Chapter 59: A Famous Scene part 1
Under the shimmering dawn light, on that incomparably handsome face, his features appeared even more profound and peerless. He leaned against the edge of the couch holding a book, slightly raising his eyes to look over, resembling a deity in solemn composure.
Jiang Jiayan was still somewhat worried. “Bixia, why not wait a few more days? Wait until you are better in a few days before summoning the Ministers?” Bixia had a strong constitution and had largely recovered, but after leaving the palace late that night to visit the Zhao clan ancestral residence, his condition had worsened significantly.
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but frown slightly.
Gu Zhen gave a muffled laugh, seemingly mocking yet not mocking. “Wait a few more days, and it won’t be so easy to wrap things up.”
Those old foxes, who knew how many calculations they were making in their hearts. If he still didn’t see anyone, even if he wasn’t dead, everyone would know there was something wrong with his health and it was inconvenient for him to see people.
Since he had spoken to this extent, Jiang Jiayan naturally couldn’t stop him anymore and immediately left with the order.
The inner hall became quiet again.
After reviewing several frontline war reports, Gu Zhen suddenly turned his head and asked, “How is the Empress recently? She said she suffered from heatstroke a few days ago; is she slightly better?”
Wu Mao had long prepared for this question. Hearing it, his mind snapped to attention, and he took a half-step forward to reply, “Niangniang had some tea after returning that day and was much better after sleeping. Bixia rest assured; Xiangsi Hall reported that Niangniang even went horse racing in the western suburbs today!”
“Horse racing?”
Gu Zhen repeated it, suddenly put down the capital report, and a three-part smile appeared on his face.
After pondering for a moment, Gu Zhen whispered again, “Her riding skills aren’t good. Going horse racing in the western suburbs—did you send someone to follow her?”
Wu Mao nodded repeatedly and responded, “Replying to Bixia, General Xin is following. Moreover, Niangniang has been horse racing frequently during this period, and her riding skills have long improved. Bixia can set your heart at ease.”
Gu Zhen pondered for a moment but ultimately said nothing more.
Only in his heart, a trace of imperceptible loss flashed by.
When they rode together in the past, he used to dislike her poor riding skills, causing her to forget even how to ride completely. When teaching her, he was also extremely impatient.
Now, it had become an opportunity he couldn’t ask for even if he begged.
A bitter smile rippled at the corner of Gu Zhen’s lips. Staring at the pear blossoms rustling down outside the window, he lowered his eyes and said, “The almonds We bought in Huayin… never mind. Her temper has always been stubborn; I fear she won’t eat them. Let’s keep them here with Us for now.”
Hearing these words, Wu Mao also felt some sourness in his heart.
He had followed Bixia for nearly twenty years; when had he ever seen him look so lowly and cautious?
Even in front of the Late Emperor, it had never happened.
But facing Empress Niangniang, he almost bent his waist into the dust.
On the day of the earthquake, after Bixia carried Empress Niangniang out of the pagoda, his expression was somewhat strange. At least he held on and didn’t show weakness in front of others. But as soon as he sent Niangniang into the carriage, large drops of sweat broke out on Bixia’s forehead. His face was pale, and even his hands were trembling.
After the imperial physician’s diagnosis, he said it was fortunate it was a rib; if it had hit the spine, the outcome likely wouldn’t have been good.
The mistakes made in the past were almost being repaid with his life.
Two people who could clearly live well together insisted on reaching this state. Even servants like them felt uncomfortable watching it.
“Bixia.” Wu Mao lowered his eyes, thought secretly for a while, and bowed, “It is time to change the cloth strips.”
Gu Zhen nodded coldly and took off his upper garment, revealing the injured area wrapped in fine white cloth strips.
Changed daily, accidentally touching that injury was still piercingly painful. That pain almost penetrated the bone marrow, spreading all the way inward to the heart.
But only Gu Zhen knew clearly in his heart.
It wasn’t just the superficial wound that hurt.
His heart also hurt.
Actually, it didn’t hurt much anymore.
But seeing this injury, he thought of Yiyi.
Thinking of Yiyi, he couldn’t stop the heartache and regret.
When changing the cloth strips, his breathing was slightly disordered. Once re-wrapped properly, and changed into a black robe, with a jade belt tied at the waist and black cloud shoes on his feet, he shed that three-part sickly look and returned to his usual appearance of a gentle and jade-like noble gentleman.
Just one glance was enough to make people hold their breath.
“It will be the Dragon Boat Festival in a few days. This servant has ordered people to prepare mugwort leaves and five-colored silk threads. Tomorrow, I’ll have people wrap some zongzi so Bixia and Niangniang can have a decent festival.” Wu Mao whispered while tidying his shoes.
Gu Zhen closed his eyes slightly and said indifferently, “Mm, put some small fruits in them; she likes to eat them.”
While speaking, the heavy ministers rushing from Luoyang also arrived outside and were waiting in the side hall.
Gu Zhen didn’t summon them immediately. He read official documents for a while longer before inviting everyone in.
Secretariat Director Zheng, at the head, cupped his hands and said, “Seeing Bixia in good health and safe, we subjects are relieved.”
Gu Zhen’s brows sank slightly. Lifting his eyelids to scan the people below, he said softly, “Our health is fine. Not seeing you gentlemen a few days ago was also because the war with Rouran was too busy, leaving no free time. Gentlemen can rest assured; do not overthink or harbor unnecessary thoughts.”
