Jiuxi

Chapter 723 [What is life like]

The word "accept fate" is full of reluctance.

But helpless.

In the eyes of most people, Princess Yongping's status is that of a top figure. She is destined to enjoy endless wealth and glory from the moment she was born. So why would she feel unwilling and helpless?

How can we accept our fate?
In fact, Qing Yu Huaijin's resistance to the emperor's arranged marriage was not entirely out of personal emotion. After witnessing the changes in the court over the years, she was quite wary of the emperor who seemed to love her so much, and subconsciously felt that the marriage between the royal family and the Qing Yu family was not that simple.

In addition, after the sudden death of the crown prince, the emperor put pressure on her father step by step, which made her decide to write that short message with only eight words to Lu Chen.

Generally speaking, if the emperor wanted to kill everyone, she didn't mind taking the craziest path.

However, the situation changed quickly. When the victory report of the battle of Kaocheng in the south came, Qing Yu Huaijin knew that this was ultimately a move by the emperor to seduce the monarch and ministers of Southern Qi. Moreover, the emperor made it clear that he wanted her to marry the fourth prince Hai Ge, which undoubtedly pointed out a clear way for Qing Yu.

Exchange part of Qing Yu's military power for the future position of queen.

At this point, Qing Yu Huaijin no longer had the qualifications to continue to be willful.

So she could only accept her fate.

So be it. Qing Yu will hand over part of her military power as an example, so that the emperor can successfully gather forces from all sides and make the throne of the royal family more stable. At the same time, she can get the position of queen by marrying the fourth prince, thereby ensuring the prosperity and wealth of the Qing Yu clan.

Just at this moment, Lu Chen's reply finally reached her hands.

On the letter paper, the four words "Just as a memorial" were particularly eye-catching.

Qing Yu Huaijin's mind flashed back to every detail of his time in Heluo City.

Being a prisoner obviously would not be a good memory. In the past two years, she has tried her best to avoid reminiscing about the past. But at this moment, looking at the neat handwriting on the letter paper, she could not help but open the dusty door.

To be fair, apart from being slapped by Lin Xi in Heluo City, Qing Yu Huaijin did not suffer any terrible treatment, and that slap was because she provoked Lin Xi first.

She was certainly not deliberately beautifying that memory. As the daughter of Qing Yugong, she had a very clear understanding of the cruelty of war. Under normal circumstances, with her identity and appearance, once she fell into the hands of the enemy, she would inevitably not be able to escape the fate of being humiliated in every way.

Perhaps it was because of this that she kept Lu Chen's words in mind instead of just hating him.

"No wonder you wanted to leave a way out for the Qingyu family so early on. Now it seems that we are in the same boat."

Qing Yu Huaijin whispered to himself with a self-deprecating smile on his face.

Naturally, she had heard about Lu Chen's situation in Southern Qi. His status was getting higher and higher, and his power was getting greater and greater, but correspondingly, the suspicion of the new ruler of Southern Qi towards him was deepening.

Just like Emperor Jing's attitude towards Qing Yugong.

They have enough talent, but are difficult to control. Those in power have to make use of their talents but also have to be careful on guard against them, which is why this situation arises.

Qing Yu Huaijin looked at the words on the letter again and said slowly, "I wonder who will be the final winner in the war between you and the Emperor of Southern Qi?"

"As for me……"

She squeezed the letter paper into a ball with her white palm and whispered, "I'm not you, so what if I don't want to?"

Just at this moment, a maid's voice came from outside.

Qing Yu Huaijin quickly stuffed the small paper ball into his sleeve, and then he saw Qing Yugong slowly walking in, so he stood up and saluted, saying, "Father."

Qing Yugong nodded slightly, and after sitting down, he said, "The real culprit behind the murder of the crown prince has been found out."

"who is it?"

Qing Yu Huaijin seemed slightly excited.

Putting aside the impact this incident had on Qing Yu, she was very angry about the murder of the prince, because although the prince was a few years older than her, they grew up together. In a sense, Prince Nalan treated her no worse than her brother Qing Yu Zhongwang.

Qing Yugong sighed softly and said, "The Third Prince Wu Yan."

"he?"

Qing Yu Huaijin frowned and said, "How could he do such a cruel thing!"

Qing Yu said respectfully: "At present, all the evidence points to Wu Yan. Although I think there are still some strange things, judging from the attitude of His Majesty, he no longer wants Tian Jue to continue investigating. It is enough to stop here. Wu Yan has been stripped of his royal family status and imprisoned in Youdao. I am afraid that he will never see the light of day again in this life. Huai Jin, you must be mentally prepared."

What to prepare?
Qing Yu Huai Jin remained silent.

The crown prince is dead and the third prince is in prison. If the emperor wants to appoint a new crown prince, the fourth prince Hai Ge is the best choice.

The marriage between Qing Yu Huaijin and the fourth prince is of great significance. It is the emperor's guarantee to the Qing Yu family in exchange for the smooth transfer of part of the military power.

From any perspective, this is the most reasonable approach.

It is common knowledge that the Fourth Prince has admired Qing Yu Huai Jin for a long time. This is enough to ensure that Qing Yu Huai Jin will be very happy if she marries him, especially when the Fourth Prince becomes the crown prince. As long as there are no major changes, the future new monarch's queen will not be another person.

