Chapter 25: He took all the blame, but she had to bear the blame? ...
Where is the palace?
Royal Forbidden Garden.
The civil and military officials in the court are neither deaf nor blind.
Shu Yao moved in.
How can this be kept secret?
In just two or three days, memorials from the upright censors piled up on the imperial desk like snowflakes.
There is no external meaning in this statement: he is neither a prisoner nor a guest, which is against etiquette and not good for politics.
Xiao Chengjing leaned against the Panlong throne, tapping the imperial desk with his fingertips from time to time.
His eyes swept over the memorials, and a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
These civil servants are really impatient.
If he was really a tyrant who was obsessed with personal affairs and disregarded rites and laws as described in the memorial, why would he be so roundabout?
When an imperial edict was forced upon her, who would dare to say a word?
He leaned back and chuckled, "That's really ridiculous."
He wanted more than just a body or a title.
After reviewing the memorial, he rubbed his swollen brows, without even raising his eyelids, and said calmly, "Tell Zhao Yan to release her maid."
"I obey your command," Cui Jinzhong replied with a bow. Thinking it was almost noon, he added, "Your Majesty, the Minyue chef you ordered the other day has arrived in the capital and is waiting. Would you like to try his cooking?"
"Oh?" Xiao Chengjing's eyes flashed with the brightness in Shu Yao's eyes and eyebrows when she mentioned snail noodles.
Since she likes it, he will try it for her first.
"Xuan."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In just a cup of tea, a bowl of steaming snail noodles was carefully brought to the emperor.
There were two people kneeling below.
The chief chef of the Imperial Kitchen and the new Min Yue chef.
The chief steward of the Imperial Kitchen stole a glance at the red oil in the bowl and thought to himself.
Your Majesty usually eats a light and refined diet, why is it that today...
Could it be that the recent stress of government affairs has caused your taste to change?"
The Min Yue chef was even more frightened, with his forehead pressed against the floor tiles.
How can such coarse street food be presented to the emperor?
If the Holy Heart is unhappy and blames him, his head...
Although the two of them had their own thoughts, they couldn't figure it out -
Why does the emperor want to try this exotic delicacy?
Only the steam in the bowl was still rising, and the sour and rotten smell spread more and more rampantly.
The smell seemed to have life, occupying every inch of the air in the imperial study without any explanation.
Xiao Chengjing's brows knitted slightly.
Only then did I believe that the saying that the most stinky things can become Zen is not an exaggeration.
Even Cui Jinzhong, who was standing beside him, held his breath.
I dared not make any movement, for fear of disturbing the Holy Heart's appreciation.
Xiao Chengjing maintained the dignity of an emperor, picked up the silver chopsticks, dipped them into the glistening red soup, stirred it gently twice, and picked up a strand of shiny rice noodles.
The next moment.
An indescribable smell goes straight to the sky.
Xiao Chengjing calmly put down his silver chopsticks, picked up the tea beside him, and took a sip slowly, without changing his expression.
After a moment's silence, he slowly spoke, his voice unrecognizable as either joy or anger: "This thing... is quite unique." His gaze fell on the bowl of powder that still exuded a powerful aura, and his tone suddenly turned grave. "Remove it. Open the doors and windows. Burn incense."
But the smell was so persistent that even after changing clothes and burning incense, it still lingered.
So much so that Xiao Chengjing had just stepped into the palace.
Shu Yao's nose moved, and she immediately smelled that strange yet familiar smell.
Although she had only tasted snail noodles once with a colleague, the taste was so unforgettable that she absolutely could not mistake it.
Thinking of the situation she couldn't escape from, she also recalled how Xiao Chengjing had been teasing her whenever he got the chance in the past few days.
Shu Yao suddenly took two steps forward, pretending to sniff carefully, then looked up at him, her lips curved: "Your Majesty, the smell on you..." She paused deliberately, her eyes shining, "Your Majesty, did you secretly taste the dishes mentioned in the book that day?"
Xiao Chengjing's face froze, and he immediately retorted, "Nonsense." Although his voice was cold, his ears felt slightly warm.
