novelden Chapter 88 Deliberately Ingratiating
Chapter 88 Deliberately Ingratiating
Inside the Zichen Palace, the meeting continued.
"Many of the people living at the foot of Yinduan Mountain are poor hunters. Their houses were destroyed in an instant by the torrential flood. Now, the people are not only displaced, but also have lost their means of livelihood. In addition, with someone instigating it, many refugees have been recruited by the bandits in Hua'an Mountain in the neighboring county. Now, they are showing signs of growing in power."
As Prime Minister Li Changqian spoke, his voice tinged with reproach, "If it weren't for Lord Lu's intervention and my suggestion to send troops to wipe out that band of bandits, there wouldn't be this disaster today."
Lu Zhiheng raised his eyes, his gaze icy: "Lord Li, do not slander me. You know the inside story of why I proposed the amnesty. On the contrary, why is Lord Zhou of the Ministry of Revenue so reluctant to allocate funds to Qin Shaoan?"
Qin Shaoan was the leader of the bandits on Mount Hua'an.
The Minister of Revenue was suddenly called out and broke out in a cold sweat. He looked at Lu Zhiheng and said cautiously, "Lord Lu, I also want to allocate funds, but the national treasury is empty. The Ministry of War needs money to support the army, and the people need money to make a living. Where can I get so much money?"
"Enough!" Pei Yuanling roared, his long, slender hand slamming heavily on the desk.
Everyone immediately fell silent.
"I summoned you here to resolve a matter, not to raise questions for me," Pei Yuanling said, turning to Lu Zhiheng: "Minister Lu, in your opinion, how should this matter be resolved?"
"In my humble opinion, the best course of action now lies in two points. First, we must appease the refugees and prevent them from being further incited to join the bandits, which will curb the development of the situation. Second, the Ministry of Revenue should allocate grain and funds, which will not only appease the refugees and stabilize public sentiment, but also demonstrate to Qin Shao'an the court's intention to offer him amnesty."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling's expression softened slightly, and he looked at the other ministers in the hall: "What do you think?"
"What Lord Lu says is very true."
"Your humble servant also agrees with Lord Lu's proposal."
"That's right, Your Majesty."
The ministers echoed their agreement.
"In that case, this matter will be entrusted to you, Minister Lu, for overall planning and arrangement. Both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue will be at your disposal."
Lu Zhiheng, dressed in a vermilion official robe, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail your trust."
After the meeting concluded, the officials withdrew. Pei Yuanling pressed his aching temples, his face showing signs of fatigue.
Chen Zhongliang stepped forward and suggested, "Your Majesty, it's late. Would you like to rest at Consort Qiao's residence?"
Thinking of his beloved's charming and beautiful face, Pei Yuanling's fatigue vanished instantly, and he nodded, saying, "Set up the Feixue Palace."
***
Inside the Feixue Palace, palace lanterns shone brightly, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers.
Chu Qingyin had already instructed the palace servants to set up tables, chairs, wine, fruits, and pastries in the courtyard.
Hearing that Pei Yuanling was on his way, she returned to her room and dressed up in front of the mirror before standing quietly outside the palace gate to wait.
Before long, a loud announcement rang out in the night: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Pei Yuanling had just stepped down from the imperial carriage when he saw Chu Qingyin standing there in a flowing crimson dress. Her dark hair, which had fallen over her shoulders, was tied up with a dark green jade hairpin and inserted diagonally into her flowing black hair.
The vermilion birthmark on her forehead was deliberately painted in the shape of a pink peach blossom. Her lips were lightly touched, and under the pale moonlight, her bright face was made even more charming and beautiful.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty!"
Chu Qingyin gracefully bowed to Pei Yuanling.
Seeing her gentle, smiling face, Pei Yuanling reached out and helped her up, saying, "No need for such formalities."
"I heard that all the officials are discussing matters in the Zichen Palace. I thought His Majesty wouldn't be coming tonight."
