allendalepharm Chapter 1446 Jia Heng: Happy and Pity Him
Chapter 1446 Jia Heng: Happy and Pity Him
Chapter 1446 Jia Heng: I am happy and I pity him...
Shenjing City
It was the winter season, the wind was biting and cold, as sharp as a knife. The whistling wind made the flags of the cavalry behind them flutter.
Jia Heng stared at the red beams and pillars, and the eaves of the city gate tower, which were covered with a layer of white snow. He said to Chen Xiao beside him with emotion: "It didn't delay the New Year."
Chen Xiao's pair of clear eyes with a deep gaze beneath her curved eyebrows said, "Whether we can have a peaceful New Year this year is still uncertain."
On the way back, Chen Xiao and Jia Heng had learned about Qiu Liang's personnel adjustments in the Jinyi Mansion through his old subordinates in the Mansion.
Prince Beijing Shui Rong looked towards the city gate tower, with a hint of emotion on his handsome face.
This trip has been going on for several months, and now we have pacified Liaodong and returned with honor.
Accompanied by the sound of "clattering hooves", thousands of cavalrymen marched into the Shenjing City from the city gate tower.
With Jia Heng's return to the capital, the news spread quickly throughout the entire city of Shenjing.
Duke Weiguo pacified Liaodong and returned to the capital.
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Palace Garden, Kunning Palace
Outside the hall, the north wind was as sharp as a knife and the cold was oppressive, while inside the hall, there was a blazing brazier and it was warm. The two streams of cold and hot air met on the window glass, and a thick layer of frost could be seen.
"Cough cough..."
Since winter came, Emperor Chongping's body was increasingly unable to withstand the severe cold. At this moment, he kept coughing while holding a handkerchief, and his thin, sunken cheeks were as pale as gold paper.
Emperor Chongping gently put aside the handkerchief with traces of bright red blood in his hand and said, "Zitong, go and make a cup of ginseng tea."
Queen Song's snow-white face suddenly changed, and she said with a worried tone, "Your Majesty, I have already drunk it."
Emperor Chongping sighed, but did not continue to call for Shencha.
As Queen Song spoke, she sat closer and said, "Your Majesty, you must take care of your health."
Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said nonchalantly: "I won't die for a while."
When Queen Song heard this, she was shocked, and a look of worry appeared on her face. She asked anxiously, "Your Majesty, why do you have to say such ominous words?"
In the imperial palace, that word has always been taboo. Any palace maid or eunuch who dares to look bitter might be dragged out and given two slaps in the face.
"Everyone has to die. Some people's death is heavier than Mount Tai, while others' death is lighter than a feather. I have worked diligently for the Han Dynasty all my life. Although I dare not compare myself to Mount Tai, I can still say that I have lived up to the country and people entrusted to me by my ancestors of the Han Dynasty." There was both pride and an unspeakable sense of tragedy in Emperor Chongping's voice.
What did he pay for? He was bedridden and blind.
At this moment, a female official in bright clothes quickly entered the palace, looked at Emperor Chongping and Empress Song, and said, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Wei has arrived in Beijing."
As soon as these words came out, Emperor Chongping, who was staring at the scene in trance, seemed to show a hint of joy on his sunken, thin face, and hurriedly said, "Zitong, quickly summon Ziyu to the palace."
Queen Song's snow-white face was also filled with joy, and she said, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment."
While the beauty was speaking, she stood up and told Xia Shouzhong to go and greet Jia Heng.
After a short while, Jia Heng and Chen Xiao entered the palace together, and under the guidance of the eunuchs, they entered the Kunning Palace.
Walking around several wooden carved screens and looking at the middle-aged emperor sitting on the couch, Jia Heng took a few quick steps and said, "Your Majesty, I greet you. Long live the emperor."
Chen Xiao also walked quickly forward and paid his respects to Emperor Chongping with great courtesy.
When Emperor Chongping heard this, his voice seemed to contain a hint of kindness, and he asked, "Zi Yu, you're back."
"Your Majesty." Jia Heng raised his eyes and looked at the emperor who looked much older and frailer.
At this moment, Queen Song turned her beautiful head and looked at the handsome face of the young man. She seemed to miss him a little bit and said softly, "Zi Yu, the ground is cold. You and Xiao Er should get up."
Chen Xiao was listening at the side, her beautiful head lowered, and the corners of her mouth twitched.
She really felt sorry for her lover.
Jia Heng thanked him, then looked at Emperor Chongping intently. When he saw the white cloth wrapped around his eyes, he was inexplicably startled.
