Chapter 18 Confused Zhu Kui
Xu Zhenguan looked at Zhao Duan quietly.
At this moment, the empress who ascended the throne as a woman had a calm expression on her face, but she was actually quite surprised in her heart.
The memorial Zhao Duan handed her was beyond her expectations.
As an empress, although she had no time to pay attention to Zhao Duan, she already knew the performance of this "masked lover" she had chosen through the narration of the female official Mo Chou the day before yesterday.
Not surprising.
It was perfectly normal for a small imperial guard to be surrounded by beauties and become elated once he gained power. She had seen many people like him.
Including the memorial submitted later by the White Horse Supervisor, it only mentioned that Zhao Duan had good intentions.
But there is no mention of his talents.
This was in stark contrast to Zhao Duan's stunning performance when he was grinding ink for her the day before yesterday, as well as his current methods.
A person in charge of the Ministry of Personnel reported himself that his bribery was secretly instigated by the prime minister of the time... The empress did not quite believe it.
She respects Li Yanfu's intelligence.
Is it a false accusation? An attempt to accuse someone? But what is the purpose?
And, most importantly, how did Zhao Duan force Feng Ju to do such an extraordinary thing?
Xu Zhenguan thought for a moment. As smart as she was, she quickly understood Zhao Duan's actions and vaguely guessed Zhao Duan's true purpose.
Give her a good knife to show her own value and seek her own favor.
But is this kind of insight and means really something that this rumored unlearned guy can possess?
Or is there someone behind the scenes giving guidance?
For example, the old eunuch in Baima Prison?
Xu Zhenguan admitted that he began to be interested in this "masked man".
Of course, the most important thing is that she likes the gift given to her by the other party very much.
The matter of "changing rice to mulberry" was the battlefield where Li Yanfu and she were secretly competing.
There are rules in the temple. Even if she has a very high level of cultivation and a noble status, she still needs to follow these rules of the game.
With Feng Ju's report, Xu Zhenguan could seize on this small matter and make a big fuss about it.
…
Inside the hall.
Everyone who was observing the Empress's words and expressions also vaguely sensed the change in the atmosphere through her expression.
Ma Yan was the first to sense it. As a martial arts master, he was more sensitive to changes in other people's aura.
I couldn't help but wonder what was written on the memorial submitted by Zhao Duan?
Why did Your Majesty look at this for so long?
He suddenly realized that things might be changing.
The contempt on Lu Liang's face faded, and he felt uneasy. He vaguely sensed that something might be wrong, so he shouted loudly:
"Your Majesty, this thief is eloquent and cunning, attempting to absolve himself of guilt by claiming minor merits. He is truly cunning and treacherous! I believe he should be imprisoned immediately... In particular, his private interrogation of the female rebels should be thoroughly investigated..."
Zhang Changshuo also jumped out impatiently and echoed:
"What Censor Lu said is absolutely correct. I think..."
“That’s enough!”
Suddenly, a cold and slightly impatient rebuke came from the Dragon Throne, immediately silencing the two of them.
Xu Zhenguan, dressed in white as white as snow, looked dignified and cold as a glance at the crowd. His eyes were sharp as he made the final decision:
"I already know about this matter and have made my own judgment. There is no need to discuss it further. I am tired today. Please leave."
Golden words!
In an instant, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed to varying degrees.
They are all smart people, how could they not hear the meaning behind the empress's words?
He said "I will make the final decision", but in fact he was just raising it high and then letting it go lightly, openly trying to protect and favor Zhao Duan!
Especially the four words "no need to say more", which means that the empress does not want to hear any more impeachment. It can be predicted that this matter will gradually fade away until no one mentions it again.
Why?
What exactly happened?
Didn’t Zhao Duan lose the emperor’s favor?
If you want to be partial, why confront? If you want to punish, why protect?
Luliang's goat beard trembled, and he stood there in a daze, with a mouthful of words stuck in his throat, his eyes full of disbelief and intense frustration.
There is a kind of anger of being toyed with.
He didn't understand why something that seemed so certain suddenly turned around?
What exactly was written in Zhao Duan’s memorial?
"Your Majesty," Lu Liang opened his mouth and squeezed out a sentence, "If you rule like this, I'm afraid that the entire court, both civil and military officials..."
Xu Zhenguan stood up and glanced at him coldly:
"Are you teaching me how to do things?"
Lu Liang's breath was choked, and cold sweat broke out:
"No...I dare not."
"Then withdraw," Xu Zhenguan said, and suddenly looked at the distraught Zhang Changshuo with a cold look in his eyes, and said:
"Zhang Changshuo falsely accused his colleagues and deserves severe punishment. However, considering this is his first offense and his devotion to public service, he will only be sentenced to three days of confinement to reflect on his mistakes."
boom!
Zhang Changshuo looked as if struck by lightning, his face turning pale.
Reflecting on one's mistakes behind closed doors may seem insignificant, but the signal it conveys that the empress dislikes him is the greatest punishment.
