Ne vous appuyez pas contre la rambarde ouest pour profiter pleinement de l'automne clair - Chapitre 123
Volume Two: The Resolute Heroines, Chapter Fifty: On the Eve of the Shocking Change
As soon as the court session ended today, Dong Cheng, the Grand Minister of Agriculture who usually finds fault with Tuoba Chen, for some unknown reason, actually stopped Tuoba Chen and said he wanted to have a go at chess.
Although he usually had some complaints about this old-fashioned man, the Grand Minister of Agriculture was, after all, a highly respected senior official, and even if he was unwilling, he still had to give him this much face.
To Tuoba Chen's utter surprise, this "sparring" lasted a full four hours, from sunrise to sunset! Don't mistake this Grand Marshal for a chess fanatic, completely absorbed in the game. According to Tuoba Chen's secret observation, this old-fashioned man had ulterior motives! He looked utterly helpless, yet stubbornly clung to Tuoba Chen, refusing to let him go. Tuoba Chen truly didn't believe there wasn't some hidden agenda!
Making up a random excuse, Tuoba Chen slipped away from the still "reluctant" Grand Minister of Agriculture, stretched his stiff neck, and strode towards his bedchamber...
"Where is the Emperor?" Why isn't he here? Could he be in the Imperial Study?
"Reporting to Prince Chen, His Majesty is currently enjoying a leisurely stroll in the Yechi Pond..."
Oh? The mistress seems to be in a lot of interest today!
With a doting smile, Tuoba Chen turned and left, leaving behind a palace maid who was completely mesmerized by his radiant smile...
Looking out, a large dragon boat was rowing from one end of the large pond to the other, followed by several smaller boats.
The water shimmered and rippled, carried by the warm spring breeze and bathed in the glow of the setting sun. The large boat slowly sailed to the center of the pond. A chorus of bells and drums rang out, accompanied by deafening music and singing. From time to time, the melodious voice of a woman could be heard from the boat.
Her sleeves fluttered, releasing a lingering fragrance.
Red lotus blossoms sway in the willow smoke
A sudden gust of wind ripples beneath the light cloud ridge
Tender willows brush the water's surface by the pond.
The singing grew increasingly cheerful, and the woman on the boat then sang another song:
Dragon boats are pulled eastward again.
Red and red on the lotus lake
The waves are faint and the water is soft.
The path through the lotus flowers is impassable.
...
As the soft song ended, the woman's gentle, pleading voice could be faintly heard from the pond: "Your Majesty, how was my singing, Your Majesty!"
"Ahem, you sang very well. Your voice was clear, melodious, and pleasant to the ear. It could linger for three days and make one forget the taste of meat for three months..."
"Your Majesty, how did the young lady sing just now?"
"Hmm, not bad either. This music should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear it on earth..."
"Your Majesty, then tell me, who sings better between the two of us? Please tell me, Your Majesty!"
"Ahem, everything's fine, everything's good..."
"They won't listen!"
As the large ship drew closer, those on the shore could clearly see the person standing on its deck: a nine-inch crown reaching to the heavens, and a robe adorned with twelve symbols of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and pheasants. A lake breeze stirred, causing the robe to flutter gently, and a throng of women surrounded her like stars around the moon: some with furrowed brows and low-cut collars, some with rosy cheeks, some exuding a captivating fragrance, some like pear blossoms glistening with rain, some with slender waists like willows… A diverse array of beauties, each with their own unique allure, she was the envy of every man in the world. Of course, this was all assuming one ignored the man's perpetually grimacing face on the deck.
Wow, so that's what that old guy was planning! Standing by the pool, Tuoba Chen watched the large ship getting closer and closer, looking at the ship full of red and green things, and felt a little amused and exasperated.
As soon as the ship docked, Rong Yuejiu, who had already reached her limit, couldn't wait to jump off the ship first, practically fleeing with the wind beneath her feet. But how could the Grand Minister of Agriculture, who had painstakingly arranged this "matchmaking event," let her have her way so easily? A group of old ministers appeared out of nowhere at the opportune moment, lined up, and successfully blocked Rong Yuejiu's way.
