Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 617 Unexpected Disaster

Jia Lian's sudden flattery left not only the princes and nobles in the hall speechless, but even the retired emperor was taken aback.

Emperor Ningkang couldn't help but twitch his lips; he was so displeased that he almost couldn't help but smile.

Looking at Jia Lian kneeling on the ground, earnestly begging the retired emperor to grant his wish, Emperor Ningkang felt that this was not abrupt at all, and even very much like Jia Lian.

This kid, his quick wit and ingratiating nature have never changed. Come to think of it, it seems I was once deceived by his appearance too…

"Hahaha, very well, I will grant your wish."

The Emperor Emeritus laughed heartily and actually granted Jia Lian's request. For a moment, everyone in the hall didn't know whether to envy Jia Lian for winning the Emperor Emeritus's favor or to laugh at him for wasting such a golden opportunity.

However, Jia Lian didn't care about what these people were thinking.

He neither needed to please the retired emperor nor felt that he had missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

First of all, the retired emperor has already abdicated. He probably wouldn't even bother to ask about matters other than major issues like land surveys.

Therefore, trying to please him is far less worthwhile than clinging to Emperor Ningkang's coattails.

Moreover, this was only his first meeting with the Emperor Emeritus, and he didn't believe he could truly gain any significant benefits from him. The downside, however, was certain: what he took from the Emperor Emeritus now, he would inevitably lose from Emperor Ningkang in the future.

If he doesn't take it now, and instead maintains a good relationship with Emperor Ningkang, then there will be plenty of good opportunities waiting for him once Emperor Ningkang has eliminated all the obstacles left by the retired emperor!

Be a person with a long-term vision.

Thanks to Jia Lian's actions, the atmosphere at the banquet improved significantly.

Jia Lian finally withdrew, allowing the Emperor Emeritus to continue counting his birthday gifts.

After all the selected birthday gifts had been reviewed, it was past noon. The Emperor Emeritus did not linger, citing fatigue, and left with the Empress Dowager.

Emperor Ningkang then left Chonghua Palace with the Empress.

Only after all the saints left their seats did the scene truly become lively and much more relaxed.

The fourth prince was a careless person, and he quickly forgot about what had happened before, and went around looking for people to drink and brag with.

Jia Lian, who had previously made a great impression, was now facing toasts and attempts to curry favor from members of the imperial family and relatives of high-ranking officials, all with their own agendas.

Jia Lian disliked being offered wine by others. Apart from his sisters, he also disliked going out to offer wine to anyone, no matter how noble their status was.

When someone comes, he'll greet them politely; when no one comes, he'll sit and enjoy the food and drinks, occasionally watching music and dancing girls...

Suddenly, he noticed a young eunuch approaching him and whispering, "Marquis Zhenyuan, the Empress Dowager summons you."

"Empress Dowager?" Jia Lian was puzzled, but he didn't show it on his face. He glanced at the little eunuch, nodded, and followed him away from his seat.

When he arrived outside Chonghua Palace, there were indeed several palace maids waiting for him. Judging from their attire and demeanor, they were undoubtedly from Chonghua Palace.

Jia Lian still couldn't understand why the Empress Dowager had summoned him. And to summon him, why all the secrecy?

They followed the palace maids through a winding path towards the inner palace, and soon arrived at a side courtyard.

The palace maids stopped and gestured for Jia Lian to continue forward. They then bowed and withdrew.

Jia Lian didn't think he was in any danger at Chonghua Palace, so despite his doubts, he continued walking forward.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly smiled and strode quickly toward the beautiful figure under the crabapple blossoms ahead.

……

When Dai Quan entered the Southern Study of Daming Palace, he saw documents and imperial edicts scattered all over the floor, while Emperor Ningkang was bent over behind the smooth dragon desk, quickly wielding his brush and ink.

Dai Quan subtly gestured to the eunuch standing beside him to clean up the floor before approaching Emperor Ningkang and whispering, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince and Minister Xiao of the Grand Secretariat are outside requesting an audience!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a cold look suddenly appeared on Emperor Ningkang's face, which had been relatively calm.

"He still dares to come see me!"

Knowing Emperor Ningkang's temper well, Dai Quan dared not utter a single word in response.

Fortunately, after a short while, Emperor Ningkang put down his calligraphy brush, placed it on the brush holder, and said, "Let them in."

"This old minister pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Emperor Ningkang did not, as usual, order the person to rise. He didn't even raise his head, but simply looked at the book in his hands. After a while, he slowly asked, "I wonder what brings you to see me so urgently, Grand Secretary Xiao?"

"This old minister knows that he has offended Your Majesty, and has come to apologize."

"To apologize?"

Upon hearing these two words, Emperor Ningkang could no longer suppress his anger.

"There's no need for apology. Grand Secretary Xiao is wholeheartedly devoted to the well-being of our Great Wei Dynasty, a quality even I cannot match. He is truly the most loyal minister of our court. What crime has he committed?"

Xiao Jing said, "If Your Majesty truly thinks this way, I will die without regret! The land survey policy may seem like a good one, but in reality, it is harmful to the country..."

"That's enough!"

"If Grand Secretary Xiao has come to apologize to me, there is no need. If he has come to lecture me, I do not wish to hear it. If there is nothing else, you may leave."