His gaze swept over them one by one from the head seat. When sweeping over a few of them, that gaze lingered slightly longer. Those people lowered their eyes to stare at the ground, feeling prickles on their backs, daring not look up directly.
Too busy to see everyone—anyone could tell it was just an excuse.
But no one dared to refute.
The Henei incident had made all officials know that the Emperor was not the gentle and jade-like Crown Prince of the past, nor the undeveloped youth. Compared to the Late Emperor’s thunderous methods, he was even superior—after all, he was wrapped in a beautiful outer coat.
Frequent news of victory in the Rouran war made the Emperor’s prestige climb continuously.
Now, even the old officials from the Late Emperor’s time dared not easily refute the Emperor’s decisions; everything was considered thrice before acting.
“Regarding the state affairs of Great Chu, We still need you gentlemen to do your best.” Gu Zhen had a three-part smile on his face. He raised his hand to let everyone sit down, then chuckled softly, “On the day of the earthquake, We were in the pagoda and indeed nearly got injured.”
“Perhaps Father Emperor protected from heaven; We didn’t suffer any injuries, but troubled you gentlemen to worry.”
The ministers expressed their gratitude to the Late Emperor together and asked if the Emperor was frightened.
Gu Zhen narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly. After his gaze patrolled the inner hall, he whispered, “We are well. Summoning you here today is still to discuss the war and the matter of grain transport to Chang’an.”
Hearing the matter of grain transport to Chang’an, the ministers’ hearts all shivered.
Because of the rise in rice prices in Chang’an and the Governor not opening the Ever-Normal Granary in time to suppress prices, Bixia had already punished a group of people. Thinking of this, everyone couldn’t help but muster twelve points of spirit, fearing any mistake in their response.
However, grain transport to Chang’an was still an old topic.
After all these years, there still wasn’t a proper solution.
So everyone avoided the heavy and dwelt on the light, mentioning the Rouran war first one after another, pointing to the map and mentioning several routes deep into Rouran.
Gu Zhen nodded to each. As noon approached, Gu Zhen granted a banquet to the Secretariat-Chancellery and ordered everyone to go back for the meal.
But He Mingshou stayed behind.
“Does Uncle have something?” Gu Zhen looked up at him, a hint of a smile hidden in his eyes, and asked warmly.
He Mingshou sighed slightly in his heart, secretly thinking he was asking knowingly, but stepped forward two steps and pulled a list from his sleeve.
“Bixia, this subject… the crimes committed by this subject’s second brother and his wife are all on this list. Please verify, Bixia.” He stood to the side, a dazed look crossing his old eyes, just staring blankly at the rug in front of him.
After all, they were born of the same root. Personally digging out his crimes and probably personally sending him down in the future.
Speaking of it, it was still somewhat unbearable.
But people are born for themselves.
The second brother did it for himself; he did it for himself too.
Although he had a scant bit of brotherhood for the second brother, compared to the love for his own children, it was like the stars to the sun; even after ten thousand years, it couldn’t compare to a tiny bit.
Since they all did things for themselves, it depended on whose methods were higher and who had ability.
Although he hesitated a bit about that affection for the second brother, when it was time to strike, he was merciless.
His feelings for that Shu brother hadn’t reached a deep level yet.
He had moved his mind a few times in the past, but thinking it over, others’ were ultimately others’; how could fake pass as real?
His daughter was his own.
Gu Zhen took it with a smile, scanning ten lines at a glance. Seeing what he wanted, the smile on his face became a bit more sincere.
“For the matter of fields in the capital county, Uncle has been tired for a while, and now laboring for this matter, it is truly hard work.” Gu Zhen smiled warmly, let him sit beside him, and handed the list to Wu Mao.
He Mingshou silently watched Wu Mao tuck the list into his sleeve, and suddenly asked softly, “I wonder how Bixia intends to handle it?”
Gu Zhen didn’t answer but asked instead, “Does Uncle have any thoughts?”
He Mingshou sighed, “Bixia asking this is making it difficult for this old subject.”
Gu Zhen couldn’t help laughing. “We thought Uncle had long guarded against them and had plans in heart.”
After laughing for a moment, his expression suddenly turned cold, hostility accumulating between his brows, and he smiled grimly. “His daughter slandered the Empress and forced her repeatedly; her heart is punishable.”
He Mingshou understood then.
He stood up and cupped his hands. “There are still matters in the front court; this subject will take his leave.”
Watching him retreat silently, Gu Zhen called Wu Mao closer and said indifferently, “Since she has the guts to force the Empress, she should have thought of the consequences. Send this list back to the capital and order people to investigate and handle it immediately. Right, We heard Linchuan has a good relationship with the He family’s second branch? Then take her along.”
Wu Mao felt a chill rise in his heart.
Eldest Princess Linchuan—that was the status of an Eldest Princess. Bixia meant to have Eldest Princess Linchuan watch when punishment was inflicted on the He family in the future?
With this move of killing the chicken to scare the monkey, he feared the Eldest Princess would have nightmares for years.
He stood there dazed for a moment. Gu Zhen’s gaze still looked over, dissatisfied, “What are you still standing there for?”
On the Dragon Boat Festival, the Imperial Kitchen in the palace wrapped many zongzi.
Zhao Yiyi personally smoked mugwort leaves in the courtyard and braided a five-colored silk thread to wear on her hand.
She braided it beautifully, unlike the ordinary bracelets others made. She braided several small plum blossoms on it and threaded one or two jade beads; it was very beautiful.
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