"Your Majesty, please present the plaques!" Dong Cheng placed the plate containing the white jade plaques in front of Rong Yue. His serious expression and unquestionable tone clearly told Rong Yue that there was absolutely no room for negotiation on this matter.
"Your Majesty, please put up the plaque!" The other ministers echoed, their posture suggesting they wouldn't give up until the plaque was put up this Rongyue.
"Insolence!" Seeing them pressing Rongyue step by step, Tuoba Chen's face darkened and he shouted coldly, his sharp gaze sweeping over them: "Grand Minister of Agriculture, are you forcing the Emperor?"
Upon hearing Tuoba Chen's attack, Dong Cheng, along with a group of senior officials, immediately knelt before Rong Yue, their backs ramrod straight: "Your Majesty, please understand. We had no intention of being presumptuous. It's just that the harem is empty, the empress's position is without a ruler, and the emperor has no queen. We, your subjects, eat the emperor's food and receive his salary; it is our duty to plan for him and worry about him! Forgive my frankness, but while it is not for us ministers to comment on who Your Majesty favors, Your Majesty must understand that this empire does not belong to Your Majesty alone, but to the entire Loulan empire!" "This family matter is not just Your Majesty's concern, but the entire Loulan's! Since ancient times, imperial heirs have been of utmost importance. Without an heir, are we to wait until Your Majesty passes away before handing over the throne to another? Your Majesty, I know my words have been disrespectful and treasonous, but my actions stem entirely from loyalty to the Emperor, as the sun and moon can attest! If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I have nothing to say. However, I sincerely hope Your Majesty will awaken to the gravity of the situation as soon as possible, understand the implications, and take a wife and concubines, rather than clinging to a tree that will never bear fruit!"
After saying that, Dong Cheng glanced coldly at Tuoba Chen out of the corner of his eye, the meaning of which was self-evident.
His face immediately turned green! The ice shards sped towards Dong Cheng, and everyone around could feel the chill emanating from Tuoba Chen.
If the occasion weren't so inappropriate, Rongyue would have loved to burst out laughing. This Dong Cheng is truly an "outspoken" minister, so outspoken it's almost unbearable!
Pulling back the about-to-break Tuoba Chen, Rongyue picked up the jade token from the plate and weighed it in her hand: "If I just put the token down, will you let me go?"
"Your Majesty is filled with trepidation..."
"Don't give me that bureaucratic airs. Just say it, isn't that enough?"
The veteran officials exchanged glances, knelt before Rongyue, and nodded.
That's good!
Holding the jade token, Rongyue slowly weaved through the group of shy beauties. Amidst the swirling fragrance, she walked past one beauty after another without making a sound, until she stopped in front of the cold and beautiful woman at the very end, dressed in a purple cloud-patterned dress.
Deliberately leaning forward, Rongyue brought her face close to the purple-clad beauty's cheek and took a light sniff. She pretended to be intoxicated, narrowing her almond-shaped eyes, but a wicked smile curled at the corner of her lips: "So fragrant!"
With a flirtatious gesture, Rongyue lifted the purple-clad beauty's chin, raising her duck-shaped face. She breathed hot air onto her rosy cheeks: "If there were someone on the mountain slope, draped in ivy and adorned with maidenhair fern, with a gaze both alluring and smiling, I would admire her graceful figure. My beauty, it is you..."
Amidst the envious and jealous gazes of the women, Rongyue forcefully shoved the jade token into the hand of the purple-clad beauty, then pulled her through the crowd towards the Grand Minister of Agriculture, who was still kneeling on the ground.
"Grand Minister of Agriculture, do you think this beauty I've chosen suits your taste?"
"Ah? Your Majesty... Your Majesty, what is this...?"
"What's wrong? Could it be that this beauty doesn't meet the Minister of Agriculture's standards? No way, I think this beauty is excellent!"