Especially since he came here with high expectations, but now not only was Zhao Duan unharmed, but he himself left a bad impression on the empress.
The clown turned out to be himself... Hey, it even rhymes!
Xu Zhenguan walked out of the side hall accompanied by the palace maids. When he passed by Zhao Duan, he paused for a moment and said:
"Zhao Duan?"
"I am here."
"It's getting late. Please stay in the palace and have dinner with me."
“Here!”
Zhang Changshuo, who was standing next to him, seemed to have been hit by an arrow in the chest. He took several steps back and looked at Zhao Duan in disbelief.
Not only did Your Majesty, despite the pressure from the entire court, protect the thief Zhao, but he even invited him to dine with him?!
There is an old saying that goes, "When you are well fed and warm, you yearn for that..."
He simply couldn't imagine what the two of them would do after dinner!
Zhang Changshuo's vision went dark.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"
As everyone saluted in unison, Xu Zhenguan's figure disappeared into the distance.
The chief eunuch Ma Yan, the "White-browed King of Hell" dressed in a flying fish suit, with a white face and no beard, and a moody mood, stood up straight, took a deep look at the pretty boy beside him, and said:
"Congratulations."
The impression Zhao Duan gave him today was quite unexpected.
I feel a little relieved at this moment... Fortunately, he just passed the buck from beginning to end and didn't make any other criticisms.
Isn't it... congratulations should be done with a smile, why are you so sullen and ferocious... Zhao Duan was relieved at the moment, complaining in his heart, and said with a smile:
"Thank you, Governor..."
Before he could finish, Ma Yan turned and left.
It was obvious that they had no good feelings towards such a notorious person.
“…” Zhao Duan looked at the remaining two people again.
Lu Liang had a blank expression on his face and turned away without saying a word. He was anxious to report the matter to the prime minister.
He is just a pioneer, and the real players in the game are the bigwigs on both sides.
As for Zhang Changshuo, he didn't even utter a harsh word, but followed the censor Lu Liang and left in disgrace.
This made Zhao Duan quite disappointed. He thought to himself, is this love rival so weak?
Have you lost all your fighting spirit?
"Sir, please follow me to the flower hall and wait until His Majesty summons you later."
The elderly female official who had accepted bribes from Zhao Duan's banknotes the day before yesterday came over and said with a smile.
Zhao Duan bowed and thanked: "Thank you, sister."
At the same time, his heartstrings tightened again, knowing that this matter was not over yet, and the empress was obviously going to interrogate him alone.
After all, this series of actions is too different from the original character of "Zhao Duan", and it is impossible for the empress not to notice it.
In other words, he must give a perfect explanation.
Otherwise, he would still be doomed.
"I hope there is no reincarnation in this world's cultivation system..." Zhao Duan prayed secretly.
…
…
On the other hand, with the end of this "questioning" that attracted the attention of the entire capital, the final result blew out of the palace like a whirlwind.
At the palace gate.
Zhu Kui stood beside the carriage, feeling uneasy, like a family member waiting outside the college entrance examination hall. He frequently looked into the deep doorway, hoping to see Zhao Duan.
Although he was almost certain that even if Zhao Duan didn't die this time, he would be badly beaten, Zhu Kui still held on to a glimmer of hope.
After all, he followed Zhao Duan completely and completed the entire operation.
Although I don't know the inside story, it doesn't stop me from having fantasies.
It's not that he is loyal, but he is Zhao Duan's trusted henchman, and the bond between him and Zhao Duan is too deep. Once Zhao Duan falls, he, a small pawn, will inevitably be affected.
Your life and property depend on it.
Before entering the palace this morning, Zhu Kui had even written a suicide note, instructing his family about his funeral arrangements.
It's not an exaggeration, he has simply witnessed too many bloody storms in feudal dynasties.
finally.
Someone came out of the doorway, and Zhu Kui was alerted. He looked carefully, but he only saw Ma Yan, Lu Liang and Zhang Changshuo coming out one after another.
"The master couldn't come out..."
Zhu Kui's heart sank completely, and he felt cold all over. He guessed that Zhao Duan was in great danger and was chopped to death in the palace by the angry empress.
In his panic, he didn't even notice Zhang Changshuo's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot.
"This Heavenly Official," Zhu Kui put on a flattering smile, walked quickly to the eunuch who came out to see someone off, and skillfully took out a silver ingot and handed it to him:
"May I ask why my envoy couldn't come out?"
The eunuch recognized him as Zhao Duan's servant and quickly handed the silver back to him, saying:
"Absolutely not."
It's over! They don't even dare to accept the money, how serious a crime is this?
Zhu Kui's heart was sealed with cement, and his smile froze.
However, the next second, the eunuch smiled warmly:
"Emissary Zhao was kept in the palace by His Majesty for dinner, and he asked me to bring you a message: there's no need to wait for him."
Thanks to Li Shipu for his support again~ Thanks to everyone who voted
(End of this chapter)
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