Chapter 73: Mutual Affection, Rare Love

He Ji held the post of Left Scattered Riding Attendant of the Ministry of Personnel, a rank of the third grade, and was the censor of the Ministry of Personnel. At the same time, he also served as the Deputy Director of the Jixian Academyof the Zhongshu Province.

The so-called Jixian Academy was mainly responsible for compiling books by imperial decree, or providing historical precedents for the Zhongshu Province to draft edicts.

As a deputy of the Ji Xian Yuan, He Ji was naturally a person who had read extensively.

And those who spent their days immersed in books were inevitably somewhat bookish.

The emperor liked to listen to him talk, because it sounded like he had no scheming or ulterior motives, which made people feel comfortable.

So he kept him in the palace to lecture, and later made him the tutor of the crown prince.

In this way, although He Ji had no real power, he was considered a close confidant of the emperor and had some face in front of the emperor.

“Today, the crown prince can sit up,” He Ji said in a low voice.

Emperor Liang De responded with a “hmm,” seeming a little absent-minded.

“The crown prince is getting better day by day, why is Your Majesty still not happy?” He Ji asked.

Only he dared to ask this question.

Emperor Liang De turned his head to look at him, sighing softly in his heart. He Ji really didn’t understand anything.

“I am thinking about King Wei.”

He Ji hurriedly said, “I have also heard about it, it is said that the young lady of the Liu family is probably not going to make it…”

“Oh? Even you have heard about it.”

He Ji nodded and said, “The Liu family went to King Wei’s mansion to seek medical treatment overnight, the commotion was huge.”

“It was supposed to be a happy event, but a misfortune came out of the blue.” Emperor Liang De said unhappily, “Once the position of King Wei’s wife is vacant, it will be even harder to choose the next candidate.”

He Ji hurriedly persuaded, “Your Majesty doesn’t have to worry, King Wei is a talented person, there are countless noble ladies in the capital who are hoping to join King Wei’s mansion. Unfortunately, my family only has one son, otherwise I would also want him to marry King Wei.”

Emperor Liang De was amused, “You! That has nothing to do with how many people want to marry King Wei.”

He Ji hurriedly said, “I am foolish, please enlighten me, Your Majesty.”

He Ji was very good at quoting from books, but he was clueless about everything else.

Being a teacher always made people feel comfortable, Emperor Liang De’s spirits lifted slightly, and he said in a low voice, “Think about it, if Miss Liu loses her life, and King Wei marries another woman right after. What would the Liu family think? What would Wang Shizhong think?”

He Ji’s face showed a look of sudden enlightenment, “Yes. I almost forgot, this Miss Liu’s uncle is Wang Qingping, the Minister of Personnel.”

The Liu family was not very powerful, but Liu Yuerong’s uncle was very capable, and he took up his current position at the age of forty-five.

It must be known that the Minister of Personnel was a rank of the third grade, the top figure in the Ministry of Personnel!

“I am foolish and ignorant of court affairs, I only know that it is normal for King Wei to remarry. Miss Liu has been ill since she was young, it is ultimately her weakness. It is a good thing that she did not become King Wei’s wife, otherwise how could she bear the responsibility of being a princess? In my humble opinion, this matter is also easy to solve.” He Ji bowed and said earnestly.

Emperor Liang De smiled, “Good, then tell me, how to solve it?”

“Find a noble lady of even better background for King Wei.”

“How easy is that?” Emperor Liang De said lightly.

There were many eligible women in the capital, but to find one with a suitable family background and temperament, and then consider all the complicated relationships in the court… it was really rare.

He Ji, however, laughed, “Isn’t the daughter of Minister Lu just one?”

The expression on Emperor Liang De’s face instantly disappeared, he fixed his eyes on He Ji.

As if unintentionally, he said, “I remember you and Minister Lu were from the same hometown?”

He Ji nodded, “What kind of person Minister Lu is, Your Majesty knows better than me. His daughter must also be very outstanding, she is a perfect match for King Wei.”

Emperor Liang De was so angry that his lips were tightly pressed together.

Was Concubine Wan not satisfied? Wasn’t the daughter of the Liu family and the daughter of the Qiao family enough? Was this considered mistreating King Wei?

And the Lu family, couldn’t they wait for a few days?

They actually wanted to use He Ji to plot the position of King Wei’s wife.

What was wrong with King Xuan?

If that was the case, then forget about King Xuan!

Emperor Liang De coldly glanced at He Ji and said, “Alright, you go back first today.”

He Ji showed a puzzled expression, bowed and retired.

After Emperor Liang De’s anger subsided, he calmed down a little.

He summoned the imperial physician to his side and asked about Liu Yuerong’s condition.

The imperial physician said, “Miss Liu has indeed had headaches since she was young.”

So it was really just a coincidence that it happened at this time?

Emperor Liang De’s eyes flashed, and he dismissed the imperial physician.

“Prepare the carriage, I am going to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager.” Emperor Liang De got up and said.

“Yes!” The eunuch responded, escorting the emperor out of the door.

When he arrived at the Empress Dowager’s palace, Emperor Liang De mentioned again to the Empress Dowager about King Xuan wanting to take Xue Qingyin as his concubine.

