Chapter 953: I've confined the Empress—how to fix this! 06

In the Imperial Study, the Grand Tutor had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Jin Chen enter, the Grand Tutor hurriedly bowed; Jin Chen took a few quick steps, raised his hand to lightly support him, saying, "Grand Tutor, no need for many formalities."

When Jin Chen was still the Crown Prince, the Grand Tutor had taught him how to govern the realm, accompanying him all the way to his current position as the Son of Heaven; even though his original self had a violent temper, he was still very respectful toward the Grand Tutor.

"I went to fetch Huai Feng back to Resting Heart Hall today, so I was delayed a few hours; Grand Tutor, please don't blame me."

Upon hearing it was to fetch Wen Zhi Heng, the Grand Tutor was shocked for a moment, stroking his beard in surprise and doubt, "Your Majesty, why did you suddenly bring the Empress back today?"

In the past, Wen Zhi Heng served as the Crown Prince's attendant reader, also counting as his student; this child was extraordinarily intelligent, and if he pursued an official career, he would certainly achieve great things and contribute to the future of Jin State.

It's just a pity... alas, fate toys with people.

Jin Chen sat upon the Dragon Throne, casually fiddling with a few cat-teasing toys, tossing them aside as if they were dirty, and did not avoid the Grand Tutor's gaze.

"I have discovered some things, thus knowing that people's hearts are unfathomable; only Huai Feng, I never thought would harm me."

The meaning of these words is much more; even if the Grand Tutor had any teaching relationship with the Son of Heaven, he could not ask further—His Majesty would listen if willing to speak, otherwise he could only forget it upon leaving the Imperial Study's door.

The Grand Tutor glanced at the object on the floor, nodded with relief, saying, "It's also hard for His Majesty to wish to renew old ties with the Empress."

"This old minister has come today, still wishing to tell Your Majesty about the Martial General's affairs."

He shook his wide sleeves, bowed respectfully, "The Martial General's colluding with cliques and retaining guests—this old minister has had people pay special attention, and indeed obtained quite a bit of evidence."

"Please have Your Majesty review it."

Having said that, he placed the memorial he had long kept in his sleeve onto the table before Jin Chen.

Jin Chen looked at the memorial while listening to the Grand Tutor continue speaking.

"This old minister understands Your Majesty's concerns; the Martial General indeed won several battles for Jin State, but your indulgence has unintentionally made him arrogant."

"The position of a fourth-rank general—perhaps Zhang Kui is not satisfied and wants to climb higher as soon as possible."

Jin Chen hummed in acknowledgment, recalling the original plot.

After this advice from the Grand Tutor, the original self also began to suspect the Martial General, sending the imperial secret guard to investigate; yet before anything could be found, the protagonist pleaded for Jin Xiao Mo, speaking only of how the Martial General had contributed to Jin State—suspecting capable ministers at random, would that not chill their hearts?

It was precisely because of this plea that the original self let the Martial General go; as a result, when Jin Xiao Mo later forced the palace, the Martial General was the first to rush forward, and the original self then realized that this general had always been a person of his good imperial brother, even having countless ties with Saiwai and the Western Regions.

Not only the Martial General, but that palace-forcing incident also had many loyal supporters of Jin Xiao Mo.

On the contrary, it was that person…

"I know; I will investigate this matter thoroughly."

"By the way, there is still one matter that I need to entrust to the Grand Tutor."

The Grand Tutor made a fearful bow, "Your Majesty's orders shall be obeyed; this old minister will certainly exert all his effort."

"General Ningde is still delayed in returning from Saiwai; after all, he is a capable minister, leading nearly thirty thousand soldiers—I wish to send someone to check on him; Grand Tutor, what do you think?"

General Ningde, Wen Zhi Ning, is the Empress's elder brother by blood, yet due to the Saiwai Western Regions conspiracy, he could not return at all, and this is also a major cause of Wen Zhi Heng's later darkening.

