PFC Chapter 9: Testing the Waters – What is the Meaning?
Chapter 9: Testing the Waters – What is the Meaning?
Gao Huan glanced at Lou Zhaojun, then at the hemp paper in his hand, and finally looked down at Gao Cheng kneeling on the ground, his expression shifting.
His face showed anger, resentment, surprise, and also a hint of barely perceptible relief.
After a long silence, he finally let out a heavy snort: "You little brat, you've got some skills."
After saying that, he kicked Gao Cheng's shoulder again.
His voice still carried lingering anger, but no longer any murderous intent: "This strategy does have some merit; it's not entirely empty talk on paper."
"But merit is merit, and fault is fault. Don't think that you can escape this heinous crime with just a piece of paper!"
"Now that the army has returned in triumph, and with the celebration underway, I will not hold this against you. After the banquet, I will settle this score with you!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng felt a huge weight lift from his heart, a weight that had been hanging over him for three days.
He understood Gao Huan; these words, though seemingly harsh, were actually a way of giving him a way out.
Otherwise, if Gao Huan was truly determined to cripple and punish him, why would he wait until after the banquet?
Thinking of this, his face became even more respectful, and he hurriedly kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, I dare not beg for your forgiveness. I only hope that my humble opinion can alleviate Your Majesty's worries. If it can contribute even a fraction to your ambitions, I will die without regret."
Upon hearing this, Gao Huan's heart was still filled with surging anger.
Seeing his sincerity, she finally relented: "Get up. You wretched child, you truly infuriate me!"
But even after he had spoken, Gao Cheng still did not get up.
Instead, he kowtowed deeply and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I have another matter to report to you in person."
Gao Huan's brows furrowed sharply, his anger rising again: "What is it? You brat, what trouble are you hiding from me?"
Gao Cheng did not reply immediately, but instead raised the Zheng clan's decree, which was used as a paperweight, high above his head.
Then he said in a calm voice, "This was a gift from Madam Zheng to me a few days ago. I dare not keep it to myself, so I present it to Your Majesty and ask you to take it back."
Upon hearing from Gao Cheng that Zheng Dache had also sent him gifts, Gao Huan's anger, which had just subsided, surged up again.
But just as his anger was about to surge, his gaze was suddenly drawn to the small characters on the jade pendant.
Upon seeing the engraved character "郑" on the jade pendant and the unique clan emblem of the Xingyang Zheng clan on the edge, his anger froze, replaced by a deep and solemn expression.
The next moment, he suddenly reached out and snatched the jade pendant, examining it from all angles.
After confirming that it was genuine, he lowered his head and stared intently at Gao Cheng, demanding, "When did the Zheng family bestow this item upon you?"
"The day after the incident."
Gao Cheng answered honestly, "My aunt sent her personal maid to my courtyard. I wanted to refuse it, but I was afraid that trying to cover it up would only make things worse, so I had no choice but to accept it temporarily and lock it in the table. Now that Your Majesty has returned, I dare not hide it any longer and therefore ask Your Majesty to make a decision."
Upon hearing this, Gao Huan's expression darkened further.
He is not stupid.
The reason he was able to rise from a down-on-his-luck youth to his current position in this chaotic world is because he always thinks three steps ahead.
Looking at the Zheng clan token in his hand, and recalling Zheng Dache's actions over the years.
Many details that he had previously overlooked suddenly came to mind.
Zheng had been in the household for several years, and she never competed for the emperor's favor with the other concubines, nor did she ever whisper sweet nothings in his ear. She was so well-behaved that people almost forgot she existed.
But this very same peaceful man, just when he was campaigning against the Ji Hu in the north and Jinyang was left vulnerable, became involved with his eldest son.
Such a thing is too much of a coincidence.
Moreover, the clan token of the direct line of the Zheng family of Xingyang is such a precious item. If it weren't for someone behind the scenes giving instructions, how could a married-out daughter obtain it so easily?
Upon realizing this, Gao Huan felt a chill run down his spine. He abruptly lowered his eyes to look at Gao Cheng, his voice urgent: "Did you already know that the Zheng family had given such an order?"
Gao Cheng shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I was unaware of this beforehand. I thought it was a mistake I made while drunk. After the incident, fearing Your Majesty's punishment, I took it upon myself to write a letter and send it to Ye City at night, asking Sima Gong to come to Jinyang to intercede for me."
"Upon seeing this decree, I realized the scheme behind the noble families' actions. However, by then, the die was cast, and I dared not act rashly. I could only report everything to Your Majesty and await your decision."
Upon hearing this, Gao Huan's expression became even more uncertain.
