Chapter 34

Just after the hour of Wei, a red figure knelt down at the entrance of the Zichen Palace. Shen Liuzheng ignored the obstruction of the palace servants around him and knelt resolutely on the cold stone slab.

The weather was cold, and Shen Liuzheng's face, which was as white as frost and snow, turned purple and his lips turned white.

Wang Dehai stepped forward and advised, "Miss Shen, the emperor is currently worried about the case of Prince Beichang, so you should go back first."

Shen Liuzheng looked towards the direction of the Purple Palace and said, "My uncle is innocent. I want to seek justice for him."

No matter how Wang Dehai tried to persuade Shen Liuzheng, she remained unmoved. Wang Dehai could only sigh and stop trying to persuade her.

After a while, several ministers came over one after another. Seeing that Shen Liuzheng had already knelt down, they also lifted their robes and knelt in front of the palace, pleading for Prince Beichang: "Your Majesty! Prince Beichang has served the country loyally and there is no way he would collude with the enemy. Please see clearly!"

Wang Dehai saw more and more people coming, so he hurried in to report: "Your Majesty, Lord Fang and Lord Lu are here, as well as several other ministers. Look here..."

Li Chenghuan had the letters in front of him, flipping through them again and again. "Don't pay any attention to them. If they want to kneel, they can kneel."

"Although there is evidence now, further investigation is still needed. I am not a foolish ruler who only listens to one side. Before more evidence is found, I don't want to listen to anyone's pleas for mercy."

Wang Dehai came out after receiving the order and said to the crowd, "The Emperor does not want to see you."

The ministers looked at each other.

"The Emperor is not here, what can I do?"

"Maybe he's angry. Let's wait a little longer."

The ministers knelt on the cold floor. The sun was setting. Two hours passed, and there was still no movement in the Zichen Hall.

Shen Liuzheng's face turned pale, and the ministers were also pounding their arms and stretching their legs.

"This is not a solution." Bai Zhang murmured.

The ministers were kneeling with pain in their knees, when they suddenly saw Lin Nanjie in the corridor of the Purple Palace. Someone raised his head, but their eyes became increasingly heated.

Dali Temple Shaoqing Fang Wenjue's eyes were fiery: "Last time after I prayed to the auspicious sign, the lady calmed down and let me go to sleep."

Bai Zhang, who was kneeling beside his father-in-law, said shyly, "I made a wish to Master Xiaolin before for a peaceful family. Madam has been doing morning exercises every day recently, and she whips the whip vigorously."

Others: Huh!

"And me, and me. I used to be a sixth-rank editor, and now I'm going to be a fifth-rank doctor in a local area. Woohoo, is this considered a promotion?"

The colleague next to him was silent for a moment: "How can a promotion from sixth rank to fifth rank not be considered a promotion?"

Cai Yin, a doctor in the Ministry of Works, blushed a little: "I used to be called a pretty boy. When I prayed for good fortune that time, I made a wish to get rid of this nickname. The next day, I was transferred to inspect the military farms outside the capital. I have been tanned in the past few months, and no one calls me a pretty boy anymore."

The people around him looked at his charcoal-black skin and said, "But now everyone calls you Cai Heitan!"

Cai Yinsi did not feel insulted at all, but felt very proud: "In ancient times, there was Bao Heitan, and now there is Cai Heitan. It seems that he will have a prosperous career in the future!"

Colleague: “…”

"Bye, bye."

"It's better to have a temporary solution than to have no solution at all."

Lin Nanjie was standing in the corridor bored, when he suddenly noticed that the ministers were kneeling in his direction, whispering something in a confident tone.

Lin Nanjie was stunned for a moment, met the gazes of the ministers, and subconsciously changed his position.

[You must have looked in the wrong direction. You should kneel down and worship the dog emperor. ]

Lin Nanjie patted He Xiu's shoulder and said, "Brother, change seats."

He Xiu didn't understand why, but he still exchanged with him.

The sun was at its highest point, Lin Nanqi squinted his eyes slightly, thinking that this time it should be okay.

Below, the ministers seemed to have discussed it beforehand and all changed direction and faced him again.

Lin Nanqi: [???]

【Why worship me? 】

The minister's eyes were too pious, and Lin Nanjie was extremely terrified.

[If you worship me like this, I will shorten my life. ]

【What virtue and ability do I, a little eunuch, have? 】

[It must be wrong. It must be wrong. The ministers must be too old and their eyes are blurry.]

