The Red Mansions

Chapter 1493 Emperor Chongping: Now that the Crown Prince has been appointed, he should be the regen

Chapter 1493 Emperor Chongping: Now that the crown prince has been appointed, he should be the regent...

In the study room of Ningguo Mansion in Shenjing——

In winter, the warm sunlight shines through the window glass and into the rooms, making them quite bright.

Zhen Qing's eyebrows were trimmed, and there seemed to be a coldness in her beautiful eyes. She said, "Can you really stay out of trouble? Sister Lan'er and Sister Xi'er are both promised to you. In the eyes of outsiders, you and the prince are in the same boat."

Jia Heng nodded and said in a gentle voice, "It's not that. It's that it's hard to explain to the Song family in Xianning and Yan'er."

Now he not only cares about the Zhen family, but also the Song family.

Zhen Qing snorted softly, her beautiful eyes sparkling like water beneath her two curved willow-leaf eyebrows, and she whispered, "Today, he said that after he ascends the throne, he will make his son the crown prince, and in the future, you will be the regent."

Jia Heng shook his head and said, "That's not the case."

When Zhen Qing heard this, she felt somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. She came forward and took Jia Heng's hand. Her beautiful, plump face seemed to be covered with a layer of flushed charm.

"Will you help me or not?" Zhen Qing raised her cold and graceful face and said angrily.

Jia Heng said: "Recently, the cabinet has been suspicious of me. How can I help you? The Beijing camp can mobilize more troops."

Zhen Qing snorted lightly and didn't say anything else.

Jia Heng paused for a moment, looked at Zhen Qing intently, and said, "Okay, it's not necessary for me to be the one."

Tianniuer asked him to help the King of Wei, and Zhen Qing asked him to help the King of Chu. The mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law each pulled his arm, and he was really helpless.

Zhen Qing stretched out her arms and hugged Jia Heng's neck. Under her delicate, straight nose, her two slightly pink lips moved closer and covered the young man's mouth.

After a short while, he felt a warm breath covering him and hitting Jia Heng's face.

Jia Heng's face was as calm as water. He gently pushed Zhen Qing away and said, "We have to go to lunch later. Don't make people suspicious."

Just now, Keqing had reminded him to some extent.

Maybe it’s because the three kids look a bit alike when put together?

Just like that, Jia Heng and Zhen Qing chatted quietly for a while, and without saying anything else, they left the study.

Chen Xiao glanced at the young man in the python costume. Under his beautiful eyebrows like willows, there was a hint of surprise in his cold and clear eyes.

This guy actually knows his limits today.

As they talked, they walked towards the hall of Ningguo Mansion and sat down around a table.

At this moment, Qin Keqing glanced at Zhen Qing and saw that there was no change in the fair face of the beautiful woman. She breathed a sigh of relief and said, "My Lord, have we finished discussing everything?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Everything is done. The food should be ready."

Qin Keqing smiled sweetly and said softly, "Just waiting for the prince."

While Jia Heng was speaking, he sat down and took his daughter Jia Fu in his arms.

As everyone was talking, they started to eat the food.

At this moment, a maid dressed in bright clothes said with a smile, "Princess, Miss Lan and Miss Xi are here."

Everyone in the room turned their heads to look, and saw Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, one wearing a scarlet dress, and the other wearing a blue dress, walking quickly into the hall.

Zhen Lan was already a concubine, and her clothes and attire were gradually becoming more graceful and gorgeous. However, she was still young, and her eyes and eyebrows were cold and even a little harsh, so she could not support such gorgeous makeup.

Zhen Lan smiled sweetly and called out softly, "Sister, you're here."

Under Zhen Qing's beautiful eyebrows, her cold eyes flickered, and she looked at Zhen Lan. Her beautiful eyes, which were as curved as willow eyebrows, were slightly moist and seemed to be filled with a bright smile. She said, "Sister Lan, in a few days, my second uncle will be in the capital."

These are the two golden flowers of her Zhen family. Now one of them is a princess. Although she is a concubine, she is also a princess.

Of course, among all the sisters, she has the highest status. She is now the Crown Princess, and in the future she will be the Empress who will rule the country.

Women's desire to compare and show off exists at all times.

