RMACAUH Chapter 64
by VolareChapter 64 Chapter 64 Guarding the Great Yuan’s Century of Prosperity, with Peaceful Seas and Clear Rivers…
Before reaching Shanhaiguan, Feng Yue wrote a secret letter and had his men send it to Qingyang City in the Northwest.
Because of the token in Xiao Xuanyi’s hand, they passed through Shanhaiguan unimpeded with fast horses. They rested briefly at the post station, set off before dawn, and arrived in the capital by the evening of the next day.
Xiao Xuanyi was the emperor’s confidant. As soon as he entered the city, the emperor would definitely receive the news. He had to first report back to the palace. Feng Yue changed his appearance and separated from him after entering the city.
He rested in an inn for one night. The next day, as dawn was about to break, he led his horse, covered in dust, to the main entrance of the Grand Scholar’s residence. At this time, Liu Wenzhong had just gotten out of bed, washed up, and was preparing for the early court.
As the guard opened the door, he saw a man wearing a veiled hat standing at the door, his figure as tall and straight as a pine tree, leading a black-maned horse. He looked handsome and imposing, like a ink painting.
“May I ask who you are?”
“I am a new guest recruited by your Lord Liu, named Yue Feng. Please, brother, announce my arrival.”
Their master had never recruited any guests. Could this be a swindler?
The young man turned around suspiciously to report. Liu Wenzhong had just put on his court clothes and taken a sip of sweet soup when he saw a servant running over in a hurry, “Master, there is a man outside the gate, who claims to be your newly hired guest named Yue Feng, requesting an audience.”
Liu Wenzhong was caught off guard and snorted coldly, “What guest do I need? Drive him away, drive him away!”
Just as the servant turned to leave the room, he was suddenly called back by Liu Wenzhong, “Wait, what did you say the man’s name was?”
“He said his name is Yue Feng.”
Liu Wenzhong’s spirits lifted, “What does he look like?”
“He looks quite young, wearing a veiled hat, dressed in a black brocade robe, with a very tall and imposing figure and an extraordinary temperament.”
As soon as Liu Wenzhong heard this description, he confirmed the person’s identity.
“Quickly, invite him in and settle him in the Wenhua Pavilion first. I have to rush to the early court. Send him some food, and we’ll talk when I get back.”
“Yes.” The young man trotted out of the mansion, took Feng Yue’s horse, and led him to the Wenhua Pavilion.
This Wenhua Pavilion was Liu Wenzhong’s private library, and ordinary people were not allowed to approach it at will. He was considered fortunate to be able to step into it.
The servant brought him here and quickly prepared hot water and breakfast.
“Our master has gone to the palace and will not be back until Shen Shi (3-5 pm). Please make yourself at home, sir.”
Feng Yue nodded slightly, and the servants and maids retreated.
Feng Yue took off his veiled hat, washed up, took a book, sat down at the desk, and had his meal while reading.
He had now developed the habit of reading. He could stay calmly in the library for a long time by himself, which would have been impossible in his previous life.
At the early court today, the emperor retired early due to physical discomfort.
Liu Wenzhong and several colleagues were returning to the Wenyuan Pavilion when his colleagues were filled with worry.
“Now, the Emperor’s health is deteriorating, and medicine is ineffective. What can be done?”
“Today, the Emperor has already issued an edict to recall the First Prince and the Second Prince to the capital. After some days of peace, I am afraid there will be more unrest.”
Liu Wenzhong was calm and composed, stroking his beard and saying, “Everything has its own destiny, like flowers blooming and falling, and yellow leaves falling. Although the wind can change things a little, the leaves will eventually fall to the ground.”
As soon as his colleagues heard this, they relaxed. Since Liu Wenzhong could say this, he must have foreseen the destiny in his heart. If he was not flustered, there was nothing to be flustered about.
Before Shen Shi today, Liu Wenzhong returned to the Grand Scholar’s residence by carriage ahead of time.
Inside the Wenhua Pavilion, Feng Yue was leaning against the small couch for a nap, with a book in his hand, seemingly tired of waiting.
Liu Wenzhong coughed lightly, and Feng Yue, who slept very lightly in unfamiliar places, woke up immediately.
He sat up straight, put down the book in his hand, stepped forward, and made a bow, “Teacher, long time no see, how is your health?”
Liu Wenzhong helped him up and asked him to sit down, “Thank you for your concern, I am still well.”
At this time, a maid brought tea and quickly retreated.
The two quietly drank a few sips of tea, not in a hurry to talk about things.
