Chapter 497: Second the Motion |
Early morning, the sound of the bell on the Bell and Drum Towers rippled over.
Princess Liyang slowly walked down the stairs, putting back on the Pheasant Robe. She had dabbed light pearl powder on her face, and a dark red plum blossom was once again dotted in the center of her brow.
Chen Ji stood on the first floor of the Huitong Relay Station and looked up at her: "Why didn't Your Highness delay time today?"
Princess Liyang smiled and said: "The southern dynasty's Crown Prince Your Highness stooped to come to the Huitong Relay Station to negotiate the covenant. If this Palace were to pull some messy stunts again, it would instead make this Palace look somewhat ignorant of proper behavior."
Chen Ji stepped sideways to make way: "The carriage is ready."
As she brushed past Chen Ji, Princess Liyang asked breezily: "What about Second Miss Zhang? This Palace is on the verge of leaving the Ning Dynasty. Doesn't she plan to see this Palace one more time? Perhaps with this parting, we will never see each other again in this lifetime."
Chen Ji said earnestly: "It is best not to see."
Princess Liyang had originally been about to get into the carriage. Hearing these words, she immediately turned back, feigning anger: "It's still you men who are the most heartless. This Palace sincerely considered the two of you as friends."
Chen Ji replied absentmindedly: "Perhaps."
Chen Ji silently pondered. The Crown Prince hoped that he would escort Princess Liyang outside Chongli Pass. Had he prepared some sort of backup plan again? What trump cards did the Crown Prince still hold in his hands?
At this time, sitting inside the carriage, Princess Liyang said softly through the carriage curtain: "Lord Chen, do you know what it means to be a nation's heir apparent?"
Chen Ji said indifferently: "Orthodoxy."
Princess Liyang smiled: "That's right. In every dynasty and generation, the Crown Prince has always been the most dangerous position. In my Jing Dynasty's thousand years, the number of Crown Princes who died before ascending the throne is countless. Yet there are still so many people fighting to become one, just because of those characters: 'Orthodoxy'. As long as those characters exist, countless people will advance continuously to fight for it, and there will be people advancing continuously to assist him, because this is the most exhilerating business in the world."
Chen Ji said calmly: "What does Your Highness want to say?"
Princess Liyang said seriously: "Your southern dynasty Crown Prince has already been managing his forces for over twenty years. Even if he is under house arrest in Zhongcui Palace, he still cannot be underestimated. Lord Chen must be careful. Seeing that success is imminent, this Palace does not wish to die on the road back to the Jing Dynasty. I entreat you."
The Court of State Ceremonial was only two Alleys away from the Huitong Relay Station. They arrived in the blink of an eye.
Officials of the Court of State Ceremonial were already waiting at the doors early on. Chen Ji steadied the carriage and held open the curtain for her: "Your Highness, rest assured. Nothing will happen."
As she alighted from the carriage, Princess Liyang said softly: "Lord Chen, if we truly encounter danger, do not abandon me. Believe me, as long as I live, there will always be areas where I can help Lord Chen."
With that, she let Xiaoman support her out of the carriage. Raising her head, she walked into the Court of State Ceremonial, transforming back into that haughty Jing Dynasty princess before the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial.
Chen Ji was about to return to his seat on the carriage when he was smilingly grabbed by the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial: "In such a major event, how can the Baron of Wuxiang County not go in? This matter cannot be done without you."
Chen Ji frowned: "Isn't His Highness the Crown Prince there?"
The Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial pulled him inside: "His Highness went to Renshou Palace. Today must be presided over by you."
Tables and desks had already been set up inside the Court of State Ceremonial. The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial sat at the rear, spreading out paper to draft the 'Written Covenant'. The detailed rules of this peace negotiation had to be recorded on it; not a single word could be omitted.
Princess Liyang had already taken her seat, but the main seat opposite her was still empty. The Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial pressed Chen Ji into this seat, smiling as he said: "Once we finish drafting the Written Covenant, we request the Baron of Wuxiang County to carefully review it."
Chen Ji remained impassive: "And then?"
The Vice Minister answered: "And then it's signing and affixing seals."
