Jiuxi

Chapter 1025 [A Good Beginning and a Good End]

The door of Mingxuan Hall opened, and Lu Chen walked out calmly. He glanced at Ruolan who was waiting anxiously, and said, "His Majesty summoned you in."

Ruolan heard that he was very calm, breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly called other female officials to come in.

After lunch, according to palace regulations, Empress Dowager Ning needed to change clothes, and the female officials, led by Ruolan, immediately began to make arrangements.

In the back hall, Ruolan carefully helped Empress Dowager Ning straighten the wrinkles on her clothes. When she stood up, she found that the Empress Dowager was still in a trance.

She signaled everyone else to step aside for the time being, then quietly looked at Empress Dowager Ning's face, and soon her expression became a little strange.

Because she saw a hint of shame on Empress Dowager Ning's face.

According to her understanding, this was very much like a manifestation of being unable to obtain something that one desired. Thinking about Lu Chen's calmness and indifference that she had just witnessed, she couldn't help but become more certain of this speculation.

Is it...

Ruolan absolutely did not believe that the empress dowager whom she had served for many years would really be tempted by worldly desires. This must be a conspiracy!
"What are you thinking about?"

The gentle tone of Empress Dowager Ning awakened Ruolan from her daydreaming. She quickly shook her head and said, "No, I'm not thinking about anything."

"Now even you are starting to play dumb in front of me."

Queen Mother Ning snorted, but she was obviously not really angry, so Ruolan was not panicked, but the next moment the Queen Mother's words still made her heart tremble: "Actually, you guessed it right. I really want to... want to shamelessly offer myself to you today."

Given her character and scheming, and the fact that she was facing the female official whom she trusted the most, with whom she could talk almost anything and who knew most of her secrets, she was still very embarrassed when she said the latter sentence.

Ruolan never expected the Queen Mother to speak so directly, and immediately murmured, "Your Majesty, I didn't hear anything."

Queen Mother Ning looked at her with pity and shook her head, "What are you afraid of? I didn't do anything in the end."

Ruolan responded.

Queen Mother Ning said with a sigh, "I have heard that there is no cat in this world that does not steal fish, but now I have seen an exception."

Ruolan wanted to persuade her not to continue, because the meaning behind her words was a bit like regret, but the problem was, was this a good thing? Once it was spread, it would definitely cause an uproar.

However, she also knew why Queen Dowager Ning did this. If this happened, even for the sake of a romantic moment, the King of Qin would not do anything bad to the emperor.

After all, this is just an unspoken deal.

"I had thought of many possibilities beforehand, and the fact that he could remain so indifferent and polite was indeed the most surprising result for me. It also shows that he has a heart of stone and is determined to move forward towards that goal without any hesitation."

Queen Mother Ning no longer had the same expression as before. She said calmly, "But this is not a bad thing. At least it proves that he can keep his words and deeds consistent with his original intentions, and he also has a formidable self-control. This is enough."

Ruolan finally realized that the Queen Mother had made up her mind.

She didn't know whether to be happy or sad, she could only hope that it was true as the Queen Mother said, and that the young prince outside would not let her down.

At this moment, Lu Chen was standing in the pavilion outside Mingxuan Hall, looking at the courtyard in front of him with an expressionless face.

Although Queen Dowager Ning's actions were not entirely within his expectations, he was not infatuated with them, because he was often influenced by Wang Chulong in the mansion and had a good resistance to such elegant and luxurious temptations. The most important thing was that he knew very well that Queen Dowager Ning would not be so naive as to think that she could control Lu Chen by just having a little fun.

In other words, it is difficult to determine in a short period of time whether this is a heart-pounding mutual attraction or a smile with hidden dangers.

Judging from Lu Chen's experience, the latter possibility is probably more likely.

Considering his current position, it doesn't matter whether he is moved or not. There is no need for him to take the risk.

After all, if an accident happened, the price he would have to pay would be too heavy.

Looking at the bleak winter scene before him, Lu Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Today's garden party was not without gain. At least he already understood Empress Dowager Ning's bottom line, which was not to hurt her only flesh and blood. On this basis, other issues could be discussed.

In this way, Lu Chen can focus his energy on those conspirators hiding in the dark.

The sound of footsteps gradually came from behind him. Lu Chen turned around and asked calmly, "Your Majesty, do you want to continue to tour the garden or take a break?"

Queen Mother Ning's face showed no abnormality either. She thought for a moment and said, "We had a lot of fun the first half of the day. Now there is no need to deliberately explore the scenery in the garden. Why don't you take a walk with me, Prince Qin? We can walk as far as we want. When I'm tired, we can return to the palace."

Lu Chen had no objection and stepped aside to ask for help. The king and his ministers walked in front, and more than ten female officials led by Ruolan lagged behind by three or four feet.

