Not That Understanding (Part Three)
“HuaiJiang, what do you think of Our decision?”
In the imperial garden, wintersweet were beginning to blossom, as Emperor Ning and Gu HuaiJiang walked side by side among them.
Gu HuaiJiang was a person with a military background, and his body was not afraid of the cold. In addition to this, with the medicine prescribed by Yu Fu, he was even more robust during the cold days.
Emperor Ning, however, could not take it.
He was getting old and spent his days in the palace enjoying his powerful position. Whenever he went out into the cold, his body would begin to tremble.
Gu HuaiJiang could see that he was cold and retrieved a bright-yellow cloak from Eunuch Gao then personally draped it on his back.
Emperor Ning turned to glance at him, and Gu HuaiJiang’s hand froze before continuing to tie the cloak for him.
Emperor Ning laughed and said: “We are already wearing a coat, and now you’re adding a cloak on for Us. This makes it look like We are very afraid of the cold.”
Gu HuaiJiang said: “This subject knows that Your Majesty is not afraid of the cold, but the wintersweet are starting to blossom, thus there is not enough warmth underfoot. This is just a small gesture of this subject’s consideration. I hope that Your Majesty will not refuse.”
He always knew how to give face to Emperor Ning.
Emperor Ning nodded his head, “The question that We asked you, you still have not given an answer.”
Gu HuaiJiang said: “Your Majesty was already planning to cultivate Yin Shuo with hopes of having him take over Prime Minister Yin’s position. Now, it’s just that Prime Minister Yin left the court a little early. When it comes to Your Majesty’s plans, it has no effect.”
Emperor Ning sighed, “That’s right. We made this decision long ago. It’s not an arrangement that came to me overnight. If the eldest prince and the second prince see this matter as clearly as you do, there would be no need for the competition to get like this.”
He reached out and felt the wintersweet. Though the frost-covered buds were small, they were quite lively.
Emperor Ning liked them and waved Eunuch Gao over, “Have someone pick a few of the nicer ones and send them to Imperial Consort Xian in a nice vase. We said a few things that were not too nice a few days ago. It would not be good to hurt her.”
Eunuch Gao saw that nobody else was around and covered up a smile, “Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry. Her Highness Imperial Consort Xian has always loved Your Majesty the most. How could she possibly get mad at Your Majesty?”
“You’re the only one who speaks so much.”
Emperor Ning gave him a quick scolding, but a smile appeared on his face.
He looked toward Gu HuaiJiang, “We previously asked you if you felt the eldest prince or the second prince was more suited to being the crown prince, and you always refused to provide Us with an answer. In truth, We have also been feeling quite conflicted about it and have not been able to make a decision.”
“The eldest prince is composed and intelligent. Ever since he was young, given that he is the eldest son, We have kept him at Our side to train him. His performance has never let me down. The second prince is smart, bold, and can occasionally be a little domineering, but he has never made any major missteps.”
Gu HuaiJiang said: “Indeed, the two princes are exactly like Your Majesty. No matter who is chosen as crown prince, they will definitely be able to govern Eastern Ling properly.”
Emperor Ning smiled and pointed at him, “Don’t just say things to make Us happy. We know that We are as average a ruler as is possible to be. Eastern Ling is wealthier than Western Kun, has more fertile lands, and has a larger population. If We were a daring ruler, how could Western Kun dare to try and invade our territory year after year?”
Gu HuaiJiang did not respond to this. To say anything further would just be empty flattery.
He did not want to say it, and Emperor Ning did not want to hear it.
After a long pause, Emperor Ning continued: “Even to this moment, We are conflicted, but this conflict between the two princes over the prime minister’s position has finally allowed Us to come to a clear conclusion. Regardless of who is more suitable to become the crown prince, We need to quickly recognize someone to keep the brothers from causing actual harm to each other over the position. That’s why We hinted to Imperial Consort Xian that We never had any intention of naming the eldest prince as the crown prince.”
Gu HuaiJiang felt his heart drop. He felt that this move was not good.
It was no wonder Emperor Ning said that he wanted to console Imperial Consort Xian. If word of this reached the eldest prince, not only could this fail to have him give up on the position of crown prince, but it might make him feel resentful.
“Your Majesty’s thinking is logical. Regardless of who is chosen, it would be best to make the decision quickly and allow the other one to quickly give up on the idea. This is the best choice.”