After Liu Wenzhong rested for a while, he asked, “Your return to Beijing this time, is it because of the Emperor’s illness?”
“That’s right.”
Liu Wenzhong nodded, “Illness comes like a landslide. Half a year ago, the Emperor’s health was still good, but in just a few months, his spirit and energy have been damaged. It is really strange.”
“The imperial physicians haven’t found any cause?”
“They all say it’s because of excessive thoughts and accumulated overwork. Many medicines have been taken, but there has been no improvement.”
Feng Yue played with the ice jade marrow in his hand, his brow furrowed, “Father Emperor recalled Xiao Xuanyi.”
Liu Wenzhong looked surprised, “Oh? Xiao Xuanyi is the Emperor’s confidant, and also his right-hand man. The thousand imperial guards in the palace are all under his command. The Emperor recalled him, is he afraid of changes in the palace!”
“According to Master Liu’s opinion, what is my Father Emperor’s intention?” To be honest, Feng Yue has not fully seen through it yet.
Liu Wenzhong stroked his beard and remained silent for a few breaths before saying, “When the Emperor was young, he was deeply in love with Concubine De, who was the fourth daughter of the former Chief Envoy. But unfortunately, as the Crown Prince at that time, he could not resist the imperial decree and married the late Empress as his Crown Princess, and then took Concubine De as his wife.”
“That Concubine De, must be a rare beauty.” Otherwise, why would she have him, this Father Emperor, remember her until now?
Liu Wenzhong shook his head, “Concubine De is beautiful and dignified, but if we talk about beauty, the late Empress’s beauty is hard to find in the world.”
Feng Yue was puzzled, “Then how did she manage to have the most favor in the harem?”
“The late Empress was the daughter of a military family. She was straightforward, proud, and dared to offer advice, but loyal words are unpleasant to the ears. The Emperor already had some misgivings about her, so he naturally disliked hearing them.”
“When the Crown Prince was in power, the Chief Envoy often sent secret letters and memorials to and from the Eastern Palace. Concubine De often followed her father, so she became acquainted with the Crown Prince. At that time, Concubine De was innocent and romantic, and the Crown Prince was troubled by court affairs and disputes among various forces, so he could not help but seek spiritual comfort.”
“Before the late Empress entered the Eastern Palace for a month, Concubine De became his wife. In the first year of the Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne, the Zhou family army… Alas!”
This was an extremely painful thing, and now no one dared to mention it, for fear of causing trouble.
“The Zhou family army of 20,000 men went to the nine borders to wipe out the remnants of the enemy, but they never returned. After fighting so many years of victories, how could the remnants win in one fell swoop?” Feng Yue was full of solemnity.
Liu Wenzhong sighed lightly, “The late Empress repeatedly begged the Emperor to investigate the matter thoroughly, but the Emperor ignored her, and the two became more estranged. Soon, Concubine De was promoted from a first-rank wife to a noble concubine, and the late Empress’s status plummeted. Fortunately, at this time, the First Prince was born.”
“In the sixth year of the First Prince’s life, the late Empress died. In less than a year, Concubine De also died one after another. A month before her death, Concubine De was crazy and said that the late Empress had come to claim her life. The Emperor blamed the First Prince and sent him out of the palace on the grounds of being unlucky.”
“Although the Empress Dowager was not the Emperor’s biological mother, she was, after all, the daughter of the Zhou family. Under the guise of raising the First Prince, she went to Mingyue Manor to bide her time. It took more than ten years to return to the palace.”
Feng Yue couldn’t help but recall the scene when he bullied the First Prince when he was a child because the First Prince had no relatives to rely on, and he felt a little guilty towards him.
“The First Imperial Brother has not had it easy these years.”
“Yes, the First Prince is a bitter man, but unfortunately he was born into the royal family.” Liu Wenzhong cherished his talent and pattern, but unfortunately, time waits for no one.
Feng Yue couldn’t help but be curious, “How does the teacher view the Second Imperial Brother?”
“The Second Prince has some wisdom and does things in a regular manner. This old man has not had much contact with him and will not make too many comments. Presumably, the Prince already has some answers in his heart.”
Yes, the person who knows the Second Prince best, isn’t it him?
Feng Xiao was jealous, narrow-minded, and remembered grudges but not kindness.
What Liu Wenzhong least wanted to see was that the person who was originally unsuitable would sit in the position that did not belong to him, which would be a misfortune for the people of the world.
Whether supporting the First Prince or supporting the Guangling Prince, as long as they could protect the Great Yuan’s century of prosperity, he would die without regret.
“Your Highness should stay here first, wait for the opportunity, and do not act impulsively.”
