Chapter 185 Discussion

When Wang Xiang and his entourage entered the palace, Fu Mingyi had reportedly already met His Majesty and then Prince Yan, and had already left the palace.

Wang Xiang didn't want to see him anyway, so he ignored him and only requested an audience with the emperor.

But the response was still that His Majesty would not receive guests.

Wang Xiang patiently said, "Chief Steward Ma, the matter is urgent. Please inform us again that we must see His Majesty today."

Ma Hong sighed helplessly and said, "Prime Minister, may I speak to you in private?"

Wang Xiang's ears twitched, and he took a few steps to the side with Ma Hong. His ministers waited behind them without moving.

"Prime Minister, to be honest, His Majesty was ill a few days ago and naturally refused to receive guests."

"Is His Majesty feeling any better now? We are all court officials, yet the Grand Tutor, who has been absent for so long, saw His Majesty as soon as he arrived today. We, on the other hand..." Wang Xiang looked disapproving.

"It was only after seeing the Grand Tutor that I spoke these words to the Prime Minister."

Ma Hong lowered his head. "His Majesty is not in a good mood."

Wang Xiang suddenly realized. "Is it because of the Grand Tutor?"

Ma Hong sighed. "Alas, I don't know why, but when the Grand Tutor came out, he didn't look too good."

Wang Xiang had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

"Chief Steward Ma, it's not that we want to bother Your Majesty, but... Your Majesty has recovered quite well recently. Although I am not the Imperial Tutor, I still have the duty of assisting in governing. We earnestly hope that Your Majesty will prioritize the affairs of the state."

Ma Hong nodded. "I will certainly convey Your Excellency's words. However, today..."

Wang Xiang thought of the note and then of Fu Mingyi, and felt even more unhappy.

"According to the schedule, Your Majesty, you should be attending the morning court session tomorrow, shouldn't you?"

Ma Hong said, "His Majesty remembers this matter, but whether or not to attend court is a matter of..."

Wang Xiang knelt down on both knees in front of Chengde Palace.

"Your Majesty, please prioritize the affairs of state and do not neglect the affairs of the court!"

"'this……"

When the officials saw him kneel down, they quickly followed suit.

Ma Hong hurriedly said, "My lord, Prime Minister, you mustn't, you mustn't!"

Wang Xiang wouldn't listen to reason. He just kept kneeling on the ground, showing no intention of getting up.

Ma Hong was helpless; he looked at this person and tried to persuade that person, but to no avail.

Ma Hong sighed, "Prime Minister, I know I can't persuade you. I will report to His Majesty immediately. If you have any questions, I will come to report as soon as I receive the news."

Ma Hong went inside quickly, leaving Wang Xiang and the others kneeling on the spot.

Mingxiu paced back and forth anxiously.

"What should we do? What should we do? Has His Majesty not returned yet?"

Ma Hong is definitely more composed.

"Don't pace back and forth. No matter how much you walk, you can't stop His Majesty from..."

As he was speaking, a voice suddenly came from inside the hall.

"What's wrong?"

The two were taken aback, then slowly turned their gazes.

A moment later, Mingxiu rushed over in delight.

"Your Majesty! You've finally returned!"

Ma Hong also breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Although he was also excited, he didn't show it as obviously as Mingxiu.

On the contrary, precisely because Mingxiu's emotions were so outward, he became even more restrained in his own emotions.

Mr. Wu was right behind them. It was he who led Xiao Qing through the mountains and rivers, rushing and hurrying, that brought her into the palace at this moment.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so gloomy?"

Xiao Qing, who had traveled a long and arduous journey, hugged Mingxiu, patted her shoulder, and then looked at Ma Hong.

Ma Hong quickly said, "The Prime Minister and several officials are waiting outside, wanting to ask His Majesty about tomorrow's morning court session."

Xiao Qing did not answer, but asked instead, "Has the Grand Tutor arrived?"

"They left not long ago; I heard they went to Chengguang Palace."

