135 New Student

◎Your Majesty is young and energetic, please don't mind◎

"I dare not..."

He Qiong lowered his head. The young monarch in front of him already had his own ideas, and he couldn't persuade him with just a few words.

"You don't dare?" Fu Hua couldn't help but laugh. He put on his shoes, walked over to him, and bent down just as low. "What are you afraid of? Now you're lecturing me. You don't think I can do anything to you just because you were appointed by the late emperor."

"That's not what I meant..." He Qiong knelt down and lowered his head even lower. It was the first time that his stiff body knelt so low.

Fu Hua placed a hand on He Qiong's shoulder and said in a gloomy tone, "I think you are not feeling well, my dear. Why don't you take a rest too?"

Hearing this, He Qiong suddenly looked up, "Your Majesty!" The two men looked at each other.

"A few days of rest isn't enough? Why don't you just retire?" He said this in a soft voice, as if patiently seeking his opinion. "What do you think?"

"Your Majesty." As he was speaking, Cui Rumei walked in.

Over the past year or so, Cui Rumei has regained her favor, and she was even by Fu Hua's side when he was reviewing memorials.

"My beloved, you've arrived just in time!" Fu Hua completely ignored He Qiong who was still kneeling on the ground and pulled Cui Rumei over to hold her beside him. "Sit down."

Fu Hua held the beauty in his arms, not caring at all about what He Qiong said. "Huang Yun came before, Wei came before, and you old ministers, each and every one of you just won't let me live in peace."

He stroked Cui Rumei's face and asked her advice seriously, "My beloved, do you have any ideas?"

Cui Rumei hid in his arms like a frightened little bird, thinking hard and coming up with a sentence: "Your Highness He has a slightly worried look on his face, perhaps he is really tired."

This was exactly what Fu Hua wanted, so he continued, "My beloved concubine understands you, my dear, please go back and rest."

He Qiong suddenly looked up at Fu Hua, surprised by his indifference.

Fu Hua added, "My dear, please don't dirty my decorations."

Perhaps the highest achievement for civil servants is to die to prove their will, as if crashing to death in the hall would make them famous forever. Fu Hua said this to motivate him.

He Qiong was a veteran of two dynasties, having entered the imperial court in his twenties and now serving in the political arena for over thirty years. If he were to be killed in a moment of desperation in the palace, he would be accused of offending the emperor. While his name would be immortalized in history for generations to come, his family would face a difficult time in their lives.

He was extremely disappointed. He couldn't understand why the emperor he had watched grow up was so paranoid now. "I'll take my leave. I'll take my leave."

After He Qiong left, Fu Hua took Cui Rumei's hand and asked, "When did you come?"

"I am pregnant."

"Really?" The gloomy atmosphere just now disappeared, replaced by a clear sky.

Cui Rumei touched her belly and laughed, "Yes, the imperial physician came to check my pulse, and it's been two months."

This time the child came at the right time, and Fu Hua valued him very much. He had complicated feelings towards Cui Rumei and had disliked her before, but as long as Cui Rumei gave in, he would forgive her.

"Mei'er, we have had grudges and conflicts in the past, but please don't mind. No matter who is by my side, my love for you is real."

The scene when he saved Fengchen is still vivid in my mind. At that time, Cui Rumei was just a little singing girl who was being harassed by a customer. Fu Hua came to her aid, but was surprised to find that the singing girl was very beautiful, so he indulged her until now.

"Regardless of whether the baby is a boy or a girl, I will make you my imperial concubine, okay?"

"Noble Concubine..." Cui Rumei muttered softly, "But my mother's family..."

Fu Hua still didn't give a clear answer this time, "What does this have to do with your mother's family? Isn't it enough that I love you?"

He is a person who only thinks about himself and never considers others. Even if someone has given birth to two children for him, he does not show any partiality.

His love was always just words, and even Cui Rumei was often worried about gains and losses.

"Mother, take the medicine."

Over the past year, Bai Yi's illness hadn't improved. Her only concern was Rong Qianyu. Every time they met, she would ask how the emperor and empress were getting along. "Have you and Hua'er been getting along better lately?"

"Everything is the same as before." Rong Qianyu said.

Bai Yi was so disappointed that she couldn't make up her mind. She didn't understand why the relationship between the two was so cold, why Rong Qianyu never gave in, but she was powerless. "If everything remains the same, it will still be as bad as before. I can protect you while I'm alive. If I die, how will you cope?"

"The emperor has become more and more absurd over the past year or so, and he has even abandoned the affairs of state," she said to herself.

Rong Qianyu: "Your Majesty refused to listen to my advice."

Bai Yi took his hand and said earnestly, "I know you tried your best. You've done enough over the years. I also know you feel wronged. Hua'er feels sorry for you. But you should also think of a solution. Cui is pregnant again. What will you do if her child succeeds to the throne?"

"Your Majesty is still young..."

Maybe there is still a long time, maybe Fu Hua will always be so young, her hope has never been on Fu Hua.

And in myself.

"Take the children out for a walk. Don't stay in the palace all the time. He Qiong is an old minister. Please go see him on my behalf."

Not long after, Rong Qianyu brought the princes and princesses to the He residence. They came in a low-key manner, with only two carriages, a dozen servants, and some small gifts.

"The Empress is here!" Madam He heard the servant's report. Before she could even change into her court attire, the carriage had already stopped at the door. She hurriedly called for the Empress to come and greet her. "I apologize for not coming from afar to welcome you, Your Majesty."

Rong Qianyu was dressed very simply today, and she deliberately didn't wear any expensive jewelry, making her look more approachable.

Madam He knelt down to greet her. Rong Qianyu saw this and hurriedly picked up her skirt and ran to help her. "Madam He, you are too polite. Please stand up."

"Children, meet the old woman."

