GBP Chapter 557 Departure by Order
Chapter 557 Departure by Order
The Crown Prince said solemnly, "Father, we can't delay any longer. The coastal defense deployment in Haicheng has already begun. Prince Yu started the plan to crack down on pirates years ago. Your son is extremely anxious!"
Emperor Shenwu asked the Crown Prince to sit down, but did not mention the battle in Haicheng. Instead, he asked, "I have imprisoned your fourth brother in the Fourth Prince's residence. Do you think there is anything wrong with that?"
The Crown Prince's eyebrows twitched, and he raised his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, by imprisoning him, you saved his life. From now on, I will continue to imprison him, so that he can live a life of ease and comfort! He previously meddled in the incident where my mother was poisoned by the cold, and he has plotted against me more than once. I don't like him, but no matter what, he is still Your Majesty's son and my elder brother, and I still feel sorry for him."
Emperor Shenwu said, "My son, besides these kinship ties, there is another reason why emperors cannot easily be ruthless to their brothers. Do you know what it is?"
The prince listened carefully.
Emperor Shenwu continued, "Because of human nature! Emperors also have to consider the hearts of the people. No matter how heinous some people are, if their ruler brutally kills their own relatives, some people's hearts will change! At that time, they will not remember the heinous crimes of those who committed rebellion, but will only remember the ruler's cruelty and ruthlessness, and his brutality that even spared his own flesh and blood!"
"My prince, you must grasp the right balance here!"
The Crown Prince was still a little confused when he heard this, but he quickly bowed and said, "I obey my father!"
Emperor Shenwu gave some instructions regarding Haicheng and ordered the eldest and second princes to go with the crown prince.
After finishing his talk on state affairs, Emperor Shenwu looked at his son, who made him proud, and said in a low voice: "Go and say goodbye to your mother!"
The prince came to Fengqi Palace again. Lan Qingwu learned the purpose of the prince's visit and ordered the palace servants to pack up a lot of useful things.
The prince smiled and said, "Mother, please stop being busy and talk to your son."
Lan Qingwu could only sit down, thinking about the bloody scene that would surely flow like a river if a sea battle broke out. He felt sad in his heart, but he suppressed the worry on his face, "Chu Ming, please talk to the Crown Princess. She is in a special condition right now, don't let her worry too much."
The Crown Prince nodded in agreement, but in his heart he thought that it was impossible for the Crown Princess to be happy that after he left, he would not be able to develop feelings with the two concubines.
A mother worries about her son even when he's thousands of miles away. Lan Qingwu could only give instructions on whatever came to mind. The Crown Prince couldn't help but tease, "I think the mothers of my eldest and second brothers are as flustered as the Queen Mother!"
Lan Qingwu smiled, "That's natural. A mother's heart is probably the same in this world!"
The Crown Prince's eyebrows twitched slightly, "Mother, when you were pregnant with your son, what was Father's mood like?"
There was a hint of surprise in Lan Qingwu's beautiful eyes, but she still said, "Your Majesty has been weak since childhood, and there was no good news for a long time after entering the palace. So when your Majesty was pregnant with you, your father was very happy. No matter how busy he was, he would come to see you every day, talk to you, read to you, and play the piano for you while you were still in your mother's womb... You are your father and mother's first child. Although your father has high hopes for you, he also poured all his fatherly love into your birth!"
"So Chu Ming, no matter how dangerous this trip to Haicheng may be, you must protect yourself! Your body and hair are given by your parents, and your father, the emperor, and your mother only hope for your safe return!"
The prince was deeply moved and immediately knelt down and bowed respectfully to Lan Qingwu.
"My son will always remember your earnest hope! I will surely return safely soon!"
However, neither Lan Qingwu nor the prince had expected that when they met again, the situation would be completely different!
The Crown Prince was ordered to inspect Haicheng, accompanied by the First and Second Princes. The group, traveling light and simple, set off with their troops.
The Emperor Shenwu had already given the necessary instructions, and the Crown Prince had already gone to the Qianzheng Hall to pay his respects and kowtow before setting out. The Emperor Shenwu did not appear again.
However, Lan Qingwu, Imperial Concubine Jiang, Concubine Wan, the Crown Princess, the First Prince's Concubine, the Second Prince's Concubine and others were all on the city wall watching the people they cared about go away.
