Chapter 34 Get Ready
Zhao Youchen has already sent more than a dozen letters to Fu Mingyi.
He could guarantee that their correspondence would not be intercepted and deciphered by anyone other than Fu Mingyi, but Fu Mingyi had not replied to a single letter so far, which made him feel increasingly heavy-hearted.
Despite his confidence, Zhao Youchen knew that Fu Mingyi was only human, not a god, and he had only one very bad thought in his mind—Fu Mingyi was in danger.
Perhaps, it is still a very serious danger.
After personally delivering the letter, Zhao Youchen walked towards the South Study with a sullen face.
The imperial court is often the most sensitive to politics. The situation inside the palace is actually a reflection of the situation in the imperial court.
Zhao Youchen thought that at this time, he needed to manage the Imperial Guards well and protect the safety of the young emperor.
Speaking of which, His Majesty has been in a bad mood lately because of those two damned palace servants.
He sighed inwardly, and when he returned to the door of the South Study, he looked through the window and found that the young emperor was asleep on the table.
He couldn't help but smile.
His Majesty is still young, and he hasn't been eating or sleeping well lately. Even though he's studying diligently, he still gets sleepy.
Alright, let His Majesty sleep for a while. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that His Majesty was more sleepy in the Southern Study than in Chengde Palace.
The Grand Tutor must have left the young emperor with countless lessons before he left; the young emperor is so diligent.
He then thought, since He Shu is in the palace anyway, spending his days bringing him food and drink without doing any work, it's a waste to keep an idle person around. It just so happens that His Majesty hasn't had a good appetite or been sleeping well lately, so he'll summon Physician He to come and take a look today.
By the way, let Mingxiu come too.
He wasn't saying this, but compared to Mingxiu, Mei Shu and the others, though experienced and shrewd, were probably too dull and uninteresting for the young emperor.
On the other hand, Mingxiu, who has only been in the palace for a short time, is still at an innocent and romantic age, which should make the young emperor feel better.
Well, everyone talks about childhood sweethearts. His Majesty doesn't have many close friends. If feelings develop between them, won't the Grand Tutor have a headache later?
Let the headache be a headache. Mingxiu is a good girl. If she could be close to His Majesty, it would be a great comfort to the young emperor.
It has to be said that Zhao Youchen was thinking too far ahead. If Xiao Qing, Mingxiu, and Fu Mingyi knew that he had these concerns, they would probably roll their eyes.
Zhao Youchen stood outside the South Study, his thoughts returning to the Imperial Guards.
Li Dingwu was an honest man. He was chosen as his deputy because of his honesty, loyalty, and lack of cunning. However, Li Dingwu's biggest flaw was his inflexibility.
With the Grand Tutor absent, the palace servants are lax, and the Inner Palace Attendants Bureau seems to be doing little to manage affairs. This situation is extremely dangerous.
He couldn't do anything to the Palace Attendants Bureau, but he could mobilize the Imperial Guards. He had to carefully check everything again, from the daily palace patrols and shift changes to the number of people guarding His Majesty and the arrangements for his entourage. He had to increase manpower and strengthen defenses, making sure nothing went wrong at this time.
The only thing His Majesty can rely on right now is the Imperial Guard.
Zhao Youchen has already begun to prepare for the worst.
In the study, Xiao Qing finally wiped the corner of his mouth, making sure he wasn't drooling because of his crooked sleeping posture, before sitting up with a slightly satisfied expression and rubbing his temple.
No wonder the ancients said that there are houses of gold and beauties in books. Even the ugliest books, as long as there are many of them—like the ones in this southern study before her—even if they can't bring her houses of gold and beauties, at least they can give her a little sleep.
She preferred a place like the South Study to the Chengde Palace, which was as empty as a deserted island.
If not, I'll just sleep in the small room behind the South Study tonight.
Even if the emperor was late in reviewing memorials, he wouldn't necessarily have to return to his own palace every time, would he?
Although... she glanced at her desk, where most of the memorials were from half a month ago, unimportant and not the kind that needed immediate approval.
She rested her chin on her hand, casually picked up one and flipped through it, thinking to herself, "Wang Xiang is quite capable. It seems that as a prime minister in charge of the six ministries, he can handle national affairs perfectly well."
Judging by the days, it seems like I'll have to attend court again tomorrow?
This memorial was submitted by a courtier after the Southern Xiao dynasty changed its reign title and established new regulations, praising the emperor's achievements. She turned to a page and recalled how she had once complimented the writer's writing, but Fu Mingyi had offered a different opinion. His implication was that such memorials were best skimmed; anyone capable of writing such ornate yet empty words was either a bookish pedant or a sycophantic courtier—showy but ineffective, unfit for any real responsibility.
Fu Mingyi, Fu Mingyi, half a month has passed, and there's still no news of you. Zhao Youchen's face was ashen, almost as dark as the bottom of a pot. I didn't dare ask him any more questions, afraid of putting even more pressure on him.
So you see, there are still people here who think of you and care about you. Even if there's danger, you're not a coward. Putting everything else aside, you can at least save your life, right?
Surely all those tricks you used to scare me in the Hall of Diligent Governance weren't just for show?
Xiao Qing's thoughts drifted for a while, and then she suddenly remembered the memorial that Fu Mingyi had left behind before he left, which specified the situation of five people and suggested official positions.
At the time, she was focused on leaving and didn't take it too seriously. Later, although her escape failed and she had to return, she had never heard of this matter, so she only glanced at the memorial once and put it down. Now she doesn't even remember what was written in it.
She got up to find the memorial, thinking that since she would be attending court tomorrow, she should inquire about the progress of this matter there.
Shouldn't vacancies for military officers be filled quickly? It's strange that we haven't heard anything about it for so long.
Xiao Qing finally found the memorial and was about to take a closer look when Zhao Youchen's voice came from outside.
"Your Majesty, the chief minister Wang Chenxiang, the Privy Councilor Sun, and the Minister of War Yu request an audience."
Xiao Qing glanced at the memorial and thought to himself, "Speak of the devil and he appears."
Could it be that these three people have gotten together because of a vacant military officer position?
Since everyone is already outside, it's not appropriate to keep them waiting.
Xiao Qing recalled how she had refused to see Wang Xiang when he requested a private audience, and then turned around and took Wang Xiang's memorial to Fu Mingyi.
So times change. Although she couldn't explain why, she followed her instincts, quickly put away the memorial left by Fu Mingyi, and then invited someone in.
Hmm, it can't be that she's become timid since Fu Mingyi isn't around.
The thought flashed through her mind, and then all her attention was focused on the three people who walked in one after another.
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