Chapter 19 Ripples

"Have...meal?"

Zhu Kui was stunned. It took him three full breaths to come back to his senses. He asked excitedly:

"So, my envoy is fine?!"

The eunuch smiled and said:

"We cannot know the specifics, but since Your Majesty has made such arrangements, I believe Envoy Zhao is safe."

The words cannot be said with certainty, but the signals revealed are clear enough.

My lord is fine now... I am fine too... Zhu Kui's dark face suddenly flushed with blood, and the smile on the corner of his mouth spread uncontrollably.

The cold body was thawed by the spring breeze and warmed up again.

At this time, he also had time to notice that Zhang Changshuo's distraught look when he left further proved that what the eunuch said was true.

What tricks did the adults use to actually turn the tables on him?

Or was I wrong before? Are the actions you have taken in the past two days really His Majesty's intention?

While Zhu Kui was pleasantly surprised at surviving the disaster, he couldn't help but have wild thoughts and even began to doubt himself.

…

White Horse Prison.

The atmosphere in the yamen today is quite strange. In the past, the envoys who were usually scattered outside are all on duty without any prior arrangement.

They gathered in groups of two or three, talking in low voices, and did not move until almost noon. They frequently looked towards the yamen gate, eagerly waiting.

Obviously, he wanted to know the punishment result for Zhao Duan as soon as possible.

Since ancient times, watching important people suffer misfortunes has been a popular entertainment activity among the people.

"It's time to end it now."

"Calculating the distance, I guess he should be back soon. Tsk, what do you think will become of Zhao..."

"Heh... I'm afraid I'll be skinned alive if I don't die. Haven't you heard the rumors in the capital? The ministers are putting pressure on me this time, and even the emperor's grace must have a limit."

"Oh, if I had known this..."

Someone shook his head and was about to make a long speech when he suddenly saw a figure walking out of the back hall. He hurriedly stood up and saluted:

"Master Supervisor."

The other messengers also stood up, looking embarrassed.

The old man with gray hair, deep eye sockets, and wearing the official robes of the White Horse Supervisor looked unhappy. He glanced at everyone one by one and said:

"Don't you have anything to do? Gathering here to gossip?"

A middle-aged messenger tried to ease the atmosphere:

"Your Excellency is right to reprimand us. We are also concerned about our colleagues..."

Haha... the old supervisor sneered and was too lazy to expose them.

Another person said bluntly:

"Zhao Duan has caused so much trouble for the government office in the past. Now it can be said that he has brought it upon himself. Your Excellency has also taken good care of him, but what happened to him? He is ungrateful and instead..."

"That's right. I think it's time to do this."

Everyone spoke up, sharing the same hatred for the enemy.

The old supervisor sighed and wanted to say something, but finally gave up.

His feelings towards Zhao Duan were complicated, just like the two contradictory comments in the memorial.

Perhaps people become soft-hearted as they grow older. When Zhao Duan was arrogant and domineering, the old man wished he could strip him of his official status and send him down to earth.

But now, seeing that he is about to be convicted of a serious crime and his life is in danger, I can't help but feel sympathy for him.

At this time, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the yamen, and then Zhang Changshuo also walked in.

"Envoy Zhang, you're back!" A group of people excitedly stood up to greet him, knowing that the former had entered the palace with Zhao Du'an to see the emperor. At this time, they couldn't help but look around:

"Then Zhao...didn't come back with us?"

Zhang Changshuo said expressionlessly: "I am the only one who has returned."

Everyone looked at each other, not surprised at all, but with a kind of "as expected" mentality.

The old supervisor sighed softly, closed his eyes, and asked:

"So, he was taken to the Imperial Prison? Or the government office? Or the Dali Temple for trial?"

If it involves a rebel party, it must be handed over to the Three Courts for interrogation.

"He wasn't locked up," Zhang Changshuo said in a voice without emotion. He then bowed.

"I am ill. Please take three days off 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.

Given their relationship, if something happened to Zhao Duan, Zhang Changshuo should be overjoyed.

What exactly happened?

When they were confused, everyone turned their guns and looked at the officials who followed Zhang Changshuo into the palace.

The latter had to explain:

"I don't know the specific details, but I do know that Envoy Zhao submitted a memorial, and His Majesty ordered the matter to be discontinued... Censor Lu was reprimanded, and Envoy Zhang was... punished by being confined to his room for three days..."

What?

A memorial can change His Majesty's mind?

The censor representing the civil and military officials in the court was silenced?

Zhang Changshuo was punished to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors?

Didn’t it say that His Majesty has withdrawn His Majesty’s favor and that Zhao Duan is the one who should be thrown into prison?

How come it's completely the opposite?

"What about Zhao Duan? Wasn't he punished? Why didn't he come back?"

"This... Envoy Zhao was kept by His Majesty and dined in the palace."

In the courtyard.

There was complete silence for a moment, and every face was filled with disbelief.

Even the old supervisor was stunned, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his weather-beaten face.

That kid... a mere concubine... an insignificant pawn... how on earth did he do it?

…

…

Right now.

Zhao Duan, who was in the palace, had no idea what kind of ripples the news would cause in the officialdom of the capital.

He would not even know how shocked and disappointed the countless pairs of eyes that were paying attention to this matter and expecting his downfall were when they learned the outcome of the incident one after another.

Or rather, he simply had no time to care.

Because after he had been waiting alone in the flower hall for about an hour, he finally received the news that the empress had summoned him.

…

"Your Majesty does not like to be served at meals. Please go in."

Outside the Empress's bedroom.

The older female official stopped and spoke softly to Zhao Duan who was following behind.

The emperor did not have a fixed place for meals, but mostly had his meals in his bedroom.

Because after lunch, people often take a nap, so the main purpose is to make things convenient.

As a "concubine", this was the first time in history that Zhao Duan entered the empress's bedroom.

The sight is of carved beams and painted buildings, and the courtyard is full of colorful flowers, with many rare flowers and trees growing there.

In the corridor connected by red-painted wooden pillars, several female officials dressed like palace maids in the Tang Dynasty stood serving.

Through the only half-open door, one could vaguely see a huge round table covered with delicacies. The eunuchs from the imperial kitchen and the imperial teahouse walked away carrying lacquerware.

Beside the table, a moon-white thick silk dress can be vaguely seen.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Duan responds to the call." Zhao Duan stood outside the doorway, took a deep breath, lowered his head and spoke.

"Come in." The voice was as cold as ever.

After getting permission, Zhao Duan stepped over the threshold, raised his head, and finally saw Xu Zhenguan sitting at the dining table. He was holding a spoon with his slender hands, his lips slightly open, and slowly drinking soup.

Golden sunlight shone through the gaps in the clouds, penetrated the window grilles, and shone on her beautiful, flawless face, which was like a crystal jade work of art.

Dazzling white.

Zhao Duan couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

"Sit down and talk."

The Queen of Dayu, Xu Zhenguan, raised her head and looked at his silly and cute appearance, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised and a hint of smile.

So the summer wind also blew up ripples of light.

Thanks to book friend Luminas for the 500-coin reward support~

(End of this chapter)