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Part 2
The two discussed the matter of grain transport in Chang’an for a while. The Prince of Yan said, “Imperial Brother, the lands of the Daoist and Buddhist temples have been almost completely tallied.”
Gu Zhen tapped the armrest with one hand, pondering for a long time before whispering, “Confiscate a portion, and tax all the rest.”
Many people in the world were willing to shave their heads and become monks because the Late Emperor revered these two paths, causing the price of ordination certificates to skyrocket. This was precisely because monks did not have to pay taxes, perform corvée labor, or serve in the army.
Once taxed, the foundation would be cut.
The Prince of Yan knew that once this decree was issued, there would likely be an uproar in the court.
Fortunately, the war with the Rouran had just ended in a great victory. With the Emperor’s current prestige, no one dared to provoke him easily.
Even if they made a fuss, it would just be routine opposition; they wouldn’t dare act as they did before.
Hearing the Emperor ask him to take Zhao Chen for mounted archery training, the Prince of Yan was stunned for a moment. He asked, “Imperial Brother, how is his temperament?”
“He’s smart, just a bit raw in his methods.” At this, Gu Zhen paused slightly before continuing, “If taught well, he can be a help to the Empress. If not raised well, he will be a source of trouble. His nature is a bit stubborn. Take him for mounted archery once every ten days; it will broaden his mind. If you don’t have time, appoint a few personal guards to teach him.”
Yiyi only had this one younger brother. If anything truly happened to him, Yiyi would surely be heartbroken.
As a close minister to the Son of Heaven, the Prince of Yan never knew less than others, but he hadn’t realized that his Imperial Brother could go to this extent for her—actually cultivating power for the Empress personally.
Looking at the Emperor’s slightly cold face, he opened his mouth several times, but swallowed all the unspoken words back.
Thinking about it, there was really nothing to say.
He just agreed, “This younger brother will certainly do his utmost.”
Gu Zhen sighed lightly. “The Empress has a soft nature, and let’s not even mention her eldest brother. There must be someone to handle things for her.”
Although Zhao Chen was paranoid, he had one good point: he dared to do anything.
Since childhood, Zhao Chen had been one to strike ruthlessly.
No matter what, he wouldn’t let himself suffer a loss. Sometimes, he would even do things that damaged the enemy by a thousand while costing himself eight hundred.
Seeing him standing aside with red eyes apologizing, Zhao Yiyi sighed inwardly, leaning against the edge of the low couch. “How old are you, trying to show off? Even with the status of ruler and subject between us, I don’t dare to act personally, let alone you?”
Zhao Chen didn’t dare to refute, knowing he couldn’t. He choked out an acknowledgment and apologized again. “Sister, I shouldn’t have made you worry. I was wrong.”
Zhao Yiyi poked his forehead in exasperation, saying in a deep voice, “What kind of bewitching soup did he pour down your throat? I scolded you so much this morning, yet I didn’t see you taking it to heart like this.”
Having finished lunch, and coincidentally reaching the time for Zhao Yiyi’s afternoon nap, she personally saw Zhao Chen out of the hall doors. Turning around, she saw Zhao Duanduan standing to the side, looking at her eagerly.
“What’s wrong?” She smiled gently, reaching out to stroke the little girl’s hair.
Zhao Duanduan looked hesitant. After a long while, she reached out and pinched a piece of her sleeve, whispering, “Sister, will you not want me anymore?”
Zhao Yiyi was stunned. She frowned, “Why would you think that?”
Zhao Duanduan said, “Because I am the Empress Dowager’s daughter, and I went to eat at her place today.”
Children always agonized over such small things.
In their hearts, this was already a matter bigger than the sky.
Sometimes they would worry about gains and losses, their minds restless, even to the point of losing sleep and appetite.
Zhao Yiyi patted the top of her head, whispering, “How could that be? No matter whose daughter you are, you are Sister’s younger sister.”
