Chapter 6: Is she, a proton from the previous dynasty, so important? ...
The Liang army's central camp was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
The civil and military officials stood in silence with their heads bowed, even breathing carefully, for fear of disturbing anything.
"Your Majesty." A white-haired official stepped out of the procession. It was Feng Shizhong, Minister of the Imperial Household Department. "The newly annexed Jin territory is still lingering." He raised his eyelids, his eyes filled with worry. "Jiang, the daughter of the Li State, has been a hostage to the Jin State for over a decade. Her thoughts are unpredictable. And now... she's being placed in the Separate Office of the Secretariat? And she's even allowed to browse old Jin documents?" His throat rolled, trying hard to swallow back the heavier words of advice. "I fear this move will only invite criticism... and I fear it will only foster trouble."
As Minister Feng finished speaking, Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Justice stepped forward and declared, "I second the motion! Your Majesty, please understand!" His voice was piercingly sharp, as if filled with pent-up anger. "Jiang is incredibly cunning. She managed to escape during this chaotic period. If we allow her to continue managing the documents of the Old Jin Dynasty, with her intelligence, she will surely find a way to escape again. I implore Your Majesty to discipline her strictly, or send another loyal official to hold her accountable!"
On the throne, Xiao Chengjing slowly glanced at the ministers: "I understand your concerns." His voice was steady, and he tapped the imperial desk with his knuckles, shocking everyone. "Jiang has lived in the Jin Palace for fifteen years and is well versed in the affairs of the old Jin. When the Jin territory was first established, the old archives piled up and it was difficult to distinguish the authenticity. Keeping her to review and proofread is to take advantage of her familiarity and establish the effectiveness of the new governance.
"As for the State of Li..." He let the words trail off, his voice sinking a little. "The sudden fall of the Jin Dynasty has inevitably caused concern and suspicion for the State of Li. Jiang was the daughter of their ruler, held hostage in Jin and captured by us. If we treat her harshly, it will only chill the State of Li's heart and escalate border tensions. Now, allowing her to reside in a separate courtyard and perform a humble duty will demonstrate my benevolence to the State of Li, appease her, and stabilize our western frontier. This isn't a generous offer, it's a way to keep her under control."
"If you feel this is inappropriate..." He deliberately lengthened his tone, his gaze sweeping over Feng and Zhang. "Is there a more suitable candidate, one who is both familiar with Jin affairs and capable of pacifying the state of Li? Or... would you be willing to personally go to the Secretariat and sort out the old Jin documents on my behalf?"
The two ministers' expressions suddenly changed, and sweat oozed from their foreheads: "I am terrified..."
At the same time, in the Documentary Courtyard.
The door creaked open and the eunuch Cui Jinzhong floated in holding a sandalwood tray.
His whole body was filled with flattery, which made the whole room, which was already solemn, suddenly become more lively.
"Madam Jiang, how are you?" Cui Jinzhong raised his eyelids slightly, his eyes glancing imperceptibly across Shu Yao's face. "Your Majesty sympathizes with your hard work at your desk these past few days, straining your energy with your brush and ink." He raised the tray above his head. "I have specially ordered you to present ten boxes of Chengxintang jade scrolls, a box of Moling purple jade hair brushes, one Huishan ancient inkstone, and one Yongning Duan inkstone."
After saying this, he lifted a corner of the apricot-yellow brocade, revealing the treasure on the plate.
Each of them is a masterpiece of literature, far superior to the dusty pens and rough inkstones in the secretarial office.
Cui Jinzhong weighed these items and knew that although they were labeled as official needs, their quality was far beyond ordinary.
I can't help but wonder, in the eight years since the current emperor has been on the throne, when has he ever shown such meticulous care to anyone?
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Shu Yao nodded in thanks, her eyes lingering on the priceless paper and ink for a moment before moving away.
"Madam, you are too kind to me. The fact that His Majesty personally selected this item shows that His Majesty values your handling of this confidential matter." Cui Jinzhong's smile deepened, his smile so sweet that it almost oozes honey. "If you have any difficulties, just tell me."