Sitting opposite, Princess Liyang smiled faintly: "To think that in this massive Ning Dynasty, there isn't even a single person who dares to sign the covenant. Deeply afraid of shouldering a millennia of infamy. That Crown Prince of yours is truly tricky. The peace talks were clearly negotiated by him, yet when it's time to sign the covenant, he refuses to show his face?"
The Vice Minister's expression changed: "Do not slander my Ning Dynasty's heir apparent!"
Princess Liyang Answered Sarcasm with Sarcasm: "Did this Palace speak incorrectly?"
At this point, she turned to look at Chen Ji: "Lord Chen, this Palace advises you not to sign. This matter has nothing to do with you. Switch for your Ning Dynasty Crown Prince to come."
The Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial patiently stated: "Your Highness also wishes to bring Yuan Cheng back sooner. Why bother with our Ning Dynasty's internal affairs?"
Princess Liyang slowly leaned against the back of her chair and sneered: "This Palace is a Jing Dynasty princess. What is the meaning behind you sending a Baron to sign a covenant with this Palace? Replace him with someone of equal status; otherwise, this Palace will not sign."
The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial Looked at One Another. Princess Liyang's request was proper and reasonable. No matter where it was brought up, it wasn't wrong.
Seeing the peace talks stalling once more, a moment later, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial gritted his teeth and strode out. Returning two hours later, the Vice Minister was covered in sweat, trailed by the Trouble-Resolving Guard and the Crown Prince.
As Chen Ji stood up to yield the main seat, the Crown Prince said softly: "Lord Chen has great ability, to actually be able to make the Jing Dynasty Princess speak out for justice on your behalf. Those who don't know might even think Lord Chen is a Baron of the Jing Dynasty."
Princess Liyang said lightly: "This Palace isn't speaking out for justice for anyone; I am merely doing things according to the rules. Everyone says the Ning Dynasty values Propriety. How could it be that you don't understand Propriety as well as a mere Princess of the Jing state like this Palace? Could it be that you say one thing but do another, act one way to someone's face but another way behind their back?"
The Crown Prince didn't get angry. He smiled: "Your Highness jests..."
At this time, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial brought forward the Written Covenant, reminding: "Your Highness, let us sign the covenant."
The covenant was made in quadruplicate. The Crown Prince took up a brush and wrote his own name, "Zhu Chunwen", on the four covenants. Then he pressed down his handprint and the heir apparent's Official Seal.
The Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial presented the covenant before Princess Liyang. Princess Liyang wrote down the name "Yuan Yin" on the covenant. Casually coating her entire palm in Cinnabar ink, she pressed down a complete palm print onto the covenant.
Princess Liyang smiled and said: "This Palace did not bring an Official Seal, so I'll just make my palm print a bit more complete."
The Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial led everyone to the backyard. An earthen altar had been set up here early on, with a 'pit' dug out beside it. One copy of the document was buried in it, respectfully informing the earth deities. One copy was burned in a brazier, respectfully informing the heavenly gods.
The remaining two copies would be held individually by Jing and Ning, stored in their respective ancestral temples, announcing to all the people.
When all this was completed, the Crown Prince politely cupped his hands to Princess Liyang: "Your Highness should return to the Huitong Relay Station to rest. The Baron of Wuxiang County must still accompany Us into the palace for a trip, to discuss the matter of escorting Your Highness out of Chongli Pass."
Princess Liyang glanced at Chen Ji and nodded in agreement: "Fine."
...
In the Forbidden City.
The Crown Prince was in front, Chen Ji in the back. As the two passed through the golden tiles and red walls, neither spoke. It seemed there was no longer any need to speak anyway.
Passing the Fengxian Hall, the Crown Prince suddenly sighed with emotion: "Lord Chen, We very much miss that time back in Guyuan. You saved Us twice, and We promised you the position of Right Guard of the Eastern Palace. We originally thought we would be passed down in history as an excellent tale, but after returning to Capital City, it seems everything has changed."
Chen Ji ignored him.
The Crown Prince continued babbling to himself: "Lord Chen, We truly appreciate you. You are a member of the Chen Family, and Elder Chen is Our teacher. We originally should have been the most close-knit. How did things devolve to this state today? With things like this, it leaves Elder Chen caught in the middle..."
Chen Ji interrupted: "Your Highness."
The Crown Prince was puzzled: "Hmm?"
