Chapter 84 The Power of the Red Seal

Yun Zhao's heart almost skipped a beat at that moment, but she quickly forced herself to calm down.

The emperor is blind!

This matter must not be known to anyone else!

[The news must be suppressed! If it leaks, the court will be shaken, the enemy will be watching, and the consequences will be disastrous!]

Her mind raced, eliminating all possibilities:

[I've been in charge of the meals for the past three months. There's absolutely no chance of poisoning!]

[I also supervise the flow of medicinal materials in and out. Your Majesty has always been in good health and has hardly taken any medicine in recent months!]

[What exactly is the problem? He was fine before he went to the harem tonight, so why is he like this after he came back? What happened during that time?]

She suppressed her turbulent thoughts and steadily placed the warm teacup into Xiao Jin's slightly trembling hands. Her voice was deliberately calm and steady. "Your Majesty, the most urgent matter is to buy time. I suggest that we adjourn the court tomorrow morning and announce to the public... Your Majesty was exhausted from wandering around the harem last night and is feeling a little unwell. He needs to rest for a few days. What do you think?"

Although this excuse is somewhat ambiguous, it is the most effective way to deceive people and is most consistent with his behavior of "wandering around the harem" last night.

Xiao Jin took a sip of tea from her hand in a hurry. The warm water seemed to soothe his anxiety a little.

His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of imperceptible fragility: "You... know everything?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Yun Zhao replied softly, his tone firm. "We must find the cause as soon as possible. We absolutely cannot summon the imperial physician at this moment. Making too much noise could only make matters worse. It's incredibly difficult for Your Majesty to hold on until now without revealing any flaws."

Xiao Jin stared at the blurry silhouette of Yun Zhao before him. After a moment of silence, he said, "Call Zhang Fuan in. I have something to tell you."

"I obey your command," Yun Zhao replied, "but before that, Your Majesty, please move to the couch and rest. I will immediately tidy up this place. Tell the public that Your Majesty has suffered a sudden illness and needs to suspend court for three days. During this time, I will read all memorials to you word for word."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin suddenly forced out a faint smile, a hint of self-mockery, but also something else. "I remember... you seemed to be copying my handwriting? Very good. I grant you the power to approve documents in red ink and hold the seal."

[The power to hold the seal?! Does he truly trust me, or is this another deeper test? Handing over the imperial seal and the imperial brush to an outsider is an unprecedented favor and risk!]

Yun Zhao was shocked.

She immediately bowed, her tone respectful and distant, "Your Majesty, I will strictly follow your instructions and will not dare to overstep the mark. However, the power of holding the seal is of great importance, and I absolutely dare not bear it!"

"Heh!" Xiao Jin chuckled, his voice filled with complex meaning. "I trust you so much, yet you refuse to trust me? Do you think I'm detaining you in the palace simply because I'm wary of the Yun family's military power?"

"Isn't that so? I really can't think of any other reason! Xiao Jin, in your previous life, you were a tyrant and a corrupt official, a short-lived emperor! And I, too, died tragically at the hands of the Imperial Music Bureau! Between you and me, there's a sea of ​​blood and past hatred. How can we talk about trust?!"

[But in this life... I've seen with my own eyes that you're not truly incompetent. You employ people based on their merits and have the world at heart... Seeing you like this now, I can't... bear it!]

[Is it because of my rebirth that the trajectory of fate has shifted? But you still can't escape your fate? Xiao Jin, no matter what the reason, I will accompany you through this disaster, but that's all!]

Thousands of thoughts raced through his mind. Yun Zhao finally raised his head, his gaze clear and resolute, and spoke with a resounding voice: "Your Majesty, between ruler and subject, besides trust, there is also responsibility and morality. You are the Emperor of Daye, and you are also the mentor who appreciated and promoted me. For both public and private reasons, I cannot lose your protection. Therefore, I will do my utmost to protect you!"

Xiao Jin listened to her "sincere" yet well-defined words, smiled self-deprecatingly, and said no more.

He fumbled to get up, but stumbled. Yun Zhao immediately stepped forward and held his arm firmly.

"Your Majesty, I will help you to rest on the couch. Perhaps... perhaps tomorrow morning, the dragon's body will heal itself." She comforted him softly and supported him as they walked towards the inner hall.

Xiao Jin acquiesced to her support, letting her take off his boots and outer robe and carefully cover him with a quilt.

It was not until he closed his eyes that the forced imperial majesty was completely removed, revealing a rare fatigue.

Yun Zhao retreated to the outer hall and quickly and silently sorted out the scattered memorials and documents. He then called in Zhang Fuan and whispered some instructions. He did not mention the emperor's eye disease at all, but only emphasized "rest" and "suspending court for three days."

After everything was arranged, she returned to the inner hall and quietly sat on the embroidered cushion beside the dragon couch. After the extreme fatigue and tension, sleepiness came over her like a tide, and she didn't know when she fell asleep beside the couch.

…

After an unknown amount of time, she felt someone stir gently. A low, slightly hoarse voice came from above her head, with a hint of teasing: "Yun Zhao, are you planning to use my arm as a pillow until it's numb?"

Yun Zhao suddenly woke up, and when she looked up, she saw Xiao Jin's handsome face so close to her. She subconsciously reached out and waved her hand in front of his eyes very quickly - still no response.

Her heart sank, but she didn't dare show it on her face. She just rubbed his arm and spoke as naturally as possible, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was confused in my sleep. Your Majesty, do you know where the Divine Doctor Yan you knew at the Western Suburbs Horse Farm is now?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin's lips curled up into a knowing smile. "Yun Zhao, you remember it clearly. However, the way you protected me last night made me know that you are worthy of my trust."

He paused, then calmly dropped a message, "No need to look for her. Last night, Wang Gui was ordered to leave the palace and go pick her up on horseback. She'll be here... tonight."

Yun Zhao was stunned, an indescribable emotion suddenly welling up in his heart: [Yes... he is the emperor after all! I almost forgot that he is the always meticulous Xiao Jin. Even after suddenly going blind and panicking, he never truly lost his composure. And I was still worrying about him for nothing!]

A feeling of self-conscious embarrassment and slight annoyance made her want to escape immediately.

"Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and you have foreseen everything. I have been overthinking." She said, and was about to stand up. "I will go wash up and tell the Imperial Food Bureau to prepare your Majesty's favorite meal. I also have to go to the Imperial Palace Bureau to preside over the morning meeting and arrange for staff and clean up..."

"You're bullying me because I can't see you right now, right?" Xiao Jin's voice came slowly, accurately exposing her excuses. "How can I be less important than those palace servants in your Shanggong Bureau?"

Yun Zhao froze, sighed inwardly, and said resignedly, "I dare not. I will... serve Your Majesty at dinner."

Xiao Jin finally seemed satisfied, and he hummed softly, a hint of dependence in his tone barely perceptible: "That's good, very good."