"This is utterly shameless!" Yang Jing'e was momentarily speechless. Her second brother was an incompetent good-for-nothing, and not the eldest son, so her mother and father discussed arranging for him to marry a merchant's daughter. Although it might damage the family's reputation to some extent, the benefits were undeniable. Although her sister-in-law came from a humble background, her dowry was dazzling. Merchants rarely married their daughters to such high social standing, and they continuously sent tributes to the Yang family, the money flowing like water. But this family's money didn't come for free!
Looking at Jiang Yuan's gleaming eyes, Yang Jing'e hesitated, putting on a troubled expression. "This is not something I can decide. I have to ask my parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law."
"Bifan." Jiang Yuan had been waiting for her to say this. She beckoned her to her side, spoke a few words to her, and then dismissed her. Meeting Yang Jing'e's questioning gaze, she covered her lips and smiled, "I have that maid go and inform the front that Yang Jing'e is willing to share His Majesty's burdens, and see if she can find time to return to her residence to visit her family."
She tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead! Yang Jing'e wished she could bite off her own tongue. She glared fiercely at Jiang Yanting. No wonder that brat didn't say a word; she tricked her into being the one to take the lead.
Jiang Yuan resumed her previous demeanor, pretending not to see their little antics, and gently sipped the freshly poured tea.
Hmm, good tea.
Author's Note: The money-making duo...
A-Yuan: After all, he'll be my son in the future!
Chapter 75 A Gentleman with Dishonorable Character
Snap—
The sound of porcelain shattering echoed through the room. The door to Cuiwan Pavilion remained tightly shut. Yang Jing'e, furious, grabbed her handkerchief and smashed the glass lamp Jiang Yanting had given her a few days prior. Her face flushed crimson. Growing angrier, she grabbed something and slammed it against the door. The object shattered and scattered, accompanied by a sharp cracking sound. She stamped her foot and turned away angrily, shouting, "Sister Xie, you have to help me! How am I going to explain this to my father?!"
"What's there to explain?" Xie Jiayan's eyebrows furrowed slightly. Jiang Yuan hadn't come looking for them, yet they insisted on coming to her. Although she was disgusted, she still said, "You don't actually think His Majesty will send you back to the Yang residence without even seeing you, do you?"
Could it be that His Majesty will see her? Upon hearing Xie Jiayan's words, Yang Jing'e's eyes suddenly brightened. She stepped forward, took Xie Jiayan's hand, squatted down, and looked up to meet her gaze. "Will he really see me?"
"Of course." Xie Jiayan smiled slightly, subtly getting up and brushing her hand away, but inwardly he couldn't help but sneer.
The Yang family was quite open-minded. Rather than picking and choosing, they decided to select a stupid person as cannon fodder. However, the person was far too stupid. As soon as he entered the palace, he was used as a sword to test the emperor and empress's abilities.
"Your Highness, Madam," a maid knocked three times on the door and said softly, "Eunuch Yuan has come to deliver a decree; he'll be at Cuiwan Pavilion soon."
"Really?" Yang Jing'e ran to open the door, her face full of surprise. She turned back to look at Xie Jiayan, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Sister, you really didn't lie to me."
"Go and clean up quickly." Xie Jiayan waved to her and then said to the maid, "Pick up the broken porcelain on the ground, so that others don't think that Cuiwan Pavilion is unruly."
She looked at the ground and emphasized the last few words, but Yang Jing'e didn't notice her tone. She raised her chin and chimed in, "Madam is right. Hurry up and do it. Are you all deaf?"
Xie Jiayan's fingertips touched the cup, which was cold to the touch, and he released it. "Since my sister is making preparations, it's not appropriate for me to stay any longer."
Yang Jing'e was initially unsure how to bring it up with Xie Jiayan, but when she heard Xie Jiayan say she was leaving, she was overjoyed. However, she quickly put on a reluctant expression and said, "Thank you for telling me so much today, sister. I will visit you again another day."
