Chapter 111: Deposed Emperor Becomes a Slave (2)
2
There was a solemn atmosphere in front of the Changqiu Palace.
The eunuchs knelt on the ground, with their heads lowered and silent.
Chen Xun knelt at the front, covering his face with his hands, tears streaming down his face: "Young Master, please understand, I am innocent."
Seeing that he was still unwilling to give up, Eunuch Cheng said, "Since you say you are innocent, let me ask you, how did this dress fly onto you?"
Chen Xun wanted to lie: "It was a reward from His Majesty..."
"Tell me one more lie and I'll drag you out and beat you to death!"
"Yes..." Chen Xun paused and changed his words, "I saw that Your Majesty didn't wear it, so I brought it..."
"I've told you that if you tell another lie, I'll drag you out and beat you to death! Someone, come!"
Eunuch Cheng stood in front of him, his figure was tall and cast a shadow over him.
As if to support him, Zhu Qingchen raised his hand and asked his two personal guards to walk to Chen Xun's side.
Two bodyguards stood behind him, looking at him coldly, as if he were a dead man.
Chen Xun fell to the ground, his face pale and covered in cold sweat.
Eunuch Cheng said, "Let me ask you one last time, how did that piece of clothing come to be on you?"
Chen Xun said timidly: "I stole your Majesty's things."
"How long?"
"Not long..."
"How long have I been asking you? Answer each question you ask. As for how long it has been, the young master and His Majesty will make their own judgment."
"It's been about eight...seven years since I entered the palace." Chen Xun said anxiously, "It was indeed assigned to me by His Majesty in the beginning..."
Good job.
Seven or eight years ago, Xiao Cheng'an was only seven years old.
What does a seven-year-old know?
Eunuch Cheng asked, "So you tricked His Majesty into giving you clothes and food?"
"It's not a lie. Your Majesty saw that I was pitiful, so he gave it to me as a reward."
“It’s a joke.”
How can someone who himself is hungry and cold give things to others as rewards?
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please say something..." Chen Xun raised his head and cast a hopeful look at Xiao Cheng'an, "Your Majesty, you are the kindest person. Please say something for me. From now on, I will serve you like a slave..."
He knew that Xiao Cheng'an was the weakest. As long as he cried and begged, Xiao Cheng'an would definitely issue an order to let him go.
But he didn't expect that this time, Xiao Cheng'an just sat there, motionless.
Seeing that he was unmoved, Chen Xun hurriedly climbed forward: "Your Majesty..."
Zhu Qingchen's two personal guards held him down, and Eunuch Cheng also stood in front of him, preventing him from entering.
At this time, Zhu Qingchen spoke calmly: "Drag him away and wait for His Majesty to deal with him. The others, wait..."
Before he finished speaking, all the eunuchs kowtowed and begged for mercy: "Young Master, please spare us! Your Majesty, please spare us! We won't dare to do it again, never again!"
Zhu Qingchen said, "Eunuch Cheng, take them down one by one for interrogation. What have they stolen over the years and how much is it worth? Record them one by one in the book. I will ask my personal guards to assist you."
"Yes." Eunuch Cheng accepted the order and saluted to the two guards, "Thank you, my Lords."
“You’re welcome.”
Two bodyguards took away the group of eunuchs who were howling like ghosts and wolves.
Eunuch Cheng said sternly, "Shut your mouths. If you disturb His Majesty and the young master, you will be sentenced to death, even if it is not a capital crime."
Everyone in the group quickly covered their mouths and swallowed back their cries.
In the palace, Zhu Qingchen turned to look at Xiao Cheng'an and said, "The eunuch just begged for mercy, why didn't Your Majesty soften his heart?"
Xiao Chengan argued: "I was a little soft-hearted at first. It's just a few things, so I just took them away. But when I think of him slandering the teacher, I can't swallow this anger."
Zhu Qingchen sighed and said sternly: "Your Majesty has now ascended the throne. You should be compassionate and tolerant to the people, but you should not be kind to the evil people who are sneaky and cunning."
"These eunuchs have bullied Your Majesty for more than ten years. After Your Majesty ascended the throne, instead of punishing them, you allowed them to continue serving. This is not kindness, but weakness."
