L'hibiscus comme peinture - Chapitre 69
From the moment she entered the Imperial Garden, she felt two burning gazes fixed on her. She knew it must be Jin Xuan, and sure enough, their eyes met in mid-air. Unexpectedly, Jin Xuan's gaze seemed to have changed. He seemed to have stopped being so persistent and even seemed lost in thought. It seemed he had let go, and she felt a sense of relief.
The emperor saw the exchange between the two. Although he felt guilty towards Jinxuan, he was still very unhappy that Yuqing was his wife and was flirting with another man like this. He grabbed his empress, and as expected, he received a big eye roll and struggle from his lovely wife.
"This time, in repelling the invasion of Cangliao Kingdom and protecting the borders of Longxuan, Prince Jin and his generals have made outstanding contributions. Today, I am holding this banquet not only to welcome Prince Jin back, but also to reward those who have rendered meritorious service. Prince Jin…" Ouyang Zhengxuan completely mistook Yu Qing's eye-rolling and struggle for coquettishness, and spoke eloquently in high spirits. The officials below also wore expressions of complete indifference; who in the world did not know of the emperor and empress's loving relationship?
"Your subject is here." Upon hearing the emperor mention him, Jin Xuan immediately bowed to the emperor and said, "I have special privileges."
There was no need to kneel on the pole; his expressionless face made it seem as if he wasn't being called.
“Prince Jin, I will not ask you what you want this time, and you will surely say ‘I don’t want anything’ again. I am ready, and you can’t refuse this time, Eunuch Li…” Although Ouyang Zhengxuan said with a smile, everyone could still feel his imperial aura, and his words were irresistible.
As soon as Ouyang Zhengxuan finished speaking, the chief eunuch, Eunuch Li, brought a brocade box to Jinxuan. Opening the box, he revealed a jade flute, its surface a deep emerald green, shimmering softly in the moonlight. It was clearly no ordinary item. The assembled officials stared in disbelief; they had never seen such a fine jade flute before. The Emperor's favor towards Prince Jin remained undiminished, though Prince Jin had always shown no interest in rare treasures. The Emperor had tried to bestow upon him something that would please him, but each time he returned disappointed. It was a sigh of relief that Prince Jin was truly without desire; perhaps this time would be no exception.
"Jinxuan... Prince Jin, this jade flute was obtained by His Majesty with great difficulty. Its color is soft, its body is emerald green, and its tone is smooth. It has been passed down from ancient times and is a unique and excellent flute in the world! But its most precious feature is not that, but its other function. That is, it can change its temperature with the changing seasons. In other words, in winter, as long as you have it, you will not feel cold at all. It is more effective than a heater..." Seeing that Jinxuan had no reaction to the jade flute, and that His Majesty had also lowered his head in disappointment, Aoxue immediately began to promote it, acting like a professional salesperson.
Upon hearing about the effects of the jade flute, Jin Xuan's eyes lit up, and he asked Ao, "Is it really only..."
"Will it feel warm if I carry it with me?" Her expectant eyes were fixed on Zhengxuan and Aoxue.
"Huh?" Ao, who was enthusiastically promoting his product, was caught off guard by Zi Jinxuan's question and didn't react at all.
She was stunned; she had never had much hope for this jade flute.
The emperor was also taken aback. He exchanged a glance with Ao Xue, and they both saw the same thing in each other's eyes: Was I just hallucinating?
The officials stared at Jin Xuan in disbelief. Why would the seemingly indifferent Prince Jin be interested in this jade flute?
Only those who accompanied Prince Jin on his campaign and the military generals knew why Prince Jin was interested in this jade flute; the generals were all aware of it.
Du Ming and Du Ming exchanged a knowing glance, a hint of amusement in their eyes: "The prince isn't interested in the flute itself, but in its effects. The strategist has always been most afraid of the cold."
