Faced with this situation, Wang Yan remained calm and showed no embarrassment, while his lieutenants behind him remained silent.
This defeat, caused by a combined attack from civilians and bandits, has become an indelible stain on Wang Yan's military career! Of the five thousand men who fled, only eight hundred returned…
The common people were unaware of the inside story; after all, they only looked at the results, but they knew all too well!
After the army returned to the Ministry of War and the military camp to report back, Wang Yan was about to go to the palace to apologize, but he learned that His Majesty was receiving guests and had no time to see him!
Clearly, this was a show of force! His Majesty knew he was returning to the capital today, yet he refused to even see him.
So Wang Yan knelt outside the imperial study, completely ignoring the gazes of the palace maids, eunuchs, and guards around him.
A moment later, the old emperor came in from the other side in his palanquin, not even glancing at him, and entered the imperial study without paying any attention to him.
Upon hearing the commotion, Qin Qing inside quickly bowed. When he heard the old emperor enter, he first frowned and then spoke authoritatively.
"Someone! Offer her a seat! How can we let Madam Qin stand like this!"
Qin Qing was initially puzzled upon hearing the voice, but then expressed her gratitude. Looking up, she saw the old emperor sitting in the main seat, smiling at her, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"This humble woman dares to ask: What is the purpose of Your Majesty's summons to me?"
Upon hearing her ask so directly, Eunuch Hai frowned sharply and shouted sternly.
"How dare you! You..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was silenced by a cold glare from the old emperor.
The old eunuch was so frightened that his already bleached face turned even more bloodless! With a "thump," he knelt down and begged for mercy.
The old emperor snorted coldly and ignored him, but did not mention punishing him.
Qin Qing sat obediently below, observing the whole scene. Her first reaction was that the old emperor was showing off to her! But why? She was just an ordinary woman, why would the old emperor do this?
Thinking to herself, she remained seated without moving or making a sound, completely unaware of the old emperor's intentions.
The eunuch Hai, kneeling on the ground begging for mercy, was almost numb from the leg pain. The old emperor was also a little embarrassed. Normally, given his condition, the woman in front of him should have been terrified and, in order to leave him with a kind and gentle impression, would have offered to spare the eunuch Hai's worthless life!
He naturally gave Qin Qing face and then moved on to the next topic.
Unexpectedly, the woman in front of him seemed to have seen through his trick. She looked at Eunuch Hai calmly, without any intention of pleading for mercy!
Interesting! She's completely different from the women in the palace! Thinking this, the old emperor suddenly burst into laughter! Then he said to Eunuch Hai.
"Haha, alright, you may leave! Madam Qin has already seen through it!"
Upon hearing this, the old man on the ground was stunned. He subconsciously looked at Qin Qing and met her calm gaze. He felt a lump in his throat and could only laugh awkwardly.
"Haha, Madam Qin is so clever! This old servant's acting skills are probably no good!"
Qin Qing was a little confused when she heard the old emperor say that. Then she saw Eunuch Hai get up sullenly and immediately understood what they meant. She was speechless. They were just putting on an act in front of her all this time! What were they doing? Were they crazy?!
Even though she was thinking this in her heart, Qin Qing didn't show it on her face at all, as if she had really noticed the unusual thing that had just happened.
In the midst of these bizarre actions by both sides, they inexplicably found themselves on the same page!
As for the laughter coming from inside, Wang Yan, kneeling outside, was puzzled! But more than that, he was puzzled. There were very few people in the whole world who would suddenly let out such unrestrained laughter from His Majesty the Emperor!
Wang Yan also became curious about the other person in the room at that moment.
Qin Qing had no idea that Wang Yan was still kneeling outside the Imperial Study. Seeing the old emperor so happy, she felt completely bewildered!
After laughing a few times, the old emperor finally answered her question.
"You must have heard about Minister Chen's demotion, right? Do you know why he was demoted?"
Qin Qing nodded upon hearing this, her heart tightening. It was indeed because of her. It seemed the old emperor had already confirmed that she was the savior. Perhaps she should let her take the initiative and see what the old emperor's purpose was.
"I roughly know, and to be honest, it was I who rushed into the fire to save people that day. I originally intended to do good deeds anonymously, but I never expected it to cause such a commotion. It was just a coincidence that I had to leave the city for a while recently, which is why someone impersonated me!"
After saying that, she shook her head helplessly, then looked surprised and troubled as if she had thought of something.
"Does Your Majesty wish to reward me for this matter? Very well, if I were to refuse, Your Majesty would likely not agree. In that case, please bestow upon me some gold jewelry or something similar! I thank Your Majesty!"
After she launched into her speech, the old emperor was a little stunned. It took him a while to realize what she meant, and he was both amused and exasperated!
His original intention was to have Qin Qing publicly declare that she was actually one of his people, and that saving lives was simply her duty. This way, a good reputation would naturally be associated with him, and the people would think that he was a wise ruler who knew how to use people!
Unexpectedly, Qin Qing's tactic of feigning retreat effectively shut him down with just a few words...
If he were to suggest now that she take credit for his reputation, wouldn't he seem petty and greedy for credit?
Thinking of this, the old emperor's expression turned somewhat unpleasant!
Qin Qing noticed this and began to ponder. It seemed that the old emperor didn't simply want to reward her. Did he have other requirements? But saving someone wasn't a big deal. What could the old emperor possibly gain from her?
Just then, she suddenly remembered what happened after the wet nurse claimed the credit!
A thought flashed through his mind: reputation? That's not what the old emperor wanted, is it? After all, the wet nurse was rumored to be one of the old emperor's people, and those rebellious rumors in the capital quickly dissipated...
Thinking of this, she pondered for a moment, then knelt down and bowed deeply, her face full of gratitude.
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty. To be honest, since Your Majesty agreed to cooperate with me in selling potatoes, I have made a small fortune, and the reputation of Qin's Rice Shop has soared! Everyone knows that I am now a partner with Your Majesty, all thanks to you!"
The old emperor was taken aback upon hearing this, but a smile immediately appeared on his face after a moment. He clearly understood the meaning behind Qin Qing's words, and his joy spread instantly.
Even Eunuch Hai looked bewildered, wondering why the old emperor was suddenly so happy.
Qin Qing breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she had guessed correctly! Luckily, she had flattered the right person, otherwise she might not have been able to escape today.
Overjoyed, the old emperor's gaze towards Qin Qing grew even more ardent, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
Qin Qing was visibly embarrassed. She was actually not even thirty years old, and to become friends with a man in his forties or fifties... just thinking about it was terrifying!
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