El impresionante Primer Ministro

Capítulo 30

"Hahaha!" Xingge laughed heartily, "Your Majesty truly deserves to be the legitimate successor of the Sima clan!"

The Emperor, however, said solemnly, "As the young lady has said, Jiu'er's temperament is no different from mine! I will keep my promise to the young lady! After that, it depends on the young lady's fate!"

Xingge showed no fear, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"

46. Phantom

With the court busy with the Crown Prince's enthronement ceremony, the inner palace departments had some free time due to the importance of the occasion. Hua Lian had already explained Ye Shanggong's background to Consort Xian, and Xingge still frequently visited Xuanning Palace to entertain Consort Xian after entering the palace. This day, after dusk, a messenger from Xuanning Palace came to invite her. Xingge quickly tidied herself and followed the messenger to Xuanning Palace. Upon entering the inner room, the strong aroma of wine couldn't mask the unusual scent emanating from the Empress's sleeves. Xingge was secretly alarmed, but outwardly remained calm as she greeted the messenger.

"Ye Xing greets Your Highness, the Virtuous Consort!"

The virtuous lady seemed to have already drunk some alone, her face flushed. "Miss Ye, please don't stand on ceremony. I suddenly feel a bit stuffy and would like to ask Miss Ye to have a few drinks with me."

Hearing the undisguised sorrow in her voice, Xingge could only smile faintly and reply, "It is my honor to be able to keep Your Majesty company!"

On the table was a jar of fine wine that had just been opened. Xingge glanced at the date on the wine seal and realized that it was a vintage wine that had been aged for more than sixty years!

The Consort dismissed the servants and personally poured Xingge a cup of wine. Xingge simply smiled and thanked her, then drank it and waited for the Consort to continue.

"What do you think of this wine, young lady?"

"It possesses all six flavors—sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, umami, and astringent—with a full-bodied, mellow, and sweet taste, leaving an endless aftertaste. It is truly a top-grade Daughter's Red wine!"

"A daughter's beauty fades with age, and only then does she experience the full spectrum of flavors!" The Virtuous Consort smiled sadly. "Young lady, you are an expert in wine tasting. Let me tell you the story of this jar of Daughter's Red wine."

"Daughters of the Jiang family! Two jars of Daughter's Red wine will be buried with them at birth. We have been cultivating ourselves since childhood, just waiting to marry into the royal family! Hoping to become the empress of the world!" Consort Xian said, her eyes moistening, and she drank the cup in one gulp.

"I was so lucky! I grew up with His Majesty, and our love was deep. I became the Crown Princess at sixteen. On our wedding day, my father personally opened a jar of 'Daughter's Red Wine' for me, saying that when I became Empress, another jar would be even more fragrant! After our marriage, I remained childless, but the Crown Prince did not despise me. He took several new concubines afterward, yet he still treated me with the same respect. We were together for nearly twenty years, and then he brought back Wan'er! Did I hate him?! A woman like Wan'er would be loved by anyone! My elder brother once wanted to help me get rid of her, but I couldn't bear it! I couldn't bear it! But she was still harmed by Consort Shu! I knew about it at the time, but I didn't have the courage to stop it! I didn't have the courage..."

Xingge gazed at the clear amber liquor in the cup, "Your Majesty is drunk!"

Consort Xian stared at Xingge for a long time, "Young lady, you are of heavenly beauty and unparalleled elegance, even surpassing Wan'er in her prime! How could Jiu'er not be moved!"

Xingge glanced at Consort Xian's sleeve with a faint smile, "Your Majesty has finally found the courage!"

Consort Xian took out a small bottle from her sleeve, sighed softly, "Since her wedding, Fu'er has been alone in her room every night. If Jiu'er didn't have someone in her heart, how could she be like this! My life is over! I can't bear to see Fu'er's jar of Daughter's Red wine wither away for decades! Don't blame me, young lady, I will accompany you to the Yellow Springs!" As she spoke, she put a few drops of poison into each of the two cups on the table.

"What if I refuse?"

"If you refuse, young lady, I will still drink this cup myself, and I believe you will not escape punishment either!"

Xingge thought of Aunt Wan's eight years of depression, Fu'er's hidden sobs that day, and Consort Xian's current sorrow, and her heart ached!

"Are all the women in the Jiang family so resigned to their fate?"

