Chapter 49 Hearsay
For other officials, whether or not they are granted an audience depends on the emperor's word.
However, Xiao Chongle had one identity: a member of the imperial clan.
Emperor Xiao's tolerance and kindness towards his relatives were almost extreme, and the late Emperor Tianhe once valued this relative highly.
Going back twenty years, Xiao Chongle grew up in the palace. Emperor Tianhe personally taught him—although it was only for a short time, it was enough to demonstrate the great favor the emperor bestowed upon him.
However, Xiao Qing is unaware of these things at the moment.
Everyone assumed that the young emperor would grant her an audience, but to their surprise, she first asked what important matter she had to discuss.
Wang Xiang narrowed his eyes, keenly aware of a possible change.
Even Sun Jinyi glanced at Xiao Chongle more than once.
Xiao Qing felt that she probably had the temperament of a conversation killer.
Helpless, he said, "Granted."
She rubbed her stomach and decided to eat an extra bowl of rice later.
She's still growing. Even if she can't exercise, she still needs to eat more.
Xiao Chongle stepped forward and kowtowed to the Emperor.
Xiao listened to these words, which were not much different from what he had heard at the morning court, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Usually at this point, she only needs to offer a few words of encouragement and praise, and then nothing else happens.
However, Xiao Chongle's focus was not on expressing gratitude.
Within two minutes, the style of the scene changed.
He looked in Xiao Qing's direction with a slightly agitated expression: "Grand Tutor Fu has the world in his heart. He risked his life to go straight to the Northern Capital and reason with those barbarians. As for me, although I am a member of the royal family, I can only live a life of ignominy in a corner, looking north to the Xiao River with nothing to do. I am truly heartbroken and filled with fear and unease."
This shows that he has the world in his heart and is determined to serve his country. Xiao Qing silently rehearsed the words in his mind.
"Especially now, I have heard that the barbarians are shameless. The Grand Tutor has been imprisoned in the Northern Capital, Ping An. Moreover, the barbarians are untrustworthy. They originally promised to release some of the Xiao clan members and subjects, but now they have not mentioned it at all. This is simply outrageous!"
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and Xiao Qing, who had been listening attentively, was taken aback.
What did he say? The Grand Tutor was imprisoned?
When did this happen? And how would he know?
"Nothing could be more shameful for the nation! I implore Your Majesty to allow me to lead troops across the Xiao River. Even if it costs me my life and my blood, I will do it willingly, just to slay those barbarian traitors on the battlefield..."
He spoke loudly, and Xiao Qing subconsciously looked up to see what was going on around him.
Outside the gauze curtain, apart from Wang Xiang, Sun Jinyi, and Yu Zaiting who remained relatively calm, almost everyone else was either exchanging glances or whispering among themselves.
Among them were court officials watching the competition, as well as the competitors themselves. Some seemed surprised, while others seemed to have an expression that said, "I knew it all along."
Xiao couldn't hear what they were saying, but seeing their mouths opening and closing, it felt as if many voices were suddenly converging in one place, about to explode in his head.
"Where did you hear this from?" Xiao Qing finally couldn't help but ask.
Although she asked calmly, Mingxiu, who was closest to her, could discern a hint of uncertain sharpness in her suppressed voice.
Mingxiu glanced at Xiao Qing secretly, her heart involuntarily leaping into her throat.
The Grand Tutor is His Majesty's only support. If something were to happen to the Grand Tutor, how would His Majesty face the heavy storms ahead alone?
Xiao Chongle said, "There's no need to hear about this. Every day, people fleeing from the north come to the city walls along the Xiao River in Jiangzhou. The barbarians break the treaty and are not allowed to enter the city. They have witnessed these things firsthand, and now the whole of Dingzhou probably knows about them."
"General Zhao." Xiao Qing felt like her brain might be a little oxygen-deprived. But luckily, neither of her legs hurt as much as her head.
Zhao Youchen approached.
Xiao Qing looked at him without saying a word.
Zhao Youchen knew very well what Xiao Qing wanted to know.
He secretly wished he could drag Xiao Chongle out and chop him a hundred and eighty times with a knife!
"Your Majesty," Zhao Youchen tried his best to reassure Xiao Qing with his eyes, but inwardly he cursed.
That damned Xiao Chongle! He originally planned to keep it from His Majesty and report it only when there was good news, but he messed it all up!
Looking at Xiao Qing's calm expression, Zhao Youchen felt as if he were walking through a stormy night.
Cold, panicked.
The Grand Tutor must not be allowed to get into trouble.
How could something have happened to the Grand Tutor?
"Your Majesty, the information I have received is that the Grand Tutor has disappeared, not that he has been imprisoned. There is no definite news yet; these are all rumors spread by refugees and have not been confirmed."
Xiao Chongle looked in Zhao Youchen's direction with a puzzled expression, about to say something, but he was interrupted by Xiao Qing's voice as soon as he opened his mouth.
Xiao Qing looked at Wang Xiang and the others.
"Prime Minister, are you aware of these things?"
Wang Xiang glanced at Xiao Chongle and said, “I have heard these things as well, but I think General Zhao is right. They are just hearsay from the refugees. The Grand Tutor is a man of good fortune. Since the barbarians have openly invited the Grand Tutor to the Northern Capital, they would not do such a thing. Otherwise, how could they gain the trust of the world?”
Sun Jinyi replied, "That's hard to say. Barbarians are known for their cruelty and lack of trustworthiness; they have no intention of gaining the trust of the world."
Xiao Qing then looked at Zhao Youchen.
Although Zhao Youchen remained silent, his posture while kneeling on one knee was upright, like a steadfast mountain in the dark, cold, rainy night.
His eyes were fixed firmly on her, as if to say: It's alright, the Grand Tutor will be fine. Those were all unfounded rumors.
Xiao Qing's mind gradually cleared.
Wang Xiang did not argue with Sun Jinyi, but said, "Your Majesty, however, the Earl of Dinghai is indeed loyal and his sincerity is commendable."
"Your Majesty, I did not do this for the reward. I..."
Looking at the many people on the South Training Ground, Xiao Qing's initial goodwill towards Xiao Chongle had almost completely vanished.
How can uncertain information be spoken so loudly in such a setting?
This is no joke. Even if the Grand Tutor treats her badly, his presence or absence makes no difference, okay?
Don't tell her that all the royal family members of the Great Xiao Dynasty are so loud and unreliable.
"The Prime Minister is right. The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen. The Marquis of Dinghai is a man of great patriotism and loyalty. He will surely gain something from his trip to Jiangzhou. It is truly a blessing for our Great Xiao to have such a patriotic man as the Marquis of Dinghai!"
Xiao Qing just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.
"However, regarding..."
Xiao Qing was speaking when someone jumped off his horse and galloped frantically across the South Training Ground.
"Report—Your Majesty—something terrible has happened!" The man staggered and fell to the ground, then scrambled to his feet, dropping a roll of something he was holding. He rushed to pick it up, his hands trembling.
Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat.
"How dare you! What's the matter? How dare you shout like this in front of His Majesty!" Zhao Youchen walked over, sword in hand.
The man ran over and collapsed to the ground. In a short while, tears and snot streamed down his face, and he began to wail.
"Grand Tutor, Grand Tutor, something terrible has happened!"
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