The Yiyuan Hall is adorned with carved railings and painted beams, resplendent in gold and green. The dragon patterns that can be seen everywhere show the unparalleled nobility of the imperial family. The handsome emperor, dressed in ordinary clothes, stands with his hands behind his back by the window, quietly gazing at the beautiful scene of rain pattering on bamboo leaves outside the window.
A gentle breeze, carrying a hint of dampness, brushed against my face with a chill.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty." Zhou Changqing, dressed in court attire, knelt down, kowtowed deeply, and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
The air seemed to fall silent for a moment. The young emperor remained motionless, gazing quietly at the scenery outside the window. The light rain fell softly, creating a unique sonata that made one want to close their ears and listen.
Zhou Changqing's eyes darted around, but he maintained a submissive posture, remaining motionless as he awaited the emperor's words. His mind was racing. The emperor had always held them in high esteem; this was clearly a form of punishment. Could something have gone wrong among his men?
About an incense stick later, Wuyou finally moved, rubbing her sore shoulders, and turned around with a look of surprise on her face.
"Why are you here, my dear minister? It's all my fault for being too infatuated. How could Xiazi be so clueless as to not remind me, causing Lord Zhou to go through so much trouble?" Wuyou stepped forward to help Zhou Changqing up, her tone quite surprised, quickly shifting the blame.
Xiaxiazi, being Wuyou's shrewd servant, readily accepted the blame with a smile, then feigned slapping her own mouth in apology. Seeing both master and servant behaving this way, Zhou Changqing couldn't say anything more, but a bad premonition rose in his heart.
"Speaking of which, it seems you're over 60 this year, my dear minister." Wuyou was helped to sit on the dragon throne, looking at Zhou Changqing below with great interest.
Mentioning his age at this time, could it be an attempt to force him to retire? Zhou Changqing's eyes darted around, already understanding, but his face remained impassive.
"Your Majesty, this old minister is 63 years old this year. I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern." Zhou Changqing bowed slightly, his face showing genuine flattery.
"I'm already 63. Time flies. Back then, Zhou Changqing and other veteran ministers helped me ascend the throne, and I am deeply grateful to you. Now, ten years have passed." Wuyou's eyes were somewhat dazed, as if she were traveling through time to the scene ten years ago through the sunlight outside the window.
Zhou Changqing couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia, and with a deep sigh, he looked around.
“It is our duty as your subjects to support Your Majesty, and we do not deserve a word of gratitude from Your Majesty.”
"Sixty-three years old is quite old. My dear minister, you have done a great deal for my Great Zhou Dynasty. I also hope that you can have a peaceful and healthy old age." Wuyou glanced at Zhou Changqing's face without leaving a trace, and reached out to stroke the jade Buddhist beads on her wrist.
"It is all my duty as a subject. I dare not claim credit. I only wish to dedicate myself to the Great Zhou Dynasty until my dying breath. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request." After saying this, Zhou Changqing knelt down on the spot, his knees hitting the ground heavily. He kowtowed deeply and refused to get up, showing his determination.
"Love, why do you do this to yourself?" Wuyou shook her head slightly, sighed, her voice filled with endless regret and even a hint of mockery.
"I know of your loyalty to the country and the people, but things don't always go as planned. I have some interesting things here, and I hope you will take a close look and give me your reply." Wuyou put the jade beaded string on her wrist, picked up a memorial from the list of memorials, and casually tossed it on the ground, where it landed steadily in front of Zhou Changqing.
Zhou Changqing's fingers curled slightly, revealing his nervousness and unease, but he still took out the memorial and carefully read through it. The more he read, the more sweat beaded on his forehead, like dense raindrops constantly sliding down his cheeks, and his body trembled incessantly, almost dropping the light memorial in his hands.
"Your humble servant is guilty—" Zhou Changqing prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed deeply, his body still trembling uncontrollably, his mind in turmoil.
How could this be? Zhou Changqing kept asking himself. He thought he had done things very discreetly and his actions were not significant. He only did it occasionally, so how could the Emperor have caught him red-handed? Moreover, he clearly saw that it wasn't just his own doing, but also the incriminating evidence against his other old friends.
In truth, Zhou Changqing and others were once ambitious young men. They aspired to dedicate their lives to the country, realize their political ambitions, assist a wise ruler, and become figures like Zhuge Liang and Guan Zhong. But time is a cruel mistress; the burdens of their families, the desires of their clansmen, the allure of power—all sorts of temptations sculpted them beyond recognition, turning them into people they themselves no longer recognized.
Cold sweat had already formed a small puddle on the ground. Zhou Changqing's heart was filled with panic, followed by an endless clarity. This was unprecedented in recent years. Not to mention that they had done their work discreetly, even if they had been discovered, with most of the civil and military officials under his control, how many would dare to treat them like this?
Over the years, they had never discovered a single clue, blinded by the comfort they now enjoyed. This was enough to prove that the emperor before them was no longer the young prince he once was. The other side was like a spider, weaving a web of everything, waiting for its prey to take the bait; today was the day to reel it in.
The court today is no longer what it used to be. When the late emperor was alive, they were suppressed and walked on thin ice. They thought that by finding a weak emperor, they could control everything. Who knew that the innocent rabbit they thought they had was actually a wolf in sheep's clothing?
Thinking this, Zhou Changqing's body trembled even more violently, and he opened his mouth several times but could not utter a single word.
"Why are you so panicked, my dear minister? These are just some amusement toys. Are you really so frightened? Could it be that you're too old to do anything right?" Wuyou looked at Zhou Changqing's trembling old body with great interest, the corners of his mouth curving upwards slightly. His tone was playful and teasing, making Zhou Changqing feel that he was unfathomable.
Xia Zi, who was serving nearby, looked on with pity, but more than that, he was gloating. His master was the emperor, so naturally he would follow the emperor's will, and it was clear that his side had won this game.
"Your Majesty, I am indeed unwell and my health is not as good as before. Yesterday, I dreamed that my elderly mother appeared to me in my dream. She remembered that she had not been able to retire for the court in the past. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to retire and make amends for my guilt."
Zhou Changqing opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and indistinct. He coughed twice before speaking shakily, then closed his eyes tightly, a single tear sliding down his cheek.
His resentment was palpable, but he had no way out. If he withdrew in time, he could at least preserve his official reputation and his family's honor; if he remained obstinate, he might be wiped out by the emperor.
Power and glory, however alluring, can never outweigh the lives of one's entire clan and the safety of one's family. Only at this moment did Zhou Changqing have a sudden realization, inexplicably recalling his former self.
"My dear minister, you have dedicated your life to our dynasty and worked hard for many years. Although I am reluctant to let you go, I am ultimately mindful of your filial piety and have no choice but to reluctantly agree to your retirement. I hereby grant your request to retire."
"Thank you, Your Majesty—" The old man's hoarse voice was filled with endless reluctance and sorrow, yet it still resonated with determination, for he knew that everything would start anew from tomorrow.
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