It seems that there is a big problem with the emperor's eyes.
Jia Heng's emotions were inexplicably complicated, and at this moment he was probably in a complex state of mind of "happy and pitying".
Because after the emperor becomes blind, it means that his control over the court will weaken. Perhaps he will be safer, but not necessarily. He may even become more suspicious.
The emperor has been strong all his life, and it is undoubtedly heartbreaking for him to end up in this situation.
"Your Majesty, we were attacked in the Taimiao before. I wonder what kind of villains were responsible?" Jia Heng asked, suppressing the complicated emotions churning in his heart.
Emperor Chongping's frail face was covered with a frosty chill, and he said, "It's the remnants of King Zhao! Chen Yuan and his men are so cruel and mad that I suffered some injuries, but fortunately I am safe and sound, and there is nothing else seriously wrong."
At this moment, Jia Heng did not ask in detail about the white cloth wrapped around Emperor Chongping's eye sockets, wondering if there was something wrong with his eyes.
I wonder if the emperor at this moment would become suspicious because of such a sentence.
Emperor Chongping noticed that the young man had suddenly fallen silent, and at this moment, he asked, "Since Ziyu has returned this time, has the situation in Liaodong been stabilized?"
Jia Heng nodded and said, "It is winter in Liaodong. The original Jurchen Eight Banners tribes and the Mongolian tribes are all behaving themselves. Moreover, even if they have other intentions, our Beijing Camp army is stationed in Shengjing City, which is sufficient to deal with any emergencies."
Emperor Chongping's voice became a little lighter, and he said, "That's good. You are returning to the capital today. I should have held a banquet to welcome you, but now that you are injured, it is not easy to do so."
Jia Heng nodded, and quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, what you said really embarrasses me."
Emperor Chongping said: "Zi Yu has been deep in Liaodong for the past six months, fighting thousands of miles away to eliminate the great threat of the Jurchens in Liaodong for our Han Dynasty. How could I not know the hard work and preparations he has made?"
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "I was selected by the emperor from a humble background, so I should try my best to serve him wholeheartedly. In the fourteenth year of Chongping, I was appreciated by the emperor in the inner study. Five years have passed. Now Liaodong is peaceful, and I can rest well and spend time with my wife at home."
At the end of his speech, Jia Heng's voice was choked with sobs.
When Emperor Chongping heard this, he remained silent for a while.
In other words, he has captured the emotion in Jia Heng's voice, as well as his indifferent spirit of "leaving when the work is done".
In a blink of an eye, five years have passed since the 14th year of Chongping when Zi Yu was introduced by Jin Yang to the 19th year of Chongping.
Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "I have asked the cabinet to draft an imperial edict to promote you to the rank of prince. When you return home, take a good rest for a while. The Han Dynasty is just beginning to recover and its prosperity is just beginning, and we still need your advice and suggestions."
Upon hearing this, Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said, "I thank your Majesty for your grace."
The title is indeed Prince.
It took him five years from the 14th year of Chongping to reach this place, and he finally became the current prince from Liutiaoer Hutong, Ningrong Street, which is above the five ranks of nobility.
Since the founding of the Chen Han Dynasty, there have been only four princes, and the Prince of Nan'an was even demoted to a marquis, but he will be a prince in the future.
This was a step that marked a rapid expansion of his political influence, because he did not benefit from the influence of his ancestors, but instead grew from small to big, and from weak to strong.
However, the emperor took the opportunity to attack in the Jinyi Palace and dealt with all his men. This way of rewarding and punishing was truly the pinnacle of imperial psychology.
The beauty of application lies in one mind.
However, Qu Lang and Liu Jixian had come all the way from his humble beginnings, so he had to save them.
But I’m afraid that the power of the Jinyi Mansion cannot be maintained for the time being.
In other words, after Liaodong was pacified, the objective conditions for controlling the Jinyi Guards internally and the Beijing Camp externally no longer existed.
Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, then asked, "Zi Yu's previous memorial on the governance of Liaodong mentioned the need to settle immigrants in the border areas and to reclaim wasteland for farming. I heard that Liaodong has always been a cold and harsh land. Is it suitable for people to live there?"
Although the emperor warned himself more than once on his sickbed not to worry about state affairs, he could not help it.
Jia Heng said, "Your Majesty, after the Chongping New Deal was implemented, the people of the country have added countless acres of land, especially after the implementation of the policy of allocating land tax to each acre, the people have more desire to have children, and the population growth is bound to spurt. There is still a problem of too many people and too few fields. Liaodong is a vast land. Although it is bitter and cold, the soil is fertile and many crops can be grown. Our Han Dynasty can introduce corresponding strategies to encourage reclamation and attract people to reclaim wasteland in Liaodong."