Emperor Ning nodded with a bit of joy, “It’s fortunate that there was this matter with Yin Yan, or We really would not have been able to figure this point out. Imperial Consort Xian has always been gentle and virtuous, and the eldest prince has been understanding. After We announce the second prince as the crown prince and provide their mothers with some comfort, things will likely be fine.”
Gu HuaiJiang remained silent and did not respond. Emperor Ning turned his head and saw that he was looking at the flower buds on the tree.
The buds had not yet bloomed, and the little bit of pink that appeared looked quite interesting when compared to a fully bloomed flower.
Emperor Ning walked back with a smile, “Do you also like wintersweet flowers? This is a new type that was brought in from the north. They were only just planted before the end of the year. We thought that your Marquis Gu’s Manor, as people with military backgrounds, would not like looking at things like flowers. That’s why I never sent any to you.”
When he brought this up, he suddenly remembered something, “Ah, We forgot. This year, your manor has Yu Fu. That little girl probably likes these sorts of flowers. We will have someone send some to your manor, but to see flowers bloom, that will probably need to wait until next year.”
Gu HuaiJiang cupped his hands in a salute, “Then I will thank Your Majesty. It would also be fine to wait a year. After all, Yu Fu will surely still be there a year from now.”
Emperor Ning teased him, “That’s right. The daughter will become the daughter-in-law. If you had such a plan, why didn’t you tell me beforehand? It wasted Our effort to try and match ShuBai with DanYang. Who knew that you already had your eyes set on a daughter-in-law!”
Hearing this tone, it seemed that he did not have any complaints about Gu ShuBai and Yu Fu.
Gu HuaiJiang was a little embarrassed, “I ask Your Majesty for forgiveness. This subject…”
“Hah, there’s no need to explain. We dote on Our daughter, and you also dote on your daughter. Wanting to find her the best partner who is talented and handsome, We obviously understand. But We need to think a bit. Who would be a good choice for DanYang to marry?”
While Emperor Ning spoke, he continued to walk further into the wintersweet garden.
Gu HuaiJiang stood behind him with his brow slightly furrowed.
If the matter of naming a crown prince really was as simple as Emperor Ning had made it sound, that would be great.
Unfortunately, whether it was Imperial Consort Xian or the eldest prince, neither were as understanding as he thought.
Not That Understanding (Part Three)
“HuaiJiang, what do you think of Our decision?”
In the imperial garden, wintersweet were beginning to blossom, as Emperor Ning and Gu HuaiJiang walked side by side among them.
Gu HuaiJiang was a person with a military background, and his body was not afraid of the cold. In addition to this, with the medicine prescribed by Yu Fu, he was even more robust during the cold days.
Emperor Ning, however, could not take it.
He was getting old and spent his days in the palace enjoying his powerful position. Whenever he went out into the cold, his body would begin to tremble.
Gu HuaiJiang could see that he was cold and retrieved a bright-yellow cloak from Eunuch Gao then personally draped it on his back.
Emperor Ning turned to glance at him, and Gu HuaiJiang’s hand froze before continuing to tie the cloak for him.
Emperor Ning laughed and said: “We are already wearing a coat, and now you’re adding a cloak on for Us. This makes it look like We are very afraid of the cold.”
Gu HuaiJiang said: “This subject knows that Your Majesty is not afraid of the cold, but the wintersweet are starting to blossom, thus there is not enough warmth underfoot. This is just a small gesture of this subject’s consideration. I hope that Your Majesty will not refuse.”
He always knew how to give face to Emperor Ning.
Emperor Ning nodded his head, “The question that We asked you, you still have not given an answer.”
Gu HuaiJiang said: “Your Majesty was already planning to cultivate Yin Shuo with hopes of having him take over Prime Minister Yin’s position. Now, it’s just that Prime Minister Yin left the court a little early. When it comes to Your Majesty’s plans, it has no effect.”
Emperor Ning sighed, “That’s right. We made this decision long ago. It’s not an arrangement that came to me overnight. If the eldest prince and the second prince see this matter as clearly as you do, there would be no need for the competition to get like this.”
He reached out and felt the wintersweet. Though the frost-covered buds were small, they were quite lively.
Emperor Ning liked them and waved Eunuch Gao over, “Have someone pick a few of the nicer ones and send them to Imperial Consort Xian in a nice vase. We said a few things that were not too nice a few days ago. It would not be good to hurt her.”
Eunuch Gao saw that nobody else was around and covered up a smile, “Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry. Her Highness Imperial Consort Xian has always loved Your Majesty the most. How could she possibly get mad at Your Majesty?”
