The Times Spent in Pretense Chapter 46

Chapter 46Testimony

The news of the betrothal between Ying Wang and the Lin family’s young lady being called off had spread through the capital like a raging wind.

Throughout history, there have been precedents of betrothals with the imperial family being called off, but most of them involved prospective Fumas of princesses who were found to have improper conduct and were thus rejected by the imperial family. It was rare for a young lady to have her betrothal with the imperial family called off.

Opinions were divided for a while, but even those who sympathized with the Lin family’s young lady did not dare to say that the Emperor had gone too far. Although there were civil officials who detest wars and criticize military officials, they took notice that after Hua Yingting and Wei Mingyue achieved great victories against the Jinpo Kingdom, they did not boast about their achievents upon returning to the capital. During their ti in the capital, they received rewards from the Emperor without flaunting them. Additionally, Hua Yingting had even raised a son who achieved top honors in the imperial examinations, which earned him favor from many civil officials.

Most scholars were sentintal in nature. When it ca to soone they disliked, they would criticize with words, but when they admired soone, they would genuinely respect them from the bottom of their hearts. They were both lovable and detestable.

Furthermore, recently, the storytellers in the capital loved to tell stories about the heroic battles of the Hua family army against the Jinpo bandits. In these stories, so soldiers of the Hua family army were killed by the Jinpo bandits while protecting children. There were even wonfolk of the Hua family army who sacrificed themselves to shelter the common people and were ultimately pierced by stray arrows.

During the most difficult tis of food shortages, many soldiers of the Hua family saved their own rations and gave them to the weak, old, and won in the city.

These stories moved the listeners to tears so much so that many elderly n and won carried grain, rice, and money bags to the Ministry of War, saying they wanted to donate them to the soldiers at the border.

The sentintal scholars were also deeply touched by these tragic yet heartwarming stories. Many shed tears of admiration, so even composed poems and lyrics on the spot, wishing that they could also be on the battlefield, shedding blood and protecting the people of Great Jin, guarding their pure land.

Especially among the younger scholars, the praise for the Hua family army outweighed any criticism.

Hence, after the news of the betrothal between Ying Wang and the Lin family’s young lady being called off spread through the capital, the scholars, who usually sided with the literati and civil officials during conflicts with military officials, inexplicably remained silent and refrained from expressing their opinions. So of the hot-blooded young scholars even felt dissatisfied with the words spoken by the Lin family’s daughter.

If generals who shed blood and tears for the people would ultimately et a bad end, who would dare to step forward when the next invasion by foreign enemies occurred?

Heroes should not shed blood and tears in vain!

The human heart is a delicate thing. Sotis it transcends identities and social classes, surprising and moving people.

Even the mbers of the Hua family did not expect this kind of attitude from the scholars after the incident had escalated.

“In this lifeti, it was worth it,” Hua Yingting filled two cups with wine for himself and his wife. The wine in the cup bore the reflection of the crescent moon in the sky.

The couple raised their cups and gently clinked them together. A radiant smile appeared on Wei Mingyue’s beautiful face, “Are we toasting to ourselves with this cup?”

“Yes, we are toasting to ourselves,” Hua Yingting raised his head and finished the cup of wine.

“Are we still presenting that petition tomorrow?” Wei Mingyue held down the wine jug, not allowing Hua Yingting to pour a second cup, “A little wine is delightful, but excessive drinking is harmful to your health, especially with so many old wounds on your body.”

“I’ll listen to Madam’s advice.” Hua Yingting quickly released his grip on the jug.

“Of course, it should still be presented,” Hua Yingting smiled and said, “In the end, this matter boils down to a quarrel between the younger generation. If we delve into other matters, it will only damage our friendship.”

Wei Mingyue nodded. “You’re right. Tomorrow, I will accompany you to the palace.”

Hua Liuli, who had been “provoked until she fainted” by Lin Wan, had been living a life full of attention in the palace these past few days. The people in Shoukang Palace were extrely nervous around her. It felt as if every leaf falling from a tree would hit her head and cause her harm.

The Empress Dowager comforted her in a very simple and straightforward manner by giving her beautiful clothes and jewelry. This prompted Hua Liuli to tease the Empress Dowager, “Empress Dowager, if you were a young man, this subject would probably be infatuated with you.”