“But I only like Sister.” Back in the sleeping quarters, Zhao Duanduan clung to her embrace, refusing to move an inch, rubbing against her several times.
Zhao Yiyi couldn’t help but laugh. Touching her temple hair again, she said helplessly, “Don’t miss out on so much just because of Sister.”
Zhao Duanduan’s nose turned red, remembering what her sister had instructed: that the Empress Dowager was her birth mother, and not to resist too much because of her sister.
But she… she hugged Zhao Yiyi tighter. “Having Sister want me is enough.”
Knowing that she was currently afraid of loss and expressing loyalty, Zhao Yiyi just stroked her repeatedly without speaking.
A long time later, when her emotions had calmed down a bit, she said, “Sleep. When you wake up, don’t think about these things anymore. In a few days, when it snows, I’ll take you to see the scenery at Longmen.”
In the evening, Wu Mao came by, holding a scroll in his hand.
Zhao Yiyi asked, “What is this?”
Wu Mao said, “It is a painting personally made by His Majesty. He painted it for many days and specifically instructed this servant to bring it to Your Highness today.”
After Wu Mao left, Yunzhu asked how to deal with the painting.
Zhao Yiyi wanted to say put it in the storeroom, but for some strange reason, she told her to bring it over for a look.
In the painting was a young girl in a lilac shirt and a crimson skirt, holding an arrow in her hand, staring intently at the pitch-pot in front of her.
She was instantly dazed.
Yunzhu asked again, “Your Highness, shall we hang it up?”
Zhao Yiyi shook her head. “No, put it in the study for now.”
On the day they left the palace, Gu Zhen hadn’t planned on bringing Zhao Duanduan along, but since she was already following them, he could only barely suppress his annoyance.
He then sent a trusted aide to find a slightly smaller boat for her.
The last time they saw this scenery, it was before she entered the palace.
The two traveled by boat. A small table was placed at the bow with a warmed pot of green plum wine, and they drank facing each other.
“It’s just been warmed, be careful it’s hot.” Gu Zhen ladled a small half-spoon into the amber cup, instructing softly.
Zhao Yiyi turned her head to look at the scenery not far away, holding the cup of green plum wine in her hands. Suddenly, she smiled. “I saw A-Chen two days ago; he’s tanned a whole shade darker, and his walking is shaky.”
Gu Zhen said, “His mounted archery in the past was all superficial. Now that the difficulty has increased, naturally he can’t take it. He’ll be fine after a while.”
Zhao Yiyi nodded, not intending to continue the conversation. She just propped up her head to gaze at the boundless scenery.
“When we go back later, we can still go to the Southern Market for dinner.”
She was looking at the scenery, but Gu Zhen held his wine cup and did not gaze into the distance with her. Instead, he looked at her face, white as fresh snow.
Almond eyes, gracefully curved brows, creamy skin—there was no part of her that wasn’t beautiful.
Just one look made it impossible to look away.
Hearing a soft “Don’t move,” Zhao Yiyi was slightly stunned. Thinking something was wrong, she subconsciously froze there, turning her head to look at him blankly.
It wasn’t until a warmth landed on the corner of her eye that she understood the reason.
Her face flushed crimson, and she reached out to push him. “You!”
Where was the demeanor of an Emperor in this?
With flickering light, the drifting snow began to fall again.
The two boated around for a circle before starting to head back.
Upon reaching the city, they switched to horses.
However, an accident occurred the moment they entered the city. Zhao Yiyi looked at the man not far away and called out uncertainly, “Cousin Lu?”
The man in green robes slowly turned around, revealing a smile toward her.
Elegant and upright, like a jade tree or fragrant orchid.
Gu Zhen looked down at his hand that had been cast aside, then looked at her back as she stepped forward two paces. A fire burned fiercely within him, jealous to the point of madness.
But considering the relationship between the two had barely taken a turn for the better, the veins on his arm bulged distinctly, yet he forcibly endured it. Smiling, he stepped forward and took Zhao Yiyi’s hand once again.
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