Chapter 23 [23]
【23】/First release
"What?! You want me to accompany you to court tomorrow?"
Lu Zhiwan was shocked. For a moment, she wanted to reach out and touch Xiao Jingting's forehead to see if his brain was burned out or if he was still drunk.
Compared to her shock, Xiao Jingting remained calm and composed. He hooked his long arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "Go to sleep. You have to get up early tomorrow. If the censor finds you dozing off in the court, you'll be punished with a beating."
This unquestionable tone made Lu Zhiwan feel overwhelmed.
"He's an emperor after all, yet he acts so absurdly and doesn't follow common sense at all. What on earth was the late emperor thinking, choosing such an unreliable person to rule the country?"
"And bringing a concubine to court seems like something only a tyrant would do... Those people outside are already calling me a traitor. If I actually go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony tomorrow morning, wouldn't that just add to the evidence of my treacherous behavior? I give in! This bastard really thinks I'm not dying fast enough."
Lu Zhiwan was desperately imagining the embarrassing scene of the court tomorrow, when after a while, he heard the sound of a man's steady and even breathing.
Lu Zhiwan: “???”
Fell asleep? He actually fell asleep!
How can he sleep well!
Originally, she was contented with eating the melon and could sleep soundly until she woke up naturally the next day. But now, not only was she not sleepy at all, she also had to get up early tomorrow. And all this was because of the bastard next to her!
Unfortunately, she didn't have the courage to strike him back with her claws as fiercely as he had when he'd woken her. She could only close her eyes and silently recite the Heart Clearing Mantra: "Ice and cold for eternity, all things are still... No delusion, no anger, no desire, no seeking, no giving up, no abandoning..."
She didn't know how many times she recited it before she fell into a deep sleep.
But when he was woken up again early the next morning, the resentment that was barely suppressed by the Heart Purification Mantra rushed directly to the top of his head. With messy hair and two thick dark circles under his eyes, Lu Zhiwan looked at the man in robes beside the bed, and his desire to pounce on him and die with him reached its peak.
"Are you that sleepy?"
The man slowly tied his belt with two long fingers and glanced at her sideways: "I told you to go to bed early last night."
“…”
Lu Zhiwan held up her sleepy eyelids and tried to persuade the black-hearted boss: "Your Majesty, the court is such an important place, how can a small concubine like me go there? If I really go with you, the court officials will definitely criticize me. It would be fine if they scolded me, but if Your Majesty also bears the blame, I would be heartbroken..."
Xiao Jingting looked at her thoughtfully: "I didn't expect you to care about me so much."
Lu Zhiwan nodded, holding her chest with a sincere look: "Of course, in my heart, Your Majesty will always be the first."
"I am deeply comforted by Concubine Lu's thoughtfulness."
Xiao Jingting smiled: "But don't worry, I have asked Yu Mingjiang to get a set of eunuch clothes. When you put them on later, no one will know your identity."
The smile on Lu Zhiwan's face froze, and the expectant light in his eyes died with a snap. It felt like raining in his heart, even heavier than the day Yiping went to her father to ask for money.
"You're so cruel, you dog emperor!!!"
Half an hour later, Lu Zhiwan gritted her teeth and changed into her cyan eunuch uniform. She adjusted her hat and reluctantly walked in front of Xiao Jingting: "Your Majesty, I'm ready."
"Look up."
“…”С
Lu Zhiwan quickly suppressed the resentment on his face, slowly raised his face, and narrowed his eyes: "Your Majesty."
Xiao Jingting lowered his black eyes and slowly scanned the fair face in front of him.
Without the adornment of makeup or jewelry, this palm-sized face has a natural and pure beauty, especially the eyebrows. The dark eyebrows are as thin and curved as willow leaves, and the almond eyes are watery and shimmering as if covered with a layer of rain and mist. It should have the coolness of the morning mist in the mountains, but because of the flickering light, it adds a bit of cleverness and cunning.
The green eunuch's robe covered her slender and short body, which looked as thin and delicate as a willow branch swaying in the wind.
After looking at it for a long time, I find it quite pleasing to the eye.
