Chapter 114: Deposed Emperor Becomes a Slave (5)
5
Soon, the soldiers brought lunch.
Zhu Qingchen simply washed his hands and sat down at the desk again.
Yuwen Shu handed him the bowl and chopsticks, and pushed the sweet and sour dishes in front of him.
"Thank you." Zhu Qingchen took the bowl and chopsticks.
The soldier laid out the food and tactfully prepared to leave.
As a result, just as he was holding the tray and retreating to the door, someone suddenly rushed forward and pushed him away.
The soldier was stunned for a moment, staggered a bit, and was about to explode, but when he looked up and saw the person coming, he could only swallow his curse and changed his words: "Your Highness."
Yuwen Zan seemed to have just returned from outside. He raised his head and looked at Zhu Qingchen and Yuwen Shu who were sitting inside, full of resentment and anger.
Yuwen Shu picked up a piece of roast goose for Zhu Qingchen, looked up at him with an indifferent expression.
Yuwen Zan, who was originally aggressive, was frightened by his glance. He paused, raised his hand to salute, and even spoke in a lower voice: "Uncle Wang."
"Yeah." Yuwen Shu responded casually, "What's the matter?"
Yuwen Zan asked anxiously, "Why did Uncle Wang say that Chen Xun was my male lover?"
Although the grasslands are more open than the Central Plains, they are not open enough to accept male favorites openly.
Yuwen Zan also hoped that he could gain the support of a powerful force through marriage.
Now, if he went on a diplomatic mission to Daxia and the news that he had taken a male concubine from the Daxia palace spread, how could he get married? How could he expand his power?
He liked Chen Xun very much at the beginning. She was considerate, obedient, and understanding. She cried like a pear blossom in the rain, which was different from the people of the grassland.
But he had never thought about giving Chen Xun any identity, not to mention that Chen Xun was not as kind as he thought, but just a eunuch who could act. How could he give up such a good opportunity for Chen Xun?
So, when he heard that Chen Xun was sent to his room, he thought something was wrong and hurried back.
Yuwen Shu looked at him with a calm expression: "You contradicted the Emperor and the Grand Tutor of Xia Kingdom for him. Aren't you deeply in love with him?"
Yuwen Zan was stunned: "I..."
Yuwen Shu said nonsense: "If you want to take him as a servant, why not send him to the servants' room? I saw that you were hesitant to take action, so I thought you wanted to give him a grand ceremony."
“Pfft——” Zhu Qingchen couldn’t help laughing out loud.
"How could I possibly..." Yuwen Zan was so anxious, but he still had to suppress his irritability and explained patiently, "Uncle Wang, please don't joke. I just feel sorry for him. How could I possibly like him?"
"Really?" Yuwen Shu remained calm. "It just so happens that Master Zhu is here today. Ask Master Zhu if you showed deep affection for him at the palace banquet yesterday."
Zhu Qingchen nodded in agreement: "Yes."
Yuwen Zan had an unpleasant look on his face and was about to speak when he was interrupted by Yuwen Shu.
Yuwen Shu still looked calm and nonchalant: "If it's not true, then it's not true. It's not a big deal. Not many people know about it. Why don't you just not say anything?"
"This..." Is this a question of whether to say it or not?
Yuwen Shu added: "Since you have no interest in him, then discipline him and stop letting him run around and talk without restraint. He even wants to order the gatekeepers to run errands. How can he be so proud to let my soldiers run errands for him?"
When Yuwen Zan heard this, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
No wonder, no wonder Yuwen Shu suddenly had an outburst.
It turned out that Chen Xun was making trouble again.
Yuwen Zan clenched his fists in his sleeves, feeling extremely regretful and wishing he could punch himself hard.
Why did he suddenly become obsessed and bring Chen Xun back?
How much trouble had Chen Xun caused him from yesterday to now? If he had known earlier, he should not have listened to his lies. He acted like a hero for a while and got himself into a lot of trouble.
Yuwen Zan had no choice but to admit defeat and bowed, "Nephew, I understand."
Yuwen Shu picked up a piece of fish with chopsticks and slowly picked out the fish bones: "I have one more thing to tell you."
Yuwen Zan lowered his head: "Uncle Wang, please speak."
"Since ancient times, the two countries have been on good terms and exchanged protons."
Yuwen Shu's voice was calm, but when Yuwen Zan heard this, he quickly put Chen Xun out of his mind, raised his head abruptly, and stared at Yuwen Shu with his eyes wide open.
Proton?
That sounds nice, but aren’t they just hostages?
Could it be... Could it be that Yuwen Shu wanted to keep him in Xia Kingdom as a hostage?