Emperor Ningkang's indifferent attitude made Xiao Jing's heart sink, but he still insisted on saying, "This old minister knows that Your Majesty does not trust me, but I still want to make it clear to Your Majesty that my actions today are by no means for personal gain. My loyalty to Your Majesty and to the Great Wei is as clear as heaven and earth and as evident as the sun and moon."

"Hmph hmph hmph."

Hearing Emperor Ningkang's silent mockery, Xiao Jingxin steeled his heart and said, "If Your Majesty does not believe me, this old minister is willing to donate all the fields and properties in my family to the court to demonstrate my unwavering loyalty!"

Xiao Jing spoke solemnly, his resolute expression revealing a hint of helplessness, making him seem like a truly loyal and patriotic minister who was not appreciated by the emperor.

Emperor Ningkang stared intently at the old minister before him, whose temples were gray and who had been a cabinet minister since the time of the retired emperor, but he felt no pity or respect for him.

"No need. Minister Xiao is getting old. You should leave your estates and properties to him so that he can live out his retirement. Otherwise, people will criticize me for mistreating loyal officials."

Emperor Ningkang deliberately emphasized the words "loyal and virtuous".

He naturally couldn't possibly consider Xiao Jing to be a loyal and virtuous person. That old man had caused him countless troubles over the years, both openly and secretly.

He could overlook those things from the past, because they could be considered as differences in governing philosophy, and he could allow his court officials to have slightly different ideas from his own.

However, Xiao Jing's actions today not only completely crossed his bottom line, but also trampled on his dignity as an emperor, which was far beyond his tolerance. In his heart, Xiao Jing had already been sentenced to death.

Therefore, he couldn't be bothered to waste any more words with Xiao Jing. He was only allowing him to live a few more years out of respect for the retired emperor.

As for why Xiao Jing did this, Emperor Ningkang believed there were probably only two possibilities.

One reason was to gain fame and influence, to prevent the land reclamation policy, and to oppose the emperor, thus demonstrating his fearlessness of imperial power and his loyalty to the country.

Secondly, this old man may have received favors from others, or colluded with interest groups such as the court and the imperial family, and was brought in by him to orchestrate today's events.

Between these two points, Emperor Ningkang leaned more towards the latter. In his view, the way these people, especially Xiao Jing and the princes of the imperial clan, cooperated so seamlessly today dealt him the heaviest blow at this final moment.

How could this have been done without premeditation?

Furthermore, Emperor Ningkang even suspected that today's events were orchestrated by the retired emperor, and that Xiao Jing was merely a pawn...

If that were the case, Emperor Ningkang would have nothing to say. What chilled him to the bone was that if the Emperor Emeritus disagreed with the land survey, why didn't he explain it to him earlier, instead of waiting until he had overcome numerous obstacles and prepared everything before giving him this shock?

Emperor Ningkang no longer cared about the truth, as it was pointless. Unless he dared to defy the world and directly oppose the retired emperor!

Therefore, he can't do anything to Xiao Jing now, let alone ask him to donate any of his family property. Wouldn't that just be exactly what he wanted to gain fame?

Xiao Jing's words were repeatedly cut off, and he realized that no matter what he said, Emperor Ningkang would not listen. With a sigh, he once again expressed his loyalty and left the Southern Study.

After the Crown Prince and Xiao Jing entered the Southern Study, the Crown Prince remained kneeling, not daring to utter a single word.

When Xiao Jing left, Emperor Ningkang seemed to have forgotten about him and went to read a book.

Left with no other choice, he could only prompt aloud, "Father?"

Emperor Ningkang glanced at him. "What are you still doing here? Could it be that you also want to imitate your great-father-in-law and explain to me how the land reclamation is harmful to the country and a chaotic policy that shakes the foundation of my Great Wei?"

Upon hearing Emperor Ningkang's sarcasm, the Crown Prince shuddered, feeling utterly miserable, and inwardly he resented Xiao Jing to the point of despair.

Such a big thing, and Xiao Jing did it without telling him at all beforehand, how passive he was! Although this matter had nothing to do with him, I'm afraid Emperor Ningkang doesn't believe it.

After all, Xiao Jing was not only his father-in-law, but also one of his most crucial and important supporters in the court.

More importantly, he had initially been skeptical and unsupportive of the land reclamation project. Now that Xiao Jing had spearheaded this affair, if Emperor Ningkang suspected him of orchestrating it, his position as crown prince would be in serious jeopardy!

"Your Majesty, please understand that today's events have nothing to do with me. Ever since Your Majesty decided to implement the land survey policy, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to ensuring its smooth implementation."

"Your Majesty, I swear to Heaven that today's events were entirely due to Grand Secretary Xiao's willful actions and have nothing to do with me. I only just learned of them myself. I beg Your Majesty to believe me."

Emperor Ningkang looked at him, unsure whether he had believed him. After a while, seeing that the Crown Prince had nothing more to say, he said in a cold voice, "You have also worked hard in preparing for the Emperor Emeritus's birthday celebration."

After your birthday celebrations, you should focus on recuperating. For now, you don't need to concern yourself with state affairs.

"Father..."

"You may leave; I am tired."

……

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