Upon hearing this, Qi Yong frowned deeply. "Your Majesty, the Lady Protector of the Nation has always preferred quiet. This time, she did not disturb the people during her visit to the capital. Isn't that going too far?"
He understands being given gifts; it's compensation.
However, the Lady Protector of the Nation's popularity among the people was growing, and it would not be a good thing if the court followed suit and promoted her.
“That makes sense,” Ji Xuan said, determined to mend the rift as much as possible. “We’ll go see him off alone tomorrow.”
"Alright, I'll go pick out the items right away."
"Call Liu An over on your way back!"
"Yes, sir!"
When Liu An was summoned, he was completely bewildered.
"Your Majesty, has something happened in Shu again?"
"no."
"Why did Your Majesty summon me so late?" Liu An asked, puzzled.
I've been incredibly busy lately, working non-stop every day, and my back is so sore I can barely straighten up.
Just as he took off his clothes and lay down on the couch, Qi Yong hurriedly came to summon him to the palace.
Ji Xuan didn't speak, but clapped her hands, and five beautiful palace maids entered. "Since you divorced, my dear minister, you have been all alone. Today, I will bestow some beauties upon you."
"Your Majesty..."
Liu An was dumbfounded, completely baffled as to what his master was up to.
"What?" Ji Xuan chuckled lightly, "Does my dear minister not like them?"
Although the words were mostly joking, Liu An dared not take them lightly.
After a moment's thought, he immediately agreed, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
"It's alright. I have seen everything you have done for the Great Zhou. This is what you deserve."
"I am ashamed."
Ji Xuan summoned Liu An, intending for him to choose between her and Jiang Nuan.
After some thought, he felt that this approach was unbecoming of an emperor, so he changed to a gentler method.
After Liu An left, Qi Yong immediately guessed his master's plan, and his expression immediately became serious. "Your Majesty, your mind is in turmoil."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan was taken aback.
After a long silence, he murmured softly, "Is my heart in turmoil?"
Seeing this, Qi Yong felt a pang of heartache and sighed softly, “Master, the Lady Protector’s methods are indeed mysterious. However, the Great Zhou is yours. As long as you don’t make any mistakes, even the gods cannot shake the Ji family’s rule.”
"Moreover, we know about the character of the Lady Protector of the Nation. None of her family are power-hungry. They even gave the only marquisate that could influence the court to the old lady. This shows that they do not intend to establish themselves in the court."
Sensing his master's wavering, Qi Yong persuaded even more earnestly, "Besides, we know all about their family's affairs, big and small. From beginning to end, the Lady Protector of the Nation has never attacked anyone without reason. You can be on guard, but there's no need to be overly nervous or even wary. There won't be another person like Qin Chun."
Qi Yong felt a pang of regret.
If he had noticed something was wrong with his master earlier, he should have advised him not to go to the Lady Protector's residence.
At this point, Qi Yong had already analyzed the situation clearly.
His master knew his behavior was inappropriate and understood that a rift had already formed, but he was wary of the Protector of the Nation's methods. In desperation, he did a series of irrational things.
First, he tried to mend the rift by bestowing gifts, but knowing that this was useless, he then set his sights on Liu An, who had no leverage over him, in an attempt to increase his own bargaining power.
However, these behaviors will only push people further away.
Even the emperor is human, and humans make mistakes. It's not a big deal. Besides, this matter is at most a lack of careful handling, not a mistake.
Originally, they didn't take it to heart at all, but after their master did this, it's hard not to have some doubts.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan was speechless.
That's really what I think.
Judging from his own experience, if he encountered this situation, even if he didn't show it, he would remember it and wait for an opportunity to retaliate.
“You’ve actually done very well,” Qi Yong sighed and continued, “The reason you’re nervous is because you’re placing the Huang family on an equal footing. You know that your behavior isn’t respectful enough, which is why you’re so uneasy. That’s a very noble quality.”
"Throughout history, countless wise rulers and sages have been praised for their respect for the virtuous and humble, yet their mentality has always been aloof, placing themselves on a pedestal. But you have truly placed the Huang family on the same level as yourself."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan was stunned. "Is that so?"
How come he didn't notice it himself?
"Think about how you treated the three Grand Secretaries. Have you done anything even worse? Have you ever felt anxious about it?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan's face darkened instantly, and she glared angrily at Qi Yong, "You've got some nerve?"
As a subject, isn't it my duty to share the burdens of my ruler?
"Your Majesty, please calm down," Qi Yong said with a fawning smile. "This servant was just giving an example."
"What do we do now?" Ji Xuan was truly at a loss. "I want to make amends, but I don't think the Lady Protector of the Nation will let this go so easily."
If it were me, I'd probably be tempted to kill someone.
"It's not that serious. An apology is all that's needed. The Lady Protector of the Nation isn't as petty as you think."
"real?"
"This servant guarantees it."
Otherwise, those villagers in Huangjiakou who bullied others would have been dealt with immediately.
“But,” Ji Xuan said, unusually shyly, “I have never apologized to anyone.”
In ordinary times, admitting mistakes is more about weighing the pros and cons.
"Sincerity is good. If you really can't figure it out, I'll teach you."
"No need, I'll do it myself."
After speaking, Ji Xuan lay on the chopping board, frowning in deep thought.
Seeing this, Qi Yong smiled and nodded, then quietly retreated.
He always understood that the Huang family held a special place in his master's heart; otherwise, they wouldn't have been so highly regarded and indulged.
I just didn't expect that my master wasn't aware of these things.
They clearly cherish this relationship, but because they are unaware of it, it has veered off to the other side, which is both funny and heartbreaking.
Liu An was unaware of their conversation.
After leaving the Imperial Study, he became very serious, and after hearing the news, he became depressed.
"When the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat suffer; when His Majesty and the Lady Protector of the Nation have a falling out, what does it have to do with this Pavilion?"
He may like beautiful women, but that doesn't mean he wants to accept these troubles.
Who knows what the motives of the beauties who come from the palace are, especially if they bear children...
"Liu Xing, come in here."
"Sir, what are your orders?"
"All the concubines who came today should be moved to the North Courtyard. Tell them not to come out unless necessary."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xing's eyes widened in surprise. "Master, is the north courtyard where servants live? Isn't this arrangement inappropriate? How will we explain this to the Emperor?"
"Do as I say, no more nagging."
Liu An's tone was unfriendly, and Liu Xing dared not say anything more, so he quickly agreed and left.
"What kind of trouble is this?!" Liu An was truly frustrated. "I was just lying here doing nothing, and trouble still finds me. Who did I offend?"
However, neither the Lady Protector of the Nation nor the Emperor were people he could afford to offend, so even if he was frustrated, he could only keep it to himself.
Thinking this, Liu An closed his eyes, pulled the blanket over his head, and went to sleep.
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