Free Web NovelChapter 72: Chapter 72: Kneel to Her? Something Big is About to Happen
"Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Your general pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Emperor Wu Su walked in with a brisk step and said directly, "Dispense with the formalities. Have a seat."
’Normally, they would be required to stand in the hall according to protocol when discussing matters of the court. But since the Emperor granted them seats the moment he entered, it seems this isn’t about Imperial Censor Yan’s case.’
’What private matter could it be?’
Palace Attendants entered with their heads bowed to serve tea. Emperor Wu Su took his seat behind the large desk and first asked, "Is everything well at home?"
Lu Juan looked slightly surprised and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything at home is as usual, and my mother is in good health."
His mother, of the Cui Family, was the Emperor’s maternal aunt, so he made a point of mentioning her.
Wei Chi Lianping stated simply, "The Eldest Princess is doing well." After all, she was the only family member in his mansion. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Emperor Wu Su took a sip of his tea and fell silent. For a long moment, neither of the two men dared to speak.
’But the Emperor’s expression was normal, showing no signs of anger. They had no idea what His Majesty was thinking.’
The hall fell into silence.
The emperor and his two officials exchanged glances, but no one spoke. The only sound was the soft clinking of teacups, until the Palace Attendants had come to refill their tea twice more.
Only then did Emperor Wu Su speak again. "Your wives at home... how are your relationships with them?"
Without a moment’s hesitation, Lu Juan replied, "We are as close as can be, and treat each other with the utmost respect."
Wei Chi Lianping rubbed his chin and mused, "It still feels like our honeymoon."
But why would the Emperor ask such a question out of the blue? Lu Juan’s mind raced. ’Is he planning to transfer me to a post outside the capital? Ji Qingrong is pregnant. If I were to be reassigned now...’
Wei Chi Lianping furrowed his thick brow. He was about to set out for the Northern Border, with no certain date of return. ’What if I come back to Lin’an only to find the Princess Mansion filled with handsome male companions?’ The more he thought about it, the darker his expression grew.
The three men in the hall were each lost in their own thoughts.
Emperor Wu Su asked another question, "And what if she resists your attempts at intimacy? What would you do then?"
’That question?! The Emperor has this kind of problem too?’
’As long as it’s not about a transfer, I’m fine.’ Lu Juan resolved to be a good counselor to the Emperor.
He assumed the Emperor was talking about Princess Consort Wei. Rumors had been swirling through the palace recently about a dispute between her and the Emperor, and several noble families were already secretly plotting to send their own daughters into the harem to vie for his favor.
’So that was the root of the problem.’
After a moment of consideration, Lu Juan said, "Your Majesty, women are delicate creatures. They need to be coaxed."
Wei Chi Lianping slapped his thigh in disagreement. "Some women are made of ice. Coaxing won’t work. You need a firm hand. You have to make her understand who’s the boss in the house."
Lu Juan threw him a sidelong glance, ’not believing a word of his nonsense.’
"If you dare say that to Princess Hua Chang, Prince Consort, then I’ll truly respect you as a man who stands tall."
Wei Chi Lianping chugged another cup of tea, ignoring Lu Juan’s attempt to call his bluff.
’A man’s got to keep up appearances when he’s out and about.’
He turned to the man in the main seat. "Your Majesty, if one of the consorts in the palace is throwing a tantrum, just give her some rewards. Wouldn’t that solve it?"
’Give her money, give her power. What could be simpler?’
Lu Juan immediately shook his head. "If you reward her for throwing a tantrum, there’s no telling how spoiled she’ll become. It will only lead to unrest in the inner palace, and besides, the harem has influence over the outer court."
Wei Chi Lianping thought Lu Juan was being stingy and overcomplicating things. ’If you like a woman, just spoil her rotten. It’s simple.’
Lu Juan, on the other hand, found the Prince Consort’s ideas crude and reckless. The two of them went back and forth, launching into a full-blown debate in the Diligent Governance Hall.
Their bickering gave Emperor Wu Su a headache. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
He said coldly, "Out."
*
「The Ji Family, Shou’an Hall.」
Old Madam Ji, dressed in a simple robe embroidered with auspicious symbols of fortune and longevity, had only just woken from her afternoon nap.
