November 23, 1934
Minister of Rites An Zishang and his wife both committed suicide at home. His Majesty was deeply saddened and wrote a couplet for them personally. He ordered a grand funeral for An Zishang and his wife.
On the same day, His Majesty issued an order to promote Chen Qingxuan, the Minister of Rites, to the position of Minister of Rites. Chen Qingxuan thus became the youngest first-rank minister in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
…
Imperial study.
When Chen Qingxuan came in, he just happened to catch Kong Wenmin going out. Kong Wenmin was leaving for Ningguta tomorrow. This was to say goodbye to Zhong Mingwei, and Chen Qingxuan knew it. At this time, seeing Kong Wenmin walking towards him with a smile on his face, he couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable. After Kong Wenmin left, he was afraid that they would not meet again until February next year.
"Why? Are you here to thank His Majesty?" Kong Wenmin asked casually as he walked in front of Chen Qingxuan with a smile.
"Well, I just received the imperial edict, so I came to the palace to express my gratitude." Chen Qingxuan said.
He always kept a distance from Kong Wenmin in the palace. He had something on his mind. Naturally, he was afraid that someone would find out something wrong with him. So when they met in the palace, he and Kong Wenmin would just nod. Kong Wenmin and he had a tacit understanding, and never bothered him too much in the palace. If there was something, they would look for him after leaving the palace. The two of them had always maintained this tacit understanding, except this time. However, Chen Qingxuan obviously didn't care about anything else. He stood in front of Kong Wenmin and was reluctant to move his feet for a long time. In fact, there was nothing to say, and in front of the guards outside the palace, he really couldn't say anything.
"When are you leaving tomorrow?" Chen Qingxuan asked, looking at Kong Wenmin's hand on the handle of the knife, watching him rubbing the handle with his thumb. He knew that this was Kong Wenmin's habit. When he was in a good mood or a bad mood, he liked to rub the handle like this. But Chen Qingxuan couldn't guess what Kong Wenmin's mood was at this moment, but in his heart he was hoping that Kong Wenmin was in the same mood. But when he looked up and saw Kong Wenmin smiling from ear to ear with two rows of white teeth exposed, Chen Qingxuan felt so angry that his teeth itched and he wished he could break off those white teeth one by one.
"Yes, we'll leave before dawn tomorrow," Kong Wenmin seemed not to notice Chen Qingxuan's abnormality at all, and said with a smile, "I really didn't expect that thanks to Wen Jie, I can go back to Ningguta to celebrate the New Year this year. Hehe, I'm quite happy when I think about it."
"Hmph, hurry up and go! Go back and celebrate the New Year with your beloved brother!" Chen Qingxuan didn't want to even look at him anymore. He angrily brushed Kong Wenmin's shoulder and went into the imperial study.
"Why is this kid angry again?" Kong Wenmin looked at Chen Qingxuan's back with a look of surprise on his face. He scratched his head and walked out. "I haven't had time to tell him to wear a thick cloak and travel early tomorrow morning." Kong Wenmin walked outside the hall, squinted at the haze in the sky, and sighed, "It looks like it's going to snow."
…
In the imperial study.
"Your humble servant greets His Majesty, and wishes His Majesty the best of health!" Chen Qingxuan entered the imperial study, walked to the dragon table, knelt on both knees, and said respectfully, "Your humble servant thanks His Majesty for your grace. From now on, I will do my best to serve His Majesty and lead the Ministry of Rites..."
"Okay, there's no need to say these words. I'm tired of hearing them. Just wait and see what you do from now on." Zhong Mingwei took a sip of tea and interrupted Chen Qingxuan.
"Yes, I will definitely not let Your Majesty down," Chen Qingxuan said hurriedly, while kowtowing to Zhong Mingwei, he got up from the ground, and seeing that Zhong Mingwei had finished the tea in his cup, he stepped forward to pour another cup for Zhong Mingwei, while bowing, "Your Majesty has such trust in me, I am very grateful in my heart."
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