GBP Chapter 278 Long-cherished wish
Chapter 278 Long-cherished wish
"Ji Guozhang!"
Ji Xiangli looked back and saw that it was the Minister of Revenue Chang Wenji.
"Minister Chang..." His eyes suddenly lit up.
Although everyone respectfully calls Ji Xiangli "Ji Guozhang" nowadays, everyone actually knows that he has long lost his official position and salary.
Ji Xiangli naturally understood this, so he performed the ceremony in a proper manner.
He lowered his head and looked at Chang Wenji's brocade boots, and understood in his heart that those who are in high positions are more cunning.
Chang Wenji was a second-rank official. He used to be on good terms with the Ji family and was also a popular figure in front of the emperor.
Others were afraid of being associated with him and deliberately stayed away from him.
But Chang Wenji did the opposite.
Without thinking, you can tell that he has seen that the queen is still firmly in the palace. This alone can conclude that the emperor treats the queen differently from others.
He also hoped to pass the Ji Xiang ceremony and get the support of the queen in the future.
"Master Ji, what's the important matter that brought you here today?"
Chang Wenji didn't expect that he would actually see Ji Xiangli at the palace gate.
And it looks like he needs help from someone.
I have to say that Master Ji Hou is indeed adaptable.
How glorious it was before the journey, but how humble it is now, with all the flowers and brocades around.
"I can't bear this courtesy from Father-in-law Ji. Get up quickly!" He gave Ji Xiangli a light support, and only then noticed that he was so old and haggard.
He is clearly only five years older than the age of destiny, but he looks like he is already in his seventies.
The emperor had issued an order some time ago that no one from the Ji family was allowed to enter the palace. It was said that he intended to keep a distance between the empress and the Ji family.
But now that Lord Ji Hou appeared here, he couldn't help but have some ideas.
"Father-in-law Ji, what news do you want to bring to the palace?" Chang Wenji asked tentatively.
Ji Xiangli's heart skipped a beat.
He is indeed a cunning person.
"I do have a favor to ask of you." This was a rare opportunity, and he didn't want to hide it any longer, so he quickly took out a letter from his chest.
"This letter needs to be taken to the palace for the Emperor, so I have been waiting here. I hope Lord Chang can help me present this letter to the Emperor."
Chang Wenji looked at Ji Xiangli twice without leaving any trace, and then said politely, "It is an honor for me to be able to help Ji Guozhang. Don't worry, I will go back and deliver the letter to Ji Guozhang as soon as possible!"
Hearing Chang Wenji's promise, Ji Xiangli finally felt relieved.
He hurriedly said, "Thank you very much, Master Chang. Ji is very grateful!"
After giving the letter to Chang Wenji, Ji Xiangli got up and returned to Ji Mansion.
As expected, after lunch, Xia Ming, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department who served the emperor, arrived at Ji's residence.
"Father-in-law Ji, the Emperor invites you to a meeting at the Qianqing Palace!"
Ji Xiangli didn't expect that someone would come to the palace so quickly.
However, in the past, it was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony where all officials gathered, but now it can only be held in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Times have indeed changed.
But he quickly caught up with Xia Ming, and the two of them got on the carriage to the palace together.
In the Qianqing Palace, the emperor was a little surprised when he saw Ji Xiangli coming in.
This didn't take long.
I didn't expect Ji Xiangli to have aged like this.
The emperor took another careful look at him and thought that this was a good thing. He would definitely not have any thoughts of interfering in politics or involving power again.
Feeling relieved, he couldn't help but show some kindness on his face, "The father-in-law is here."
"Long live the emperor!" Ji Xiangli saluted politely.
"Be flat!"
The emperor held the teacup, sniffing the aroma of the finest Guzhu Purple Bamboo Tea, and said calmly, "I have read the letter that Father-in-law Ji sent."
"It's rare that the father-in-law can recognize the situation and admit his mistakes with a heartbroken heart. There is still hope."
