The Red Mansions

Chapter 1444 Emperor Chongping: Dismissed the Jinyifu Commander and Imprisoned to Await Trial

Chapter 1444 Emperor Chongping: The commander of the Jinyifu was dismissed from his post and thrown into the imperial prison to await trial...

In the golden autumn of October in the nineteenth year of Chongping, ever since Emperor Chongping was assassinated, the atmosphere of the entire Shenjing City was immediately shrouded in a solemn and tense atmosphere.

The Jinyiwei, Wucheng Bingmasi, and even the Beijing Camp, cavalry troops left the city and went out in all directions to search for the remnant of the former King of Zhao, Chen Yuan.

For a time, people in the capital were in panic, and a storm was about to come.

Shenjing City, Princess Jinyang's Mansion——

Princess Jinyang entered the hall of the rear residence, met Lianxue's gaze, and whispered, "I didn't expect such a big thing to happen."

"Your Highness, have you gone to see the Emperor?" Lianxue asked softly.

Princess Jinyang sighed and said quietly, "My brother has always been strong, but now he is blind and can't see. He must be suspicious. What should I do in the future?"

Lianxue looked at Princess Jinyang with a gentle gaze and said, "Your Highness, the government affairs are now entrusted to the cabinet, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Princess Jinyang's bright and white face was covered with an inexplicable gloom, and she said, "My brother is not such a careless person. Besides, he has made such great contributions in Liaodong. After returning to the capital... some things are hard to say."

An emperor with a strong desire for control will be unable to see when he is old and will undoubtedly be full of suspicion.

Lianxue thought for a moment and continued, "Then the palace should establish the East Palace during this period."

Princess Jinyang's eyebrows were as beautiful as emerald feathers, her eyes were dazed, she seemed to be lost in thought, and she sighed faintly, saying: "Every time something like this happens, there will be a bloody storm. I don't know how big a storm it will cause in the future."

The two vassal states of Wei and Chu are not easy to deal with. This time, the fight for the throne will definitely be fierce. In addition, the emperor's brother is blind and has no control over the political situation. The world is now in turmoil.

Especially if her shrewd and snobbish sister-in-law continued to hold Zi Yu hostage, who knows how many more variables would be added.

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace

At this moment, Emperor Chongping was curled up on a bed in the warm room, covered with a thick mattress and a white cloth wrapped around his forehead.

This middle-aged emperor who had been on the throne for many years and worked day and night was now lying on his sickbed, like an old dragon suffering from numerous illnesses and filled with a weak aura.

At this moment, Empress Song's beautiful face showed a look of pity. She picked up a blue and white porcelain bowl, came closer, and said, "Your Majesty, why not use some medicine first."

Emperor Chongping sighed softly and said to the beautiful Queen Song, "Zitong, what has been going on in the court these days?"

Queen Song's charming eyes were shining slightly under her brows. She said, "Your Majesty, Li Gao and the other two have gone to arrest the wanted criminal, but there is still no clue."

Emperor Chongping's face suddenly showed a trace of ferocity and ferocity, which almost frightened Empress Song. She said in a deep voice: "Investigate the source of the gunpowder! The Imperial Ancestral Temple is heavily guarded. How did the criminals sneak in?"

After thinking for a while, he instructed Dai Quan who was standing by, "Dismiss the commander of the Jinyifu and put him in the imperial prison to await trial. The officers and soldiers of the Jinyifu who are responsible for the ancestral worship and security at the Taimiao should also be severely punished if they are negligent and slack."

At this moment, after Emperor Chongping recovered a little, he began to investigate the responsibilities. The first to bear the brunt were Qu Lang, the commander of the Jinyi Palace, and Liu Jixian, the pacification envoy who was responsible for monitoring the traitors in the entire Shenjing.

And these people happened to be Jia Heng's subordinates in the Jinyi Mansion.

Dai Quan was startled when he heard this, and said, "Your Majesty, the Jinyi Mansion is already in the capital..."

Emperor Chongping's face was as cold as ice, and he interrupted without any hesitation: "Let the deputy commander Qiu Liang be appointed as the commander, and investigate the treacherous people strictly and punish those who are lax in vigilance."

When Dai Quan heard this, his fair face twitched and he vaguely understood something in his heart.

This is to guard against the Duke of Weiguo.

In other words, they are preparing for the next balance of power in the country.

As Jia Heng achieved a great victory in Liaodong and was awarded the title of Prince, once he returned to Beijing, his prestige would expand rapidly, which would inevitably endanger the imperial power.

Then it's time to cut back on some of that influence.