Emperor Chongping said: "After some time, you and the ministers of the cabinet will discuss this matter together."
Zi Yu is indeed a man of both civil and military talents. If he can keep his innocent heart, he might become the pillar of the Han Dynasty.
Because Jia Heng's identity as the emperor's son-in-law is naturally reasonable.
But the prerequisite is that Jia Heng must remain loyal.
Emperor Chongping was ill and his mentality had changed a lot.
Emperor Chongping added, "You should go see Xianning later. She should be giving birth in a month or two. She hasn't seen you for half a year."
Jia Heng bowed and said yes.
Under the two eyebrows of Queen Song, her crystal clear eyes were like flowing waves of charm. She said, "Zi Yu, Xian Ning, Chan Yue, and Yan Er are all in Funing Palace. You can go and take a look."
It’s not convenient now, so let Zi Yu go see Qian Qian and Luo Er.
Jia Heng responded softly, took a deep look at Queen Song, met her shy and charming eyes, and went to Funing Palace with Chen Xiao.
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Funing Palace
Just as Jia Heng and Chen Xiao entered the palace to meet the emperor, the maid in the palace quickly ran to the Funing Palace to pass the news to Concubine Duanrong and Princess Xianning who were talking.
Concubine Duanrong's beautiful face showed joy, and she said, "Xianning, Ziyu is back."
Princess Xianning's frosty face was also filled with joy.
Li Chanyue and Song Yan, who were sitting not far away, had a look of delight on their petite and delicate faces, or their fair and pretty faces.
At this moment, a tall, slender and beautiful female official quickly stepped over a threshold and entered the hall, saying, "Duke Weiguo and Princess Le'an are here."
As they were talking, Jia Heng and Chen Xiao entered the hall together.
"Zi Yu, Xiao'er is here." A flourishing smile appeared on Concubine Duanrong's beautiful and gorgeous face. She called out and said in a low voice.
"Sister Xiaoxiao." Li Chanyue also stared at the young man in the python robe with a dazed look in her eyes, which were filled with longing and longing.
Chen Xiao smiled and nodded, took Li Chanyue's slender hand, his eyes filled with concern.
At this moment, Song Yan also stared at the young man in the python robe, her bright and sparkling eyes seemed to be filled with charming waves.
After Jia Heng married Song Yan, he immediately led his troops to Liaodong.
At this moment, Jia Heng met the gazes of Li Chanyue and Song Yan, called out, and said in a gentle voice: "Chanyue, Yan'er, long time no see."
Li Chanyue's petite face seemed to show sweetness and happiness, and she said, "Mr. Xiao Jia."
Concubine Duanrong smiled and said, "It's been a long time since we last met."
Jia Heng nodded, then stared at Princess Chen Xianning who was sitting on the embroidered cushion. He did not shy away from the fact that Concubine Duanrong was here. He reached out and took Princess Xianning's hand, saying, "Xianning is about to give birth, right?"
Princess Xianning's clear eyes were as bright as water under her willow-shaped eyebrows. She stared at the young man in the python robe and said in a delicate voice, "Wait another month or two."
As she spoke, her slender hands gently stroked her bulging belly, and her round and rosy face was full of sweetness and happiness.
Concubine Duanrong looked at the young couple with her beautiful eyes and a bright smile under her dark eyebrows.
Princess Xianning's jade-white face seemed to be filled with happiness and sweetness. She said, "Sir, don't you want to listen to the child now?"
I always see my husband listening to the children over there.
Jia Heng paused and said, "Then let me listen to the child."
As he spoke, Jia Heng squatted down and moved close to Princess Xianning's lower abdomen, as if he was listening to something quietly.
A smile seemed to cover the bright and beautiful face of Concubine Duanrong, and then she waved her hand to signal the female officials who were giggling to stop laughing.
At this moment, Li Chanyue and Song Yan were watching this scene quietly, their faces full of envy and joy.
Jia Heng listened for a while, then stood up, looked at Princess Xianning with warm eyes, and said, "Xianning, does the child kick you?"
When Princess Xianning heard this, her face was filled with happiness and sweetness, her eyes and eyebrows seemed to be moistened with charming waves, and she said, "I play every day."
Jia Heng chuckled and joked, "This child is like you. He will be more naughty when he grows up."