"To be weak to the wicked is to humiliate the good."
Xiao Chengan sat obediently in front of him and listened to his teachings.
Zhu Qingchen explained to him in detail: "Your Majesty was bullied by them in the past, and lacked medical care and medicine. If it weren't for your good fortune, how could you have lived to this day?"
"That Chen Xun is wearing your Majesty's old clothes and pendants, parading through the streets. What if he does something and someone recognizes his clothes and pendants?"
"If Your Majesty lets him and the other eunuchs go this time, what will they think? They will think that Your Majesty is nothing special, that Your Majesty is still the weak and useless King Kang as before, and what about them? They are powerful figures who have bullied the emperor."
"If we let them go, they will regard themselves as the 'Emperor's trusted ones', act tyrannically, oppress the people, influence government affairs, and control Your Majesty. Wouldn't that lead to disaster?"
Xiao Cheng'an's expression was startled, and then he understood.
He took a deep breath and bowed his head, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, teacher."
Zhu Qingchen asked: "Well, now you know what to do, right?"
"Yes." Xiao Cheng'an nodded thoughtfully, "After Eunuch Cheng has counted the things they have stolen over the years, he will behead them, exile them, or keep them as slaves in the palace according to the severity of their crimes to serve as a warning to others."
"Also, we must block the news. It's best not to spread this matter outside the palace. I was so cowardly in the past, I'm afraid it will cause unrest in the government and the country."
Zhu Qingchen nodded and patted his shoulder: "Remember this in the future, don't let the bad guys go easily."
"Yes, I remember that."
Not long after, Eunuch Cheng brought up the registered documents.
Over the past decade or so, the eunuchs have stolen so many things that even they themselves can't remember how many there are.
Xiao Cheng'an simply flipped through it and asked Eunuch Cheng to deal with it.
Before leaving, Zhu Qingchen said, "Eunuch Cheng, after you deal with these people, remember to go to the Palace Staff Office and select a new batch of eunuchs to fill the vacancies."
Eunuch Cheng bowed and saluted: "Yes."
"They are all people who serve His Majesty. You must personally check them. Those people before had nothing to do with you. If you let those unscrupulous people sneak in this time, you will be punished."
"Don't worry, young master. I will definitely get it done."
"Okay, go ahead."
Eunuch Cheng walked out of the hall with steady steps.
Zhu Qingchen was very satisfied and said to Xiao Chengan, "After testing today, I found that this eunuch Cheng is capable of doing things. He is quick-witted and eloquent. I am very relieved to have him as your chief eunuch."
Xiao Chengan nodded and agreed, "I feel relieved too."
Zhu Qingchen pouted: "Teacher can't always help you choose people. You also have to learn to identify and see which talents are available in the court and the public."
"Yes, I understand."
"Have you finished the article I asked you to write last time? Where's the memorial I asked you to approve?"
"It's all written." Xiao Cheng'an took out a thick stack of papers.
Zhu Qingchen took a quick look and said, "Yes, you are very fast at learning these things, but you are still young and your character needs to be tempered. I will find you a martial arts master in a few days, and you can get up early every day to practice martial arts in the martial arts field."
"I'll take you out of the palace from time to time. You'll see more things and understand a lot of things naturally without being taught. It's boring to stay in the palace all the time."
*
Xiao Cheng'an ascended the throne today. He offered sacrifices to heaven during the day and held a banquet in the evening, with all officials celebrating together.
Zhu Qingchen accompanied Xiao Chengan to read L's article for a while. When it was almost time, he asked for his leave.
Xiao Chengan asked: "Teacher, wouldn't it be nice if you could go with me?"
Zhu Qingchen said sternly: "There is a difference between the monarch and his subjects. Your Majesty is sometimes too humble."
Xiao Chengan smiled and said, "There is a difference between the ruler and his subjects, and between the master and his disciples. Let's just take it as a cancellation. There is no airs between me and my teacher."
Zhu Qingchen smiled and said, "I'll go first, and your majesty can go later. A palace banquet is not a family banquet, and the Northern Zhou envoys are also here, so we shouldn't be impolite."