"I've said before that the Ji family is no longer allowed to enter the palace. But recently, the Queen has been ill, and I've always been magnanimous, so I'm breaking this exception. Perhaps if I summon you to the palace, she might feel better."
Ji Xiangli hunched his body, and his breath was gasping heavily in his chest.
Haha, the fox is taking advantage of the tiger’s might!
How did he kneel before me and grovel? Now he is pretending to be magnanimous!
Although he was filled with hatred, his actions were more respectful. "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty, for giving me this opportunity. I will be present to you."
The emperor was very pleased with Ji Xiangli's attitude and immediately raised his eyebrows complacently. "Hmm. Why are you so eager to see me?"
While speaking, he was fiddling with the teacup nonchalantly, with the condescending indifference of a superior.
"emperor!"
Ji Xiangli suddenly knelt down.
"I have violated the rules and entered the palace today. I have important matters to discuss with the Emperor!"
"Is there something important you want to discuss?" The emperor blew on the hot tea and then smiled faintly. "I see, there are conditions you want to discuss, right?"
His eyes were fixed on Ji Xiangli, with a hint of tacit oppression.
Ji Xiangli knew that the emperor was testing his bottom line step by step.
But now, he has long lost the sharpness he had in the past.
Therefore, he smiled in an unusual way, "I dare not!"
"Your Majesty, everything that happened before was the fault of the Ji family. Please forgive me and my family!"
"Now, Si Luan is the only black-haired person left in the Ji Mansion. With the Empress following the Emperor, I am naturally relieved. Therefore, I don't have any other thoughts."
"In the past, I did indeed do many wrong things. However, I also gave the Emperor a lot of support..."
As soon as these words were spoken, the emperor's face darkened.
I thought this guy finally understood the situation this time, but who knew that he was still the same as before, relying on his merits of following the emperor and being greedy again and again!
Just as the emperor was about to lose his temper, Ji Xiangli continued, "I hope Your Majesty will consider our past affection and appoint the Third Prince as Crown Prince. This will also... fulfill one of my last wishes..."
Last wish?
Seeing that he was not trying to fight for anything for the Ji family, the emperor felt suspicious and a hint of guilt flashed across his mind.
It seems that I misunderstood him.
He narrowed his eyes and looked intently at the now servile Ji Xiangli for a moment.
This season, is it true that Xiangli is truly repentant?
Such a good opportunity to meet the emperor, but he didn't want to discuss the conditions of the Ji family with him, but to make the third prince the crown prince.
Now that the Xie family is growing stronger in the court, the prince's position is becoming more and more solid.
In recent years, the Crown Prince's health has become increasingly weak. He has indeed always wanted to put the throne in Xu'er's hands.
It can even be said that he and Jiaru had both wanted to do this for a long time.
Is Ji Xiangli doing this on purpose, using his reputation to show favor to himself?
Feeling the emperor's suspicious gaze, Ji Xiangli straightened his expression.
"I am now in much worse shape than before and am nearing death."
"My last wish before I was buried was that the Third Prince would be able to take charge of the imperial court in the future. This has been the Ji family's long-cherished wish."
"I have always carefully educated my children, hoping to leave some useful people for the Third Prince in the future. But now, I am sending my son to his grave. After I pass away, the Ji family only has Si Luan left."
As he spoke, tears and snot were already streaming down his face. The grief on his face was so great that the emperor couldn't help but frown.
"Blood is thicker than water. Aside from the Emperor and the Empress' own family, no one is closer to the Third Prince than Si Luan. I hope the Third Prince will usher in a prosperous era."
"Through the incident between his elder brother and the common people, Si Luan has come to understand the strictness of the law and the limits of the rules. He has a kind heart and has always been obedient to the Emperor. In the past, this has caused many conflicts between us."
"Now, he is also on the verge of death due to the blows of a series of events, and has only just been saved. Therefore, with the Ji family as it is, I no longer hold any hope. I only hope that Si Luan can live a smooth life. In addition, I hope that my grandson, the Third Prince, can take the throne of Crown Prince!"