allendalepharm Chapter 1488 Xianning: She is really afraid of the gentleman.
Chapter 1488 Xianning: She is really afraid of the gentleman.
Chapter 1488 Xianning: She is really afraid of the gentleman.
Funing Palace
When Jia Heng left Wuying Hall and walked along the palace road with high palace walls, he was still thinking about the reactions of the cabinet ministers.
What he said just now, apart from being speechless about the failure of Xiaoxiao's assassination, was also intended to attract the attention of King Wei.
Both cabinet ministers are smart people. If they don't divert most of their attention to him, the Wei and Liang clans will not be able to launch a coup at all.
This is an important premise!
Because Gao Zhongping was the trusted adviser who accompanied Emperor Chongping in the coup d'état. Although he is now the prime minister and uses many brilliant schemes, he is also familiar with these tactics of political conspiracy and coup d'état.
Therefore, after the sudden incident of Xiaoxiao's failed assassination, he had to take responsibility for attracting the cabinet's attention.
Makes the whole thing suspicious.
He had never intended to commit any rebellious acts before the death of Emperor Chongping, otherwise he would have agreed to Tianniuer's proposal from the beginning.
Directly join forces with King Wei, help him with his plans, and then assist in governing the country.
But it is totally untenable in legal terms for a son-in-law to rebel against his father-in-law without following the emperor's edict.
There is an assumption that he cannot violate. Before his affair with the sweet girl is exposed, he must save face!
Build a memorial archway!
In other words, he could not go against the "will" of Emperor Chongping confirmed by the cabinet, that is, the will to designate the King of Chu as the crown prince. He had to continue to play the role of a loyal minister, establish himself as a staunch supporter of the emperor and even the "will of the previous emperor" in the future, tie himself to the emperor and enjoy the greatest political legacy of the Chongping New Deal.
Just like Wang and Chiang both kept the three words "first prime minister" on their lips as their catchphrase.
In the future, his catchphrase will be "The late emperor was so-and-so."
The subsequent propaganda materials were like: "When the late emperor was in power, he often stroked Prince Wei's back, sighed and lamented, wishing Zi Yu was his son."
In other words, the source of his power and the legal and popular support came from Emperor Chongping. Otherwise, he would be an ungrateful and ungrateful person and would be cursed by the world.
We cannot cut it off rashly. This is not an era where heroes emerge from all directions and anyone with a gun can become a king.
In other words, even if a new dynasty is established, should it be based on gratitude and justice? If the rituals and music are really broken, will people in later generations follow suit? Then how can we establish the glorious Chinese Xia Dynasty, when Jia Heng was not in a righteous position when he founded the country? !
Will the one who first created clay figures for burials have no descendants?
But if the situation is peaceful, he will not be able to suppress the cabinet. There must be chaos, and it must be a chaos in which he can remain unaware.
Eventually, he took over the entire situation in the capital as a loyal minister who guarded the imperial power.
The Wei and Liang clans were the chess players responsible for destroying the stability of the political situation. Their internal strife dealt a heavy blow to the emperor's spiritual will, ultimately sending him on his last journey and causing the cabinet's authority to completely collapse.
You must know that at any time, internal turmoil in the imperial power and high-level officials will seriously destroy the prestige of the center and disintegrate the sacred filter of the high-level officials among the middle and lower levels.
Even in modern society, this is still the case.
He used this incident to gain the emperor's final trust and obtain the last political capital that could lay the foundation for his emperorship.
That is, all the sons were incompetent, and King Wei tried his best to save the country. Eventually, the Chen family lost their virtue and abdicated to King Wei!
Then the best situation for the Wei and Liang clans and the King of Chu would be that both sides would suffer losses.
He just aroused suspicion in the cabinet, but was finally proved to be a first-class loyal minister of the Han Dynasty. This contrast between great loyalty and seemingly treachery was exactly what he needed.
To put it bluntly, it means gradually winning over the hearts of civil officials.
The Han Dynasty at this moment is really not the time when traitors such as Huan Wen, Zhu Wen and other traitors usurped the throne as in the Two Jin Dynasties, the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Five Dynasties. After hundreds of years of civil service politics in the Song and Ming Dynasties, the civil service group is deeply rooted, and even if they want to usurp the throne, they have to be very particular about their manners.
This drama is absolutely indispensable.
How can I just go up and directly propose that I become the emperor?
Neither Wang Mang nor Cao Cao did this.
The one who believes in the philosophy that those who obey me will prosper, and those who disobey me will perish is Dong Zhuo!
Jia Heng suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and his official boots stepped on the snow, making a creaking sound. It was already the twelfth month of the nineteenth year of Chongping.