“It’s a pity that this Grieving One is not a man and did not share the sa birthdate as Liuli. Instead, there is fate without opportunity, wasting Liuli’s heartfelt affections,” The Empress Dowager pretended to be regretful, “Indeed, fate without opportunity.”

The people around couldn’t help but laugh at her words, creating a lively atmosphere.

The Crown Prince entered Shoukang Palace and heard words like “Junzhu” and “marriage”. He couldn’t help but quicken his pace. Upon entering the room and seeing the palace attendants laughing and joking, he approached the Empress Dowager and greeted her, “Imperial Grandmother, it’s very lively here. Who is getting married to whom?”

“Don’t you know, Your Royal Highness? Fushou Junzhu intends to marry,” Hongmian smiled and saluted the Crown Prince, “Please prepare generous gifts, Your Royal Highness.”

The Crown Prince was taken aback. He looked at the palace attendants who were laughing and joking in the room, then turned his gaze to Hua Liuli. After a long ti, he heard his own voice sounding strange from his throat, “Junzhu, who are you marrying?”

Hua Liuli felt that the Crown Prince’s gaze towards her was strange. She thought to herself that the Crown Prince had such deep feelings for the deceased young lady, to the extent that even the words “marriage” could cause such a big change in his emotions.

“Who else could it be?” the Empress Dowager smiled playfully, “Far away in the sky, but also right in front of your eyes.”

The Crown Prince scanned the people in the room. Besides won, there were only eunuchs. Could it be that the Empress Dowager was referring to him?!

For a mont, the Crown Prince heard the wind howling, the horses neighing, and the rivers and seas roaring. The blue sky and white clouds seed to open their arms to him. A brilliant smile blood on his face uncontrollably as started to say, “How does Imperial Grandmother know…”

“Naturally, it’s this Grieving One,” the Empress Dowager rarely saw the Crown Prince in such a dumbfounded state and couldn’t help but laugh, “This Grieving One was joking with Liuli. She said if this Grieving One were a man of her age, she would probably be attracted to .”

The Crown Prince couldn’t hear what the Empress Dowager said next. At this mont, he felt as if the wind had stopped, the horses had died, the rivers and seas were frozen, and even the sky was no longer blue.

His mood changed too quickly and he couldn’t bear it.

“Your Majesty; Consort Lin and Fourth Prince request an audience with the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager’s smile slightly faded, “Bring them in.”

Among the grandchildren, the relationship between the Fourth Prince and the Empress Dowager was the most distant. Although she treated all her grandchildren equally when it ca to rewards and gifts, emotionally, the Empress Dowager was not particularly close to this grandson.

When facing her, this grandson of hers seldom spoke a word more than necessary to greet her. It seed like he would only co to comply with the palace rules.

Initially, she tried to foster a closer relationship with him, actively finding topics to chat with the Fourth Prince. However, he always maintained a lukewarm attitude, and over ti, the Empress Dowager’s heart also grew distant.

Now, when she heard that Consort Lin and the Fourth Prince were seeking an audience, there wasn’t much joy on her face.

Hua Liuli tidied up her clothes and stood up when Consort Lin and the Fourth Prince walked in.

“Please sit, Junzhu,” Consort Lin’s voice was pleasant. As soon as she entered, she supported Hua Liuli to sit down, “You have a weak body, there’s no need to pay attention to these formalities.”

After helping Hua Liuli to sit down, she approached the Empress Dowager and greeted her, “Chenqie offers my greetings to the Empress Dowager.”

“This grandson pays respects to Imperial Grandmother,” the Fourth Prince greeted with a stern face.

The Empress Dowager glanced at the Fourth Prince’s face and gestured for both of them to sit down, “Yesterday, the Imperial Kitchen sent over so new tea. Taste it, and if you like it, this Grieving One will let you take back so of it.”

“Thank you, Imperial Grandmother,” the Fourth Prince picked up the teacup, took a sip, and placed it back in its original position without saying a word.

Hua Liuli sneakily glanced at the Fourth Prince’s face. She couldn’t tell whether he liked it or not. At tis like this, a grandson should praise the gifts given by his grandmother. It didn’t matter whether they were good or not, the most important thing was to make the old lady happy.

This silence, who knows if he likes it or not?

“Imperial Grandmother, you didn’t inform about the new tea,” the Crown Prince said, “I also want so.”

“You don’t usually like this kind of tea. If this Grieving One gave it to you, it would be a waste of good stuff,” the Empress Dowager chuckled, “You should leave these good things for others to enjoy. Qichen, isn’t that right?”

