Chapter 139: Your Majesty, Why Are You So Angry?
"Sir Song, now that the imperial edict has been delivered, I will return to the palace. You can continue to rest."
Just as Manager Li was about to leave, he was stopped by Song Yunchu.
"Wait a minute, Chief Steward Li. I will go to the palace with you to express my gratitude."
"Your Majesty is considerate of his subjects and allowed me to rest at home today. I did sleep until noon. How can I not thank your Majesty for such a great reward?"
Listening to Song Yunchu's words, Manager Li also smiled, "Master Song is right."
Even if you have severe back pain, you will feel refreshed after getting the Snake-Coiling Purple Gold Crown.
…
The warm sunlight casts dazzling colors on the glazed tile roofs of the palaces.
Two pretty figures were kneeling outside the imperial study.
The knees of Concubine Zhen and Concubine Li felt a little sore, but they did not dare to collapse because they were glancing at each other out of the corner of their eyes. If the other party did not fall down, how could they fall first?
Although the two of them said nothing, they were secretly competing with each other.
In the imperial study, Zhenfei's brother, Master Ye, presented a water control strategy to the emperor behind the imperial desk.
"Your Majesty, I have discussed this matter with Scholars Chen and Lu. They think it is feasible. The flooding caused by the heavy rains in Yuzhou needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Your Majesty, please consider the measures I have proposed."
After Jun Liluo carefully read the plan, he looked at Master Ye with a hint of appreciation, "Your plan is good. I order you to pack your bags immediately and go to Yuzhou with Gong Mingyuan to deal with the flood."
"I obey your orders."
"You two must remember that flood control is the top priority. Gong Mingyuan may have a bad mouth, but he is very decisive in his actions. You must assist him well. If you two do a good job, I will reward you well when you return to the court."
Because Gong Mingyuan belonged to the Song Xiang faction and had no dealings with the Ye family, and even had an argument with them in the court, this time he sent the two of them out on a mission together and had to give them a stern warning.
Gong Mingyuan had been punished before, so he should have learned his lesson. Ye Fengmian has always been an upright person, so he must know his limits.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will remember my mission and assist Minister Gong."
After finishing the business, Ye Fengmian dared to mention his sister who was kneeling outside, "Your Majesty, Concubine Zhen certainly did not mean to offend Your Majesty, please forgive her and Concubine Li, and let them both stand up."
Since he was asking for mercy, he couldn't just plead for his own family, he simply pleaded for the two people outside.
"I will certainly advise Concubine Zhen to behave herself and not to anger Your Majesty again."
"Ye Fengmian, do you think I intend to embarrass them?"
Jun Liluo said in a cool tone, "Why don't you go and ask them if they are short of food and clothing on a daily basis? The plague and floods have made life miserable for the people. I have a pile of memorials that I can't even finish reading, but they are fighting over a few boxes of tribute rouge and even bringing it to my presence. It's ridiculous."
He was so absorbed in thinking about the flood that he had no intention of paying any attention to the two people outside the door. He asked Manager Li to pass on a message, asking them to kneel for an hour and reflect on their actions.
Upon hearing this, Ye Fengmian knew he was in the wrong, but he still couldn't bear to see his sister kneeling in punishment.
Just as he was about to plead again, he heard a voice as clear as the wind coming from behind him, "Your Majesty, why are you so angry? Don't you have a strategy for the flood that you're worried about? You should be happy."
Ye Fengmian frowned when he heard this.
Prime Minister Song once had an argument with his father. Now that Prime Minister Song is in great glory, it is unknown whether this will add fuel to the flames.
If Prime Minister Song wanted to attack the Ye family and say that the Ye family didn't teach their daughter well, I'm afraid it wouldn't be as simple as just kneeling as a punishment...
While Ye Fengmian was feeling melancholy, Song Yunchu had already walked to the imperial desk and saluted Jun Liluo.
"Why is Yun Chu here?" Jun Liluo was a little surprised, and the coldness in his eyes faded away in an instant, "Didn't I tell you to rest at home for a day?"
"Your Majesty has given me such a generous reward, so I naturally want to express my gratitude. Besides, I have slept for most of the day, so I don't feel tired at the moment."
