The Red Mansions

Chapter 1718 Jia Heng: Do I have to put a yellow robe on him?

Palace Garden, Xihe Palace——

Jia Heng led a group of officers and soldiers from the Beijing camp into the Xihe Palace. Then, amid the clash of black iron armor leaves, he sat down on a lacquered wooden table, raised his wine cup, and said, "My fellow officers and soldiers, you have worked hard and made great contributions to the country by going to the Western Regions to pacify the Junggar tribe and other barbarian cavalry. I would like to offer you a drink."

When the soldiers who were lining up below heard this, they looked up and said they dared not.

Jia Heng said in a gentle voice: "The Western Regions were once the land of the Han and Tang dynasties. Now that they have returned to the imperial court, you will have a place in the glorious history books in the future."

All the generals in the hall were delighted and kept talking.

A look of delight appeared on the rough faces of the military generals.

Jia Heng put down the teacup in his hand and winked at the military officer who was standing silently beside him.

With a "swish" sound, the silk was unfolded, and the military officer of the Jinyifu was heard reciting in a full voice, "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: The Western Regions have lost their land several times since the Tang and Song dynasties, and were occupied by the invaders. Now, after the bloody battles of our Han soldiers, they have returned to China. From now on, it will be renamed Xinjiang. The meritorious officers and soldiers who have recovered Xinjiang have made unparalleled contributions..."

During this battle, General Fuyuan Jin Xuan was conferred the title of First-Class Xinning Marquis, concurrently serving as General of Yili, and led 80,000 troops to garrison Xinjiang, while Pang Shili was conferred the title of Weiyuan Marquis, still serving as General of Xining.

However, Xie Zaiyi, the Duke of Yingguo, was not canonized as a prince by Jia Heng. In other words, his contribution in recovering the Western Regions was not enough to make him a prince. He could only be temporarily recognized as a meritorious service and rewarded to his son.

The rest of the meritorious officers were rewarded. For example, Cao Bianjiao, Marquis of Shanhai, redeemed himself with his merits and was reinstated, but in fact Jia Heng had already recorded his merits and would confer the title of Duke on him in the future.

After the Jinyifu guards finished reading the imperial edict, Jia Heng looked at the generals who were thanking him in the hall and said, "The Ministry of War will reward the soldiers who fought in the Western Regions, and the relevant rewards will be distributed to the soldiers in various camps during this period."

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the hall clasped their fists in agreement, and they finally felt relieved.

King Wei regarded the soldiers in the Capital Camp as his own descendants, so how could he not reward them for their merits?

In fact, at the beginning of the year, the cabinet was discussing the rewards for pacifying the war in the Western Regions. Finally, based on the importance of the war in the Western Regions, the reward sequence was set at two marquises, four earls, and seven viscounts.

With the recovery of Liaodong, the imperial court became increasingly strict in awarding titles for military merit.

Due to various wars in recent years, there were too many meritorious titles awarded, and the court actually narrowed the scope of titles awarded accordingly. However, at the instruction of Jia Heng, more earls and viscounts were awarded to several generals of the Beijing camp who participated in the war.

To some extent, it is also to win the hearts of the troops.

Jia Heng said, "You have fought hard and come all the way here. Let's have some wine and food first. Have a few drinks and don't leave until you are drunk."

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the hall responded in agreement.

After a while, the officers and soldiers seated in the hall were toasting each other and the atmosphere was lively.

It was not until the afternoon that the generals in the palace, supported by their personal soldiers, quickly walked out of the hall.

Jia Heng also summoned Xie Zaiyi to the inner study room to talk. The two of them sat down. The eunuch brought a few blue and white porcelain teacups, filled them with tea, and then slowly left.

Xie Zaiyi sat upright and asked in a puzzled tone, "My Lord, why don't you take advantage of the situation to ascend the throne and abdicate today?"

Jia Heng shook his head and said, "If we hastily accept the throne today, we will eventually lose the meaning of inheriting the mandate of heaven and being glorious. Moreover, since the seventh year of Qiande, the court's various major affairs are still in full swing, the local governors have not been completely replaced, and the Western Regions are new. There are so many things to do, it is better for the court to stay still and wait until next year."