The younger members of the family, who had come to pay their respects, were seated before her.
The old madam’s drooping eyelids lifted, and her tone was sharp. "Qingwu, I heard from the guards that you only returned home at midnight last night. What young lady from a good family runs wild like you?"
Ji Qingyuan chimed in, "Grandmother wanted to see you, but you were nowhere to be found."
The entire family had accompanied the old madam for lunch just yesterday. In the evening, however, Old Madam Ji had been so anxious while waiting for the imperial rewards from the palace that she’d declared she wouldn’t be dining with the younger generation.
That was why Ji Qingwu had decided to go out for a stroll.
’But admitting my mistake first is always the right move,’ she thought. ’You can’t be confrontational with your elders.’
Ji Qingwu said gently, "Grandmother, I was in the wrong. It’s just... I don’t have many memories of my childhood, and I’ve never seen a lantern market as bustling as the one in Lin’an. I was so captivated that I stayed out a little too long. It is your granddaughter’s fault for making you worry."
Mrs. Qiao sighed. "Mother, our poor Xiao Wu was lost as a child. She suffered a great deal while she was away and hasn’t had the chance to see much of the world."
Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke. "It is all my fault for not being a devoted enough mother. I promise I will go back and teach her properly."
Seeing the attitude of both mother and daughter, the old madam couldn’t very well continue to make an issue of her late return.
"Qingwu," the old madam asked, "let me ask you, have you seen the Emperor recently?"
Ji Qingyuan also turned to glare at her. ’Since Grandmother is asking, she must know something,’ Ji Qingwu thought.
Without batting an eye, Ji Qingwu shook her head. "No, I haven’t seen him."
Old Madam Ji pressed, "Then have you done anything improper that the Emperor might have seen? Perhaps you displeased the Holy Emperor without even realizing it."
Ji Qingwu continued to deny it. "No, I haven’t."
Hearing her firm denial, the old madam frowned. ’She wondered when they had lost the Emperor’s favor. She would have to go to Cining Palace to discuss the matter with the Empress Dowager soon.’
After a moment, Old Madam Ji asked another question, "Where has Chang Yan gone? I haven’t seen him for days."
Ms. Wu, from the second branch of the family, replied, "Mother, Chang Yan said a few days ago that Prince Yong had assigned him some official business regarding water conservancy repairs. He’s probably busy with that, which is why he hasn’t been home."
Ji Qingyuan snorted. "Third Brother had better be busy with proper business."
’What sort of shady dealings could he and Prince Yong be up to?’
Ji Qingwu had never been one to meddle in the affairs of the second branch, so she sat quietly to the side, not saying a word. While the others chatted, she just smiled and dutifully peeled lychees for herself.
「Later that afternoon.」
Ji Qingwu was in her courtyard, mixing medicinal powders for health-promoting sachets.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the courtyard gate: "Fifth Sister."
Ji Qingwu looked up to see none other than Ji Changyan, who had been missing for several days. He had never come to her courtyard before.
Although she had a rather mediocre impression of this dandy of an older brother, she still put down her work out of consideration for their sibling bond.
She greeted him with measured politeness, "Third Brother, why are you standing at the gate? Please, come in and talk."
A troubled look crossed Ji Changyan’s face as his gaze swept over Lan Zhi, who was at her side, and the young maids sweeping the courtyard.
He began, "Fifth Sister, there’s a private matter I’d like to discuss with you alone. Could we move to the pavilion in the garden?"
’Why would he want to discuss his private matters with me?’
’But they were still within the family estate, so it didn’t really matter where they talked.’
Ji Qingwu wiped her hands with a handkerchief and followed him to the pavilion.
Ji Changyan turned, his eyes fixed on her, his voice filled with desperation. "Fifth Sister, you have to save me!"
He looked as frantic as an ant on a hot pan, as if he were about to drop to his knees in the very next second.
His sudden outburst startled Ji Qingwu.
She quickly asked, "Third Brother, what on earth has happened?"
"Fifth Sister, my dear sister, I made a mistake... I offended His Highness, Prince Yong, and I need to ask you to go and plead my case for me."