Song Yunchu paused and said, "I just heard from your Majesty that Concubine Zhen and Concubine Li had a quarrel over a few boxes of tribute rouge?"
"Among the tributes sent by the small country, there were a few boxes of rouge and powder, which were said to be very rare and could make people look more beautiful. This kind of thing should have been evenly distributed and given to each palace, but Concubine Zhen took too much, and Concubine Li argued with her, and the two even came to blows. How shameful."
Jun Liluo's face darkened when he mentioned this.
"The plague in the west of the city has just been resolved, and the flood in Yuzhou has been reported. Two days ago, Marshal Shen from the border sent a military report that foreign tribes have attacked multiple camps in an attempt to provoke. Which of these things is not more important than theirs?"
Jun Liluo recalled what Song Yunchu once said in his heart: There are no winners in palace fighting.
The women in the harem will gradually lose their original intentions and consciences in the process of eliminating dissidents. Even if they gain glory and splendor, they may not be happy. The more people there are, the more wrong things will happen.
Taking a concubine was a necessary procedure for every emperor. When he first ascended the throne, he picked a few daughters of important ministers at random according to the rules, and never had any contact with them since then. Now that he knew he was a homosexual, he didn't want to mess with them even more.
He could hardly even remember what they looked like.
He thought that since everyone was unfamiliar with him, they would not resent each other. Instead of letting them fight, it would be better to let them resent him alone. Over time, perhaps they would get together to eat, drink and have fun, and their mentality would gradually become peaceful, which could be considered a kind of stability.
But they still started making trouble, and at a time when state affairs were most busy.
"Your Majesty has always been particular about rewards and punishments. It is true that Concubine Zhen was wrong to take more tribute, but her brother, Scholar Ye, shared your worries and handed over the flood control strategy. Does Your Majesty feel relieved because of this? Compared with the latter's merits, the former's faults are not that important."
After Song Yunchu finished speaking, Ye Fengmian looked at her in surprise.
He didn't expect that Prime Minister Song would speak up for him.
What Prime Minister Song said makes a lot of sense... Although his sister made a mistake, he, as her brother, is doing practical things. But in front of His Majesty, he cannot and dare not boast about himself, otherwise he will appear self-righteous and will make His Majesty even more unhappy.
Words of praise for him can only come from other people's mouths.
"It is indeed as your majesty said. Compared with the millions of ordinary people, personal affairs are insignificant. However, I would like to say a few words on behalf of the two ladies."
Song Yunchu bowed to Jun Liluo and said, "Women dress to please themselves. Concubines are only trying to please the emperor, which is not wrong. Your Majesty is the emperor and cares about the people. As officials appointed by the court, we have the duty to assist your majesty. Concubines entered the palace, and apart from winning the emperor's favor, they probably have no other goals in life. Why is your majesty so harsh?"
Jun Li Luo was speechless for a moment after hearing this, as if he was lost in thought.
Ye Fengmian, who was standing by, didn't dare to breathe when he saw him being silent.
Jun Li Luo did not refute, so Song Yunchu knew that he was not angry. If he was unhappy, he would definitely change his face and stop.
She continued, "Women have been confined to their boudoirs since childhood, and most of what they learn is music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. They cannot join the army or participate in politics. Even if they are smart, no one will guide them in national affairs. If women can be free like men, perhaps they will have the opportunity to become pillars of society and make strategies for flood control and disaster relief."
"Your Majesty, why don't you let the two ladies get up and return to the palace to reflect on their mistakes? It would not be good if they hurt their knees."
[Tsk, the dog emperor didn't respond. Should I stop? It's strange that he can understand what I'm saying to him.]
[Perhaps because he saw that I had done a great job, he allowed me to say a few more words.]
[Zhen Fei and Li Fei were also unlucky. They happened to be in a time when the country was busy with many affairs. To put it bluntly, the families behind them put too much pressure on them, making them anxious all day long. Sometimes they also need to vent.]
"What Yunchu said makes some sense." Jun Liluo raised his eyes and looked at Ye Fengmian, "Go outside and tell them to get up. As the brother of Concubine Zhen, please give her some advice."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity!" Ye Fengmian turned around and glanced at Song Yunchu.
Prime Minister Song is usually arrogant and domineering, but he can be so reasonable at times.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
