171. Bandit Emperor (17) (1/2)

171. Bandit Emperor (17) (1/2)

Ji Xiawan's life in the palace was much better than she had imagined. Although the palace rules taught by the maids were still there, the new emperor didn't care much about them, probably because he was also from a grassroots background.

Her mother-in-law, the current queen mother, was a kind person. She liked to recite scriptures and chant Buddha's name on weekdays. She also spoke softly and treated her daughter-in-law, who was pregnant before marriage, very well.

Princess Wei Qingniang was a gentle woman. The two liked to do needlework together. Princess Wei Yiyi also lived in the palace with her mother. She was a very cute girl. In just a few days, Ji Xiawan loved her as her own daughter.

Her husband was a little busy. After all, he had just conquered the capital not long ago and there were still many things to do. But even so, he still insisted on coming to the bedroom quietly after a tiring day to sleep next to Ji Xiawan, and left quietly the next day.

If the maid hadn't told her the next day, Ji Xiawan, who had fallen asleep early because of fatigue during pregnancy, would not have known about it. This was enough to show how careful the new king was.

Although Wei Mingyan was still young, Ji Xiawan couldn't help but worry about such long-term handling of political affairs. After getting along for a long time, her fear of her husband, the man with the highest status in this country, was reduced.

When checking Ping'an's pulse, the imperial physician clearly prescribed a prescription to reduce fatigue, but when the palace maid brought it over, this heroic man who had fought all the way to the top of the world frowned and refused to drink it.

It was only after the queen mother said that Ji Xiawan knew that he had been afraid of bitterness since he was a child and never liked to drink medicine.

Such a heroic and extraordinary man suddenly showed such a side, which not only did not make people feel disillusioned, but even made Ji Xiawan feel that he seemed to be closer.

Although she was cautious by nature, as a wife, how could she watch her husband not take medicine properly, especially when she saw him frowning even in his dreams every day, Ji Xiawan slept beside him, and she was even more anxious.

When she lost her cautiousness for the first time and bravely brought the medicine in person, the handsome emperor, who the palace servants dared not even look at directly, still frowned, but still took it and drank it obediently.

"Wanwan, I don't like to drink these, too bitter."

Ji Xiawan handed over the snack that had been prepared long ago, a small piece, with not much sugar added, but it could better suppress the bitterness.

"Your Majesty, you will feel better after eating this." Wei Mingyan frowned and looked at the small piece of candy in front of him with disdain, saying, "Only Xiaoyi likes to eat this kind of food that children like." As he spoke, his hand naturally reached out and threw it into his mouth. After chewing a few times, he quickly relaxed his frown. He obviously liked the taste, but he still pretended, "If it weren't for Wanwan's face, I wouldn't eat it." After eating, he looked at his wife who was covering her lips and laughing softly, "Ask someone to send some to Xiaoyi, this little girl likes to eat these." From then on, the task of coaxing the emperor to take medicine fell on the Queen. The new emperor drank the medicine, which contained a calming ingredient, and he couldn't help feeling sleepy every time after a while. He simply put down his pen and ink, stopped reviewing, and prepared to go to bed. Recently, after the court session, Wei Mingyan was reviewing memorials in the palace. This time, he put down his pen and went into the inner room, and saw his queen sitting at the table with her white neck slightly lowered, sewing the clothes in her hands stitch by stitch.

Since Ji Xiawan entered the palace, all his inner clothes were sewn by Ji Xiawan. Although her embroidery skills were not as good as those of professional embroiderers, her carefulness could be seen. Every thread was well hidden and very comfortable to wear.

She was grateful to her husband and loved him, but she was embarrassed to express her feelings, so she had to repay him in this way.

Every stitch and thread contained love and respect for her husband.

In Ji Xiawan's view, her majesty was the great hero in her mind.

As a king, he had already conquered the world, but he did not slack off at all. He killed corrupt officials, opened imperial examinations, and issued one system after another to settle the people.

As a husband, he was gentle and considerate. He could have had three thousand concubines, but he kept his promise. Since she entered the palace, he had never touched any woman other than her. He was busy with government affairs on weekdays, but he would still take time to accompany her for meals and stay by her side at night.

Ji Xiawan never thought that she would have such a happy life. She thought that the man she married might be the best man in the world.

She didn't know how to repay him, so she could only take better care of him.

