Chapter 56 Unfathomable
"What instructions?" Xiao Qing began to think that an ordinary person really couldn't be a Grand Tutor.
What exactly did he do the night before he left?
"The Grand Tutor once instructed that if His Majesty does not use this servant, his identity must not be revealed. If his identity is exposed and His Majesty still does not use him, he will have no choice but to sever his own meridians and leave the palace immediately."
Xiao Qing was starting to admire Fu Mingyi.
Previously, if she hadn't failed in her escape attempt, which led Fu Mingyi to imprison Physician He and Mingxiu, she definitely wouldn't have paid attention to Mei Shu, Ma Hong, and the other two.
But since she was determined to get away from Mingxiu, and to send her away from this place of trouble, she couldn't be without anyone by her side. These four people were definitely needed.
Compared to anyone else, she instinctively trusted Fu Mingyi's judgment as a "native" more.
Whether you like someone or not, whether you get along or not, those are secondary. The most important thing is that you feel at ease.
Although Fu Mingyi was thousands of miles away, he still influenced her. How helpless she felt.
"How many of the palace attendants know martial arts?" Xiao Qing suddenly asked.
Ma Hong immediately replied, "Not many. Compared to Yongxiao Palace, the number of martial attendants in Nanhua Palace is about one in ten. When Nanhua Palace was built, the martial attendants underwent special training and were organized like the Imperial Guards, but existed independently of the Imperial Guards and the Inner Palace Attendants Bureau. Although they were far from the capital, they were still a standing force, only their turnover was slow. Later, the late emperor abandoned Nanhua Palace, and the martial attendants' army existed in name only. Even their training was turned into private training, gradually becoming a master-apprentice system, with no one knowing of each other's existence."
Xiao Qing was hearing about this for the first time, and curiously asked Zhao Youchen, "When did General Zhao find out that he was a military officer?"
Zhao Youchen said, "Those who practice martial arts always have something special about them."
He hesitated for a moment, but still didn't say that it was during the time he was monitoring Ying Ying that he coincidentally stumbled upon Ma Hong secretly exchanging punches with Liu Yi in the room while Ying Ying was asleep.
A true expert's skill is immediately apparent upon their first move.
Xiao Qing thought for a while. Ma Hong was steady and meticulous, while Liu Yi had an even lower profile. Since the Grand Tutor trusted her and had specially arranged for her to be by his side, he was naturally a useful person.
As for the Martial Guard he mentioned—since all the emperors of the Great Xiao Dynasty knew about this and participated in its evolution, she, the "little emperor" who now at least holds the title of royalty, naturally wouldn't be completely unaware. If she asked any more questions, wouldn't she give herself away?
So she nodded: "Alright, I understand. You may all stay by my side."
Xiao Qing meant that they should leave the palace immediately without destroying their martial arts skills.
Overjoyed, Ma Hong kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life. This servant will be loyal to Your Majesty and will tell Liu Yi this good news later, then come back to express my gratitude." Then he hurriedly left.
Xiao Qing glanced at Zhao Youchen and felt something was off.
Unable to think of anything at the moment, she put it aside and talked to Zhao Youchen about something else.
"Lord Li Xingwu suffered some grievances in the palace today, which may have brought up painful memories. I would like to reward him, but I do not know if it is appropriate."
Zhao Youchen had already heard about what happened in the palace today. Although he wasn't exactly furious, he wasn't completely oblivious either. So he said, "Your Majesty's intentions are good, but it's probably inappropriate to bestow rewards openly at this time."
Xiao Qing nodded, "Then is it appropriate for me to reward the Prime Minister?" Moreover, when it came to rewards, she unconsciously glanced at Zhao Youchen's belt.
There was nothing there.
Zhao Youchen was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "I suppose that in time, even the Grand Tutor, whose name will be known throughout the land, will not be as capable as Your Majesty in strategizing and planning."
Wait, what the heck is this?
After arranging all the affairs according to her own ideas, Xiao Qing felt exhausted.
"Mingxiu, what time is it?"