Xiao Jingting was looking at Lu Zhiwan, and Lu Zhiwan was also looking at him.
The Daxing Dynasty favored red, and the emperor's court robes were mostly red. Xiao Jingting's skin color was originally whiter than that of ordinary men. When he put on the exquisitely crafted red robe with a dragon pattern, his face looked even more handsome and his complexion was even more radiant.
Lu Zhiwan secretly sighed in his heart, "Sure enough, keeping silent is the best medical beauty for a man. When he doesn't speak, he is a peerless beauty, but when he opens his mouth, he makes people vomit five liters of blood."
When Xiao Jingting heard this, he felt a sense of resonance - the silent appearance of this woman was completely different from her talkative soul.
But compared to her beautiful appearance, her bold and bizarre ideas are more interesting.
In the vast Forbidden City, the morning bells are distant.
When the imperial carriage arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, it was not yet fully light. Outside the square, the ministers who were attending court in order, reflected by the towering and majestic palace, looked like tiny and diligent ants, slowly walking along the Dragon Tail Road towards the hall that symbolized the highest power.
It turns out that no matter what era it is, it is not easy to be a worker.
Lu Zhiwan followed Xiao Jingting obediently, warning himself again and again in his heart to stay alert and not fall asleep. If he could get through this morning, he would be victorious.
However, when the court meeting really started, Lu Zhiwan found that it was not that difficult for her.
It was because the elegant Minister Gu in white at the banquet last night was also in the hall. Not only was he seated at the front, he also changed into a red official robe. His every move while holding the tablet and answering questions was so dignified and handsome that the charm he exuded was impossible to take your eyes off.
"Wow, how can someone look like white moonlight in a white robe and like a cinnabar mole in a red robe? This is too amazing."
"Girls are tired from work, so they should look at handsome guys more often to relax. Last night, I was too embarrassed to look at them too much, but now I'm wearing eunuch clothes, hey, look as much as you want! Thanks to the black-hearted boss for the benefits, good people will have a peaceful life."
Xiao Jingting, who was sitting on the dragon throne and was suddenly given the good guy card, said: "..."
This crazy woman has no restraint at all.
"Your Majesty, have you made a decision on the candidates for this Jiangnan inspection tour?"
Inside the main hall, Prime Minister Gu, dressed in a purple official robe, took two steps forward and bowed to ask for instructions from the emperor.
Xiao Jingting glanced over Prime Minister Gu's head, then at the courtiers on both sides of the palace before he slowly spoke, "The chief examiner will be Grand Secretary Li Weiming, as previously proposed by the cabinet. As for the deputy envoy..."
He tapped his long fingers on the armrest twice and looked at Gu Rongyu behind Chief Minister Gu. "Has the case at Princess Yongping's mansion been handled?"
Gu Rongyu, who was named, stepped forward, raised his tablet, and replied, "Your Majesty, Yongping Commander Ma Chengji has been imprisoned as per your instructions. He will be granted a pardon and exiled to Qiannan in three days..."
Xiao Jingting hummed lightly, and added: "Since the princess has divorced Cheng Ji, do not call the criminal Cheng Ji "County Horse" in the future, so as not to sully the title of County Horse."
Gu Rongyu was slightly startled, then lowered his head: "Yes."
There seemed to be other officials who wanted to speak, but they were swept away by Xiao Jingting's eyes and finally lowered their heads in dismay.
"If anyone still wants to plead for the criminal Cheng Ji, then go with Cheng Ji to Qiannan to raise horses."
A low and cold voice sounded, and the atmosphere in the hall became more solemn.
While many ministers felt that the Yongping County Marquis's assault, which resulted in the Princess's miscarriage, was indeed excessive, it was a marital affair. A woman's husband was her god, and even a Princess was expected to obey her husband. The County Marquis's actions were impulsive and drunken, and he deserved no such severe punishment as stabbing her face and exiling her. However, His Majesty was adamant and insisted on such a severe sentence, so they dared not disobey and had to comply. They feared that the Cheng family might be unhappy...
