novelaction Chapter 200 Intimate Conversation
Chapter 200 Intimate Conversation
"Su Cheng'an, when did you come in?"
Jin Chu raised his eyebrows and leaned out the window to look. The two girls who were sitting in front of the stone table in the yard were nowhere to be seen.
The room next door, occupied by Huanyan and Zhao'er, was also completely silent. She turned to the young man and asked, "Where are Huanyan and Zhao'er?"
Upon seeing this, I realized that Su Cheng'an was wearing a green robe, which was rare today. He had an upright posture and a smile in his eyes. He had lost his usual calm and solemn appearance and exuded a bit of youthful vigor.
What a handsome and elegant young man!
The amazement in the girl's eyes seemed to greatly please the young man. Although Su Cheng'an's face remained calm, the corners of his lips couldn't help but rise. "When I came here, I happened to run into Huanyan. She was busy catching butterflies outside the courtyard gate with Zhao'er and two maids!"
It was obvious that she was creating an opportunity for herself and her sister to be alone together, and she was also considerate enough to stand guard outside the door to help the two of them watch over the door.
Su Chengan was extremely pleased with his future cousin's knowledge and interest. He was not stingy and immediately took out two jade pendants and handed them to Jinchu. "Give them to Huanyan and Zhao'er later. This is a way to thank them for facilitating us today."
As he spoke, Su Cheng'an placed two pieces of beautiful jade directly into Jin Chu's hands. They were smooth and delicate, with a soft touch, and were obviously top-quality goods.
The remaining sleepiness in Jinchu disappeared instantly. "The prince is indeed very generous. On behalf of Huanyan and Zhaoer, Jinchu would like to thank the prince for the gift."
Although he spoke politely, he put the jade pendant away without hesitation.
"Ajin is such a money-grubber!"
Su Chengan couldn't help but tap Jinchu's nose, his tone filled with both doting and indignation, "After not seeing each other for a few months, Ah Jin isn't the least bit happy to see me! I couldn't sleep last night, and I wished I could fly over to see Ah Jin today, but Ah Jin is so calm. All he can see are two jade pendants, not a living person like me!"
He was wearing bright clothes today, and he looked a bit more youthful. Coupled with his resentful look, Jin Chu's heart softened. She turned around and hugged Su Cheng'an generously, patted his shoulder, and laughed: "Su Cheng'an, are you using all your childishness against me?"
The unique fragrance of the girl filled his nostrils, and Su Cheng'an subconsciously hugged her back, once again experiencing the true feeling of the words "soft jade and warm fragrance".
He lowered his head and gently rubbed the girl's long black hair, then sighed with satisfaction: "After not seeing you for several months, today I can finally hug my Ah Jin again!"
The girl, held in the man's strong arms, was like a well-behaved little white rabbit, standing still and quiet.
Sniffing the masculine scent of Su Cheng'an, Jin Chu's pretty face flushed slightly, and her heart began to stir. Thinking of Su Cheng'an's purpose for coming today, she put away her wandering thoughts and asked in a low voice, "I heard that you brought two wild geese with you today?"
Su Cheng'an above him hummed, "Ajin, you are my beloved girl. You must have what other girls have. I don't want you to suffer any injustice."
The girl in his arms stirred but didn't say anything. Su Cheng'an continued, "The date for our wedding has been set. It's August 18th of this year, which also happens to be your birthday."
Jin Chu suddenly raised his head, surprise flashing in his eyes, followed by joy: "Su Cheng'an, you actually know my birthday?"
"I wrote a private letter to my third brother in the northwest, and he told me." Su Cheng'an said in a relaxed tone, but Jin Chu's nose suddenly felt sore.
She controlled her emotions and looked up at Su Cheng'an: "Su Cheng'an, thank you. Thank you for remembering my birthday and setting our wedding date on this day."
Looking at the girl's slightly red eyes, Su Cheng'an felt pity in his heart. He could no longer suppress the love in his heart and kissed the face in front of him.
It was unknown how long the two of them had been entangled. Su Cheng'an suddenly let go of the girl in his arms, panting and laughing bitterly: "Ajin, you'd better stay away from me! If you keep going on like this, I'm worried that I'll offend you before the day of our wedding."
