Facing the Emperor’s furious statement, Consort Li remained unbothered and carefree. She gently leaned against him, giving off natural tenderness in her actions. She whispered to persuade him, “Your Majesty, I’m merely proposing for Roulan to journey to Lingnan and accompany His Highness for a while.”
“A’Kuo already have the Qi Manifestation expert Xiang Ji by his side along with several other experts.” The Emperor quickly regained his calm. Looking deeply at Consort Li, he said, “What use your disciple be?”
Consort Li knew what was on the Emperor’s mind. Slowly standing up, she looked at the old yet vigorous tree in her garden. She said warm, “Roulan possesses many skills outside martial arts, and is far more flexible compared to Xiang Ji. His Highness would only benefit from her presence. Roulan is only at the beginning of the Qi Manifestation stage, and cannot compete with His Highness’s other bodyguards even if she had other thoughts; Your Majesty can rest assured.”
Zhao Yi, whose hair was slightly disheveled, took place on the other side of the Emperor and said in a suppressed voice, “Your Majesty, by placing her disciple so far away from the capital and in the hands of His Highness the Crown Prince, Consort Li is essentially giving Your Majesty a hostage. I don’t believe Consort Li would be so generous - there must be a motive behind it.”
The Emperor made no attempt to conceal his voice. “I’m naturally aware of that. A’Kuo has yet to marry, and Tang Roulan is the most beautiful woman in the younger generation. What do you think will happen?”
Seeing that the Emperor was well in control of the situation, Zhao Yi retreated away from the couple, lowering his head and keeping quiet.
The Emperor walked beside Consort Li and said, “The situation in Lingnan is precarious; the local forces are estranged from zhen’s rule and the Southern Wu rebels are constantly rising up. No matter how talented your disciple is, her life cannot be guaranteed.”
Consort Li laughed charmingly. “Then why is His Highness the Crown Prince in Lingnan when his life is equally threatened?”
“A sword needs to be sharpened, and the situation in Lingnan is the perfect whetstone. A’Kuo’s life is already protected by half a dozen experts in the Qi Manifestation state. If he perishes in such a situation… then zhen can only accept the fate of the heavens.”
The Emperor had never been controlled by lust, maintaining only the bare amount of concubines for the Inner Court to function. Despite this, he had sired thirteen children - mainly with the Empress - due to the strangely high mortality rate among the princes and princesses. Due to this, rumours have begun to spread that the Empress’s bloodline was cursed. Although this naturally was not the case, such widespread tales was further reinforced due to the increasing favour and influence of Consort Li.
Consort Li watched the Emperor’s sharp features and understood the agony behind those words. She said, “Is that not more reason for Roulan to accompany His Highness? The more experts protecting him, the higher the likelihood of his survival.”
“Don’t be so brazen; Weiyuan is already protected by your second disciple.” The Emperor sighed, “Your suggestion would disrupt the balance of the court too heavily.”
Consort Li bowed slightly, maintaining an elegance as she whispered, “I have troubled your Majesty.”
“Zhen enjoys your honestly; who in zhen’s court doesn’t want to expand their power?”
Placing his hands behind his back in a manner very similar to Jing Wen’s, the Emperor appreciated the unwithering plants in Changchun Palace. He said, “Now that the borders are stable and money flows like water, the men of the world are no longer bound by solidarity. During the reign of my father, heroes and able ministers are plentiful. Now, aside from a few ministers, ambition runs in the court; were it not for their skills, zhen would uncertainly throw them out the gates of the palace.”
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Consort Li looked at the Emperor’s face and found there was no comparison with him in the past six hundred years. Her eyes were heavy with countless emotions as she said in a quiet voice, “This consort also has her own ambitions, but I would not dare hide it from Your Majesty.”
A strange atmosphere filled the space, and Zhao Yi felt it was no longer appropriate for him to linger in the room. Noticing Jing Wen and Zhou Aimin as he walked out, he bowed towards him with excellent courtesy, saying, “It is surprising to meet Marquis Jing and Venerable Zhou here.”
Earlier, when the Emperor was complaining about the unvirtuous ministers, he had noted there were exceptions. Zhao Yi one such case; coming from an impoverished family in the city of Taiyuan, he managed to graduate as a Bangyan (second nationwide) and had a meteoric rise in the Imperial court since then. Jing Wen gave a half-bow in greetings before accompanying him out of Changchun Palace. Zhou Aimin, however, seemed more interested in the sweet talk between the Emperor and Consort Li, continuing to idle around outside of the guest room.