How could this be possible? If he stayed in Xia as a hostage, in eight to ten years, no, in just a year or two, he would be completely excluded by all forces in the Northern Zhou Dynasty.
How can he fight then? What room is there for him to fight?
Yuwen Shu seemed not to notice his reaction and continued, "I brought you here on purpose because I wanted to keep you in Xia Country so that you can learn the etiquette of the Central Plains and experience the customs of the Central Plains..."
Before he could finish his words, Yuwen Zan knelt down with a plop: "Uncle Wang, I..."
Of course he doesn't want to!
But Zhu Qingchen was right in front of him, and he didn't dare to say it.
If I say it out loud, wouldn't it be obvious that I despise Xia Guo?
Now the military and political power of Xia State is in the hands of Zhu Qingchen. He has already offended Zhu Qingchen once. If he offends him again, I am afraid he will have no good days.
He could only plead with Yuwen Shu with his eyes: "Uncle Wang, I still want to be filial to you..."
Yuwen Shu twitched his lips: "I am still young, I don't need a mess of people to show my filial piety."
Zhu Qingchen couldn't help but turn his head to look at him and laughed out loud.
Yuwen Shu is not in his seventies or eighties. He is not even thirty in this world. Why does he need others to show filial piety to him?
The protagonist is really outspoken and can really act.
Be flexible and kneel when told to do so.
I guess this is how the villain became the villain in the original book.
Ignoring the protagonist's crying and pleas, he insisted on sending him to Xia Kingdom as a hostage.
When Yuwen Zan thought about staying as a hostage and giving up all power in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he almost cried: "Please have mercy on me, uncle. I am willing to stay by your side and work like a slave for you. I will do anything for you."
"Don't worry." Yuwen Shu said slowly, "I want you to be a hostage. However, Master Zhu said that you are still young and alone in Daxia, and you are unfamiliar with the place, so I'm afraid it won't be a good idea."
The light of hope rekindled in Yuwen Zan's eyes as he looked at Zhu Qingchen.
Zhu Qingchen turned his head and looked at Yuwen Shu.
When did I say these words? How come I don't know it?
"Therefore..." Yuwen Shu cleared his throat and paused three times, pretending to be mysterious. "I wish that Master Taifu would say a few good words for you in front of the Emperor of Daxia. The Emperor has decided that..."
Yu Wenzan swallowed, pursed his lips, and looked at them seriously.
"During this peace talk, the two countries will not send hostages to each other."
After hearing these words, Yuwen Zan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He fell to the ground and bowed, "Thank you, Uncle Wang. Thank you, Uncle Wang."
Yuwen Shu said: "The one you should thank is Master Zhu."
"Yes, yes, yes." Yuwen Zan kowtowed to Zhu Qingchen, "Thank you, Master Zhu."
Zhu Qingchen waved his hand: "You're welcome."
Yuwen Shu continued to criticize him: "You offended Master Zhu yesterday, but Master Zhu let bygones be bygones and was willing to help you. You must behave yourself in the next few days and stop being crazy."
"Yes." Yuwen Zan kowtowed heavily, "I remember it. Thank you, Uncle Wang, thank you, Master Zhu. I will take my leave first."
Yuwen Zan came with great rage to call for punishment, but Yuwen Zan thanked him profusely and took his leave.
Everything changed because of Yuwen Shu's words.
After he left, Zhu Qingchen turned to look at Yuwen Shu in disbelief: "You are really good at acting, aren't you?"
Yuwen Shu smiled knowingly and said, "Give him a warning so that he won't dare to act insolently in front of Master Zhu."
Zhu Qingqing is too soft-hearted and sometimes cannot resist Yuwen Zan's schemes and plots.
What he said today was not only to tell Yuwen Zan that he didn't have to be a hostage, it was all thanks to Master Zhu, but also to tell him that if he made Master Zhu unhappy, Master Zhu could let you stay as a hostage at any time.
The throne, the power, none of it has anything to do with you.
As long as Master Zhu is willing, he can keep you in Daxia and torture you until you die.
People like Yuwen Zan will not be grateful, so we can only slap him hard and tell him that if he doesn't behave himself, there will be countless more slaps like this waiting for him.
He was afraid in his heart, so he didn't dare to act rashly or be rude to Zhu Qingchen again.
Zhu Qingchen understood and asked, "What about you?"
Yuwen Shu picked out the fish and placed it in front of Zhu Qingchen, saying calmly, "After we finish the hunting ground plot, I will take him back and kill him slowly at my place."
*
On the other side, Yuwen Zan returned to his room with many thanks.