Zhen Lan sat down, her bright eyes sparkling like water beneath her slender and curved eyebrows, and she said softly, "Sister, the Crown Prince's brother-in-law is about to come to the palace to hold the enthronement ceremony, right?"

Zhen Qing smiled and said, "Well, I will go to the palace the day after tomorrow to take care of this matter."

Zhen Lanxiu's narrow, clear eyes seemed to have some sparkling movements under her beautiful eyebrows. She said, "Sister, why are you here to look for the prince?"

Zhen Qing nodded, smiled and said, "Yes, there are some things. I just talked to your prince about it."

As the beautiful lady spoke, she gave the young man in the python robe a glare, her heart full of blame.

This bastard now refuses to help at all.

Everyone sat down and started to have dinner. At this moment, the tables were filled with dishes of all kinds, with great color, aroma and taste.

At this moment, Jia Heng was holding his daughter gently and eating the food on the plate.

"Daddy, I want to eat that." The little Loli in his arms said in a soft, tender, trembling voice.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Daddy will give you some to eat."

As he said that, he picked up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of vegetable meatball and put it in the little girl's bowl.

The little Loli snorted softly and ate happily.

"Go slowly, don't burn yourself." Qin Keqing, who was standing by, smiled sweetly and warned.

Here, Yin Yin licked her lips, raised her rosy face to Zhen Qing, pointed at the vegetable meatballs that Jia Fu had just eaten, and said, "Mom, I want to eat that too."

"Mom can't reach it, so ask your godfather to pick it up for you." Zhen Qing nodded and said gently.

Humph, they are all my daughters, why do you favor one over the other?

After the meal, Zhen Qing did not linger for long and returned to the Prince of Chu's Mansion with her nanny, while her daughter Yin Yin stayed in Ningguo Mansion and played with Jia Fu.

After everyone left, Jia Heng also picked up Yin Yin, sniffed the cute baby's milk fragrance, chuckled, and asked, "Yin Yin, do you miss your godfather?"

After all, she is their own daughter, and you can imagine how much love they have for her.

Yinyin raised her chubby face and said in a soft and cute voice, "Yes, I do."

Jia Heng smiled and hugged his daughter, saying, "When godfather is free, I will fold a thousand paper cranes for you, okay?"

Qin Keqing, on the other side, sat aside, holding her daughter Jia Fu, watching the interaction between the two with a smile on her face, but her suspicion grew even more.

It was not until the evening that Jia Heng carried Yinyin to the nanny. With a clear and bright gaze, he looked at Qin Keqing and said, "Keqing, it's getting late. Let's go to bed together."

While the couple was talking, they left the hall, went to the side room, and sat down.

The maid brought the foot-washing water and helped the two wash their feet.

On this side, Qin Keqing leaned her long black hair on Jia Heng's shoulder and said softly, "My husband, when did you marry Yinglian?"

Jia Heng said, "I'm busy with things in the capital right now, I'll come back later when I have time."

Xiangling is already quite old.

"After my husband came back, he stayed at home all day. I was a little uncomfortable at first." Qin Keqing raised her jade-like face that looked like a lotus. Under her willow eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were as bright as water and crystal clear.

Jia Heng said, "It hasn't been long since you came back. Maybe this kind of situation makes you feel like you've been unemployed."

Qin Keqing's jade-like face was filled with concern. She bit her pink lips with her cherry teeth and asked, "My husband, has something big happened in the court?"

Jia Heng smiled and said softly, "It's nothing. It will be fine after this period of time."

When Qin Keqing heard this, her eyebrows curved like crescent moons, her beautiful eyes sparkled slightly, and she said with great worry, "My husband..."

She has enjoyed wealth and prosperity for so many years. If the time really came when the storm was high and the waves were turbulent, she would just go with her husband.

Jia Heng gently embraced the beautiful woman's shoulders, reached into her skirt, and felt the fullness in his palms emanate from her. He smiled and said, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Don't you still believe me?"

Qin Keqing's face turned red with shame and she said "hmm" softly, and then said nothing more.

Now that he still knows how to bully others, there shouldn’t be any problem.

……

……

In the study room of the Prince of Wei’s Mansion in Shenjing City——

As the night deepened, the lights in the side rooms were on brightly, illuminating the room, and the silhouette of the young man in the python robe could be seen cast in the hall.