As a secret spy department, the Jinyi Mansion was originally the emperor's minion. After Jia Heng had become a powerful force threatening the imperial power, it could no longer be left to Jia Heng to manage.

It can be said that at this moment, Emperor Chongping was still terrifyingly calm and sober, and he took advantage of the attack on the Taimiao to take back the authority of the Jinyifu.

In the Beijing camp, Li Gao and others were used to check Jia Heng, and Jia Heng was used to check Li Gao and others. But at the same time, the two vassal states of Wei and Chu were used to examine the candidates for the Eastern Palace, and then the crown prince would govern the country.

However, as Jia Heng's power expanded, one area needed to be cut off, and that was the power of the Jinyi Mansion.

Afterwards, he could enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life, spend his old age in comfort, and even exert influence on the government.

Dai Quan said nothing more, and quickly walked out of the palace, instructing the eunuchs to convey Emperor Chongping's order.

Queen Song watched this scene quietly from the side, feeling confused.

Your Majesty is preparing for the future court situation.

But the position of the Eastern Palace should belong to Ran'er.

Can……

Ran'er has never had any children, so this is not a solution.

The Prince of Wei has been married for such a long time but has no children. If he could still use the health problem of Princess Yan Yiliu as an excuse two years ago, then after he took in Concubine Wei Xian.

This argument is undoubtedly untenable.

Queen Song raised her eyebrows, her eyes slightly startled, she suppressed her disturbed thoughts and said softly: "Your Majesty, drink the ginseng tea and take a rest."

Emperor Chongping responded softly, then picked up the teacup, drank the ginseng tea, and then lay down on the bed leaning against the window.

Queen Song sighed softly, told the female official beside her to put away the teacup, and then left the hall.

The beauty walked quickly to the outer hall, nodded, looked at the female official, and asked softly, "Where are the little prince and princess?"

The female official said softly, "The little princess and the little prince went to Funing Palace."

Queen Song nodded and said softly, "Go to Funing Palace."

Palace Garden, Funing Palace

Concubine Duanrong sat on a wooden couch. She was wearing a sky blue silk long dress. Due to long-term dancing, her figure was slim and graceful, and her face was plump and elegant, without any sign of old age.

Teasing Queen Song's twin children.

There are two children, one is as pretty as a piece of jade, and the other is as chubby as a baby.

Several maids looked at the two children with smiles on their faces.

Concubine Duanrong stared at the two children. She didn't know if it was her illusion, but the two children didn't seem to look alike...

Not far away, Princess Xianning, wearing a loose silk dress, was sitting on a pearwood chair.

The beauty's originally flat belly had bulged into a ball, and her round and rosy face was now showing some rosy baby fat.

Li Chanyue was playing chess with Song Yan across the chessboard.

Concubine Duanrong's beautiful face, which was as cold as frost, seemed to be covered with a trace of worry. She said, "There has been unrest in the capital these past few days. Who is so bold as to assassinate someone in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?"

Princess Xianning sighed and said softly, "My mother said it was Chen Yuan, the son of the former King of Zhao."

Imperial Concubine Duanrong frowned, and said with a hint of anger in her voice, "This is really crazy. The tablets of our ancestors are placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

Princess Xianning said quietly, "The grievances of the previous generation have not been resolved until now."

Just as they were talking, they heard the eunuch's voice from outside, "The Queen has arrived."

As she spoke, Queen Song walked quickly into the palace with graceful steps and a slender waist.

Imperial Concubine Duanrong stood up, her beautiful eyes sparkling like water beneath her emerald eyebrows, and she asked softly, "Sister, how is His Majesty doing?"

"I drank ginseng tea and went to bed." Queen Song said softly with her beautiful eyes full of water under her trimmed eyebrows.

"Mom." At this moment, the twins who were playing together turned around, stretched out their chubby little hands, and called sweetly.

This made Queen Song seem to be melted by the cuteness. She quickly followed and picked up the twins, saying, "Do you miss your mother?"

The twins said in a soft and sweet voice, "Yes."

Concubine Duanrong asked angrily, "How long has it been since we last met?"

Queen Song smiled and kissed each of the two children.

Then, he turned his eyes to Princess Xianning and said softly, "Just now your father said that the emperor has issued an imperial decree to summon your husband back from Shengjing. He should be able to return before the New Year."

As soon as these words came out, Princess Xianning's face, which was bright and beautiful like a rose, was filled with joy, and she said, "Mother, the master is really coming back."

Queen Song had a bright face, her eyes sparkling like water beneath her dark green eyebrows. She said, "Such a big thing happened in the capital. Is it okay for him not to come back?"