Before going to bed that day, Wei Mingyan put his ear to his wife's abdomen as usual, with a smile on his handsome face, "He moved."

"Wanwan, do you feel it? Our child is moving."

Ji Xiawan looked at him gently, smiled and nodded, "He is moving. Mother said that he will move more frequently in a while."

Wei Mingyan didn't listen, but raised his head, took his wife's hand, and looked at her seriously, "Wanwan, thank you for your hard work."

"I'm busy these days, and I can spare some time to accompany you."

Ji Xiawan looked at him, feeling warm in her heart.

This is her husband, and when she thought he was already good, he could always be better.

She leaned in Wei Mingyan's arms, feeling the gentle heartbeat in his chest, her eyes full of happiness.

***

When she gave birth, Ji Xiawan had already been well placed in the delivery room, and the palace servants around her were walking around in an orderly manner.

She broke into a cold sweat from the pain on her head, and it felt like the pain was going to split her apart, but on the contrary, she didn't panic at all.

Because she knew her husband was outside.

Ji Xiawan's birth was not smooth. She was imprisoned in a small courtyard when she was first pregnant. After learning about the existence of the child, she was too frightened and her body became weak. Although she had been receiving treatment after being transferred to the palace, she had been receiving many medicines. But I didn’t dare to eat more because I was pregnant.

She was biting the handkerchief in her mouth, and her whole body was in a daze of pain. Finally, she didn't know how long it took, and she finally couldn't help crying out in pain.

"My dear, my dear, if you push harder, you will be fine soon, my dear..."

Ji Xiawan's face was covered with tears and sweat. She tightly grasped the sheets under her body with both hands, feeling that her strength was losing little by little.

She knew that her biggest fear when giving birth was that she would lose strength and the child would be suffocated to death in the mother's womb.

But his husband loved this child so much.

He would always put his head on her belly before going to bed, listening carefully to what was going on inside. Sometimes he would hold a book and tell her stories, hoping that the child in his belly could also hear them.

He has said more than once that this is their little prince or princess, and it is also his first child. He must teach him well and love him.

When he said this, his husband's face was full of love for his children.

Ji Xiawan desperately opened her eyes with painful force.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, your Majesty is still giving birth. This place is filthy, Your Majesty..."

Someone called "Your Majesty" in her ear, and then her cold hands were tightly wrapped by a pair of big hands.

The magnetic voice said, "How is the Queen?"

Someone was replying, "My queen has no strength. If she continues like this, the little prince may be in danger..."

"I'm asking your queen!"

"Yes, yes...if you continue like this, I'm afraid..."

What did the man say again? Ji Xiawan was in a daze and could no longer hear clearly. The only thing that finally reached her ears was Wei Mingyan's resolute voice.

"Everything is about the queen."

Ji Xiawan's eyes heated up, and she squeezed the man's warm hand. It was as if a warm current flowed down her body. She subconsciously exerted force, and then she let out a baby's cry.

The whole person seemed to relax.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Queen has given birth to the little prince..."

The news of good news from the palace people could be heard in the ears. Everyone was beaming with joy. Only Wei Mingyan looked intently at his wife with a pale face on the bed. His eyes were full of heartache. He took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Ji Xiawan's sweat.

"Wanwan, thank you for your hard work..."

Ji Xiawan smiled with difficulty. She was obviously tired, but she still looked at him with bright eyes.

"Your Majesty, our child..."

Wei Mingyan quickly asked the palace attendants to take the child over and place it next to Ji Xiawan.

He stretched out his slender fingertips and tapped the baby's little fist, his eyes full of love.

"Little Prince, you have to grow up quickly."

***

Children always grow up very fast, but within a month, the little prince, who was still blushing when he was born, has already shown his original whiteness and tenderness. Ji Xiawan quickly regained his figure after giving birth, but he was still fair and chubby. Just by kicking his calves, all the elders couldn't help but smile fondly.

The young prince should be the first prince in the Jin Kingdom to be crowned prince as soon as he landed. When Wei Mingyan announced it, the minister of civil and military affairs did not express any surprise. After all, his majesty had already announced the draft and stated that there was only one queen in the palace. .

It was not that there were no objections from his stubborn ministers, but since he came to power, the new king had reduced taxes, opened imperial examinations, opened official schools, recruited poor children from all over the world, and sent envoys overseas to bring back foreign grains that could feed the people. , such a conscientious and good king who has never done anything detrimental to the people since he came to power. He just wants to stay with the queen for life, and he is not robbing people's daughters. Their objections cannot be loud at all.

