"You are still angry." Yan Jinqiu placed the steaming soup in front of Hua Xi Wan and said with a gentle smile, "Your favorite pigeon soup. It has been simmered for a long time. Try it, it is very fresh."
Hua Xi Wan glanced at him and silently drank the soup. After she finished, she wiped her mouth and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Everyone says that Wang Ye is an elegant scholar. I see that Wang Ye is clearly a strong man." She rubbed her waist and snorted.
"In front of other people, I am naturally an elegant gentleman. But in front of Xi Wan, this gentleman can only become …" Yan Jinqiu leaned down and whispered in her ear, "a lecherous hungry ghost."
"Wang Ye, do the women in Jing who admire you know that you do not care about trifles?" Hua Xi Wan threw her handkerchief into his hand, stood and said, "For the sake of Wang Ye's elegance, I will stay away from you, Wang Ye."
Knowing that he had gone too far last night and this morning, Yan Jinqiu was not angry when his beautiful wang fei glared at him. He smiled and went up to allow Hua Xi Wan to mock him. When Hua Xi Wan finally calmed down a bit, he went up and said, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. Didn't you say a few days ago that you wanted to see the face-changing tricks in Shu Zhou? A few days ago, I had Mutong invite the best Shu Zhou troupe to the wang fu.
Later, I will accompany you to see the face-changing tricks? "
Hua Xi Wan looked at the snowflakes floating outside the window. After some thought, she said, "All right, let's wait until the snow stops. Have them practice more in the fu. With this cold wind and snow, if they perform on the stage, they will freeze to death."
"Xi Wan is so kind, it is my good fortune."
Hearing this, Hua Xi Wan smiled and said, "It has nothing to do with good or bad. I just don't like to let unrelated people suffer for nothing. As the saying goes, if people don't offend me, I won't offend them. If people offend me, I'll make sure they aren't human. "
"You're right," Yan Jinqiu said with a sincere smile. He wrapped his arms around her waist and chuckled, "Xi Wan and I are a match made in heaven. No one can compare to us."
Hua Xi Wan smiled but didn't say anything. In terms of temperament, she and Yan Jinqiu were indeed not kind people. However, she usually wouldn't make a move if the enemy didn't make a move. On the other hand, Yan Jinqiu was even more ruthless. He was the type of person who would force his opponent to make a move if his opponent didn't. But if you say
They were a match made in heaven, which was a little funny. Two people who loved themselves more, how could they love others without any scruples?
In her previous life, she had gone through ups and downs in the entertainment industry. She had seen many breakups and breakups. Those love affairs that started with true love all ended with separation. Divorce, extramarital affairs, cheating, unspoken rules, and mistresses were common occurrences in the entertainment industry. These were just slightly famous artists. Not to mention in this era where it was legal for men to take concubines.
"I know you won't believe me," Yan Jinqiu's warm breath pressed against Hua Xi Wan's neck. "But it doesn't matter. We still have a long time."
Hua Xi Wan lowered her eyes and curled the corners of her mouth.
The news of Princess Linping and Xian Wang Fu falling out quickly spread throughout the capital. Those who had been offended by Princess Linping didn't dare to do anything because they were afraid of Xian Wang Fu's power. After hearing the news, some women couldn't hold it in and started gossiping behind their backs.
"Who doesn't know that this princess has always been high and mighty and looks down on others? She used to talk behind Xian Wang Fei's back. Xian Wang Fei has never said anything about her. Sigh, it's Xian Wang Fei's bad luck to have such a sister-in-law. "
"That's nothing. Didn't she make a fuss about getting married? I heard that the family she married into wasn't very respectable. The Luo Family took advantage of her power and did many immoral things in Jiang City. And the Prince Consort who was assassinated. Two years ago, he flirted with a courtesan in Jiang City and even wrote songs for her. If she didn't make a fuss, who knows what would have happened to the Prince Consort and the courtesan. "
"Actually, thinking about it, she is pitiful. She thought she had married a good man. Who knew that the Luo Family was like that? Luo Zhongzhen isn't a loyal person either. Her persistence in the capital a few years ago became a joke."
