Chapter 163: Taking on a mission in times of crisis? Shouchun is in danger
Emperor Wen smiled faintly: "Are you still afraid? You are the first one who dares to come to me alone to negotiate terms."
"That's because, although Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, you still accept advice. Even though Zhaojun is just a little girl, Your Majesty never looks down on her. It is a blessing for the people to have such a wise ruler."
He Zhaojun remained unfazed. Flattery, however worn, never wears out, so she placed this compliment on Emperor Wen's head. Indeed, Emperor Wen was quite impressed, perhaps because Zhaojun rarely praised others, so her words were quite unusual.
"You understand, I gave Cheng this favor because you offered to send someone to properly manage the Shouchun mines for me, and to have your men teach the local craftsmen."
He Zhaojun nodded: "All the people in the land are subjects of the king, and the people under your command are also subjects of your majesty."
"Although the counterfeit currency issue in Shouchun has been stopped, a certain amount of counterfeit currency still remains in the area and has not yet been recovered. After the Queen's birthday banquet, I and my second brother will go there and will definitely deal with this matter and rectify Shouchun's trade."
Emperor Wen smiled and said, "Let's go to Yongle Palace. You can walk with me. Once we leave this palace, just treat me as an ordinary family member. Don't be so restrained."
He Zhaojun nodded and followed obediently. Attendant Cao stepped back two steps, leaving the seat for He Zhaojun. He Zhaojun took the lantern and used it to illuminate the ground for Emperor Wen.
In reality, He Zhaojun emerged from the palace in the dead of night, her undergarments soaked with sweat. The night breeze blew, and she shivered with cold, but she gritted her teeth and dared not say anything. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling this trip wouldn't go smoothly.
If the emperor wanted to treat him as an ordinary father-in-law, she would not dare to treat him casually. Don’t you see, even though Ling Zisheng was given a sword and shoes to bring to the palace[52], except for the day when he learned that Shao Shang had broken off the engagement, he never lost his composure or acted presumptuously.
"You are not given fiefdom and official position, but are put in danger. Do you feel resentful?" Emperor Wen stood with his hands behind his back, a bit like the head teacher of He Zhaojun's middle school, speaking in a literary manner.
He Zhaojun smiled and said, "If Your Majesty is willing to reward me, then give it all to the Third Prince. After all, it will belong to me in the future." She guessed that Emperor Wen would definitely like to hear this.
As expected, Emperor Wen nodded with satisfaction: "You are a man of broad sense. Ah Heng has taught you well."
The two had already reached the front of Concubine Yue's palace. The lights were clearly on in the room, and Concubine Yue seemed to be humming something: "I've already said that I'm going to sleep today. If His Majesty comes, let him go back and not see him!"
He Zhaojun coughed quickly and said, "Concubine Yue, it's me, Zhaojun."
The voice of the person in the room softened, "Is something wrong? Why aren't you resting yet? You've been helping Shao Shang organize the Queen's birthday banquet these past few days, and you've been really busy. Ask Zidan to come and keep you company tomorrow. He loves his new bride the most and has been waiting impatiently all day!"
Emperor Wen pushed open the door and said, "Why, he loves his new wife, but I don't love you?" He Zhaojun cooperated by closing the door and leaving with Attendant Cao.
She smiled at Cao Cheng: "Are you feeling better these days, Eunuch? Does your leg still hurt?" Cao Cheng stayed by the emperor's side all day, so he inevitably had to bow his head and bend over, kneeling at every turn. Problems had arisen in his joints early on, and it was difficult for him to get up in the rain or on cloudy days.
He Zhaojun specifically asked the caravan to bring back a prescription from Zhuyazhou, which was most suitable for him.
Attendant Cao smiled gratefully and bowed, "Thank you, Lord Ancheng, for your concern. I am fine. You are the only one who cares about the health of us slaves."
He Zhaojun shook her head: "All people are born equal, so why should there be distinction between high and low?" After saying this, she was about to leave, but Cao Changshi stretched out his hand to block her way.
"Wait a minute, Lord Ancheng. I have something important to tell you. It concerns... the Shouchun mineral vein."
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