As the Minister of Works, Zhao Yi had a position that was higher than Jing Wen. However, he acted as though they were equals, giving a friendly smile to the young man. “I had come here to advise His Majesty against Consort Li’s intention to forge a marriage between His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Tang Roulan. Fortunately, His Majesty’s wisdom is boundless and is not easily bewitched by beauty.”
Jing Wen was highly approving of Zhao Yi’s vigilance against Consort Li. He relaxed and became more amiable. He began to bow, saying, “Minister Zhao, judging by your ruffled appearance, you must have come here immediately upon hearing of Consort Li’s intent. Please accept my bow of respect.”
Zhao Yi hurriedly intercepted Jing Wen’s bow. No matter how empty his status is, he is still directly related to the royal family. He said, “That woman, Ji Xiaofang, is more ambitious than a man, how could I disregard her intentions simply because of her sex? It is the responsibility of all virtuous men beneath heaven to ensure the realm is stable and villains never fulfil their ambitions, or else all commoners under heaven will suffer.”
Jing Wen stood up straight and put his clothes in order. He remained silent for a short while, contemplating some matters before speaking in a slightly serious tone, “I understand your sentiment, Minister Zhao. At this moment, His Majesty still holds unparalleled authority, and is more than capable of suppressing her ambitions. But if His Majesty unexpectedly perish, and Consort Li ascends to the role of Empress Dowager… then I’m afraid countless innocents would have to wash their necks in preparation for their execution, and the world would become a giant cage.”
Zhao Yi remained silent, though he suddenly looked up at the heavens, as if wanting to say something.
Jing Wen placed his hands behind his back and said, “Naturally, I do not doubt His Majesty’s wisdom. Seldom few in the world understand the capabilities of Consort Li… perhaps no one does, and she has already reached a stage past ‘xian’.” He then said with a sigh, “The enemies of the Great Zhu are endless, and His Majesty cannot treat all its illnesses.”
Zhao Yi frowned with disapproval, making his smooth face appear somewhat dark. He said gently, “Marquis Jing, I don’t doubt your loyalty. But your true position in the court cannot compare with your father; it is not suitable for you to make such comments towards His Majesty’s relationship with his consort or the nature of the dynasty.”
These words seem rather reasonable. Few people in the world would disagree that Jing Wen was acting with great audacity in those comments. Zhao Yi simply wanted to bring this to Jing Wen as a friendly reminder, though little did he know that Jing Wen truly despised these sorts of comments due to the events he had experienced.
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Before long, Jing Wen escorted Zhao Yi to the gates of Changchun Palace and the two parted ways. Jing Wen returned to the front of the reception room, the Emperor had just finished his banter with Consort Li.
The Emperor noticed Jing Wen, and without a word, commanded Jing Wen to accompany him for a walk around the palace. Jing Wen’s relationship with the Emperor had always been rather friendly, despite the gap in their age. The two were akin to ordinary nephew and uncle.
Only once Jing Wen and the Emperor arrived at the garden in the princes former residence did the Emperor speak.
“You’re not giving me any face.”
Standing atop a small hill, the Emperor folded the sleeves behind his back and looked at Lin’an with a sigh. “I have promised your father that I would find a suitable bride for you, even ignoring the suggestions of countless officials who wished to marry their children off to these girls. I’m aware that my sister instilled in your minds some strange thoughts about marriage, but don’t forget your current situation. Aside from your family, no one will truly support you.”
Listening to the advice of the Emperor, Jing Wen could feel the benevolence in his words. However, Jing Wen did not immediately kneel down and thank His Majesty.
The Emperor seemed not to care. Looking around the bustling capital, he said, “Don’t tell me you are still in mourning. Your murder of Hong Fu has forced zhen’s hands; in the end, I could only bring up ancient Confucian doctrine, and allow it on the basis of taking revenge for one’s father.”
Jing Wen’s expression quickly became somewhat embarrassed when listening to these words. No wonder the case regarding Hong Jingfei’s father never appeared before him; the Emperor had been shielding him from the matter all along.
Moreover, the Emperor, while not fully aware of what happened that night, at least knew that Hong Fu had left in the early stages of the plot, and cannot be considered implicit in Jing An’s death.
“I am ashamed to have embarrassed myself before Your Majesty. But still, I cannot accept the marriage arrangements…”
Jing Wen respectfully bowed while observing the Emperor’s actions. He said, “At this moment, the undercurrents in Lin’an produced by the rumours of the elixir of immortality is truly dangerous. I feel it is inappropriate to celebrate a marriage in such situations.”
“Zhen had just finished discussing a similar topic with zhen’s consort, and had made a similar excuse.” The Emperor had a wry smile as he said, “Unfortunately, zhen is a hypocrite.”