Princess Xianning snorted softly, and under her embroidered eyebrows, her clear eyes could not help but reveal a sparkling and clear wave, and said: "Who knows, I will look like you in the future."
Li Chanyue's eyes sparkled as she stared at the young man in the python robe and whispered, "Mr. Xiao Jia, the war in Liaodong has stopped, right?"
Jia Heng nodded and said in a deep voice: "The war is over. From now on, there will be no more war in Liaodong."
Song Yan took over the conversation and said, "Then Brother Heng can take a good rest for a while from now on."
Brother Heng and her have been married for such a long time, but they have not actually spent much time together.
Jia Heng also had some emotion on his face, and said: "Yes, the world is peaceful, but the northwest and Tibet will not be pacified for a while."
Will there really be peace in the world?
The emperor was bedridden, the Wei and Chu clans were fighting for the throne, and with Chen Yuan waiting in the dark for an opportunity, even he felt that the political situation in the capital was becoming a little confusing.
And the Jinyi Mansion has nominally been out of his control.
But the emperor's mausoleum has not collapsed, so many things are like undercurrents that may cause huge waves at any time.
Jia Heng couldn't help but have wild thoughts in his mind.
At this moment, under her beautiful eyebrows, Concubine Duanrong's eyes were as bright as water. She stared at the young man in the python robe and said, "It's getting late now. Ask the imperial kitchen to prepare some food. Ziyu can have lunch here before going back."
Jia Heng said: "I will follow your Majesty's wishes."
Afterwards, the palace maids and eunuchs prepared a dish after dish and placed it on a lacquered wooden table. The dishes were colorful, fragrant and delicious, and were emitting a delicious aroma.
Jia Heng, Princess Xianning, Song Yan, Li Chanyue, Chen Xiao and Concubine Duanrong all sat down.
Under the willow-shaped eyebrows of Concubine Duanrong, her beautiful eyes looked at Jia Heng with a clear gaze and said, "Will Ziyu investigate the attack on the Imperial Ancestral Temple when he comes back this time?"
Jia Heng paused with his chopsticks in the air, pondered for a moment, and said, "It seems that the emperor has entrusted someone else to handle this matter."
In the Jinyi Palace, all his old subordinates were completely wiped out by Emperor Chongping, using Qiu Liang as a weapon.
He now only holds an empty title of Jinyi Dudu, and I am afraid that after the Beijing Army returns, his title of Inspector of Beijing Army Jiedushi Deputy Envoy will be stripped away.
At this moment, Li Chanyue picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks, picked up an egg and put it in Jia Heng's rice bowl. Her eyes, full of stars and moonlight, were filled with concern under her willow eyebrows.
"Mr. Xiao Jia, please eat more." Li Chanyue responded softly.
Song Yan also picked up a piece of dish and put it in Jia Heng's bowl. Her gentle eyes also showed some concern. She picked up a piece of bean curd and put it in Jia Heng's bowl.
Jia Heng chuckled and said, "Thank you, Yan'er."
Concubine Duanrong asked curiously, "Zi Yu, what title did His Majesty confer on Zi Yu this time?"
Jia Heng paused for a moment and said, "It is the title of a county prince."
Concubine Duanrong smiled. Although she was nearly forty years old, her eyes were as gentle as water. She joked, "There are four founding princes, and Ziyu is now the fifth prince."
The beauty whispered, her willow-shaped eyebrows and star-like eyes sparkling like water. She turned her eyes to look at Song Yan who sat down not far away and said, "The prince has four concubines. Our Yan'er must have one."
Concubine Duanrong is also Song Yan's aunt, so naturally she has to fight for various rights and interests for her niece.
At this moment, the bamboo chopsticks in Song Yan's hand paused obviously, and her gentle and peaceful eyes raised, gleaming with dew, and stared at the young man in the python costume.
Jia Heng said: "Yan'er is my legally married wife, so she should be called a concubine."
Given Song Yan's identity, or the marriage arrangement at that time, she was indeed given the status of a concubine.
And it’s hard to explain to the sweet girl too.
Baochai and Daiyu are both concubines, and there is another concubine whose title is Zhen... Zhen Xi.
Otherwise, there will be twists and turns on Zhen Qing's side.
Upon hearing this, Song Yan gently pursed her pink lips, feeling inexplicably happy.
She knew that Brother Heng would not let her down.
After having lunch with Concubine Duanrong and Princess Xianning, Jia Heng supported the pregnant Princess Xianning and walked around the palace for a while. They talked for a while, but without staying for long, they returned to Ningguo Mansion.
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(End of this chapter)