amaotonovel Chapter 284: From the King of Yan to Jingzhou
Chapter 284: From the King of Yan to Jingzhou
Inside the palace, the emperor was taking a walk in the imperial garden accompanied by Jiang Shou. At this time, Xiao Yihang came over with an obvious smile on his face to pay his respects.
"My son, I would like to send my regards to my father."
"Get up." The emperor asked Xiao Yihang to stand up and spoke slowly.
Xiao Yihang thanked him and stood up, then leaned close to the emperor and asked mysteriously, "Father, who do you think I met in the Misty Rain Tower last night?"
Looking at the handsome face that was magnified infinitely in front of him, the emperor slapped him away with a doting and helpless look, and said in a solemn voice: "You have been so unruly all day, straighten your back and speak properly."
Although this youngest son was a dandy, he was simple and honest, which was rare in the royal family. Therefore, the old emperor was very fond of him.
All parents in the world are probably like this. They often have extra expectations for the child they have the highest hopes for, but don't care much about other children who are not as promising.
Obviously, Xiao Yihang was the heir to the throne whom the emperor had never considered, so he thought that his straightforward and simple character was very good, so he treated him with special favor and gave him a relaxed and humorous scene of father-son love that was rare in the royal family.
Xiao Yihang touched his face, not feeling embarrassed. He chuckled and said flatteringly, "Father, just guess. I guarantee you will never be able to guess it."
The emperor said with a smile: "Then I won't guess."
"Uh..." Xiao Yihang choked, "Then I told Father that it was Chu Feng, the great-grandson of the loyal and brave Grand Tutor."
"Chu Feng?" The emperor couldn't help but ask, "I have seen that child once. He is a rare and ambitious child. He passed the imperial examination in his first attempt, but he refused to become an official and chose to continue studying, vowing to be among the top three."
"Yes, I have also heard that Master Chu is currently studying at the Hanmo Academy and will soon take part in this year's autumn examination. Scholars like them value their reputation the most. How could they destroy their own reputation at such a critical moment?" Xiao Yihang replied.
The emperor suddenly said, "The son of a fifth-rank official of the Dali Temple still values his reputation. How can you, a prince, a child of destiny, be so stubborn that you go to such a filthy place? What kind of love potion did the women there give you? It's really immoral and shameful!"
"With your status and position, you can find any woman you want. If you go to the Red Mansion again, I will break your legs!"
After saying that, he still felt unsatisfied and raised his hand to slap him hard on the shoulder.
Xiao Yihang was suddenly hit by a series of iron sand palms, and he almost fell down. He staggered a few times, his face full of grievances: "......Father, I went to the Red Mansion to do elegant things, just drinking, listening to music, and having fun. I didn't do anything shameful. Besides, Fourth Brother has already scolded me severely, so please don't be angry. I will pay attention to my status in the future."
After hearing what he said, the emperor calmed down a little, but he still said with disdain: "On this point, you are far inferior to your brothers in keeping themselves clean. When have they ever been to such a dirty place? If you like any beauty, you can just welcome her into the palace."
Xiao Yihang felt aggrieved, as he was the only one among the five princes who was still a pure boy. But he didn't say anything, otherwise it would damage his reputation as a romantic and suave man.
After completing the task assigned by his fourth brother, he will definitely ask his fourth brother to compensate him with one thousand eight hundred taels of silver, otherwise he will feel sorry for the huge loss of the Red Tower.
"Father, I obey your command...but last night I was able to do this thanks to my extraordinary eyesight."
"Oh?" The emperor raised his lips slowly, smiling meaningfully, "Then tell me how you have such extraordinary eyesight?"
Xiao Yihang said proudly: "Last night, I heard unusual noises inside, so I immediately broke into the room carefully, and the result was..."
Having said this, he deliberately paused.
The emperor glanced at him impatiently and said unhappily, "If you dare to bluff again, I will let the imperial guards beat you with a stick."
Xiao Yihang immediately put on a shy smile and whispered, "It turned out that Master Chu accidentally offended the villains, and they gave him a shameful drug and threw him in."
Chu Feng: Thank you, I lost my virginity for no apparent reason...
The emperor sat on the soft stool and sipped his tea, saying, "If that's the case, it's really a pity."
With his father's permission, Xiao Yihang also sat down. He replied, "It's not a pity. Mr. Chu is a cool and unrestrained person. He was not affected at all. Instead, he asked me to petition the court to send the city defense army to protect their Hanmo Academy.
