Fox Tail

Zhong Yujing and Shangguan Yichen walked out of the palace one after the other, with several young eunuchs serving as guides. They kept a distance from each other all the way. Zhong Yujing was in front and did not look back at Shangguan Yichen. Shangguan Yichen was behind and did not say a word to her either.

When they arrived at the palace gate, two carriages were already waiting. Shangguan Yichen said to the young eunuchs, "You may return now." The eunuchs, their mission complete, happily bowed and excused themselves, each returning to the palace. Shangguan Yichen then said to the guards in the carriages, "It's dark and the road is difficult. There's no need for two carriages. The prince and Jing can ride in one." The guards were deeply moved, and one of them hurriedly bowed to thank the prince for his consideration, then followed the carriage back to the palace.

The guards who stayed behind opened the curtain. Zhong Yujing got on the carriage first, still without looking at Shangguan Yichen or saying a word. The guards continued to hold the curtain. Shangguan Yichen also got on the carriage and said to the guards on the horse stone, "Let's go to the Zhong Mansion first." The guards agreed, waited for him to enter behind the curtain, lowered the curtain, sat in front of the carriage, and drove out of the palace.

The carriage moved slowly. Shangguan Yichen sat beside Zhong Yujing. Seeing her blushing cheeks, he whispered, "You drank too much. Are you dizzy?"

Zhong Yujing raised her rosy face and smiled at him, "My hands and feet are a little numb, and my legs are a little weak, but it doesn't affect my walking."

Shangguan Yichen frowned, "Why didn't you drink a little more just now? You drank the first cup in one gulp." There was a hint of blame in his tone.

Zhong Yujing grinned, "Your Majesty is so sincere, I can't refuse to drink."

Shangguan Yichen asked again, "You've been exhausted on the journey home. You haven't even had time to rest when you're summoned to the palace right away. You've been up this late, aren't you exhausted?"

Zhong Yujing's heart clenched, but she didn't answer, but asked, "Your Highness always asks if I'm tired, exhausted, or feeling unwell. What about you, Your Highness? Are you tired? Are you sleepy?"

Shangguan Yichen said sternly, "I've been in the army for many years, and I'm used to it. I don't feel tired. But you, the hardships you've endured in the army this time are probably the most you've ever experienced since you were a child. Are you tired?"

Zhong Yujing's expression was moved. "Your Highness is also human. I get tired and exhausted, and so do you." She looked at him for a moment, then asked, "Is the wound you received from the bones when you were looking for me at the bottom of the cliff healed?"

Shangguan Yichen was stunned for a moment, then his eyes flickered, and he deliberately avoided her gaze, "Who told you this?" Zhong Yujing looked at him steadily and said firmly, "Everyone in the army knows it, so why wouldn't I know it?"

Yi Shi said that he had followed Shangguan Yichen since he was a child, and had never seen him so dispirited, as if his soul had been taken away and only a shell was left.

Shangguan Yichen finally couldn't avoid her gaze and whispered to her, "I'm fine now, don't worry."

Zhong Yujing looked him in the eyes and said, "Your Highness must always take care of your body. You must not take risks lightly, and you must not hurt yourself."

Shangguan Yichen looked at her concerned eyes and tried hard to suppress the urge to hug her again. He just nodded slightly and said, "I will take good care of myself, don't worry."

The carriage arrived at the Zhong Mansion as they exchanged glances and looked deeply at each other. Shangguan Yichen jumped off the carriage first, personally opened the curtain for her, helped her get off, and stood at the door of the Zhong Mansion with his hands behind his back, watching her return home.

Zhong Yujing entered the Zhong Mansion and looked back at him. Seeing him still standing at the doorway with his hands behind his back, she smiled and waved at him. He stood tall and elegant, smiling and nodding. Zhong Yujing turned and continued on her way back to the mansion. When she reached a point where she could no longer see the main gate, she suddenly ran in another direction, to a wall where Shangguan Yichen's carriage would surely pass. She leaned against the wall, listening intently, until she heard the clang of the carriage departing. Only then did she feel relieved. The corners of her lips curled up slightly, but then quickly faded. She thought to herself, the carriage was moving a little too fast, a little too hasty...