Xie Jiayan nodded and smiled, deliberately avoiding the former father-in-law when leaving, and choosing another path.
Bao Yun followed closely behind her, stepping onto the Zhuhan Bridge before speaking, her voice firm, "Does Madam dislike Yang Jing'e?"
"Stupid and clumsy, unable to distinguish between superiors and inferiors." Zhuhan Bridge spans Jinglin Lake, offering an extremely wide view. The palace servants all followed at a distance, with only Baoyun and Jinxiu close by. Xie Jiayan stopped, looking at the calm lake surface, his fingers touching the white jade stone. "This kind of person, let alone her well-known petty thoughts, even if she were truly loyal to me, she's so foolish that I wouldn't dare to use her even if I had her in my hands."
After receiving the imperial decree, Yang Jing'e instructed the palace servants to dress herself up nicely, specifically wearing a thin shirt that revealed glimpses of her skin on her arms.
Chang Le Palace was silent, with flickering candlelight inside. The eunuch led her into the palace and then bowed before leaving. Yang Jing'e stood for a while, and seeing that no one came out, she gently lifted the beaded curtain of the inner palace with her delicate hand, moved with light steps, and called out in a sweet voice, "Your Majesty, Yun'er greets Your Majesty."
"Yang Jing'e is here? Come in quickly!" Jiang Yuan's voice suddenly rang out in the hall, with an undisguised smile, as if saying to the person beside him, "This is Yang Jing'e, whom I mentioned to you."
What kind of drama is this? Yang Jing'e's mind was buzzing. Why would the Emperor and Empress be here?
After a long while, seeing that she did not respond, Jiang Yuan finally emerged from behind the gauze curtain, still holding a jade wolf-hair brush dipped in ink in his hand, and beckoned to her, "Why isn't Jing'e coming over?"
"May the Emperor and Empress live a thousand years and be well." Upon seeing Jiang Yuan, Yang Jing'e had no choice but to force herself to bow again.
"Are you Yang Jing'e, who is going to donate money to help with the flood in Meihe River?" A moment later, a pleasant male voice entered her ears, and Yang Jing'e couldn't help but look up. In that instant, Song Yanji was reflected in her pupils without any warning.
A gentleman of noble character is like jade being cut and polished, like stone being carved and refined.
Yang Jing'e parted her lips slightly, then lowered her head in a fluster, her face flushed, and whispered, "Yes."
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yang Jing'e stood up, biting her lip, and glanced timidly at Song Yansi. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Jiang Yuan. For some reason, the Emperor and Empress, whom she had previously found kind and gentle, suddenly seemed a bit of an eyesore.
Jiang Yuan pretended not to see it; the money hadn't been allocated yet!
"Come on over here," Song Yansi said with a smile, his voice gentle. "Let's continue what we were doing."
Yang Jing'e had no choice but to nod in agreement. She then saw Jiang Yuan's clothes disappear behind the curtain, tracing a beautiful arc. Even though she was somewhat dissatisfied, she couldn't say it directly. She simply followed Jiang Yuan's steps and quickly stepped inside.
As soon as Yang Jing'e stepped inside in her embroidered shoes, her eyes widened and her mouth gaped open. Before her was a huge silk scroll, about six feet long, laid flat on the table, covered with dense markings.
"This is the Meihe area." Song Yansi had one hand behind his back, while the other hand, with its distinct knuckles, lightly held a writing brush, then held the brush tip upright. "I wonder where Yang Jing'e intends to offer silver?"
Yang Jing'e glanced at it, but couldn't understand it. Not wanting Song Yansi to look down on her, she casually pointed at the silk painting. At worst, she could just ask her sister-in-law to bring out more of her dowry. Anyway, she didn't dare to say anything. If all else failed, she could ask her mother's family.
Song Yansi raised an eyebrow slightly, then immediately lowered it again, gesturing vaguely in the direction she pointed. "Are you sure?"