"Okay then." Xiao Cheng'an personally saw him off and asked Eunuch Cheng to take him there.
Zhu Qingchen went to the side hall to change into his formal dress and rushed to the banquet palace.
He walked hurriedly down the corridor.
Suddenly, he saw two people in front of him.
One is Chen Xun who was just dealt with, and the other is——
The fifth prince of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Zan.
Chen Xun lowered his head, wiped his tears, and sobbed as he complained: "Your Majesty was very angry today. Not only did he beat us, he also said he would exile us to the northwest. Your Highness, help me..."
Yuwen Zan stood in front of him, stretched out his sleeve, and wiped his tears: "Don't cry."
Zhu Qingchen pursed his lips.
Yu Wenzan has only been here for a month or so, how come he's together with Chen Xun so soon?
Eunuch Cheng followed him and was about to step forward and scold him, but was held back by Zhu Qingchen.
Eunuch Cheng quickly explained, "Young Master, this Chen Xun was originally going to be exiled. I don't know what happened, how he escaped. I will send someone to bring him back immediately."
At this time, Yuwen Zan said: "The emperor of your Xia country is really cold-blooded and cruel. How can he be worthy of being an emperor?"
This time Eunuch Cheng couldn't help it.
Chen Xun is not a good person, and the same goes for Yuwen Zan.
Who gave him the courage to curse the emperor of Daxia in the palace of Daxia?
Has he ever learned diplomatic etiquette? Even if he has never learned it, a two-year-old child should not curse at others in their home, right?
Zhu Qingchen stopped him and said calmly: "It doesn't matter, I will send someone to deal with it." Eunuch Cheng retreated indignantly: "Yes."
The plot is still going on, important supporting characters cannot be killed, and their meeting is inevitable.
Zhu Qingchen could only ask his personal guards to keep an eye on the two of them, just in case.
The two people in front were still talking and were almost hugging each other.
Chen Xun shed tears: "Your Highness, save me... Your Highness, save me..."
Yuwen Zan was heartbroken by his crying and promised repeatedly: "I will definitely save you. I will ask the Emperor of Xia to bring you here. He dare not disrespect me."
Eunuch Cheng looked on from behind with a complicated expression.
What face do you have? You are just a prince of an enemy country. What face do you have in front of the Emperor of Daxia?
Although Yuwen Zan looks tall and strong, he is actually a fool.
Zhu Qingchen was used to it.
The several small worlds he experienced were similar to this one.
The original book wanted to give the top protagonist powerful abilities to show how powerful he is and how much he has the final say, but it also wanted to distance itself from the relationship between the top protagonist abusing the bottom protagonist and wanted to tell readers that the reason he abused the bottom protagonist was because he was deceived by the bad guys!
But this explanation is simply difficult to justify.
It's ridiculous.
Zhu Qingchen had never understood why the original book described Yuwen Zan as a man of both wisdom and courage, but why this man of both wisdom and courage was deceived by the stupidest person in the world for several years.
Now he seemed to understand.
It's not just because of the original book, but also because Yuwen Zan and Chen Xun have similar interests.
From the very beginning, Yuwen Zan labeled Xiao Cheng'an as "mean and heartless".
In his mind, Xiao Cheng'an, as a powerful person in Xia State, must be mean, vicious, and ruthless. How could he possibly save a hostage? The only person who could save him could be the poor little eunuch who was being bullied.
Chen Xun's lie happened to hit the nail on the head, confirming the prejudice he had from the beginning.
Yuwen Zan already had the facts in his mind, so he would be "tricked" by Chen Xun.
In the end, he did not admit that he was wrong and that his initial prejudice was wrong. He only dared to say hypocritically, "I was deceived, it's not my fault."
Zhu Qingchen really couldn't bear to watch it anymore, so he took Eunuch Cheng and changed the route, bypassing the two of them and heading to the banquet palace.
Behind him, Chen Xun said, "Then I'll make a promise to His Highness. He must come to save me."
Yuwen praised: "That's for sure. I will ask him to bring you over to the palace banquet tonight. I don't think he will dare to ignore me."