Mingxiu hurried in. "Your Majesty, it's already a quarter past noon. Would you like to have lunch?"
"Use it, and when you're done, go back and check on Mei Shu and Ying Ying."
Mingxiu quickly set out the meal, and Xiao Qing ate like a whirlwind, though he still managed to observe the dining etiquette taught by the Grand Tutor.
I'm amazed again: this job is exhausting. Not only is it mentally taxing, but you also have to work with your head on the line, unable to relax even while eating or sleeping. How much would you pay someone to do this?
Could it be that the Grand Tutor was so adamant about refusing her proposal for this reason? Come to think of it, the mastermind behind the scenes is indeed much more at ease than the puppet on stage.
We've gone off on a tangent, let's get back to eating.
After finishing his meal quickly, Xiao Qing prepared to return to Chengde Palace.
The feng shui of Chengde Palace seems to be bad lately; out of the few people there, three have been injured in the last few days.
What made her feel even more guilty was that while her own injury could be attributed to her own actions, the injuries of the other two were purely due to her involvement!
With this in mind, Xiao Qing was eager to visit and comfort the wounded.
She lay down on the imperial carriage with her crutches, and unconsciously touched the carvings on the canes as they rose and fell rhythmically. Since she was bored anyway, she picked them up and examined them closely.
She slowly turned the cane, examining each stroke carefully, genuinely admiring the art and skill of the cane maker.
Generally speaking, carving and painting are inseparable. This person's landscape carving is bold and vigorous, with lines of varying thickness and depth, conveying a sense of desolation and remoteness.
Let's look at the pavilion scene at the other bend in the road. Two people are drinking together in the octagonal pavilion, while another carries a bundle on his shoulder, clearly on a long journey. A small carriage is parked not far from the pavilion; the horses are grazing with their heads down, the reins are loose, and the carriage door is ajar, revealing what appears to be inside…
A very quick thought flashed through Xiao Qing's mind.
She subconsciously examined the bird closely, turning it at a different angle, and suddenly her expression changed.
Mountains and rivers, pavilions and terraces, sending off into the distance...
She picked up another pair of crutches engraved with landscape paintings, and it took her a long time to grasp the fleeting thought that had crossed her mind amidst the turbulent waves and the interconnected mountains and rivers.
In the afternoon, the imperial gifts were delivered to the Prime Minister's residence, and Ma Hong also conveyed the young emperor's heartfelt greetings.
Wang Xiang kowtowed to express his gratitude, feeling both pleased and slightly dizzy.
Compared to the late emperor's reign, which began at the age of six and lasted until the age of sixty, this emperor is quite unconventional and unlike his father.
Wang Xiang was deep in thought in his study when Mr. Sun, who was beside him, stroked his small mustache and smiled.
"Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir!"
Wang Xiang asked in surprise, "What's there to be happy about?"
"The first joy is that the left arm is gone but the right arm remains; the second joy is that the upper arm is still young but the humerus is still there."
These two points were what Wang Xiang was thinking about. However, he still had doubts.
"The current emperor is different from the late emperor, and has experienced many hardships. I'm afraid he is not able to listen to people's opinions..." Wang Xiang said halfway and then stopped.
Mr. Sun smiled and said, "That's because you didn't initially intend to do so. Now the time is just right, and you're in the prime of your life. If you had no such intention, why hesitate today?"
Wang Xiang's eyes deepened, then he burst into laughter, "Then, Mr. Sun, what do you think should be done about the Grand Tutor's matter?"
"Under a clear blue sky and bright sunshine, one must be upright and honest to demonstrate the magnanimity and benevolence of a true leader."
Just as Wang Xiang was about to speak, someone outside announced, "Lord Sun has arrived."
He gradually suppressed his smile, gave a soft hum, and asked, "Do you have a visiting card?"
"this……"
Mr. Sun said, "The court still needs your intervention, sir. Even if our plans differ, sir..."
Wang Xiang nodded, "What you say is absolutely right, sir." Then he announced to the outside, "Tea will be served in the reception room."
He got up and straightened his clothes shortly afterward.
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