Now that the queen has gained a son with one fell swoop, establishing a prince is a good thing that can calm the people's hearts, so what reason do they have to oppose it.

If there was anything that could be criticized about the Queen, it would probably be her natal family. Ji Wu was sanctimonious and an upright official on the surface, but he did some dirty things behind his back. However, he was not impeached at all. Opportunities are 'actively' paralyzed.

The emperor expressed his sorrow and stripped Ji Wu of his position so that the queen's father could rest in peace and recuperate. In order to express his respect for the queen, the imperial doctor sent good medicine to Ji's family like water.

If nothing unexpected happened, with the blessing of such good medicines, Ji Wu should be able to live without moving and remain conscious for more than twenty years.

The emperor who loved the queen also thoughtfully picked up the new wife who was left far away in the countryside by Ji Wu so that she could continue to take care of her husband.

The new wife seemed to have suffered a serious illness after the queen got married. It was said that she accidentally took a fatal poison. Although she was rescued by the palace doctor, she became hoarse overnight, and then she seemed to have been burned during an argument with her husband. His face was disfigured, and his whole person looked like a ghost, which even attracted inquiries from the emperor in the palace.

The new wife, who was supposed to follow Ji Wu's wish and "take the initiative to die", was able to save her life. Ji Wu did not dare to take action again and simply sent her to the countryside. She was just like Ji Xiawan back then, struggling in the countryside. alive.

Her daughter was luckier. When she realized that Ji Wu wanted to kill someone, she escaped from the house overnight. Ji Wu simply announced that Ji Xiating had died of illness. From then on, she could no longer live with this name.

Not to mention how the new wife, who had a hoarse voice and a disfigured face, "took good care" of her paralyzed husband. A paralyzed father-in-law, even if he was a corrupt official, could not play many advantages. Seeing that the emperor loved him so much, no one mentioned this matter again.

The prince was established smoothly, and the baby in the cradle became the prince.

When the little prince was one year old, the whole Jin State had been purged. The king set up assistants to assist each official who was sent out, and sent imperial envoys to check every year. Who the imperial envoys were, when to check, and where to check were all decided by the emperor on the spot, and no one could get any gossip in advance.

Without the suppression from above, the people could support themselves as long as they worked. The originally deserted streets gradually became lively, and almost everyone had a smile on their faces.

Children running on the street with toys made by their parents, hawkers, and students wearing uniforms issued by the government school were talking loudly. Two elderly people were shaking and supporting each other, sitting in front of the stall and ordering a bowl of food. The yamen runners in majestic official uniforms were patrolling with swords on their shoulders. When the stall owner saw them, he smiled and asked if they wanted a bowl of fragrant wonton.

Everyone's face was full of hope for the future life, not at all like the numbness and indifference in Ji Xiawan's memory.

"What? Wanwan wants to go downstairs to play?"

Wei Mingyan, who was also wearing casual clothes, asked her with a smile, "Wait until you come back, and our family will go for a good walk."

"Ah... um..."

The chubby little prince was anxious when he saw his mother lower the curtain. He was held by his father and kicked his legs and whimpered in protest.

He was born in the palace, and this was the first time he followed his parents out of the palace. Ji Xiawan lifted the curtain just now to see, mostly because this little guy was making a fuss and insisted on seeing the people outside.

"Okay, okay, Miao'er, just look for a while."

Ji Xiawan had no idea what to do with her son. This child looked exactly like Wei Mingyan. Every time he looked at her, she couldn't help but soften her heart.

The little prince was satisfied, and then he got a slight blow on his head. His father's voice with a smile was in his ears, "Little clever ghost, if you do this again, I won't bring you out next time."

"Yi!"

The little prince was hit, and immediately turned to look at his father angrily, protesting with a humming sound.

"Call me father, call me father, and I will open the curtain for you."

Wei Mingyan looked at his chubby son in his arms, his eyes full of love. This little thing learns things quickly. He can obviously call people, but he is too lazy to speak. He always babbles and says words that no one can learn, making people guess.

Of course, the little prince would not compromise so easily. He turned his head and looked at his mother with a pair of big eyes pitifully for help, shouting incoherently: "Mother, mother, please..."

