Chapter 187 Attending Court
Xiao Yan's matter didn't bother her for long. So, after finishing her dinner in a state where Xiao Yan was becoming increasingly wary while she was becoming increasingly relaxed, she told Xiao Yan to go back and rest.
Ma Hong and Mingxiu were both puzzled, but Ma Hong didn't ask. Mingxiu, however, couldn't hold back and asked, "His Majesty seems to treat Prince Yan differently than before."
Xiao Qing rubbed her stomach; the food today was just what she wanted, and she ate quite a bit.
"By all accounts, he is three years younger than me. When I was ten, I wasn't as sullen and mature as him. Children should act like children. He doesn't have such heavy responsibilities. Now he is cautious and reserved, only because he lacks a sense of security. I think it was petty of me to hold a grudge against him in the past."
Mingxiu seemed to understand, but not quite.
Ma Hong nodded, as if he understood.
When Xiao Qing was about to rest, Ma Hong and Mingxiu were waiting outside. Mingxiu said, "His Majesty seems to have grown up this time."
Ma Hong glanced at her and said, "How could you say such a thing?"
Mingxiu slapped her mouth and quickly shut up.
Unexpectedly, after a while, she heard Ma Hong laugh.
"why are you laughing?"
Ma Hong said, "Although it is an inappropriate statement, it does make some sense."
Mingxiu rolled her eyes at him.
Xiao Qing slept soundly through the night.
The next day, she got up early, and Mingxiu prepared for her in advance.
At such times, it was always Mingxiu who served him, and Ma Hong was not allowed to get close.
Attending court was a mandatory course for every emperor, a responsibility he could not escape throughout his life.
Having been wandering freely for so long, Xiao Qing had to settle down, reflecting on everything she had seen and heard along the way, Fu Mingyi's attitude, and so on...
Ma Hong said, "Your Majesty, it's time for court."
Xiao Qing was already dressed and ready.
She opened her eyes, nodded, and then got up and walked outside.
Zhao Youchen was also outside. When he saw Xiao Qing come out, he bowed respectfully and looked at her with a smile in his eyes.
"May Your Majesty be well."
Xiao Qing smiled and said, "Commander Zhao, please rise. You've had a hard time these past few days."
"It is my honor." Zhao Youchen lowered his head, then stood up and followed the emperor's guards.
Xiao Qing thought he would ask about his uncle, but he didn't ask a single question the whole way.
If you didn't ask, then you didn't ask.
Xiao Qing looked at the court before her and saw Wang Xiang and Fu Mingyi standing at the front. She was momentarily stunned, but quickly lowered her brows.
She had not yet assumed full power, so even in the past three years, her participation in court was minimal. But today, both Wang Xiang and Fu Mingyi remained silent.
Xiao Qing felt that if she didn't speak, the awkward silence would likely continue until the court session ended.
Although she could have made Ma Hong shout to dismiss the court, would she have gotten up so early to come here just to play around?
After the court session, Fu Mingyi will probably want to bring out the late emperor's ruler, right?
Helpless, Xiao Qing spoke up.
"A few days ago, I was unwell and also felt depressed, so I spent my days in quiet contemplation and self-cultivation, and did not see any of you ministers. This was truly my fault."
First, I would like to offer a sincere apology for her lack of effort.
"Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance. Your Majesty's good health is a blessing for all the people. We earnestly hope that Your Majesty will take care of your health. Everything else is trivial," Wang Xiang quickly said.
"You flatter me, Prime Minister. It is the people's blessing if all of you ministers work diligently every day."
She paused, then asked, "Yesterday the Prime Minister requested that I attend court today. Is there something important?"
If you won't tell me, I can at least ask you, right?
She stole a glance at Fu Mingyi. He stood there quietly, his posture upright and his expression serene.
They are quite composed.
Zhao Youchen, with his Imperial Guards standing guard outside the palace, knew from this that Wang Xiang and the others were bound to bring up the matter of Feng County.