Chen Xun came forward immediately: "Your Highness..."
Yuwen Zan waved his big hand and pushed him away: "Come here, take him to the servants' room and make him a eunuch to sweep the floor. Find a few people to watch him and don't let him run around!"
When Chen Xun heard this, he felt like the sky was falling.
He quickly knelt down and tugged at Yuwen Zan's clothes, looking weak as always, with tears streaming down his face: "Your Highness... Your Highness, do you not want me anymore?"
However, Yuwen Zan no longer fell for his tricks.
Yuwen Zan gritted his teeth and said, "Chen Xun, I will make it clear to you today. I took you from the Emperor of Xia because I felt sorry for you."
Chen Xun pulled his clothes, nodded, and said obediently: "I understand, Your Highness has a kind heart..."
"You understand nothing! I told you clearly that I brought you here to make you a eunuch!"
"Ah?" Chen Xun raised his head in a daze, with a look of disbelief on his face.
He also wanted to follow Yuwen Zan and become an official, or at least be the chief eunuch. If that didn't work, a male concubine would also be fine.
Seeing his silly look, Yuwen Zan knew what he was thinking. He grabbed his collar, lifted him up from the ground, and warned him sternly.
"Just stay quiet and be your eunuch. If you dare to have those evil thoughts again, I will not be more merciful than your Great Xia Emperor!"
Chen Xun opened his eyes wide in disbelief, and two lines of tears fell on the back of his hand: "Your Highness, why did Your Highness suddenly say this?"
"Shut up!" Yuwen Zan roared, "Stop pretending! Don't think I don't know that you approached me for other purposes. You knew you had offended Xiao Cheng'an, so you wanted me to help you."
"No..." Chen Xun cried, "I really like Your Highness, don't you think Your Highness doesn't like me anymore?"
"Bullshit! What do you mean by like? How long have we known each other and you're already talking about like? Who would believe you? We're just using each other, and you've fooled yourself into it?"
"I'm telling you, if you dare to lie to me again, dare to provoke Zhu Qingchen again, or dare to do those inexplicable things again, I will strangle you to death immediately!"
Chen Xun looked straight into Yuwen Zan's eyes and felt an unprecedented murderous aura. He had no doubt that Yuwen Zan would really kill him.
He opened his mouth and wanted to speak, but only made a strange sound.
Yuwen Zan approached him and whispered, "You know how much trouble you have caused me in the past two days. You said it yourself that as long as I gave you something to eat and drink, you would be very grateful, and you would not desire anything else. Are you lying to me?"
Chen Xun hurriedly shook his head: "No, no... I dare not deceive Your Highness, I..."
Yuwen Zan loosened his collar and he slid to the ground.
Yuwen Zan patted his cheek and said, "It's good that you know it, Chen Xun, just be your eunuch and we will be a good pair of master and servant."
He shouted to the outside of the door: "Come here, take him away and treat him as an ordinary servant..."
No! He can't be an ordinary servant!
He was originally the emperor's eunuch, and now he became the eunuch of the five princes of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. How could he be demoted instead of promoted after all his efforts?
Chen Xun lowered his eyes and thought quickly about a solution.
Two soldiers walked in from outside the door, ready to take Chen Xun away.
But the next second, Chen Xun suddenly broke free from the restraints of the two soldiers, jumped up from the ground, and rushed towards the pillar next to Yuwen Zan!
Before everyone could react, there was a loud "bang" and Chen Xun's head hit the pillar.
He suddenly lost all his strength and slowly fell down.
Yuwen Zan was shocked by this sudden change and wanted to reach out to take it. However, after he came to his senses, he withdrew his hand and winked at the two soldiers.
The two soldiers understood and stepped forward to help Chen Xun up.
There was a big hole on Chen Xun's head, and blood was gushing out.
His face was pale, and even his lips were bloodless.
He moved his fingers, tremblingly stretched out his hand towards Yuwen Zan, and said in a soft voice: "Your Highness...Your Highness can say that I am stupid, or that I am foolish, but Your Highness cannot say that I don't like Your Highness, and Your Highness cannot say that I am taking advantage of Your Highness..."
Yuwen Zan was unmoved, and Chen Xun continued: "I really like Your Highness, I really do. I didn't know that I would cause so much trouble to Your Highness, I really didn't know, I didn't mean it, no one taught me..."
His hand was raised in the air for a long time, and when he was about to collapse, Yuwen Zan was finally moved, hesitated for a moment, and held his hand.
He hugged Chen Xun, covered the wound on his forehead, and ordered the soldiers: "Go call the doctor."
"yes."