*
When Zhu Qingchen arrived, almost all the court officials had arrived and were waiting outside the palace.
As soon as they saw him, they hurriedly asked, "Young Master, are you here? Are you feeling better? Are you still dizzy?"
Zhu Qingchen smiled and replied, "It's okay, it's fine now."
"Although the young master is young, he still needs to take good care of himself."
Zhu Qingchen responded while walking to the front of the team and greeted Yuwen Shu: "Regent."
Yuwen Shu nodded slightly: "Master Zhu."
Zhu Qingchen stood side by side with him and asked softly, "Have you received a new mission?"
"I got it." Yuwen Shu said calmly, "That Yuwen Zan, I don't like him the moment I see him."
Zhu Qingchen was puzzled: "Huh?"
"I'm allergic to scumbags." Yuwen Shu said confidently.
He is a perfect man, and it is logical that a perfect man is allergic to scumbags!
"It seems that the Regent will have to stay in Daxia for a while longer."
"With pleasure."
Not long after, the personal guards that Zhu Qingchen sent to investigate Yuwen Zan and Chen Xun returned.
The guard approached Zhu Qingchen and whispered, "Young Master, we have checked everything."
"explain."
"That was the first time Yuwen Zan came to the palace to pay a visit, and Chen Xun happened to be serving him. Chen Xun was attentive and considerate, and after a few visits, the two of them got to know each other."
"Do they have any private contact?"
"Nothing else."
"Okay, find a few people to keep a close eye on Chen Xun and Yuwen Zan. Report any actions they take immediately."
"yes."
The guards retreated silently, Zhu Qingchen turned around and stood with Yuwen Shu.
Yuwen Shu said calmly, "That Yuwen Zan is arrogant and looks down on everyone. In his eyes, my becoming the regent is a conspiracy to usurp the throne; you becoming the Grand Tutor is just a fluke; and Xiao Cheng'an ascending the throne is just a lucky chance."
Zhu Qingchen raised his eyes slightly and asked, "So how much real ability does he have?"
Yuwen Shu sneered: "It doesn't count."
Zhu Qingchen laughed out loud.
Yuwen Shu added: "And that Chen Xun, he also dangled in front of me before."
Zhu Qingchen asked: "Really?"
"I ignored him and didn't even see what he looked like." Yuwen Shu straightened his back and cleared his throat, "So he changed his target."
Zhu Qingchen laughed out loud.
Chen Xun was used to pretending to be weak. He probably knew that the things he had done had offended Xiao Chengan a long time ago, so he wanted to find another employer quickly.
It happened that at this time, the Northern Zhou delegation arrived, and he hurried over to meet them.
Yuwen Shu didn't buy his nonsense, but Yuwen Zan did.
Yuwen Zan is very arrogant and thinks no one is worse than himself. He likes those who are weak and dependent on him.
Besides, Chen Xun is an attendant of the Emperor of Xia.
Even the attendants around the Emperor of Xia were so respectful and flattering to him. What does this mean?
This further proves how amazing he is!
No wonder these two people can get together.
Zhu Qingchen understood.
Not long after, Yuwen Zan came back.
Chen Xun had just cried in his arms, soaking his clothes.
Yuwen Zan raised his hand and saluted as if nothing had happened: "Uncle Wang, Grand Tutor."
Zhu Qingchen frowned and nodded as a return gesture.
After a while, the auspicious time had arrived and the temple door opened.
All the officials stood on both sides, entered the hall one by one, and stood solemnly.
Xiao Cheng'an, wearing heavy imperial robes, walked in from outside the hall, taking steady steps and ascending to the high seat.
He sat down in his seat and raised his hand slightly: "No need to be polite, just stand up."
All the officials shouted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Majesty will live forever!"
Zhu Qingchen and Yuwen Shu sat in the honorable seats at the lower left, and Yuwen Zan was even lower.
Xiao Cheng'an raised his wine bottle: "I am following the will of heaven and ascending the throne today. This cup is to the heaven and earth."
All the ministers held up the wine bottles in front of them with both hands: "Long live Your Majesty!"
