lcionline Chapter 203 Paralysis
Chapter 203 Paralysis
Feeling the slightly trembling body in his arms, the emperor regretted it immensely. If he had known this would happen, he should never have left Jiang Ruyin in the Old Summer Palace. Even if the child died naturally, it would be better than letting her feel that she had failed to protect the child and that she had miscarried.
Soon, Jiang Ruyin calmed down, her eyelashes thick and long from tears. She forced a smile and apologized, "It's all my fault. I have the Emperor and Hongxuan. I should be content. I, I... woo..."
The emperor was heartbroken and hurriedly held her hand, "I know everything. It's my fault for not making arrangements properly. I, alas."
Jiang Ruyin choked up, stood up and bowed deeply, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I really can't serve you like this. Last night, I dreamed of that night again. In my dream, the child was still there, but I was really scared... I want to stay in the palace for a few months, eat vegetarian food, chant scriptures, and pray for the child, hoping that he will be reborn into a good family and live a safe life."
By the end, Jiang Ruyin was crying uncontrollably.
The emperor sighed. He had a premonition since Jiang Ruyin woke up in the middle of the night last night, but he didn't expect that Jiang Ruyin would actually think of closing the palace.
He raised his hand and asked all the palace servants to leave. "Forget it. I always thought there was still a chance to make amends, but I forgot that the person who has passed away can never be brought back. I promise you, Yin'er."
Jiang Ruyin then stood up, but the makeup around her eyes was already mottled, revealing her red and swollen skin.
The emperor blew on it carefully and said soothingly, "Hongxuan is already a half-grown boy. Do you think it would be better for him to stay in the back hall of the Yangxin Palace with me for the time being, or stay with you?"
To create this skin effect, Jiang Ruyin had smoked her eyes with candles for a long time after the emperor came to court. Now it really hurts. Gently touching the corners of her eyes, Jiang Ruyin lowered her eyes and said, "I hope Hongxuan can stay by my side. He will move to the prince's residence next year..."
The emperor had a thought, but he finally suppressed it, "I thought so too. Let him spend more time with you."
So much the better.
Jiang Ruyin raised her head and gazed deeply at the aging emperor.
It's too late, everything is too late.
After the Empress returned to the palace, Jiang Ruyin remained the most prominent figure, while others were eclipsed by the loss of their power. The Empress had gone mad. A few days ago, Concubine Chun revealed she was pregnant, yet the Empress still had her eyes fixed on her. Suddenly, more and more palace maids were wandering around Yongshou Palace.
Hongxuan hadn't even grown up yet, and next year he'd be assigned to the Imperial Study. And what about the Empress? The Empress of the past was like a crude porcelain Guanyin statue, spotless on the surface, but cracks riddled the back and base, revealing the muddy, rotting earth beneath. The Empress of today was a well-polished figure, the Empress Dowager's death adding a golden sheen to her image.
The death of the Queen Mother completely removed the shackles that bound the Queen, and it also became her trump card. Jiang Ruyin did not dare to gamble.
Thinking that Zhen Huan was about to return to the palace, there was no need for him to stand in front of her.
The green leaves turn a dull copper-yellow, and the bleak autumn arrives.
The emperor was still thinking about Jiang Ruyin at first, until floods occurred in Henan and Shandong. He immediately became extremely worried and stayed in the Yangxin Palace for half a month without sleep.
Su Peisheng replaced the cold tea in the cups with new tea for the umpteenth time, and the emperor suddenly burst into laughter.
"Great, great, great job, Tian Wenjing. Su Peisheng, summon Zhang Tingyu and Jing'e."
The emperor was happy and Su Peisheng was relieved, so he went there in a hurry.
"Henan and Shandong have been devastated by floods. Just yesterday, I issued an edict exempting the two regions from paying taxes and levies, as a way of reducing the burden on the victims and helping them weather the famine. Today, Tian Wenjing, the Governor-General of Henan and Shandong, submitted a memorial stating that while the harvests in Henan's flooded counties were inferior to previous years, they were far from a disaster, and that the people were eagerly paying taxes. He requested that Henan continue to collect taxes at the original rate. Tian Wenjing has not disappointed me. I summoned you here to discuss the feasibility of his proposal."
Jing'e, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Zhang Tingyu, who also served as the Minister of Revenue, listened quietly in the hall. Upon hearing this, they exchanged a glance. If the emperor truly wanted to discuss the matter, he would have summoned all the ministers to discuss it. However, the emperor only summoned the two officials from the Ministry of Revenue, which showed that he was biased.
Zhang Tingyu bowed. "Your Majesty, after Tian Wenjing was promoted to Governor of Henan, he actively investigated deficits and rectified the administration. He proposed reforms such as reducing fire consumption and dividing the land tax by the acreage, which made Henan, a province that had always been poor, one of the provinces that paid the most taxes at the time. Your Majesty is wise and has promoted this measure nationwide, with remarkable results. Tian Wenjing's many years of experience in local affairs have given him a deep understanding of the financial situation, so he was able to propose this measure. I believe it is feasible."
The emperor nodded and looked at Jing'e.
Jing E said respectfully, "Master Tian Wenjing is impartial and has offended many officials for the sake of the country and the people. This servant has absolutely no objection."
The emperor clapped his hands and said, "Since you two dear ministers feel the same way, I will grant him your permission!"
......
On Lingyun Peak in autumn, the wind carried a hint of chill. Withered, yellow leaves trembled on the branches, swirling helplessly and falling with each gust of autumn wind. Zhen Huan sat alone in her meditation room, her brow furrowed, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety.
Wen Shichu hesitated several times to speak, but Zhen Huan had already keenly sensed something was wrong. "Brother Shichu, I'm so grateful for running back and forth between the palace and Lingyun Peak for me. But how can I feel at ease if you're hiding something from me? There aren't many people in this world I care about, and you're one of them, along with Longyue and my family. Tell me, what's going on?"
Wen Shichu finally sighed and said slowly, "Huan'er, I didn't want to hide this from you, but knowing this won't help. It's really... alas. Uncle Zhen... he offended someone, and was beaten by some thugs. Now his lower body is paralyzed."
When Zhen Huan heard this, she was struck by lightning. Her face turned pale instantly, her eyes were filled with tears, her lips trembled, and she was unable to speak for a long time.
After Wen Shichu left, Zhen Huan walked out of the house in a daze, gazing at the rolling hills in the distance, tears streaming uncontrollably. The autumn wind blew freely, ruffling her hair, but it couldn't blow away the sadness and anger that filled her heart.
Cui Jinxi came out of the woodshed and hurried over to comfort her gently, "My wife is still weak. Let's go back to the house and think of a solution. It's better than being here in the cold wind."
Zhen Huan closed her eyes, "I know, let's go in."
Back in the house, Pei'er had come back at some point and was placing a few small porcelain bottles in the drawer beside Zhen Huan's bed.
Cui Jinxi frowned, "Pei'er, why didn't you tell me you were back? You left my wife out here alone."
Pei'er was startled and said hurriedly, "Aunt, please forgive me. I came up from the mountain road and haven't seen my wife yet."