Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 503 Koi Little Lucky Star 32

Half a year has passed in a flash, and the undercurrents in the imperial court in the capital have begun to stir.

During the period of Ji Qingyuan's silent observation in the Hanlin Academy, he not only carefully examined the memorials and documents handled by Prince Ping Xiao Hong, but also secretly collected information on the movements of various royal families.

After a snowstorm in late winter, King Ping used an ingenious strategy to resolve the siltation crisis in the Jiangnan water conservancy project, which shocked the court and the public.

Ji Qingyuan finally confirmed that Xiao Hong's "luck" was not luck, but a hidden strategy and control over people's hearts.

Ji Qingyuan struggled internally for over a month, and had three deep conversations with Yun Chu in his study. Late one night, in the stillness of the room, he held Yun Chu's hand and sighed, "My lady, your prediction is correct. Prince Ping truly possesses the qualities of a true dragon. However, choosing a side is a matter of treading on thin ice."

Yun Chu responded calmly: "My husband, I have studied hard for ten years not for the sake of empty reputation. Now that I have glimpsed the secrets of heaven, I should give it a try. I will share the honor and disgrace of our family business." A resolute light flashed in Ji Qingyuan's eyes.

The next day, Ji Qingyuan submitted a secret memorial to the Eastern Palace staff under the pretext of compiling a summary of the Zizhi Tongjian.

The compromise is to cleverly use history to illustrate the present, and secretly promote King Ping's way of governing.

When King Ping received the report, he was impressed by his literary talent and unique insights, and personally summoned him to the study in the palace's separate courtyard.

Xiao Hong, dressed in a plain robe, showed no sign of his presence. He simply smiled and asked, "Master Ji, the Imperial Academy Editor, what do you think of my plan for flood control?"

Ji Qingyuan bowed and replied, "Your Highness, you handle important matters with ease, using human intervention to address natural disasters. This exemplifies the talent of governing the country and benefiting the people. I, a humble official, am willing to serve you." These few words, however, held a profound meaning, a test of the waters. A flicker of satisfaction crossed Xiao Hong's eyes, and he sealed the matter with a cup of tea. From then on, Ji Qingyuan joined Prince Ping's side.

After Ji Qingyuan surrendered, he was promoted to Hanlin lecturer and often attended the imperial court meetings. Although his rank was not high, he was trusted by Prince Ping.

Yunchu's bookstore, Yunxiangzhai, also becomes a base for spies, spreading the secrets of the capital. Although the family seems peaceful on the surface, they are actually on edge.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. The emperor's health is declining, and the competition among the princes for the throne has reached a fever pitch. The third prince has formed a clique within the Ministry of War, while the fourth prince has colluded with his relatives. Undercurrents are surging like a boiling pot. Prince Ping, Xiao Hong, has long remained silent, waiting for the greatest chaos before revealing his true colors.

A palace hunting feast in early summer sparked the conflict. The Third Prince falsely accused Prince Ping of raising private soldiers and plotting rebellion, prompting the Emperor to arrest him.

Ji Qingyuan had received a secret report long ago and rushed to the Imperial Court to present the old files of the Hanlin Academy: "Your Majesty, please allow me to report this. I have reviewed the military records of the past ten years and found that the Third Prince's border troops have been deployed in an unusual manner. He has secretly accumulated 30,000 troops in Hedong!"

He presented irrefutable evidence, his words strong enough to warrant a thorough investigation by the Imperial Court. It turned out that for three years, Ji Qingyuan had been compiling history under the guise of collecting errors from the imperial clan. This attack had helped Prince Ping counterattack and have the Third Prince imprisoned. Prince Ping, Xiao Hong, didn't say a word, but the atmosphere at court suddenly shifted.

-In late autumn, the Fourth Prince surrounded the imperial city and plotted a coup.

On the night of the capital's chaos, Ji Qingyuan offered a solution. Recalling the clues of an unknown doctor who saved Xiao Hong's life when he was accidentally killed, he found this doctor to testify that the Fourth Prince had deliberately murdered his siblings.

Ji Qingyuan broke into the Forbidden Palace at night, carrying a secret letter, and met the emperor in the imperial study. "The princes are fighting each other, and the foundation of the country is shaken. His Royal Highness Prince Ping has always been loyal and respectful. He nearly died after falling off a horse in the past. It was also because of the chess arrangement for the Fourth Prince. This doctor can prove it."

Upon hearing the news, the emperor burst into tears and urgently summoned the imperial guards to escort Prince Ping to quell the rebellion. After the rebellion was accomplished, Prince Ping Xiao Hong was promoted to Crown Prince and Regent, with Ji Qingyuan taking the lead in the meritorious service.

Three days later, at the ceremony of King Ping's enthronement, Ji Qingyuan was promoted to a cabinet scholar and held an important position.

