Chapter 220 Witnessing
Xiao Qing returned to Chengde Palace with a sullen face. The people she had seen and the words she had heard on Feihong Bridge kept replaying in her mind.
She suddenly realized a problem she had been ignoring all along.
Or perhaps it's because she's been so well protected that she seems to have never faced the issues head-on.
Fu Mingyi is right. No wonder he agreed to her choosing Chu Lianzhou so easily in the end.
She felt somewhat frustrated.
The peace and tranquility she thought she had every day was like a beautiful candy wrapper, while what Xiao Yan took her to see and hear today was the candy that had been unwrapped and was not delicious at all.
She heard that people outside praised her for her benevolence and kindness, but now she felt that these were all mocking her weakness and lack of authority.
Look at this Nanhua Palace, everyone can talk and laugh about her without any restraint, which shows how disorganized things have become.
What is the Imperial Household Department doing now?
For a moment, she felt that apart from Fu Mingyi, Zhao Youchen, Ma Hong, and Mingxiu, there was no one else she could trust.
Even in front of these people, did she fulfill her responsibilities as an emperor?
She felt both ashamed and furious that Nanhua Palace had become like this right under her nose.
She turned and walked out again.
"Your Majesty, where would you like to go?"
Why isn't General Zhao in the palace today?
"Your Majesty has forgotten that General Zhao just went to inspect the Nanhua camp. It seems the sun should be returning soon."
Xiao Qing thought for a moment and said, "General Zhao has been strictly managing the Imperial Guards in recent years, and he has indeed done his best."
Seeing Lan Xiaoqing's expression, Ma Hong said, "General Zhao is, after all, a veteran of the battlefield. I've heard that even the scions of noble families in the Imperial Guard greatly admire General Zhao, and they dare not disobey any military orders."
Xiao Qing turned around. "What kind of person is General Zhao usually?"
Ma Hong laughed, "General Zhao is His Majesty's most trusted person. Why is His Majesty asking about General Zhao's character from a servant like me?"
Xiao Qing's face hardened. "I'm asking what he's like when he's not in my presence?"
Ma Hong's expression changed slightly, and he was thinking about several things.
“Your Majesty, whether in Your Majesty’s presence or not, General Zhao is truly a loyal and dutiful commander of the Imperial Guards.”
He paused for a moment, then said, "However, if Your Majesty is curious about what General Zhao looks like on duty, this servant has a way."
"What method?"
"According to Commander Zhao's habit, when he's not by His Majesty's side, he usually inspects the guards throughout the palace. Commander Zhao has always been concerned about His Majesty's safety, and since he went to the main camp today, he'll definitely do this first thing upon his return. If His Majesty wishes to see it..."
Xiao Qing was still somewhat downcast, and unconsciously nodded.
Ma Hong understood and left.
When Zhao Youchen returned, he indeed first inspected the defenses of various parts of the palace.
When he wasn't by Xiao Qing's side, he often did this, and most of the time he would check things alone without giving prior notice.
The imperial guards on duty in the palace all knew about the Grand Commander's habits, so they were very careful on weekdays, for fear that if they were to be lazy and the Grand Commander Zhao saw them, the punishment would be unforgettable.
However, there are always some people who take chances and let their guard down for a moment.
Because Zhao Youchen has paid great attention to the palace's defenses in recent years, he is very familiar with all parts of the palace and even knows some remote corners.
He had just returned from the main camp today when he suddenly thought of these remote and secluded corners.
Especially the area west of Taihua Palace, which was originally a large imperial garden in Nanhua Palace, with pavilions, winding streams, and beautiful scenery in all four seasons, was the main place for the emperor's leisure and entertainment.
However, now that the Nanhua Palace has become the main palace of the Great Xiao Dynasty due to the relocation of the Northern Capital to the south, the Imperial Garden near the west gate of the Nanhua Palace has undergone several renovations. It is no longer used specifically for leisure, but instead complements the Southern Study and Council Hall in the southeast of the Nanhua Palace, adding places such as a horse racing track and an archery range for the emperor and Prince Xiao Yan to practice martial arts.
This place is separated from the residence of the imperial concubines in the northwest by a high wall. There is a gate in the wall, which was originally intended to facilitate the emperor's passage directly from the Imperial Garden. However, because their young emperor is still young, the gate was sealed off three years ago, and only a few people are sent to guard it on weekdays.
Zhao Youchen wanted to check out the defenses around this gate today.
These places are usually unknown, but in critical moments, they could be the "ant hole" in a thousand-mile dike, and we must be wary of them.
Soon, His Majesty will no longer be the only one in the palace. He is growing up, and it is estimated that he will be preparing for his wedding around the New Year.
At that time, people will be able to live in the area west of Yunguang Lake in the palace.
So this door might come in handy.
As Zhao Youchen walked in that direction, a strange and inexplicable feeling welled up inside him.
His Majesty is about to get married.
Your Majesty has grown up.
His Majesty is gentle and kind-hearted; I wonder what kind of concubine he will marry.
I heard that Wang Xiang sent his daughter, Wang Yuge, to the palace.
He had heard of that woman; not only was she older than His Majesty, but she was also extremely arrogant and domineering.
A few days ago, I heard that a young lady was sitting in her carriage when, before she could tell the driver to give way to her carriage, she had her servants whip the horse in the street.
It's true... how could such a woman be worthy of such a wonderful His Majesty?
Hmm, I also heard that Fu Mingyi sent his sister to the palace.
His sister, on the other hand, has a good reputation for being gentle and virtuous.
But people... are just too dull and boring.
Your Majesty is still a child, and at the end of the day, he is still at an age where he is very playful. If he spends a long time with a woman like this, will he become like Fu Mingyi, who is deep and unlikable?
That would be too disrespectful to His Majesty.
There's another one named Chu Lianzhou, who's said to be His Majesty's favorite.
My favorite...
"Have you heard? That Miss Chu, I heard she's been cursed since childhood. Not only did she bring death to her own mother, but three more people in the Chu family died in succession afterward..."
Upon hearing the sound, Zhao Youchen's ears twitched, and his expression darkened.
"What you're saying is all ancient history. Now that His Majesty values her, I think she's definitely going to enter the palace."
“I think you’re wrong. The Chu family is almost extinct, and its power is far less than before. How can they compare to the rising power of the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor? When His Majesty is choosing a consort for his wedding, he will only choose from the daughters of the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor. How could he possibly choose a useless young lady from the Chu family?”
"Besides, that Miss Chu looks cold and unapproachable. It might be alright for Your Majesty to hold her while sleeping in the summer, but in the winter... um..."
The two looked at each other and started laughing strangely.
Zhao Youchen's face turned ashen. He strode over, barely touching the ground, and kicked out. The two men cried out in pain, then crashed into the wall one after the other, before falling heavily to the ground with a loud thud. Two bloody marks were even left on the wall.
Seeing this scene from not far away, Xiao Qing's shoulders trembled involuntarily.
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