your father and brother have been stationed at the border for many years. I don't know when we will be able to see each other again after this departure."
His original intention was to arouse Ning Wujie's admiration, but he didn't expect the boy's face to become even darker.
Wen Xing:?
Ning Wujie narrowed his eyes at him and asked in a sinister voice, "Does Your Majesty really want to see them so much?"
I’ve said before that no one is as handsome as him and I only like him!
Wen Xing looked puzzled, "I'm just worried that you'll miss your family."
The young man's expression finally softened after hearing this.
In fact, he was reluctant to do so, but when he thought about his father, as long as he stayed in the capital, he would definitely try his best to make him give up thinking about His Majesty.
Even if he got a guarantee from Your Majesty, given my father's personality, he would definitely not agree to a relationship between him and Your Majesty that goes against the ethical standards between a monarch and his subjects.
Rather than this, it is better to turn a blind eye.
So he acted righteously and said, "The Ning family shoulders the responsibility for the safety of the country. Naturally, national affairs are more important than family matters."
Wen Xing: ...
He twitched the corners of his mouth.
You Nings are really obsessed with the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues. You can't even be pushed around!
What should I do?
You can't just give the throne to Ning Wujie, right?
That only works if the boy is willing to accept it.
Now it seems that Ning Wujie would rather die than accept it.
Wen Xing thought sadly, he couldn't really follow history and accuse the Ning family of treason by collaborating with foreign enemies and have their property confiscated and their clan exterminated, right?
In history, this unjust case of the Ning family is an unsolved case.
Not long after the Ning family was destroyed, rebellions broke out in this last dynasty, and no one could seek justice for the Ning family.
Therefore, there is no way to trace the person who framed the person.
But Wen Xing felt that the framer was most likely the Wang family. After all, the Ning family was the only force in the court that could compete with them.
But now with the death of the Queen Mother, Wang's power in the court has been eradicated by him, so the framer probably no longer exists.
What else can he do?
Just when Wen Xing felt that his rebellious cause was doomed and he had no desire to live, an urgent report suddenly came from outside the door -
"Your Majesty! Urgent military intelligence! Prince Xiang has rebelled!"
The system in Wen Xing's mind captured the key words and popped up a prompt -
Prince Xiang Wenli, the fourth son of the Emperor, rose up in rebellion in his fiefdom of Jiangping in the 13th year of the Yongjing reign during the last years of the Chen Kingdom. In the 14th year of the Yongjing reign, he was subdued by the rebel Chi'e Army led by Ning Wujie. From then on, the Chi'e Army used Jiangping as a springboard to continuously expand their territory, aiming for the Imperial City and ultimately establishing their rule in the Central Plains.
After reading the introduction, Wen Xing's eyes suddenly lit up.
So the rebellion of Prince Xiang was originally a stepping stone for Ning Wujie!
I was just worried that I couldn't force this guy to rebel, and now here comes my chance!
Ning Wujie's face darkened. At Wen Xing's instruction, he opened the military report, scanned it quickly, and reported in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the report states that Prince Xiang has occupied several surrounding prefectures and counties, and the locals have failed to mount an effective resistance. The Xuanfu Guard, closest to the rebels, may be able to assist in the initial defense. I suggest that the Jiangbei Jiedushi swiftly mobilize the troops..."
Wen Xing looked at Ning Wujie and narrowed his eyes cunningly: "You go."
Ning Wujie was startled: "Minister?"
"But Jiangping is far away from the capital, so sending troops from the capital is not as good as..."
Wen Xing interrupted and said, "I will grant you the power to command all the troops in the world and lead them to attack the traitor Prince Xiang."
Ning Wujie was stunned.
Control the troops of the world? !
Are they going to hand over all the military power of Dachen to him? !
Wen Xing met his shocked gaze, a meaningful smile curling up at the corner of her lips: "What? Ning Qing doesn't dare to answer?"
I thought to myself, "Hurry up and take it. The success or failure of my retirement plan depends on this!"
Ning Wujie looked at the undisguised excitement in Wen Xing's eyes, feeling doubtful and excited.
Your Majesty... do you really trust him this much?!
But soon he began to worry again, "I don't know when I can return to the capital after this trip."
His eyes were fixed on Wen Xing, with undisguised attachment and reluctance.
Wen Xing took another look at the system.
It took Ning Wujie a year and a half to defeat King Xiang. Hiss... was it that long?
But it doesn’t matter. When Ning Wujie comes back in a year and a half, he will have unprecedented military achievements and will be in charge of the military power of the world.