"Thank you for your concern, Eunuch." Shu Yao's eyes fell on Cui Jinzhong's face, a trace of inquiry in her eyes: "May I ask what your name is, Eunuch?"
Cui Jinzhong was caught off guard by the sudden question of his name. The wrinkles on his face froze for a moment, then widened. "Thank you for asking, madam. My humble name is Cui Jinzhong."
Before he finished speaking.
The sharp sound of swords clashing in the distance, wrapped in teeth-grinding wails, came straight towards them, startling the dust on the beams and making them fly down.
Shu Yao suddenly stood up, quickly rushed to the window, pushed it open, and asked urgently, "Eunuch Cui! What's going on outside?"
Cui Jinzhong bowed hurriedly, a soothing smile on his face. "Don't worry, my lady. They are just some loyal remnants of the old Jin Dynasty. General Zhao will personally suppress them and they will be dealt with in a moment."
"General Zhao?" Shu Yao's eyes narrowed slightly, her fingertips gripping the cold window frame. "He's stationed here?"
The emperor's generals are actually here in person to preside over this small secretarial office?
Are you so afraid that she will run away?
Shu Yao was puzzled.
"That's right..." Cui Jinzhong smiled and was about to say something.
From outside, the clanging of armor approached. A soldier slammed his knee to the ground, a sound like muffled thunder: "Report to Chief Cui, all the traitors will be killed."
Cui Jinzhong waved his hand to dismiss the soldiers and bowed deeply: "The enemy has been defeated, my lady, rest assured."
Shu Yao looked at the high wall that separated heaven and earth, and her nails dug deep into the wood grain of the window lattice.
The attack by the remnants of the Jin State here did not seem like a random riot, but rather a premeditated, targeted action.
Could it be... that it was directed at her? !
Then a deeper worry arose in my heart.
Their own lives are in danger, and the situation of Chuntao and Lu Bo, the grandparents and grandchildren, will only get worse.
I don't know how they are doing now...
As soon as this thought came to my mind, it felt like there was a ball of cotton stuck in my throat.
Zhao Yan, who knew the truth, was outside suppressing the remnants and could not be questioned.
Cui Jinzhong, who might know about it, was Liang Di's man. Asking him would only make him more alert, which would be detrimental to her escape.
what to do?
Shu Yao forced herself to open the window frame.
Little did he know that his nails had already left a shallow mark on it.
Just as he was in a trance, his eyes fell on the seal of the armor.
Got it!
Shu Yao suddenly had an idea and turned around and walked back to the desk, but she did not sit down, just leaned on the edge of the desk.
After a moment, a very light sigh escaped from the lips and echoed in the empty room.
It was light and graceful, but like pearls falling on a jade plate, creating ripples in the stagnant silence.
Shu Yao glanced at Cui Jinzhong standing in the corner with her peripheral vision, revealing a sense of alienation.
The expression was not one of sorrow, nor of resentment. It was like a rare pearl that should have been dazzling, but was covered with a layer of dust at some point. Although still noble, it revealed a trace of indescribable loneliness, like a solitary wild goose that accidentally stopped in the twilight of the autumn river.
Cui Jinzhong took a step closer respectfully, glancing casually at Shu Yao's clenched fingertips. "Madam..." He chose his words carefully, "Is there anything bothering you?"
Shu Yao seemed to be startled by his sudden voice, and her body trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
She forced a smile, revealing a bittersweet smile, her voice a little hoarse: "Just now... I was startled by the sound of fighting... Somehow... I remembered a little toy from the past..."
She lowered her voice, a hint of reminiscence in her voice, "In a hurry some time ago, General Zhao took possession of one of my personal belongings. It was a copper seal, about this size." She gestured with her bare hands, "I wonder...if General Zhao still has it? If it's convenient, could Chief Steward Cui ask Yaoyao if this item...can be returned?"
There was just a hint of loneliness on the corners of his brows, as if he knew he was dreaming.