“The student knows, the teacher can rest assured.”
Liu Wenzhong got up and made a bow, “Then this old man will ask them to clean up a guest room in the Wenhua Pavilion, and the Prince can just stay there.”
“The student is disturbing you.”
Liu Wenzhong smiled, his eyes full of appreciation for him, “Your Highness is too polite.”
Four years ago, Feng Yue became famous at a young age, and his temperament was inevitably arrogant and proud. Although cherishing love and righteousness was a good thing, he was too obedient to the Second Prince Feng Xiao. His behavior was also related to Empress Chen’s teaching.
Fortunately, he woke up early and embarked on his own smooth path in life, which was really gratifying.
*
In the south, October had long faded away from the summer heat, and half a month of cloudy rain made people feel listless.
The clothes were always damp. Chu Lingqiao collected them from under the eaves, dried them with charcoal fire, folded them, and put them in the wardrobe with osmanthus fragrance.
He was a very meticulous person in life, able to support the family and take good care of the children. In recent years, he had been helping Feng Chao to take care of his body, and his body had gradually improved.
Tonight, Feng Chao lulled Ying’er to sleep before returning to the bedroom. The bed curtains were still rolled up and not lowered. Chu Lingqiao leaned against the head of the bed and looked at the medical book until Feng Chao got into bed before putting down the book.
“You can always lull Ying’er to sleep quickly.”
Feng Chao lay in his arms and smiled, “You spoil her too much. Every time you go to sleep, you have to make many requests. She is not afraid of you.”
Chu Lingqiao, “You are still better at teaching children.”
“You usually take care of Ying’er, so she is closer to you and is more presumptuous. I am usually busy with affairs and rarely take care of her, so she is a little estranged from me.”
Chu Lingqiao kissed his cheek, “Then you can spend more time with Ying’er in the future, and spend more time with me.”
Feng Chao was silent for a long time before he spoke with difficulty, “Lingqiao, I have to go back to Beijing.”
Chu Lingqiao sat up and looked at him in surprise, “Go back to Beijing? When?”
Feng Chao sighed and turned over, “The news came today, and I will have to leave in the next two days. My father is unwell and asked me to go back.”
Chu Lingqiao felt a sour feeling in his heart and wanted to ask him if he could not go back? But he knew that this was too selfish.
But he had a bad feeling that once Feng Chao left, there would inevitably be a chasm between them, and he didn’t know when they could reunite like this again.
“I will go with you.” Chu Lingqiao said with a firm face, “I will go wherever you go in the future, Chao’er, I will take Ying’er and go with you!”
“Lingqiao, it’s not safe for you to be with me. After I leave here, you should take Ying’er and leave quickly, don’t stay.”
Chu Lingqiao no longer begged him to stay or said those unrealistic fantasies, “Can we meet again?”
Feng Chao pursed his lips and looked at him, and they were silent for a long time without speaking.
Chu Lingqiao cupped his face with both hands and kissed his lips affectionately, entangled to the death.
“Don’t forget me, I only love you in this life. If you have a chance, you must come to find me and Ying’er, do you know? Feng Chao, have you remembered?”
“Okay, I promise you.”
Early in the morning two days later, Chu Lingqiao woke up from his sleep and called out subconsciously, “Chao’er!”
After waiting for a long time, there was no answer.
A sour feeling welled up from his heart, making him feel uncomfortable, “Chao’er…”
He widened his lost eyes and lay on the bed for a long time before finding the strength to get out of bed. Ying’er was still young and had to eat breakfast.
Shen Lingqiao put on his clothes and had just walked out of the bedroom when he saw Ying’er’s small figure in the yard, barefoot, holding a dustpan and feeding the little yellow chickens in the fence.
“Cluck, cluck, eat food, grow tall.”
“Ying’er!”
“Father! Ying’er is feeding the cluck.”
Shen Lingqiao hugged her in his arms, his brow furrowed, “It’s cold, aren’t you cold barefoot? What if you get sick?”
“Ying’er is not afraid of getting sick, Father is a miracle doctor.”
Shen Lingqiao smiled sadly and hugged Ying’er back to the house.
He wiped her little fat feet and put on her pink embroidered shoes, “Later, Father will take you to eat Zhou Ji’s rice noodles, and then, we will go on a long trip.”
Ying’er widened her eyes excitedly, “Go on a long trip? Are we going out to play?”
Shen Lingqiao’s smile was a little lost, he looked around the house nostalgically, quickly packed his things, and took Ying’er out of the yard, putting on a heavy lock.
“Let’s go.”