"King Qin, you know that during the past few months since you left the capital, the capital seemed calm on the surface, but in fact, there were some people secretly colluding with each other. They planned to launch a surprise attack on you when you gradually let down your guard."

Queen Mother Ning looked ahead and said calmly, "They are very patient and well organized. It is difficult for others to get a full picture of the situation from the outside."

In fact, Lu Chen had already roughly figured out what the Empress Dowager was thinking, but he still felt a little awkward after hearing these words, so he sighed and said, "Your Majesty is really honest."

"Because I know you have never let down your guard, never before and never in the future, so those undercurrents can be hidden from others but not from you. I know what you want to say. From the perspective of the Heavenly Family, even if I cannot do anything, I will try my best to help them conceal their traces, because even if some of these people want to seek wealth and fame in danger, most of them still take risks because of their loyalty. They are helping the Heavenly Family to seek that faint hope, how can I betray them?"

Queen Mother Ning had obviously let down her guard, and there was almost no concealment in her words. She continued, "However, I feel that, putting aside the contradictions in their positions, many people are not treacherous or evil. Why should we force them to risk their lives for a goal that has almost no hope of success? Isn't it a better choice to let them remain useful and fight for the simple people of this land?"

Lu Chen fell silent.

Whether Empress Dowager Ning was forced by the situation or believed this from the bottom of her heart, it was extremely rare to be able to take this step.

Not everyone has the courage to let go.

Queen Mother Ning turned to look at Lu Chen and asked, "I really want to know, can you trust me just once?"

Lu Chen met her clear eyes, thought for a moment and replied: "Of course."

"In that case, tell me the information you have, and I will handle this matter, okay?"

"can."

After a brief conversation, a faint smile appeared on Queen Ning's face.

Lu Chen asked, "I'm not being disrespectful, I just really want to know whether Your Majesty has had this intention for a long time, or whether he just made a last-minute decision."

When she heard him mention what happened just now, Queen Mother Ning was still somewhat uncomfortable. She turned her head and said, "It's not a sudden decision, but I did make up my mind just now. Because I suddenly thought of a problem that has been overlooked, a problem that is actually very important."

Lu Chen looked at her curiously.

Queen Mother Ning continued, "Since I came to power three years ago, I have always trusted you. I have given you power and people, and I have given you money. Of course, you have lived up to my trust, and your achievements have even far exceeded my expectations. In this way, I have invested a lot of effort and cost in you, and you are a person who values ​​friendship and loyalty. Therefore, for now, I have hit the jackpot in the past few years. I have a certain friendship with you, and I should be able to avoid the worst outcome in the future, right?"

The winter afternoon sun was quite warm, and Lu Chen was in a good mood. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, thank you for your compliment. I'm afraid Prime Minister Xue will not think that I am loyal and righteous."

"You are, so you have been hesitating. I know it very well. Otherwise, after you have recovered Jiangbei and persuaded Prime Minister Xu, you would have been ready to seize power. But you have been extremely restrained and forbearing."

Empress Dowager Ning said meaningfully, "I was thinking that it was because of Emperor Gaozong's support that made you hesitate. It could also be that I have done a good job in the past few years, so you are reluctant to be aggressive."

Lu Chen sighed, "I always feel that there are no secrets in front of His Majesty."

Queen Mother Ning said slowly, "These are not secrets. It's just that it's hard for people in the game to see clearly. After thinking about this problem clearly, I can't help but realize that if it comes to a fight, who can defeat you, the King of Qin who has hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers and whose power is spread all over the court? In the end, it will not only increase casualties, but also will not change the outcome. On the contrary, it will destroy the results of my concessions in the past few years and give you a reasonable excuse to take that step."

She stopped, looked at Lu Chen and said solemnly: "This deal is too unprofitable. I can't accept it."

At this point, her entire mental journey was revealed to Lu Chen.

Although there was still a hint of loneliness in the depths of her eyes, she was clearly in a more relaxed mood than before, hence her slightly self-deprecating tone.

For Lu Chen, this result was unexpected, even if it was not a complete turn of events.

Facing the gaze of Queen Mother Ning, Lu Chen said slowly: "Your Majesty, I have never thought of hurting you and the emperor. I don't want to make too many verbal statements. Many people don't understand what I want to do, and I am too lazy to explain it to them one by one. One day in the future, when they see the vicissitudes of life in the world, they will understand that for me, public spirit is private spirit, and private spirit is public spirit."

"I was unsure before, so I hesitated to make a decision. Now I am willing to take one last step back."

Queen Mother Ning said softly: "Lu Chen, I hope you can live up to those two words."

Lu Chen looked at her calmly and nodded, "An Zhi."

The bright sunshine shines on them, creating a soft glow.

(End of this chapter)