Chapter 18 The Bowl Must Be Held Properly
Three days had passed since the assassination attempt. The Grand Tutor had recovered and was able to visit Nanhua Palace every day. However, Xiao Qing felt only bitterness in her heart, and her mind was filled with only one thought—she had been tricked by Fu Mingyi.
Therefore, the reason why communication between people is so difficult is mostly due to self-righteousness and taking things for granted.
The Imperial Study was still the same Imperial Study, but the carefree days that Xiao Qing had originally envisioned were long gone.
Not only have all the storybooks in the side hall's bookshelf disappeared, but ever since the Grand Tutor demanded her "trust" and expressed his willingness to entrust it to her, he has actually started to take on the role of a life mentor, and has really begun to seriously teach her the way of being a ruler!
Xiao Qing simply couldn't believe her own intelligence and eyesight.
Faced with this completely unexpected result, Xiao Qing couldn't believe that she had made a mistake in her previous judgment. She could only guess that the Grand Tutor might have become confused due to his illness. Although he was now cured, some of his brain functions were damaged—simply put, he had amnesia.
So she cautiously probed, "Grand Tutor, have you forgotten something?"
The Grand Tutor looked at her with a mixture of frankness and doubt.
She knew it; she must have forgotten, right?
Xiao Qing kindly reminded him.
"Grand Tutor, these are just for show, aren't they?" She pointed to the various books on the Great Xiao Dynasty history, the way of the ruler and his subjects, and so on, stacked on her desk, which were taller than her, and lowered her voice.
The Grand Tutor looked at her in surprise, “Although Your Majesty does not need to become a great Confucian scholar, you still need to be serious and rigorous in studying history and classics.”
Xiao Qing wanted to vomit blood all over his face.
She walked around to him, getting even closer. "Grand Tutor, we've already agreed to trust each other, so let's not do this, shall we?"
Although she said this, Xiao Qing already had a very bad feeling.
Perhaps she misunderstood something before.
Sure enough, the Grand Tutor seemed to have noticed the problem as well.
He noticed that Xiao Qing's expression wasn't good, and recalling the events of that night, he felt...
"Your Majesty, true trust means that Your Majesty and I will work together to protect our Great Xiao."
Seeing that Xiao Qing's expression seemed to disagree, he added, "Your Majesty is wise. If you could devote half of your attention to state affairs, and with the ministers working in harmony and of one mind, even if the restoration of the Great Xiao were not successful, simply maintaining the peace and stability of the South would be a great achievement."
From what he said, it means that although he agreed that she could run away safely once the real person returned, she couldn't just be a freeloader for now; she still had to make some contributions.
Xiao Qing rolled her eyes inwardly. "Grand Tutor, what use would I have for merit?"
It's worthless; I'd rather exchange it for some silver, which I might need later when I'm on my way out of trouble.
Fu Mingyi remained silent for a while, realizing that given Xiao Qing's stubbornness, the previous subtle communication seemed to have had little effect.
"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words."
However, he had hesitated and deliberated for so long about Xiao Qing's position, but he had made his decision on the day the assassination attempt took place.
Now that he has made a decision and an agreement with Xiao Qing, he will not change his mind, regardless of whether Xiao Qing truly didn't understand or was pretending not to understand back then or now.
He carefully recalled every detail and discovered a problem that he had previously overlooked but was actually quite obvious—Xiao Qing seemed to have very little sense of responsibility for the rise and fall of this dynasty.
She was like a detached observer, watching quietly without wanting to get involved in anything.
So she always wanted to leave, always wanted to escape.
That's probably why she says things like "What's the use of doing good deeds?" now.
"That day, Your Majesty asked who the assassin was. At the time, I was unable to answer. Your Majesty was not curious and has not pursued the matter further, leaving it entirely to me. Now, I have found a clue. Would Your Majesty like to hear it?"
Xiao Qing was taken aback. Was this a change of topic?
She hesitated for a moment. The more she knew, the less likely she was to escape the trap.
Sometimes, the best way to ensure safety has already been widely publicized by Mr. Zheng back then.
It's good to be confused sometimes.
"I……"
"The silver arrow that flew out that day was exquisitely crafted. The feathers at the end of the arrow were made from the tail feathers of a snowbird. When it is on a live snowbird, it is as white as snow. Once it is plucked, it gradually turns silver-gray and becomes hard."
"To make such a small arrow, you need to capture a snowbird alive, insert the arrow shaft into the snowbird's beak all the way to its tail, so that the snowbird's tail feathers can just cover the arrow tail. Then, you need to tie the tail feathers with silk thread soaked in a special potion, adjust the angle, and finally wait for the snowbird to die from the pain. The tail feathers will gradually change color and harden, becoming one with the arrow shaft, as if they were originally growing on the arrow tail."
Fu Mingyi spoke these words in a calm and unhurried manner, without showing any emotion, but Xiao Ting felt a chill as she listened.
"Snowbirds are hard to find, and this arrow-making method is not always successful. According to the records of the Xiao Dynasty, this arrow-making method only succeeds once in ten attempts. Snowbirds became extinct during the Anping era, and not a single snowbird can be found in the far northern snow mountains anymore. As far as I know, the only family in the world that possesses this arrow must be the Great Xiao royal family."
Xiao Qing was a little confused.
"What does the Grand Tutor mean...?" Could it be that the young emperor himself sent the assassin?
But even if it was that young emperor's men, what was the meaning behind using such clearly marked arrows?
Besides, if he has so much free time, he might as well just appear in front of Fu Mingyi. Fu Mingyi would definitely invite him back to the palace to be officially recognized and given his rightful place without saying a word. As for her... wouldn't that be a good time to leave?
"It could be anyone," the Grand Tutor said calmly. "But if Your Majesty doesn't put in some effort, I'm truly worried that if something similar happens again, and I fail to take adequate care of you, how will Your Majesty protect yourself?"
Xiao Qing's face darkened.
There will be a next time?
Surely those people wouldn't come to Nanhua Palace?
"Besides Mingxiu and General Zhao Youchen, are there any other close associates around His Majesty?"
Xiao Qing looked at him strangely. Was Zhao Youchen someone she considered close to?
"Does Your Majesty know how many people currently desire this position?"
How could she know such a thing? But she did know that the Grand Tutor did not want it.
"Does Your Majesty know that our Great Xiao has lost most of its territory this time, and that when we negotiated with the Northern Barbarians to exchange hostages, we were humiliated by them and they want to see the 'sincerity' of our Xiao?"
...
"Does Your Majesty know..."
Fu Mingyi clearly intended to continue talking, but Xiao Qing couldn't listen anymore.
"Grand Tutor," she conceded. "I will learn."
When you're working, you work hard for whoever pays your salary; that principle applies everywhere.
Since the Grand Tutor was so adamant, she didn't aspire to be an outstanding employee, but at least she wanted to earn her living properly.
The Grand Tutor did not seem entirely satisfied.
"Your Majesty, it is not enough to just learn; you must also apply what you learn. From today onward, Your Majesty must not only learn to read the ministers' memorials, but also to annotate them. In addition, I will try my best to tell Your Majesty about the rules and matters inside and outside the palace, and I humbly request Your Majesty to give it your attention."
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