20demayo Chapter 57 Those who rise to power by virtue of their looks are hardly fit for great responsibilitie
Chapter 57 Those who rise to power by virtue of their looks are hardly fit for great responsibilitie
He slowly uttered a few words: "General, Jiang Xun."
The emperor looked at him for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction: "Very well, I will do as you say."
Ning Zhi lowered her head, concealing the complex emotions in her eyes.
He knew that a ruler would least like to be associated with a shameful reputation.
Jiang Xun had been loyal to the emperor for many years, and the emperor would certainly not want to name him personally. Although he was the emperor's own son, there was no familial affection between the emperor and his subjects.
Therefore, he was allowed to select the generals to lead the expedition.
Let this wicked person do it.
......
After leaving Xuanzheng Hall, Ning Zhi wandered aimlessly until he unknowingly arrived at Qingxin Hall.
This is just a side hall, very inconspicuous, but everyone knows that the person living here is the Grand Tutor, Duan Zhi'an, whom even the Crown Prince must respectfully bow to.
The Duan family served as imperial tutors for generations, instructing the crown prince. The imperial demeanor and style were all shaped by the Duan family, giving them a very high status that no one dared to disrespect. Therefore, although the Duan family tutors of the crown prince did not concern themselves with politics, they could still submit memorials to the emperor, determining the priorities of the court.
After Ning Zhi was designated as the heir apparent, according to the established seniority system, it was Duan Zhi'an's turn to teach him.
He was the youngest Grand Tutor in the Duan family. Before he turned thirty, he already held a high position of power and influence.
Everyone knew he was adept at manipulating power, and after Ning Zhi ascended the throne, his position became even more precarious. Court officials, like a leech, tried every means to send him treasures and beauties, hoping to use the Grand Tutor's every move to curry favor with him.
But he disdained it and chose this side hall to hide away in peace and quiet.
Ning Zhi entered the hall and saw a man sitting calmly beside a stone table in the courtyard. A chessboard was already set up, and he held a white chess piece in his hand, looking relaxed.
He straightened his clothes and stepped forward steadily: "A student has come to ask the teacher for a game."
Duan Zhian raised an eyebrow and smiled, as if he had expected him to come: "The game hasn't started yet, so it's perfect to keep you here."
Ning Zhi sat down, his gaze calm and composed.
He raised his hand, picked up a black stone, and gently placed it in the center of the chessboard.
The autumn breeze carried the fragrance of tea through the courtyard, and the sound of chess pieces falling onto the board was crisp and clear.
Duan Zhian was not talkative when playing chess, so Ning Zhi silently placed his piece in a corner of the chessboard.
However, he was distracted and made several wrong moves in a row.
Duan Zhi'an noticed that he was preoccupied and casually placed a piece, seemingly unintentionally, but it forced him into a desperate situation.
"Your Highness is not focused on the game of chess today."
Ning Zhi paused slightly, his fingertips tracing the edge of the chess piece for a moment before placing a black piece.
Duan Zhian calmly placed another piece, sealing off the black pieces: "Is it because of the sealing of Yu Pass?"
Ning Zhi frowned slightly as he looked at Hei Zi, who was in dire straits, and said softly, "Teacher must already know that Miss Jiang and I are good friends. Today I received a letter from Miss Jiang, saying that she hoped Jiang Xun would be exempted from the expedition. But just now, when Father asked me about the candidates for the expedition, I named Commander Jiang."
He paused, then lowered his eyes slightly: "This battle is doomed to failure; Commander Jiang will surely not return..."
Seeing his guilty expression, Duan Zhi'an placed the chess piece down and said, "Your Highness, life is like a game of chess. If you are soft-hearted and make a wrong move, you will end up in a difficult situation like this."
Ning Zhi sighed and said, "It's not that I'm soft-hearted, but I can tell what's more important. Jiang Xun refuses to submit to me, and the Third Prince in the court is eyeing me covetously. No matter the reason, getting rid of Jiang Xun is the best option. I'm just thinking about how to explain this to Miss Jiang."
After he finished speaking, Duan Zhian chuckled softly.
"Your Highness has not seen the Empress Dowager for some time, has that been the case?"
Then, he took a black piece from Ning Zhi's hand and placed it down, and the piece miraculously survived.
"The Empress Dowager is at Zhuoyue Villa. I didn't attend the banquet my mother hosted earlier, so it must have been some time ago."
"Then why doesn't Your Highness go?"
Ning Zhi's eyes lit up, and he stood up, saying, "I understand."
......
Finally, the day of the Beginning of Winter arrived.
Jiang Mian clapped her fists and paced anxiously back and forth in the mansion.
There are many capable generals in the court, and in her memory alone, there are several who are good at fighting. It is not necessarily necessary for Jiang Xun to lead the army in this battle.
If Ning Zhi wanted to help her, he could have recommended someone else to the Emperor.
But in this life, he and Ning Zhi have a very shallow relationship, and she doesn't know if he will help her.
I just hope it's not my father...
Just as she was pondering this, a faint commotion came from the front yard.
Jiang Mian jogged over and peered through the passageway, and sure enough, it was someone from the palace delivering an imperial edict.
The person who received the imperial decree was none other than Jiang Xun.
Jiang Mian's heart tightened, and she strained her ears but couldn't hear what was being said.