“Imperial Grandmother is right.”

Hua Liuli: “…”

The Fourth Prince’s silence was enough to end any topic of conversation. However, his character didn’t seem to provoke the Empress Dowager’s anger, indicating that she was indeed a loving grandmother.

Fortunately, Consort Lin tily spoke up and saved the awkward atmosphere in the room, “Empress Dowager is the Imperial Grandmother of the Crown Prince. Even if the Crown Prince finds fault with other people’s things, he would still feel that your things are different from others.”

The smile finally returned to the Empress Dowager’s face, “There is so truth in that statent.”

“Imperial Grandmother’s things are naturally different,” the Crown Prince said, “So please arrange for two boxes for .”

Hua Liuli finally understood why the Empress Dowager liked the Crown Prince the most among all the princes.

With Consort Lin and the Crown Prince easing the tension, the conversation in the room continued.

Consort Lin skillfully steered the conversation and finally talked about Hua Liuli.

After listening for a while, Hua Liuli quickly understood the purpose of their visit. Previously, she had so unpleasant conflicts with Lin Wan. As Lin Wan’s aunt, Consort Lin naturally had to make it clear that “all of Lin Wan’s words are her own and have nothing to do with them, the mother and son”.

Consort Lin was good at speaking. Not only did she clearly state her intentions, but she also expressed her closeness to Hua Liuli, while also praising the entire Hua family and Hua family’s army from top to bottom.

“Qichen has had a strong admiration for Great General Hua since he was young. He even said he wants to beco a hero like Great General Hua,” Consort Lin smiled and glanced at her own son, hoping he would say sothing.

“Oh,” Under Consort Lin’s gaze, the Fourth Prince replied expressionlessly with a simple “oh”.

Hua Liuli: “…”

Such a strong admiration for her father, but it’s not so obvious. She just didn’t notice.

Consort Lin seed to be accustod to her son’s behavior and the smile on her face remained unchanged, “This child has never liked to speak since he was young. Bengong doesn’t know who told him those rumors that generals would always have serious faces and were normally expressionless. Carelessness led to him developing this habit.”

Hua Liuli looked at Consort Lin in disbelief. She didn’t expect Consort Lin to be so skilled at telling lies with her eyes wide open. Could she really co up with such stories?

What does your son’s lack of expression have to do with the generals?

Although this bla was big, bright, and round, the generals didn’t want to take it.

“Consort Lin truly excels in literature. When telling stories, it’s both fascinating and captivating,” the Crown Prince spoke up, “Gu almost believed it.”

Consort Lin’s face, which hadn’t changed throughout, showed a montary stiffness after the Crown Prince spoke.

She forced a smile and looked at the Crown Prince, “Your Royal Highness is joking. Bengong would never tell stories.”

“Consort Lin is too modest. Gu thought the story you just told was excellent,” the Crown Prince shifted his posture and leisurely said, “Continue, Gu wants to hear a little more.”

Consort Lin suddenly felt that she didn’t really want to speak after all.

“What’s wrong, Consort Lin? Do you have any objections against Gu?” The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, “Gu just wants to hear the story continue, yet you don’t even want to speak?”

For a mont, Consort Lin didn’t know whether she should continue speaking or not.

Speaking ant admitting that everything she said before was a lie, a made-up story.

Not speaking ant having objections to the Crown Prince.

Why is this dog of a Crown Prince so annoying? How did the Emperor spoil him like this?

Consort Lin looked at the Empress Dowager with difficulty, hoping that the old lady would speak up and brush this matter aside. But when she looked over, the Empress Dowager was actually dozing off with the help of a palace maid. Although her eyelids were trembling and her posture was stiff, she still stubbornly conveyed an emotion to her — I’m sleeping, I don’t know anything, I don’t want to speak.

When it ca to showing bias, both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were professionals.

“If the Crown Prince wants to hear, Benwang will tell one,” the Fourth Prince spoke up in silence. His dark eyes swept over Hua Liuli and the Crown Prince, and he said, “Last winter, there was a hole in the ice on the river, and a fish jumped out of the hole.”

“And then?” Afraid that the atmosphere would continue to cool down, Consort Lin picked up the conversation.

“And then it froze to death,” the Fourth Prince picked up his teacup and took another sip, indicating that the story had already ended.

