Chapter 30 People's Thoughts
Zhao Youchen was initially burning with anger, but when he came in and saw their little emperor standing quietly beside the litter of sleeping kittens, his clear black and white eyes fixed on him, he immediately calmed down.
The words he wanted to say swirled in his throat, but he ultimately didn't say them.
He thought that His Majesty was still young, and even if these matters were brought up, the young emperor would not be able to handle them. It would be better to report them to the Grand Tutor first and then discuss them when the Grand Tutor returned.
and……
Zhao Youchen's eyes deepened. Thinking of the recent rumors circulating outside, he couldn't help but silently give way to Xiao Qing once again.
They're all a bunch of opportunistic lackeys. Let them be arrogant for a while, and when the Grand Tutor returns, let's see what they have to say.
He unconsciously touched the hilt of the sword at his waist, thinking to himself: So what if I keep cats? It's just a few cats.
Thinking about it this way, while others either avoid him at all costs or watch from the sidelines, Ying Ying seems to be willing to stay by His Majesty's side to repay his kindness, even if it means consuming "Qingxin"—if he doesn't have ulterior motives, this kind of thinking is commendable.
After that, apart from writing a letter to the Grand Tutor explaining the details of the matter, Zhao Youchen did not make things difficult for Ying Ying in person again.
Yingying then became Xiao Qing's first young attendant.
However, he usually received instruction from Ma Hong and Liu Yi, and aside from that, he took care of the three kittens, so he didn't stay by Xiao Qing's side.
This was an arrangement made by Mei Shu after consulting with Xiao Qing.
Two more days passed, and the Grand Tutor still hadn't replied. Zhao Youchen grew somewhat uneasy, and when he was with Xiao Qing, he would occasionally emanate a cold aura. Of course, this coldness wasn't directed at Xiao Qing.
Every day, Xiao Qing went to the Imperial Study to study the classics and historical records according to the Grand Tutor's instructions. When he got tired, he would go for a walk in the Imperial Garden to stretch his muscles and bones. He was thinking that when the Grand Tutor returned, he would definitely ask him to find him a martial arts teacher. Even if that wasn't possible, shouldn't he at least learn some basic horsemanship and archery? That would be a good way to strengthen his body.
The spring sunshine is lovely today, warmly illuminating the garden. The colorful flowers stretch out their branches and petals towards the sun, creating a delightful sight.
Xiao Qing took a deep breath, thinking that coming to this world wasn't without its advantages. Although being an emperor was definitely a tough, tiring, and dangerous job—the historical records of the Great Xiao Dynasty mentioned that some emperors of previous dynasties actually died from overwork, some were assassinated, and some were powerless and depressed by their ministers, and so on.
In short, this job is not easy; those who don't do it well are sacrificing their lives.
But this world has no industry, no energy pollution, fresh air, a breathtakingly blue sky, and flowers and birds all around. If one weren't an emperor, the quality of life would actually be very high.
Because of Ying Ying's situation, Xiao Qing discovered Mei Shu and the others' strengths. Although she knew that the four of them definitely didn't know she was a woman, she was willing to let them get closer to her now.
She was taking a walk in the garden, accompanied by Zhao Youchen and Mei Shu, along with three others.
The Nanhua Palace has many beautiful gardens, but they are not currently in the large garden in the southwest, but in the small garden behind the Imperial Study.
The Imperial Study was located in the southeast of Nanhua Palace, and was also known as the Southern Study. This area also included the Council Hall and the Observatory.
If you walk further north from the garden where Xiao Qing is now, you'll reach the observatory.
The air quality here is good, and the weather has been nice lately. She suddenly thought that it would be especially wonderful to look at the night view of the moon surrounded by stars from the high observatory at night.
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she headed straight for the observatory.
Nanhua Palace was hardly ever used during Emperor Tianhe's reign. Naturally, this observatory was abandoned for a long time.
Although the Xiao Dynasty has moved south and Nanhua City has become the capital of the Southern Xiao Dynasty, and Nanhua Palace has become the main palace of the Southern Xiao Dynasty, Xiao Qing has neither taken personal power nor has any relatives. He has not been in Nanhua for long, and the Observatory is still relatively remote and desolate.
Two palace servants guarding the gate sat crookedly to one side, playing dice and gesturing loudly as they talked. Clearly, they were not only not being loyal to their duties, but were also gambling in private.
Zhao Youchen's face grew even colder, and he drew his sword, ready to step forward.
Xiao Qing quickly reached out to block him.
For some reason, she sensed that the commander of the Imperial Guard had been very agitated lately, especially in the last two days.
"His Majesty……"
Xiao Qing put a finger to her lips to signal him to be quiet, then walked to a shadowy corner and waved to Zhao Youchen and the others to come over.
Since taking up his post in the court, Zhao Youchen had never done anything so clandestine. Yet now the young emperor was leading the way, and considering the recent unsettling atmosphere in the palace and the young emperor's predicament, he felt truly uneasy.
However, he held back and silently walked towards Xiao Qing's side.
Upon reaching his side, Zhao Youchen suddenly whispered, "Your Majesty, I will certainly protect you."
Xiao Qing was genuinely taken aback.
Where is this?
When Mei Shu walked over, she glanced at Zhao Youchen, then lowered her head and walked to Xiao Qing's side. Dan Ying and the others followed behind, and the five of them almost surrounded Xiao Qing.
Forehead……
Confused, Xiao Qing couldn't think of anything to say for a long time, but listening to gossip seemed more important than figuring out the situation.
One of the palace servants seemed to have lost money. He angrily threw a copper coin on the small table and cursed, "Damn it, we didn't have much money to begin with, and now we have to give you tribute!"
The other laughed and said, "Thank you, thank you. You'll have to endure a few more years, but I'm leaving next month. I've had enough of this godforsaken place."
"Hmph, you're living the good life. I don't even know what's going to happen to you in the future." He was very unhappy. After saying this, he paused, leaned forward, and said, "Do you think that Grand Tutor Fu is really not coming back?"
Xiao Qing's eyes flickered, and she noticed Zhao Youchen's large, well-defined hand pressing heavily on the sword hilt.
Those two people clearly didn't notice Xiao Qing and the others.
Another person said mysteriously, "Your information network is quite impressive. This Grand Tutor Fu is someone they specifically want. Those barbarians are cannibals, how could they let him go? And haven't you noticed that recently, more and more people have been requesting to leave the palace, including people from the Inner Palace Bureau..."
"That's right. This young emperor is only ten years old. I heard that he was in poor health when he was in the north. Now there is an imperial physician in the palace, specifically to help the young emperor recover. He is in poor health and is very young. Without Grand Tutor Fu by his side, I'm afraid..."
Zhao Youchen almost rushed out.
Xiao Qing grabbed his arm without regard for her image, clearly wanting to continue listening.
Zhao Youchen was unwilling to let these damned lackeys spew such nonsense and offend Xiao Qing's ears.
Just as he was getting emotional and Xiao Qing was trying her best to stop him, the other palace servant laughed recklessly, "Haha, it's no use now. What does it mean to be hopeless? Even if Grand Tutor Fu has some great talent..."
"How dare you!" Zhao Youchen was furious and drew his sword, charging out.
Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he shouted, "General Zhao!"
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