In his opinion, the eighth year of Qiande should be enough.

Xie Zaiyi weighed his words carefully and said, "Prince Wei wants to proceed step by step, but now all his generals are looking to him. If he hesitates, it will inevitably chill the hearts of his brothers. If this continues, it will easily lead to trouble."

Jia Heng thought for a moment and said, "That should be next year. This year, it is better for the court to remain quiet rather than make any moves."

Xie Zaiyi nodded and said gently, "There are many things to be done in the court right now."

Jia Heng stared at Xie Zaiyi with a gleaming gaze under his sword-like brows, and said, "Next year, Brother Xie will have a place in the position of the county king."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zaiyi bowed to Jia Heng and said, "Your Majesty."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Okay, we are brothers, no need to be so polite."

Xie Zaiyi stood up with the help of Jia Heng, and then sat down on a pearwood chair with a backrest. He asked, "Prince Wei, the court has set up governors in Guangdong and Guangxi. Do you intend to bring the Qin and Han dynasties under your control?"

Jia Heng asked, "Yes, that's true. Does Brother Xie have any interest in this?"

Xie Zaiyi looked solemn and said in a deep voice: "If the court needs me to lead the troops, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Jia Heng looked at him with admiration and said, "Thank you, brother, for your loyalty and bravery. I know that very well."

Xie Zaiyi's eyes were filled with eagerness, and he said in a loud voice: "Your Highness, now the Beijing Camp, the Border Army, the General Affairs Office, the six ministries in Beijing, the local governors, and the civil and military officials inside and outside the capital are all loyal to you and want you to do something great. Please don't let everyone down."

Jia Heng: "..."

What does that mean? Are you going to put a yellow robe on him?
It's not impossible.

Whether it was Xie Zaiyi's title of Prince or the meritorious titles of the officers and soldiers in the Beijing camp, they were all related to his becoming the emperor.

Jia Heng said: "I have great ambitions, but I still need to settle down."

Xie Zaiyi nodded heavily.

……

……

Shenjing City, Princess Jinyang's Mansion——

In the attic of the back house——

It was March, the month of spring. The sun was bright as clouds, shining through the carved and hollow window lattices into the carpeted warm room, and reflecting the light on the vase leaning against the cabinet.

The beauty was wearing a scarlet dress with wide sleeves and her lush hair was tied up high. Her pretty face was illuminated by the sunlight, and there was an endless melancholy between her eyebrows.

At this moment, Princess Xianning was watching her son Jia Zhu playing with a rattle under the care of his nanny, and her pretty and gentle face seemed to be in a daze.

Ever since her younger brother committed suicide for treason, Princess Xianning has been somewhat depressed, or it can be said that there has been some estrangement between the couple.

Li Chanyue entered the warm room holding a soft and cute child, raised her eyes to look at Princess Xianning, and said in a soft and tender voice: "Sister Xianning, you are very unhappy."

Princess Xianning said softly, "No."

Song Yan also came over with a boy in her arms. It was Song Yan's son, who was younger. His eyes, like black grapes, rolled around, clear and lively, with an indescribable aura.

At this moment, a graceful young female official came quickly from outside and said softly, "Your Highness, the King of Wei is here."

Under Princess Xianning's emerald green eyebrows, her pair of clear eyes like rainbows were deep. She pursed her slightly pink lips, and a feeling of grievance welled up in her heart.

As for my husband, he hasn't visited her for several months.

Li Chanyue reached out and took Princess Xianning's slender hand, and said softly: "Sister, Mr. Xiao Jia is here."

Li Chanyue has been married for many years, and her features have become more gentle and warm, showing the softness and warmth of a married woman.

Then, Jia Heng walked into the hall with a calm face, stared at Li Chanyue, smiled and said, "Chanyue, Yan'er, you two are here too."

While Princess Xianning was speaking, her fair and delicate face, as white as snow, and her slightly rosy lips pursed slightly, as if she seemed to be about to say something.

