On the second day, as the Golden Crow (the sun in ancient Chinese mythology) first rose, the sunlight shone upon the lofty halls of the imperial palace, reflecting a brilliant radiance.
In the court hall, all the ministers stood in rows. Jiang Zhenting, dressed in court robes, stood as straight as a pine tree and participated in the morning court session with a solemn expression.
Following the chief eunuch's shout of "Court is adjourned!"
"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!" All the ministers bowed and saluted.
After Xuanyuan Tian was the first to rise from the high dragon throne and withdraw, the other ministers also filed out of the hall in an orderly manner.
Jiang Zhenting was just about to turn around and leave the court hall along with the crowd when suddenly he heard a shrill shout from behind:"Duke Jiang, please wait."
The voice echoed in the empty hall, sounding particularly harsh.
Jiang Zhenting stopped in his tracks and turned around to look. He saw Cheng Dexi, the emperor's personal chief eunuch, walking slowly towards him.
"Duke Jiang, His Majesty requests your presence in the imperial study. Please follow me." Cheng Dexi bowed slightly. Although his tone was respectful, it also carried an air of indisputability.
Jiang Zhenting couldn't help but feel a bit of doubt in his heart, secretly wondering what the emperor's purpose was for this private summons.
However, he didn't dare to show the slightest sign of it on his face and quickly replied respectfully,"Thank you, Eunuch. Please lead the way." After saying that, he straightened his clothes and followed Cheng Dexi towards the imperial study.
Before long, they arrived outside the imperial study.
The guards outside the imperial study merely nodded slightly when they saw Jiang Zhenting coming and didn't stop him.
Cheng Dexi walked quietly to the door, knocked gently on it, and then reported in a shrill voice,"Your Majesty, Duke Jiang has arrived."
The steady and majestic voice of Emperor Xuanyuan Tian came from inside the room,"Come in."
Only then did the eunuch gently push open the door and step aside, making a gesture of invitation to indicate that Jiang Zhenting should enter.
Jiang Zhenting walked into the imperial study with steady steps.
Inside the imperial study, the decoration was elegant and solemn. The bookshelves were filled with all kinds of ancient books and scrolls, emitting a faint fragrance of ink. The desk was made of top-quality sandalwood, with fine textures and a warm luster.
The Four Treasures of the Study were placed on the desk. The ink in the inkstone had a slight sheen, apparently having just been used. Several famous paintings and calligraphy works were hung on the walls, adding a touch of refined cultural atmosphere to this somewhat dull study.
Xuanyuan Tian was sitting behind the desk, reading and approving memorials.
"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!" As soon as Jiang Zhenting entered the imperial study, he quickly bowed and saluted.
Jiang Zhenting's status was rather special. He had never performed the kowtow ceremony, not even in the court hall.
"Rise, Lord Jiang," Xuanyuan Tian didn't even look up and was still concentrating on the memorial in his hand. He just casually gave the order.
Jiang Zhenting slowly got up, still keeping his head down, and stood respectfully aside, waiting for the emperor's next words.
Xuanyuan Tian read and approved several more memorials before finally putting down the vermilion brush in his hand and looking up, his gaze falling on Jiang Zhenting.
After looking him over for a while, a trace of concern showed in his expression as he said slowly,"Lord Jiang, there have been many complicated affairs in the court recently. I've noticed that you've been busy with official duties these days and seem a bit tired. You should take care of yourself. My country still relies on loyal ministers and good generals like you to wholeheartedly assist me."
Jiang Zhenting quickly bowed again and said gratefully,"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. Your humble servant is honored. Serving Your Majesty and the country is what I should do. I dare not slack off in the slightest. A little tiredness is nothing worth mentioning."
Xuanyuan Tian nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with Jiang Zhenting's answer. His gaze remained fixed on Jiang Zhenting as he said slowly,"I've heard that your son Jiang Li is quite outstanding in literary talent. Truly, like father, like son!"
Hearing this, Jiang Zhenting was filled with doubts. He hadn't expected that the emperor would suddenly ask about Jiang Li today.
However, his mind quickly turned, and he instantly understood the reason. Presumably, the Princess of Le'an had said something to the emperor when she entered the palace yesterday.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help frowning secretly, and the various "improper behaviors" of Jiang Li in the previous competition came to his mind.
He thought to himself,"That disobedient son is always causing trouble."