Jiang Yuan stared in astonishment as Yang Jing'e pointed her finger down; this was no small sum! She felt that even if her so-called sister-in-law poured in the entire family's wealth, it might not be enough. She could only remind her again, "Yang Jing'e, don't force yourself. If..."
“Yun’er doesn’t feel forced.” Yang Jing’e interrupted Jiang Yuan directly, afraid of ruining her impression on Song Yanji, her tone somewhat displeased.
“If Yang Jing’e says it’s alright, then it’s alright.” Song Yansi said to Jiang Yuan with a faint smile, then shook his head and said, “Don’t say anything more.”
"It's like a dog biting Lü Dongbin—they don't appreciate a kind heart!" Jiang Yuan thought to herself, rolling her eyes at the shy and timid Yang Jing'e. No wonder Song Yanji was so cunning; he didn't discuss money or materials with her, only drawing the Meihe River map. Yang Jing'e's drawing stretched for nearly a hundred miles, requiring at least fifty to eighty thousand laborers. She had to assess the terrain, carve through mountains and hills, break through dams, cut through streams, guard against breaches, dredge dams, and build numerous water gates. Jiang Yuan could already picture Yang Jing'e's furious reaction.
“In that case, I will estimate the amount of money, and we can discuss it in detail with Yang Jing’e and Lord Yang tomorrow, is that alright?” Song Yanji’s smile was extremely handsome, and Yang Jing’e nodded vigorously. Then he pointed to the chessboard next to him, “It seems that I will be sleepless again tonight. Your Majesty and Empress, accompany Yang Jing’e to play a few games of chess. After I finish calculating, I will show it to you.”
"Does His Majesty really need to handle such a small matter?" Yang Jing'e rarely came to Chang Le Palace, not to play chess with Jiang Yuan.
"With the new dynasty just established, it's inevitable that there will be a lot of government affairs to attend to." Song Yanji waved his wide sleeves and lowered his head on the table, no longer paying attention to the two women.
"Does Yang Jing'e not want to play chess with me?" Jiang Yuan cleared her throat, a half-smile on her face.
"I am willing." Yang Jing'e forced a smile and walked towards the chessboard. Maybe it would be over soon? Or, she thought to herself, Jiang Yuan, the Emperor and Empress are getting old, maybe they will get tired soon? At that time, only she and His Majesty will be left in the hall. Thinking about this, she really did smile a little.
Jiang Yuan watched her retreating figure, shaking her head inwardly. Turning her head, she saw Song Yansi quickly winking at her with a smile.
Beauty can be deceiving; that's certainly true.
These games of chess went on until the fourth watch of the night. Yang Jing'e's head was nodding off, as if she was extremely sleepy. After a while, she really couldn't hold on any longer. Song Yanji seized the opportunity to show her the invitation, "Is this alright?"
"Okay." Yang Jing'e could barely open her eyes. She glanced at the table, but couldn't hold on any longer and leaned lightly against the chessboard.
"Yang Jing'e? Yang Jing'e?" Jiang Yuan called out to her several times, but when she didn't respond, he pulled Song Yansi out of the inner room. "I don't think the Yang family can do this."
“I know.” Song Yansi pulled her down to sit. The teapot sat on the small gold-threaded stove, the water still hot. He poured a cup of tea for Jiang Yuan and then filled his own cup. “For such a large project, apart from the Song family, I really don’t think many people would dare to be so presumptuous.”
“After this incident, Yang Jing’e will likely incur the wrath of the Yang family, and things will probably be difficult for her in the future.” Jiang Yuan shook his head. “She clearly doesn’t know, yet she doesn’t ask.”
“She shouldn’t have been the one to enter the palace in the first place. It was only because her younger sister inexplicably fell and hit her head that she was sent in.” Song Yansi’s eyes curved slightly as he tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table.
"The news from Zhongli is really well-informed." Jiang Yuan rested her chin on her hand.
"I didn't raise so many spies for nothing." But even with so many spies, there were some residences he just couldn't get his hands on. Song Yansi picked up his cup and drank his tea. "I'm not afraid of stupid people, I'm afraid of people who are both vicious and stupid."