After all, Hanmo Academy is the highest institution of learning in our Beixiao country, and the many students in it will become the pillars of the country in the future.
When I heard about this, I thought it would be a good thing for the country and the people. Moreover, the duty of the city guards is to protect the safety of the people in the capital, including the many students of Hanmo Academy. Therefore, I came here to report this to you, father. What do you think?"
"Chu Feng is a smart man. He knows how to survive a desperate situation. He has offended someone, so he has come to me in various ways. In this case, father, for the sake of the loyal and brave Grand Tutor, will grant his request. However, you must tell him that if he fails to be among the top three this time, I will personally erase his name and make him never have the chance to take the imperial examination again. He will have to serve honestly."
Chu Feng: I feel wronged, but I won’t say it!
Xiao Yihang's eyes lit up, and he immediately bowed his head and flattered, "Father is indeed a wise ruler. I will go down and deploy the troops of Hanmo Academy with great fanfare. I believe that with the court's statement and support, those shady people who dare not see the light will never dare to use their dirty tricks again. The many students of Hanmo Academy will also be grateful to father for his actions. In the future, when they work for the court, they will spare no effort, devote themselves to it, and die for it."
Now, the old emperor was delighted by Xiao Yihang's flattery, but if he knew that the crime he personally committed would be brought up again in the near future, he would definitely not agree to it at this moment.
After Xiao Yihang left happily, Prince Ning came over with a solemn look on his face, bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Highness, your son pays respect to you, father."
The emperor raised his hand to signal Prince Ning to stand up, and said, "Aren't you checking the files in the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Why are you in the palace?"
Prince Ning bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, the bandit problem in Jingzhou is serious, and the local prefect requests support."
The problem of banditry was neither a big nor a small one, so the emperor pondered for a while before slowly speaking: "Prince Ning, you should immediately take people to Jingzhou to assist the local government in properly resolving this matter."
Prince Ning said modestly: "Father, I don't have enough experience in suppressing bandits, but my fourth brother likes this. Why don't you send him to go..."
The Imperial Household Department was not only an idle position, but also had no real power. That was why he came to ask for permission as soon as he learned about the bandit problem in Jingzhou, hoping to use this opportunity to send the Prince of Yan away.
Princess Nan Ye's heart and eyes were filled with Prince Yan. After a long time of siege, he failed to conquer her, so he had to cut off the source of the trouble and prevent her from seeing Prince Yan for the time being.
If the banditry in Jingzhou could be more effective, it would be great if the King of Yan could never come back...
Prince Ning's words were reasonable. In the past, Prince Yan did like this matter, but the emperor was rarely fair. He said, "The fourth son just got married not long ago. What's more, it's just a matter of banditry. Why bother to kill a butcher knife? If you don't want to go, just send Pei Zhiyan!"
Prince Ning's eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands and said, "What do you think of the Beiyu Army?"
Pei Zhiyan was not only the man who broke off the engagement with the Sixth Princess in the past, but also the one who took over his Beiyu Army.
The emperor's eyes flashed, and an idea that he had had for a long time but had not yet implemented suddenly popped up in his mind. He said calmly: "It will be temporarily under the jurisdiction of Prince Yu, and will be handed over after General Pei returns."
The emperor's words made his meaning very clear. He was paving the way for Xiao Jun'an bit by bit.
But if these 100,000 troops also belonged to Xiao Jun'an, he would never be able to get them back, so how could King Ning be willing to accept this? He pursed his lips and said in a very low voice: "If the emperor makes such a rash move, I wonder if my fourth brother will think too much?"
When the emperor heard this, his eyebrows furrowed and he immediately said angrily, "What does it have to do with him? What does he want?"
Having said that, the old emperor has always been wary of Prince Yan, the one who is most like his son.
It is precisely because of this image that he is particularly aware of his ambitions, so he has been looking for a balance point...
Prince Ning pursed his lips and continued, "Father, my fourth brother may not think too much about it, but it is hard to say about the Princess of Yan. After all, her biological father is the criminal Chu Zhaoming, and her brother is currently studying at the Hanmo Academy, intending to take the imperial examination this autumn..."
He knew that he couldn't easily convince his father, and the King of Yan had never had any flaws. If there was any, it would only be his wife's miserable life experience...
He had said long ago that even if Chu Nanyue was reborn, her miserable life experience would only become a stumbling block in his career...
He didn't want to admit that there might be a hint of jealousy or reluctance...
"Oh?" Prince Ning's words surprised the emperor.
