The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 155

Chapter 155: The Identity of the Prince of Lanling’s Mother

As soon as Gao Changgong left, many chattering voices of young girls came from the surroundings.

“I heard she’s an illegitimate daughter, and her father is a male favorite like Han Zigao. How can someone with such a status be worthy of the Prince of Lanling?”

“Exactly, even if she’s beautiful, she’s just a seductive woman who serves with her beauty! Moreover, her face is slightly disfigured, and she will eventually be abandoned.”

“Indeed, indeed! How can such a woman be as noble as us Xianbei aristocratic women? The Prince of Lanling should marry a legitimate daughter from a clan like us!”

“Speaking of legitimate daughters from clans, Zheng Yue, didn’t you always want to marry the Prince of Lanling? Why hasn’t your family arranged the marriage for you yet?”

“It’s such a pity, the Prince of Lanling just went on a mission to Southern Chen, and someone else has already gotten ahead of you!”

“Zheng Yue, I’m afraid you’ll never have a chance in this lifetime!”

At this moment, Zheng Yue was being ridiculed by a group of noble ladies, looking particularly pitiful. Two teardrops fell from her eyes as she retorted in a fragile voice, “Not necessarily, I heard that Xiaoguan only proposed to Lady Xiao in the South, and the Emperor of Southern Chen bestowed Lady Xiao upon him. But they haven’t held a wedding yet, so they’re not officially husband and wife… However, this lady is so beautiful, it’s only natural that Changgong likes her. I don’t mind…”

Before she could finish her sentence, she heard a sharp shout, “Get lost!”

A boy of eleven or twelve years old jumped out from nowhere, glaring at her.

Although this boy was born with a beautiful and charming appearance, his imposing manner was truly intimidating!

“Just you, and you dare to mock and clamor in front of my Qing Gege? I tell you, my Qing Gege deserves the best man in the world. There’s no one she’s not worthy of, only others who are not worthy of her!”

“If anyone dares to say another word, I’ll pull out their tongue!”

“Get out of here!”

After Fenghuang shouted these few times, the surrounding noble ladies dared not speak anymore and all fled. Zheng Yue, however, remained where she was, looking very aggrieved.

Gao Yanzong then said, “In my opinion, just forget it. You’ve just seen Fourth Brother’s feelings for his new wife. He truly cherishes this Lady Xiao. Zheng Yue, you should give up.”

He cherishes her so much that he doesn’t even allow him to look at her!

Zheng Yue’s tears fell down, pattering, and she looked at Gao Yanzong, sobbing, “But I feel so heartbroken, so uncomfortable. I’ve waited for him for so many years, and I thought that after he returned from his mission to the Chen State, I would let him go to my house to propose to my parents, but… why has it become like this?”

“Zheng Yue, don’t cry, let’s go!”

Gao Yanzong felt a little embarrassed. After all, it was Zheng Yue who insisted on pestering him to bring her along, and now she had embarrassed Fourth Brother’s newly married wife.

He looked at Xiao Jinyu with a somewhat ashamed expression and waved his hand.

“Sorry, Sister-in-law, I’ll take her away now and come to visit you and Fourth Brother another day!”

After saying that, he pulled Zheng Yue and ran away as if fleeing, with a group of armored soldiers closely following behind.

Fenghuang looked at Xiao Jinyu with a mixture of anger and distress.

“Qing Gege, will you regret it?

You, such a proud person, have to be gossiped about and judged by these ignorant women!

Xiao Jinyu shook her head and smiled.

“Fenghuang, when we first arrived in Southern Chen, wasn’t it the same? Our situation back then wasn’t much better than now, was it?”

Thinking of the grievances they suffered when they first arrived in the Chen State, Fenghuang’s nose felt sore again.

“Fenghuang, let’s go inside first, and help me change my appearance again,” she whispered softly.

She knew that others couldn’t hear this low voice, but Fenghuang definitely could.

✿✿✿

Entering the Northern Qi imperial palace through the Vermilion Bright Gate, a grand avenue stretches northward, leading straight to the Stop Carriage Gate, Front Gate, Chanhe Gate, and others, spanning nearly two li. Before reaching the Stop Carriage Gate, one must dismount, pass through the Front Gate, enter the Chanhe Gate, and only then arrive at the Zhaoyang Palace where the emperor and his ministers discuss matters.