Consort Lin opened her mouth and regretted picking up the conversation.

Clap, Clap, Clap. Hua Liuli applauded three tis, “This story is really interesting.”

If she didn’t find a way to make the Fourth Prince shut up soon, she would die of embarrassnt in this atmosphere.

Although it was her own son telling the story, Consort Lin couldn’t help but glance at Hua Liuli. This Fushou Junzhu, is there sothing wrong with her head?

“This story tells us that even if the ice on the river is frozen, we shouldn’t step on it casually. If the ice cracks, it can be very dangerous to fall in,” Hua Liuli said, “But making holes in the ice to fish is indeed a fishing thod used by fishern.”

“Are there people in Qinghan Prefecture who use this thod to fish?” the Empress Dowager asked with interest.

Consort Lin silently turned her head to look at the Empress Dowager. Wasn’t she sleeping so soundly just now? How did she wake up so quickly?

The Empress Dowager refused to respond to Consort Lin’s gaze.

“Yes, there are,” Hua Liuli told the Empress Dowager so interesting stories about winter fishing in Qinghan Prefecture, “It’s very cold in winter. If we leave the fish in the courtyard overnight, they beco harder than stones. Once, during an attack by the Kingdom of Jinpo, when there weren’t enough stones for the catapult, they even used frozen fish heads as substitutes.”

“Does that an they won’t spoil even if they’re left for several days?” the Empress Dowager imagined the scene of smacking enemies with stinky fish heads and couldn’t help but applaud and laugh, “The soldiers and the people on the frontier have a hard ti. With such harsh conditions, you still manage to have fun and make your lives interesting. It shows that the two generals have made significant contributions.”

“Perhaps it’s because we all know that no matter when, the Emperor won’t let his soldiers go hungry, so we have the mood to make fun in difficult tis,” Hua Liuli thought for a mont and explained, “The Emperor is our backing, and people with backing always have the privilege to be a little willful.”

Consort Lin glanced at Hua Liuli. She was quite skilled at flattery at a young age.

In the Imperial Study, Hua Yingting and Wei Mingyue were pleading with the Emperor for Lin Zhou.

“Your Majesty, we don’t pay any attention to a few rumors and gossip from the younger generation. We understand better than anyone else how well you treat the soldiers,” Hua Yingting said, “Lin Zhou is a good official who is willing to do good and practical things for the sake of the people. By withholding his transfer order, Your Majesty is actually giving him an advantage.”

“Zhen is venting for you, how does that end up benefiting him?” Emperor Changlong, seeing that Hua Yingting didn’t take those words to heart, felt much better and even beca interested in teasing, “Where does this twisted reasoning co from? It seems like General Wei needs to take you back and teach you a lesson.”

Wei Mingyue shook her head. “Your Majesty, he has always been like this for years. I can’t teach him any better.”

“Letting him eat and drink for free at ho every day, while still receiving the stipend from the court, isn’t that benefiting Lin Zhou?” Hua Yingting said boldly, “Your Majesty should make him do more tasks for the court. Capable people should not go to waste.”

“Have you ever considered that Lin Zhou might be soone who seeks fa and reputation?” Emperor Changlong was both happy for Hua Yingting’s frankness and angry at the injustice done to the Hua family.

The Lin family spoke ill of the Hua family like this, yet Hua Yingting ca here specifically to speak well of Lin Zhou to avoid putting him in a difficult situation. They were all officials, so why was there such a big difference?

“Whether he seeks fa or reputation, as long as he is doing good things for the people, he is a good official,” Hua Yingting said casually, “I’m not marrying my son into his family, so his character has nothing to do with . Isn’t this sothing that Your Majesty should be concerned about?”

“Zhen doesn’t need to be concerned either,” Emperor Changlong quickly said, “Our families have already broken off the marriage proposal.”

“Your Majesty, it’s your family matter. I shouldn’t have said anything,” Hua Yingting scratched his head, “How about next ti, before you consider arranging a marriage for Ying Wang, let inquire about the other family first?”

Emperor Changlong knew Hua Yingting ant well, but why did he find his words a bit inappropriate?