Ying’er was led a few steps out of the stone road, and looked back at the heavy lock on the courtyard door in confusion.
“Father, why do you want to lock the courtyard door today? Daddy is still going home at night.”
Shen Lingqiao felt uncomfortable for a while and couldn’t speak, he just bent down and hugged Ying’er tightly, and walked from the quiet alley into the noisy city with the smell of fireworks in the early morning, submerged in the sea of people.
On the day when the First Prince Feng Chao and the Second Prince Feng Xiao arrived in Beijing, the Emperor rewarded them greatly for their meritorious governance.
Shang Mingyu was promoted to Minister of Public Works, which was unprecedented in a hundred years, but no one in the court was dissatisfied, and they all praised Shang Mingyu.
After the court, the two princes came to the Emperor’s bedroom to serve him. The Emperor’s face was very ugly, and he had lost a lot of weight.
When Feng Chao came over, he just glanced at him briefly and, on the grounds of showing compassion, asked him to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager and then go back to the Weiyang Palace to rest, leaving only Feng Xiao to serve him.
Feng Chao paid his respects, said goodbye to the Emperor, and went to the Ren Shou Palace.
Linhuai hated him so much that his teeth itched, “What does the Emperor mean by this? The Second Prince went out and made a fortune, and came back to share the same rewards with you, and share the fame? Hey, the entire court will laugh their teeth out.”
“What he wants is this fame, writing it into the history books is a glory for him to become Emperor, but Feng Xiao is dull, and does not know Father Emperor’s intentions for him, only thinking about how strict and unfair Father Emperor was to him when he was a child.”
“That Third Prince is also useless! You said that the time, place, and people are all right, why was he sent to Guangling? Leaving Feng Xiao to disgust you!”
“This Third Brother of mine is not an easy lamp to deal with, let’s wait and see.”
Linhuai sent Feng Chao to the Ren Shou Palace. The old Empress Dowager inside was not easy to provoke. Wouldn’t she have to grind their Highness for a while before she would let him go?
Feng Chao entered the hall, ready to kneel for a long time. It had been four years since he had knelt for a long time. His body had been pampered by Doctor Chu and he wondered if he could bear it.
Who knew that the Empress Dowager acted unusually. As soon as he came in, she asked people to give him a seat.
The Empress Dowager’s Persian cat was so human that it Twist around his legs for a while, and Feng Chao couldn’t help but smile,Touched the animal’s soft and smooth fur, and acted Just returned the Empress Dowager’s arms.
The Empress Dowager sized him up and her tone was hard to tell whether it was good or bad, “After being out of the palace for these years, you look a little rounder and your face is not as pale as before.”
“Thanks to the Empress Dowager’s concern, and the endless blessings, the grandson can be smooth.”
“Now that your Father Emperor is in poor health and the position of Crown Prince has not been determined, at this critical moment, you should be more active. In the past few days, many officials have asked to make you the Crown Prince. This is a matter of course!”
A matter of course, how many years have you heard these four words? Feng Chao no longer remembers, Father Emperor’s bias is not a day or two, in fact, he has long lost his obsession with this imperial throne.
At first, he thought that the Empress Dowager and the Zhou family were of one mind and wanted to seek justice for the Zhou family.
Later, he realized that this was not the case. The Empress Dowager supported him only for her own self-interest. How the Zhou family was doing was actually irrelevant to her.
All these years, he had been fighting alone.
And he had already recognized the fact that the truth about the tragic death of the Zhou family army would not and would not be allowed to be made public. The truth had long been buried in the soil with the Zhou family army and would never see the light of day.
The culprit was still sitting on the dragon chair and would be passed down from generation to generation.
Now that the Empress Dowager was more polite to him, there was no other reason. If he could ascend the throne one day in the future, it would be her greatest reliance for future glory and wealth.
Feng Chao and the Empress Dowager talked with each other in their hearts for a while, and then she let him go back to the Weiyang Palace to rest.
“Your Highness, have a cup of hot tea.” Linhuai poured a cup of tea for him.
Feng Chao lightly Sipped a sip of tea in a daze, and the divine light in his eyes gradually became clear, “Is this yellow tea?”
“That’s right!” Linhuai smiled, “Before you came back, Doctor Chu bought several pounds and asked the servants to bring them with them. He said you like to drink it. Oh, this Doctor Chu is really meticulous and knows how to take care of people.”
“Lingqiao…” I wonder where he and Ying’er are now?
Feng Chao drank the tea, cheered up a bit, and his eyes darkened a bit, “In the next few days, because of the pressure from the civil and military officials, Father Emperor will definitely establish the position of Crown Prince.”