After the eunuch delivering the imperial decree left, he hurriedly ran up to him and asked, "What is the purpose of the imperial decree? Has Father accepted it?"
Jiang Xun was still bothered by Jiang Mian's disrespect earlier, so he ignored her and went straight back to his room.
She followed behind, relentlessly pressing for an answer: "Is it an imperial decree to lead the expedition?"
Jiang Xun stopped and said, "Why are you asking such questions, you're a young woman?"
Seeing that Jiang Xun was not friendly to her, Aunt Wan took the opportunity to mock, "Isn't it just that you want to wait until Master goes to war so that Second Miss can show off her power at home?"
She didn't mind making things worse and was eager to fan the flames so that Jiang Xun would stand up for her.
Jiang Mian understood from her words that it was indeed an imperial edict to launch an expedition.
She had no time to deal with her aunt and quickly said, "If the imperial decree orders Father to go to Fengyu Pass, Father must not go! The battle there is extremely dangerous, and the Emperor's move is intended to send Father to his death!"
Are you cursing me?!
Aunt Wan frowned and said, "Master is brave and unparalleled, he will surely return victorious! Why does Second Miss say such unlucky things?"
"Father, why don't you consider this: if we win this battle, the war at Fengyu Pass can be resolved. After the Emperor is free from a major threat, his next step will be to purge those ministers who have overshadowed him. Even if you return alive..."
"Enough! What do you, a mere woman from a household, know about war?"
"Father, you mustn't be blindly loyal! The path the Emperor has sent you on is one of no return!"
"Snapped--!"
A slap landed on her face.
"If you spout nonsense again, don't blame me for using family discipline!"
After saying that, Jiang Xun turned and left.
Jiang Wan covered her face, which quickly swelled up, and tears of irrationality welled up in her eyes.
But she didn't have time to think about herself before rushing towards Jiang Xun, who was walking towards the gate.
When Xiao Hengzhi came over, he happened to see Jiang Mian stepping forward and tugging at Jiang Xun's sleeve.
Aunt Wan chimed in from the side, "Master has returned victorious from his campaign and will surely be overjoyed and reward you! Is Second Miss hoping for trouble for the Jiang family?"
"Jiang Mian, don't be silly!" Jiang Xun said, then pulled down her sleeve and stepped out the door.
Jiang Mian gritted her teeth, and found her body trembling slightly.
It is a fear that arises from knowing what is about to happen.
She stood there, stunned, her legs weak and unsteady.
However, under Aunt Wan's threatening gaze, not a single servant came forward to help.
She sat on the ground for a long time.
Suddenly, a warm force came from her shoulder and helped her stand up.
Xiao Hengzhi said to Aunt Wan, "If you have the time, Aunt Wan should go to the Xie residence to see the eldest young lady. There's no need to be so aggressive towards the second young lady here."
His words stung Aunt Wan.
She clenched her fists, wanting to retort, but was speechless and could only leave angrily.
Jiang Mian walked into the room in a daze, her mind elsewhere. Xiao Hengzhi poured her water, but she pushed him away.
He kept muttering to himself, "If Father falls seriously ill, the Emperor will send someone else... Yes! We can give him medicine to make him sick for a few days..."
As she spoke, she got up to go to the kitchen.
Xiao Hengzhi quickly pulled her back and closed the door.
Why are you stopping me?
"Miss, you're being a bit impulsive right now. It would be better if you calmed down."
"Am I impulsive?"
"What do you know? Do you know how dangerous Fengyu Pass is? Father's chances of winning this battle are extremely slim. The Emperor did this intentionally. If I don't stop him, do you really want to wait for the Jiang family to fall into ruin?"
She felt a surge of panic, and her anxiety intensified.
“But if we don’t go this time, the Emperor will surely find another way… Second Miss, calm down.” Xiao Hengzhi spoke seriously, trying to calm her down.
He really wanted to say that Jiang Xun was stubborn and inflexible, and no one could persuade him. Only when he was on the battlefield, facing great danger, would he see reality clearly. That's why he had to go with her; as long as he was there, Jiang Xun would be safe.
But he didn't say it aloud; he just helped Jiang Mian sit down.
Jiang Mian leaned against the table, her heart pounding like a drum.
Yes, Xiao Hengzhi is right. This time he's using this excuse to avoid it, but who knows what will happen next time? The Emperor has already decided to kill him; he will never let my father go.
She suddenly realized that, having lived two lives, she was utterly incompetent.
In her past life, she rose to power by virtue of her looks. No matter how willful and spoiled she was, Ning Zhi always protected her. Now that she has lost her support, she is helpless.
The whispers of courtiers behind her back from her past life flashed through her mind:
"She's just a pretty face."
"She only obtained the position of empress because of His Majesty's favor."
"How can such a seductive woman be the mother of the nation?"
Those sarcastic remarks pierced her heart like needles, making her feel increasingly suffocated the more she thought about them.
Seeing that she was pale, Xiao Hengzhi squatted down in front of her and gently comforted her, "Second Miss, don't worry too much. Just wait for us at home."
us?
Jiang Wan was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening.
She almost forgot that Xiao Hengzhi married her to gain military merit, and that he was going to go on the expedition with Jiang Xun this time.