On the three-story bluestone jade steps in front of the hall, next to the vermilion beams and pillars, teams of Jinyifu guards dressed in flying fish uniforms and inner guards wearing black wingless mountain-shaped crowns stood on the eaves, holding knives and on guard.
Jia Heng came closer, and his cold and sharp eyes from under his thick eyebrows swept across the group of Jinyi Guards.
"Stop." The Jinyifu guard shouted to Jia Heng, then his face became serious and he said with a bow, "I greet the governor."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "I will go in and see Princess Xianning."
"Commander-in-chief, Eunuch Dai has instructed that without the emperor's order, outsiders are not allowed to enter without permission." The young officer of the Jinyifu guards looked embarrassed and spoke.
The person in front of him is the Prince of Wei, who is feared by all the world and is also the Governor of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Jia Heng frowned, looked deeply, and shouted: "Does the king need to ask for permission from the palace just to see his own family?"
The leading officer in brocade uniforms looked at the leader of the eunuchs in black uniforms at the side, and after getting permission, he made way and said, "Commander-in-chief, please."
Jia Heng walked away with an indifferent expression.
This is the change of power.
From holding the power of life and death in the beginning to now even the Jinyiwei, which once issued consistent orders, has begun to hesitate, there are already signs that people are no longer in favor of them.
If he really loses power, his former bustling business would become deserted, and he would eventually become someone else's meat on the chopping board, at the mercy of others.
While Jia Heng was speaking, he strode into the hall.
The Jinyi Guards quickly sent someone to the study in Hanyuan Hall to report to Dai Quan.
At this moment, Funing Palace——
There was a ground heater burning in the hall, and hot steam was rising in the air, mixing with the warmth and fragrance of the hall. The palace maids standing under the beams and pillars were waiting quietly.
Princess Xianning was sitting on a soft couch with a mattress on it. Her flat belly was bulging like a ball. Her slender hands gently stroked it. Her round face was rosy and white. Her beautiful eyes were as clear as water under her willow-shaped eyebrows. She said, "What happened these days? The inner guards were guarding outside the palace and they were very nervous."
Concubine Duanrong said: "It's not your father, alas..."
At this moment, a maid from the outer room entered the palace and said, "Madam, Prince Wei is here."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Duanrong paused, stared intently, and whispered, "Where is the person?"
While Jia Heng was speaking, he walked into the hall. Led by the female official, he looked at the noble concubine Duanrong who was sitting on the couch, bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Zi Yu is here." Concubine Duan Rong looked at the young man in the python robe with a bright and charming look under her slender eyebrows and said, "Come on, sit down."
"Sir." Princess Xianning called softly with her beautiful eyes as clear as water under her willow-shaped eyebrows.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Xianning, how are you and the child?"
As he spoke, he walked closer and suddenly grasped Princess Xianning's slender hand.
Princess Xianning nodded, her face full of happiness and sweetness, and said, "The Imperial Hospital has checked it. The fetus's pulse is stable and strong. It will be born in another month."
Jia Heng said, "Xianning, I'll listen to the child later."
As he spoke, he squatted down and moved close to Princess Xianning's lower abdomen, listening to the movements of the fetus in her belly.
Princess Xianning's beautiful face was filled with shyness and joy, and she said in a tone that was not sure whether it was a proud or happy tone, "Sir, he kicked me a lot these past few days."
The quiet and cold face of Concubine Duanrong was also full of brightness. She looked at the young couple with an aunt's smile on her face.
No matter what, Xianning has found a good ending in this life.
After a while, Jia Heng held Princess Xianning's delicate hand, his expression paused, and said, "Xianning, stay at home recently, take good care of your pregnancy, and everything will be fine when you give birth in the spring of next year."
Concubine Duanrong asked, "Zi Yu, what's the situation outside recently? Hasn't the King of Chu been appointed as the Crown Prince?"
Jia Heng turned to look at his mother-in-law, who was still as graceful and beautiful as ever, and said, "Your Majesty, do you want to know when the guards outside will be withdrawn?"
Concubine Duanrong nodded and said, "Xianning is in the room, so it is inconvenient for her to go in and out normally. It is also not very convenient for me to go in and out. Why is Your Majesty doing this?"
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, because this was a little difficult to respond to.
Just as Jia Heng was talking to Concubine Duanrong, a slender and beautiful female official walked in quickly outside the palace with red walls and black tiles and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Eighth Prince is here."
As they were talking, a young man entered the hall, wearing a well-cut and beautifully embroidered python robe. His fair and handsome face was filled with joy, and he said, "Mother, my brother-in-law is here too."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Your Highness."