Xiao Jingting knew what the court officials were thinking, but he didn't care. He continued to instruct Gu Rongyu, "After the Yongping case is concluded, you will accompany Li Weiming to the Jiangnan inspection tour."
Gu Rongyu was a little surprised, but he didn't show it on his face. He leaned forward and replied, "Your Majesty has entrusted me with such an important task. I will definitely live up to your trust and select talented and virtuous people for the country."
"Gu Qing has always been steady and prudent. I am at ease."
The emperor and his ministers exchanged a few more polite words, and Gu Rongyu put down his tablet and returned to the queue. Other officials came forward to discuss the government.
Xiao Jingting sat sideways on the dragon throne, his narrow eyes casually glancing at the thin green figure beside him.
What would she think when he sent Gu Rongyu to Jiangnan?
But Lu Zhiwan lowered her head, and the brim of her hat covered half of her face, making it impossible for him to see her expression.
I don’t know if it’s because of the distance or something else, but even her voice is intermittent and I can’t hear it clearly.
At this moment, Lu Zhiwan, because of the incident of "Gu Rongyu going to the south of the Yangtze River for an examination", seemed to have found a thread in a tangled hemp rope. He gently pulled it out, and many chaotic and vague things suddenly emerged clearly in his mind, flashing by like scenes in a movie.
She finally understood why the name "Gu Rongyu" felt so familiar—
It turns out that she didn't simply travel through time, but traveled through a book!
This is a novel called "A Generation of Powerful Officials" that she read in high school. After many years and having read countless novels, she has long forgotten the names of the male and female protagonists, and even many of the plots are not very clear. The only thing she has a deep impression of is the character "Gu Rongyu".
As we all know, the male protagonist is loved by the female protagonist, while the second male protagonist is loved by the audience and readers. Gu Rongyu is the gentle and infatuated second male protagonist in this book who selflessly devotes everything to the female protagonist but cannot get her love.
The book had thousands of chapters. Lu Zhiwan stayed up late to see the second male lead go blind for the female lead, while the female lead and the male lead were still so sweet and loving. He felt so heartbroken that he gave up the book.
Thinking back on it now, she only remembered that the novel started with Gu Rongyu, an inspector from the capital, going to the south of the Yangtze River, and then meeting the male and female protagonists in Jinling.
The protagonist's surname seems to be Zhao. He was born into an official family, but his father was dismissed by the emperor and his sister was murdered in the palace. From then on, the protagonist studied hard with the belief of reviving his family and avenging his sister. Although he finally got the first place in the exam, he was reported as the "son of a criminal minister" and the examiner demoted him to a lower position.
The male protagonist had nowhere to turn to and was beaten half to death. Later, he went around and took refuge with Prince Yuzhang and became his aide.
The male protagonist is grateful for the recognition of Prince Yuzhang, and at the same time hates the immoral and incompetent monarch, as well as the treacherous concubine who killed his sister, so he decides to assist Prince Yuzhang and build a great cause.
After several years of hard work and dormancy, the hero, seeing the time was right, stormed into the capital, eliminated the treacherous concubine, deposed the tyrant emperor, and finally married the beautiful heroine. He received a promotion and a raise, becoming a powerful official and reaching the pinnacle of his life...
After roughly reviewing this plot, Lu Zhiwan frowned and muttered in his heart:
"If you mean Xiao Jingting, then he does look like a tyrant sometimes."
"But who is that treacherous concubine? Is it Concubine Gu? ... Concubine Gu does look like a treacherous concubine, but she is not favored."
Lu Zhiwan was puzzled and couldn't help but raise his eyes and secretly cast a glance at the majestic red figure sitting in the upper seat.
Will he fall in love with Concubine Gu later?
For some reason, when this idea came to my mind, it felt like a lump had grown in my heart, and there was an indescribable weirdness.
Just as she was lost in thought, the emperor on the dragon throne suddenly looked at her.
Behind the long tassels, the dark, narrow eyes with upturned corners seemed to be filled with inquiry, looking directly and sharply into her heart.
Lu Zhiwan's heart trembled, like a thief who had been caught. He became panicked for no reason and quickly turned his face away.
