Chapter 145

 

The appreciative feeling between the grand princess and Cabinet Elder Chen, including the tears in their eyes, were all diluted by prince consort’s strange words.

Chen Tingjian lowered his eyes and calmed down his emotions silently. Hua Yang turned her back and touched the corner of her eyes with her sleeve without leaving a trace.

On the chessboard, there was still a white stone alone against a table full of black stones.

Chen Tingjian respectfully swept all the black stones into the black glazed chess box, then held up the white chess piece with both hands and placed it gently on the white glazed chess box opposite. He said warmly to the grand princess who was looking over: “This minister has benefited a lot from this game, and also know what to do next. It’s getting late, Grand Princess should go back and rest early. If Grand Princess want to play again in the future, this minister will be waiting at any time.”

Hua Yang saw the wrinkles at the corners of Cabinet Elder’s eyes and the silver threads in his hair, and felt sour in her heart.

Given how her father-in-law rose from a poor scholar to current position, how could he not know how to protect himself?

It was just that half of the land in the world was in the hands of the vassal princes, imperial clans, officials, gentry and wealthy merchants. The common people were getting more and more miserable, while the treasury was becoming more and more empty. In the two reigns of her father emperor and imperial grandfather, it had reached the point where it was difficult to make ends meet and even raise military pay. The common people were poor, the soldiers were weak, the officials were corrupt and lazy, while there were internal and external troubles, and her brother was too young to intimidate the court. If her father-in-law did not stand up and implement the reform and new policies in time, how long could the court last?

Why did the Founding Emperor conquer the world? Was it not because the previous dynasty was too muddle-headed, and had lost its all vitality.

There were some aspects of the reform that her father-in-law failed to take into account, but the results were also very remarkable. At least now the local officials no longer dare to be perfunctory with official decrees. Only with money in the national treasury could the border defenses be strengthened and neighboring countries be deterred from invading.

Only when you have money can you do things. Without money, even a noble person like the emperor cannot move forward.

“Father is now playing the chessboard of the world, where every move can affect the entire situation, and you have to exhausts your energy day and night to plan. Daughter-in-law, as a bystander outside the game, only observes some details that Father may failed to take into account. How to plan the next step still depends on Father, and Daughter-in-law also believes with Father’s ability, you will definitely win this game.”

Hua Yang said it sincerely. Her father-in-law may have had some faults, but his merits far outweighed his faults. What she said before was just to recommend He Qingxian, and she had no intention of blaming him.

Chen Tingjian smiled, bowed and said, “Grand Princess praises too much. The chess game is like a battlefield, and this minister is just temporary vanguard for His Majesty. When His Majesty personally takes command in the future, he will surely win the hearts of the people and be invincible.”

Hua Yang: “Only when the vanguard army wins can the morale of the main force be boosted. Father, please take good care of your body and set up the vanguard flag firmly.”

Chen Tingjian:……

He was only fifty-four, not very old. Why Grand Princess always sounded worry that he will not live long?

Immediately afterwards, Chen Tingjian thought of the late emperor. Grand princess must have been affected by the late emperor’s death, so she was worried that her father-in-law would also suddenly collapse.

He also felt that grand princess treated him with the utmost respect, like the way a junior in the family would be close to their uncle.

Chen Tingjian said hurriedly: “Grand Princess doesn’t need to worry. This minister has been practicing the health-preserving skills taught by Imperial Physician Li in the past two years.”

Hua Yang looked at her mother-in-law who had stopped pruning the potted plants.

Sun shi curled her lips with a look of disgust on her face: “Fish for three days and dry the nets for two daysto do something intermittently or sporadically, can it still be called practicing.”

Chen Tingjian:……

Hua Yang smiled and said, “From now on, I will have trouble Mother to supervise Father closely. If Father slacks off, please let me know.”

Sun shi happily agreed.

Hua Yang then glances at Chen Jingzong.

Chen Jingzong looked like someone had owe him money: “Leave? Or do you want to continue to sit with Cabinet Elder and have a few more dishes?”

Hua Yang glared at him, said goodbye to the two elders, and walked out.