Jin Chu's face also turned red as she stepped back as if escaping after hearing the words.
The room was filled with an undercurrent of emotion. The two of them were sitting at the head and foot of the bed, respectively. No one spoke, and each of them was trying to tidy up their slightly disheveled appearance caused by their passion.
After a moment, Su Cheng'an spoke first, "Ajin, news has come from the capital that the old emperor's illness has worsened recently, and the princes in the capital are fighting each other like black-eyed chickens. The third prince is the most outstanding among them. In order to persuade Jingchuan Hou, who is unwilling to take sides in advance, to serve him, he is even promising his aunt's cousin to Zhao Huaiqing, the prince of the Hou Mansion who has recently returned home."
Hearing this, Jin Chu's eyes flickered slightly, and he thought of the young man in blue shirt whom he had not seen for a long time. If he was also caught up in the life-and-death struggle for the crown prince too early, it would really be a waste of his talent.
After a moment's silence, Su Cheng'an continued, "The prince is busy strengthening his own faction within the court, while the government is controlled by a group of ministers headed by Li Gelao. Those who obey me prosper, while those who disobey me perish. They're openly engaging in factional strife. Officials in the capital now protect each other, while prefectures exploit the people. The entire Great Jin is mired in a pool of corruption, and its future is bleak."
This should be a happy event for the Northern Territory, the Dingbei Palace, Jinchu and Su Chengan, but when they really heard the news, they both felt an inexplicable sense of helplessness and regret in their hearts.
Since ancient times, the people at the bottom of society have suffered the most from the changes in imperial power and the rise and fall of dynasties.
After a while, Jin Chu sighed softly, "In your opinion, how many days does the old emperor have left to live?"
"According to reliable information from the palace, the one who sits on the Dragon Throne should be around in a year at the earliest, or two years at the latest!"
Su Cheng'an's face darkened slightly, and his brows knitted unconsciously. According to the plan he and his father had planned, it would take at least three years. Now that the old emperor had suddenly fallen ill and stopped attending court, the Dingbei Palace was caught off guard.
Jin Chu asked directly, "So what is the North most in need of right now? Soldiers or money?"
Su Cheng'an hesitated for a moment, then heard Jin Chu say, "If it's a soldier, I might be powerless. If it's money, I might have some ways to earn more."
"The Northern Territory has been diligently managed by generations of my Su family, so there's no shortage of soldiers. However, the cold weather in the Northern Territory is brutal, and my father is reluctant to impose heavy taxes on his subjects, yet he still wants to support such a large Northern Army. Ever since your father's defeat in the capital, the Ministry of War has stopped distributing military rations and supplies to the Northern Territory on time!"
"Over the years, in addition to the 150,000 border troops publicly deployed, my father has also secretly maintained 80,000 palace soldiers and 230,000 border troops. The supplies we receive from the imperial court each year are a drop in the bucket. Even my Dingbei Palace cannot afford such a huge expenditure. Thanks to your help, Ah Jin, this year we have a large income from wine and beverages, which has allowed the soldiers to wear winter clothes early and spend a warm winter."
Jin Chu shook her head, interrupting him. "You and I will be husband and wife in the future. Helping the Dingbei Palace is helping you and myself. If it's another problem, I probably can't help. But if it's just a matter of money, I can probably think of a way out."
Her eyes flickered slightly as she whispered, "If everything in the capital was normal, we would really have no choice but to lie low and wait, but with the chaos in the capital right now—"
Jin Chu smiled disdainfully, "They're already busy fighting among themselves, so how can they possibly care about us? As the saying goes, fortune and honor are sought in danger. Since God has given us this opportunity, let's go all out!"
The girl leaned over and whispered something in the young man's ear, but the young man suddenly stood up and asked in surprise, "Really? Ah Jin actually has such a skill?"
Jin Chu nodded: "Go back and discuss it with the prince. If you have made a decision, come and tell me. If everything goes well, the prince and princess will definitely have a worry-free New Year this year!"