Chapter 8: Being alone. This is obviously because the child is anxious! ...
Outside the central military tent, the sky was blindingly white.
Inside the tent, Minister Feng suddenly stepped out, lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, banging his forehead heavily on the ground with a dull sound like a hammer.
"Your Majesty!" His voice was so powerful that it made the bronze pillars of the tent hum slightly. "I have a deathbed remonstrance! The chief eunuch, Cui Jinzhong, bears heavy responsibility before the emperor. For months, he has been running back and forth between the imperial camp and the secretariat, and has even become a special envoy! These are three grave mistakes that will harm the country!"
He took a deep breath, and each word was as sharp as an iron awl chiseling stone:
"First mistake: disrespecting the position of a close attendant! Chief Steward Cui is supposed to serve the Emperor day and night, but now he's acting like a mere messenger. If there's an emergency, who's going to get it to the Emperor quickly? This is disrespectful of the Emperor, putting personal interests above public interest!"
"Second mistake: it's opening the door to communication between the inner and outer realms! Forbidden secrets must be kept strictly confidential. Chief Eunuch Cui frequently enters and leaves the hostage's secluded residence, and the mouthpieces of both inside and outside the realm are all in one person. I fear rumors will easily spread, undermining the emperor's wisdom!"
"Three mistakes: This is a violation of the proper order of restraint! Your Majesty has previously visited us personally and later gifted us with precious treasures, showing us an extraordinary level of favor. Now, using the Minister of Internal Affairs as a special envoy for our daughter, this is tantamount to making it known to the world: This woman is the only one favored by Heaven!"
"I sincerely hope that Your Majesty will immediately cease these actions that violate the law, restore Cui Jinzhong to his original position, strengthen internal and external defenses, and rectify the rules of the court!"
The words were like thunder, and all the officials bowed their heads.
All I could hear was Minister Feng lying on the ground breathing heavily, with a dark red spot already spreading across his forehead.
Pop.
The bronze seal made a short, clear sound when it struck the imperial desk.
"Mr. Feng's concerns..." Xiao Chengjing's lips twitched slightly, "They are not without reason." His eyes suddenly turned to Cui Jinzhong, who was standing by the desk. "Mr. Cui."
Cui Jinzhong was startled and quickly knelt down: "Your servant is here!"
"From now on, all documents from the other courtyards will be forwarded," Xiao Chengjing said in a steady voice, "to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Without my special permission, you are not allowed to go there again. Do you understand?"
"Your servant... obeys your order!" Cui Jinzhong buried his head deep in his chest, his voice as tense as a string.
"Yes!" The emperor's voice suddenly rose in volume, resounding throughout the sky.
All the officials felt choked up.
"Border affairs in Yongliang are crucial to the stability of the western frontier, and are a priority personally designated by me." Xiao Chengjing's gaze swept across the Ministry of War's ranks. "Among the documents submitted by Jiang Qing a few days ago, there were unexpectedly detailed records of Yumen military households! This military secret accidentally entered into civilian files, which is irrefutable evidence of dereliction of duty!" He then glanced at the Minister of the Central Secretariat. "Eunuchs are lowly and incompetent, and I can't get any clearer answers. Even though the Ministry of War is well-versed in military affairs and the Secretariat is familiar with civil affairs, the details of military households involve both government offices, and their responsibilities are intertwined. Who can single-handedly judge right and wrong? Not to mention... whether there is someone else who neglected his duties! I must make the final decision myself!"
Xiao Chengjing stood up suddenly, his ochre-yellow dragon robe brought up a gust of cold wind, and the flames of several palace lanterns dimmed.
"For the sake of the country." Every word he spoke weighed heavily. "I have decided to personally visit the Secretariat and question the person in charge! First, for the safety of the border, no compromise is allowed!" His gaze fixed directly on Minister Feng. "Second, to eliminate suspicion of internal and external communication and put an end to the world's gossip!"
The last sentence is like an invisible blade, hanging on the necks of Feng Shizhong and other clear-minded people.
Minister Feng's face turned pale, his lips trembling, and he finally choked out a sob, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
But it is difficult to utter more powerful words.
Xiao Chengjing flicked his sleeves and said, "Dismiss the court!"