"That's right. She is pitiful and hateful. It's pitiful that she gave her heart to the wrong person. It's hateful that she didn't care about anything for a man."
The females of Jing gathered together and talked about the Princess Linping with emotional expressions. But in reality, it was just that their lives were too ordinary, and coincidentally, there was the matter of Princess Linping as the topic of their conversation.
Some people felt that Princess Linping was too terrifying to dare to attack the person who slept with her. But even more people were mocking her because everyone knew that Princess Linping would not kill Lin Ping Junma. But so what? The Emperor wanted to protect the Crown Prince. Then the only person who could kill Luo Zhongzhen was Princess Linping.
But no matter what these people thought of Princess Linping, many people in the Imperial House felt that the fox grieved for the death of the rabbit. Today, Princess Linping had taken the blame for the Crown Prince. In the future, who would become the Crown Prince's shield?
The Crown Prince was so preposterous, but he was the heir to a country. The future of their Dazhao Dynasty was in danger.
In court, the Vice Official of Dali Monastery, Zhang Hou, was once again scolded by the Emperor. In any case, ever since the Crown Prince had been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, the officials of Dali Monastery would be scolded by the Emperor almost every day. The officials in court were almost used to it.
"There is no need to discuss this matter further. Princess Linping hired thugs to kill the junma. Her actions are malicious and should be punished!" The Qilong Emperor waved his hand and the case of Luo Zhongzhen was settled.
The court was silent. The cowardly officials all buried their heads. Some of the members of the Imperial House had ugly expressions.
"Emperor, there are many suspicious points in this case. We cannot be so careless …"
"Shut up!" The Qilong Emperor interrupted Zhang Hou and coldly looked at him, "The one who said that Princess Linping was suspicious was you. Now, the one who says there are many suspicious points is also you. Zhen transferred you to Dali Monastery for you to investigate the case, not for you to meddle. If it wasn't Princess Linping who hired thugs to kill, then who do you think it was? "
Zhang Hou opened his mouth. Looking at the imposing Emperor on the dragon throne, he helplessly closed his mouth. His head touched the ground and he didn't say anything else.
Several members of the Imperial House looked at Xian Wang who was standing in the first row on the left. They seemed to be waiting to see his attitude.
"Emperor," Yan Jinqiu took a step forward with his left foot and bowed, "This subject thinks that my sister loves the junma very much. How could she bear to harm him?"
"Xian Wang's words are wrong. There are many women in the world who do things that normal people can't understand because of love," Count Jingping refuted when he heard this, "Everyone knows that Princess Linping did so in order to marry Luo Junma. Then, when she found that Luo Junma was unfaithful to her, it is understandable that she wanted to kill him."
The officials were speechless. If this kind of logic was true, then many men in Jing would have lost their lives. Not talking about others, just him, Count Jingping. His first wife was from a branch of the Jang clan. She was a gentle and generous woman, but he was clingy to the already married Chen shi. After the Jang died of illness, he couldn't wait to have Chen shi divorce her original man. Then he turned around and married Chen shi.
Their Dazhao Dynasty wasn't as strict as the previous dynasty, but Count Jingping's actions were too indulgent.
"I heard before that the Jang was infatuated with Count. She was filial to the old and loved the young," Yan Jinqiu said with a slight smile, "Is this true?"
Count Jingping's face turned red. He knew that what he did in the past wasn't right. Now that Yan Jinqiu said this, he couldn't find any words to refute.
"Count, you are standing here. This means that it is not common to take someone's life because of hatred." Yan Jinqiu raised his hands in the direction of the Dragon Emperor and said, "Emperor, please investigate."
Someone in the hall laughed lightly, but didn't dare to laugh too obviously. So Count Jingping didn't know who laughed at him. He could only hide in the corner with a red face and didn't dare to speak.
"Zhen knows that virtuous nephew is benevolent and righteous, but this matter isn't a child's play. Princess Linping has done such an evil thing, zhen has to punish her." The Qilong Emperor also knew that this matter had wronged Xian Wang's family. So he said, "However, in view of Luo Zhongzhen's disrespect to the Imperial House and hateful conduct, zhen will pardon Princess Linping's death sentence, remove her junzhu rank, and demote her to xianzhu. She will be flogged fifteen times and fined five thousand taels of silver. Her salary will be suspended for three years, and she will not be allowed to leave Jing without permission."