Princess Xianning nodded, with longing in her eyes.

Song Yan and Li Chanyue, who were sitting on the embroidered cushion at the bottom, also had joy on their faces. They looked at each other and saw expectation in each other's eyes.

Brother Heng is coming back.

Concubine Duanrong pursed her pink lips and said softly, "The capital is in a mess recently. Let Ziyu come back and arrest all the bad guys."

After all, he was her own son-in-law, so the imperial concubine still felt a little distressed. Moreover, her own daughter was pregnant, and it was hard for them to be separated.

However, beneath this mother-in-law's sharp, cold and beautiful appearance, she obviously has a naive and cute temperament.

……

……

Liaodong, Shengjing City——

After entering the winter month of the nineteenth year of Chongping, the sky was covered with dark clouds, and snowflakes were already falling heavily. The snow was white, and the sky and earth were covered in silver, and the sky and earth were boundless.

During this period, Mu Sheng, the prince of Dongping, left Shengjing City and led the Korean coalition forces back to the Korean capital.

In the hall——

Jia Heng was wearing a mink coat at the moment. His face was calm. He was sitting around a small stove with a purple clay teapot on it. He stretched out his hands, surrounded the stove, and gently warmed himself by the flames.

There was no official business that day, so I had a rare chance to relax.

Chen Xiao held a blue and white porcelain teacup, sniffed the tea gently, then placed her pink lips on the porcelain cup and took a sip. She could smell the lingering, refreshing aroma.

Jia Heng looked at Chen Xiao intently, sighed, and said, "It's snowing right now."

In fact, something had already happened to Emperor Chongping, and there was no point in him staying in Liaodong. On the contrary, it would be detrimental to his control over the situation in the capital.

Chen Xiao turned his head to look at the young man in the python costume and said with emotion: "It's quite cold in Liaodong."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "It's a bitterly cold place, but the mink fur here is quite warm."

Chen Xiao's clear eyes sparkled under her willow-leaf eyebrows, and she was about to speak.

At this time, a Jinyifu guard came quickly, stepped into the hall, clasped his fists and said, "Commander-in-chief, an angel from the capital has arrived, and is now outside the hall."

Jia Heng raised his eyes and looked at Chen Xiao beside him.

Chen Xiao raised her eyebrows and whispered, "I'll go with you."

Jia Heng nodded, quickly left the backyard and headed towards the hall in the front yard.

The young eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict and several guards were warming themselves by the fire, their faces flushed from the cold. When they heard the voice "The Duke of Wei is here!" they all looked in the direction of the voice.

Jia Heng entered the hall, and Chen Xiao followed closely behind him.

"Duke Weiguo, please accept the order!" The young eunuch stood up, his face became serious, and spoke.

"Your humble servant receives the order." Jia Heng walked closer and spoke.

"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven..."

As the shrill voice of the young eunuch rang out in the hall, Jia Heng learned the gist of the imperial edict, which was that the evildoers in the capital had committed crimes and disturbed the emperor, so Jia Heng was urgently summoned to return to the capital immediately.

Jia Heng came forward to receive the imperial edict, looked at the young eunuch, and said in a gentle voice: "Eunuch, you have worked hard on the journey. The mansion has prepared wine and food. Please go to the next room to chat."

The young eunuch smiled and said, "Duke Weiguo, His Majesty is asking for urgent information. Duke Weiguo, please pack up and set off on a chosen day."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Don't worry, Master."

After sending the young eunuch away, Chen Xiao looked at Jia Heng and asked, "Are we leaving tomorrow?"

Jia Heng said softly, "I will temporarily hand over the military power here to Xie Zaiyi and Prince Beijing."

Chen Xiao nodded and said softly, "That's fine."

Jia Heng glanced at the snow covering the palace and brick walls in the courtyard, his eyes dazed, and whispered, "The world is in turmoil now."

The emperor urgently summoned him back, which showed that his injuries were serious and he was no longer confident in letting him lead the troops outside. As for when he returned, he would most likely be granted a title.

There is nothing to worry about these things.

Not long after, Prince Beijing also learned that Jia Heng had received the imperial edict. While speaking, accompanied by several followers, he said, "Zi Yu, has the imperial edict from the capital just arrived?"

Jia Heng's face became serious, and he said in a clear voice: "There was an emergency in the capital, and the emperor sent someone to summon me back."

Because the attack on Emperor Chongping in the Taimiao was a court secret, the news was previously only sent to Shengjing where Jia Heng was via the Jinyi Palace's carrier pigeon system.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong looked at the young man in the python robe and said, "Will Zi Yu lead the army back this time?"