Shen Liuzheng was confused: "Who are you talking about? What is Eunuch Xiaolin, what is auspiciousness?"

Song Yunhuai, the Imperial Academy Reader: “Yes.”

Song Yunhuai hesitated a bit: "I also scoffed at it at first, but who knew it would actually work."

Shen Liuzheng was a little unconvinced: "What wish did you make?"

Song Yunhuai's face flushed and he stammered, "I, I think the border is very cold and harsh, I hope Miss Shen can return to Beijing."

“I never thought it would come true.”

Shen Liuzheng was silent for a moment, then looked at the eunuch who was standing not very straight under the eaves and was occasionally lazing around.

After seeing the eunuch's face clearly, Shen Liuzheng was slightly stunned.

The ice and snow melted, the sky was clear, the sun jumped from the roof, slanting into the corridor of the Purple Palace, casting a warm golden and scarlet color.

The eunuch stood in the light, quietly adjusting his position according to the angle of the sun. He had a handsome face, eyebrows like ink, clear eyes, and a green robe that outlined his slender figure.

Shen Liuzheng suddenly thought of the four words "gentleman who cultivates bamboo".

No, he is more natural and informal than the so-called gentleman who is full of ornate writings.

No wonder the ministers kept calling it auspicious.

Just this appearance...is indeed quite pleasing to the eye.

Shen Liuzheng couldn't help but look at Lin Nanjie, clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and prayed in a low voice: "I hope God will bless my uncle and release him safely. I hope the emperor can see me and let me plead for my uncle."

Lin Nanqi widened his eyes and pinched his thigh hard. Was he dazzled?

[Why did Miss Shen come along? ]

【Feudal superstition is not advisable! 】

[You might as well just barge into the Purple Palace and tell the dog emperor: If you want to attack my uncle, run over me first——]

[The Dog Emperor will definitely be willing to agree! ]

In the warm room, Li Chenghuan heard the increasingly bizarre heartbeats. He slammed the memorial in his hand on the table and called Wang Dehai.

"What are you doing outside?"

Wang Dehai said: "A dozen ministers are kneeling outside the Purple Palace, pleading for the Prince of Beichang... Miss Shen is here too."

Li Chenghuan was a little surprised: "How did she get into the palace?"

When Li Chenghuan thought of the fake Concubine Yi who was still imprisoned in Yifang Palace, he felt that his palace was as leaky as a sieve.

Wang Dehai said respectfully, "Three years ago, the Emperor granted Miss Shen special permission to enter the palace at any time."

Li Chengqian was silent for a long time before he nodded: "It seems to be the case."

After a while, he said again: "Let them all go back. I will not see them today."

Wang Dehai received the order and walked out of the Purple Palace. He stood in the corridor and looked at Shen Liuzheng and the ministers: "The emperor said that he will not see guests today. Everyone, go back."

There was total silence.

Wang Dehai looked carefully again and saw that they were still kneeling towards the emperor, but their bodies had subtly turned at an angle. Wang Dehai looked in that direction and saw Lin Nanjie who was at a loss.

Lin Nanqi smiled awkwardly at Wang Dehai.

This is not something he can control!

Wang Dehai: "You kid - forget it, I'll report back to the emperor."

Lin Nanjie watched Wang Dehai enter the hall.

Back in the warm room, Wang Dehai tried to correct his words and said carefully: "Your Majesty, the ministers are all... praying for good fortune."

Li Chengqian paused in his movements and said incredulously, "Pray for good fortune?"

Wang Dehai smiled somewhat awkwardly. In his entire life, this was the first time he had seen such a situation.

"Although this is for the sake of auspiciousness, the ministers still sincerely want to see Your Majesty, which can be regarded as a loyal act..."

The corner of Li Chengqian's mouth twitched slightly, and he looked like he was about to drop a rock on his own feet.

He imagined the minister kneeling outside his Purple Palace, praying to a little eunuch, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath.

His face turned slightly dark: "Let Fang Wenjue come in!"

"Also, let Lin Nanjie come in as well. Don't stand in front of the Purple Palace and make yourself conspicuous."

Although he didn't know why the emperor mentioned Lin Nanjie, Wang Dehai still breathed a sigh of relief. If this continued, his old bones would fall apart.

He came out immediately and said, "Summon the Junior Official of the Dali Temple, Fang Wenjue, to the palace!"