At that time, a few "caring" generals will be arranged to give him a "yellow robe" ceremony, haha, haha!
He can then be forced to retire!
The more Wen Xing thought about it, the more excited he became. He happily said, "No problem! I'll wait for you."
Seeing the smile that could not be suppressed on Wen Xing's lips, Ning Wujie's brows were furrowed tighter and tighter. When he heard that his father and brother had left the capital, this foolish emperor looked dejected, but now he was so happy to send him away?
I'm afraid she's tired of him and wants to find a chance to get rid of him and make room for someone else!
It is unknown how long this battle will last. When he returns, will this foolish emperor have a new favorite around him?
The more Ning Wujie thought about it, the darker his face became, so gloomy that it seemed like water was about to drip out of it.
He pulled the corner of his lip and said coldly: "I am still young and my experience is too shallow. My father is more suitable for this position."
Wen Xing said seriously, "Ning Qing, you are too modest. I am well aware of your abilities, and this position belongs to you. Your father should be sent back to the northwest to guard the city. Prince Xiang is currently in rebellion, and the Shufeng tribe is eyeing us covetously. There's no guarantee they won't take advantage of the civil unrest and march south."
Ning Wujie's forehead twitched. Now he agreed to let his father go back to the northwest?
He became even more convinced that this tyrant wanted to drive him away!
After all, in terms of qualifications, prestige and experience, his father is far more suitable for this position than him.
He was just a general of the Yue cavalry. How could he suddenly control the military power of the world?
absurd!
This was clearly a bait thrown by the tyrant emperor, hoping to make him leave the capital willingly!
He was so angry that his teeth itched, and he could only say coldly: "But once I leave, who will review the memorials for Your Majesty?"
Wen Xing said calmly, "I can find the Grand Tutor."
"The Grand Tutor is old and has been bedridden for a month and has not recovered yet."
Wen Xing choked.
"I... can hand it over to the six ministers."
"Your Majesty, aren't you afraid of raising another group of royalists?"
Wen Xing: ...
Seeing him fall silent, Ning Wujie curled up the corner of his lips in a sneer.
You see, you can’t find anyone in the court who is both capable and trustworthy.
But Wen Xing's eyes turned, as if he was thinking seriously. After a moment, his eyes lit up, "I can find Wang Jiang! He is loyal and will not abuse his power for personal gain."
Wen Xing seemed to have found the perfect solution. He leaned back comfortably, fanning himself with a cool air fan, and said happily, "That's it!"
Ning Wujie: ...
really!
This tyrant even found someone to review memorials on his behalf!
Ning Wujie clenched his fists, his eyes burning red with anger, staring at Wen Xing sinisterly, as if he wanted to stare through this tyrant.
After a long while, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. He said coldly, "The weather is getting colder. Does Your Majesty want Wang Jiang to warm your bed for you?"
Wen Xing: ...
That's not necessary, is it?
Ning Wujie leaned over again, leaned over and placed his hands on the armrests of Wen Xing's chair, trapping the emperor in the narrow space between himself and the chair.
His breath fanned Wen Xing's cheek, and his low voice carried a magnetic allure, "If I leave now, there will be no one to serve Your Majesty."
As soon as he finished speaking, a kiss as light as a feather landed on the corner of Wen Xing's lips.
Wen Xing's eyes dimmed.
"Your Majesty...are you willing to give it up?"
Another light kiss came down, with scorching temperature, and the hot and wet tip of the tongue barely touched the gap between Wen Xing's lips.
Wen Xing couldn't help but open his lips slightly.
Ning Wujie's tongue tip immediately probed in skillfully, gently yet forcefully entwining and licking.
A familiar and refreshing breath entered Wen Xing's nostrils, and his breathing became heavier and his body became weak.
"I want to... serve Your Majesty well." Ning Wujie's voice was low and hoarse, with panting of passion.
"But......"
"Your Majesty, don't you want to?"
"Hmm..."
Something was gradually becoming scorching hot.
"But..." Wen Xing's remaining sanity was still struggling, his breathing unstable, "You have to... put down the rebellion..."
"Then your majesty...please come with me."
"Okay?" A low, coaxing voice spilled out between their lips and teeth.
Wen Xing gasped, his consciousness gradually becoming blurred. In his moist vision, the bamboo branches swayed across the window, gradually turning into a hazy light and shadow.
"Hmm... um..."
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The author has something to say: Tyrant: You can’t force it, right? I force it on you~ Oh hehe~
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