Jia Heng walked a few steps quickly and came close to Princess Xianning. He looked at her snow-white face and said, "Chanyue, you and Yan'er can carry Ruo'er and Zhuo'er."

Li Chanyue's starry eyes sparkled as she stared at Jia Heng. Then, she seemed to be hesitating and responded softly.

At this moment, Jia Heng walked quickly to the front, looked at Princess Xianning's soft and pretty face, and whispered: "Xianning, how are you?"

Suddenly, his mind was stunned. Looking at Princess Xianning with tears in her eyes, he was shocked.

Is Xianning crying?

Jia Heng felt a little solemn in his heart. He turned to look at Li Chanyue and said, "Chanyue, you hold Er, Ruoer go and rest first."

Li Chanyue said "hmm" softly, then looked at Song Yan who was thinking about something, and said softly: "Sister Yan'er, let's go back together."

Song Yan responded softly, with a slight mist in her crystal clear eyes. Then, she looked worriedly at Princess Xianning who was silent, then looked at Li Chanyue beside her and walked towards the inner room.

While Jia Heng was talking, he walked up to Princess Xianning, gently pulled her delicate hand, and said, "Xianning, you have really lost weight these days."

Princess Xianning uttered a soft "hmm", and a speechless sound seemed to come from beneath her beautiful, straight nose, and two lines of tears were already welling up in her crystal clear eyes.

Jia Heng stretched out his hand and put it on Princess Xianning's shoulder, saying softly, "Xianning, it's okay, don't cry, don't cry."

But Jia Heng's words seemed to have turned on some kind of switch in Xianning, and the tears on Princess Xianning's face became more and more, and soon they rolled down her face.

Tears are streaming down her face, like pearls that have broken off the string.

Jia Heng stretched out his hand, gently put his arm around Princess Xianning's shoulders, and said, "Xianning, I am sorry for you."

Princess Xianning's beautiful face was covered with tears, and her voice was choked with sobs as she said, "Sir, it's all my fault."

Jia Heng said softly, "Xianning, it's all over. I was the one who neglected you during this period of time."

In fact, Xianning had done a very good job. He did not intentionally ignore Xianning before, but he just did not know how to face Xianning.

His younger brother Chen Ze died a violent death, and his mother, Concubine Duanrong, was imprisoned. Xianning was caught in a dilemma and found it difficult to cope with the situation.

Princess Xianning turned her fair face with snow-white skin and jade-like complexion. Her sparkling eyes seemed to be filled with crystal tears. She said in a trembling voice, "Sir, I know your...difficulties."

Jia Heng reached out and gently put his arm around Princess Xianning's shoulders, saying, "Xianning, now that things have come to this, let's look forward and stop thinking about it. Your mother is in the palace. After a while, you can go to the palace and spend more time with her."

Princess Xianning leaned her delicate head with long black hair on Jia Heng's shoulder. Her pale face, still with tears on it, had two beautiful red clouds floating on both sides.

The gentleman was talking nicely, but his hand was reaching into her clothes dishonestly.

Well, it must be a habit formed over the years.

Perhaps because she had given birth to a child, Princess Xianning became more dignified than before.

Jia Heng turned around and looked at Princess Xianning's snow-white face. He leaned over to her soft and rosy lips and pecked them gently, saying softly, "Okay, let's not think about this anymore."

"Yes." Princess Xianning asked with a hint of ethereal in her voice, "Sir, has the war in the Western Region been settled?"

Jia Heng paused for a moment and said, "Yes, the war in the Western Regions has completely ended. The army returned victorious today. I just hosted a banquet for the meritorious officers in the palace."

Princess Xianning was moved when she heard this and asked, "Then Sir, do you want to..."

Jia Heng held Princess Xianning's delicate hand and said, "Not yet."

Princess Xianning was silent for a moment, then suddenly said quietly: "Sir, you will become an emperor of great talent and strategy, and will be praised by future generations."

She should have known her husband's ambitions from the beginning.

……

……

After comforting Xianning, Jia Heng went to the back house to look for Princess Jinyang.

At this moment, the sound of reading was heard in the hall. Jia Heng looked up and saw Princess Jinyang sitting on a soft couch covered with a mattress.