“Your Majesty, I didn’t an to say that your judgnt is not good…”

Emperor Changlong waved his hand, “You don’t need to explain. Zhen knows you’re saying that my judgnt in choosing a daughter-in-law is not good,” He asked Hua Yingting, “Your eldest son and second son are already married?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, the two daughters-in-law in my family are exceptional. They are skilled in martial arts and can ride horses, and they are also educated in etiquette,” Hua Yingting chuckled and took out two morials from his pocket, “Your Majesty, since you asked about my sons, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“Your Majesty’s grace is vast, bestowing the title of Marquis upon both and my wife has deeply moved our entire family. Now that our children are grown, my wife and I have discussed and decided to establish our eldest son and second son as heirs to my Marquis title and my wife’s Marquis title respectively. I request Your Majesty’s approval,” Hua Yingting placed the two morials requesting the establishnt of heirs in front of Emperor Changlong.

“Zhen approves,” Emperor Changlong readily agreed without hesitation. He couldn’t help but ask, “What about Changkong? Doesn’t he have any objections?”

“Changkong is the only scholar in our family,” Hua Yingting smiled innocently, “Scholars are capable individuals, whether they have titles or not, they can still make a living. He also approves of giving the titles to his two older brothers.”

“As long as there are no objections within the family,” Emperor Changlong felt relieved. He and Hua Yingting were not only monarch and subject but also close friends. He didn’t want to see conflicts arise among the Hua family’s children over the inheritance of titles.

The words spoken by Hua Yingting in the Imperial Study were recorded by the imperial officials responsible for recording the Emperor’s daily activities, and they even embellished it a little.

As a result, Hua Yingting beca soone who didn’t care about rumors, pleaded for those who offended him, and praised the intelligence of scholars.

Perhaps, thousands of years later, Hua Yingting would beco a representative of the military generals who respected scholars.

No one knew what would happen thousands of years later, but after this incident spread, countless scholars praised the magnanimity of the Hua family. So praised the harmonious relationship among the Hua family mbers, while others praised Hua Yingting’s noble character.

Most importantly, it would affirm Hua Yingting’s status as a rare great general in a hundred years, overturning the biased notion that “scholars are useless”. It would affirm the status, talent, and ability of scholars.

What kind of spirit was this?

It was a noble spirit that was fair, objective, and appreciative of others.

For a while, the conflicts between civil officials and military officers in the court diminished. Civil officials no longer imdiately criticized military officers as impulsive and brainless, while military officers felt awkward about ridiculing civil officials as powerless. The atmosphere beca so pleasant that even Emperor Changlong felt a bit unaccustod.

It wasn’t until a general got into a heated argunt with the Minister of Revenue over military costs, using terms that Emperor Changlong had heard before, that he regained a familiar feeling.

He knew that making civil officials and military officers as close as brothers was even more difficult than making the imperial consorts as close as sisters.

But no matter how much they argued, many scholars still saw General Hua as different because he had taste, style, and vision. He was a great and noble person who deserved everyone’s respect.

As the other party involved in the incident, the Lin family felt a bit uncomfortable. To avoid hearing the rumors and gossip, Lin Sen declined all invitations and spent his days hiding in the study, reading and reciting.

Lin Wan, on the other hand, rarely left her courtyard. Even her als were served to her in her room by the maids.

Lin Zhou held the newly issued transfer order in his hands, his hands trembling.

He originally thought that even if he couldn’t beco the Minister of Justice, he would be transferred to the Ministry of Revenue. But he didn’t expect that the Emperor would appoint him as the Minister of Works.

Although both the Six Ministries’ ministers and the Prefect held the sa official ranks of the Third Class, the Prefect governed a specific territory and was constrained in many ways, unlike the ministers who had more freedom.

It was a disguised demotion under the guise of a lateral transfer.

“Husband, is there sothing wrong with the transfer order?” Madam Lin noticed that Lin Zhou’s expression wasn’t quite right and asked with concern, “Please relax. Since the transfer order has been issued, it ans that the Emperor still trusts you.”

Lin Zhou smiled bitterly. If it weren’t for the Great General’s plea on his behalf, he wouldn’t have obtained this transfer order at all.

In the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince had just returned from Shoukang Palace when he heard a subordinate report that officials from the Ministry of Justice, Zhang Shuo and Pei Jihuai, were seeking an audience.

“Why would officials from the Ministry of Justice co to see Gu?” The Crown Prince sat down at the desk, “Let them in.”

After Zhang Shuo and Pei Jihuai paid their respects to the Crown Prince, Pei Jihuai presented a transcript, “Your Royal Highness, this subordinated obtained a new testimony from Prince A’Wa.”