A thin red spread uncontrollably, instantly staining the entire ear.
Shu Yao felt that the stuffiness in her chest suddenly dissipated, and she felt so relieved.
Finally, she looked at him with a smile, tilted her head and said, "Your Highness does not believe it."
He saw her smile cunningly, like a little fox who had succeeded in a trick, and a faint smile flashed across her eyes.
He deliberately put on a stern face and said, "If I say no, then no."
Shu Yao wanted to tease him a few more times to see how long he could keep his stubborn attitude.
Unexpectedly, Cui Jinzhong suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, my lady, Miss Chuntao is waiting outside."
Shu Yao complained in her heart that it was good to have power and influence, because when you are embarrassed, there are always people to help you out.
Before I could finish my thought, I realized with shock that Cui Jinzhong actually meant Chuntao was waiting outside?!
Her eyes suddenly lit up and she looked up at Xiao Chengjing.
But she saw that the corners of his lips were slightly raised, with a barely perceptible smile, as if he had already expected that she would be so surprised.
"Bring it in."
The pearl curtain rustled, and Yunxiu led Chuntao into the hall.
Chun Tao hurriedly took two steps forward, her eyes already red, and called out in a trembling voice, "Girl..."
Shu Yao stared at Chun Tao in a daze, feeling that the girl's eyebrows, eyes, mouth and nose seemed different from what she remembered, and her nose couldn't help but feel sore.
Seeing Chuntao preparing to bow, she reached out to support her.
Suddenly remembering that Xiao Chengjing was still beside him, he withdrew his hand.
I could only watch Chuntao perform the whole ceremony.
Xiao Chengjing didn't shout, but slowly lowered his gaze to Chuntao's head and asked Shuyao, "Why doesn't she call you princess?"
Chuntao was so frightened that she kowtowed repeatedly, saying that she deserved to die.
Shu Yao was puzzled. What did Chuntao's call to her have to do with him?
But she had to frown and explain, "Your Majesty, please don't blame her. In the past, when there was a proper princess in Jin State, I didn't dare to call myself a princess. In all these years of private interactions, we've become accustomed to calling her that."
Xiao Chengjing nodded slightly. "Things are different now. You are the Princess of Li State, and also my honored guest. You must behave with due respect." He paused slightly, his tone calm but unquestionable. "There is another matter. Tomorrow at noon, the envoy of Li State will arrive in Beijing to discuss matters concerning diplomatic relations between our two countries. You must be in attendance."
His tone was calm, but it was like pouring ice water over her head, completely wiping away Shu Yao's joy at first sight of Chun Tao.
As long as she is still Princess Liguo, she cannot escape the fate of being a political pawn.
She forced a knowing smile and said softly, "Your Highness obeys my command."
The next day at noon, in Xuanzheng Hall.
Hundreds of officials filed in, and the hall was filled with red and purple.
A gilded screen was set up in the corner of the hall.
The palace maids stood on both sides with their hands hanging down, waiting for the distinguished guest of special status.
Shu Yao followed Yunxiu's guidance and slowly moved behind the screen.
As soon as his figure disappeared, he could hear the court officials whispering to each other, like an undercurrent.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice coughed softly, covered his lips with his tablet, and whispered to his colleague beside him, "Recently, all the memorials have been kept in the palace, and Your Majesty has allowed Jiang to attend the court. Could it be..."
The Minister of Works nearby glanced at the screen in the hall and frowned, saying, "But if Your Majesty is interested in taking a concubine, why not just grant her a palace rank?"
Minister Feng, who was sitting in the front row of the train, suddenly turned around and solemnly shouted, "Silence! How can we whisper in the court?"
The two exchanged glances, both looking confused.
At this moment, a loud singing came from outside the hall:
"Your Majesty has arrived—"
"All officials kneel to welcome—"
The whispers in the hall came to an abrupt halt.
All that could be heard was the rustling of the robes of the ministers as they knelt on the ground with their sleeves waving.
Xiao Chengjing stepped steadily into the hall.
The light and shadows flowed between the coiled dragon pillars, reflecting on his robe embroidered with the twelve golden emblems, making him look majestic.
