Capítulo 1327: Chapter 1322: The Virtuous Monarch
Minister ng also wrote in the letter that it was the Zhou rchant Cui Fengnian who helped ng Zhaorong escape from Yan Capital. His wife has already confessed, and later he had this rchant brought before him. Cui Fengnian also admitted that because he was fond of ng Zhaorong, upon hearing that the Empress Dowager was about to arrange a marriage, he did not want to see ng Zhaorong marry the Regent Prince, so he persuaded ng Zhaorong to flee. He settled her in Feng County of Zhou and even prepared a shop for her. If the Regent Prince doesn’t believe this, when he returns to Yan Capital, he can confront Cui Fengnian in person or send soone to Feng County for thorough investigation.
Minister ng’s words in the letter were sincere, nine parts truth and one part falsehood, with his heartfelt love for his daughter making people sowhat moved.
It is a pity that Minister ng, such a wise and astute person, has raised a daughter like ng Zhaorong, who is only beautiful…yet vacant-minded and self-assured that no one can match her cleverness, thinking she can play people as pawns.
It is said that Cui Fengnian is fond of ng Zhaorong and persuaded her to leave, but why not say that ng Zhaorong exploited Cui Fengnian’s admiration and begged him for help?
Although Xiao Rongyan was not in Yan Capital at that ti, he wasn’t completely deaf and blind, truly knowing nothing, especially since ng Zhaorong was an individual valued by the Empress Dowager, so Xiao Rongyan’s people would inevitably pay more attention.
After Xiao Rongyan finished reading the letter, he casually moved the lampshade of the glazed lamp on the table aside and burned the letter.
Standing quietly aside, Wang Hanbing said nothing, waiting for Xiao Rongyan’s instructions, seemingly uninterested in the contents of Minister ng’s letter.
“In the future, do not involve yourself in handling secret letters. Rember, you are a loyal minister. If soone truly sends a letter to you, asking you to pass it on to soone, you must read it and report to the Emperor!” Xiao Rongyan lowered his gaze, watching the letter burn cleanly, then looked at Wang Hanbing and said, “For now, don’t worry about other matters. Just think about how to deal with Minister Liu from the Ministry of Rites of Zhou in a few days. Liu Rushi’s sharp tongue is formidable! The Emperor entrusted you because of your eloquence and broad knowledge.”
Wang Hanbing quickly paid respects to Xiao Rongyan: “Rest assured, Regent Prince, this humble minister will not fail the Emperor’s trust!”
After Wang Hanbing left Xiao Rongyan’s chamber, rembering Xiao Rongyan’s instructions, he went back, picked up a pen, and wrote a secret report to Murong Li about the secret letter sent by Minister ng to Xiao Rongyan. In the letter he explained…he didn’t open Minister ng’s letter because he was worried the Ninth Prince might notice sothing.
He was about to finalize the report but then decided to also include the incident of Xiao Rongyan’s injury coming out from the Zhou Imperial Palace.
After writing and sealing the letter, Wang Hanbing dispatched a fast rider to deliver it to Yan Capital.
Wang Hanbing watched as the ssenger left quickly, estimating that he could reach the city gate of Dadu City before it closed.
He still couldn’t quite understand why the Regent Prince, who was said to wield unparalleled power, seemingly coveted the Young Emperor’s throne.
Wang Hanbing also thought the Regent Prince was more suited to be Emperor than the Young Emperor, but…why hasn’t the Regent Prince taken action yet? Given the Regent Prince’s style, he should not fear public opinion.
Furthermore, the world is always about winners and losers; the people truly don’t care who becos Emperor, only which Emperor will make their lives better. Wasn’t Empress Ji an example of this!
When Empress Ji ruled, everyone shouted against her. Yet, after Emperor Yan awoke and killed Empress Ji, who among Yan Kingdom’s populace did not miss Empress Ji? Later, when Yan Kingdom was defeated by Jin Kingdom, the forr Emperor Murong Yu ca out of Dadu City and the people, because he was Empress Ji’s offspring and upheld her governance, packed their bags to follow Murong Yu out of Dadu City and to the new Yan Capital.
The Regent Prince never gave Wang Hanbing a definitive word, so Wang Hanbing didn’t know whether the Regent Prince wanted him to be deeply embedded by the Young Emperor’s side or…if outwardly the Regent Prince coveted the throne and controlled the royal court, yet in reality…he was loyal to the Young Emperor and doing so for…
Wang Hanbing suddenly raised his eyes, his dark pupils shining in the lamplight at the posthouse’s back door.
Such was the Regent Prince’s autocratic sway, rely to shield the Young Emperor, taking on all the castoff deeds even if it ant being despised, so the Young Emperor could soday beco a wise king with a flawless reputation.
His palm clenched tight, finding a mont of relief after the realization.
Thus, he need not join the Regent Prince in becoming a traitor, yet the Regent Prince’s sacrifice seed too great.
·
Under the lamplight, Xiao Rongyan sat, repeatedly stroking the pair of geese pouch Bai Qingyan embroidered for him, caressing the jade cicada sculpted by Bai Qingyan, his face full of warm smiles.
Feng Yao ca in with hot tea, noticing Xiao Rongyan hadn’t put the items away, and said softly: “Is this the gift the lady gave to the master?”
Xiao Rongyan nodded, without hiding the happiness and a touch of pride in his voice from Feng Yao: “Mm, it’s likely the first ti Kid used an embroidery needle to stitch a pouch; it looks…unfamiliar, yet the stitches are very neat!”
“The lady, much like Empress Ji years ago, wasn’t skilled with needlework!” Feng Yao looked at the pouch, recalling his own master, “Those with great ambitions like Empress Ji and the lady often prefer not to devote effort to needlework, as there are far too many important matters awaiting, and sewing can be rather ti-consuming! But the lady is willing to make the effort for the master, showing how special the master is in her heart!”
“I know…” Xiao Rongyan’s smile deepened, he turned to Feng Yao and said, “In today’s haste, I didn’t bring Uncle Feng. The lady says there will be court feasts coming up, and then I’ll take Uncle Feng along to let him see the two children!”
Feng Yao’s eyes lit up upon hearing this: “That’s good! This old servant has prepared gifts to et the two young masters; once I’ve seen them…when I serve Empress Ji later, I can tell her how adorable her two grandsons are!”
Xiao Rongyan rembered the two tiny figures carved like jade, their eyes like donated black grapes, eyelashes long, their chubby cheeks while sleeping in his arms, and their radiating fur under the candlelight. His heart softened again.
“If only mother were still here, I’m sure she would love the two children.” Xiao Rongyan lowered his gaze, stroked the jade cicada, placed it in his pouch right over his heart, and gently patted it, “Just wish for peace in the world, so that I can take Kid and the children, along with Uncle Feng…to settle in Baiwo City.”
“Good! Then this old servant will strive to live on, accompanying the young masters and little masters to Baiwo City!” Feng Yao’s smile deepened, the wrinkles at the corners more pronounced.
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