At that time, Gao Zhan had just slightly sobered up from excessive indulgence in wine and women. After straightening his attire, he lazily went to meet the Prince of Lanling.

At this moment, He Shikai, the Palace Attendant, was also by his side.

Seeing the Prince of Lanling, Gao Zhan yawned and said, “I heard that Changgong arrived in Yecheng at midnight last night. You must be tired from this mission to Southern Chen, tired, tired!”

“Not tired, serving the country is my duty.”

“Tell me, what are your gains and feelings from this mission to the Chen State?”

“Yes, although the Chen State has a small population, it has vast land and abundant resources. Its economy is currently flourishing. Not long ago, due to a debate at Mount Fahua, the Emperor of Southern Chen heeded the advice of his virtuous officials and implemented a policy of eliminating Buddhism. Now, the land and taxes surrendered by Buddhist temples have filled the national treasury. However, our Qi State has recently suffered from insect plagues and droughts. In terms of economy, our Qi State is not as good.”

“The Southern Dynasty also emphasizes talent cultivation, and its Emperor particularly values promoting talents from commoner families. When I returned to the Qi State, the Emperor of Southern Chen had already reached an agreement with the Lanling Xiao Clan to widely recruit talented scholars from commoner families to study alongside those from aristocratic families and serve the court. I believe that in the near future, the Chen State will be filled with talented individuals…”

Hearing this, Gao Zhan’s face clearly showed displeasure. At this moment, Gao Changgong changed the subject and said, “However, the people of the Chen State still retain the legacy of the Wei and Jin periods, with a gentle and weak disposition. Moreover, due to the repeated hardships of war experienced by the immigrant clans who moved south, the people are scattered, and the power of the aristocratic families has gradually weakened. Unlike our Qi State, the Chen State’s accumulated military force is at most only a few hundred thousand, far inferior to our mighty Qi State.”

Hearing the last sentence, a satisfied smile finally bloomed on Gao Zhan’s face. He then asked, “Then how does the newly enthroned Emperor of the Chen State feel about our Qi State?”

“Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Chen State was once a hostage of the Zhou State and suffered humiliation at the hands of the Zhou people. He still holds a grudge against the Zhou. This time, when submitting the national letter, the Emperor of the Chen State was very willing to form an alliance with our Qi State, willing to jointly resist Northern Zhou!”

“That’s good, that’s good! I really dislike war, but that Yuwen Hu insists on bullying me. If that’s the case, I’m not afraid to fight him!”

Speaking of this, as if remembering something, he asked, “You just said that due to a debate at Mount Fahua, the Emperor of Southern Chen implemented a policy of eliminating Buddhism, leading to Buddhist temples surrendering land and taxes, and the national treasury being filled. Is it true, as the rumors say, that Xie Zhen of the Chenjun Xie Clan single-handedly defeated all opponents in debate, which led the Emperor of Southern Chen to order the elimination of Buddhism?”

Gao Changgong’s heart skipped a beat. After hesitating for a moment, he replied, “It is indeed him!”

“What a silver-tongued Xie Zhen! I also heard that he’s an advisor under you. When did you get such an advisor?”

Seeing He Shikai’s somewhat sinister and smiling expression at this question, Gao Changgong replied, “During the battle with the Turks, I happened to meet this good friend and took him as an advisor. Because he has a rather solitary personality and doesn’t like to interact with many people, I granted his request and didn’t publicize his name, until the day of the debate at Mount Fahua.”

“This person has such talent, I wonder how he compares to Zu Ting, the Minister of the Secretariat?” Gao Zhan asked again.

Gao Changgong fell silent for a moment again, and finally replied, “I dare not presume to judge who is superior. However, if Your Majesty wants to know, why not let these two compete? With many famous scholars and Confucian masters as judges, in front of everyone, the truth will be revealed, and a fair judgment can be made!”