Realizing what was happening, Zhengxuan coughed lightly and said, "Cough... really." He and Aoxue noticed the generals' reactions, and exchanged a knowing glance: It seemed Jinxuan's interest in the jade flute wasn't for himself; there was definitely a story behind Jinxuan's expedition. It seemed they had missed something? Heh...
Upon receiving Zhengxuan's affirmation, Jinxuan was overjoyed and picked up the jade flute. He bowed deeply to Zhengxuan and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your gift." Indeed, the jade flute felt wonderful to the touch, and his whole body immediately warmed up. With this jade flute, he would no longer have to fear the cold.
The usually calm and composed Prince Jin was unusually overjoyed, like a child who had received candy.
This left everyone who was unaware of the situation utterly shocked, their mouths practically dropping to the floor. They kept trying to convince themselves: "I must have misread it, I must have misheard it. I must be getting old and my eyesight is failing. I need to see a doctor."
Zhengxuan watched Jinxuan, who was now overjoyed and oblivious to everything, with a thoughtful expression. From childhood to adulthood, Jinxuan had always been mature and composed. Even if the sky were to fall, he would remain unmoved, observing everything with a detached indifference. Nothing and no one had ever been able to make him lose his composure. The only time was when he first met Qing'er, rushing to the Imperial Study to demand her return, his hands flailing wildly. Now, seeing him so out of control again, it seemed he was…
Ao Xue looked at Jin Gan, who was grinning foolishly, with a knowing expression: "Jin Xuan, you've finally let go. I really want to see the person who can open your heart again. Hehe, tonight I'm going to know your whole story..."
"If Prince Jin likes it, that's good." As expected of the emperor, Zhengxuan quickly suppressed all his emotions and laughed heartily, but in his heart he was thinking about how to torture Jinxuan to extract a confession. They really are husband and wife, they even thought of the same thing. Jinxuan, you'd better pray for yourself!
Seeing the emperor and empress's enigmatic smiles, Jinxuan shivered. He didn't think too much about it, only wanting to return to the manor as soon as possible to give the jade flute to Jun, who would surely like it.
Jinxuan was thinking about Aojun when someone immediately mentioned her name.
Ao Xue looked around, but still couldn't see the person she wanted to see. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "Prince Jin, where is that Young Master Mo? I haven't seen him." She was very excited to meet her idol today!
Zhengxuan felt a pang of frustration. He knew she was still thinking about Mo Jun. Although he also longed to see Mo Jun in person, the thought of his wife constantly talking about another man, and having to agree with her, was unbearable. He gave his wife a punitive pinch on the waist, unsurprisingly receiving a glare from Aoxue. Zhengxuan returned the glare smugly and casually remarked to Aoxue, "That's right! Prince Jin, where's Military Advisor Mo? I'm so eager to see her! Why isn't she here? She's a great contributor this time; I wanted to reward her properly!"
Jinxuan had long known that the Emperor would ask about it, and she had already prepared her answer. She calmly replied, "Your Majesty, the strategist is already in poor health, and coupled with the wind and dew of the journey, she has caught a cold and is currently unconscious. This has delayed her arrival at the palace to see Your Majesty. Please forgive her." She was indeed unconscious, but not from a cold; she had taken a sleeping pill.
Hearing Jinxuan's words, Aoxue couldn't hide her disappointment and worry. Before Zhengxuan could even speak, she hurriedly asked, "Did you see a doctor? Is it serious?" Alas... How could her idol be sick? In her imagination, the strategist was like Zhuge Liang, a man of great talent and wisdom, effortlessly vanquishing powerful enemies with a flick of his wrist—so cool! But thinking about it, it makes sense. A strategist must be a frail scholar. He'd been traveling through wind and dew, and it was winter now; it wasn't surprising he'd fall ill in such cold weather.
Zhengxuan's face darkened, but he still noticed the strange expressions on the faces of the military officers. It seemed that there was more to Mo Jun's illness than met the eye. But why would Jinxuan lie to him?