When she turned around, both Chen Tingjian and Sun shi glared at their son.

Chen Jingzong just followed Hua Yang behind.

By the time the family banquet was over, it was already the first watch. At this time, the night was getting darker.

Chen Jingzong helped Hua Yang open the thick cotton curtain, letting in the early winter cold wind that swept through the entire capital. It found its way through the gaps and immediately changed direction, blowing directly towards the delicate grand princess. She closed her eyes, furrowed her brow, and grimaced, no longer showing the dignity and solemnity she had just displayed while discussing the state affairs with the cabinet elder.

When they came to have dinner at Chunhe Hall, the wind hadn’t blown yet, so Hua Yang didn’t wear a cloak.

Fortunately, Chao Yue, who stayed in Siyi Hall, was very attentive and sent the little maid to deliver the cloak, which was currently being held by Chao Yun who was guarding at the yard.

Seeing her master coming out, Chao Yun ran forward, fastened the cloak and put on the hood for her, and promptly stuffed a fox-fur muff into her hand.

After all was done, Hua Yang turned around and said to Chen Tingjian’s couple who were about to send them off: “It’s windy, please don’t come out. We are all a family, no need to treat us like guest.”

Sun shi took the lead and said, “Okay, you two should leave quickly, it’s really cold this winter.”

Hua Yang nodded and led Chen Jingzong away.

After leaving Chunhe Hall, it was dark outside. The servants who have no errands had all rested early.

The wind kept blowing, and the lantern in Chao Yun’s hand was swaying.

Hua Yang glanced at Chen Jingzong and saw that he was standing upright with his head held high and his long neck exposed, showing that he was not afraid of the cold at all.

“Should I carry you?” Chen Jingzong suddenly stopped and asked her.

Hua Yang looked around subconsciously.

Chen Jingzong: “It’s so cold tonight. Even if you’re really a fairy descending to earth, no one will be happy to brave the wind to see you.”

Hua Yang pulled back her hand in the fox fur muff, and she wanted to kick him.

But she still lay on his back, put her hands around his neck, and continued to insert her hands into the soft and fluffy fox fur, but just pressed it against Chen Jingzong’s neck, which also helped him keep warm.

Chen Jingzong smiled: “Do you know why I have to carry you?”

Hua Yang hummed: “Let me block the wind on your back for you.”

There was no need to say serious reasons. When he opened his mouth, he would definitely pull something improper.

So she snatched the words first, and Chen Jingzong could only say: “As expected of the Grand Princess, she is indeed smart.”

Hua Yang pressed her face against his right shoulder, using her hood to block the wind blowing from behind, so cold that she didn’t want to speak.

Chen Jingzong also walked very fast, so fast that Chao Yun had to jog to illuminate the two of them, but after running like this, she was no longer feel so cold.

When they arrived at Siyi Hall, hot water was ready. Hua Yang and Chen Jingzong washed their hands and faces respectively, then sat side by side on the bed, each with a copper basin, soaking their feet together.

When the maids retreated and the lights were turned off, Hua Yang was hugged by Chen Jingzong into his warm and broad chest, and finally warmed up completely.

Chen Jingzong began to settle accounts with her: “I see that we came back today not to celebrate my birthday, but to let you play chess with the old man.”

Hua Yang: “Celebrating birthdays is true, and playing chess is also true. It’s called killing two birds with one stone, and not wasting time.”

Chen Jingzong: “You’re multitasking, which means you’re not sincere.”

Hua Yang: “Whatever you say.”

Chen Jingzong: “It’s obvious you have a guilty conscience.”

Hua Yang was silent.

Chen Jingzong touched her lips, which were soft and moist.

His hand suddenly went down, touched her neck, and touched the collar of her middle coat.

He hasn’t done anything yet, but her breathing had become disordered. Even though they had been married for so long, she was still not used to his hands, and was still as green as on their wedding night.

Chen Jingzong moved down so that his shoulders were level with hers, then he grabbed the back of her head and kissed her.