Cui Jinzhong slowly got up, with deep nail marks on the palms of his hands in his sleeves.
The emperor is clearly using the name of rectifying the administration to put pressure on the Jiang family step by step!
Cui Jinzhong jogged to catch up with Xiao Chengjing and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
But Xiao Chengjing said lightly, "Prepare the sedan chair and go to the clerk's quarters."
Si hour.
The wind in the corridor of the Documents Courtyard suddenly stagnated, as if strangled by an invisible hand.
Cui Jinzhong bowed and took a half step away from Xiao Chengjing, saying, "Your Majesty is here to personally inspect this confidential matter! You all retreat to the second gate and wait! No one is allowed to enter without permission!"
The servants and guards retreated quickly upon hearing the noise.
In the blink of an eye, he disappeared outside the Moon Gate, leaving only the empty and silent courtyard.
Xiao Chengjing ignored it and walked straight into the inner room.
Shu Yao, who was buried in the case, felt her heart tremble when she suddenly saw a bright yellow robe fluttering across the threshold.
She stood up in shock, quickly turned away from the desk, bent her slender waist, and bowed deeply to the visitor: "Your Majesty, your Highness, is here to greet you."
Xiao Chengjing sat down at the head of the table, his eyes passing over Shu Yao's neck.
There was only a faint trace of powder on her thin, porcelain-like skin.
The new flesh might not be noticeable to others, but he found it particularly eye-catching.
Shu Yao felt a sudden numbness on the side of her neck.
I couldn't help but slightly turn my body, with doubts surging in my heart.
Why is Emperor Liang here again?
What do you want to do this time?
"Jiang Qing handled the military report matter appropriately." Xiao Chengjing's fingertips slid across the Yongliang Civil Register spread out on the desk, causing the pages to tremble slightly.
His eyes slowly passed over Shu Yao's hair bun.
There were neither gold and jade decorations nor the familiar peach wood comb.
His brows furrowed slightly, and he continued his previous words, his voice still calm. "But there's one thing I don't understand..." His voice rose slightly at the end, a hint of a smile on his face. "Such important military information is included in the civil register. Jiang Qing, what do you think...where is the flaw?"
This question made Shu Yao realize what was going on.
Emperor Liang didn't come earlier or later, but he came immediately after the military report was sent out...
This is not a question.
It's obvious that the child is anxious!
Shu Yao suppressed the corners of her mouth that were about to curl up, and bowed respectfully to Xiao Chengjing, who was sitting above her. "Your Majesty, if you ask me, I will tell you everything I know." Her voice was clear and melodious, with just the right amount of awe. "Military reports are of great importance. Submitting them according to regulations is my duty. As for any omissions..."
She raised her eyelashes slightly, her eyes clear and frank, her tone earnest and impeccable, vowing to maximise her non-stick qualities in the workplace. Every word she spoke was carefully chosen: "I am a weak and frail servant in the deep palace, and I truly do not know. I am deeply troubled... I beg Your Majesty to tell me clearly, if there is another misfolded document, how to deal with it safely? I... I will at your Majesty's direction."
Xiao Chengjing's eyes suddenly darkened, and an elusive darkness spread across them.
The slender fingers flicked the edge of the open book.
despair.
The short, clear sound startled Shu Yao and she trembled violently.
Taking in the slight tremor, Xiao Chengjing raised his chin slightly with a lazy posture.
He spoke in a low voice, "Jiang Qing is so reserved..." His eyebrows raised slightly, almost imperceptibly, "Are you afraid of me?"
At this moment, Cui Jinzhong, who was standing by, seemed to have caught something unspoken.
His eyelids fluttered open, and he stepped forward, bowing and picking up the open Yongliang Civil Register on the desk. His voice was low and soft, "Your Majesty, please allow me to report this. The files are complicated, and the rustling noises I make while I'm looking through them would disturb your hearing." With a quick glance at Shu Yao, whose face was pale, he continued, "I dare to ask Your Majesty for mercy and to allow me to go to the side courtyard to verify it."
Xiao Chengjing nodded slightly without saying a word.
Cui Jinzhong understood the emperor's intention and winked at the eunuchs in the corner.
Several people quickly disappeared out the door.
The door clicked shut, completely isolating the inside from the outside.