Jin Xuan glanced at Ao Xue and said calmly, "It's nothing serious. I've already seen a doctor, so I'm fine. It's just that I can't enter the palace."
“In that case, Prince Jin, please accept the title on behalf of Lord Mo!” Zhengxuan waved his hand, hiding all his emotions, and said with a smile.
As soon as Zhengxuan finished speaking, Eunuch Li produced the imperial edict and announced loudly: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Military Advisor Mo Jun, in the battle against Cangliao, demonstrated extraordinary wisdom through strategic planning, truly the greatest of all time. Therefore, Mo Jun is hereby appointed as 'The Greatest Military Advisor Under Heaven' and concurrently Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and is granted a mansion for the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, enjoying the stipend of a Prince. This is the imperial decree. Thank you for your grace!"
As soon as the imperial edict was read, everyone gasped. This was an unprecedented favor! The emperor was also a little annoyed: Qing'er had forced him to add the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, insisting that Mo Jun be the Crown Prince's teacher.
Jin Xuan, on the other hand, didn't react much. As soon as he heard the imperial edict, he said loudly, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great favor on behalf of Lady Mo." He wasn't surprised at all that his elder brother would bestow the title of Lady, but he didn't expect that he would appoint her as the Crown Prince's tutor. What displeased him the most was that he also bestowed upon her a Crown Prince's tutor's mansion. Wouldn't that mean that Lady Mo wouldn't have to live in his palace?
Just as Jinxuan finished expressing his gratitude, at the Emperor's signal, Eunuch Li unfolded another imperial edict and loudly proclaimed, "General Wei, General Zhao, General Bai, General Hong... listen to the decree."
Wei Ziqi and the other military officers knelt down in unison and said, "Your subjects accept the imperial decree."
Eunuch Li then proclaimed loudly: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Generals, you fought bravely in the battle against Cangliao, repeatedly repelling the enemy and recapturing invaded cities, ensuring the safety of our Longxuan border. I am greatly pleased and hereby bestow upon you ten thousand taels of gold and promote you by one rank. Each soldier of the three armies shall be bestowed with one thousand taels of silver and promoted by one rank. This is the imperial decree. Thank you for your grace!"
"Your Majesty, we accept your decree and thank you for your grace." Wei Ziqi and the others kowtowed in unison. Zheng Xuan waved his hand, signaling Wei Ziqi and the others to rise, and ordered the banquet to begin.
All the other officials raised their glasses and congratulated Wei Ziqi and the others. Jin Xuan would definitely give them the cold shoulder. After being rebuffed a few times, some officials could only leave awkwardly and turn their attention to Wei Ziqi and the others.
Zhengxuan, Aoxue, and Jinxuan were all preoccupied with their own thoughts and had no interest in watching the commotion. It seemed that it was no longer their business! At Aoxue's prompting, Zhengxuan decreed that the palace ladies could enjoy themselves as they pleased, while he left with the Empress, gesturing for Jinxuan to follow.
Upon entering the emperor's bedroom, the dignified and virtuous empress immediately reverted to her original self, completely ignoring the emperor's dark expression. She pulled Jinxuan to sit down and began to display her extraordinary spirit.
"Jinxuan, tell me quickly, what kind of person is Mo Jun? Is he really as handsome and cruel as the outside world says? Is he married? And how did he defeat Cang Liao's 100,000 troops with only 10,000? And also..." Aoxue rattled off a whole bunch of questions without stopping, as if she had finished in one breath.
Jinxuan was still reeling from the shock of her holding his hand in front of the Emperor when she launched into a barrage of questions, leaving him completely stunned.
"Don't just stand there! Tell me already!" After talking for a while and seeing that Jinxuan had no response at all, Aoxue became anxious and kept shaking Jinxuan, urging him on.
"Qing'er, how can Jin-di answer so many questions at once? Take your time, don't rush..."
Zhengxuan kindly stepped between the two, taking Aoxue's hand, which was holding Jinxuan's, in his palm.