Yan Jinqiu slowly knelt down and said, "Thank you, Emperor, for your grace."
This punishment wasn't heavy, but in Jing, where nobility were everywhere, a xianzhu who had been flogged by the Emperor and had the crime of killing her husband, in the eyes of others, had nothing left of her face. She wouldn't be able to wipe away this stain until she died.
Everyone present knew that if Xian Wang hadn't stood up, this Princess Linping's fate would have been even worse. She might not even be able to keep her xianzhu title. At that time, her son and daughter would be pitiful.
Thinking about the rumors of Princess Linping causing trouble in Xian Wang Fu, the officials sighed in their hearts. This Xian Wang was good at everything, but he didn't have good relatives. Even his own sister from the same family wanted to drag him down.
After court, a few members of the Imperial House surrounded Yan Jinqiu. They wanted to persuade him but didn't know where to start. Everyone knew that the assassination of Luo Zhongzhen didn't have anything to do with Linping County Princess. However, the Emperor wanted to use her as the scapegoat for the Crown Prince. What could they, who looked noble but didn't have any real power, do?
Xian Wang was willing to stand up for Linping County Princess at this juncture. This was already very kind. If Linping County Princess hadn't insisted on seeing Jiang City's Luo Family, she wouldn't be in this situation today.
It was hard to go against the Emperor's orders. It was hard to go against the Mandate of Heaven.
"Zi Ling, right now, in court … you have done everything you can for Linping County Princess. Don't mention it again in the future to avoid angering the Emperor and getting yourself involved." Xu Wang stroked his white beard and walked to Yan Jinqiu's side. He said with a smile, "This year's winter is getting colder and colder. This old man is old. It's time for me to write a memorial and ask for illness to rest at home."
As he said this, Xu Wang's complexion was rosy and his eyes were spirited. It didn't look like he was ill at all.
Yan Jinqiu bowed and said, "You speak too seriously. You are the backbone of the court. If you are sick, won't the Emperor lose a capable assistant?"
"When one is old, they should recognize their old age." Xu Wang laughed and turned his head to look at the golden throne room. "People who are old can't step on muddy water. This old man's di eldest son is a few years older than you but has a rigid personality. In the future, let him interact with you more and learn your elegant demeanor so that he won't look like a block of wood. "
"Shizi is a steady person and not rigid." Yan Jinqiu's smile became even more obvious. "It's just for the two of us to improve each other."
"En, young people should learn more." Xu Wang nodded and stroked his beard as he walked away. He didn't look weak at all when he walked as though he was flying.
When Luo Zhongzhen's case was over, the Qilong Emperor had released the Crown Prince from the Celestial Prison under the pressure of the clan. However, he didn't return him to the Crown Prince's fu. Instead, he was placed under house arrest in Zhu Que Palace to show that he, the Emperor, had no intentions of favoritism.
However, this action was just for show. The difference between the Celestial Prison and Zhu Que Palace was like the difference between heaven and earth. Other than being unable to move freely, the Crown Prince's food and clothing were the same as usual. When he heard that he finally had a child, he was so happy he ate half a bowl of rice.
It might have been because he ate half a bowl of rice after coming out of the Celestial Prison, but that night, he felt an unbearable pain in his stomach and went to the toilet several times in an hour. The palace attendants hurriedly reported to the Empress and the Empress sent someone to summon a taiyi.
Zhu Que Palace couldn't let the Crown Prince out, but it didn't say that people couldn't go in. So the Empress successfully saw the Crown Prince. Seeing the Crown Prince who had gained a lot of weight, the Empress' bitter tears were swallowed back. Just as she sat down, the Crown Prince held his stomach and went to the toilet again.
After going back and forth twice, the taiyi finally arrived. After using silver needles to poke a few major acupuncture points on the Crown Prince, the diarrhea finally stopped.
"Your Highness, this subject has used needles to stop the diarrhea, but it is only temporary. The medicine must be drunk." The taiyi wrote a list and was about to stand to get medicine for the Crown Prince.