The wrinkles on Cui Jinzhong's face softened for a moment at the young lady's concern. He bowed and said, "I'll take note of this. I'll go find General Zhao and inquire about his whereabouts. I'll do my best to retrieve this item for you."
"Thank you, Manager Cui." Shu Yao nodded slightly.
Wait until Cui Jinzhong's footsteps disappear at the end of the corridor.
Shu Yao picked up her pen again and looked back at the document.
I hope this question can bring me accurate information about the hostages.
A spark exploded and splashed onto the desk.
Shu Yao read through the documents at a glance, capturing the key words and quickly categorizing and archiving the boring text.
Her instinct as a corporate slave was operating efficiently, and this efficiency gave her a familiar sense of security.
In a trance, she felt that she was not imprisoned, and she was still the worker who struggled for performance in the cubicle.
Shu Yao stayed up until late at night before dragging her tired body into the inner room to rest.
Emperor Liang treated her quite politely, at least he didn't send anyone to guard her when she slept.
She stared blankly at the plain bedroom.
The bed was facing the door and window, and the figures of two night watchmen were faintly swaying outside the window paper.
There is another small window on the right side of the bed, and under the window is the dressing table.
On the dressing table stood a copper lamp, exactly the same in style as the one in the main hall.
The remaining flame of the wick flickered, emitting a faint halo of light.
Shu Yao extinguished the lamp and reached for the small window.
She had noticed during the day that the office was in the shape of a U.S. character.
If I'm not mistaken, there should be a narrow alley between this window and the courtyard wall that cannot be defended.
In order to verify what she was thinking, Shu Yao squatted beside the corner of the window frame, carefully peeled off a corner of the window paper, and stared through the gap.
Narrow alleys. High walls. Just as she imagined.
However, there was an unexpected leaky wooden lattice window on the high wall not far away.
A thought suddenly popped up in her mind, so hot that Shu Yao's fingertips trembled.
Shu Yao licked her fingertips until they were wet, touched the rolled-up corner of the window paper, and smoothed it out.
Then he slowly straightened up, put his hands against the window frame, and secretly exerted force to push open a gap about an inch wide.
As the window sash slid open, the old wooden hinges groaned laboriously.
Shu Yao paused, and suddenly turned her head to look back.
The soldiers outside the door did not move.
fine……
Shu Yao sighed secretly, her shoulders relaxed a little, and her heart finally settled down.
Without hesitation, she picked up the copper lamp on the dressing table.
Without any hesitation, he placed the edge of the lampstand base against the gap between the wooden lattice and the wall.
Grit your teeth and use your wrist.
Creak.
The bronze body gnawed at the rotten wood, making a dull sawing sound.
Fine wood chips fell into the dark alley.
In the dim light, her eyes were scorching bright, and she deliberately slowed down the pace of her hands.
Don't worry, take your time, the night is still long...
The next day, Shu Yao put on a plain coat, rubbed her sleepy eyes, and walked towards the desk.
When he reached the table, he covered his mouth and yawned slightly. There were dark shadows on his eye sockets and sleepiness in the corners of his eyes.
Before Shu Yaoren could stand firmly, Cui Jinzhong quietly blocked her way.
"Good morning, my lady," Cui Jinzhong said in a low voice. "The item you instructed me to find yesterday..." The end of the sentence hung in the air, his eyes quickly scanning Shu Yao's still tired face, and he continued, "I have already inquired about it... I am afraid... it may be difficult to retrieve it for the time being." He paused, "But your majesty..." his tone was tinged with a hint of false calmness, "Yesterday he specifically instructed that everyone is well. It is obvious that the heavens are merciful and always think about your concerns."
Is everyone well?
Shu Yao was puzzled.
Emperor Liang not only understood her hidden meaning of asking about the safety of the hostages by asking about the bronze seal.
He even sent his trusted eunuch to deliver the message.
This consideration seems too heavy.
Shu Yao's throat tightened and she asked herself silently.
Is she, a proton of the previous dynasty, so important?
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