"Brother-in-law, just call me Aze." The eighth prince Chen Ze said in a firm voice with a firm look.
"Ze'er is back." Concubine Duanrong looked at the child with a sweet smile on her cold and beautiful face, and a hint of kindness appeared in her beautiful eyes.
Jia Heng turned his head to look at his mother-in-law, and there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.
It can only be said that time has left no trace at all on Concubine Duanrong. She is like a pot of old wine that has been brewed for a long time, with a subtle fragrance floating in the air. Even a slight sniff can make people intoxicated.
Especially when the beauty frowns and smiles, her coolness and intelligence still flow silently between her eyebrows and eyes.
Princess Xianning gently tugged at Jia Heng's hand, and a hint of shame and anger appeared in her sparkling eyes beneath her beautiful eyebrows.
Sir, what are you doing? Why were you peeking at my mother just now?
She is really afraid of the gentleman.
The main reason was that Xianning now suspected that Queen Song's twins, a boy and a girl, might be Jia Heng's children, just like Princess Zhen Qing of Chu.
Jia Heng was distracted for just a moment, then turned to look at Princess Xianning beside him, feeling a little guilty.
My wife is still pregnant.
Concubine Duanrong asked, "Ze'er, didn't you go to school today? Why did you come back so early?"
"I just went to pay my respects to my father," said Chen Ze.
Concubine Duanrong looked at Chen Ze with a gentle gaze under her dark eyebrows and said, "We should go over and take a look."
Chen Zeming blinked his eyes, looked at Jia Heng curiously, and asked, "Why did you want to enter the palace today, brother-in-law?"
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Come and see your sister, Ze'er. She looks much taller now."
Although my wife's brother is younger than me, he has already shown some intelligence and wisdom.
At this moment, Concubine Duanrong took over the conversation and said with a smile: "Ze'er is already twelve years old, thirteen in lunar age, and he has grown taller."
Jia Heng asked with a smile: "What books have you read recently?"
"Mainly some of the Four Books and Five Classics and some of the theories of various schools of thought." Chen Ze said in a clear voice, "I also read some military books and strategies privately."
Princess Xianning's eyebrows were soft and her smile was lingering. Her plump and lovely face was bright and beautiful. She said, "My brother often said that in the future he wanted to be like you, able to lead troops to fight and make contributions to the Han Dynasty."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "You have to grow up quickly. In a few years, even the northwest and Tibet will be pacified by the court, and you will have nowhere to go if you want to go on an expedition."
Chen Ze's voice was a little crisp, and his face showed a firm look. He said: "Brother-in-law, the Baiyue in the south and the island countries on the sea, these barbarians, should also be educated."
Concubine Duanrong frowned and said, "You are so young, but you only know how to use swords and guns. Didn't your master Lu often tell you that the Han people should not indulge in war?"
Chen Ze said: "But didn't my brother-in-law also say that educating the barbarians is what all ancient Chinese saints and wise kings did."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Being ambitious, aggressive, and wasteful, all of this is ultimately about money. If the conquered lands produce something, it won't be considered a waste of money, but rather a benefit to the country."
I'm afraid that Lu Li is constantly teaching Chen Ze some imperial knowledge. Of course, from his point of view, these are totally wrong.
Princess Xianning smiled brightly on her beautiful face and said, "Your brother-in-law is a man of great talent. He will teach you more in the future."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Duanrong looked intently at the young man in the python robe.
It can be said that the mother-in-law has now fully recognized Jia Heng's talents.
Although because of her elder sister Queen Song, Concubine Duanrong had always maintained a non-competitive attitude.
But which woman doesn’t want her son to be successful?
Now that Emperor Chongping has appointed Chu Fan as the Crown Prince, Concubine Duanrong has fewer concerns.
Jia Heng met Chen Ze's expectant gaze and said, "Then I'll tell you about this when I have time."
"Thank you, brother-in-law." Chen Ze said with a happy look on his face and a chuckle.
At this moment, Concubine Duanrong looked at Jia Heng with her beautiful eyes under her beautiful eyebrows and said, "Zi Yu, when can the guards outside be withdrawn?"
Jia Heng thought for a moment and said, "We have to wait until the King of Chu thanks His Majesty in the presence of the cabinet and other ministers. Then, the court officials will gather in Hanyuan Hall to congratulate the Crown Prince on his regentship and accept the worship of the officials."
At that time, the status was already determined and there was really no chance of a comeback.
Because, this was Emperor Chongping endorsing the King of Chu.
Only name and position should not be given to others lightly.