Immediately, Jiang Zhenting quickly bent over and cupped his hands, saying in a calm voice,"Your Majesty, my son Jiang Li is young and ignorant, acts rashly, and has committed many breaches of etiquette in the competition. It's truly because I have failed to teach him properly. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"
Seeing Jiang Zhenting in such a state, Xuanyuan Tian gently waved his hand and a faint smile appeared on his face."Lord Jiang, why are you acting like this? I don't mean to blame anyone. It's common for young people to compete with each other. Only in this way can their vitality and vigor be shown, and the future of our Great Han Dynasty will be promising."
Xuanyuan Tian had other plans in mind. He knew that there had always been grudges between Jiang Zhenting and Prime Minister Wei. Now that he saw that Jiang Li seemed to be quite capable, if he could stir up more conflicts between the two sides, it would be rather beneficial for him to control the situation in the court.
Jiang Zhenting slowly rose to his feet, but still kept his head down and didn't look directly at Xuanyuan Tian.
Only to hear Xuanyuan Tian continue,"I actually think that Jiang Li is a talent with great potential. Given time, he might become a pillar of our Great Han Dynasty." After saying that, he narrowed his eyes slightly.
Jiang Zhenting's heart skipped a beat.[Xuanyuan Tian has always been meticulous in his thoughts. Now that he's praising Jiang Li like this, could he have some other intentions?]
"Your Majesty flatters him too much. For my son to be so highly regarded by Your Majesty is truly his honor," Jiang Zhenting quickly replied respectfully.
Xuanyuan Tian nodded slightly and then asked with concern,"I've heard that Jiang Li once fell into the water and became physically weak. Is he in good health now?" As he spoke, his fingers gently tapped on the armrest of the dragon throne.
Jiang Zhenting quickly answered,"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. My son is already in good health."
Hearing this, Xuanyuan Tian nodded with satisfaction and then ordered the eunuch beside him,"Go and present the tonics that I've prepared to Lord Jiang. Take them back for Jiang Li to nourish his body." The eunuch accepted the order and left.
Before long, he came over carrying several exquisite brocade boxes. The brocade boxes were wrapped in precious silk satin, embroidered with exquisite patterns on them, giving off a faint air of luxury.
Xuanyuan Tian looked at Jiang Zhenting and casually mentioned, as if intentionally or unintentionally,"I hope that Jiang Li can also become a person with both civil and military abilities like me in the future and serve our Great Han Dynasty in the days to come!"
Jiang Zhenting's eyes narrowed, and he immediately understood what the emperor meant.
He accepted the rewards and saluted respectfully once again."Thank you for Your Majesty's rewards. Your humble servant will surely convey Your Majesty's expectations to my son and urge him to work hard."
"Alright, you may go. Lord Jiang, you should also take care of yourself and don't overwork."
"Yes, I understand."
As soon as he returned to the mansion, Jiang Zhenting handed the tonics bestowed by the emperor to the steward and ordered,"Send these to Jiang Li's courtyard and tell him that he is allowed to cultivate from now on.
Also, pass on a message to him. Don't think about things he shouldn't just because the Princess of Le'an has shown a bit of kindness to him!"
There was a strong warning tone in Jiang Zhenting's voice. He didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble for himself because of Jiang Li's affairs.
On this side, Jiang Li was continuing his cultivation in the courtyard.
In the courtyard, the gentle breeze was blowing softly. The branches of the old plum tree in the corner of the wall swayed gently in the wind. Although the flowering period had passed, its posture was still simple, primitive and vigorous.
Before long, Steward Wu arrived in the courtyard with the emperor's rewards.
"Young master, these are the rewards bestowed by the emperor. The master asked me to bring them to you and also asked me to convey a message to you," Steward Wu said respectfully and then repeated Jiang Zhenting's words word for word.
Seeing this, Jiang Li couldn't help being stunned for a moment. Remembering that Prince Yuntian had said the day before yesterday that he had a way to help him, it seemed now that he had pleaded with the emperor.
No! If it were Yuntian, he wouldn't have mentioned the Princess of Le'an!
Could it be that the Princess of Le'an had gone to the palace and told the emperor about his situation, which led to the emperor's actions? Jiang Li couldn't help frowning slightly and felt a bit of a headache.
He could naturally sense that the Princess of Le'an seemed to have different feelings for him. However, he was now solely focused on improving his strength and escaping the constraints of the Jiang Mansion. He really didn't have the time to worry about emotional matters.
尽管如此,他心里还是对乐安公主为他所做的一切充满了感激.
"谢谢吴管家.很抱歉给您带来这次旅行的麻烦.也请代我向我父亲转达口信. "我一定会牢记父亲的嘱托,不会有任何不正当的想法."姜离恭敬的对吴管家说道.
吴管家点点头应了一声,然后转身离开了院子.