The ministers' eyes lit up.

The emperor finally agreed to see them.

Fang Wenjue quickly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Then enter the temple.

The ministers who stayed outside the palace whispered to each other and looked at Lin Nanjie from time to time.

"See? Praying for good fortune really works!"

“I didn’t believe it before, but now I do!”

"Then I must take this opportunity to pray more."

Lin Nan was numb.

Shen Liuzheng hesitated and asked, "Is this a coincidence?"

Song Yunhuai was very calm and said, "Maybe there is a divine will in this world?"

Wang Dehai passed by Lin Nanqi and urged him quietly, "The emperor asked you to serve in the palace, don't stand here."

Lin Nanjie felt as if he had been pardoned, and hurried into the Purple Palace, waiting outside the warm pavilion.

Not long after, Fang Wen came out. His face showed neither the depression after being scolded by the emperor nor the joy of successfully pleading for mercy. Instead, he was very calm. Without saying a word, he walked straight out of the palace.

Bai Zhang quickly got up from the ground: "Father-in-law, wait for me!"

The others looked at each other in bewilderment and said, "Why don't we go back as well?"

The officials left one after another, leaving only Song Yunhuai kneeling there with Shen Liuzheng.

Shen Liuzheng smiled bitterly: "What kind of auspicious omen? It's not accurate at all."

Song Yunhuai looked at her with concern: "You just returned to Beijing. You have been traveling a long way and you haven't had time to rest. Why don't you go back and rest first? I will contact my colleagues and continue writing the letter tomorrow."

Shen Liuzheng shook his head: "No, I want to wait."

"I didn't expect that after three years of not seeing him, he wouldn't want to see me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Dehai walked up to her and said, "Miss Shen, please get up. The emperor wants you to come in."

Shen Liuzheng raised his head in disbelief: "The Emperor is finally willing to see me?"

Wang Dehai nodded: "Miss, you are weak, stop kneeling, and follow me in."

Shen Liuzheng was helped up by Song Yunhuai and followed Wang Dehai into the hall. When passing by Lin Nanjie, she suddenly murmured, "Is this really a good omen?"

Lin Nanjie: […What a huge misunderstanding.]

Shen Liuzheng's heart began to beat fast when he saw the figure in the warm pavilion who had not been seen for three years.

Shen Liuzheng walked up to Li Chenghuan and knelt down slowly: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Li Chengqian looked at Shen Liuzheng with a complicated look: "Get up."

Shen Liuzheng stood up with a smile on her face: "Your Majesty, do you still remember what you said to me three years ago?"

After a moment of silence, Li Chengqian said, "If you are wronged at the border, you can always come back. If I were the emperor, the palace gates would always be open for you."

Shen Liuzheng took a step closer and looked at Li Chengqian with her beautiful eyes: "I didn't expect that the emperor still remembered the promise. I am very grateful. I remember that the emperor often came to the palace and followed my uncle to ride and shoot. He also took good care of me. I remember it in my heart and am always grateful for the emperor's kindness."

Lin Nanjie was outside the warm room. Hearing the conversation inside, he couldn't help but exclaim:

[First, she built a closer relationship, and then she pleaded for the Prince of Beichang. Miss Shen is very smart. ]

Li Chengqian paused, his thoughts drifting outside the warm room.

Shen Liuzheng looked up at Li Chengqian and said, "I grew up in my uncle's house. Even Your Majesty has been protected by your uncle. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian lowered his eyes and said, "I will make the final decision on this matter. You can just go back to your residence and wait."

Shen Liuzheng's heart was beating fast, and she looked sad. "After not seeing each other for three years, we are finally estranged. Is the emperor really unwilling to see his subject?"

Lin Nanjie, who accidentally heard this, was devastated:

【What are you doing? 】

[You have become cruel after becoming the emperor! 】

[Sure enough, the Heavenly Family is the most ruthless! ]

[No wonder you have a cushion butt. ]

[If you don’t seize the opportunity, other stocks will take advantage of you! Wake up! ]

Li Chengzhen's expression darkened. What cold-blooded and heartless, what bottom-pad, Li Chengzhen simply wanted to grab Lin Nanjie and give him a beating!

He suppressed his impulse and said expressionlessly, "Okay, no more words, go back home and rest, I will handle this impartially."

Shen Liuzheng looked at Li Chenghuan in disbelief.

Why does it feel like this sentence is trying to get rid of her?