King Chen Ran of Wei was wearing a simple robe and sitting on a red lacquered pearwood chair in front of a bookshelf. There seemed to be a layer of frost that could not be melted on his fair jade face.

Prince Liang also sat down on a pearwood chair nearby, with an unhappy look on his face.

Song Jing, Deng Wei and several young officers with heroic and unfamiliar faces were seated below.

King Wei Chen Ran's fair face was as solemn as iron. He said, "The soldiers from the Five Cities Military Department are patrolling the city. Are the troops and horses in various places ready?"

When the moment really came, even though King Wei Chen Ran had done a lot of psychological preparation in his heart, he still had some worries.

Among them, a rough-looking officer said solemnly, "Your Highness, the troops and horses in various places have been dispatched, and the palace gates have also provided support."

King Wei Chen Ran raised his sword-like eyebrows, his fair face was gloomy as iron, and he said: "Whether we can rule the world depends on this one move!"

Song Jing frowned, and a sense of inexplicable worry surged in his heart.

In this kind of situation, if you are not careful, the whole family will be executed.

While they were talking, a servant from outside came into the palace and said, "Your Highness, Prince Consort Guo is here."

Upon hearing this, King Wei was shocked. He stood up and went to the outer room. He saw an old man in a black robe, accompanied by two attendants, coming into the side room.

King Liang came forward and said, "Greetings, father-in-law."

On the other side, King Wei Chen Ran also bowed, with a hint of anticipation in his heart.

With his experience, he really felt at a loss as to where to start with this kind of coup, but the man in front of him had served in two dynasties and had experienced many such things.

While everyone was talking, Guo Shaonian was welcomed into the study and sat down.

Under his thick black eyebrows, Guo Shaonian's eyes were as deep as the water in a mysterious pond. He asked, "What is the situation in the capital?"

Under his thick black eyebrows, the eyes of the King of Liang flashed, and he said, "The palace has already established the King of Chu as the Crown Prince, and the edict to appoint the Crown Prince has been issued."

Guo Shaonian frowned and said, "This is a tricky matter."

After thinking for a while, he said, "There may be an insider in the direction of the palace gate. If we need to control the palace the day after tomorrow."

"There is an accomplice from within, but all the civil and military officials were in front of the Hanyuan Palace that day. If I acted like this, would I be condemned by the people?" The King of Wei hesitated and said in a deep voice.

Guo Shaonian paused for a moment, and said in a clear voice: "You can't think that way. There are also some civil and military officials who feel sorry for Your Highness. If Your Highness does something thunderous and makes a call, it may be possible to gain the support of some civil officials."

The King of Wei nodded and said, "The situation in the capital is tense now, and the King of Chu is also a little alert."

Deng Wei said, "This time, the guards responsible for the Chu King's entry into the palace to receive the title are the Chu King's Palace Guards, who are now the Crown Prince's Six Commanders. Together, they have a lot of soldiers and horses."

Guo Shaonian pondered for a moment and said, "Originally..."

King Wei showed a sinister look on his face and said, "We ambushed them at the palace gate. We cannot allow the King of Chu to enter the palace and accept the title bestowed by my father."

With the Five Cities Army blocking the entire city, and the guards from the two prefectures and some death squads accumulated by the King of Wei over the years participating in the siege, the plan was still feasible.

Guo Shaonian shook his head and said, "That was when the King of Chu was most on guard, so it was difficult to accomplish anything."

The King of Wei frowned, looked deeply, and asked, "What do you think, uncle?"

Guo Shaonian said: "When the King of Chu enters the palace, a grand ceremony will be held. Your Highness will then go to the palace in the name of clearing the emperor's side and control the situation."

King Wei frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said in a gentle voice: "At that time, the status was determined, how could it be reversed?"

Guo Shaonian said: "The edict that appointed the King of Chu as the Crown Prince has already been announced to the world. Your Highness, isn't this what you are planning?"

King Wei Chen Ran looked deep and remained silent for a moment.

Guo Shaonian said: "Don't stick to established rules."

Wei Wang Chen Ran had a firm expression on his face and said in a deep voice, "Then follow your uncle's wishes."