When he reached the throne, he suddenly turned around, and his wide sleeves swung in a sharp arc.
"Everyone, please stand up."
All the ministers stood up in order under the throne.
The red and purple robes rustled again, like the tide receding and rising again.
Xiao Chengjing put on his robe and sat down calmly.
The Minister of the Honglu Temple came out holding a hut and said, "Your Majesty, the envoys from the Kingdom of Li are waiting outside the palace for your summons."
Xiao Chengjing nodded slightly: "Announce."
An Yuanshan, an envoy from the State of Li, entered the palace. His peripheral vision passed over the screen at the corner of the palace, and he vaguely caught a glimpse of a slender figure, and his breath was held in his grasp.
Did Emperor Liang actually place that hostage princess in the court?
Xiao Chengjing's heavy gaze seemed to descend from the sky and press down on An Yuanshan.
An Yuanshan's shoulders trembled, and he couldn't help but lower his head.
It was inevitable that the State of Li would pledge vassalage to the State of Liang; the only issue left for discussion was the amount of annual tribute.
But looking at Emperor Liang's demeanor, it's clear that he is not someone who is easy to deal with.
When An Yuanshan hesitated.
Xiao Chengjing spoke slowly and calmly, "The Jin State is unjust and tyrannical." His voice was steady and mellow, its gentleness tinged with a sense of awe. "I have followed the will of Heaven and the will of the people and have quelled the rebellion. Now that the world is finally at peace, I am concerned about your country, Li, which has long been threatened by the Jin State..."
His eyes were like still water in a deep pool, without any emotion visible, and his voice was filled with the pity of someone who had held a high position for a long time: "I will not pursue your past crimes." His tone suddenly turned deep, "However, the world has just been settled, and the moral principles cannot be abolished. Since your country is a vassal state, you should abide by my rules. Pay the annual tribute on time to show your loyalty." Every word was clear, like pearls falling on a jade plate, echoing slowly in the silent hall.
An Yuanshan took two steps forward and bowed deeply, almost reaching the ground. "Your Majesty is wise. This year, drought has been devastating, and a locust plague has arrived, leaving thousands of miles of land barren and barren wheat crops. Before I left, I saw the elderly and the weak carrying baskets to pick locusts to satisfy their hunger... If we continue to pay tribute according to the old rules, I am afraid that the people will have to trade their children for food, and officialdom will be in turmoil..."
The Minister of Revenue straightened his hat and stepped out of the procession. He bowed and said in a resounding voice, "Your Majesty, please allow me to report this! The disaster described by Envoy An is nothing but a commonplace refrain. Li State suffers from disasters and grievances year after year. Could it be that the famine that plagues the entire world is only affecting Li State?" He turned abruptly, his gaze fixed on An Yuanshan like lightning. The tablet in his sleeve slashed through the air, as if to rip apart the empty words: "The evil Jin rebelled and abducted the princess, but it was we, the sons of Daliang, who paved the way with our blood! Three hundred and seventy-nine loyal bones were buried at the border, so that those behind the screen can stand in peace. Are you going to erase this debt of gratitude for your life's protection with just a casual remark about the disaster and hardship today?"
The gratitude of protecting someone with your life?
Shu Yao behind the screen almost sneered.
The soldiers fought and killed to seize the territory of Liang State and satisfy Xiao Chengjing's ambition. What does it have to do with her?
He gets all the benefits, but she has to take the blame?
There is a feeling of depression in my chest that is really hard to relieve.
Shu Yao was about to explode when she suddenly felt warmth on her shoulder and looked up.
He met Yunxiu's gaze as calm as water.
There was three parts warning and seven parts exhortation in that look.
The words that came to his lips were swallowed back in the end.
The author has something to say:
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There are some plots in the next chapter that I am not very satisfied with, so I am rewriting them [burst into tears]
So I may not update on time on the 23rd. If I can't update, I will post a leave note in advance [Pink Heart]
Preview: In the next chapter, the hero will show his true intentions and officially start the robbing plot, dddd [let me watch]
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