"Wait a moment." The Empress stopped the taiyi. Her expression changed a few times before she said in a deep voice, "Get the medicine carefully. The Crown Prince needs to recover as soon as possible."
"Yes." The taiyi was slightly puzzled. Was this sentence worth the Empress being so troubled?
However, he was long used to the complicated thoughts of the people in the inner palace. The taiyi didn't even think and turned to leave Zhu Que Palace.
"Muhou, what's wrong?" The Crown Prince lay on the bed listlessly. Detecting that the Empress' gaze wasn't right, he couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"
"Nothing." The Empress pulled the blankets for him. "The Crown Princess is pregnant now. Ben gong is worried about you being here alone so ben gong is preparing to have Chen Liangdi come to Zhu Que Palace to serve you. What do you think?"
"Chen Liangdi is dull and boring. What do you want her for?" The Crown Prince did not like Chen Liangdi's dullness and said with a frown, "How about Zhao Liangdi come? At least she knows."
"Ben gong called her to take care of your body, not to play with you." The Empress sighed and said, "Right now, there are countless eyes on you. Bear with it for now. After this matter passes, you can think about these things. If you are not willing to have Chen Liangdi come, then have a taijian serve you."
The difficult life in the Celestial Prison had caused the Crown Prince to be more obedient. So when the Empress said such words, he did not make a fuss. He pinched his nose and silently agreed. He did not like Chen Liangdi's dullness, but one was better than none.
"Muhou, please take care of the Crown Princess. It would be good if it was a son." Thinking that he already had a descendant, the Crown Prince was in a good mood. "What did Fuhuang say?"
"Your fuhuang is very happy." The Empress moved her gaze away from the Crown Prince. She said in a flat tone, "There are internal guards in the Crown Prince Fu, and the female officials serving him are all from the palace. You do not have to worry."
The Crown Prince's heart relaxed. "It seems that Fuhuang values this child. This means that he has not abandoned me."
"Your body is not well, rest early." The Empress stood. "Ben gong should return."
The Crown Prince felt that the Empress was slightly strange, but he did not ask. He rolled over and fell asleep. After staying in the Celestial Prison for a few days, the natural silk blankets in the palace were the most comfortable to sleep in.
The farce in Jing ended with the Princess Linping becoming Linping County Princess. The assassination of Luo Zhongzhen was put down like this. The Luo Family that had rushed to Jing was not satisfied, but they could only give up. In Jiang City, they had relied on Princess Linping's power to act as they pleased in Jiang City. Now that Luo Zhongzhen was dead and Linping County Princess was the murderer, what could they say? What did they dare to say?
Say that the Emperor's punishment was too light, or that Luo Zhongzhen's death was unjust?
Thunder and rain were the grace of the Emperor.
However, their little Luo Family didn't even have a foothold in Jing. What guts did they have to offend a noble person in Jing?
In the end, they only received a jar of bone ashes and a pile of moderate rewards. They didn't even see the Emperor before they were sent out of Jing. As to Luo Zhongzhen's son and daughter, they didn't dare to take them. Even if Yan Jin Ling was no longer a junzhu, she was still a county princess. Did they dare to ask her for the children of the Luo Family?
Luo Zhongzhen was dead. Then it was natural for the children to be raised by their mother. What right did the Luo Family have to say?
"Linping County Princess?" Hua Xi Wan looked in shock at Yan Jinqiu. "His Majesty really … … is blaming this on her?"
This was too obvious. Half of the people in Jing probably wouldn't believe this result. Wasn't the Qilong Emperor's actions chilling everyone's hearts?
As the saying went, the fox grieves when the hare dies. The Qilong Emperor wasn't even willing to put on a show. He really didn't care about other people.
"I did my best to plead for leniency to be able to keep the title of county princess." Yan Jinqiu took a sip of hot tea and slowly said, "If she comes again in the future, there is no need to receive her in the fu. Other than her hatred towards me, there is nothing left between us siblings."
Hearing this, Hua Xi Wan played with the jade comb in her hand and didn't make a sound.
A short while later, Mutong came in to report that the Crown Prince was seriously ill.
