Chapter 19 Ripples
"Eating...?"
Zhu Kui was stunned, and it took him three full breaths before he came back to his senses and asked excitedly: "So, my envoy is okay?!"
The eunuch smiled and said:
"We don't know the specific details, but since His Majesty has arranged it this way, I hope that you will be fine if you come to Zhao."
The words cannot be said to death, but the signals revealed are clear enough.
Your Excellency is fine...I am fine too... Zhu Kui's dark face suddenly flushed with blood, and the smile at the corner of his mouth spread uncontrollably.
The cold body also thawed and warmed up again like the spring breeze.
At this time, he also had time to notice that Zhang Changshuo's dejected appearance when he left, further proved that what the eunuch said was true.
What methods did the adults use? Did he actually make a comeback?
Or maybe I was wrong before. Is your Majesty’s series of operations in the past two days really the intention of His Majesty?
In addition to the surprise of Zhu Kui's remaining life after the disaster, he couldn't help but think wildly, and he even had some self-doubt.
…
White horse supervisor.
The atmosphere in the Yamen today is quite strange. In the past, all the envoys who were often scattered outside were all on duty.
They gathered in small groups, talking in low voices, and did not move away until noon. They frequently looked towards the yamen entrance, eagerly awaiting.
Obviously it was to know the result of Zhao Duan's punishment as soon as possible.
Since ancient times, watching big shots suffer misfortune has been a popular entertainment activity for the people.
"At this hour, it should be over."
"Calculating the distance, I guess I should be back soon. Tsk, what do you think Zhao... will end up with?"
"Haha...I'm afraid that I will shed my skin even if I don't die. Haven't you heard the rumors in the capital? This time the ministers in the court are putting pressure on me, and there should be a limit to the saint's grace."
"Oh, I had known this..."
Someone shook his head and was about to make a long speech when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure walking out of the back office. He stood up and saluted:
"Sir Supervisor."
The other envoys also stood up, looking embarrassed.
The old man with gray hair on his temples and deep eye sockets, wearing the official robe of a white-horse supervisor, looked unhappy. He glanced at everyone one by one and said, "Don't you have anything to do? Are you gathering here to chat?"
A middle-aged envoy tried to lighten the atmosphere:
"Your Majesty is reprimanding us. We also care about our colleagues..."
Ha... The old supervisor chuckled, not bothering to expose them.
Another person said bluntly: "Zhao Duan has caused so much trouble to the Yamen in the past, but now he is to blame. Sir, you have taken good care of him, but what about him? He is ungrateful and instead..."
"That's right, I see, it should have been like this a long time ago."
Everyone spoke one after another, sharing the same hatred.
The old supervisor sighed and wanted to say something, but finally gave up.
His feelings towards Zhao Duan were complicated, just like the two comments in the memorial were as contradictory as the two.
Perhaps people become soft-hearted as they get older. When Zhao Duan was arrogant and domineering, the old man wanted to strip him of his official body and knock him out of the world.
But now, seeing that he is about to suffer a serious crime or that his life is in danger, I can't help but sympathize with him.
At this time, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the Yamen, and then Zhang Changshuo also walked in.
"Zhang Shijun, you are back," a group of people stood up to greet him excitedly. Knowing that the former and Zhao Duan had entered the palace to meet the saint, they couldn't help but look around:
"Then Zhao... didn't come back together?"
Zhang Changshuo said expressionlessly: "I am the only one who has returned."
Everyone looked at each other, not surprised, but with a "sure enough" mentality.
The old supervisor sighed softly, closed his eyes and asked:
"So, was he taken to prison? Or to the government office? Or to Dali Temple for trial?"
If it involves rebelling against the party, it will definitely be handed over to the third division for trial.
"He is not locked up," Zhang Changshuo's voice was emotionless. After leaving this sentence, he cupped his hands and said: "The official is ill. Please take a rest for three days and go home to recuperate."
After saying that, he turned around and left.
Everyone was stunned, and the old supervisor also opened his eyes, realizing that something seemed wrong.
Based on the relationship between the two of them, if something happened to Zhao Duan, Zhang Changshuo should be happy.
What happened?
When they were confused, everyone turned their guns and looked at the officials who followed Zhang Changshuo into the palace. The latter had no choice but to explain:
"I don't know the specific process, but I only know that it was Zhao Shijun who sent a letter, and His Majesty said that the matter should not be mentioned again... Lu Yushi was reprimanded, and Zhang Shijun was... fined to stay behind closed doors for three days..."
What?
A letter changed His Majesty’s mind?
The censor who represented the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty was banned?
Zhang Changshuo was punished to shut up and think about his mistakes?
Didn't it mean that His Majesty has taken back the Holy Family, and Zhao Duan is the one who deserves to be thrown into prison?
Why is it completely the other way around?
"What about Zhao Duan? He wasn't punished? Why didn't he come back?"
"This... Zhao Shijun was left by His Majesty to have dinner in the palace."
In the courtyard.
There was silence for a moment, and every face was full of disbelief.
Even the old supervisor was stunned, an incredible look appeared on his weathered old face.
That kid...a mere masked leader...an insignificant pawn...how on earth did he do it?
……
…
At this moment.
Zhao Duan, who was in the palace, had no idea what ripples it would cause in the officialdom of the capital after the news spread.
Not to mention the countless pairs of eyes that were paying attention to this matter and looking forward to his downfall, how shocked and disappointed they were when they learned the outcome of the incident one after another.
In other words, he had no time to care at all.
Because after waiting alone in the flower hall for about an hour, he finally received the news that the empress had summoned him.
…
"Your Majesty doesn't like to be served by others when eating. Please go in."
Outside the Empress's bedroom.
The older female officer stopped and spoke softly to Zhao Duan who was following behind.
There was no fixed place for the emperor to have his meals, but most of them had sleeping quarters.
Because after lunch, I often take a nap for convenience.
As the "face chief", this is the first time in history that Zhao Duan has entered the empress's palace.
The entrance is decorated with carved beams and painted pillars, and the atrium is filled with colorful flowers and many rare flowers and trees.
In the corridor connected by red lacquered wooden pillars, several female officials dressed like palace ladies in the Tang Dynasty stood waiting.
In the only half-open door, a huge round table was vaguely visible, filled with delicacies. From the imperial dining room, the eunuch from the imperial tea house walked away carrying lacquerware.
Beside the table, a moon-white thick silk dress can be vaguely discerned.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Duan is here to answer the call." Zhao Duan stood outside the threshold, took a deep breath, lowered his head and said.
"Come in." The voice was as cold as ever.
After receiving permission, Zhao Duan stepped over the threshold, raised his head, and finally saw clearly Xu Zhenguan beside the dining table, holding a spoon with his delicate hands and slowly drinking soup with his mouth slightly open.
The golden sunlight shines from the cracked clouds, penetrates the window grilles, and shines on her beautiful, flawless face, which is like a crystal jade work of art.
Dazzling white.
Zhao Duan couldn't help but feel a little lost.
"Sit down and talk."
The Empress of Dayu, Xu Zhenguan, raised her head and looked at him with a somewhat silly look. The corners of her mouth were slightly raised, with a hidden smile.
So the summer wind also blew ripples of light.
Thanks to book friend Luminas for the 500-coin reward~
(End of this chapter)