In a moment, they were the only ones left in the huge room.
Xiao Chengjing leaned back slightly, his back lazily leaning against the back of the chair, his posture as relaxed as a nobleman admiring flowers in spring.
His eyes were as sharp as a beast's, and inadvertently, he seemed to be enjoying the futile struggle of his prey.
Unfortunately, Shu Yao didn't notice.
She was concentrating all her energy on thinking about Xiao Chengjing's death.
The lethality of this question is comparable to deciding who to save first if your girlfriend and mother both fall into the water.
Afraid? Not afraid?
The two thoughts tore at each other frantically in Shu Yao's mind, making the moment of torment extraordinarily long.
Shu Yao raised her eyes and glanced at Xiao Chengjing who was sitting above her.
I saw him leaning leisurely against the back of a large chair, his fingertips leisurely tapping the elm armrest.
Shu Yao was filled with anger and hatred.
Why isn't she the one with power at this moment? !
She took a deep breath, letting the chill sink into her lungs, and spoke in a steady voice, "Your Majesty." Her voice trembled slightly, yet was remarkably clear, tinged with a resolute determination. "You hold supreme power, and with a single thought you can decide life and death, honor and disgrace. Those who hold this position..." She paused, a faint smile curling the corners of her lips. "Who wouldn't be afraid?"
The word "fear" fell to the ground, and there was extreme silence all around.
Shu Yao could clearly hear the beating of her own heart.
And the breath of another person.
no!
Where have all the people gone?
Cold sweat broke out at Shu Yao's temples.
Why are she and Emperor Liang the only ones left?!
Xiao Chengjing's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes were filled with growing interest.
Shu Yao's ears were numb from the heat of his gaze, and there was only one thought in her mind.
Never be alone with him.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to report." She spoke hastily, her throat tense. "This humble servant suddenly recalled the files in Henan Province... There seems to be a discrepancy..."
Xiao Chengjing's eyes did not move away, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
After receiving tacit consent, Shu Yao walked up to the desk and pretended to look at the documents, but her wrist accidentally bumped into the pile of files.
With a loud crash.
The pile of volumes suddenly splashed apart like snow waves, splashing white all over the ground.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Shu Yao hurriedly squatted down to pick up the mountain of paper on the ground.
In fact, he grabbed this one and let go of that one, his eyes glued to the crack in the door.
A light laugh passed by her head, so fast that it seemed like an illusion. She didn't hear it at all. She was only thinking about why Manager Cui hadn't come yet.
Unable to wait for Cui Jinzhong, Shu Yao had to gather the remaining scrolls together roughly and stood up holding the remaining scrolls.
The corner of my eye caught sight of the rosewood pen holder on the corner of the desk.
She gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and taking advantage of the moment to put down the volume, lunged towards the pen holder.
clang.
The rosewood pen holder carrying the purple jade pen tube crashed into the blue bricks.
The pen tube exploded, and the sharp sound of broken jade pierced the silence in the room.
The door opened only a tiny crack. Cui Jinzhong couldn't hold it in any longer and squeezed in, bowing. "Your Majesty?!"
Shu Yao looked panicked, as if she had just realized that she had made a big mistake.
Her knees buckled, and she fell to the ground with a thud: "Your servant...your servant is so vulgar...you actually destroyed the gift given by the Emperor! Your servant deserves death! Please punish me severely, Your Majesty!"
Cui Jinzhong glanced at the mess on the floor and Shu Yao who was kneeling on the ground to apologize, and glanced behind the table.
"That's all." Xiao Chengjing stood up with a flick of his sleeves, his voice so calm that no ripples could be heard. "No need to kneel."
Cui Jinzhong couldn't help but widen his eyes.
According to palace rules, if one is disrespectful in front of the emperor, even being dragged out and beaten with twenty sticks is a light punishment.
The emperor actually just brushed it aside?!
Suppressing his surprise, Cui Jinzhong narrowed his eyes and looked at Shu Yao who was about to get up.
Only then did I realize that the young lady who used to be dull and inconspicuous, turned out to be quite stunning upon closer inspection.
No wonder Cui Jinzhong thought he spat in his stomach.
Could it be that... the iron tree is about to bloom?
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