The next few days were peaceful, except for the fact that the Phantom Guards, ordered by the Emperor to find the fish, were not going smoothly. Every time the Emperor received the news, his face would darken for a moment.
Lan Qingwu returned to the Lan Mansion that day. She went back to her own room and ordered Lan Hao to take out all the letters from the border. Lan Qingwu looked through them one by one, and after a moment she breathed a sigh of relief.
Ru Han said, "Master, you can rest assured. Madam has the Buddha's blessing and will surely live a long life."
Lan Qingwu's eyebrows relaxed. "You're right. Mother just caught a cold last year, and she's completely recovered since the spring. So I don't have to worry about you every day."
Emperor Shenwu was busy for more than an hour in the afternoon, then he got up and left the palace to pick up Lan Qingwu.
Emperor Shenwu did not disturb the people in the Lan Mansion and followed the path to Lan Qingwu's yard.
Emperor Shenwu looked up from afar and found Lan Qingwu standing under the blossoming tree. She stretched out her hand and picked up a spring flower and placed it on the tip of her nose.
Helplessly, the beauty sniffed it casually, and suspected that the heart was imprinted by the sandalwood mouth.
However, not far behind the beauty stood a handsome and elegant man, which made Emperor Shenwu feel very uncomfortable. He was none other than Wang Shuren, a second-rank assistant.
Over the years, Grand Master Shi was forced to recuperate at home. Emperor Shenwu promoted Wang Shuren, previously Second Assistant, to First Assistant, and Wang Shuren, relying on his own abilities, gradually climbed to his current high position. Emperor Shenwu always cherished talented individuals, and for various reasons, he promoted Lan Qingwu's cousin, who had occasionally stabbed him in the eye, step by step, gradually making use of him.
Emperor Shenwu looked at the two people in the distance with an expressionless face. Wang Shuren was unaware of anything and was concentrating on watching the woman picking flowers and branches.
Lan Qingwu looked at the flowers intently, while Wang Shuren looked at the woman in front of him intently.
"Your Majesty is here!"
Li Xiang's shrill chorus startled Lan Qingwu who was standing under the blossoming tree.
The flower branch slipped through Lan Qingwu's slender jade fingers. She turned around in surprise and saw Emperor Shenwu striding towards her.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
Emperor Shenwu reached out and helped Lan Qingwu up, then looked at Wang Shuren: "Lord Wang, are you here too?"
Wang Shuren replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have returned today to visit my father and pay my respects to the Empress."
Emperor Shenwu nodded. "I heard that Lord Wang has only one child after all these years, but your wife is not to your liking? Today you came to see your father, but your wife was nowhere to be seen. Would you like me to give you a few beauties?"
Lan Qingwu opened his eyes slightly wide and looked at the Shenwu Emperor. Wang Shuren was stunned for a moment. He was about to speak when he was interrupted by a gentle voice: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you! I pay my respects to the Empress!"
It was none other than Wang Shuren's wife, who was accompanied by several maids. Each maid held a tray in her hands, on which were fragrant tea and exquisite snacks... It was a sight that made people feel refreshed.
Lan Qingwu quickly spoke: "Madam, please stand up. Madam is so kind and gentle, the aroma of tea is lingering, and even these cakes are very appetizing."
Madam Wang quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the Queen is too kind."
Wang Shuren took the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, my wife has prepared some refreshments. Please enjoy them, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Shenwu looked at Wang Shuren deeply and walked directly to a small pavilion. Lan Qingwu naturally followed behind him.
Emperor Shenwu and Lan Qingwu sat down, and Wang Shuren and his wife naturally stood to serve them.
The Emperor Shenwu's expression had already changed, and he even smiled and joked, "Don't mind my dear Lord Wang, I was just joking! It's just that—you are the heirs of two families, so you do have fewer children."
Wang Shuren glanced at Madam Wang, who quickly lowered her head shyly. "Your Majesty, my wife is very good. Both you and I enjoy a quiet life. We are equals, and sooner or later, we will have good news!"
Wang Shuren paused and said, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your concern!"
Emperor Shenwu nodded and said nothing more. However, Madam Wang's lowered eyes flickered for a moment, and then she lowered her head even more deeply.