"I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm so sleepy," Jiang Yuan yawned. "Aren't you going to sleep?"
"It's almost dawn." Song Yansi looked out the dark window and tapped Jiang Yuan's nose. "The morning court session is about to start, go to sleep. Oh, and remember to urge Yang Jing'e to go to the Yang family for the money tomorrow morning."
This is something we must not forget.
"Okay." Jiang Yuan leaned down and lightly kissed his cheek. Just as her lips left his, she heard He Qian's light footsteps enter the inner hall.
He seemed surprised to find the Emperor and Empress chatting in the palace at this time, and was momentarily stunned.
However, since he was personally chosen by Song Yansi, he quickly knelt down and said softly, "May Your Majesty be well and may the Empress be blessed. I have disturbed Your Majesty and the Empress, please forgive me."
"Get up." Song Yansi stood up and said to him, "Go wash up."
"Yes." As soon as He Qian finished speaking, the maidservant carried the copper basin and plain cloth, slipping inside without making a sound, as if walking on cotton.
Jiang Yuan had nothing better to do, so she decided to tidy up his robes for him. She was quick and efficient, and since Song Yanji didn't say a word, the eunuchs and palace servants dared not utter a sound either. Finally, she tied the belt, examined him for a moment, and then smiled and said, "All done."
"I'm going now. Ah Yuan, get some rest. Let them wait for you to greet us this morning."
"Understood." Jiang Yuan watched Song Yansi leave Chang Le Palace before being helped out by Bi Fan. She didn't forget to instruct the maids of Chang Le Palace that Yang Jing'e was tired from playing chess and should go to Feng Qi Palace after she woke up.
As dawn broke, the sky gradually revealed glimmers of white, still mingled with large swaths of black. The sounds of horses' hooves and wheels rolling over echoed from the bluestone slabs outside the palace. The Jiang family's carriages hadn't appeared at this time in a long time, and they clattered toward the palace.
Jiang Zhongsi tucked his hands slightly into his sleeves, his eyes half-closed, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. He leaned against the car wall, sitting upright.
Chapter 76 Showdown
The hall was empty after the court session ended, with a golden dragon coiled around the vermilion beams and pillars. "Father-in-law, you are just recovering from your illness. If there is nothing else, you may leave."
"Why?" The palace doors were tightly shut, and light and shadow shone through the window lattice, casting their light on Jiang Zhongsi's aged face.
"What do you mean, why?" Song Yansi seemed not to understand. He slightly lifted his black robe and slowly walked down the white jade steps. His lips were smiling, but his eyes were not. He stared at Jiang Zhongsi without blinking. "Is it because I knew what my father-in-law did thirty years ago and still made A Yuan the empress? Or is it because even though my father-in-law helped someone else, I still made Cheng Yu the crown prince? Or is it both?"
Jiang Zhongsi's gaze remained unchanged, but the fingers hidden in his sleeve tightened their grip. He wasn't wrong; Song Yansi did indeed know. But he couldn't understand why Song Yansi, who clearly knew, would still do this, all for Yuan'er? There are indeed men in the world who give their hearts to women, but that person shouldn't be Song Yansi. He couldn't believe that anyone would compromise like this.
Between him and her, there was an intractable knot, a family feud, a blood feud. Even if A-Yuan did nothing wrong, her existence was wrong in Song Yanji's eyes.
But now, his daughter controls the entire harem, is the only and first empress of the Great Shu, and his grandson is the rightful heir to the throne. He destroyed everything the Tang family had, and even unintentionally ruined his mother's life. Yet, this man, who has countless ties to the Tang family, has placed his entire future and his empire before the Jiang family. This is undoubtedly a huge gamble, and the Jiang family is the banker in this game.
How could he believe it? How could he dare to believe it?
Jiang Yuan had told him that she was fine and that Song Yansi treated her very well. At that time, he also held onto a sliver of hope that he was unaware of everything, but reality proved otherwise.