Yan'er, Shu'er, Yu'er, from oldest to youngest, all bowed to the old lady and said, "Greetings, Madam."

Normally, the princes and princesses did not need to pay their respects to the ministers, but when Rong Qianyu came, she specifically reminded them that besides the emperor and his ministers, there were also the old and the young, the high and the low, and they must not neglect the people around them just because they were in a high position, especially the respected ministers.

The old lady was obviously a little flattered. She didn't know whether to kneel or return the greeting. She waved her hands repeatedly and said, "Your Highnesses are too polite. The inner hall has prepared refreshments. Please come in."

"Where is Lord He?" Rong Qianyu asked.

It is normal that he did not come to welcome him. He Qiong is arrogant and stubborn, and he is probably still angry.

The old lady led her to the inner room, not forgetting to say some good things, "The old man is ill, and he is no longer the same as when he served the late emperor. Your Majesty is young, and he is old and stubborn. His body is just relying on his age to bully others."

Rong Qianyu echoed her words, "Madam, what are you saying? Among the ministers appointed by the late emperor, Lord He is the most dignified and capable. Your Majesty will have to rely on you."

"Guanyun!" The old lady called over a child, a little younger than Shu'er. "This is my grandson, Guanyun. Come meet the Empress and the other princes!"

He Qiong's son was working away from home, leaving only the old couple and a grandson at home. Although the child was young, he was very well-behaved. "Greetings to the Queen, Your Highness."

"How old are you?" Rong Qianyu squatted down and touched his little head.

The child stared with wide eyes and said, "Four... four years old."

"He's older than Yu'er, you two can go play together."

The children were of similar age and quickly became friends. The servants took them to play in the yard.

The old lady brought Rong Qianyu to the main room. The footsteps came closer from afar. He Qiong was still lying on the bed. "Old man, the Queen is here!"

He Qiong then slowly stood up and said, "Greetings to Her Majesty, why are you here? Are you feeling better?"

Rong Qianyu spoke to him politely, giving him enough face. "Thank you for your concern, sir. I feel much better."

"That's good."

"I heard that the Lord was ill, so I brought the children to see you. Your Majesty is young and energetic, so please don't mind. Your Majesty still needs you very much."

He Qiong's eyes wandered, as if he was unwilling to give up. He asked, "For the past year, His Majesty has been obsessed with elixirs and has not made any progress. He has not paid attention to state affairs. What else does he need from me?"

"The world doesn't belong to one person; it belongs to everyone. Lord He, who passed the imperial examination with the highest score and became a Hanlin Academy Scholar, achieved fame at a young age. He certainly didn't enter the officialdom for the sake of a single family or surname. There are few in the court who can match Lord He, who cares deeply about the world and speaks out for justice. With your magnanimity, how could you fail to understand these things?"

Rong Qianyu praised him highly, and indeed, his talent had caused a sensation in the capital. He had entered the imperial court in his twenties, a young talent rarely seen at any time. During the previous emperor's reign, he had already become the most senior civil official and served as the emperor's tutor. Although he was aloof and eccentric, he was upright in his official duties and possessed extraordinary talent.

When I passed the imperial examination, I enjoyed seeing all the flowers in Chang'an in one day, but now I feel like I have been abandoned after my time has passed.

"There are indeed not many fools like me in the court who are inflexible." He said sarcastically helplessly.

His Majesty saw his integrity as inflexible and stubborn. He wouldn't offer advice to suit His Majesty's preferences like the new ministers, often irritating His Majesty. Once or twice, His Majesty would show some leniency for his veteran status, but after so many times, no one wanted to see the old man's face.

Rong Qianyu felt sorry for his experience, but if she wanted to use such a stubborn person for her own benefit, a few words of praise would not be enough.

"Your Majesty may not understand your pursuit, but I have seen it with my own eyes, and that is why I have come to visit you today. I know that I am a woman, and you would not bother to talk to a woman like me..."

"Your Majesty, you are looking down on me by saying that!" He Qiong was somewhat persuaded, and his bent back straightened.

"Yes, so why bother so much, sir? Isn't it enough to just help the world and realize your ambitions?"

"Your Majesty is a visionary, capable and sensible person. Her talent is no less than Your Majesty's..." He paused, and returned his back to its previous shape. "Unfortunately, she's a woman."

Rong Qianyu raised her eyes and saw the unwillingness in his eyes, "My Lord, you still haven't told the truth to a little girl like me."

"Your Highness, are you here today to debate with me?"

"I want Guanyun to enter the palace as my study companion. I wonder if Lord He is willing?"

He Qiong paused, "How could I be unwilling?"

"Of course you can." Rong Qianyu said calmly, as if she really didn't want to. "If I insist, Lord He won't dare to say anything, but the rift between the emperor and his subjects will be irreparable. I naturally don't want this to happen."

"I want to consider the people's feelings, so I'm willing to risk my life time and time again. But even if I don't care, what can I do? Who can say anything? In fact, their life and death will not affect my high position in the Mingtang. But if this continues, the country's fortune will inevitably not last long. By then, Your Excellency will not be able to stay out of it."

Looking at Rong Qianyu in front of him, He Qiong was in awe. She had indeed done a lot over the years. Fortunately, she was a woman. If she was the eldest son of Rong State and inherited the throne, it would be detrimental to the Great Zhou.

"I am about to change my opinion of Her Majesty. I never thought that Her Majesty would have such a grand speech."

"This is a fact, and Your Excellency should also be aware that when a nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. If you can't avoid it now, you'll probably be unable to avoid it in the future. You're staying indoors just because His Majesty doesn't value you. In fact, serving the people is not a matter of how to do it. As a minister, if you don't serve the people, and the head of the government is like this, who will speak up for justice? It's better to die and leave behind a reputation of chastity."