The Second Master of the Red Chamber

The imperial court is quite efficient in certain matters.

Just a few days after Emperor Ningkang issued the decree, a grand ceremony to confer the title of Crown Prince was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The emperor did not participate, leaving the three prime ministers and the Ministry of Rites to take full responsibility.

After a serious and complicated process, the fourth prince officially succeeded to the position of crown prince.

The Prince Xiao's residence shall henceforth be renamed the Crown Prince's residence.

As they walked out of the main hall and headed towards the Zhonghe Hall for their temporary stay, the Fourth Prince sighed, "Jia Lian, I still feel like it's all unreal."

I initially thought you were just joking, but I never expected you to actually do it.

"This is all due to Your Highness's destiny, and it has little to do with me."

Furthermore, Your Highness should henceforth refer to yourself as "I" (孤), and avoid using "I" (我).

The fourth prince looked displeased. "Now, even you want to lecture me?"

"I don't dare."

The fourth prince snorted.

He wasn't targeting Jia Lian, but ever since the Third Prince was deposed and Emperor Ningkang issued an edict to make him the Crown Prince, he hadn't had a single good day.

The ministers of the cabinet and the Ministry of Rites kept him occupied every day, either teaching him the virtues and skills of being a ruler, or forcing him to practice his manners and speech at the enthronement ceremony and the ceremony of worshipping Heaven and ancestors.

This left him with no time to rest for even half a day.

"Jia Lian, do you know that on the day Prince Yun plotted rebellion, Father Emperor summoned me to the palace and taught me many things?"

I really have no confidence in becoming the crown prince.

I even told my father that you are more suitable for this position than I am, and asked him to make you the crown prince.

Anyway, you're our cousin, so you're qualified to sit in this position..."

The fourth prince spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but Jia Lian's heart was pounding, unsure whether to be moved or to curse.

Are all of them so angry at him that they want to kill him and want to get rid of him?

Even if his relationship with Emperor Ningkang was very strong, it couldn't withstand your constant attempts to sow discord.

"Then... what did His Majesty say?" Jia Lian asked cautiously.

The fourth prince glanced at him and said with a sneer, "He scolded me and then locked me in the study, where I read books all day long."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian felt a pang of sympathy for the Fourth Prince.

No wonder I haven't seen him lately; he's probably cramming for the last minute.

"His Majesty is doing this for His Highness's own good."

The fourth prince sighed deeply, said nothing, and went into the palace to rest.

He still has to go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay homage to Heaven and his ancestors later, which involves another set of procedures.

If I don't take a break now, I'll be exhausted.

Jia Lian did not follow him any further.

When paying homage to Heaven and ancestors, only officials from the imperial clan, the Ministry of Rites, and the Court of State Ceremonial need to accompany the ceremonies; other officials are not required to accompany them.

Jia Lian then bid farewell to Princess Zhaoyang and the others, and went to Daming Palace to visit Emperor Ningkang.

A senior eunuch came out and said, "His Majesty is unwell and has no intention of receiving guests. Please let Rong Gong go on his own."

Jia Lian did not insist upon hearing this.

Emperor Ningkang's health was indeed deteriorating.

Even if he doesn't remain unconscious all day like he pretended before, it won't be much better.

The only good news was that he finally came to his senses and handed over the administration to Zhao Dongsheng, Prince Bei Jing, and the eldest princess to assist him, no longer bothering with paperwork.

Otherwise, I'm really afraid he might suddenly die.

"I hope you will convey my greetings to His Majesty on my behalf."

In addition, I plan to visit the Emperor Emeritus at Chonghua Palace, and I would appreciate it if you could inform His Majesty of this as well.

"My slave will do it."

Jia Lian nodded and left the Daming Palace.

Jia Lian hadn't visited Chonghua Palace before because he was afraid that Emperor Ningkang would become suspicious.

Now that the crown prince has been chosen and the foundation of the state is secure, these concerns have naturally diminished considerably. Jia Lian should also go and visit the retired emperor.

……

At Chonghua Palace, Jia Lian saw the Emperor Emeritus again, feeling somewhat dazed.

If it were the former retired emperor, although he was old, he still possessed a strong spirit and vitality.

But right now, that energy and spirit seem to have disappeared.

He looked no different from any other ordinary elderly person in the countryside.