The courtyard was shaded by green willows and towering locust trees. In the pond, there were schools of happy koi, all well-fed by my uncle. They had big bellies and round heads, like red frogs, but they were still agile when swimming. My uncle jokingly said he wanted to take them to practice qigong and improve their body shape, but the bait in his hand did not decrease, but increased day by day.

The diligent rain at three o'clock last night took away most of the heat, allowing those who got up early to go to court to enjoy a day of coolness.

The Dali Temple Minister reported the results of the recent trial of the Nansai Rebellion case in the court. Setu confessed to his crimes in prison and said that Setu knew he was guilty of the death penalty, but he kept asking about his son's situation and tried every means to exonerate his son. He said that his son was unaware of the inside story and was completely bewitched by others, and asked the court to spare his son's life.

All the ministers were furious. General Wang raised his eyebrows and said, "What nonsense! Setu's son is no longer a three-year-old child; he's already an adult. How could he not know what his father intended? Now that his actions have been exposed and his evil plot has failed, he's trying to shirk responsibility and get away with it!"

Minister of Justice, holding up his jade tablet, stepped forward and spoke righteously, "I believe that according to the laws of Daqi, those who plot treason and rebellion should be executed immediately, and their entire clan should be implicated. The leader of Nansai pledged allegiance to our dynasty several years ago. Saitu, his son, and all his clansmen are our subjects. As subjects, from the emperor to the common people, we are bound by the laws of our country. Those who violate them will be punished without leniency."

All the ministers in the court nodded and murmured in agreement.

General Wang snorted and said disdainfully, "Master Situ, are you no longer advocating mercy and nobility this time? You suddenly seem so righteous and awe-inspiring, which really makes me look at you with new eyes." He straightened his back, held his chin high, looked down at Situ Tingwei from a high position, and bowed perfunctorily.

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Justice curled his lips and snorted. Without a sound, he leaned up, lifting his plump body with an imperceptible effort. He tilted his head and glanced at General Wang. He said matter-of-factly, "Rebellion by our subjects is different from rebellion by foreign invaders. This principle is complex and profound. General Wang is unfamiliar with it, but I understand. Furthermore, when it comes to awe-inspiring justice, we are truly not as powerful as the general who marches across the battlefield and kills the enemy on sight. We are truly unworthy of this."

Shangguan Yichen yawned without concealing his feelings.

Zhong Yujing tried her best to hold back the corners of her mouth that were about to turn up.

Eunuch He's palms were sweaty and he held the dustpan tightly in his hands.

Hongdi's voice suddenly sounded lazily from above, but it was like an eagle soaring into the sky, attracting everyone's attention.

"Sun Shaoqing."

Sun Zili stepped forward upon hearing this and said, "I am here."

Emperor Hong continued, "I have ordered you to work with the Dali Temple Minister to interrogate Saitu. What have you discovered?"

Sun Zili's face was expressionless, as he bowed, holding his jade tablet. From the corner of his eye, he could sense the Dali Temple's official standing beside him, also bowed, his head tilted, watching him warily. Sun Zili stared straight ahead at the ground, paused, and said, "Your Majesty, I have submitted the detailed trial record and closing report of the Setu rebellion case along with this memorial." He felt the Dali Temple's eyes frown, and then calmly added, "It is consistent with your investigation."

Hearing this, the expression of the Dali Temple Minister beside him relaxed. He turned around and continued to bow with his hu tablet raised and his head lowered.

There was silence above for a moment.

Then the Emperor said, "Then I will make a decision after I have reviewed the memorials and case files. The Dali Temple Minister and Sun Shaoqing have been meritorious in handling the case. Once the case is concluded, they will be generously rewarded." He glanced at Eunuch He, who understood and stepped forward, saying in a loud voice, "Dismiss the court!"

All the officials had left the court. As they were leaving the main hall, General Wang and Minister of Justice Situ met again. General Wang, with a proud and arrogant air, said in a sullen tone, "Master Situ, go first."

The much shorter Si Tu Ting Wei, who also raised his head, also gave way and said, "General Wang, go first."

General Wang refused to be outdone, "Si Tu Ting Wei is old and frail, so he should naturally take the lead."

Si Tu Ting Yu was unyielding, "General Wang is brave and fearless, he should be first."

