Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 346 Sowing Discord (Part 3)

The medicine was still warm, with plenty of licorice added, so it wasn't bitter at all. It slid smoothly down my throat and into my stomach.

After drinking his medicine, Eunuch Shen stood respectfully in place, holding the bowl.

Emperor Jian'an stared at Eunuch Shen for a long time, and only after confirming that there was nothing unusual about him did he let him leave.

Eunuch Shen carried the bowl out of the palace, his expression as usual. He called over a young eunuch in a slightly high-pitched voice: "His Majesty has already taken the medicine. Take the bowl back."

The young eunuch responded and quickly took the bowl away.

The tinkling of jade pendants and a familiar fragrance wafted over.

Eunuch Shen hurriedly bowed and said, "This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince."

When the prince turned one year old, Emperor Jian'an issued an imperial edict to appoint him as the crown prince. The crown prince, who was not yet two years old, was chubby and fair-skinned, with a tiger-like face, like a doll in a New Year's painting. He loved to laugh and was very lovable.

Zhang Jingwan would bring the Crown Prince over every day to have dinner with Emperor Jian'an.

The past barriers seem to have faded away.

However, how can a broken mirror be put back together without cracks? It's just a matter of mutual restraint and preserving some dignity.

"Your Majesty, have you taken your medicine today?" Zhang Jingwan asked softly.

Emperor Jian'an raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Zhang Jingwan: "They all drank it."

Zhang Jingwan felt a little uncomfortable being stared at, so she pushed the Crown Prince to the edge of the dragon bed: "Ange'er, talk to your father."

Ange'er, who was a little over one year old, walked unsteadily and spoke unclearly. Under Zhang Jingwan's guidance, he called out "Father Emperor".

Emperor Jian'an's expression softened considerably. He reached out and patted his son's head, patiently listening to what An'ge'er had to say.

The father was kind and the son was filial, and they were very happy. Zhang Jingwan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile flashed in her eyes. She casually said, "As the saying goes, a nephew resembles his uncle. Our An'er doesn't look like you or me. He looks more like my older brother."

The smile in Emperor Jian'an's eyes faded slightly: "An'ge'er does indeed look like his brother-in-law."

Zhang Jingwan, oblivious to anything amiss, continued with a smile, "My elder brother is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and has been hailed as a child prodigy since childhood. Our An'er will surely be a bright and intelligent child in the future."

Emperor Jian'an looked at the smiling empress, his thoughts unknown, and gave a faint reply.

After dinner, Emperor Jian'an said he was tired, and Zhang Jingwan had no choice but to leave with the Crown Prince.

Watching the mother and son leave, Emperor Jian'an remained silent for a long time. He then took out the letter from under his pillow and read it again. The handwriting on the letter came to life, leaping off the page and shimmering before his eyes, slowly transforming into a watercolor painting.

The beautiful and spirited female general smiled at him.

He reached out and gently touched her brow with his fingertips. The moment his fingertips touched her, the ink painting scattered and flowed away.

Qinghe, Pei Qinghe. Why won't you marry me?
You, a woman, have the same ambition to seize the world as Zhang?
Emperor Jian'an's eyes reddened, and he closed them tightly.

……

The following day, Emperor Jian'an was helped to sit on the dragon throne.

Ultimately, the decisions regarding court affairs rested with General Zhang. However, with the Emperor sitting high on the dragon throne, General Zhang had to report all military matters to the Emperor. This made the civil and military officials feel much better.

Even if it's a puppet, it should at least look like a puppet. That would be much better!

For the next few days, it was the same every day. The clamorous rumors did not stop, but instead intensified. Some unscrupulous person wrote a story about an arrogant general, adapted it into a play, and sang it in brothels and teahouses.

The phrase "The dragon vein falls, the Zhang family prospers" appeared once again. This time, a fisherman caught a large fish, and when he cut open its belly, he found a piece of yellow silk with six large characters embroidered on it.

Because of General Zhang's imposing presence, no one dared to speak up in court, but rumors circulated among the officials: "General Zhang is trying to seize the throne."

"Even if we don't seize the throne, the court still belongs to the Zhang family. General Zhang has the final say in all matters, big and small."

"Shh, everyone keep your mouth shut. If this gets back to General Zhang, you'll be in big trouble."

Such rumors even circulated within the palace.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingwan was shocked and took the young crown prince to Emperor Jian'an. She hurriedly defended her father and brother, saying, "Cousin, my father and brother are both loyal. When you were trapped in the capital, they led the Bohai Army there. They also welcomed you to Bohai County and supported you to become emperor."

"They have absolutely no rebellious intentions."

Emperor Jian'an gently replied, "Rest assured, I have never doubted them. One is my maternal uncle and father-in-law, and the other is my cousin and brother-in-law. Without their strong support, how could I have obtained the throne?"

"My current position is all thanks to the Zhang family. Those villains who are plotting behind the scenes are using such despicable schemes to sow discord between me and the Zhang family. It is truly laughable."

Emperor Jian'an spoke with such conviction that Zhang Jingwan felt even more flustered. She wanted to say something, but had nothing more to say.

After returning to her dormitory, Zhang Jingwan covered her face and cried.

They were together since childhood, married for three years, and she even bore him children.

But why did they go further and further away?
It was as if an invisible chasm separated the couple. They were so close, yet they could no longer walk hand in hand.

……

Li, who rarely appeared in public, sent a memorial to the palace.

This memorial was a plea to the emperor to allow the Pei family elders to return to Youzhou.

"...I am eighty-eight years old, and I am dizzy, have blurred vision, and am hard of hearing. Lately, I have been having nightmares frequently. I fear that my day of passing is not far off."

"Fallen leaves should return to their roots. This old woman wishes to see the Pei family's children and grandchildren one last time before closing her eyes and passing away. I humbly beg Your Majesty's permission!"

Meng Liulang presented a memorial on behalf of Lady Li, pleading for her in front of all the officials: "Lady Li has been in Bohai County for more than five years. Now that she is old, she misses her children and grandchildren and longs to return home."

"Please grant them permission to return home, Your Majesty."

Prime Minister Pang also stepped forward to speak on behalf of the Li family and the others: "The Pei family is loyal and virtuous. These women lost their husbands and children and grandchildren back then and were exiled to Youzhou, barely surviving. Now that they wish to return to Youzhou, Your Majesty should allow them to go back!"

Emperor Jian'an was moved and was about to nod in agreement.

Zhang Yun, the Vice Minister of Revenue, stepped forward and said, "I believe this matter is inappropriate."

"After the Pei family women came to Bohai County, the Emperor bestowed imperial titles upon the Li and Lu families, and also granted the Pei family a large mansion. Over the years, the Emperor has never treated them poorly."

"General Pei leads his troops into battle, and it is only right that His Majesty supports his many elders. However, Madam Li is over eighty years old and cannot withstand the arduous journey. If she were to die on the way, how could His Majesty face General Pei?"

"There has been no war in Youzhou for a year, and the Xiongnu barbarians show no signs of making any moves for the time being. Your Majesty should issue an imperial edict to summon General Pei to Bohai County so that they can reunite. In this way, we can save Lady Li from the trouble of traveling and also fulfill General Pei's loyalty and filial piety."

(End of this chapter)