As expected, Wang Xiang said, "There is indeed an important matter. However, I have only just heard about it and have not confirmed it. I believe Imperial Censor Liu knows more about the specifics."
Imperial Censor Liu then stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and presented the memorial with both hands, saying, "I have a memorial to present."
Xiao Qing nodded as she looked at Fu Mingyi.
Ma Hong then retrieved the memorial and presented it to Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing glanced through it once, then put it aside without saying a word.
Well, she didn't speak, Wang Xiang didn't speak, and Fu Mingyi didn't speak either.
It was Imperial Censor Liu who couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up: "Your Majesty, Zhao Ziyuan of Feng County is incredibly audacious. Not only has he embezzled state taxes to recruit private soldiers, but he has also... he has even made outrageous claims, saying he is training troops for Your Majesty. I have checked the military records of the Privy Council and the Ministry of War. All the state troops under Zhao Ziyuan's command are stationed in Feng County, with their names recorded, not one more and not one less. Furthermore, the expenditures of the state troops in Feng County are also recorded in detail in the Ministry of Revenue. Based on the number and organization of the troops stationed in Feng County, it is simply impossible for there to be a shortage of military funds, requiring the embezzlement of state taxes."
Xiao Qing thought to herself, "These people are definitely not useless."
Given the circumstances, Imperial Censor Liu was able to immediately determine that staying in Feng County was pointless and turned back to Nanhua. In the following few days, he managed to investigate all the relevant documents from the Privy Council, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Revenue, which was remarkably efficient.
The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue were both under the jurisdiction of Wang Xiang, while the chief envoy of the Privy Council was Lord Sun Jinyi.
Three years ago, Sun Jinyi and Wang Xiang were very close, but in the past three years, the two seem to have grown quite distant.
Xiao Qing glanced at Fu Mingyi and noticed that he didn't even raise an eyebrow, as if he didn't want to speak at all.
Not only did she find it strange, but Wang Xiang also found it strange.
According to his plan, as soon as Fu Mingyi started to defend Zhao Ziyuan, his men could drown him in their spittle, and then let His Majesty see how audacious Fu Mingyi and Zhao Ziyuan had been in cahoots.
In this way, even if Fu Mingyi is the imperial tutor, he will still lose the emperor's trust.
But to his surprise, Fu Mingyi stood there like a Buddha, not saying a word even at this point!
Imperial Censor Liu glanced furtively at Wang Xiang, unsure of what to say next.
Wang Xiang remained silent, deciding to observe the situation further.
After a long silence, Xiao Qing realized that Fu Mingyi wouldn't speak again.
"So, what does Imperial Censor Liu think should be done about this matter?"
Imperial Censor Liu sensed something was amiss.
It seems like there are many missing links in the middle, the rhythm is off, and he can't quite connect the dots.
However, this wasn't his first time serving as an official in the imperial court.
Situations can change in an instant, and he instinctively blurted out, "Zhao Ziyuan is incredibly audacious! He actually used His Majesty's name to deceive the people of the world, which is a crime of deceiving the emperor! This trend must not be allowed to continue, and this person must not be allowed to live! According to the Great Xiao calendar, the crime of deceiving the emperor is punishable by death by a thousand cuts. Not only has Zhao Ziyuan deceived the emperor, but he has also privately raised elite troops, which is an act of rebellion! The crime of rebellion is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!"
Xiao Qing clicked his tongue in amazement.
This Imperial Censor Liu is usually quiet and reserved, but he spoke very frankly this time. He's definitely not a soft-hearted person.
Zhao Youchen's face darkened. "You'll be executed by slow slicing for your grandfather, and your grandmother will be implicated as well!"
Xiao Qing looked at Fu Mingyi.
Goodness, he's really calm. Even after all that, he's still standing there without moving an inch, not intending to say a single word!
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