The Empress Dowager was naturally reluctant, saying that Xue Qingyin was foolish and incompetent.

Speaking of this, she even blurted out, “She has a fox-like face, I don’t want King Xuan to follow in the footsteps of his father!”

King Xuan’s mother was a stunning beauty. She died young, so few people knew that she was even more stunning than Concubine Wan in her prime.

The Empress Dowager’s words struck a chord with the emperor.

The emperor’s face changed drastically, and he said in a cold voice, “Mother is getting old, she doesn’t understand the minds of the younger generation. I will make the decision on this matter.”

With that, he turned and left.

In fact, the emperor had already made up his mind to issue an edict tomorrow to grant Xue Qingyin and King Xuan their wish.

Few people knew that the emperor and the Empress Dowager were not close.

The Empress Dowager was too protective of King Xuan, so protective that it even annoyed Emperor Liang De.

He thought, I am the one who is best for King Xuan!

I will grant his wish!

Although Xue Qingyin’s background was not good enough, it could be elevated from other aspects, and there was no need to give the Lu family any face!

Emperor Liang De returned to the Tai He Palace and immediately ordered someone to summon King Xuan to the palace.

King Xuan did not make him wait too long.

“Father.” King Xuan bowed to him when he arrived.

“Why are you being so polite?” Emperor Liang De showed a slight smile, then he sighed and said, “Chang Yi, the only person I trust most is you.”

Chang Yi was King Xuan’s courtesy name.

Emperor Liang De gave it to him. Because he was cold-hearted, he hoped that he would have long-lasting light in his life.

Hearing Emperor Liang De’s words, King Xuan did not show any emotion, he only asked, “Who angered Father?”

Emperor Liang De knew his temper, and he didn’t find it strange to see him like this.

Emperor Liang De said, “That Lu family… they really don’t know their place, they actually refused to marry their daughter to you.”

King Xuan said calmly, “That’s why I didn’t want to marry the Lu family’s daughter in the first place. Father doesn’t need to be angry about this. I spend most of my time in the army. The Lu family is reluctant to let their daughter go through hardship with me, it is only human nature.”

Emperor Liang De said helplessly, “Can that Miss Xue follow you through hardship?”

King Xuan said expressionlessly, “At least they have mutual affection. This kind of love is rare.”

“Rare love, rare love…” Emperor Liang De muttered twice, and said in a deep voice, “Alright, I will issue an edict tomorrow, so that there will be no more changes.”

To be able to make the emperor say this, King Xuan knew that the matter was settled.

From now on, no matter what the Empress Dowager said, it would not be able to change the outcome.

“It’s just that the position of the main wife must still be reserved, if one day you change your mind… you must know that I hope your wife is a wise and capable helper.”

“Just one position, it doesn’t matter if it’s reserved or not, but as I said before, my mansion can’t accommodate another woman.” King Xuan paused, and then continued, “Yesterday, the Empress Dowager also mentioned the girl from the Feng family…”

The emperor heard this, his face changed drastically, and he immediately said, “Don’t worry, since you like Miss Xue so much, I won’t bother to stuff anyone else into your mansion. The Empress Dowager will do the same.”

The so-called Feng family girl was the daughter of the Empress Dowager’s family.

The emperor sneered in his heart.

I wanted to give Lu Shu Yi to him, but he refused. How could the Feng family’s daughter even be considered?

“Your Majesty, King Wei asks for an audience.” A little eunuch stood outside the door and bowed to report.

The emperor’s attention was immediately drawn to this.

Emperor Liang De felt a headache coming on.

He looked at King Xuan, and even felt a little guilty.

“Let that scoundrel come in.” Emperor Liang De said in a deep voice.

King Wei entered the door and knelt before the emperor, saying, “My son has brought the token of love between myself and Miss Xue, and I would like to present it to Father for inspection. Please fulfill my son’s heartfelt desire!”

The emperor’s face was very ugly, “That Miss Xue is about to become your brother’s concubine, what nonsense are you talking about here?”

If it was said that King Wei’s mind was still a little wavering the day before.

But now Liu Yuerong was like that.

King Wei suddenly became determined, he had to get Xue Qingyin, no matter what!

He took out something from his bosom, it was a handkerchief.

Thinking of what Xue Qingyin said that day, King Xuan felt a little amused.

Where did he find this?

King Wei treated it as a treasure, carefully presenting it to the emperor.

The emperor was so angry that he kicked him in the chest, “Have you read all the classics and poetry into your stomach?”

King Wei was kicked backwards.

He couldn’t imagine why the emperor was so angry today.

How could he know that the emperor was first set on fire by He Ji today, and then angered by the Empress Dowager, so he was unhappy with him no matter how he looked at him.

“Father…” King Wei cried out in pain.

At this time, the eunuch beside him was sharp-eyed, and suddenly pointed at the handkerchief and said, “Your Majesty, why is there an embroidered ‘Yi’ character on this?”

King Wei was stunned, “What Yi character?”

This thing was just taken from the Xue family.

The previous one was gone! Fortunately, the steward of his mansion bought a new one.

He hadn’t even warmed it up before rushing to the palace, how could he have time to take a closer look?

King Xuan curled his fingers, his eyes cold.

Who was behind this?

It seemed superfluous at this moment.