By that time, if the King of Wei makes any unusual moves again, the cost of rebellion will be very high.
Unlike now, it is entirely possible to say that the King of Chu colluded with Chinese and foreign forces to deceive the emperor, and the edict to enthrone the prince was also a forged edict.
……
……
Prince Wei's Mansion
In the study
Behind a square lacquered wooden desk, Wei Wang Chen Ran was wearing a round-necked Sichuan brocade robe, without a crown on his head. His sinister and stern face seemed to be shrouded in a layer of coldness.
"What's going on?" The King of Wei's expression suddenly changed. Under his sword-like eyebrows, his calm eyes were deep and inexplicable. He asked in shock, "Who is assassinating Qiu Liang?"
Deng Wei looked thoughtful and said, "Your Highness, if it's not one of ours, could it be the King of Liang?"
Wei Wang Chen Ran said: "It can't be Liang Wang's brother, we will know after asking him later."
Deng Wei paused for a moment and speculated, "Could it be that he offended someone, so he was attacked and killed?"
After thinking for a while, Deng Wei suddenly remembered something. He looked at him fiercely and said, "Your Highness, could it be the remnant of King Zhao?"
King Wei Chen Ran frowned, then relaxed his brows, as if he had suddenly realized something, and said, "It's not impossible."
Deng Wei nodded and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry."
At this moment, Song Jing strode into the hall, met the inquiring gaze of Wei Wang Chen Ran, with a complex expression on his face, and said, "Your Highness, the cabinet just sent a clerk to ask the Wei County King to come to the palace to answer questions."
King Wei Chen Ran frowned and said, "Could it be Zi Yu?"
Song Jing nodded and said, "It's possible, but why would Jia Ziyu look for someone to assassinate Qiu Liang?"
This was obviously something Song Jing could not understand.
King Wei Chen Ran shook his head and said, "If Zi Yu wanted to get rid of Qiu Liang, he would not use such assassination methods. There are too many ways."
Song Jing nodded and said, "Your Highness, that makes sense."
King Wei Chen Ran's eyes flickered under his sword-like brows. He looked at Song Jing quietly and said, "Uncle, how do you think we should deal with this next?"
Song Jing nodded and said, "Qiu Liang has now returned to the Jinyi Mansion. I'm afraid he thinks that Your Highness wants to kill people to silence them, and then he will go against Your Highness again."
King Wei Chen Ran frowned slightly, his eyes fixed, and he said in a gentle voice: "Uncle, what do you say we should do?"
Song Jing said: "Your Highness, don't panic. You can wait and see. Qiu Liang is smart and will not report you to the palace."
King Wei Chen Ran frowned, looked deeply, and said loudly: "It was all good, but something like this happened."
Song Jing said: "Your Highness, everything is not going on yet, it is just in the preparation stage. On the other hand, the cabinet does not suspect Your Highness, but only focuses on Prince Wei. In this way, the cabinet will focus on Prince Wei, and Your Highness can make arrangements calmly."
King Wei Chen Ran nodded and said, "Uncle is right."
This is his only chance to turn things around, otherwise, he will be trapped and die in the vassal state for the rest of his life.
Just then, a servant entered the study and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Liang is here."
As he was speaking, Liang Wang Chen Wei came quickly from outside and whispered, "Royal brother, I just heard from Mr. Xi that Jinyi commander Qiu Liang was assassinated on the street."
Wei Wang Chen Ran's face was as solemn as iron, and he said softly: "The cabinet has already asked Jia Ziyu about this matter, and they may suspect Jia Ziyu."
As he spoke, he looked at Liang Wang Chen Wei and said, "Brother Liang Wang, the capital has been in a state of panic recently. Brother Liang Wang should not visit too frequently."
Song Jing warned: "You need to keep a low profile recently."
If I come here too often, I'm afraid people will suspect that I'm plotting something.
Liang Wang Chen Wei explained: "Today's events are too special, so I came here in a hurry."
As he spoke, he looked intently at Wei Wang Chen Ran.
The King of Wei had a face as gloomy as iron, and said in a gentle voice: "In a few days, the King of Chu will come to the palace to express his gratitude. That will be our chance."
Liang Wang Chen Wei frowned, feeling extremely worried, and asked, "Brother, will Qiu Liang's assassination arouse suspicion among the civil servants in the cabinet?"
King Wei said: "Now those civil officials have cast their suspicion on Zi Yu, which has cleared us of suspicion. But Qiu Liang may not be the same. Maybe he wants to kill him to silence him."
Liang Wang Chen Wei frowned, with a fierce light in his eyes.
(End of this chapter)