novelhk Chapter 222 Taking the Lead
Chapter 222 Taking the Lead
Chapter 222 Taking the Lead
At this very moment, Chunyu Yang, whom Jingxuan was so concerned about, was already standing in the palace, in front of the chief eunuch Li Decai.
"Eunuch Li, is the Emperor in the Imperial Study?"
Li Decai had a very good impression of Chunyu Yang and replied sincerely, "Oh, Third Prince, unfortunately, His Majesty felt a little tired today and went back to rest after the morning court session. He should still be in Consort Min's palace at this time."
Consort Min, Chunyu Jing's birth mother. This woman had always been shrouded in mystery in his memory; aside from necessary royal banquets, she was rarely seen. Even in those few encounters, she left him with the impression of being beautiful, aloof, and unapproachable.
Chunyu Yang frowned deeply and said to Li Decai:
"Eunuch Li, please send someone to Xingning Palace to inform my father that I have urgent business to discuss with him."
Li Decai said, "Then please wait a moment in the Imperial Study, Third Prince."
Chunyu Yang grunted in acknowledgment, lifted his robe, stepped into the imperial study, sat down in a chair, closed his eyes, and waited patiently.
Inside Xingning Palace, a faint fragrance wafted through the air. The emperor lay on Consort Min's lap, taking a nap with his eyes closed. Consort Min's warm fingertips gently massaged his temples, creating an exceptionally warm atmosphere.
Perhaps the massage was comfortable, for after a while, the emperor let out a satisfied sigh. He gently took Consort Min's hand and said:
"After all these years, I still love Min'er's hands the most. They understand me best and are the most considerate of me."
Consort Min was not as aloof as she appeared in front of the Emperor. She smiled and said, "I have been by Your Majesty's side for over twenty years. If I still do not understand Your Majesty, wouldn't I be letting down Your Majesty's kindness to me?"
The emperor chuckled, stroking her hand repeatedly, and sighed, "Having you by my side is a blessing I have accumulated over three lifetimes."
"Oh dear, Your Majesty is flattering me!" Consort Min said with a smile.
Just then, an announcement came from outside: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Eunuch Li requests an audience."
"Li Decai?" The emperor lazily raised his eyelids. "Ask him what he wants. If it's nothing important, then don't bother me. I'm feeling very tired."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The footsteps outside gradually faded away, only to reappear a short while later.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Li said that the Third Prince has urgent business to discuss with you and is currently waiting in the Imperial Study."
"Third Prince? What does he want to bother me with now?" The Emperor frowned. "Go and tell Li Decai that I have already gone to sleep."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Perhaps the Third Prince truly has urgent business to discuss with His Majesty?" Consort Min said. "The Third Prince is in charge of the security of the capital and the borders. If he didn't have something truly urgent, he wouldn't take the initiative to seek an audience with His Majesty, would he?"
"The world is at peace now, and there has been no war for nearly ten years. The four border countries send envoys to our country every year to exchange ideas. How could there be any safety or danger?"
The emperor said dismissively, "The only thing that has ever posed a threat to me in recent years was the chaos caused by the Wan Ku Sect seven years ago. In this world, the most terrifying thing is never open warfare, but rather hidden attacks. Hmph, if I were to find out which sect in the martial arts world is particularly adept at using poison, I would have no choice but to send people to eradicate them!"
Consort Min smiled slightly, her slender fingers smoothing the Emperor's white hair, and said, "Speaking of which, Your Majesty mentioned last time that the Third Prince was investigating a case related to a sect that was skilled in using poison. What was it called again?"
"Ronghua Tower".
“Oh, Ronghua Tower,” Consort Min replied. “That’s quite an elegant name, much better than Wanku Gate. Perhaps the Third Prince’s request to see His Majesty is for the sake of Ronghua Tower?”
"I have already entrusted the case of Ronghua Tower to Shaocheng. I wonder if it's because there hasn't been a war for a long time, but the Third Prince's efficiency is getting slower and slower. His personality is not suitable for staying in the capital, but rather for going to the border to fight."
"Is that so? Then I thank Your Majesty for your trust on behalf of Shao Cheng," said Consort Min.
"You reminded me that Shaocheng has become increasingly reliable in recent years, far superior to the Crown Prince..." The Emperor abruptly stopped speaking at this point. He glanced discreetly at Consort Min's expression, then patted her hand, comforting her:
“I did not mean to bring this up. You know I have always doted on you and have always arranged good jobs for Shaocheng. Although he is not the crown prince, I will definitely grant him a rich land in the future so that even if the crown prince ascends the throne, he will not be able to touch him and can live out the rest of his life in peace.”
"Your Majesty, what are you saying? I have always known Your Majesty's feelings for me and Shaocheng, and I have never blamed Your Majesty. I let things take their course," said Consort Min.
The emperor squeezed her hand, his voice full of affection: "You, you, you always compromise like this, which is why I like being with you."
Spoil her? She probably doesn't think so. Consort Min thought to herself, but her smile grew even gentler.
"By the way, would you like to come with me to Xingzhou this autumn for the hunt and see the excitement?" the emperor suddenly asked. "The Consort Xian told me the other day that she was feeling a bit bored in the palace and wanted to come with me to Xingzhou to relax. I was thinking that it would take almost three months to go north to Xingzhou and back, and we might not be able to return in time for the New Year. So I thought I would bring you all along and we could celebrate the New Year together on the road. That way it would be more lively."
Huh? With Consort Zhuang's frail health, she actually wants to go hunting in Xingzhou in the autumn?
"Oh? Besides Consort Xian, which other lady does His Majesty intend to bring along?"
"Now that I have left the capital, the capital cannot be without a ruler. The Empress must remain in the capital. If you agree, then you will be one of the four of us: Consort Xian, Consort Shu, and Consort De."
Oh, so all four concubines have been gathered. Does that mean the emperor was the last to inform her?
Consort Min smiled, her eyes narrowing: "That's good. Consort Xian is kind, Consort Shu is lively, Consort De is calm, and with me in tow, Your Majesty will certainly not be lonely on this journey."
"Then it's settled, no going back on your word," the emperor said with a smile, tapping her nose.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the hall again. The little eunuch knocked on the door and said:
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Fourth Prince has arrived. Shall we allow him to enter?"
"Shaocheng is here?" The emperor tried to sit up, but his hands were weak and he couldn't muster any strength. Seeing this, Consort Min quickly helped him up.
"First it was Boyuan, then Shaocheng, why are they all rushing to see me today?" the emperor sighed, then said to the eunuch outside, "Let him in."
"promise."
A short while later, Chunyu Jing, having received permission, strode in from outside Xingning Palace. Upon seeing the emperor, he took a deep breath, cupped his hands in greeting, and said:
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"Did you come to the palace today to see your mother, or to see me?" the emperor teased.
Chunyu Jing was still a little out of breath. He took a moment to catch his breath before saying, "I've come to see my father."
"Hmm, your third brother also has something to discuss with me, so it's a good coincidence that we've met." The Emperor said, standing up and opening his arms for Consort Min to straighten his dragon robe. After it was tidied, he walked towards the door and said:
"Since you also have something to discuss, then come with me to the Imperial Study for a detailed discussion."
Chunyu Jing was secretly pleased that he had arrived at the palace before Chunyu Yang and even met the emperor, but the emperor's words made his smile freeze.
He paused for a moment before saying:
"Yes, Father."