Chapter 313: Yingzhou Follow-up
Concubine Zhou was now extremely anxious but could do nothing. She could only ask people to inquire for information. She spent all the money she had just to get some information. Finally, not long after Li Yu's memorial arrived, she found out the truth about the Yingzhou incident.
She couldn't believe what she heard and burst into tears: "Father has always been cautious in his work, but this time he was harmed by someone like this."
In Concubine Zhou's mind, the image of Governor Zhou was naturally a great and majestic one. This time he was completely framed. At most, he was accused of being deceived and concealed, which was definitely not a capital crime. But now she didn't know how to deal with the Emperor.
Previously, the people from the Ministry of Justice went out to interrogate her and could not get any specific results, so there was nothing they could do. Now the result is in Xuanyuan Ling's hands. As a daughter, she would be unworthy of being a daughter if she did not do anything at this time.
Concubine Zhou knew that she was not favored, but she still asked for it.
So Concubine Zhou went to the imperial study to ask for an audience.
Zhao Hai saw Concubine Zhou coming over and had no idea what she was doing there. He thought that this would only cause more trouble. If he could let Concubine Zhou in, he wouldn't have to do his job as the chief steward.
"Please stay, my dear. The Emperor is handling state affairs. Do not disturb him without a summons."
Please don't interfere in the affairs of the court. The emperor is already angry about the matter of Governor Zhou. If you really plead for mercy, it will only add fuel to the fire, right?
Lady Zhou was extremely anxious at this moment, so she begged Zhao Hai: "Eunuch, please report this to me."
As she spoke, she stuffed silver into Zhao Hai's pocket. How could Zhao Hai accept it? Of course, he refused to accept it, but seeing that Concubine Zhou was so anxious, he at least advised: "The emperor will make the final decision on this matter. Concubine Zhou should not make the emperor worry anymore. You should go back to the palace and have a rest."
Concubine Zhou's heart sank. She was not stupid. She understood what Zhao Hai meant. Seeing that Zhao Hai would not let her in, she did not dare to enter the imperial study. Now that the emperor's decision had not yet come out, she clenched her fists and asked the palace maid beside her to persuade her: "Concubine, please go back first."
Concubine Zhou had no choice. Even though she was unwilling to not see Xuanyuan Ling, she had no choice. These days, the feeling of powerlessness overwhelmed her completely.
She really had no choice but to ask the palace maid to help her out.
Zhao Hai thought it was okay. This noble lady Zhou still had rules. She was afraid that someone would kneel down and beg the emperor to meet her. How could this be begging? Was this threatening the emperor? That would really cause trouble.
He did not report this matter to Xuanyuan Ling, which shows his pity for Concubine Zhou's filial piety.
Concubine Zhou was anxiously waiting to see what the emperor would decide on this matter.
After looking at the whole cause and effect, Xuanyuan Ling was unable to come to a conclusion for a while, but instead summoned the Minister of War.
When the Assistant Minister of War Zhao Qian saw Xuanyuan Ling, he was still a little confused. In fact, he couldn't figure out why the emperor wanted to find him at this moment. The most serious commotion in the court in recent days was nothing more than the matter of Yingzhou. The situation in Yingzhou had been suppressed and the disaster was under control. Now it was nothing more than a matter of dealing with people. If the emperor couldn't think of it for a while, the Ministry of Justice would be blamed. Otherwise, it would be the Ministry of Personnel's business. What did it have to do with his Ministry of War?
However, Zhao Qian still bowed respectfully to Xuanyuan Ling.
Xuanyuan Ling looked at him and asked, "Have you heard about the incident in Yingzhou?"
"I have heard of this matter."
"How do you think I should deal with this matter?"
Zhao Qian was shocked when he heard this. The emperor really asked him to talk about Yingzhou? This really had nothing to do with the Ministry of War, but the emperor couldn't have summoned him to ask about something that had nothing to do with him. So, what was the emperor going to do with the Ministry of War through this matter?
He thought about it and decided to answer honestly: "I think the governor of Yingzhou deceived his superiors and subordinates and should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."
He had no grudge against the governor of Yingzhou, but concealing the disaster and not reporting it would result in dismissal from office at the very least and exile at the worst. Although human power is limited, if you have done your best and failed, it is one thing, and concealing it is another. No matter what your starting point was or who framed you, as long as many lives were lost, the governor of Zhouzhou was not innocent in his opinion.
Xuanyuan Ling looked at him and said, "Is it enough to just severely punish the governor of Yingzhou?"
Zhao Qian's heart trembled: "What the emperor means is..."
Xuanyuan Ling's eyes were a little cold. "I have been on the throne for six years. I have never been biased in my conduct. Previously, the noble families still formed factions, and now there are officials who deceive their superiors and subordinates. My Censorate is useless. Zhao Qian, do you still remember what I said to you when I first met you eight years ago?"
Eight years ago, it was very difficult for Zhao Qian, who was not from a noble family, to be promoted. When the late emperor was still alive, a child from a poor family like him had almost no chance of survival. But before the late emperor passed away, Zhao Qian met Xuanyuan Ling.
Hearing this, Zhao Qian knew what Xuanyuan Ling meant. He suddenly knelt down in front of Xuanyuan Ling and said, "I understand."
Xuanyuan Ling looked at Zhao Qian: "Get up."
Zhao Qian stood up and bowed to Xuanyuan Ling again. He looked directly at Xuanyuan Ling. Eight years ago, when he met Xuanyuan Ling, he was indignant about the officialdom and gave Xuanyuan Ling a wake-up call. From then on, he became Xuanyuan Ling's confidant. He wanted to see with his own eyes how Xuanyuan Ling could govern the world. Now that he could use him, he naturally devoted himself to the cause: "I hope that under the emperor's governance, the world will be peaceful and prosperous."
Chen Qing had not originally planned to come today, but Xuanyuan Ling was obviously suddenly too busy to even have lunch. After Zhao Hai advised her and Xuanyuan Ling glared at him, Zhao Hai had no choice but to think about it. Who else could persuade the emperor to have a good meal? It might be Concubine Xi.
Although this is against the rules, if Her Majesty can persuade the Emperor, then no one can say anything, right?
Seeing Shen Qing coming, Zhao Hai hurriedly told him about this matter. After listening, Shen Qing said, "Eunuch, go and report first." It's not good to go in directly.
Zhao Hai went there immediately.
Xuanyuan Ling was busy over there, and Zhao Hai came in again. He was annoyed. How could he be in a good mood when his thoughts were interrupted: "Zhao Hai."
Zhao Hai's hair stood on end, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xi requests an audience."
Xuanyuan Ling suppressed his anger and said, "What?"
This tone is better.
Zhao Hai said quickly: "Empress Xi heard that the emperor did not have lunch today and was worried."
How could Chen Qing know that he didn't have lunch? Xuanyuan Ling looked at Zhao Hai silently and said, "You are getting bolder."
Zhao Hai was sweating profusely.
Then I heard Xuanyuan Ling say, "Please invite Concubine Xi in."
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