Yuwen Zan lowered his head and said to Chen Xun: "From now on, you should behave yourself and stop causing me trouble, and we will be fine."
Chen Xun snuggled in his arms, lowered his eyes, with a satisfied smile on his lips: "Okay, I promise Your Highness."
*
When the news reached Yuwen Shu and Zhu Qingchen, they had already finished their meal and were drinking tea to clear their mouths after the meal.
The soldier clasped his fists and reported, "The Fifth Prince has asked a doctor to come over. He said that Chen Xun, who was brought back yesterday, hit his head against a pillar and is bleeding all over the floor."
Zhu Qingchen was so frightened that he almost couldn't hold the tea bowl steady: "What's going on?"
The soldier said, "The doctor has checked and bandaged the wound. He is fine and will be fine in a few days."
Yuwen Shu asked again: "Why did he hit the pillar?"
"It is said that he had a quarrel with the Fifth Prince, and the Fifth Prince wanted to banish him to be an ordinary servant. In order to prove that he really loved the Fifth Prince, he rushed forward and hit the pillar."
"Where's Yuwen Zan? What's his reaction?"
"His Highness the Fifth Prince was very distressed and even got angry at the doctor, saying that if the doctor couldn't cure them, he would let them be buried with him."
Yuwen Shu nodded slightly: "Got it, go down."
"yes."
The soldiers retreated, and Zhu Qingchen and Yuwen Shu looked at each other.
Now Yuwen Zan is the last straw in Chen Xun's hand. In order to hold on to this straw, he doesn't even care about his own life.
I'm afraid these two will still be entangled.
Zhu Qingchen said to Yuwen Shu: "Be careful."
Yuwen Shu nodded: "Don't worry."
*
After being scolded by Yuwen Shu last time, Yuwen Zan has become much more obedient.
The government of Daxia was gradually getting back on track. Xiao Cheng'an learned quickly and could basically handle the tasks on his own. Zhu Qingchen was also relieved.
Zhu Qingchen didn't have to attend the morning court that day, so he stayed in bed. The sun had already risen, but he still hadn't gotten up. He pinched the system and forced it to play cartoons for him.
Not long after, the personal guards knocked on the door outside to announce that Chu Yunyang and Wei Yuan were here and were waiting at the main entrance.
Zhu Qingchen then remembered that the Duke of Zhenguo and General Wei had asked him when he would be free, as the younger generations wanted to come and see him.
He said five days later, and today is five days later.
Zhu Qingchen quickly got up from the bed and put on his clothes while saying, "Why are the two of them here together? Let them in and bring over some snacks."
"yes."
Zhu Qingchen suddenly thought of something and added, "No chestnut cakes."
The food has left me with psychological trauma.
Zhu Qingchen quickly put on his clothes, rinsed his mouth and washed his face.
Chu Yunyang and Wei Yuan walked quickly and arrived at the door in a blink of an eye.
"teacher."
"Young Master, I sent the article here."
Zhu Qingchen threw the towel into the copper basin, rushed to sit in front of the table, and casually opened a book: "Come in."
Pretend to get up before dawn to study.
Chu Yunyang poked his head out of the door: "Teacher, long time no see."
"Yes." Zhu Qingchen waved at him, "Come in."
"Okay." Chu Yunyang pushed open the door and went into the room.
Wei Yuan, who was following behind him, bowed before walking in.
Chu Yunyang sat down next to Zhu Qingchen skillfully and complained in a low voice: "I haven't seen the teacher for nearly half a month since the death of the deposed emperor."
"I've been too busy lately." Zhu Qingchen explained with a smile, "Your father said that you've been studying the Art of War diligently recently. How's it going? Have you gained any insights?"
"Hmm..." Chu Yunyang scratched his hair embarrassedly.
He didn't say anything, but Zhu Qingchen knew what nonsense he was talking about.
Zhu Qingchen directly picked up a book of military strategy from the table and threw it to him: "Take it to the side and read it. I will test you later."
"Yes." Chu Yunyang held the book and moved to the side to cram for the exam.
Zhu Qingchen turned around and waved to Wei Yuan: "Have you finished writing the article?"
"It's finished." Wei Yuan was wearing plain clothes today. He didn't look like a son of a military general, but rather like a scholar.
He took out the neatly rolled article from his sleeve and presented it to Zhu Qingchen with both hands.
Zhu Qingchen smiled and said, "Don't be so reserved. You can sit down too."
"Yes." Wei Yuan rolled up his clothes and sat down on the other side of the table.
Zhu Qingchen took the article, opened it and read it carefully.
At the same time, Chu Yunyang held the book of military strategy in his hand, but couldn't help turning his head to look at the teacher.
