That day, Chen Tingjian still had no intention of going to see his son.
Of course, he was not idle either. He had to deal with memorials from the capital with several ministers, and accompany Emperor Yuanyou to summon soldiers at the border. He really had no free moments.
At dusk, the emperor returned to Jizhou City from outside. When Emperor Yuanyou got off the car, a strong wind blew. He just squinted his eyes and turned sideways to avoid the wind. He found that Chen Tingjian behind him had his long beard blown into disarray, and his loose scarlet official uniform was tightly attached to his body, outlining the thin figure of a civil servant.
Although both of them were thin, He Qingxian looked energetic in his thinness, while Chen Tingjian took advantage of God by having a handsome face that made him look like an immortal. Although he looked good, he was actually not very strong, and people were worried that if the wind got stronger, the Prime Minister would be blown away.
Especially since the old man had been running around with him recently, climbing the Great Wall today and climbing the hillside tomorrow. Plus, he must be worried about his injured son, and the haggardness on his face was clearly visible.
Relationships are divided into close and distant ones. Emperor Yuanyou had Chen Tingjian by his side since he could remember. Chen Tingjian even taught him for longer than the previous emperor. In real comparison, in Emperor Yuanyou's case, He Qingxian and General Qin, combined, were no match for Chen Tingjian.
In the past, Chen Tingjian always scolded him, and Emperor Yuanyou naturally disliked the old man. But now Chen Tingjian treated him kindly, and his old age was gradually showing. Emperor Yuanyou was not really without conscience, so he would feel distressed.
After entering the posthouse, Emperor Yuanyou said to Chen Tingjian, "I am tired. Sir, please go and see my husband for me."
The emperor asked for such a small matter. If it was another injured person, Chen Tingjian would definitely agree. He just asked him to go and see his son. Chen Tingjian lowered his eyes and said, "It's just a minor injury. The emperor has already visited him personally this morning. There is really no need to worry too much."
Emperor Yuanyou raised his voice and said, "Sir, are you unwilling to make this trip for me?"
Chen Tingjian: …
He looked disapprovingly at the young emperor who was deliberately losing his temper, and sighed, "The more you favor him, the more arrogant he becomes."
Emperor Yuanyou brought out his sister's words: "Sir, you have three sons, so naturally you don't feel sorry for your son-in-law, but I only have one legitimate brother-in-law, your son-in-law."
The chief eunuch Cao Li smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Go quickly, Lord. The Emperor is just trying to give you a way out. There is no father in the world who doesn't worry about his own flesh and blood."
Chen Tingjian had nothing more to say and bowed and left.
In the Princess's villa, Huayang was originally accompanying Chen Jingzong. When she heard that her father-in-law had come, she warned Chen Jingzong, "I will leave first. You should talk to father properly and stop deliberately angering him."
The more unhappy the quarrel between the father and son in public, the better it will be for the entire Chen family. However, there are only family members here, so there is no need to hurt the father-in-law's feelings again.
Chen Jingzong was unwilling: "If you want him to be happy, you should stay. If I stay alone, he will be upset even if I don't say anything."
Huayang: "Shut up!"
Chen Jingzong was originally leaning against the head of the bed. As soon as the princess left, he lay down, closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.
In the yard, Fugui led his prime minister in.
The inner room was quiet. Chen Tingjian walked in alone. With a quick glance, he found a figure lying on the bed through the screen.
Chen Tingjian walked to the bedside without stopping and saw his son lying on the bed with his right shoulder exposed, his eyes closed and his breathing even.
Although he is the youngest child in the family, he is already 26 years old this year. It seems that his temper is still the same as when he was a child. However, when he really thinks back, this child has not caused any trouble to the family in the past few years since he came to Beijing. On the contrary, he has made many contributions. The fairy-like figure of the eldest princess is willing to protect him, which further proves that the fourth child is far more outstanding and sensible than he thought.
Chen Tingjian sat down at the head of the bed, holding his overlong beard with one hand, and lowered his head, trying to see the injury underneath through the gauze.
Unfortunately, I can't see anything.
Chen Tingjian sat up straight, looked at his son's young face again, paused, and asked: "Did you get this injury on purpose?"
The Prince Consort who was pretending to be asleep: "I fell asleep, so I couldn't hear you."
Chen Tingjian snorted. If it were the eldest or third brother, they would never dare to act inappropriately in front of him.
Chen Jingzong finally opened his eyes, his gaze lingered for a moment on the old man's face, which looked handsome and elegant from a distance but had fine lines when viewed up close, and said, "My injury is nothing serious. The eldest princess scolded you, and she herself became upset first. She waited here for a long time last night, thinking that if you came, she could comfort you with a few words."
Chen Tingjian's eyes showed some kindness, of course not for his son. He stroked his beard and said, "I'm here. Your trick of inflicting pain on yourself has been in vain."
Chen Jingzong understood and there was no need to say anything more.
Chen Tingjian looked at his son again and said, "Even if you don't look for Qin Yuantang, I will find a way to make it clear to him. Next time if you are worried about something, tell me in advance and I will come forward so you don't have to take risks."
He is not old enough to need his son and daughter-in-law to help him so much.
Chen Jingzong: "I will be returning to Beijing the day after tomorrow. If you talk to the general in person, it will only make people suspicious if you are alone. Not to mention that the correspondence will be difficult to explain if it falls into the hands of others, the general may not be able to figure it out just by reading the letter. It is better for us to cut the Gordian knot."
Since it concerns Emperor Yuanyou, General Qin would be most convinced only if the words came from the eldest princess.
Things have already happened, and there is no point in talking about anything else. Chen Tingjian nodded: "I'm fine here, tell the princess not to blame herself."