"Father, I understand." At this moment, Qing Yu Huaijin thought of the paper ball in her sleeve, but in the end she said nothing.

Qing Yugong's eyes showed a trace of fatigue, and he said calmly: "Your Majesty's series of methods are not only unbearable for those people in Southern Qi, but even I can only stand in awe."

Qing Yu Huaijin seemed a little puzzled.

Then she heard from her father about the proceedings of today's court meeting.

"Reform the military? At this time?"

Qing Yu Huaijin became increasingly confused.

Although she did not inherit Qing Yugong's talent in military strategy, and her fantasy was shattered by Lu Chen himself in her early years, she had been influenced by him since childhood and would not be ignorant of even the most basic principles.

There is a great war going on in the south. Wouldn't it affect the morale of the troops if the military system was reformed hastily?
"It's just a small-scale notification. This matter won't spread widely for the time being."

Qing Yugong raised his hand and rubbed his brows, and said slowly: "Although Your Majesty first proposed to reform the military system and then set up the Metropolitan Government Office, in fact, setting up the Metropolitan Government Office is the most important first step, and the military system reform will not be implemented in the short term."

"Why did Your Majesty suddenly set up this Metropolitan Government Office?"

"Because we need to put a bridle on your father and Sagai and the others."

Qing Yugong smiled indifferently, and then said: "The so-called Dutongyuan is nothing more than a military advisory office. In other words, we are all his majesty's staff, helping him with his plans. Since we are his majesty's staff, we naturally cannot leave Dadu casually, otherwise how can his majesty ask for our opinions in time? As long as this set of rules is fixed, we must take the initiative to resign the right to lead the army if we are sensible."

Qing Yu Huai Jin frowned and said, "How can it be so easy? Not to mention my father, even Sagai and others would not hand over power so easily."

"All beginnings are hard."

Qing Yugong spoke in a solemn tone, his eyes far away: "His Majesty has never mentioned the military power in our hands. He only needs to let the Metropolitan Government Office rise from the ground, and the subsequent things will fall into place naturally. When we are all at ease in the Metropolitan Government Office, His Majesty will implement the military reform and separate the power of garrison and march. If I am not mistaken, in His Majesty's vision, we can still lead troops to war in the future, but we will not have the power to directly command the troops below."

The political situation was in turmoil, and after his father's explanation, Qing Yu Huaijin finally understood the key.

But she still had a question.

"If my father doesn't express his opinion, no matter how much others oppose my father, they will definitely stand on the same boat at this time. Can Your Majesty still force everyone?"

"That's true."

Qing Yugong lowered his eyes and said slowly, "That's why His Majesty summoned me to the palace today. His Majesty knows in his heart, and I know very well too, that the death of the crown prince has nothing to do with the Qing Yu clan. His Majesty is just using this opportunity to tell me two truths. First, if he wants to attack the Qing Yu clan, there will be many people waiting to devour and divide up the Qing Yu clan's foundation. Second, the hidden hand he has laid over the years is definitely not just Qing Yu Yingye, he is confident enough to kill the backbone of the Qing Yu clan."

Qing Yu Huaijin raised her eyebrows. She was naturally indignant and dissatisfied.

The next moment, Qing Yugong said, "But His Majesty also knows that it is not easy to suppress me, so he gave in, which is your lifelong event."

"His Majesty has a very accurate grasp of my thoughts. He knows that I cannot bear to lead the entire Qingyu clan into a desperate situation. I will not take that step unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Another point, your happiness is also very important. The treatment of being the mistress of the six palaces and the mother of the country is the condition that His Majesty has set for me."

At this point, Qing Yugong's eyes were gentle and loving as he said, "Thinking of this, I decided to give in as well."

"Father..."

Qing Yu Huaijin's eyes were slightly red and his voice was trembling.

"I have been thinking about this for a long time. Perhaps this is the solution that everyone can accept. It is also the best outcome for you. With the attitude of the Fourth Prince towards you and the support of the Qingyu family, you will not suffer any grievances in the palace in the future."

Qing Yugong looked into her eyes and said with a little guilt: "As for some things, don't think about them anymore."

At this moment, Qing Yu Huaijin's heart was filled with frustration and all the words she had to say could finally be reduced to one reply: "Father, your daughter understands your good intentions and will not act so willfully anymore."

She just felt a sudden sense of melancholy in her heart.

Taking a deep breath, Qing Yu Huaijin forced a smile and said softly, "Father, my daughter is willing to marry the Fourth Prince. The Emperor can issue an imperial decree to arrange the marriage."

"it is good."

Qing Yugong didn't say much. He knew that the child needed some space to be alone, so he got up and left.

The room fell silent. Qing Yu Huaijin stood up and walked to the window, standing there quietly for a long time.

"Bring the brazier."

As she spoke, a maid respectfully prepared the brazier and then quietly left.

Qing Yu Huaijin walked to the brazier, took out the paper ball from his sleeve, slowly flattened it, took one last look at it, and threw it into the brazier.

The flame suddenly jumped up and then disappeared.

Turn to ashes.

(End of this chapter)