Xiao Cheng'an finished drinking the wine in the bottle, and Eunuch Cheng poured him another cup: "Looking back at the ancestors, the emperors were great in civil and military affairs, expanded the territory, and were kind and loving to the people. I will follow the will of the ancestors and love the people like my own children."
He said "the ancestor emperor" instead of "the deposed emperor".
It's a great day, no need to spoil the mood by mentioning him.
"This cup is for the people of Da Xia."
"Long live your majesty!"
Eunuch Cheng held the wine jug with both hands and filled his second cup.
Xiao Cheng'an said solemnly, "I am still young and inexperienced. I rely on the four ministers to take care of important government affairs and military border defense. This cup is for the ministers in the court!" All the officials were terrified and quickly stood up to salute, "We dare not."
Only Zhu Qingchen and two other ministers of state did not salute, but instead held up the wine bottles and raised them towards the emperor.
The king and his ministers looked at each other and drank it all in one gulp.
Xiao Chengan raised his hand: "No need to be polite, today the king and his subjects are having fun together, and we won't leave until we are drunk."
The court officials all agreed readily.
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Cheng'an raised the wine bottle towards the Northern Zhou envoys and said, "Thank you, Prince Regent and the Fifth Prince, for coming to congratulate me. This is a toast to you."
Yuwen Shu raised his hand: "Thank you."
There was singing and dancing, and the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful during the banquet.
After two rounds of drinks, everyone was drunk and excited.
Zhu Qingchen propped up his head, his eyes were a little drunk, and half of his cheeks were red.
Yuwen Shu scooped him a bowl of soup and coaxed him to drink it to fill his stomach and wash away the smell of alcohol.
Suddenly, Yuwen Zan stood up and saluted to Xiao Cheng'an: "Your Majesty."
Xiao Cheng'an put down the wine bottle, turned his head and looked at him: "What's the matter, Fifth Prince?"
Yuwen Zan said: "Your Majesty is on the throne today and I am very happy. I would like to ask Your Majesty for a lucky draw."
"You speak first." Xiao Cheng'an is not stupid either.
"I would like to ask Your Majesty for someone."
"Who?" Xiao Cheng'an was puzzled and looked at the people around him.
"Chen Xun."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Cheng'an's face darkened, and Zhu Qingchen immediately woke up and opened his eyes wide.
Eunuch Cheng immediately scolded, "How dare you! Fifth Prince, you know that Chen Xun is a criminal slave!"
At this moment, everyone in the hall fell silent, the singing and dancing stopped, and the lively atmosphere suddenly became stagnant.
Yuwen Zan then pretended to be enlightened, and quickly stepped forward and walked into the hall: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I didn't know that Chen Xun was a criminal slave."
It's pure gibberish.
He and Chen Xun had just met, and Chen Xun had cried to him that he was going to be exiled. How could he not know?
He was obviously pretending to be stupid, determined that Xiao Cheng'an would not dare to offend him and wanted to take Chen Xun away.
Xiao Cheng'an knew that he had bad intentions, so he simply kept a straight face and said nothing.
Yuwen Zan added: "This is my first time in the palace. I got drunk and it was this palace servant named Chen Xun who took good care of me. The servants around me were all rough and clumsy, so I wanted to ask him to come over. I didn't expect that he was a criminal slave and offended Your Majesty. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
He is just a eunuch, but the prince of a country has personally asked for it. It would be a loss of manners if I don’t give it to him.
But if I gave it to him, it would be too frustrating.
Xiao Cheng'an had just punished him in the morning, and Yuwen Zan came to ask for him in the evening. Isn't this just like a plan?
Zhu Qingchen raised his head and winked at Eunuch Cheng.
Eunuch Cheng understood, stepped forward, and said sternly: "If Your Highness asks, His Majesty will definitely agree. But Your Highness doesn't know that what Chen Xun committed is not a small mistake, but a serious crime."
"Therefore, please change someone, Your Highness." Eunuch Cheng smiled politely, "If Your Highness is willing, I, this old servant, will personally serve Your Highness until Your Highness leaves the capital."