……

……

Time flies like water, and before we know it three days have passed. In the blink of an eye, it is the day for the King of Chu to enter the palace to attend the ceremony of enthroning the Eastern Palace.

On this day, the weather was nice. The white snow covering the blue bricks and black tiles began to melt, and the trickling snow water fell on the blue bricks.

The winter sky is boundless blue and clear, like a crystal glass reflecting human figures.

Outside the palace gate, civil and military officials of various ranks, dressed in purple and with jade belts around their waists, lined up on the left and right. Teams of Jinyifu guards in gorgeous clothes lined up on both sides of the street, holding an embroidered spring sword at their waists, looking alert and patrolling everywhere.

Prince Chu's Mansion

A carriage with two light yellow curtains hanging from it was waiting on the bluestone road in front of the palace gate. On the left and right were palace guards with ceremonial weapons, who were tall and strong with resolute faces.

Beside a few vermilion-painted beams and pillars, the guards of the Prince of Chu's Palace, dressed in gorgeous black and red satin brocade robes, had solemn expressions on their faces, stood with swords in their hands, and walked back and forth vigilantly, with a hint of coldness in their eyes.

With the help of several eunuchs, King Chen Qin of Chu got on a carriage with a high shaft. At this moment, the King of Chu had a pale face, and under his sword-like eyebrows, his sharp eyes like an eagle were filled with joy and excitement.

As the ceremonial officer sang "yes", a carriage with a high shaft could be seen. The driver raised a whip in his hand and urged the horse under him to move towards the palace gate.

Then, the guards of the Prince of Chu's Palace on both sides, holding banners embroidered with black dragons, followed the carriage of the Prince of Chu in unison.

On the street leading to the arched palace gate of the Prince of Chu's Palace, the Jinyi Guards on both sides had calm faces and were on guard with knives in hand.

Because Emperor Chongping was attacked in the Taimiao, the tense situation in the city of Shenjing can be imagined.

Qiu Liang personally led a team of imperial guards from the Jinyifu, with a scabbard sword on his waist. With sharp eyes under his thick eyebrows, he captured any movement on the streets and patrolled for suspicious people.

Palace Garden, Hanyuan Hall, Inner Study Room——

Emperor Chongping was lying on a bed covered with a soft mattress. His thin, sunken, dark cheeks, and a white cloth strip wrapped under his thin, loose eyebrows, clearly showed that he could not see.

At this moment, Emperor Chongping was lying quietly on the bed, and his whole body seemed to be shrouded in a miserable aura of death.

"Has the prince entered the palace?" Emperor Chongping's voice was weak and hoarse, and he was out of breath.

"Your Majesty, the prince has entered the palace." Dai Quan came forward, his fair and beardless face full of solemnity. He bowed and said.

Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said, "Carry me to the front hall of Hanyuan Palace later."

"Your Majesty!" Dai Quan's fair face suddenly changed, and his eyes showed worry. He said in a hurry: "Your Majesty is not in good health, how can you move rashly?"

Emperor Chongping coughed heavily and said in a hoarse voice, "Prepare the imperial carriage. I want to go over and watch the King of Chu accept the congratulations of all the officials."

The King of Chu lacks prestige, so he wants to go and support the King of Chu. If the status of the monarch and his subjects is determined today, and the King of Chu is the regent, and all civil and military officials come to congratulate him, then the situation will be settled.

In fact, Chen Qin, like him, was born into a branch of the imperial family. When he first ascended the throne, he also had a shallow foundation and no one to support him.

At this moment, after choosing his heir, Emperor Chongping actually developed a kind of fatherly and majestic love for the King of Chu.

Seeing that Emperor Chongping insisted, Dai Quan did not want to persuade him any further, so he ordered the eunuchs to prepare the imperial carriage and escort Emperor Chongping to the front hall of Hanyuan Hall.

At this moment, a long red carpet has been laid from the palace gate to Hanyuan Hall, with palace maids and eunuchs standing on both sides to serve.

Because the King of Chu had a frown on his face and was filled with worry along the way, it was not until he passed through an arched Moon Palace Gate that he felt much more relaxed.

"Your Highness, we have arrived at Anshun Gate." Zhen Jue, who was riding on a chestnut horse with black mane, spoke.

The King of Chu said, "Don't be careless."

But the journey was almost smooth.

