Chapter 321: Alas, the bones in the desolate graves, the impoverished spring

【Let their children become emperor?】

Each word smashed into Chen Weifang's heart, indeed causing that long-rotten, bewildered heart to clench for a moment.

Chen Weifang stared blankly for a long while, then curled the corners of her mouth, revealing a faint smile tinged with restraint.

"I thought you were going to say something else, but it's this."

"If I speak as I do, it's truly you making a fuss over nothing. We two have always followed the Wise Lord, serving loyally; if we someday seize the world, we will surely be the greatest contributors, leaving the throne to this unborn child—what's strange about that?"

Clearly, there's nothing strange about it.

Whether it's about rewarding merit or showing favoritism......

They should naturally be the ones prioritized.

Otherwise, what would their current desperate service to the Wise Lord amount to?

Otherwise, what would Chinu's current gleeful madness amount to?

Otherwise......

What could his present willingness to sell himself for the Wise Lord be considered?

All they hope for is nothing more than the day they rise to prominence.

The Young Emperor steadily occupied the principal consort's position, but there has never been a precedent for a woman ruling, so there's no example to follow for ennobling anything like a 'prince consort' or 'secondary chamber'.

Then why not make up for Chinu from elsewhere?

After all, their achievements surpass those of Cang Cheng, yet Cang Cheng presents an aloof, unworldly demeanor......

If they could truly raise a proud, arrogant little heir in the future, their days would surely no longer be as petty and trivial as before.

And before that day, everything will surely be worthwhile.

Certainly, all of it is worthwhile.

Chen Weifang slightly relaxed her brows, slowly lifted the hand that had been pressing down on the letter, smoothed out the creases bit by bit, then tried to seal another layer over the parchment.

Chinu was truly overjoyed today; only after finally waiting for Du Shanü to fall asleep did he come out to deliver the good news, his heart pounding hard in his chest, and thus it took him a good while before he could clearly see what his Afang was doing.

"Ah, Afang, what's wrong with you today? Why can't you look happy for me?"

"Never mind, never mind; after thinking it over, I shouldn't get too excited too soon—who knows what might happen——"

Chinu, unaware of the magnitude of his offhand words, let out a slight sigh:

"Furthermore, while it would certainly be nice to be rewarded for merit, the throne is still somewhat far off."

"When Liu Ji went to the Wife Master to ask for five thousand taels, I was at the prison gate; the moment I heard it, I knew things would go badly......"

"The Wife Master would rather split a single cash coin into two to spend; asking her to produce five thousand taels is no different from scraping bone and drinking blood."

"If she couldn't come up with the silver, Liu Ji would refuse to surrender, and Hengchun Ercheng would likely rebel again."

"The Zhoufu might still be in turmoil for a period, let alone pointing swords at Gold Hill, driving out the northern barbarians, and sweeping across the nine provinces and the universe."

"The noble position is far off, and the child is still in the womb......"

"That day might still be far away."

"Don't worry too much."

"Accompanied by a grating tearing sound, Chen Weifang cleanly cut open the oilskin paper, her expression calm, giving no hint of anything else to ordinary onlookers."

"As for those five thousand taels, I'll figure something out."

"As long as you and that child are well......"

"Just thinking about the possible good days ahead......"

"Now, even if it were a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, he would go."

"The sound of cutting paper rings in the ears, tearing apart all things."

"Chinu stared at the oilskin paper, now cut into shreds and shattered, for a few breaths, then suddenly asked somewhat abruptly:"

"How are you going to come up with those five thousand taels of silver, Afang?"

"Chen Weifang lifted her gaze, instead first giving Chinu a slightly strange narrow-eyed look."

"...... It's naturally to borrow from someone; otherwise, do I look like a rich person?"

"In previous years, when he honestly served as Chief Clerk, he could still add a new garment each season; since following the Wise Lord last year......"

"Well, it's been a long time since he last saw what his salary looks like."

"What?"

"Why isn't it being paid?"

"Those external expenses are necessary, but his salary can certainly be saved wherever possible."

"Chen Weifang sighed again in her heart, but upon recalling the Wise Lord's recent promise, just a breath, she dispelled that hesitation."

"His fingers flew, sealing the letter completely bit by bit, also attempting to cut off his last retreat......"

"But just then, Chinu spoke again:"

"...... Borrow money from Chunri Jian?"

"Chen Weifang's wrist paused for a moment, she nodded slightly, then smiled casually:"

"Among our circle, Chunri Jian is the wealthiest—who else would we turn to?"

"Chinu remained silent for a few breaths, then replied:"

"...... We previously borrowed several thousand taels from him; although the Chunri clan is a local magnate in Jade Prefecture, this branch of his is merely an offshoot engaged in disreputable trade—having already scraped together several thousand taels before was the utmost of benevolence and righteousness, so asking for another five thousand now will surely not be gladly given."

"The candlelight flickered weakly, the heavenly way feeble."

"Chen Weifang paid no heed, only smiling again:"

"I have a plan; you needn't worry about these matters—hurry back to keep the Wise Lord company."

"Her unborn child is still only a few months old; although she's asleep, she surely cannot be left alone in the middle of the night."

"These words were spoken gently and protectively."

Chen Weifang sat in the dim candlelight, her brows and eyes weary yet gentle; upon closer look, she even bore a bit more of a motherly air than the pregnant Du Shanü.

But the foolish slave before him did not leave just like that.

Chinu is clever, but his flaw lies precisely in that cleverness, which forces him to see through many things whether he wants to or not:

"...... I and the Wife Master previously said to let you sell yourself, that was a joke, you know that, right?"

"Rather than you having any mishap, I would rather rest and recuperate for a while, gather forces, and fight Liu Ji and his remnants again."

What the world will have, the world......

It will indeed come to pass.

It's nothing more than a matter of being fast or slow.

Such lowly-born ants as they possess little to begin with; they struggle upward toward the light, merely for the unwillingness they cannot swallow in their hearts and their hope for beauty.

However, the most frightening thing is that this never means they can reach the end.

If for that day, they lose many things along the way......

Then it's truly gone.

If they never see that glimmer of sky light, they will die alone before dawn, which is truly......

Most pitiful, most pitiful.

"You advise me so lightly, but when it's your turn, it's no different, is it?"

Although the final layer hasn't been pierced, yet facing Chinu, Chen Weifang ultimately did not pretend much.

Or rather, over these years, the two have long understood each other's dispositions; they could not pretend even if they wanted to.

Chen Weifang eased the smile at the corner of her mouth, lowered her eyes, and completely sealed the last corner of the oilskin paper before murmuring:

"We're nothing more than even stevens."

"To seek great gain with little effort is what ants love to do."

"You also said that the Wise Lord would leave the position to your child in the future, didn't you? That would be the best reward for us."

"For that day, any sacrifice is worthwhile...... even if it's me."

?? Pitiable barren tomb, poor spring bones: from Bai Juyi's 'Li Bai's Tomb', excerpt【..... Pitiable barren tomb, poor spring bones, once there was earth-shaking literature.】

? The original verse praises Li Bai's greatness in life, and laments the desolate tomb of the immortal poet after his death.

? Used here, borrowing the original meaning loosely.