Yunxiangzhai has become a famous literary shop in the capital, and Yunchu has also been granted the title of Lady.

Lin Fubao, now the Empress, invited Yun Chu to the palace to reminisce about the past, holding hands under the moonlight: "The wildflowers along the riverbanks of my hometown still haunt my dreams... But I'm lucky Yun Chu has awakened me to this deep palace. I'm deeply grateful for the contributions you and Master Ji have made."

Yun Chu was grateful and stroked her gorgeous clothes gently: "Your Majesty's good fortune has turned into heaven's grace, I just hope you don't forget your original intention." There were tears in the eyes of both of them, with the accent of their hometown and the vicissitudes of life.

***

Two years later

At that time, Ji Qingyuan had already reached the highest position in the government, serving as a scholar in the cabinet. He walked in and out of the court with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, and was dignified in making decisions on major policies. He was known as the "iron-faced assistant."

However, at the end of spring on this day, a scene completely different from the majestic scene in the court was unfolding in the inner courtyard of Ji Mansion - Yun Chu's due date had arrived and she was in labor pains. Ji Qingyuan, a powerful official, unexpectedly fell into a panic situation he had never experienced in his life.

Ji Qingyuan had just returned from a meeting in the palace. He was still wearing his purple court robe and had half of a secret memorial on salt policy reform tucked into his sleeve, but it was completely useless at the moment.

Ji Qingyuan paced in the corridor outside the delivery room, and the corner of his robe occasionally tripped on the stone steps, almost causing him to fall.

The midwife hurried in and out, saying only, "Madam, the fetus is in a slightly unusual position, and needs to be stabilized." His face turned pale, and he ripped off the jade pendant at his waist, not caring about the shattered jade, and said in a lost voice, "If something happens to Ruoyunchu, this official..."

He almost wanted to break in, but was stopped by the old servant in the mansion: "Master, you must not disrupt the etiquette! Madam is blessed with good fortune and will be in good health." He had no choice but to step back, leaning against the vermilion pillars, clenching his fingers tightly. He had never lost his composure like this even when he was dealing with the prince's rebellion in the court.

Ji Qingyuan's mind was in a mess: he remembered Yun Chu's night talk in the study room when she helped him relieve the pressure of the morning struggle, and he was also worried that if there was any trouble with this pregnancy, it would affect her health.

The rain curtain grew thicker, and the sound of water dripping under the eaves was like the drumbeat of his heart.

Suddenly he heard Yun Chu screaming in pain, and he woke up suddenly. The gold chain he used to take out his pocket watch was torn off.

He murmured, "My dear, don't be afraid... When we were together in poverty and humbleness, you never complained about the hardship. But now... I am powerless to replace you..."

As he talked to himself, the court official's coldness and solemnity disappeared, leaving only the earthly love of his wife.

After a moment, he disregarded his dignity, bent down to pick up the broken jade pieces scattered on the ground, and clumsily pieced them together like a talisman for blessing, hoping for the protection of the gods.

At this moment, the courtyard door slightly opened, and a servant hurriedly reported: "The Queen Mother has sent the palace physician to help!"

It turned out that fellow villager Lin Fubao heard the news and, remembering their old friendship, hurriedly sent his trusted imperial physician here.

Ji Qingyuan felt as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, but he forgot the official etiquette and wanted to perform a grand ceremony to express his gratitude. He stumbled and almost fell to his knees.

The imperial physician hurried to help him, and he could only smile bitterly: "Family affairs disturb the Empress's peace of mind...but please, imperial physician, thank you very much!"

Only after the imperial physician came in did Ji Qingyuan calm down a little, but he sat down on the steps and got drenched in the rain without noticing.

Just at this moment, a loud baby cry was heard - Yun Chu successfully gave birth to a baby girl.

He suddenly stood up and rushed into the room regardless of everything. Seeing Yun Chu smiling on her pale face, he immediately threw himself in front of the bed, held her hand and said with tears in his eyes, "My wife, you have worked hard!" The dignified cabinet scholar was crying like a child.

This panic eventually turned into warm sunshine.

The day after giving birth, the court meetings continued as usual. Ji Qingyuan was as tall and straight as a pine tree again, but in private he cherished his family even more.

Lin Fubao heard in the palace that mother and daughter were safe and sound, and gave precious silk as a token of his joy. Yun Chu smiled and replied from her bedside, "Your Majesty's kindness will be remembered forever by my family."

Three years later, Yun Chu gave birth to another baby boy.

Afterwards, Yun Chu used the system for contraception.

He died at the age of sixty-seven.

After his death, Ji Qingyuan retired and returned to his hometown, Kaiping City, where he lived in a small courtyard and recalled his past with Yun Chu.