Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

In the palace, Emperor Ningkang flew into a rage.

"Look what you've done!"

Princess Zhaoyang knelt on the floor of the Southern Study and pretended to pick up the secret report to read it.

She became increasingly emotional as she looked at it, and when she finally looked up, her eyes were filled with tears.

"Does Father Emperor really distrust his son so much?"

"If it is true that I begged my grandmother to grant me the title of imperial son-in-law, then do you really believe that I would do such a disgraceful thing as the rest?"

"If Father truly believes that I am such a shameless woman, I beg Father to grant me death!"

Princess Zhaoyang kowtowed to the ground and refused to get up.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Ningkang's anger, which had been of unknown origin, dissipated by more than half.

Since returning to the capital, Princess Zhaoyang had been busy doing many things for him, and even filled in the gaps in his work.

For example, she just came in to report that the compensation for all the soldiers who died in the Battle of Tiewang Mountain has been settled.

He genuinely liked this daughter who could share his burdens.

But he is, after all, an old father.

He was naturally furious to hear so many unsavory rumors about his daughter circulating inside and outside the palace.

"You still have the nerve to argue! You knew perfectly well that Jia Lian was... your cousin, so why did you still contact him privately?"

"Father has already said that he is my cousin. If he is my cousin, why can't I contact him?"

"Stop making excuses!"

Emperor Ningkang slammed his fist on the table in anger.

Princess Zhaoyang seemed startled, and after a long while, she asked softly, "Father, have you never truly loved anyone?"

Emperor Ningkang paused for a moment.

In that instant, he really wanted to kill Jia Lian.

But he quickly realized what was happening.

"You've gone too far! You've completely rebelled!"

Emperor Ningkang slammed his fist on the table and threw the memorials on it at the ground.

However, his aim was terrible, and the memorials landed far away from Princess Zhaoyang.

Princess Zhaoyang was so frightened that she shrank her neck and dared not speak. The eunuchs around her were even more silent, so the only sound in the hall was Emperor Ningkang's panting.

After a long while, just as Princess Zhaoyang was worried that Emperor Ningkang might faint and wanted to find a way to save face for him, she finally heard Emperor Ningkang speak.

"Has Jia Lian not left the capital yet?"

Princess Zhaoyang looked up and saw that Emperor Ningkang was speaking while leaning on his desk and talking to Dai Quan beside him.

Dai Quan replied, "Your Majesty, it seems that the Duke of Rongguo has been busy with the funeral arrangements for Jia Jing of Ningguo Mansion these past few days, so he has not yet gone to Tianjin."

"Go and summon him."

"Yes."

After Dai Quan went out to deliver the order, Princess Zhaoyang immediately asked, "What does Father Emperor want with Jia Lian?"

Emperor Ningkang glanced at her.

He wouldn't bother answering anyone else. Of course, most people wouldn't dare ask at this point either.

"You don't admit that you did those things that are being rumored outside? Since you won't confess, I will naturally order people to investigate."

Since Jia Lian is involved, I think he's very suitable!

Princess Zhaoyang breathed a sigh of relief; at least it wasn't someone she was summoned to have her head chopped off.

Two quarters of an hour later, Jia Lian arrived at the South Study.

"Your subject Jia Lian pays his respects to Your Majesty."

No one spoke in the hall, so Jia Lian remained still.

After a while, Emperor Ningkang's voice, as majestic as ever, was heard: "Are you aware of the recent rumors circulating in the city?"

"Which one is Your Majesty referring to?"

Since the Tiewangshan Mutiny, has there been no explosive news in Beijing every day?

It's just that the news about Princess Zhaoyang is gossip, which is why it spreads faster and wider.

Emperor Ningkang seemed to have thought of this as well, and said calmly, "It concerns you and Zhaoyang."

"I have heard a little about it."

After Jia Lian finished answering, he looked up and glanced at Princess Zhaoyang, who was behind the dragon throne massaging Emperor Ningkang's shoulders. Princess Zhaoyang returned his gaze with a reassuring look.

"Oh, so what do you think about this?"

"Your Majesty, such false and despicable rumors are circulating everywhere and are clearly slandering Princess Zhaoyang. I suspect that there must be some villains behind this."

"Unacceptable? Untrue?"

Emperor Ningkang looked at Jia Lian, his gaze turning somewhat dangerous.

Jia Lian, however, remained fearless and calmly replied, "Yes, it is unacceptable and untrue."

