Chapter 22: Whether you want to live or not is up to you
Du Sui Lan nestled in the arms of the person she loved, and the sadness of losing her father gradually subsided.
A long time passed.
The fire in the pot went out.
He curled his lips and scratched Nie Yao's waistband with his fingers, asking casually, "Ayao, will you always be by my side?"
If there is something, call me Brother Yao. If there is nothing, just call me Yao, right?
Nie Yao let go of the little brother.
He sat back at his table, poured himself some tea, and said without much thought, "I don't think so. My father and my father are both at the border. I will probably go back when someone can take my place."
This time he learned his lesson.
It is said that they can write letters to each other, and occasionally give each other gifts when they think of each other, so they will never forget each other again.
Oh, who wants your letter? Who wants your gift!
Du Suilan doesn't care about that kind of thing.
What he wanted was always Nie Yao!
"Your Majesty, the time has come." Xiaodouzi knocked on the door outside the palace to remind Du Suilan.
Nie Yao didn't know what he was going to do, and looked at the other party when he heard that.
Du Suilan gave Nie Yao a look and asked him to help tidy up his messy hair and clothes before replying, "Let him in."
Not long.
Guan Junmao, the only surviving member of the current Ministry of Rites' senior leadership, walked in tremblingly with his head down and knelt down to salute.
"Your Majesty, I, Guan Junmao, pay my respects to you. Long live your Majesty."
"Lord Guan."
Du Sui Lan didn't let him get up directly.
A calm and indifferent voice echoed in his ears: "Do you know why I called you here?"
Guan Junmao had been invited by Xiaodouzi a long time ago.
I waited outside for more than three hours on an empty stomach, and now I am starving and scared.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I do not know."
"I don't know?"
Du Suilan chuckled with an ambiguous tone, and the pressure was immediately overwhelming. "All officials of the Ministry of Rites, rank five and above, except you, will be imprisoned. Lord Guan, why do you think you were allowed to stay?"
That’s what I wanted to say!
Guan Junmao's heart finally died.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent! They have no regard for the law and are banding together to bully the king. This is their business! I am in the Ministry of Rites, but my heart is always with you, Your Majesty!"
He spoke of his loyalty in a moving voice.
He repeatedly stated that he was the emperor's man and had no intention of forming a clique with Sun Ji.
"Oh, really?"
Du Suilan's reaction was normal. He didn't say whether he believed it or not.
He and Guan Junmao played psychological pressure.
Nie Yao asked the people from the imperial kitchen to come and start the hot pot again.
He has a big appetite and he wasn't full with what he had just now, so he planned to eat more.
The taste of hot pot is so overbearing.
Guan Junmao was already hungry, and the aroma made his stomach growl non-stop.
It's over.
His Majesty already disliked him, and now he was charged with the crime of indiscretion in the presence of the Emperor. Guan Junmao knelt on the ground, feeling sad about his current situation.
"Lord Guan, you saw everything, didn't you?"
The hot pot is served again.
Du Suilan wanted to quickly spend some time with his beloved, so he threw out his trump card to end the battle quickly. "Nie Qing and I are on the same page. But Guan Aiqing... and the Guan family behind you, which side are you going to take?"
Clear soup master!
He didn't mean to look at it! Who allowed you two to be so... so intimate in private!
Why don’t you do this to some people?
Guan Junmao was forced to take sides and felt very miserable.
He knew that if he could not show enough sincerity to surrender to His Majesty today, he would disappear silently the next moment because he knew too much.
"Reply to Your Majesty."
Fortunately, Guan Junmao was well prepared.
He pulled out a stack of things from a hidden compartment on his body and held it above his head: "Your Majesty, I am loyal to you and willing to go through fire and water for you!"
Du Sui Lan didn't take the thing and gestured to Guan Junmao to put it on the table beside him.
Nie Yao took a quick glance and discovered that the topmost piece of paper was the deed to a well-known bookstore chain. Beneath it, there was another sheet of paper about 6 centimeters thick.
Aren’t they all title deeds?
That’s too rich!
Nie Yao's burning gaze lingered on Guan Junmao, making him feel even more pressured. He unconsciously moved to the right, hoping to keep the evil spirit away from him.
"Not bad." Du Suilan took a quick look at what Guan Junmao handed over and was quite satisfied with it. "I am very pleased that Guan Aiqing is so loyal."
After a slap, give him a sweet date.
Guan Junmao was so sensible that Du Suilan generously promoted him to the Minister of Rites, a second-rank official.
"Thank you, Lord!"
Guan Junmao escaped a disaster and even got a promotion. He was so happy that he shouted, "Long live the emperor!"
The Ministry of Rites is now seriously short of staff.
His Majesty the Emperor was kind enough to send him several people, including a guard with strong martial arts skills who could protect Guan Junmao's safety around the clock.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the guards were there to monitor him.
Guan Junmao certainly understood.
But he didn't mind.
He was truly loyal and would not do anything that would harm His Majesty or his own life. As long as he didn't make any mistakes, the guards would truly protect him.
Those are the royal guards!
There is no doubt that he is a master of martial arts.
Being guarded by them at all times, Guan Junmao felt that his personal safety was truly guaranteed.
After thanking the Lord again and again, he went out happily.
"He likes to be prepared for both situations." Nie Yao picked up some food for the young man.
Du Suilan was full.
After finishing the last bite, he considerately served some dishes to Nie Yao.
"Your Majesty, don't!" Nie Yao's eyelids jumped when he saw that he was still trying to attack the beef. He pressed the back of his hand and said, "Let me do this myself."
Although he has good teeth, the beef still tastes better when it is tender.
"All right."
He didn't want it, and Du Sui Lan didn't force him.
He propped up his chin with his free left hand and chatted with Nie Yao, "Brother Yao, what do you think of Guan Junmao?"
How about it?
Bald, old-looking, married but honest, no concubines or mistresses, not very courageous but not a coward either...
Nie Yao thought so in his heart, but said: "He is hardworking and capable of doing things. The fact that he can come up with a new budget so quickly shows that he has made two preparations from the beginning; and as for that stack of money, he probably knew that you would recruit him." Otherwise, why would he show so much sincerity when asked.
Overall, Guan Junmao is a smart man.
He can see the situation clearly and is a clear-headed person.
"I heard that Guan Aiqing and the military officers don't have a harmonious relationship." Du Suilan said quietly, "Isn't Brother Yao angry with me for promoting him?"
The tone of this little white flower is chilling.
Nie Yao's hand shook and the meat on the chopsticks fell into the pot and could not be found.
"Your Majesty, please speak properly. Please."
"Please beg me~~" Du Suilan stretched out his tone, as if he had finally grasped his weakness. "Since Brother Yao is begging me so pitifully, then I will show mercy and grant you your request."
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