“You’re the only one who speaks so much.”
Emperor Ning gave him a quick scolding, but a smile appeared on his face.
He looked toward Gu HuaiJiang, “We previously asked you if you felt the eldest prince or the second prince was more suited to being the crown prince, and you always refused to provide Us with an answer. In truth, We have also been feeling quite conflicted about it and have not been able to make a decision.”
“The eldest prince is composed and intelligent. Ever since he was young, given that he is the eldest son, We have kept him at Our side to train him. His performance has never let me down. The second prince is smart, bold, and can occasionally be a little domineering, but he has never made any major missteps.”
Gu HuaiJiang said: “Indeed, the two princes are exactly like Your Majesty. No matter who is chosen as crown prince, they will definitely be able to govern Eastern Ling properly.”
Emperor Ning smiled and pointed at him, “Don’t just say things to make Us happy. We know that We are as average a ruler as is possible to be. Eastern Ling is wealthier than Western Kun, has more fertile lands, and has a larger population. If We were a daring ruler, how could Western Kun dare to try and invade our territory year after year?”
Gu HuaiJiang did not respond to this. To say anything further would just be empty flattery.
He did not want to say it, and Emperor Ning did not want to hear it.
After a long pause, Emperor Ning continued: “Even to this moment, We are conflicted, but this conflict between the two princes over the prime minister’s position has finally allowed Us to come to a clear conclusion. Regardless of who is more suitable to become the crown prince, We need to quickly recognize someone to keep the brothers from causing actual harm to each other over the position. That’s why We hinted to Imperial Consort Xian that We never had any intention of naming the eldest prince as the crown prince.”
Gu HuaiJiang felt his heart drop. He felt that this move was not good.
It was no wonder Emperor Ning said that he wanted to console Imperial Consort Xian. If word of this reached the eldest prince, not only could this fail to have him give up on the position of crown prince, but it might make him feel resentful.
“Your Majesty’s thinking is logical. Regardless of who is chosen, it would be best to make the decision quickly and allow the other one to quickly give up on the idea. This is the best choice.”
Emperor Ning nodded with a bit of joy, “It’s fortunate that there was this matter with Yin Yan, or We really would not have been able to figure this point out. Imperial Consort Xian has always been gentle and virtuous, and the eldest prince has been understanding. After We announce the second prince as the crown prince and provide their mothers with some comfort, things will likely be fine.”
Gu HuaiJiang remained silent and did not respond. Emperor Ning turned his head and saw that he was looking at the flower buds on the tree.
The buds had not yet bloomed, and the little bit of pink that appeared looked quite interesting when compared to a fully bloomed flower.
Emperor Ning walked back with a smile, “Do you also like wintersweet flowers? This is a new type that was brought in from the north. They were only just planted before the end of the year. We thought that your Marquis Gu’s Manor, as people with military backgrounds, would not like looking at things like flowers. That’s why I never sent any to you.”
When he brought this up, he suddenly remembered something, “Ah, We forgot. This year, your manor has Yu Fu. That little girl probably likes these sorts of flowers. We will have someone send some to your manor, but to see flowers bloom, that will probably need to wait until next year.”
Gu HuaiJiang cupped his hands in a salute, “Then I will thank Your Majesty. It would also be fine to wait a year. After all, Yu Fu will surely still be there a year from now.”
Emperor Ning teased him, “That’s right. The daughter will become the daughter-in-law. If you had such a plan, why didn’t you tell me beforehand? It wasted Our effort to try and match ShuBai with DanYang. Who knew that you already had your eyes set on a daughter-in-law!”
Hearing this tone, it seemed that he did not have any complaints about Gu ShuBai and Yu Fu.
Gu HuaiJiang was a little embarrassed, “I ask Your Majesty for forgiveness. This subject…”
“Hah, there’s no need to explain. We dote on Our daughter, and you also dote on your daughter. Wanting to find her the best partner who is talented and handsome, We obviously understand. But We need to think a bit. Who would be a good choice for DanYang to marry?”
While Emperor Ning spoke, he continued to walk further into the wintersweet garden.
Gu HuaiJiang stood behind him with his brow slightly furrowed.
If the matter of naming a crown prince really was as simple as Emperor Ning had made it sound, that would be great.
Unfortunately, whether it was Imperial Consort Xian or the eldest prince, neither were as understanding as he thought.
