Chapter 439: Don’t Guess the Emperor’s Thoughts

"Oh? This chess set looks good."

After Xiahou Jie finished admiring the courtyard scenery of Qiu Mansion, he turned around and saw a new set of chess pieces specially laid out by his ministers.

He couldn't help but look up at Duke Qiu.

The latter made no secret of his intentions and, smiling, flattered the emperor: "I wonder if this humble servant's chess piece is pleasing to the emperor?"

Xiahou Jie smiled.

Duke Qiu also laughed.

As long as the emperor understood what he meant, there was nothing more for him to say.

Originally, the best things in the world were meant to be presented to His Majesty the Emperor.

He had secretly spent countless energy and resources on this set of black jade chess pieces. He had originally planned to keep them for the New Year's greetings before sending them to the palace. Unexpectedly, today was the day to send them to the emperor ahead of time.

Xiahou Jie has always liked rare things. He was bored staying in the palace and came out to relax. Unexpectedly, he saw some little gadgets that interested him in the Qiu Mansion.

For a moment, the discomfort he had just felt when he saw that the garden of the Qiu Mansion was more exquisite than that of his palace gradually faded away.

Instead, the attention was drawn to the black jade chess piece.

While Duke Qiu was waiting for the emperor to sit down, he secretly looked at the gloomy face of the emperor when he came in. It had faded a little, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing that the emperor's gaze was no longer lingering on the courtyard he had just renovated, the huge stone stuck in Duke Qiu's throat finally fell to the ground.

It is really not easy to please the emperor.

Especially the current emperor whose temperament is becoming more and more treacherous.

But Duke Qiu was very conceited. Emperor Liang's visit to the Qiu Mansion late at night was also a rare honor for the Qiu family.

Especially in this winter when the capital was in turmoil, the Qiu family's wealth made many outsiders jealous.

The old Duke took the time to signal the servant who came to serve tea and water, telling him to go find the master quickly.

The servants retreated quietly and when they found a place where they would not disturb their masters, they hurriedly turned around and went outside the mansion to look for Qiu Suan, the eldest master of the Qiu family.

Late at night, Qiu Suan did not rest at home, but stayed overnight drinking in a red-light district with several colleagues.

This matter could be a big deal or a small one, and the servants in the mansion hurried to the west city to look for the person.

Warm indoors.

The chess game between the king and his minister has begun.

The two of them played chess, moving back and forth, but neither of them was in a hurry.

Duke Qiu also realized that His Majesty left the palace late at night not to play chess with him, but it seemed that the emperor had something on his mind, which made him feel a little irritable, so he came out to relax.

I wasn't concentrating on playing chess.

Duke Qiu pretended not to see it and accompanied the preoccupied emperor, playing the game slowly, neither attacking nor defending, and appearing casual and considerate.

After all, Xiahou Jie was smart, so how could he not see his intention after a few rounds?

Although the ministers' desire to please and serve was too obvious and not very popular, it was rare that for the upset Xiahou Jie, Duke Qiu's actions tonight actually made him feel very good.

As the game went on, he even teased the old Duke about his poor chess moves tonight.

Duke Qiu laughed heartily and joined the emperor in self-deprecating remarks.

The king and his ministers enjoyed the game of chess very much.

Xiahou Jie's mood gradually relaxed.

Duke Qiu was an old fox. When he saw the emperor's gloomy face improve, the alarm bells in his heart went off.

The midnight snacks and warm wine prepared by the servants were also brought up.

The atmosphere is just right here and now.

Duke Qiu seized the opportunity and respectfully asked the emperor for his will.

"Your Majesty, have you been too busy managing state affairs these days?"

Xiahou Jie placed a piece on the chessboard and said, "I am a little tired."

The minister nodded. Since His Majesty said so, it meant that the Emperor was willing to continue the conversation. However, at this time, he, as a minister, could not say too much.

You can only serve the emperor's thoughts, but you cannot guess them.

The emperor would not leave the palace for no reason.

The old Duke just stayed with Xiahou Jie like this.

Pour wine for the emperor from time to time.

Xiahou Jie took a sip, looked at the chessboard, which was not too difficult, and slowly said, "My dear, do you usually like to dream?"

When Duke Qiu heard the emperor suddenly say this!

Alarm bells are ringing in my heart!

Long live, did you suddenly have another strange dream tonight?

Duke Qiu's face remained calm. After a moment's contemplation, he replied earnestly, "Your Majesty, I will not conceal the truth. Since the beginning of winter, I have caught a cold and have become somewhat weaker. For some reason, I have not been able to sleep soundly these past few months. I do have many dreams, sometimes tossing and turning, and even having them several times. However, I usually wake up during the day, so I cannot remember clearly."

"Oh? You're feeling unwell, have you consulted the palace physician?"

At this time, Xiahou Jie unexpectedly showed concern for him.

Duke Qiu smiled repeatedly and said, "Thanks to Your Majesty's great blessing, the imperial physician of the Imperial Hospital did prescribe a prescription for me and took care of my condition."

"Really? How's the effect?"

"The imperial doctors are so skilled, he's definitely much better." Seeing the emperor's cup empty, Duke Qiu quickly refilled it with both hands. "Your Majesty, while the affairs of the world are serious, your Majesty's health is paramount. Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself."

Xiahou Jie nodded slightly, feeling very touched by his minister's concern.

The two of them continued playing for a while.

Duke Qiu felt a little hesitant as he didn't hear the emperor speak for a long time.

Is the emperor waiting for him to ask?

And they were afraid of offending the emperor.

Duke Qiu was also worried that he had guessed the emperor's thoughts wrongly, and he was in great torment.

After enduring for a while, Duke Qiu thought about it and still felt that if he didn't ask actively tonight, His Majesty might not say it out loud.

Just when Duke Qiu mustered up the courage to speak, the emperor opposite him lowered his head to study the chess game and suddenly spoke.

"My dear, what is destiny?"

Duke Qiu: “…”

The old Duke had been cautious all his life, but he was so frightened by the emperor's sudden words late at night that he felt a chill down his spine!

Xiahou Jie glanced at him, smiled faintly, and then lowered his head again and said, "I had a dream tonight. It was quite interesting."

Lord Qiu thought to himself: What kind of dream?!

But he didn't dare to ask now!

The emperor had a smile on his lips, but there was not a trace of warmth in his dragon eyes!

"Qiu Aiqing, it's your turn."

The emperor reminded him.

Duke Qiu suddenly came to his senses, hurriedly glanced at the situation, and followed the emperor's first move to place a piece.

"You lose this way."

"It is only natural that a humble official loses to the Emperor."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

I don’t know whether he was happy about winning the game or about what Duke Qiu said.

Xiahou Jie suddenly felt that the depressed feeling that had been accumulating in his chest had miraculously dissipated!

He threw away the chess piece in his hand and looked up at his favorite minister.

"I dreamt tonight that the enemy was at the gates of the city. When I woke up, I felt unlucky. I would like to stay at your house. The external support is good."

Xiahou Jie lowered his eyes and chewed on the old Duke's words, humming with satisfaction: "Losing to me is destiny."