He originally thought that this was just a scandalous affair in the inner quarters of a young man who was lustful and went astray, at most causing Gao's family to lose face.
But now it seems he was too naive!
This is hardly a simple affair.
It's clear that those Han Chinese aristocratic families in Hebei are using Zheng Dache as a pawn to test the waters regarding the successor of the Gao family!
If that's the case, then he must re-examine this matter carefully.
After all, he now controls the military and political affairs of Eastern Wei and has Jinyang as the core of his hegemonic government.
However, the supply of troops, the allocation of provisions, and even the governance of prefectures and counties still depend on the various prefectures in Hebei.
While the powerful families in Hebei outwardly treated him with utmost respect, they secretly engaged in numerous underhanded tactics and frequently acted against his wishes.
Over the years, although he had thought about winning them over, as the commander of the Six Garrisons, he was naturally at odds with the Han aristocratic families.
No matter how much he tried to curry favor, those aristocratic families always kept a distance from him, refusing to truly open their hearts to him.
But now, these powerful families are actively extending olive branches to Gao Cheng...
If this is truly as he suspects, and it is the Han aristocratic families of Hebei who are using Zheng Da Che to place their bets on Gao Cheng!
This matter could very well be a turning point in easing the antagonistic relationship between the Ba family and the powerful families of Hebei.
In a flash, Gao Huan made a decision and immediately shouted, "Guards!"
A servant boy rushed in from outside the courtyard and knelt on one knee: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"Prepare a swift horse immediately and march to Ye City under the cover of night!"
Gao Huan said in a deep voice, "See Sima Ziru and tell him that the matter in Jinyang is settled. Tell him he doesn't need to come to Jinyang; he should just guard Ye City carefully!"
"only!"
The servant responded without asking any further questions, then quickly got up and left.
After giving his instructions, Gao Huan looked at Gao Cheng again, the anger in his voice completely gone, replaced by a hint of solemnity: "Ten months from now, you will personally go to Ye City."
Then, he flicked his sleeves and said, "This matter ends here for now. We will punish you later. Go quickly and change into your court robes. Come with me to the banquet in the front hall. All the nobles and dignitaries are here. Let's not let others laugh at the Gao family for being so disrespectful!"
After saying that, he turned and left, not giving Gao Cheng a chance to speak.
As Gao Huan left, Lou Zhaojun, who was standing to the side, finally relaxed and rushed to Gao Cheng's side, helping him up from the ground.
Finally, disregarding her royal demeanor, she personally wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
After doing all this, he touched Gao Cheng's shoulder where he had been kicked, and said with a pained expression, "Cheng'er, are you alright? Could your internal organs have been injured? The King was indeed wrong. Even if you are guilty, he should not have used such a heavy hand."
Gao Cheng felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he experienced his mother's undisguised favoritism.
Regardless of her stance, this elderly mother's favoritism towards Gao Cheng was genuine.
Whether now or in history!
He reached out and gently wiped away the tears that rolled down Lou Zhaojun's cheeks, and said with a smile, "Mother, do not worry, I am fine. This matter was my fault, and Your Majesty acted rashly in a moment of panic, which was justified."
"My son is the king's own child. How could the king bear to truly harm my life? Mother, there is no need to worry."
"You stubborn child!"
Upon hearing this, Lou Zhaojun couldn't help but scold, "You are only twenty years old, while His Majesty has been in the military for a long time. Even if he were to restrain himself, it would still be beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person. Please wait a moment, and I will summon the royal physician to examine you."
After saying that, he turned and was about to leave.
Gao Cheng quickly reached out and pulled her back, advising, "Mother, there's really no need. I know my own body; it's just a superficial injury, nothing serious."
"Now Your Majesty and the generals of the northern expedition are all waiting in the front hall. Since Your Majesty has ordered me to serve the banquet, how can we allow them to wait too long and be impolite?"
Lou Zhaojun was still worried, her brows furrowed in concern: "But your injury..."
"A banquet is but a fleeting moment."
Gao Cheng spoke up before she could, saying, "It will be too late to ask the physician to examine me after the banquet is over."
Lou Zhaojun stared at him for a long time. Seeing his resolute attitude, and considering that the victory banquet in the front hall could not be delayed, she finally gave up her insistence.
But still, with lingering concern, he instructed, "Since that's the case, you may go. However, if you feel unwell during the banquet, do not push yourself; return immediately, understand?"
"I will remember this, thank you, Mother."
Gao Cheng bowed respectfully in response.
Lou Zhaojun remained silent for a moment, then straightened his disheveled clothes before leaving, turning back every few steps.