Ji Xiawan nodded his little head, "I don't know who he learned this bad habit from. He knows how to ask for mercy at such a young age."

"Who else can he learn from? It must be Xia Ying. That kid is not good at other things, but he seems to be born with the ability to adapt to the situation. He brought delicious food to this little thing two days ago."

Wei Mingyan shook his fat son, "Hurry up, the emperor will not wait for you. We will be there soon. You can't see it even if you want to."

There was no way, the little prince had to look at his father pitifully and called out, "Father's room..."

As soon as he finished speaking, his saliva fell down, and he quickly stretched out his little hand to lift the handkerchief on his neck to wipe it. The fat lotus root hand moved back and forth, and it took a long time to wipe it clean.

While the little prince was busy, his unscrupulous parents just watched and laughed, and had no intention of coming up to help at all.

Fortunately, when he finished wiping, Ji Xiawan had already lifted the curtain, and the lively crowd outside could be seen again. The little prince was happy again, and he was happily held by his father and looked out.

"Good... beautiful!"

He clapped his hands to express his thoughts.

Wei Mingyan touched his little head, "If it's beautiful, look at it more. Later, you have to make it more beautiful, okay?"

The little prince nodded excitedly, not knowing whether he understood it or not, and clapped his hands to agree, "Okay!"

The car continued to move forward. The little prince looked all the way. When he was carried out of the car, he was very well-behaved and looked around obediently in his father's arms.

He saw a small house. In the eyes of the little prince who had lived in a palace everywhere since he was a child, the house was indeed small, but when he went in, it didn't seem to be very small, and there was also a small courtyard.

Wei Mingyan held his son and took Ji Xiawan all the way into the courtyard. A birthday banquet was being held here. The host of the banquet was an old lady who was about to be buried.

She had only one son in her life. Because her son died for the country, he was taken to the capital and well taken care of.

The old lady lost her son, so she took her son's apprentice who lost his parents to her home to raise as her grandson. The child was only fourteen years old, but he had already passed the examination for a scholar. He was supposed to continue to take the exam, but he insisted on mourning for his master and did not participate in the special examination.

Because it was the emperor's personal decree to confer the title, there were really many people at the old lady's birthday banquet. The fourteen-year-old boy shuttled through the crowd and gave instructions in an orderly manner.

Wei Mingyan was a little surprised when he came, but later he saw that most of those people left after putting down their gifts, so he knew that this was to establish a good relationship.

Chi Lingzhi saw that almost everyone had come in, so he called the servants to ask, "How is grandma? Was she disturbed?"

"The old lady went to the ancestral hall..."

Hearing these words, Chi Lingzhi felt a pain in his heart. He knew that his grandmother must have gone to visit his master.

At first, my grandmother believed what was said outside, thinking that Master was really helping the evildoers, so she kicked him out of the house and even severed the relationship between mother and son. She had been crying every day, but now that she has ascended the throne, she announced to the world that Master was secretly saving lives from corrupt officials. After killing so many innocent people, my grandmother became seriously ill.

Chi Lingzhi knew how much she regretted treating her master like that.

Thinking of the master who, although he was strict in his memory, truly regarded him as his disciple, Chi Lingzhi swallowed the warmth in his eyes and continued to cheer up the guests, but he did not realize that a group of people were heading to the backyard.

"Hey! Sister!! Sister!!"

Ji Xiaying saw her sister as soon as she entered the door, and immediately strode over excitedly. As soon as she stood firm, she saw Wei Mingyan turning around and looking at him.

The young man who was full of excitement just now had his legs weak and almost fell to his knees, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

"You don't have to be like this outside. Just call me brother-in-law."

Wei Mingyan looked his brother-in-law up and down, "Have you finished your homework? It doesn't seem like it's time for the official school to end."

"Chi Lingzhi is my good friend. It's his grandmother's birthday, so I took a special leave of absence." Ji Xiaying answered honestly. After speaking, she was afraid that her brother-in-law, who was more concerned about his studies than her sister, would force him to go back to class, so she quickly added He said, "I didn't come alone. My husband also came with me. Brother-in-law, you see..."

The young man turned around as if grasping a life-saving straw, and then his face became confused, "Eh? Where is sir? You were still here with me just now."

"Okay, you are such a big man, but you are still acting so frivolously, so straighten your back."