Jia Heng said: "We can only bring a small number of cavalry. The military affairs here still need to be managed by the prince and the loyal and diligent marquis."

Prince Beijing Shui Rong said: "I have been away from home for more than half a year. I also want to go back for the New Year. Why don't we go together? It's just right for me to report to the court."

When Jia Heng heard this, his heart was moved.

If he and Prince Beijing Shui Rong went back together, then the more than 100,000 troops in Liaodong would be under the control of Xie Zaiyi, which would be a kind of insurance to some extent.

Because of Prince Beijing's previous identity, it was impossible for him to bypass him and entrust the entire army to his confidants. Now that Prince Beijing has taken the initiative to propose it, it is another matter.

Jia Heng nodded and said, "That's fine."

As the situation in the capital became confusing, he had to make preparations early, or at least have a certain ability to protect himself.

Jia Heng doesn't know yet that Emperor Chongping has adjusted the personnel of the Jinyi Palace and placed Qiu Liang in the position of the commander-in-chief of the Jinyi Palace.

If you knew this, you would be shocked.

If Prince Zhongshun had not already died, it would have been a replay of the Jia family's failure in the original novel.

After the two men finished their discussion, Prince Beijing also said goodbye and left.

Jia Heng quietly came to the hall of the back house with Chen Xiao, and they sat down.

Chen Xiao said softly: "After Prince Beijing left, the troops here were mainly managed by Xie Zaiyi."

Jia Heng looked deeply and said softly, "It's out of reach, and the effect it can have is limited. It's mainly a deterrent."

There is also the Beijing Camp in the capital. Although he will most likely be sidelined after his return, many of the soldiers and generals in the Beijing Camp are his old subordinates.

Things like prestige and people's hearts are often intangible wealth.

Chen Xiao said: "I don't think it has reached that stage yet."

"It's hard to say how the old dragon's temperament has changed while he is lying on his sickbed." Jia Heng said with his clear eyes flashing.

Human nature is dynamic and changeable, especially for an emperor who was known for his harshness and ungratefulness. He was quite crazy before his death. If he was really taken away in one wave, he could only watch helplessly.

It is nothing more than adding one more sentence to the history books: "The Duke of Wei was killed, and the whole world felt it was an injustice."

He wouldn't even have said this. All kinds of negative information and charges about his arrogance, debauchery, and disrespect for his superiors were pinned on him.

After all, his private life was indeed a bit messy.

These strategies, once used to defile himself, may even become his own death warrant.

Chen Xiao approached, gently took the boy's hand, and said, "It shouldn't come to that, unless someone knows about your affair."

Jia Heng's face was already full of black lines at this moment. Meeting that pair of mocking eyes that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, he felt somewhat confused.

This matter is indeed a bombshell.

The kind that, once it explodes, will shake the earth.

Chen Xiao looked at the young man in the python costume with a half-smile and said softly, "Are you scared?"

"Can you please not mention this?" Jia Heng looked a little unnatural. He pinched the beautiful woman's delicate hands and said in a low voice.

Chen Xiao's beautiful eyebrows were as dark as black, and her clear eyes were sparkling. She chuckled and said, "You dare not admit it?"

It is true that in ancient and modern times, both in China and abroad, only Lu Buwei, who was a rare commodity, could do such a "treasonous act", and he did not let the queen of the time get pregnant with twins.

This man is really...

Jia Heng said softly, "Okay, let's go inside and talk."

Chen Xiao's snow-white face gradually turned red, and a hint of shame and anger appeared in his sparkling eyes. He said, "You're touching me in broad daylight."

"It's not... I miss you." Jia Heng gently hugged Chen Xiao's delicate body and whispered in the beautiful woman's ear. He gently picked a large snow pear and felt it was so soft between his palms and fingers.

Chen Xiao's face, as beautiful as jade and as reminiscent of spring flowers and autumn moon, was burning hot, and gradually turned a beautiful, rosy red.

They are already an old married couple, but still so shameless, like they are in love with each other.

A sweet feeling surged in the beautiful woman's heart.

In the wing room, above the wooden window grille, two curtains tied with golden hooks suddenly fell down.

The two of them sat hugging each other. Jia Heng gently held the beauty's plump and soft body and whispered in her ear, "Does Ruoqing and your master have any news?"

The beautiful lady's frosty face had already flushed, and her tightly furrowed brows relaxed as she said softly, "There haven't been any letters recently."

Jia Heng raised his sword-like eyebrows and his eyes were gentle.

(End of this chapter)