After saying this, there was silence.
The father and son looked at each other, then looked away at the same time.
The Prime Minister, who was busy with official duties, said: "I have something else to do. I'll leave first."
The injured Prince Consort said: "No need to see you off."
The time father and son spent together was too short. By the time Huayang reacted, Chen Tingjian had already left the villa.
"What did you talk about with your father?" Huayang could only ask Chen Jingzong.
Chen Jingzong then repeated those few words to her.
Huayang: …
Chen Jingzong: "I told you long ago, he's just an old fox, there's no need for you to feel sorry for him."
Hua Yang followed his words and said, "I am worried about you. Father came but he didn't even bother to ask if you were feeling any pain."
Huayang glared at him.
On the last day in Jizhou City, nothing major happened. Emperor Yuanyou came personally and suggested that they leave first and let Chen Jingzong stay to recuperate.
Chen Jingzong: "No need to bother. I just can't ride a horse for the time being, so I'll lie in the carriage to avoid the bumps."
Emperor Yuanyou looked at his sister inquiringly.
Huayang persuaded Chen Jingzong: "You'd better stay. If your injuries get worse on the way and the news reaches the Queen Mother, she will definitely blame me for not taking good care of you."
Chen Jingzong: "I will take good care of myself and will never cause trouble to the princess. Your Majesty is here and can testify for me."
Emperor Yuanyou: "Forget it, let's go back!"
He really couldn't stand the pitiful look of the prince consort who was afraid of being abandoned by his sister!
.
On the day when the emperor set out on his journey, General Qin Yuantang rode his war horse and accompanied him for twenty miles.
Finally, they had to stay. With red eyes, Qin Yuantang bid farewell to Emperor Yuanyou, then retreated to the front of the princess's carriage and asked for the princess's injury in person for the last time.
Chen Jingzong sat back on the main couch and bowed to him sincerely, "General, take care of yourself. If there is a chance in the future, I am willing to follow you to the battlefield."
Qin Yuantang smiled and looked at the eldest princess sitting beside him.
Huayang looked at the still clearly visible Great Wall behind Qin Yuantang and said, "The safety of the capital is entirely entrusted to the general."
Qin Yuantang said solemnly: "Don't worry, Princess. I am here. Doyan and Tatar will never be able to cross the Great Wall from Jizhen!"
Huayang nodded and signaled Chaoyun to lower the curtain.
The carriage continued to move forward.
Qin Yuantang led his war horse to the side of the road and stood there for a long time.
Inside the car, Huayang and Chen Jingzong sighed almost at the same time.
Chen Jingzong: "Why are you sighing? Are you reluctant to part with Master Qin?"
Huayang: "…What are you sighing about?"
Chen Jingzong: "I was thinking, if the late emperor had not granted us a marriage, I might have come to the border to gain experience, and maybe I could have worked under the general."
Huayang: "You can come now, I'll tell the emperor."
Chen Jingzong: "No, the late emperor entrusted you to me, I have to take good care of you. It won't be too late for me to come again when there is a war at the border."
Huayang's expression darkened as he thought of his father's three last words before he passed away. Two were about state affairs, and the third was about her.
Chen Jingzong suddenly took a breath and covered the wound on his right shoulder: "No, I still have to lie down."
Huayang no longer cared about reminiscing about his father and carefully helped him lie down.
Whenever the convoy stopped, the imperial physician would come over to check on the prince consort's injuries. With such careful care, when the imperial entourage returned to the capital in mid-September, a layer of shallow scab had formed on Chen Jingzong's wound. Although he still could not move his right arm, at least he no longer had to wrap it with gauze.
When Sun learned that her son was injured, she hurried to the Princess's Mansion to visit him. Sometimes she shed tears, sometimes she blamed her son for having nothing better to do than to provoke General Qin, and sometimes she spoke softly and acted distressed.
Huayang watched from the side and thought that the neglect Chen Jingzong suffered from his father-in-law had been fully compensated by his mother-in-law.
If you think about it carefully, she is the complete opposite of Chen Jingzong. The Chen family has a strict father and a kind mother, while she has a strict mother and a kind father.
However, no matter how loving a father is, he is still inferior to a mother in terms of tenderness and care.
Chen Jingzong, however, looked like he didn't know how to appreciate his good fortune. He covered his right shoulder and refused to show it to his mother. He also glanced at Huayang and said, "The princess has said in public that I am hers. Even if you are my biological mother, you cannot take off my clothes without the princess's permission."
Huayang: …
Sun: …
Finally, Sun pinched her son's thigh fiercely and said, "Why did I give birth to such a shameless thing like you!"
Huayang was the most embarrassed, so he left first and would settle the score with the talkative prince consort later.
Sun had been sending her distinguished daughter-in-law out of the house. When she returned to her son, her attitude completely changed. She urged, "Did the princess really say that? What was the situation at that time? Tell me about it."
Chen Jingzong thought for a moment and said, "I was unconscious at the time, and Fugui told me after I woke up. But he was outside and only heard the princess' angry words. You can go home and ask the old man for the details."
Sun knew about it, and then she looked at her son's cheeky but impeccably handsome features, and said happily: "You should be thankful for your face, otherwise with your temper, the princess would not be able to stand you."
Chen Jingzong thought to himself, the princess likes more than just my face.
That night, the prince consort couldn't wait to sleep with the princess.
How could Huayang allow him to mess around? "Aren't you afraid of tearing the wound?"
Chen Jingzong: "I can't really help if it's on my waist, but it's not a big deal if it's on my shoulder."
Huayang: …
(End of this chapter)