His hair and beard were white, his body was hunched, and he was thin and bony.

It looks like it's on its last legs.

Upon seeing Jia Lian, a smile appeared on his face, and he greeted him, "Good grandson, you've come! Come here quickly..."

Jia Lian stepped forward slowly and suddenly asked the old eunuch beside him, "Is there any servant who has failed to take good care of me?"

The old eunuch was taken aback, opened his mouth, but ultimately just shook his head silently.

The Emperor Emeritus sensed Jia Lian's concern and smiled.

"Don't make things difficult for him; it has nothing to do with the servants."

My grandfather is eighty-two years old this year, and it's about time for him to pass away.

only……"

As the retired emperor spoke, he suddenly choked up.

He wiped his eyes and looked at Jia Lian, saying, "It's just that my grandfather is incompetent and couldn't take that position back for you..."

Jia Lian felt somewhat helpless.

The old man is still thinking about this.

He squatted down, grasped the Emperor Emeritus's dark-spotted hand, and comforted him, "Grandpa, I know how good you are to your grandson."

"But that position should have belonged to Sixth Uncle..."

"What should be his? That's mine, it was given to him by me."

Seeing that the Emperor Emeritus was somewhat agitated, Jia Lian didn't want to upset him, so he smiled and didn't continue.

The retired emperor calmed down and sighed, "Actually, you are right. The only way to protect yourself is to be loyal to him now."

Grandfather feels guilty for not restoring your identity sooner and allowing you to be recognized as a member of your clan.

"If my grandfather had known you were this outstanding, he would have risked his life to save that position for you..."

Jia Lian knew that people become more stubborn as they get older.

Moreover, the retired emperor was clearly devastated by his two defeats to Emperor Ningkang, so it would be better to go along with him at this time.

So he coaxed, "Alright, I understand how good Grandpa is to his grandson."

But in his grandson's heart, His Majesty was truly a wise ruler and a good emperor.

"Grandpa's choice of Sixth Uncle was the wisest decision he ever made."

Hearing Jia Lian say this, the retired emperor felt very uncomfortable.

I don't know whether I should admit that my decision was wise.

Even if Emperor Ningkang was a good emperor, it cannot cover up the fact that he was an unfilial son.

However, he could also see that Jia Lian truly respected Emperor Ningkang, and there was no ambition or resentment in his eyes, which finally put his mind at ease. "So be it, it's for the best."

I chose him because he was relatively calm and composed, unlike your other uncles who acted unscrupulously.

Given his personality and your loyalty to him, it's unlikely he would do anything to harm you.

It's just that you've had to go through this."

Jia Lian didn't know why the Emperor Emeritus was so affectionate towards him.

Perhaps love that comes late is often the most profound.

He appreciated their sentiments, but could not comply with their wishes.

There's nothing to feel wronged about.

"Grandpa probably doesn't know yet, but His Majesty has appointed me as the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison, putting me in command of 100,000 troops."

It was said to be 100,000, but in reality, the Beijing garrison did not have 100,000 troops.

For example, the Imperial Guards numbered 100,000, but in reality, the six old battalions of the Imperial Guards, plus the firearms battalion newly established by Jia Lian, only amounted to a little over 80,000 troops.

This is already an exaggerated number of Imperial Guard troops.

If the current imperial city were not so spacious, even stationing 80,000 imperial guards would be a problem.

When Jia Lian said that Emperor Ningkang had put him in charge of the Beijing Garrison, the retired emperor was clearly taken aback.

Before meeting Jia Lian, he was still a little worried about Jia Lian's safety.

Upon seeing Jia Lian and learning that he was safe and sound, his resentment towards Emperor Ningkang lessened considerably.

However, he still couldn't believe that Emperor Ningkang trusted Jia Lian so much.

Not only did they spare his life, but they also dared to hand over the Beijing Garrison to him!

As an emperor who had ruled the world for decades, the retired emperor understood how much courage it would take to do this.

He didn't want to admit that his unfilial son truly possessed such imperial bearing.

"He's only doing this for the sake of showing off to the world."

He can bestow this upon you now, and he can naturally take it back in the future.

Don't forget how he stripped you of the firearms battalion you'd worked so hard to build!

Jia Lian chuckled, knowing that the retired emperor harbored deep resentment towards Emperor Ningkang.