The two men kept giving way to each other, but neither of them gave way either. They stood in the middle of the hall like two plague gods, one tall, one short, one strong, one stout. None of the civil and military officials dared to go ahead of them, and they all crowded behind and watched in silence.

Shangguan Yichen was leisurely leaning against the dragon pillar in the hall, with his arms folded, watching the crowd watching the excitement, but suddenly he saw Prince Ping and Yifei whispering beside the golden pillar opposite. He changed his mind, curled his lips into a smile, and stood up and walked forward.

When Zhong Yujing saw his behavior on the steps, she knew what he was going to do and slowly walked down the stairs.

Shangguan Yichen walked straight behind Prince Ping and his son and saw that they were talking intently. In addition, the two elders at the door were arguing endlessly and the hall was noisy, so the two of them did not notice anyone approaching.

King Ping then said, "You bastard! You can't do anything I ask of you. If you don't succeed, you'll only bring me trouble. How could I have given birth to such a useless troublemaker like you?"

Yi Fei didn't dare to raise his head, and said tremblingly: "This time it's all Wang Qiang's fault for being cunning and sinister. When he failed to rob the military pay, he became rebellious and deserted in the middle of the battle. This gave Shangguan Yichen the opportunity to take advantage of us. He's really hateful!" As he said that, he punched the golden pillar.

Prince Ping angrily asked, "How dare you ask for military pay? I told you to negotiate with Wang Qiang, but you angered him and made him rebel. I want to ask you, where did you spend all that military pay?"

Yifei hesitated, "It's right here..."

Prince Ping didn't believe it and snorted coldly, "It's with you? Why didn't you use the military pay for military use when Wang Qiang refused to hand over the supplies?"

Yifei was too timid to answer and could only stand there.

King Ping muttered to himself, "I'm afraid you've squandered it all! I see that Fairy Yao has bought quite a few fine things into her residence lately."

Yi Fei raised his head in panic and explained, "This matter has nothing to do with Fairy Yao. Father, please don't blame her! This is all my fault. I acted on my own. Fairy Yao knows nothing!"

Prince Ping was furious and continued, "You've always been obsessed with women. Ever since this fairy Yao came into the palace, you haven't been looking for women. You've completely ignored all your wives and concubines, and have devoted yourself solely to her. The huge Prince Ping Palace is not as intimate as her villa."

Yi Fei was at a loss, rubbing his hands together, feeling uneasy, "Your son, your son..."

"What?!" King Ping said angrily.

"I just... feel that I have been too frivolous in the past. From now on, I just want to change my mind and repent, follow my father to achieve great things and accomplish something." Yifei explained in a low voice.

Prince Ping sneered and said, "Repent and achieve something? I see you've put aside your thoughts on the brothels and your wives and concubines, and instead focused all your attention on one person. Is this what you mean by achievement?"

Before Yifei could explain, King Ping continued, "This Yaoxian really has some magic tricks to deceive people. People like Daji and Baosi will only cause trouble if they are left here!" Yifei was shocked, his eyes widened in fear, and he knelt down in front of King Ping with his mouth open, trembling, "Father! Father, I beg you not to! Don't touch Yaoxian! She knows nothing. She is a poor person who was sent here by her brother as a thing. She has no one to rely on. She has no bad intentions and never asks me for anything. She is gentle and virtuous, and she doesn't ask for status. I love her and just want to give her a roof to live in. Please, father, don't touch her... I swear, from now on, I will never do it again!" He knelt on the ground and kowtowed to King Ping desperately.

King Ping was shocked and hurriedly helped Yifei up. "You bastard, where are you? You are in such a state, why don't you get up? It will be disgraceful for others to see you!"

Yi Fei wiped his tears with his hands and looked at King Ping and said, "Father, please don't blame Fairy Yao."

King Ping was so disappointed that he said, "Hurry up and walk!"

Yi Fei said timidly: "Father..."

King Ping was helpless. "Keep her, just to entertain you. If you do it again, I will never forgive you!"

Yifei finally burst into laughter, wiped his tears with his sleeves, and stood up embarrassedly.

Just as Prince Ping was about to straighten Yifei, he heard Shangguan Yichen's voice behind him, "It's been a while since we last met. I hope you're doing well, Yifei."