“Excellent, excellent. This Zu Ting compares himself to Fan Zeng and even scolds me for being inferior to Xiang Yu. If it weren’t for his ability to refine golden elixirs for me, I would have killed him long ago. I can indeed use this Xie Zhen to test him. If Xie Zhen truly has such talent, he can also help me dampen his arrogance!”

It turned out that he just wanted to dampen Zu Ting’s arrogance.

Gao Changgong smiled bitterly inwardly.

Then he heard Gao Zhan say, “Then find a time, how about seven days later? Seven days later, bring that Xie Zhen to this Zhaoyang Palace!”

“Yes!”

After a moment of silence, Gao Changgong spoke again, asking, “Grandmother…”

Just as he started speaking, Gao Zhan suddenly seemed to remember something and interrupted, “Right, I heard that you also brought back a stunning beauty from your mission to Chen. Where is that beauty now?”

✿✿✿

As expected…

With Gao Zhan’s greedy nature, it was impossible for him not to mention this matter…

Gao Changgong felt a slight anger in his heart, but remembering Xiao Jinyu’s repeated warnings, he forced himself to calm down and replied indifferently, “Your Majesty, I did bring a woman back, but she is already my wife. I intend to hold a wedding ceremony in Yecheng, and I hope Your Majesty…”

“Changgong, I just wanted you to bring her here for me to see. Why are you so nervous? I know you proposed to her and said you would marry her in front of all the scholars in the world, but she’s just a woman from the South. Do you really have to marry her?

Go back and prepare well. I intend to hold a banquet at the Ice Well Terrace to welcome you back and wash away the dust. You have made contributions in your mission to the Chen State, and I want to reward you. Bring your wife along to the banquet to receive the reward!”

By this point, Gao Zhan was already impatient and didn’t want to talk to Gao Changgong anymore.

Seeing his attitude, Gao Changgong also wisely chose to remain silent. After a long silence, he cupped his hands and said, “Yes, I would like to visit Grandmother, so I’ll take my leave now!”

“Go, go!”

He looked like he didn’t want to say another word. Gao Changgong felt a little disappointed. He glanced at He Shikai beside him, who had an ambiguous expression with a smile on his lips, and then walked towards the exit of the Zhaoyang Palace.

After Gao Changgong left, He Shikai couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, thinking to himself: He didn’t mention anything about what happened along the way, which is surprising.

“Yantong, tell me, if I were to ask Changgong for the woman he brought back, would he be willing to give her to me?”

“Your Majesty, you are the Emperor, all the women in the world are yours to choose from. It’s just a woman, if you want her, as your subject, he should naturally offer her to you. How could he be unwilling?”

A satisfied smile appeared on Gao Zhan’s face.

“Let’s see first if she’s as beautiful as the rumors say.”

✿✿✿

After leaving the Zhaoyang Palace, Gao Changgong went directly to the Empress Dowager’s sleeping quarters. Seeing his grandmother, who was over sixty years old, lying on the bed with gray hair and a frail body that seemed even thinner, Gao Changgong felt a lump in his throat and a sense of sadness.

“Prince—”

Seeing his arrival, the palace maid was about to say something, but Gao Changgong motioned for her to be quiet. He strode to the Empress Dowager Lou’s bedside and softly called out, “Grandmother, your grandson is back!”

The Empress Dowager Lou, who was asleep, seemed to hear his voice and slowly opened her eyes, her face showing joy.

“It’s Changgong!”

“Yes! Grandmother, what illness are you suffering from? How are you feeling lately?”

“I’m old, there will be a day when I have to go. Don’t be sad. Didn’t Zhuangzi still beat on a basin and sing when his wife died? I’m just returning to nature!” The Empress Dowager Lou sighed and said, “It’s time for me to go see your grandfather. Back then, I only glanced at him from afar, and I already knew he was the man of my life. Later, my wish came true, and I have many children and grandchildren in this life. It’s just…”

Speaking of this, she seemed to feel sentimental and sighed, “It’s just your father, my son who was so intelligent and strategic, was assassinated at such a young age…

Changgong, don’t blame Grandmother for being cruel and not allowing your mother’s surname to be entered into the family genealogy. Your father made many enemies later on, and a large part of the reason was because of her… For her, he wanted to depose his principal wife and make her the Empress, which angered the court officials. That’s why Grandmother…”

“She was also a stubborn woman. Since she couldn’t be the principal wife, she left on her own…”

Gao Changgong was surprised that the Empress Dowager Lou suddenly mentioned his mother. He asked, “Grandmother, who was my mother? Was she also a princess of Northern Wei?”