"Didn't the Crown Prince just come out of the Heavenly Prison yesterday? Why is he so ill in just one night?" Hua Xi Wan looked in puzzlement at Mutong. Was it that he was used to the Heavenly Prison and was not acclimatized to the luxurious and comfortable palace?
"Last night, the Crown Prince suddenly had diarrhea. After the taiyi took his pulse and gave him medicine, he was fine. Who knew that after this morning, the Crown Prince suddenly vomited blood and his entire body became hot." Mutong's tone was worried. "His Majesty has already sent his usual taiyi over. Apparently, the situation is very dangerous. For the Crown Prince, the Empress has already knelt in the temple to pray."
Why did the symptoms seem like poisoning?
But for someone like the Crown Prince who didn't usually accumulate blessings, would praying be of any use? If the Dazhao Dynasty really wanted such a person to be the Emperor, it would be better to …
Feeling that she was overthinking, Hua Xi Wan coughed dryly and turned to look at Yan Jinqiu. "Jinqiu, this matter …"
"The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne. How can we sit still when he is seriously ill? Let's go to the palace to visit." Yan Jinqiu looked at the sky outside and then said, "It's still early. It won't be too late to go after we change."
In other words, they should go slowly. It wasn't good to go too early.
They didn't talk properly. It was the fault of the Imperial Family and the aristocratic families. If this continued, she would be infected.
Visiting a patient required wearing plain but not plain clothes. After all, the other person was fine. If you wore plain clothes, wouldn't it be cursing the other person to die early?
After choosing an aqua rabbit fur palace dress and putting on a few pieces of jewelry, Hua Xi Wan and Yan Jinqiu boarded the carriage together. There was a charcoal brazier in the carriage, so even though the cold wind was blowing loudly outside, she didn't feel cold.
"I always feel that this kind of cold and windy weather is more suitable for lying under the blankets." Hua Xi Wan raised the curtain to take a look. Frightened by the bone-chilling wind that blew in, she pulled her hand back. "Curling up under the blankets, drinking tea, and reading novels, that is enjoyment."
"A few days ago, I had someone send you a novel. Have you read it?" Yan Jinqiu held her hand in his palm. "If you don't like it, I'll have you find more interesting ones for you."
"There are a few that I like. Anyway, it's something to pass the time. I don't care." Hua Xi Wan tried to pull her hand back but failed. She leaned her entire body on Yan Jinqiu and then said softly, "Someone told me that the Crown Princess' pregnancy is very suspicious. You see …"
Yan Jinqiu's other hand held her shoulder and said calmly, "The Crown Prince can't have children. How can he have children?"
Hearing this, Hua Xi Wan thought that it was as expected. She frowned. "Then the Crown Princess is faking her pregnancy to save the Crown Prince?"
"She is really pregnant. But the child is not the Crown Prince's." Yan Jinqiu smiled. "I'm afraid that even the Empress knows about this."
"Since the Empress knows …" Hua Xi Wan's expression changed. Was it really as she had guessed? "Is this child …"
This challenged her worldview. She felt that she couldn't say it.
Yan Jinqiu looked at her with a half smile and asked leisurely, "What is it?"
Hua Xi Wan raised an eyebrow. "What is Wang Ye thinking? I didn't say anything."
"I didn't ask anything either." Yan Jinqiu put his forehead against hers and laughed deeply. "Xi Wan knows me best."
"Tsk." Hua Xi Wan wanted to tell him not to think too highly of himself. But she didn't say it.
She would be magnanimous and let this man be satisfied with himself.
At this time, there were taiyi kneeling on the ground outside Zhu Que Palace in the Imperial Palace. Some of the older taiyi couldn't withstand the cold and fainted because the snow under their knees had melted into their pants.
But since they had fainted, no one dared to help them up. As a result, they could only let these old imperial physicians lie in the snow. As for whether or not they could keep their lives, it would depend on their own luck.
When Hua Xi Wan and Yan Jinqiu came together, they saw three or four taiyi lying in the snow and several others kneeling next to them. She paused and sighed softly.
Yan Jinqiu tilted his head to look at her. He took her hand and said, "Let's go."
In the Imperial Palace, the life and death of others was not up to the two of them.
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