Consort Xian was lost in thought when she suddenly smiled. "I once had a little niece who fell in love with a wicked young master and was expelled from the clan. The daughter of the Jiang family should be the happiest of them all!"

Xingge silently took out a jade pendant from her bosom and handed it to Consort Xian. Consort Xian saw the character "plum blossom" on the jade pendant.

"Mei'er, Mei'er's jade pendant! You! You are..." Consort Xian stared at Xing Ge Ru Ye's dark eyes, speechless with shock!

"Xingge greets Auntie!"

Consort Xian grasped Xingge's hand tightly, scrutinizing her closely, tears welling in her eyes. "Yes, yes! How is your mother?"

"My mother and father... passed away from illness a few years ago!"

"Poor child!" Consort Xian gently embraced Xingge.

"Everyone says I have the same temperament as my mother, but please rest assured, my aunt, the imperial palace is definitely not a place for me to live!"

Consort Xian hesitated, then fell silent...

"My mother has been expelled from the clan, Your Majesty need not be troubled! Please do not mention this matter to others!" After saying this, she swept the two cups of poisoned wine to the ground with her palm.

"My child!" Consort Xian was heartbroken and hugged Xingge tightly.

Xingge raised his eyes and gazed at the beautiful curtains and luxurious golden cage inside the room!

Afterwards, Consort Xian often invited Xingge to Xuanning Palace for company. One day, while they were playing chess, they suddenly heard that the Emperor had arrived and hurriedly rose to greet him. After performing the proper courtesies, she discovered that Xiao Ran had brought a young girl and a delicate-looking child with her. Just as she was about to offer her greetings…

"Sister Madam, it's Sister Madam!" The child suddenly rushed into Xingge's arms.

"Where has Xiao Qi seen this lady before?" Consort Xian asked curiously.

“At Third Brother’s painting studio! There are portraits of my sister there. Third Brother looks at them every day, but he won’t let me look!” Xiao Qi hugged Xing Ge’s neck tightly and stuck his tongue out at Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran blushed instantly, while Xiao Le chuckled to himself.

"Sister, will you be my wife?"

Xingge guessed that the girl was Ran's half-sister, Xiao Le, and the lecherous little boy in her arms who was taking advantage of her was her younger brother, Xiao Qi, so she smiled charmingly and teased him.

"Young master, my requirements are quite high. How many of the arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, are you proficient in?"

Xiao Qi pouted.

"How many moves do you know with swords, spears, and staffs?"

Xiao Qi's face stiffened even more.

"Alas! Young master!" Xingge looked at the baby in her arms with a 'lament'.

Xiao Qi quickly took something out of his purse and handed it to Xing Ge, "Then, I've made my love for you. My wife, wait for me. I'll come and marry you once I've learned how!"

Xingge chuckled to himself, thinking, "This little lecher is a business genius! He's got a wife with just a lollipop!"

"Ran'er, bring the painting tomorrow so I can see it too!" the Emperor suddenly announced.

Ran replied, secretly alarmed, glancing at Xingge out of the corner of her eye. Xingge simply smiled faintly.

The following night, at Xiao'an Palace. Xingge saw her portrait hanging next to Aunt Wan's, and felt inexplicably awkward!

"Rumor has it that the young lady and Xiao Ran are quite familiar, but it seems that's more than that; Xiao Ran seems to care a lot about her!"

"Your Majesty need not trouble yourself with this matter!"

"Of course it's no trouble! You know that in your heart, right? The girl in Ran'er's eyes is just an illusion!"

Xingge remained silent.

The Emperor gazed at the image on the wall and sighed softly, "Just like Xiao Ze back then, he didn't realize that Wan'er was a ruthless and decisive woman! Ran'er never realized that the celestial girl in her heart was a woman who would stop at nothing!"

Xingge chuckled, "Compared to you, I am still far inferior!"

The Emperor turned and stared at Xingge, "Your indifference to power is a great blessing to the court!"

"Your Majesty flatters me too much!"

The Emperor waved his sleeve, and Xingge's portrait rolled into his palm. "I'll keep this portrait for Jiu'er!"

Xingge gazed at the flickering flame of the candlelight, a nameless sorrow gripping his heart!

