Chapter 377 The Prime Minister's Seal, You Can Protect Me Without Rest Assurance
Qiao nodded knowingly and said, "Xiao Wu, no matter what you heard, just pretend you didn't hear it."
It seems that this time they have crossed Ji's father's bottom line.
Mrs. Qiao said meaningfully, "Your father's words are sometimes very moving, and your grandmother may have been touched by them."
Ji Qingwu was not a child of many years old, so she naturally understood what Qiao meant. She nodded while suppressing a laugh.
Qiao held the sachet to her nose and asked, "How does it smell?"
Ji Qingwu sniffed it a few times and said, "It's gooseberry and honey, a soothing and calming scent. Mother's spices are getting better and better."
Mrs. Qiao nodded and said, "A long illness makes one a good doctor. I always have trouble sleeping, so I hang a sachet on the corner of my bed every night, and it helps a little."
Ji Qingwu knew that Qiao Shi couldn't sleep well and needed to drink calming soup before bed, a chronic illness that had plagued her for many years. She took the sachet and brought it close to her nose to smell it carefully.
"Mother, there's a peculiar scent inside, like a fruity fragrance or a medicinal one, but I don't know what it is."
Qiao said, "Your nose is really sharp. You even added incense ash from Master Liaoran of Hanshan Temple. It's this stuff that brings out the unique fragrance."
Was it given by Master Liaoran? Ji Qingwu felt that the smell was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
She put the sachet back on the small table and pleaded, "Mother, please make one for me too."
Qiao said, "What do you need this for? You can't sleep well anymore?"
Before Ji Qingwu could speak, her eyes crinkled with laughter.
To be honest, last night was the best night's sleep I've had in almost a month. I slept soundly without any dreams or worries until dawn.
Qiao noticed how happy she was, and seeing her smile, she smiled back.
"Knowing that your father cares about you and protects you, you're so happy?"
Ji Qingwu did not deny it, and said with a smile, "I was thinking that if I ever have trouble sleeping, I can put it by my pillow and smell my mother's scent, and I'm sure I'll sleep soundly."
*
The atmosphere in the Hall of Diligent Governance was somber.
After Emperor Wusu received a letter, he fell silent.
Lu Juan stood in the hall with his eyes downcast. The number of officials implicated in Su Fengyue's case had left many seats empty during the morning court session.
He bowed and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, there are very few capable people in the court now. Should we hold another imperial examination to recruit more talented individuals?"
Emperor Wusu raised his head from the long table and said in a light tone, "No need. With the infighting among aristocratic families, how many more people like Li Chengxun can emerge if the imperial examinations are reopened?"
Lu Juan swallowed his words.
The various powerful families have intricate and intertwined roots. Although the Liu and Wang families have fallen recently, other powerful families will rise to prominence in the future.
The emperor was right; Li Chengxun was indeed a remarkable person.
It is extremely difficult for a poor family to produce a talented person. Li Chengxun understood this point and knew how to curry favor with influential people. First, he went to the Qiao family to become a disciple, and then he fell under the spell of Princess Qingyun. These two people helped him get into the palace examination and eventually pass the selection.
Lu Juan frowned and said, "However, vacant positions always need to be filled."
Emperor Wusu said, "No rush."
Seeing the emperor's expression, which seemed to indicate that he had other plans, Lu Juan quietly stepped aside.
Not long after, Prince Yong came to report back.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
After Zhao Minghong stood up, he nodded to Lu Juan.
In recent days, Prince Zhao Minghong has finally stopped spending his days idly and has started to volunteer for tasks.
Emperor Wusu asked, "How is the matter progressing?"
Zhao Minghong replied, "After Su Fengyue and Yuwen Tianqing were paraded through the streets, they were beheaded at the Meridian Gate and their heads were displayed to the public."
"Any unusual activity?"
Zhao Minghong said, "No one came to storm the execution ground, and no suspicious people appeared. Everything went smoothly."
Emperor Wusu rested his hand on the edge of the table and said, "It seems that Yuwen Tiancheng has truly abandoned his younger brother who was willing to go through fire and water for him."
Their trap was all in vain, but it wasn't entirely wasted...
Zhao Minghong paused for a moment and asked, "Your Majesty, won't this move anger the soldiers and civilians of Xijin? After all, Yuwen Tianqing is the fourth prince of Xijin."
"Enrage him? I'm afraid Xijin has no temper."
Emperor Wusu tossed a letter over, and Zhao Minghong, who was nearby, caught it first. Looking at the signature on the envelope, he let out a sigh of relief.
It was a letter sent back by Werting from the North.
Zhao Minghong's eyes darted around, and he handed it to Lu Juan.
"Lord Lu, my eyes are sore from supervising the executions all day. You should read this letter."
It's understandable for prisoners to have leg and buttock pain, but what's with the eye pain?
Emperor Wusu was not surprised by Prince Yong's reaction; he was afraid of difficulties and trouble, just like Zhao Minghong had been since childhood.
I doubt he would dare to read this letter.
Lu Juan looked down and his brows furrowed even more.
He wondered what kind of letter Wei Ting would write back at this crucial moment. If it were a formal military intelligence report, he would write a memorial, not just an ordinary letter.
This suggests that it is most likely a private matter, not a public one.
Lu Juan glared at Prince Yong with annoyance. Whatever it was, it was definitely not a good thing, but he couldn't very well push it away.
After opening it, he only read a few lines before immediately kneeling down and saying, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
Emperor Wusu said expressionlessly, "I do think General Wei's words make sense."
Lu Juan's face showed anxiety as he said, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
Seeing the usually composed Prince Lu looking anxious, Zhao Minghong scratched his head, regretting that he hadn't taken a look at the contents of the letter.
"It's fine if you know about this. You stay in the court and make some preparations as soon as possible."
Emperor Wusu took out a golden seal with a tortoise-shaped knob and calmly said, "Lu Juan, come up and receive your official seal."
Lu Juan looked up, saw clearly what the emperor was holding, and was obviously stunned.
This is the Prime Minister's seal.
Throughout history, there has never been a prime minister under the age of thirty. Even if there were no prime ministers in the court, there were still many senior officials with extensive experience.
Lu Juan hesitated for a moment, then declined, saying, "This humble subject is not yet qualified..."
Emperor Wusu said, "Ziyou, if there is anything lacking, then make up for it."
Upon hearing this, Lu Juan looked up at the emperor's expression.
Emperor Wusu held the golden seal in his hand, smirking as he said, "Whether you want it or not, I will not force you, but I will only give you one chance. If you miss this opportunity, there will be no next time."
Lu Juan's gaze no longer wandered, and he kowtowed, saying loudly, "Your humble servant has not failed in his mission."
"Go ahead, you don't have much time to prepare."
Lu Juan left with the Prime Minister's golden seal in his pocket.
Zhao Minghong also looked at the emperor with great interest. He felt that although he had not made any great contributions these days, he had worked hard and deserved something in return.
Emperor Wusu said, "Ming Hong."
Zhao Minghong said, "Your subject is here."
"Close the gate when you leave."
As Prince Yong was dejected, Emperor Wusu said, "Minghong, there is one more thing."
Zhao Minghong raised his head, looking expectant, and said, "Brother, please speak if you have something to say."
A sword was thrown over; the scabbard was carved with nine dragons.
"Take it."
Zhao Minghong silently held the heavy sword in his hands.
"Brother..."
"Yuan Heng, I am at ease knowing you are protecting him."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