Is the teacher going to take in another apprentice?
This is the third one!
The teacher wouldn't really want to follow those old masters and accept hundreds of students, right? If there were hundreds of students, how many would he be ranked? If he had to queue up, he wouldn't even see the teacher once a year, let alone the teacher telling him stories about the art of war.
Chu Yunyang thought about these messy things but didn't dare to say anything.
The last time he complained at home, his father heard him and hung him up and beat him.
Zhu Qingchen noticed his gaze and turned to look.
Chu Yunyang quickly picked up the book and continued reading as if nothing had happened.
Zhu Qingchen picked up the wooden paperweight on the table and knocked on the table like a gavel.
"Teacher knows what you are thinking. You will always be the first disciple accepted by the teacher here. You are the senior brother, okay?"
The system said quietly, "You scumbag minister, there are enough prerequisites."
Chu Yunyang was a simple-minded person, and he didn't think too much about it. When he heard that he was going to be his senior brother, he immediately smiled and said, "Okay!"
He was the youngest in the Northwest military camp, but things were different when he arrived in the capital.
Xiao Chengan is younger than him, Wei Yuan is also younger than him, he is the oldest!
Zhu Qingchen took a quick look at Wei Yuan's article and asked him a few questions.
Wei Yuan was neither humble nor arrogant, and answered questions fluently.
Zhu Qingchen was quite satisfied and called Chu Yunyang over. The two of them sat around the table and looked at him seriously.
Zhu Qingchen cleared his throat and said, "I have something here and I would like to ask your opinions."
Wei Yuan pursed his lips, as if he knew what he was going to say and felt a little nervous.
Chu Yunyang just sat there stupidly: "Teacher, just give me your orders, I will do it."
Zhu Qingchen said: "Your Majesty is young and has just ascended the throne, so I want to choose two companions for your Majesty, one civil and one military."
Chu Yunyang seemed to have guessed something, and his expression gradually froze.
Zhu Qingchen continued, "Of course, I have already asked your family about this matter in advance, and your family has no objection."
The emperor was still young, and the ministers around him were all considered elders.
If you can become the emperor's companion, not only can you study with the emperor, but as long as you get along well with the emperor, it will be much more secure for you to serve as an official in the court in the future.
So their family all agreed.
Zhu Qingchen thought for a moment and said, "I know your Majesty's character. He is gentle and polite. I also hope to bring the three of you together. Of course, this matter depends on your own ideas. I will not force you."
Chu Yunyang was unsure and turned to look at Wei Yuan.
Wei Yuan had already leaned forward to salute: "Thank you, Master. I do."
Why did he agree? Chu Yunyang scratched his head. He was still thinking about discussing it.
So Chu Yunyang turned around and bowed as well.
Since both students agreed, Zhu Qingchen simply ate a plate of snacks to fill his stomach and then took them into the palace.
Xiao Cheng'an was obedient and trusted the Duke of Zhenguo and General Wei. When Zhu Qingchen mentioned the idea of studying with him, he immediately agreed.
After finishing this matter, Zhu Qingchen took them to An Ning Palace.
The bones of those killed by the deposed emperor were collected and brought into the palace. Xiao Cheng'an went to receive them personally and performed the rituals himself. He also personally renamed the palace "An Ning Palace".
It means "May the dead rest in peace."
The group arrived at the Anning Hall with solemn expressions.
The hall is filled with white cloth and wooden tablets with words written in gold, which looks extremely solemn.
Zhu Qingchen respectfully picked up the incense from the table, lit it with the candle in front of the table, and distributed it to the three students.
One of the three of them was the deposed emperor's younger brother, and he regretted that he had not discovered the deposed emperor's dirty deeds earlier and failed to stop him.
There were two others who had been targeted by the deposed emperor. If they had not escaped by luck, they would have been killed.
Regret, sadness and fear, the three of them had mixed feelings in their hearts.
He silently took the incense from Zhu Qingchen's hand. The three of them stood side by side, behind Zhu Qingchen, and burned incense on the tablet.
Zhu Qingchen raised the incense sticks above his head and said softly, "The deposed emperor was disgraced and despised by everyone during his lifetime. After his death, his bones were crushed and his ashes were scattered. He will not enter the reincarnation cycle. You can rest in peace now."
He turned his head slightly and glanced at the three students: "You three are held up by the souls of the dead. You must support and supervise each other in the future. If anyone betrays his promise and forgets his original intention, drag him to the Peace Hall, make him kneel in front of these tablets, and ask him loudly-"
"Have you forgotten the humiliation you and your people have suffered?"!
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