"Your subject understands Your Majesty's meaning; I will personally go to the Feilin General's Estate later." The Grand Tutor, hearing the meaning in Jin Chen's words, respectfully accepted the order.

Taking advantage of Jin Chen's good mood today, the Grand Tutor, after much thought, still brought up another matter.

"Recently autumn has arrived, and the Mid-Autumn full moon is approaching; it ought to be a time of reunion."

"I wonder if Your Majesty still remembers the little Crown Prince kept at the Traveling Palace?"

Jin Chen raised his hand, slightly startled, "Grand Tutor, are you suggesting I let him enter the palace?"

"Your Majesty is wise; the little Crown Prince is now nearly five years old, the age to begin understanding and learning; if raised in the palace, he would be closer to you as well."

This truly is a matter worth pondering.

His distinct-knuckled fingers tapped silently on the table; Jin Chen fell into thought, recalling matters concerning that little Crown Prince.

The little Crown Prince was not the original self's biological child; the original self had a preference for male companions, possessed a violent temperament, and the rear palace was filled with male consorts.

Yet the realm must have an heir, and it must be of the Jin Family, so the Crown Prince is the son of the deceased Eldest Princess.

The Eldest Princess and the original self were both born of the former Empress, and they were extremely kind to the original self's violent, mentally deficient younger brother.

When she passed away, the little Crown Prince was only two; the original self grandly arranged her funeral, and the next day announced the heir's appointment at court, but disliked having this little brat follow him constantly, so he simply sent the entire Princess's Mansion staff to the Traveling Palace to be cared for.

At first he was fairly obedient, but the original self never discovered that Jin Xiao Mo would visit the Traveling Palace every half month; by the time of the later palace-forcing, the little Crown Prince had been completely duped, respectfully yielding the throne to Jin Xiao Mo, which made the original self vomit three liters of blood.

No good; we must hurry to bring him back!

Jin Chen slammed the table and decided, "What the Grand Tutor said is absolutely correct; I will immediately send someone to handle it!"

Raised in the imperial palace, Jin Xiao Mo surely can no longer delude this little brat! Perhaps he could even be entrusted to Huai Feng to raise; Huai Feng is truly a proper gentleman of warm and moist nature, indeed capable of raising this little brat properly!

Having dealt with these several matters, His Majesty actually agreed to all of them; before the Grand Tutor's arrival, he had prepared himself to wear out his lips talking.

He stroked his beard in astonishment, repeatedly glancing at Jin Chen several times, yet felt immensely relieved inside.

Jin Chen gathered his thoughts, took out a few memorials that gave him a slight headache, "Grand Tutor, please come help me review them."

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study's discussions was solemn; even within Resting Heart Hall there was no peace.

After Jin Chen left, Wen Zhi Heng rested a while; for unknown reasons, although clearly very fatigued, he simply could not fall asleep.

Not long after, he heard noise outside the hall, supported his head and rose, softly calling, "Yun Wu."

"Your Highness has awakened."

Yun Wu came over to support him, swiftly helping Wen Zhi Heng put on his outer robe, whispering, "Outside have come many attendants; just having returned, they all came together to pay respects."

"Aside from that, it's fine, but Tranquil Virtue Consort is also present, making it hard to decline."

The rank of Good Consort is only below Noble Consort; in the rear palace, aside from him and Shao Chun, the highest rank and greatest household authority belong to Tranquil Virtue Consort.

Moreover, when he was confined in Secluded Moon Hall, the authority over the Six Palaces was also in Tranquil Virtue Consort's hands, indeed making it hard to refuse.

While thinking, Wen Zhi Heng had already, under Yun Wu's service, finished dressing in his court attire.

He dislikes gaudy colors; his court attire is specially made in cloud-pattern moon-crescent white, showing no trace of vulgarity, instead appearing increasingly like an orchid and jade tree, with an elegant bearing.

Wen Zhi Heng, however, had no intention of going out just yet.

"Let them wait in the Side Hall."

Okay.