I didn't want to discuss Emperor Ningkang with him anymore, so I started talking about the current situation in the court and the country, mainly about the fourth prince's promotion to crown prince.

Jia Lian also envisioned a grand plan where he would assist the fourth prince in eliminating border troubles and making the Great Wei a force to be reckoned with across the world…

Seeing the Emperor Emeritus stunned by his words, Jia Lian chuckled inwardly, thinking to himself that he indeed had the potential to become a sycophantic minister.

Looking back, this is how Emperor Ningkang was successfully tricked into coming ashore.

During the pause Jia Lian made, the Emperor Emeritus sighed, "It's a pity that my grandfather won't live to see that day."

Jia Lian looked up and saw the regret in the Emperor Emeritus's eyes.

That is a human being's infinite longing for the world when he knows his time is up.

"Grandpa, rest assured and you will have the chance to see it eventually."

"Ah……"

The retired emperor shook his head, his tone desolate: "You don't need to comfort me. He won't be at peace unless I die before him."

Jia Lian understood the meaning behind the Emperor Emeritus's words.

He thought to himself that the old man was indeed a man who had sat on the throne for a long time and was well-versed in the art of power.

Isn't this quite clear and transparent?

There is absolutely no sign of Alzheimer's disease.

Why is it that I'm so fixated on that position and can't let go?

He should have known that as long as he humbled himself and yielded to Emperor Ningkang, Emperor Ningkang would not treat him harshly, even considering the evaluation of him by the world and by history.

But it's pointless to talk about this now.

Two defeats nearly exhausted the remaining prestige of the retired emperor.

Even if he wanted to cause trouble again, few ministers would dare to follow him.

Of course, this is on the premise that he still has the energy to cause trouble.

……

After leaving Chonghua Palace, Jia Lian prepared to go to Kunning Palace to pay his respects to the Empress.

So they headed west, intending to exit through the west gate.

But as soon as he reached the western palace wall and saw the familiar palace path, he involuntarily slowed his pace.

Beside it is a winding stream, and in front of it is a small arched bridge.

Suddenly, my memories returned to the past.

It was on this very bridge that the Crown Princess pushed Zhen Yuhuan into the water.

At that time, he and Princess Zhaoyang were having a secret rendezvous inside the walled area. Hearing the noise, he climbed over the wall from where he is now standing.

If he remembers correctly, there should be an old crabapple tree in the corner inside.

Jia Lian looked up and, sure enough, he could see several crabapple buds standing tall just beyond the palace wall.

Seeing beautiful flowers inevitably reminds one of beautiful women.

Thinking of the beauty who had once captivated him at first glance, Jia Lian couldn't help but walk to the gate of Weiyang Palace.

"Jia Lian has come to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. He hopes that the two young ladies will inform her."

Because of Princess Zhaoyang, the people in the Empress Dowager's palace were not subjected to a major purge.

However, they are not allowed to leave the palace at will.

All daily expenses could only be provided unilaterally by the Imperial Household Department.

Upon seeing that it was Jia Lian, a favorite of the emperor, the palace maid dared not be negligent and hurriedly went in to report.

A moment later, the palace maid ran back and said to Jia Lian with some regret, "The Empress Dowager said she will not see him."

Jia Lian, who was standing properly in front of the palace gate, felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this and asked again:
"What else did the Empress Dowager say?"

"Her Majesty only said two words, so Rong Gong, please return..."

The palace maids were also puzzled as to why the Empress Dowager was not visiting them and why she was behaving so stiffly.

Putting aside the fact that Jia Lian wields immense power, cultivating good relations with him would also benefit the Empress's situation.

Back then, Jia Lian was a frequent visitor to Weiyang Palace.

Although it was mostly because of the princess that he was summoned and reprimanded.

But the fact that the Empress Dowager was willing to reprimand her shows that she values ​​her.

Moreover, everyone knows that Weiyang Palace has been able to maintain its current state thanks to the eldest princess.

The relationship between the eldest princess and Jia Lian is self-evident.

What's wrong with Your Highness? You seem to dislike Jia Lian.

Jia Lian had only thought of it on a whim, wanting to see this great beauty who was confined to the deep palace.

I didn't expect to be turned away.

He awkwardly touched his nose and silently left.

...(End of chapter)