"Hehe, not to mention me, even you, would you believe it?" Song Yanji laid his cards on the table, and Jiang Zhongsi didn't hide anything anymore. He turned around and strode forward, his eyes constantly scanning Long Feipengxiang's Qinyang Palace. His fingers touched the pillars painted with vermilion lacquer. "If you don't hate, why do you have to risk your life to climb above so many people?"
"Who says I don't hate? If it weren't for A-Yuan, do you think your Jiang family would still be around today?" Song Yanji gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with uncontrollable rage. His blood was boiling like water, and his anger flowed from his heart to his fingertips.
In his past life, he chose a different path. He avenged his mother, avenged the Tang family, the Jiang family fell, the Xie family collapsed, and the regional princes vanished like shattered ice. But what was the result? He didn't live any better than before. A-Yuan was gone, Rong'an was gone, Mu Qing died on the battlefield, Fu Zhengyan resigned his post in despair and wandered the land, never to be seen again. Years of internal strife and widespread suffering left this land riddled with holes because of his selfishness, and those who had truly cared for him couldn't stay with him until the end.
Everyone says that the bell at Hui'an Temple is the loudest, the Buddha at Hui'an Temple is the most efficacious, and Master Liaowu of Hui'an Temple can save countless lives, but no matter what, no one can save him.
Song Yanji suddenly turned around, looking up at the large vermilion plaque above the throne. "I am content with a virtuous wife and filial children. I do not wish to become a lonely man." After saying this, he waited until the tears in his eyes dried before turning back to look at Jiang Zhongsi and said, "I suppose you did not expect the Tang family to end up like this when you were keeping the accounts!"
A long silence followed.
"Tang Quyi and I entered officialdom in the same batch." Jiang Zhongsi met Song Yanji's gaze. He was getting old; his hair had turned gray from worry in the past two years, and his eyes were lined with wrinkles. Now, his face was sallow, and his deep-set eyes looked like a pair of pearls. After a moment, his shoulders, which had been straight, slumped slightly. "We were acquaintances. Back then, we went with Xie Shengping to build the Yongji River. We were all somewhat happy, thinking we could climb up to the Xie family's son. But who knew we would encounter such a great calamity! You know what happened to those families afterward—they all collapsed! I was a son born out of wedlock, and my mother was just an unfavored concubine. I couldn't bear the accusation of severing the family line and destroying the legitimate heir! After that, I went through many ups and downs in officialdom, weathering countless storms." He chuckled, but his eyes became increasingly unfocused. "As my official rank continued to rise, surpassing my elder brother, and seeing the increasing respect from my clansmen, I became even more unwilling to lose."
The man before him had a gray beard. In his previous life, Jiang Zhongsi had never shown such weakness to him until his death.
"Have you ever thought about A-Yuan? In her heart, her father, Ji Yue Qing Feng, is the most noble man in the world. Yet you even schemed against her." Jiang Yuan, even in death, blamed herself for everything.
“Yuan’er is my favorite child, but she cannot surpass her brother, let alone the Jiang family.” Jiang Zhongsi was silent for a moment. “I really didn’t expect it when you asked for my hand in marriage before the emperor. Later, I thought that rather than displeasing you, it would be better to keep an eye on you.”
Song Yansi curled his lips into a cold laugh, "If A-Yuan finds out, given her personality, how will she face you and me? Will she kill me because I hate the Jiang family, or will she abandon the parents who gave her life and raised her?"
Jiang Zhongsi's lips trembled slightly as he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on his deathly black boots. "Will she know?"
"No." Song Yansi interrupted Jiang Zhongsi before he could finish his question. He looked at Jiang Zhongsi as he raised his head and said coldly, "She will be the only Empress, and Yu'er will be the only Crown Prince. This is the sincerity I can offer. As for the outcome, it is up to you, Lord Jiang. You should know what it means to have a powerful maternal clan, even if I don't say it."