As soon as Wei Mingyan finished speaking, Ji Xiaying straightened her back reflexively. At first glance, she looked like a graceful gentleman, but her face looked as bitter as possible.

Sure enough, the next moment, the king in front of him said, "Let's go, put down the gift, and let your sister take a good test of your homework."

"Also, why did I hear that you failed in riding and archery last time? A great man, you can't even do riding and archery. When you enter the palace tomorrow, I will teach you personally."

Ji Xiaying felt bitter in her heart. Outsiders knew that his brother-in-law, the emperor, valued him and not only taught him personally, but also recruited him into the palace several times. But who knew that every time he entered the palace to study, he would be scolded like a grandson.

Several times, looking at the emperor's brother-in-law's unyielding look, Ji Xiaying felt that her brother-in-law had raised him as a son. He was talented in literature and military strategy, as well as riding and shooting formations. Ji Xiaying could learn all of these. But the brother-in-law’s intention was clearly to let him learn everything.

Bitter, too bitter.

Ji Xiawan has been smart since she was a child, and she did not put down her books even after entering the palace. She quickly found out that Ji Xiaying had not studied hard recently. The young man immediately experienced criticism from the queen, sister, emperor, and brother-in-law in turn, with the prince and nephew clapping his hands in between. The fun is never too big.

When he was finally let go and ordered to go to the palace tomorrow to practice riding and shooting with Wei Mingyan, Ji Xiaying could hardly hold on to the stiff smile on her face.

Ji Xiaying breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her sister and husband carrying her nephew into the carriage. Just as she was about to go and relax, she saw her husband walking out of the door with red eyes.

"Sir, where have you been? Do you know who I just met? I..."

Ji Xiaying was about to complain so that her husband would give him less homework, when she saw Mr. Jin's red eyes and was stunned, "Sir, are you... crying?"

"Three big words, I'll check them tomorrow." Mr. Jin still looked the same. After finishing the arrangement, he waved his sleeves and left.

"Ah? I, not, why, sir..."

Before Ji Xiaying could complain, the pain in his heart increased. Just as he was confused, his friend suddenly chased him out of the door and quickly pulled him to complain, "Ling Zhi, let me tell you..."

"Xia Ying."

The handsome young man's eyes were also red, and he hugged his friend, his voice even choked, "Thank you."

Ji Xiaying: "Huh?"

Why does it always feel like everyone knows something but he doesn't?

on carriage

Wei Mingyan said, "I remember that the child raised by Mrs. Jin must have a younger sister at home."

Ji Xiawan thought for a while and said, "Yes, he is being raised by his grandmother, but I see that his grandmother is also a little bad."

"Let the Jin family take the child back. After all, after raising a brother, there is no shortage of a sister."

Wei Mingyan hugged the little prince and smiled, "Xia Ying is smart, but he just doesn't want to work hard. We have to find a way to motivate him."

Ji Xiawan was curious, "What method? Xia Ying is very stubborn."

"You'll know then."

After the news spread that Ji Xiaying was practicing riding and archery in the palace, many young men were envious of her. Suddenly, riding and archery became popular again in the capital.

And in such peace, envoys from neighboring countries came to Beijing.

The former Jin Dynasty they had defeated was in ruins, and their attitude towards the new king remained arrogant.

This time when he went to Beijing, in addition to expressing his hope for trade with Jin, he also made a request that he thought was very compromising.

Asking to marry the eldest princess as the third princess of their king.

Wei Mingyan refused on the spot, and the envoy looked unhappy. After saying a few words of reluctance, he was directly driven out of Jin.

Neighboring countries have gone to war. This is their usual method. They make demands first and then go to war after being rejected. If it was the previous dynasty, they must have got their wish long ago.

Unfortunately, they met the emperor Wei Mingyan.

When Chi Lingzhi's sister Chi Qingqing came to Beijing after her grandmother passed away, the Jin State had completely suppressed its neighboring countries.

By the time she reached hairpin age, there were no neighboring countries left.

Two years later, when the young prince could handle political affairs, Ji Xiaying, the uncle of the country, happily married his good friend's sister, Chi Qingqing.

There is a queen sister who is proficient in both literature and martial arts, and was taught a lot by the emperor's brother-in-law. In this life, he can finally protect his wife.

The author has something to say: Two in one, good night everyone!

You give out red envelopes to the first ten little angels, and then you give out red envelopes to the next ten random little angels.