The beauty was holding a book in her hands, her eyes were gentle and her expression was focused. The sunlight shone on her fragrant and fair face, which was slightly hairy and crystal clear.

Jia Heng walked a few steps quickly into the hall, stared at Princess Jinyang, and said loudly: "Jinyang."

Princess Jinyang's beautiful eyes were as soft and clear as water under her emerald eyebrows. She asked, "Are you here? Did you go to see Xianning just now?"

Mm, this body smells like rouge and powder.

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "I've been to see it. I've been busy with court affairs recently and have neglected it."

Princess Jinyang whispered, "Xianning has done so much for you, you can't let her down."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "I am worried about this, too."

As he was talking, Jia Heng came to his son Jia Jie, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Jie'er, what book are you reading today?"

"Father, it's Jiang Taigong's Six Strategies." Jia Jie turned his handsome and fair face and looked at the young man in the python robe. He raised a look of reverence on his face and said crisply.

Jia Heng smiled and jokingly said, "At such a young age, can you understand this?"

Princess Jinyang rolled her eyes at Jia Heng and said in a reproachful tone, "Jie'er can understand it. How long have you not paid attention to Jie'er's studies? Jie'er has read several military books."

Jia Heng adjusted his face and said, "I didn't expect Jie'er to have grown so big."

Princess Jinyang: "..."

How does this person talk? It seems like he doesn't care at all?

Jia Heng whispered, "Well, I haven't been with Jie'er for a while, so his schoolwork should be almost done."

Princess Jinyang said softly under her emerald eyebrows: "The child is like you, very smart, and never made me worry about his homework."

At this moment, Jia Heng picked up a blue and white porcelain teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile: "That is more like you."

Princess Jinyang snorted softly through her beautiful nose and said nothing more.

The flesh that fell off her body naturally looked more like her.

Princess Jinyang's face flushed as she asked, "Have the soldiers who went on the expedition to the Western Regions returned victoriously?"

Jia Heng raised his sword-like brows and looked at Princess Jinyang quietly. He said softly, "The army has returned to the court, Jinyang."

Princess Jinyang's clear and bright eyes flickered under her emerald eyebrows and she said, "Then the court should not have any foreign wars."

Jia Heng said: "Now that the court has no foreign wars, it can focus on developing domestic affairs and improving its armor and weapons to seek a foundation for eternity."

Princess Jinyang said in a gentle voice: "Now that you have put your mind back on things, you should put the affairs of the harem aside for a while."

Jia Heng said, "We have arrived now."

In the past two years, he has indeed become less interested in women, or rather, he has focused more on how to govern the world?
Jia Heng looked at Princess Jinyang intently and said in a gentle voice, "I have been neglecting the education of the children recently."

Princess Jinyang looked surprised and asked, "Let's not talk about this for now. What are your plans for the court?"

Jia Heng said: "Let's keep our troops on hold this year and see how things turn out next year."

Princess Jinyang was silent for a moment, then said, "As long as you have an arrangement in mind."

While Jia Heng was speaking, he gently took Princess Jinyang's slender hand and said, "It's been a long time since we last met. Let's have a good chat."

Princess Jinyang's snow-white face turned red with shame, and she said angrily, "Aren't you afraid of the children seeing it?"

Jia Heng gently put his arm around Princess Jinyang's shoulders and said softly, "It's been a long time since we last met."

Princess Jinyang snorted softly, her face flushed with shame, and she said softly, "Let's go upstairs."

Jia Heng hummed, took Princess Jinyang's slender hand, and said, "These days, the affairs of the mansion are all up to you."

He and Xianning were in a delicate atmosphere before, thanks to Jinyang for helping to turn the situation around.

Princess Jinyang raised her beautiful eyebrows and said in a clear voice, "How can you still be so polite to me?"

Jia Heng didn't say anything else. He gently put his arm around Princess Jinyang's shoulders and leaned against the bed.

Until the lights came on, a bright silver moon appeared, and the moonlight was as bright as a flower, shining on the eaves of the roof, as if clear frost was flowing.