Emperor Ningkang gave a light snort, then asked, "Then who do you think this villain is?"

"This subject is unaware of."

"Is it that you don't know, or that you dare not say?"

"Your Majesty, I have been busy with the funeral arrangements for my eldest uncle in the clan these days, and I really don't know much about what is happening in the court and the country, let alone these unfounded rumors."

Watching Jia Lian answer each question flawlessly, Emperor Ningkang's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was impressed by Jia Lian's growing experience.

When I first met him, he was just a young man who hadn't even reached adulthood yet, full of enthusiasm but nothing more.

Now, his shrewdness and temperament are almost on par with those old foxes who have been in power for many years.

However, Emperor Ningkang only expressed his feelings briefly, without harboring any suspicion in his heart.

After all, he had witnessed Jia Lian's growth from a naive young man to his current mature man. In other words, Jia Lian's growth was entirely due to his own cultivation.

It can be said that if it weren't for the sudden issue of his birth, Jia Lian would definitely be one of his most trusted and trusted ministers.

However, while it's not convenient to delegate important tasks for the time being, it's fine to entrust him with some minor matters, so as not to completely waste his talents.

"Since you don't know either, then go and investigate. I don't want to hear anyone in the city discussing this matter for another day."

Jia Lian thought for a moment, then nodded solemnly: "Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's command."

Emperor Ningkang, who was already looking down at the memorial, showed a slight change in expression: This is the difference between a capable minister and a mediocre one.

Mediocre officials only complain and seek to avoid mistakes rather than achieve merit.

However, a capable minister only needs to be given a task, and he can give a clear answer after a little consideration, and he can usually accomplish it.

"However, I desire temporary control over the county and prefectural governments, as well as the military commands of the five cities."

The county government's bailiffs, along with the officers and soldiers of the Five Cities Military Command, totaled ten to twenty thousand men.

In special times, that's enough to accomplish something great.

Jia Lian dared to ask for such power without even asking.

However, Emperor Ningkang naturally did not suspect that Jia Lian was up to no good. Instead, he said with displeasure, "You, a Duke, surely cannot command these government offices and need me to issue you a special imperial edict?"

"No imperial edict is needed; His Majesty's words are sufficient."

Emperor Ningkang glanced up at Jia Lian and then realized that the pressure on his shoulder had disappeared.

Looking back, Princess Zhaoyang was indeed nowhere to be seen.

Dai Quan, observing the situation, immediately bowed and replied, "Her Highness the Princess has taken her leave because Her Majesty and Duke Rong are discussing matters."

Emperor Ningkang's expression immediately turned sour.

Why did you see him discussing matters with Jia Lian? Wasn't it just that he wanted to go out early and wait for Jia Lian?

"Your Majesty, if there are no other instructions, I will take my leave now."

Upon hearing Jia Lian request to leave, Emperor Ningkang glared at him fiercely and raised his hand, saying, "Get out."

He ultimately couldn't bring himself to tell Jia Lian about his affair with Princess Zhaoyang.

This matter is quite complicated; even Emperor Ningkang felt it was not easy to handle!

Therefore, it was enough to give her a slight warning while scolding her earlier.

It seems pointless to really talk things out in front of Jia Lian.

To forbid the two of them from ever seeing each other again? Putting aside the fact that these two are juniors he values ​​highly, whether they will be doing things for him in the future or attending palace banquets, it is simply unrealistic to expect them to never see each other again.

Moreover, he knew that neither of them were very honest people, and even if he issued an order, it would be difficult to guarantee that they would not meet in private.

When that time comes, it's fine if he doesn't know, but once he does find out, what should he do?

If we ignore it, we will only diminish our prestige.

If we were to deal with this, how should we do it? Should we really kill Jia Lian?

Putting aside the fact that he had promised to treat Jia Lian well in front of tens of thousands of people on Iron Net Mountain, Jia Lian had indeed accomplished several important tasks for him over the years and had been extremely loyal. How could his subordinates be convinced if he were killed like this?

He simply couldn't bear to kill them.

So it's better to turn a blind eye for now.

Fortunately, both of them were reasonable people, and they did not openly do anything out of line after Tiewangshan.

Although he had been busy these days, he had instructed the Embroidered Uniform Guard to keep an eye on the two men, and he knew that they were quite sensible.

Therefore, these rumors that suddenly appeared and quickly spread like wildfire are highly questionable.

Emperor Ningkang tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk, lost in thought.