Chu Ziyu actually wants to take part in the imperial examination?
He had seen this child when he was young. He was a talented and handsome young man, but seven years had passed. Was he just daydreaming or was he scheming?
Back then, because of Marquis Zhenyuan's plea and his voluntary handing over of the tiger talisman, he pardoned the three children of the Chu family.
After all, one is disabled, one is stupid, and one is young...there is nothing to be afraid of...
Over the years, he has never paid attention to them...
But when we focus our attention on them at this moment, we find that there are too many that stand out?
The foolish woman has now become his royal daughter-in-law, and the once disabled boy has been reborn. Not only has he stood up again, but he has also married the daughter of the Marquis of Zhenyuan. And now he even has to take part in the imperial examination?
Regardless of whether they had the intention of rebellion, just the fact that this imperial examination was a slap in his face. However, when their father was convicted of treason, he showed mercy and did not implicate them, and it was indeed his personal order.
so......
"Back then, Chu Zhaoming's case of treason was decided by the Dali Temple. The evidence is solid and established. If Chu Ziyu is allowed to ascend to the imperial court one day, wouldn't that be a slap in the face of the court officials?"
He only said one thing, and Prince Ning understood it immediately, so he leaned down and whispered: "Don't worry, father, Prime Minister Shen is in charge of the imperial examination, I think he also has an opinion on this..."
The emperor immediately said: "The imperial examination is a major event for our Beixiao country to select the pillars of the country. As the head of all officials, Prime Minister Shen naturally understands its importance. I believe he will enforce the law impartially."
Prince Ning secretly despised the old emperor's double-faced behavior, but he had to be very obedient on the surface and said, "Don't worry, father, Prime Minister Shen understands."
The old emperor stroked his beard and smiled with satisfaction, but his face became gloomy again the next moment.
Just now, Xiao Yihang came to him in a roundabout way to persuade him to allow the city defense army to give extra protection to the Hanmo Academy, saying that it was a request from the great-grandson of the loyal and brave Grand Tutor.
Bah, it was obvious that he was invited by his fourth brother specifically for his brother-in-law.
Since he likes his princess so much, let's separate them.
Therefore, he said in a deep voice: "Let the Prince of Yan go to suppress the bandits in Jingzhou. Xiao Jiang, you go to the Prince of Yan's mansion now to issue an order. The Prince of Yan will go to Jingzhou early tomorrow morning!"
Jiang Shou bowed his head and obeyed the order, then immediately walked to Prince Yan's Mansion.
Although the sun was warm, it still felt hot after sitting outside for a long time, so the emperor raised his hand to block the sun, stood up and said, "Okay, you should go back to work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
Having achieved his wish, King Ning bowed his head and smiled, saying, "Yes, I obey your command!"
In the palace of Prince Yan.
As soon as the matter of Chu Ziyu was properly resolved, the Prince of Yan immediately issued an order to expel him. Just as he was about to have some affectionate time with his A Yue, he was ruthlessly interrupted by the old emperor's order.
Seeing that Prince Yan was reluctant to accept his order, Jiang Shou could only call out carefully again, "Prince Yan?"
The King of Yan then bowed his head with a cold and handsome face and accepted the order: "Your son obeys your command!"
Then, he went to Nanyue Palace without looking back.
Seeing this, the housekeeper laughed and complimented Jiang Shou: "Thank you for delivering the order personally, if you don't mind, please stay in the mansion for dinner. Our prince specially ordered the servants to prepare some light wine, please accept it."
Jiang Shou shook his head and smiled impeccably, "Thank you, Prince Yan, for your hospitality, but I have to hurry back to the palace to serve His Majesty, so let's do it another day."
Seeing this, the butler hurriedly bent forward and stuffed a heavy purse into Jiang Shou's hand without leaving any trace: "Serving His Majesty is a big deal. If that's the case, then I won't delay you. This is just a small token of respect. I hope you can say good things about our prince."
Jiang Shou is a big shot in the eyes of the emperor, and no powerful person dares to offend him. So no matter what his master is like, as a servant, he must take care of every detail and manage all the relationships well, otherwise, he will be derelict in his duty.
Fortunately, Jiang Shou is a smart and wise man, and never spreads gossip. Of course, this is also the reason why he has always been highly valued by the emperor.
After entering the main hall, Xiao Hanye saw Chu Nanyue making the bed, and his eyes lit up instantly: "Ayue, pack up, we're going to Jingzhou for a trip tomorrow!"