47. Separation from Thoughts

With the new emperor about to ascend the throne, as is customary, the crown prince and his family moved into the East Palace within the palace city. To avoid meeting the crown prince and crown princess, Xingge spent her days busy with palace affairs in the Imperial Household Department. With a little effort, Xingge discovered that the Imperial Household Department was incredibly lucrative, offering opportunities for easy money! Being a favorite of the emperor and making numerous connections, the palace supervisors turned a blind eye, and her life became surprisingly fulfilling!

Spring has arrived, and in five days the grand ceremony will be held. That night, Xingge sat alone at his desk, his fingers idly plucking the strings of "Li Sao" on the table. After a while, he realized he was playing "Wang Si" instead, and couldn't help but laugh, grumbling to Moqin.

"Behave yourself and give me back 'Wandering the World'!"

The strings trembled slightly, as if in response.

"Tch! What a terrible idea!" His fingers were still lightly plucking the strings.

...

"No! I can manage on my own, but if I take him with me, given his personality, it will only harm him!" Xingge sighed softly.

...

Xingge slammed his hand on the head of the zither. "So you're just being sarcastic! How about I leave you here and let those court experts examine you thoroughly! Humph!"

Having said that, he ignored the flamboyant zither, grabbed a plain outer robe, and headed outside. The bright moon shone down, and his thoughts wandered as he sang. Before he knew it, he arrived at the pond in the palace's rear garden. On the opposite side of the pond, he saw a row of lion heads propped up by clubs. He playfully made a face, when suddenly a figure appeared beneath the lion heads! There was no way to avoid it! He obediently circled the pond, approached, and bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness has such refined taste! Have you decided which tree to cut down first?"

She smiled faintly and remained silent, gazing at the unadorned face before her.

Feeling a little guilty under the gaze, Xingge said, "Then, Your Highness, I won't disturb you any longer!" He turned and tried to leave, but suddenly felt a tightness on his arm.

"Follow me!"

The two figures flew over the eaves and palace walls, heading towards the Qingwang Mansion.

"I've heard that Lady Ye has been diligent in her palace duties lately, and even the Supervisory Office has praised her!"

"That's all within my duty! Your Highness is too kind!"

"Don't be modest! Your wallet must be bulging!"

Xingge wasn't intimidated at all. "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I will definitely get a bigger fanny pack!"

"Why bother? In a few days, it will all be yours!" Jiu Ru said with a smile.

"Hey! It's nothing! It's nothing!"

As they spoke, the two figures stopped in the front courtyard of the Qingwang Mansion. Only a few servants remained inside, making the place seem even more desolate at night. Jiu Ru led Xing Ge on a light walk towards the lake area. As they stepped onto the familiar lakeside path, Xing Ge was taken aback.

Both sides of the road are covered with low hedges on the trees, with morning glory vines climbing around them. The slender branches and young leaves, the first buds with dew, are delicate and sway in the night breeze as if slightly drunk.

Jiu Ru gently embraced Xing Ge from behind, resting her cheek against the forehead of the person in her arms, smiling silently...

As Xingge sang, he felt a surge of warmth flowing into his heart. He stood there quietly for a long time, and the bittersweet taste made his heart ache! It ached so much that he wanted to let loose!

Just then, the person in his arms suddenly turned around, her eyes misting over, filled with genuine longing, and with an unfathomable emotion that made him uneasy. Suddenly, he felt a warm pain on his cheek, as if he had been lightly bitten. Before he could react, she had leaped out of his arms and was running joyfully among the flower-lined paths and hedges. Sweet feelings surged in his heart, and he ran after her slender figure.

The two walked hand in hand along the flower path, round and round, the moonlight casting two silly, laughing shadows on the blue stone surface.

"Hey! What are you grinning about!" Jiu Ru was punched in the chest.

"Aren't you grinning like an idiot too? Are you jealous that my smile is beautiful?"

He stopped singing, gazing at that captivating smile, and said, "Promise me, no matter what happens in the future, you will always have a smile on your face!"

Jiu Ru was slightly taken aback, but still nodded slightly.

Xingge went to the fence and took out two bamboo sticks. "Come on, let's have another race!"

Two figures darted onto the waterside pavilion in the middle of the lake, each holding a bamboo branch. "Leaving the pavilion or being struck in a vital spot by a bamboo branch means you've lost!" they sang and laughed.