Chen Ji said calmly: "Shut up."
The Crown Prince's gaze slowly sank into stillness: "We believed there should still be room for maneuver between you and Us."
Chen Ji stopped paying attention to him.
Upon reaching Renshou Palace, the Crown Prince suddenly turned and asked: "Lord Chen, is there truly no room for maneuver? If you still have anger in your heart, We can exhaust all methods to make it up to you."
Chen Ji brushed past him and walked straight outside Renshou Palace, announcing loudly: "Subject, Baron of Wuxiang County Chen Ji, greets His Majesty."
Wu Xiu's soft, high-pitched voice came from within Renshou Palace: "Summon, the Crown Prince and Baron of Wuxiang County for an audience."
The two of them stepped into Renshou Palace together and knelt on the ground. The Grand Secretaries and Ministers were all present in the palace. Emperor Ning sat cross-legged behind a gauze curtain, his face obscured.
At this time, the Crown Prince spoke first: "Reporting to His Majesty, the covenant has been settled, respectfully informing heaven, earth, and mankind. Princess Liyang and Yuan Cheng can now be returned. This son believes that they should be escorted by the Baron of Wuxiang County leading the Feather Forest Army. The Baron of Wuxiang County has repeatedly established extraordinary merit, giving the Feather Forest Army a brand new outlook. They have never failed or lost their integrity. Having them escort would be much more secure."
The officials exchanged glances, looking one by one at the Grand Secretaries seated on the embroidered stools.
Zhang Zhuo pondered for a moment before speaking up: "The Feather Forest Army lacks manpower. Since returning from Chongli Pass, they haven't even had the opportunity to rest and recuperate. It is still better to have the Three Imperial Camps escort."
But right after he finished, Elder Hu didn't even lift an eyelid. Refuting in a raspy voice, he said: "Inappropriate. The Three Imperial Camps have never drilled in matters of honor guards."
Zhang Zhuo looked toward Elder Hu: "Have they truly never drilled in it, or is it that they don't want to bear this infamy?"
Elder Hu slowly raised his eyelids, his piercing gaze looking toward Zhang Zhuo. Although Zhang Zhuo had already entered the Grand Secretariat, he had kept a low profile these past days. This was the first time he had ever gone tit-for-tat against another Grand Secretary.
Yet today he seemed to have changed his personality, no longer hiding his brilliance and nursing his strength.
The next moment, Emperor Ning spoke slowly from behind the gauze curtain: "Enough. Don't quarrel inside Renshou Palace. Do not disturb the Three Pure Ones... Just have the Baron of Wuxiang County lead the Feather Forest Army as the escort."
Chen Ji had no choice but to say loudly: "Obey the decree."
The Crown Prince slowly let out a breath of stale air. Yet before he could finish exhaling this breath, he heard Chen Ji speak again: "Since ancient times, our dynasty has possessed the character of the emperor personally leading troops into battle. Right now it's called a peace negotiation, but in reality, it is the Jing Dynasty actively suing for peace. This subject requests His Highness the Crown Prince to preside over this matter, setting out with this subject outside Chongli Pass. First, the Crown Prince personally receiving the Jing Dynasty's warhorses will demonstrate our martial prowess to all under heaven and display our national prestige. Second, the Crown Prince personally welcoming back the captive soldiers and civilians will display our dynasty's benevolence and virtue. Those soldiers and civilians have been captives for over seven years. If they are personally welcomed and consoled by the Crown Prince, surely the Border Army soldiers and officers will be exceptionally heartened and inspired."
The Crown Prince's pupils shrank tight. For a moment, he actually didn't know how he should refute this.
Before he could react, Elder Hu spoke up: "This subject seconds the motion."
Zhang Zhuo closely followed suit: "This subject seconds the motion."
The Crown Prince shot a look pleading for help toward Elder Chen and Elder Qi. Together with the other Grand Secretaries and ministers, everyone looked over as well.
However, right at this moment, Elder Chen slowly spoke: "This subject seconds the motion."
The Crown Prince was rooted to the spot.
This time, it was the ministers' turn to be astounded. The Chen Family had actually abandoned the Crown Prince for Chen Ji?
On the imperial throne, Emperor Ning spoke slowly: "Since it is so, then have the Crown Prince make the trip."
(End of this chapter)