The grand princess, who could talk eloquently to cabinet elder, was completely unable to resist his son. Her wrists were clasped tightly and her lips were tightly blocked.

“How many times have you played chess with him?”

They had already indulged themselves last night, and they came here to live today. Even though there was also a lotus bowl in Siyi Hall, Hua Yang didn’t ask the maids to prepare it.

Chen Jingzong had to stop and continue to settle accounts.

He was often jealous of the old man, and Hua Yang didn’t care at other times, but now that the two of them were so close, it was inappropriate for him to mention her father-in-law.

Hua Yang: “You’ve seen and heard it yourself, what’s there to be sour about?”

Chen Jingzong: “You haven’t even played chess with me, yet you were slandering me that my chess skills are not as good as yours.”

Hua Yang: “It’s called small talk opening. You still care about it.”

Chen Jingzong: “You were afraid of offending him, so you said you had learned my habit of being outspoken. You can really pull people to block the attack. No wonder Sir He is also targeted by you.”

Hua Yang: “You are my Prince Consort, so you must be ready to defend me at any time. If you don’t want to take on this job, it’s not too late to resign now.”

Chen Jingzong: “You still feel distress for him and want to shed tears for him.”

Hua Yang: “Because he is the cabinet elder. He went through scalding water and raging fire the imperial court. I feel distress for his hardship.”

Chen Jingzong: “Then why did you shed tears for me?”

Hua Yang paused and said, “Because you are a general on the battlefield and you’re also killing enemies for the imperial court.”

Chen Jingzong: “Your cousin was also hit by an arrow. I didn’t see you shed tears for him. You only shed tears for me. There must be another reason.”

Hua Yang smiled: “Love the house and its crow, didn’t you already know that?”

Chen Jingzong:……

He bit her lip slightly hard.

Hua Yang also bit him and let him stop talk nonsense all day long.

But no one use real strength, just biting and kissing together. He held her hot face, and she held his broad shoulders.

They kissed until Hua Yang’s lips felt sore, and the two of them finally stopped.

Chen Jingzong lay on his own for a while and then came to hug her again.

Hua Yang: “If you say another random word, I’ll be really angry.”

Chen Jingzong: “I’m going to be serious this time, why do you trust Sir He so much? Although Zhang Pan is too slick, he can’t make any trouble with the old man suppressing him. It’s true that Sir He is honest and loves the people, but he and the old man are always at odds with each other, it’s not easy for the two of them to get along. Sir He hasn’t been an official in the capital for a long time. You have only heard of his reputation, and you may not really understand his personality. Maybe he will only cause trouble for the old man.”

Hua Yang’s back was turned to him at this time, and Chen Jingzong’s arms were wrap around her waist.

She touched his slender fingers and asked, “Are you saying that I shouldn’t get involved in court affairs?”

Chen Jingzong: “No, I’m just afraid that if there is chaos because of Sir He’s reforms, you will feel uncomfortable.”

Hua Yang: “So what if I feel uncomfortable? I’m just afraid there’s no one to plug the gaps for Father. Those local officials go to plunder the people layer by layer, while Father can only care about the overall situation. Other official who can really work hard for the people and undaunted by danger, I can only think of Sir He. Or do you have a better candidate? Or do you think that what Father did was right and the flaws of Examination Law are not worth mentioning?”

Chen Jingzong:……

In fact, he just wanted to test whether she had predicted something again. For example, the old man really didn’t outlive Zhang Pan. He didn’t expect her to be so serious and want to discuss politics with him.

“No, your idea is good. Indeed, someone should deflate the old man’s ego a bit, lest he truly believes he’s infallible.”

Hua Yang: “Who said anything about deflating Father’s ego? I just hope Sir He can refine Father’s reforms.”

Chen Jingzong: “Well, you respect the old man the most. No one here can surpass the old man.”

Hua Yang pinched him.

But she quietly breathed a sigh of relief inside. She was really afraid that Chen Jingzong would get to the bottom of things and argue about the merits of Zhang Pan and He Qingxian.

She was tired enough of convincing her father-in-law, and now she just wanted to sleep peacefully.

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