"I've finished my official duties," Pei Yuanling said slowly, then naturally took Chu Qingyin's hand and looked her up and down.
Chu Qingyin asked in confusion, "Why is Your Majesty looking at me like that?"
Pei Yuanling didn't answer immediately, but instead leaned down to whisper in her ear. Instantly, the man's hot breath brushed against the smooth skin of her neck, causing her face to flush. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a deep, mellow voice in her ear: "I like Yinyin's outfit today very much."
"Your Majesty, you are always making fun of your concubines."
Chu Qingyin blushed deeply and raised her small hand to gently punch his chest. The force was not strong, but rather like she was being coquettish.
She seems quite different today than she used to be.
Although she had flattered and fawned over him in the past, she always maintained a certain sensible distance from him.
She seemed to resist his approach, or perhaps there was some unresolved issue between them, carrying an ambiguous sense of distance.
But now, she is like a beautiful crabapple blossom blooming before him, every smile and frown blooming only for him.
Just like the old Yin Yin.
Pei Yuanling couldn't help but raise his hand and stroke the stunningly beautiful face before him: "Yinyin, please don't leave me again, okay?"
Chu Qingyin's smile faltered slightly, but then returned to normal.
"What are you saying, Your Majesty? I've been here the whole time," she said with a faint smile.
Meeting her clear, bright eyes, Pei Yuanling smiled knowingly and gently stroked her lips with his slender fingertips: "Indeed, my Yinyin has always been here."
Chu Qingyin knew that the one he cherished and longed for was the original her, Chu Qingyin, the Noble Consort Chu.
Unfortunately, Pei Yuanling will never see Chu Qingyin, who was so devoted to him, again.
"Come, have dinner with me." Pei Yuanling took her hand and walked towards the food laid out beside him.
Yu Yan and Xiang Lan immediately stepped forward and filled the wine glasses.
"Your Majesty must be busy with state affairs and tired. I would like to offer you this toast." Chu Qingyin raised her wine cup.
After downing the wine in one gulp, she placed the cup on the table, then raised her embroidered handkerchief and gently wiped away the remaining wine stains from the corner of her mouth. Only then did she look up at Pei Yuanling: "Your Majesty, won't you drink?"
Her posture was elegant, and every move she made exuded charm.
This face seems to be gradually overlapping with that delicate face from the past.
It was as if his voice was sitting right in front of him, raising a cup to drink while looking at him, her eyes full of charm.
Pei Yuanling was stunned until Chu Qingyin fed him the wine glass. The fragrant and sweet aroma of the wine wafted up to his nose. He lowered his head slightly, took a small sip, and the familiar spicy and sweet flavors blended into his throat.
It was Chu Qingyin's favorite peach blossom wine.
Memories of the past surfaced along with the familiar aroma of the wine.
"Your Majesty, next summer we will be going to the Western Hills Imperial Palace for summer retreat. I would like to stay a little longer, would that be alright?"
On this day last year, Chu Qingyin leaned against Pei Yuanling's chest, the two drinking wine and admiring the moon, leisurely discussing matters for the coming year.
The same moonlit night, the same savory wine, yet everything has changed, and all is lost.
"Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?" Chu Qingyin asked.
The clear, melodious female voice brought Pei Yuanling back to his senses. He looked at the woman in his arms, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, and a look of relief at having found her again flashed in his eyes.
Thankfully, God had mercy, and his voice came back.
"I am thinking of you."
"Huh?" Chu Qingyin was stunned for a moment. When she met the man's deep and focused narrow eyes, her heart skipped a beat.
She subconsciously turned her face away: "Your Majesty, you're teasing me again."
The beautiful woman lowered her eyes and smiled sweetly, her lovely eyes sparkling with laughter. Under the moonlight, every smile and frown was full of charm.
Pei Yuanling's throat bobbed, and after a moment, he couldn't resist lowering his head and kissing her rosy lips.