When her pounding heart finally calmed down, she remembered some key information.
The male protagonist's surname is Zhao, and his sister was killed by a treacherous concubine in the palace...
If she remembered correctly, the only concubine surnamed Zhao who died young in the harem in the past two years was her fellow townsman from Yuezhou, the beautiful Zhao Yue'e.
So the treacherous concubine who was burned to death in the end was not Concubine Gu, but her, Lu Zhiwan?
No, no, no, how could she be a concubine? She was just a lazy person who wanted to live a carefree life.
But now, the "treacherous concubine" who is favored by the emperor is indeed herself...
Realizing this, Lu Zhiwan shuddered violently.
Oh my God, is it too late to become an unknown person in the cold palace now?
***
The morning court did not end until noon.
Court officials left the Hall of Supreme Harmony in twos and threes. The Gu family father and son were always accompanied by a constant stream of followers. Gu Rongyu's assignment to inspect Jiangnan was such an important assignment, a testament to His Majesty's high regard for him. Other ministers came forward to offer their congratulations.
"Jiangnan is a land of outstanding people and picturesque scenery. Minister Gu is traveling to Jiangnan this time to select talented people for the country and also to take the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan."
"This is an excellent assignment. His Majesty specifically nominated Minister Gu, which shows how much trust His Majesty has in you."
"We would like to wish Minister Gu a safe journey and success in his mission."
"Thank you very much."
Gu Rongyu bowed, his eyes showing humility and gentleness.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, they reached the palace gate, and all the ministers dispersed and returned to their offices.
Before stepping onto the sedan chair, Prime Minister Gu gave Gu Rongyu some earnest advice: "Li Weiming is a conservative man, and his selection of talents tends to favor the regulated maxims of the eight-legged essay. His Majesty appointed you as deputy envoy because he sees you as young and intelligent, and wants to use your insight to select some smart and capable people to serve the country. When you arrive in Jiangnan, you must be discerning and make a careful selection, and don't disappoint His Majesty."
Gu Rongyu nodded in agreement and raised his hand to help Chief Minister Gu into the sedan chair: "Father, go slowly."
The dark blue curtain of the sedan chair was hung high. After Prime Minister Gu calmly took his seat, he suddenly remembered something and frowned at Gu Rongyu: "You seemed a little absent-minded when we were in court just now?"
Gu Rongyu's eyes flickered slightly. After a moment's hesitation, he lowered his voice and told the truth, "That young eunuch in the green robe behind Yu Mingjiang looks familiar... If my son is not mistaken, that young eunuch is Concubine Lu in disguise."
Chief Minister Gu was surprised: "Is this really true? I didn't even notice it."
Gu Rongyu wouldn't have paid any attention to a young eunuch in a green robe, but the constant stares made it impossible for him to ignore them. Last night at the banquet, Concubine Lu had also sized him up like this several times...
He had no social interaction with her. The only thing that could be considered social was probably his sister Gu Yuer who once complained to him about how hateful Lu Zhiwan was, saying that she was a seductress and seducing her master.
"It seems His Majesty is indeed very fond of this Lu, even bringing her to the court today." Prime Minister Gu seemed to remember something, his face gradually becoming solemn. "We cannot allow His Majesty to continue this absurd behavior."
Gu Rongyu pondered for a moment, then said gently, "Don't worry, father. His Majesty may have acted on impulse. Let's see if Lu is still in the court tomorrow before making any plans."
Chief Minister Gu stroked his long, graying beard and glanced at Gu Rongyu: "Then I'll do as you say."
The curtain of the sedan chair was lowered, and the palace servants carried the sedan chair away steadily.
Gu Rongyu bowed and said goodbye. After the sedan chair had gone far away, he slowly stood up. Before leaving, he couldn't help but look in the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The image of the handsome young eunuch appeared in his mind, and his handsome brows couldn't help but frown slightly.
Why did this Concubine Lu keep looking at him? It was really strange.
Brushing off his robe sleeves, he withdrew his gaze and looked towards the sunny south again.
I wonder what interesting people or things I will encounter on this trip to the south of the Yangtze River, but I am looking forward to it.
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