Thinking of Fu Mingyi's views and judgments about Xiao Yan, and recalling all that had happened before, Xiao Qing felt a little more reassured.

"Ma Hong, go and inform the officials that tomorrow's morning court will proceed as usual. Also, send someone to invite the Grand Tutor."

Ma Hong responded and immediately went to do it.

"Mr. Wu, thank you for escorting me all the way. I hope you will consider what I said."

Mr. Wu nodded slightly, turned and left, disappearing without a trace in a short while.

Mingxiu hadn't seen Xiao Qing for many days, and couldn't help but look at her closely, saying, "Grand Tutor, this time you really took too much of a risk. Even His Majesty has lost weight."

Xiao Qing laughed heartily, thinking of the difficulties they faced in the abyss canyon, and then of Mingxiu's virtues, he couldn't help but grab her hand, saying, "It was only after this trip that I realized how important medical knowledge is. Staying in the palace all day hasn't really helped you much in your medical studies. I need to think of a way to let you..."

Mingxiu quickly shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, Mingxiu is first and foremost someone by Your Majesty's side, and only then a physician. Your Majesty should not worry about Mingxiu."

Xiao Qing chuckled, "It's been a while since I last saw Xiu'er, and she's become even more sensible."

Mingxiu pouted, "Your Majesty..."

Ma Hong entered and said, "The esteemed officials have already returned, and they have also sent people to Chengguang Palace to invite the Grand Tutor. Your Majesty, Lord Ying has also come twice, saying that he was rash and offended Your Majesty before, and asks Your Majesty to punish him."

Xiao Qing was taken aback. Where did this come from?

Just then, Fu Mingyi arrived.

He said from outside, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Xiao Qing's heart fluttered, and her eyes involuntarily looked outside.

"Your Majesty, this servant will invite the Grand Tutor in immediately."

Xiao Qing watched as Fu Mingyi slowly walked in. Although he looked thinner, he seemed to be in good spirits.

She waved Ma Hong and Mingxiu away, invited Fu Mingyi to sit down, and then began to speak.

“There are 300 soldiers hidden in Fengqi Gorge. This is the roster. In fact, most of them are not private soldiers recruited by Zhao Ziyuan, but elite soldiers selected from the state army.”

As she walked, she said, "The reason for training troops separately is that Zhao Ziyuan felt that ordinary training methods could not meet the needs of the Northern Expedition."

Fu Mingyi flipped through the roster once more, his gaze lingering on Xiao Qing.

"I watched him train the troops; it was very methodical, yet flexible. It's just that some of them..."

“Your Majesty,” Fu Mingyi interrupted her.

Xiao Qing was stunned for a moment and looked over in confusion.

Fu Mingyi smiled, his expression respectful.

"His Majesty's status is noble and different from ordinary people. His presence outside was merely a temporary measure. Now that he has returned to the palace, he must naturally take proper etiquette into account."

Xiao Qing understood.

"I wish to borrow Mr. Wu for a while."

She looked at Fu Mingyi, "Mr. Wu said that he is a retainer of the Fu family."

Fu Mingyi met her gaze. "What does Your Majesty think?"

"As long as the Grand Tutor agrees, Mr. Wu will definitely agree."

Fu Mingyi shook his head, "He is a retainer of the Fu family, not a retainer of a minister."

Xiao Qing was stunned for a moment, and after going through these words in her mind several times, it took her a long time to figure out their meaning.

Fu Mingyi asked, "How does Your Majesty intend to deal with the matter in Feng County?"

Xiao Qing asked, puzzled, "How does the Grand Tutor intend to deal with this?"

Fu Mingyi smiled. "Your Majesty's meaning is my meaning."

Xiao Qing felt a sudden pang in her heart.

"Is the Grand Tutor planning to wash his hands of this?"

Fu Mingyi rose and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I dare not. It is only that Your Majesty has a thorough understanding of this matter, while I have not."