Linhuai asked in confusion, “Does Your Highness have any confidence in your heart?”
Feng Chao smiled; “You think too much, Father Emperor transferred him to work in Chuting, isn’t it just to pave the way for the Second Brother to inherit the position of Crown Prince?”
Linhuai was about to die of anger, “It is logical for the position of Crown Prince to fall on the head of the Guangling Prince, which would make me feel more comfortable. If it falls on the head of the Second Prince, wouldn’t Empress Niangniang and General Zhou be willing to know this under the fountain?”
Concubine De killed the late Empress, the Emperor knew it very well, but let this happen, and now Concubine De’s son is going to steal credit and seize the throne from their Highness!
“Now, the Zhao family, Concubine De’s family, has produced several influential figures in the court under Father Emperor’s promotion. Although the Second Prince’s mother family has no military power, they have a certain say in the court.”
Feng Chao got up and looked at the orange-red sunset in the sky and sighed, “The loyal ministers and good generals who have dedicated their lives to the Great Yuan’s prosperity should not have such an ending. They should live well and enjoy their old age, and see how magnificent and beautiful the country they have built with their own hands is.”
“Your Highness, don’t be too sad!”
“This palace doesn’t want to see tragic events like the Zhou family army happen again. Now that the Third Brother has become a force to be reckoned with, it’s better to help him and protect the Great Yuan’s century of prosperity, and the peace of the sea and rivers.”
That night, Feng Chao dreamed of his mother again.
At that time, he was six years old and already sensible.
His mother was bedridden for a long time. On the night of her death, she pulled him and said a lot, her eyes full of unwillingness and resentment.
“Chao’er, one day in the future, you must sit in that supreme position and find out the truth about the tragic death of the Mingzhou family army!”
“Mother…”
He cried for a long time in unease and helplessness, wanting his mother to get better soon. When he was a child, he was very weak and could not change anything.
He just hoped to grow up quickly, and when he grew up and had the ability, he could save his mother and save himself and the Zhou family from fire and water.
Later, his mother was gone, and he carried this heavy responsibility on his shoulders and grew up slowly, only to realize how naive he was when he was a child.
He thought too much and could do too little.
At night, the Emperor’s body was not well again, and Xu Bao asked Feng Xiao to come and serve him.
After feeding the Emperor the soup and medicine, Feng Xiao sat on the stool in front of the dragon couch and did not dare to leave for half a step.
The Emperor looked at him and couldn’t help but think of Concubine De. Feng Xiao’s eyebrows and eyes were very similar to his mother.
“It’s so late, and I asked you to come and serve me. Do you resent me in your heart?”
“What are you saying, Father Emperor? This is what this son should do. It is also this son’s honor to be able to serve by your side.”
“Do you remember when you were twelve years old, at the winter hunt, because Yue’er was mischievous and lost his way in the forest, the entire Imperial Guard searched the mountain for a day and a night before bringing you two out.”
Speaking of this, Feng Xiao couldn’t help but clench his fists, lowering his head to hide the hatred in his eyes, “This son remembers.”
“You desperately carried Yue’er back, your feet were covered in blood, your elbows were also scratched, and your face was covered with blood marks from the thorns. The imperial doctor came to see you and said that you had severe frostbite and that if you were later, your legs would not be saved.”
“This son remembers…” Feng Xiao’s eyes were full of tears, and he couldn’t help but complain, “At that time, this son didn’t care about his own life at all, only thinking that he couldn’t let the Third Brother get hurt, because he was the most beloved son of Father Emperor and Mother, and the most beloved grandson of the Duke of Zhenguo. If he was bumped, this son would definitely be punished again!”
“But this son was still punished. Father Emperor slapped me heavily in front of everyone, and before the injury was fully healed, I was punished to kneel until dawn. No matter what I did, it was wrong. In Father Emperor’s eyes, there was always only the Third Brother.”
“Do you hate me?”
Feng Xiao endured his grief and indignation, his voice trembling violently, “This son dares not.”
“Then do you hate Yue’er?”
“This son… dares not.”
The Emperor sighed a long breath, “Duke Zhenguo, the Chen family, and several Zhao families cannot be provoked. The Chen family is ambitious and wholeheartedly supports Yue’er as the Crown Prince. Everyone knows Sima Zhao’s intentions!”
“But I am the dignified Son of Heaven, how can I be threatened by the Chen family? Royal majesty cannot be violated. The Chen family’s merits are so great that they overshadow the master. For royal power, it is a sword hanging over my head, making it difficult for me to sleep at night!”