The Empress Dowager Lou smiled and shook her head.

“Not a princess of Northern Wei, but a princess of Southern Liang, the daughter of Emperor Jianwen… Xiao Gang!”

Hearing the words “daughter of Xiao Gang,” Gao Changgong’s eyes showed surprise, as if a broken string had suddenly been reconnected. Many things he couldn’t understand before now had an explanation.

“Princess Liyang?”

That princess who was sent to Hou Jing by her father and grandfather before she reached the age of fifteen because of the fall of their kingdom, the most beautiful woman in Southern Liang during that time. Hou Jing couldn’t get a young lady from the Wang Xie clans from Emperor Wu of Liang, so he asked for the most beautiful and young woman from the Xiao imperial family to vent his anger.

No wonder… No wonder Mother said those words…

But… Why did she end up with Father?

“She was offered to your father by the current Emperor of Southern Chen, who was then the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, Chen Xu. Of course, there may be some things between your father and her that I don’t know…”

Hearing this, Gao Changgong was even more shocked.

He thought of how Chen Xu had wanted to make a deal with him using information about his mother, asking him to switch sides and serve the Emperor of Southern Chen…

So that’s how it was!

Gao Changgong didn’t know what to feel. At this moment, the Empress Dowager Lou turned her kind gaze towards him, reached out and caressed his face, and said earnestly, “My good child, you must not follow in your father’s footsteps. I know you are a loyal, brave, and talented man. Never be tempted by women in your life, and protect our great Qi State!”

“Yes, Grandmother!”

Gao Changgong felt a pang of sadness in his heart. After pondering for a long time, he finally spoke his mind.

“Grandmother, your grandson is married now. I married a woman from the Southern Dynasty. She treats me very well, and I love her very much. Moreover, she knows medicine. How about I bring her to see you tomorrow?”

“Married? Which family’s daughter did you marry? How could you make such an important decision on your own? How could you be so reckless?”

The Prince of Lanling hesitated again for a moment before honestly answering,

“She is also a daughter of the Lanling Xiao Clan, but her background is a bit complicated. Your grandson doesn’t want to say more, just wants Grandmother’s approval. Once Grandmother’s health improves, your grandson wants to hold a wedding ceremony in Yecheng and invite Grandmother to preside over it and be a witness! I wonder if Grandmother…”

Before he could finish his words, the Empress Dowager Lou suddenly started coughing violently. Gao Changgong also nervously patted her back gently and asked the maid to bring a spittoon.

“Your grandson knows that Grandmother has always wanted to find a legitimate daughter from a prominent clan in the North as your grandson’s wife, hoping that your grandson will have support from his wife’s family in the future. But your grandson has no great ambitions, just wants to be a general who defends the borders of our great Qi State. So whether there is support from his wife’s family or not is the same. Your grandson’s greatest wish in this life is to live a peaceful life with the person he loves.”

Hearing Gao Changgong say this, the Empress Dowager Lou fell silent. She neither refuted nor expressed agreement.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries and asking about some things that happened in the Southern Dynasty, she let Gao Changgong go back.

As soon as the Prince of Lanling left, she summoned her confidant and said, “Changgong is indeed a child without any ambition, but I’m afraid he might be influenced or instigated by others, especially the person sleeping next to him. Find someone to investigate for me, what kind of person is the woman he married?”

“Empress Dowager, the Prince just said that he will bring his Princess Consort to see you tomorrow. Wouldn’t it be better to see her with your own eyes to understand her character?”

The Empress Dowager Lou smiled and said, “Sometimes what you see with your own eyes is not necessarily true. There are many people in this world who are good at pretending. I’m just afraid that the woman he married is like his mother…”

“Yes, Empress Dowager!”