Yuwen Zan naturally refused to give in easily, and asked again: "I wonder what crime Chen Xun committed? Even my face is useless."
Eunuch Cheng kept smiling: "This is a serious matter. No one's face will matter."
Yuwen Zan insisted: "What crime did he commit? If you can't tell me, I will take him away."
Eunuch Cheng pursed his lips, his expression turned cold: "Chen Xun stole the palace's property and even stole your Majesty's former clothes to wear. Can your Majesty bear this crime?"
Yuwen Zan was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting things to be like this.
It was obvious that Chen Xun did not tell him everything he had done.
He must have been saying that the emperor had a bad temper and described himself as innocent and pitiful.
All the ministers were stunned. They put down what they were holding and stared at Eunuch Cheng blankly.
Such a thing actually happened in the palace!
Someone actually dared to steal your Majesty's clothes. Isn't this treason?
Yuwen Zan actually wanted to help him get away with it? As a prince of an enemy country, what qualifications did he have to interfere in the affairs of the palace?
At this time, Zhu Qingchen said calmly: "Your Highness should be more careful. You were deceived, but you are still happy to help."
The ministers opened their eyes wide again and turned to look at Zhu Qingchen.
Is the young master crazy today too? He speaks so directly? He directly says that Yuwen Zan has no common sense!
Yuwen Zan also looked at him, his eyes blazing with fire.
Zhu Qingchen seemed unaware, fiddling with the wine jar on the table, and continued, "Even though the customs of Northern Zhou and Daxia are different, and Your Highness and the servants wear mixed clothes, when you come to Daxia, you must follow the rules of Daxia."
"The late emperor made a mistake and was deposed by me. The same goes for Chen Xun. A mistake is a mistake. No one's face matters. The late emperor's face doesn't work. Your Highness's face..."
It doesn't work even better.
Yuwen Zan clenched his fists, veins bulged on his forehead, and he looked furious.
Zhu Qingchen raised his head and looked at him: "Also, I just dealt with Chen Xun in the palace during the day, and Your Highness asked for Chen Xun from His Majesty at night. Such a coincidence, perhaps this Chen Xun has great magical powers."
What supernatural powers? He was clearly saying that they were secretly connected.
Just as Yuwen Zan was about to speak, Yuwen Shu said, "Why don't you apologize to the Grand Tutor?"
Yuwen Zan choked, and the breath was stuck in his chest and he couldn't breathe out.
He clenched his fists, and finally bent down: "I am rude, please forgive me, Master Zhu, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Zhu Qingchen smiled and said, "Since Your Highness sincerely requests, I will make the decision and assign Chen Xun to Your Highness. From now on, he will be Your Highness's man."
Yuwen Zan suddenly raised his head with a sinister look.
Who sincerely begged him? Why did Zhu Qingchen act so reluctantly?
He didn't tell me earlier, but had to wait until I apologized before saying anything. It was obviously a deliberate humiliation.
Xiao Cheng'an was also a little surprised and looked at the teacher.
Zhu Qingchen smiled at him and mouthed to him, "It's okay."
Anyway, Yuwen Zan and Chen Xun will be tied together sooner or later because of the plot. Instead of letting them connect secretly, it is better for Zhu Qingchen to give them a push and keep it under his nose.
Besides, Yuwen Zan is a very arrogant person.
He could come down from the sky like a savior and save Chen Xun, but definitely not in such a humiliating way.
Whenever he sees Chen Xun in the future, he will think of how he once apologized publicly for him at a banquet.
Zhu Qingchen was very curious whether Yuwen Zan would still trust him and obey his orders.
Zhu Qingchen tilted his head towards Yuwen Zan and smiled kindly: "Eunuch Cheng, please go and bring Chen Xun up in person and let him serve His Highness."
Yuwen Shu sat with him and helped him block Yuwen Zan's resentful gaze: "Why don't you thank me quickly? Didn't I teach you the rules when you came here?"
Yuwen Zan clenched his fists tightly, and his knuckles rubbed against each other, making crackling sounds.
Finally, under the pressure of the two villains, he had no choice but to bow and salute: "Thank you, Master, and thank you, Regent."!
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