A horse-drawn carriage with tall shafts slowly drove into the tall palace gate, accompanied by two teams of attendants behind and beside it.

At this moment, on the white marble square in front of the Hanyuan Hall, one can see a large crowd of civil and military officials, holding ivory jade tablets, waiting quietly.

Accompanied by the sound of a whip, the civil and military officials present entered the hall under the supervision of the censor.

At this moment, Emperor Chongping was also supported by Dai Quan and sat on a golden chair, his face as pale as gold.

"Your humble servant greets His Majesty. Long live the emperor." Led by the chief minister Li Zan and the second minister Gao Zhongping, the civil and military officials in the palace looked at the middle-aged emperor who was sitting on a soft cushion with deep eyes and saluted in unison.

Emperor Chongping had a pale complexion and a weak voice. He said, "Gentlemen, please stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The civil and military officials below expressed their gratitude. One or two brave civil officials raised their eyes and glanced at the middle-aged emperor.

Your Majesty, this is... so miserable.

Emperor Chongping tried to hold on to his spirit and said in a deep voice, "My dear ministers, since I ascended the throne, I have ruled the country for twenty years. I have worked hard for state affairs without slacking off. Now I am suffering from a myriad of illnesses and it is difficult for me to govern. Now that I have appointed a crown prince, he should be the regent."

As he spoke, the coughing sound continued.

When the civil and military officials below saw this, they felt sad and sighed.

In fact, Emperor Chongping chose to meet with civil and military officials today in order to leave a good reputation in the future.

Emperor Chongping handed the bloody handkerchief in his hand to Dai Quan who was standing beside him. His thin, sunken face looked even more haggard.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to appoint Prince Chen Qin as Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is very similar to me, has a strong character, and is capable of great responsibility. He will be the regent and handle state affairs." Emperor Chongping said in a weak voice, and coughed heavily a few times, then said: "All the ministers in the cabinet should assist me wholeheartedly, as if I were you."

Li Zan, the chief minister of the cabinet, held an ivory jade tablet in his hand and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. We will do our best to assist the Crown Prince."

Gao Zhongping was stunned for a moment, then he also held an ivory jade tablet in his hand and said, "Your Majesty, we will do our best to assist the Eastern Palace."

Afterwards, Qi Kun, Lu Jiang and Lin Ruhai from the cabinet spoke up to express their opinions.

Because at this moment, Emperor Chongping had some meaning of "entrusting an orphan to the care of others", or in other words, after establishing the legitimacy of the King of Chu's succession in front of all the ministers, he also endorsed the cabinet's subsequent regents.

Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, then asked in a hoarse voice, "Can Prince Wei enter the palace?"

Li Zan said: "Prince Wei took leave today and did not come."

Emperor Chongping frowned and said, "How can Ziyu be at home at such a critical moment? Dai Quan, send someone to summon Prince Wei to the palace."

Although it is true, today is the day to pay tribute to the Eastern Palace. How can I stay at home and not participate? Put on a disheartened look?

Among the cabinet ministers below, a cold light flashed in Lu Jiang's eyes.

How could that little kid have any right to interfere in such an important matter?

And Lu Li, the president of the Hanlin Academy, had a hint of coldness on his elegant and fair face.

Now that Liaodong has been pacified, the usefulness of Jia Heng has outlived his usefulness. It is really suspicious that the emperor summoned him into the palace at this time.

It can be said that Jia Heng has completed his historical mission, which is roughly the case.

On the other side, outside the majestic and magnificent palace, a large number of Jinyi Guards escorted the King of Chu's carriage into the palace.

In a solemn and dignified atmosphere, a horse-drawn carriage with a high shaft gradually approached the Hanyuan Hall amid the rumbling sound of its wheels rolling over the bluestone road.

"Please dismount, Your Highness." A white-faced, beardless eunuch quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said respectfully to the King of Chu.

King Chen Qin of Chu stepped on a stool brought by the eunuch and landed on the white marble square paved with blue bricks in front of the hall. He looked up at the towering Hanyuan Hall. For a moment, his mind was inexplicably dazed and absent-minded, and a faint blush appeared on his fair cheeks.

Although he had been to the palace countless times, this was his first time as the crown prince, and he couldn't help but feel excited.

(End of this chapter)