Chapter 52
The sudden words made Xiao Huan completely frozen, and his hand holding the teacup felt a little hot.
It was clearly just warm tea, but in his hands it seemed to have just boiled. He closed his eyes slightly and turned his head to the side.
"It's just that I haven't drawn the bow for a long time, so I'm probably feeling a little uncomfortable."
Yes, he just hadn't ridden a horse and hunted for too long...
Xiao Huan's expression remained unchanged, but Xie Ling was a little confused.
"Really?" If you haven't exercised for too long, you should feel uncomfortable right away. Why does Your Majesty feel uncomfortable after exercising?
He felt strange for a moment, and seeing that His Majesty seemed to be like this, he thought of something and said, "Then Your Majesty, please have a good rest."
"Today I will grill meat for your majesty."
Well, it was his first time to try this kind of barbecue in the mountains. He must try it out and grill a good piece of meat for His Majesty.
Xiao Huan glanced at him. He didn't expect him to volunteer so much, but he still agreed.
After a while, Eunuch Wang and the others had washed the hare and pheasant and placed them on the branches.
In an instant, the authentic feeling came out.
"Tongzi, novels often describe a certain protagonist hunting in the wild and roasting chickens. I didn't expect that after traveling through time for so long, I could try it myself."
After he finished speaking, he didn't care whether the system responded or not, and came over excitedly to ask Eunuch Wang for help.
"Please give me one too, Eunuch Wang."
"I will bake for your majesty."
Wang Bao: …
Is this Mr. Xie roasting for Your Majesty?
Does Mr. Xie know this?
It's not that Wang Bao is overly suspicious, but Master Xie has been pampered and well-off, and it's obvious that he has never done such a thing. What if it's burnt? And he said he wanted to give it to His Majesty.
The eunuchs before the emperor were all very cautious and subconsciously glanced at His Majesty first.
Xiao Huan just nodded lightly, and Wang Bao understood what His Majesty meant. At this time, while Master Xie was not paying attention, he retracted his gaze and handed the rabbit in his hand to Master Xie with a smile.
“I just put this on.”
"Thank you, Master. Please give it a try."
The hare in his hand was only of medium size, and it looked like the one that had scared him first? Xie Ling was getting more and more fearful, and he put the barbecue on the fire.
"Is that so? Eunuch Wang?"
"Wait until this side is cooked before turning it over?"
Wang Bao nodded: "That's right, Mr. Xie."
"Please pay attention to the heat and don't let it burn."
He glanced at Master Xie's hands, and seeing that there was no problem for the time being, he went to grill other meat with the other eunuchs.
Xie Ling was roasting it happily, and he just thought it was so interesting. But why didn't it smell good after roasting it for so long?
He took out the hare belatedly and looked at the branch. Wait, why did it suddenly become a little blurry when it was fine just now?
Isn't he still looking at the fire?
Xie Ling was stunned for a moment, staring at the rabbit for a long time, and finally coughed lightly.
Never mind, you can’t blame him. Maybe that’s what grilling over an open fire is like. Others should feel the same way.
Keeping in mind Wang Gonggong's instructions, Xie Ling turned it over again and continued to roast the other side. When Wang Bao came to add spices, he saw the rabbit that Master Xie had taken out.
They were both silent for a moment.
Wang Bao thought, why not waste the spices? His Majesty probably wouldn't eat them, right? But he met Master Xie's eager eyes, and he softened his heart and sprinkled some on the burnt rabbit.
The rich smell of spices diffused slightly, covering up the burnt smell, and Xie Ling's eyes lit up.
"More, more, more."
Wang Bao had no choice but to add some more.
Xiao Huan had not paid any attention to Xie Ling since he was distracted and thought too much just now. After nearly an hour had passed and the water in the kettle had boiled, he put away the book and looked to the side.
Just at a glance, one could see Xie Ling taking out the roasted rabbit he had carefully carved from the fire.
Xiao Huan: ...
Although he didn't hunt often, he had roasted rabbits in the military camp. Was this what a normal rabbit looked like after being roasted?
After thinking about it in his mind, Xiao Huan twitched his mouth.
This guy is absolutely burnt.
However, Xie Ling didn't think it was a mess at all. After sprinkling the spices on it, he felt like he was doing fine again!
How could it smell like this if it's burnt? It's clearly very fragrant. It's definitely been roasted, and it's a mature rabbit that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Wang Bao was about to say something but stopped himself. He watched Master Xie smell the food after roasting it, and then excitedly prepare to share it with His Majesty. He was terrified at this moment.
"Thank you, Master. How about I switch with you?"
“No, no.”
"That's great. Eunuch Wang, don't worry." Xie Ling's confidence was overflowing at this moment.
The system had just gone online because of the noise, and saw the host confidently holding a large poisonous creature of unknown origin and approaching the Emperor.
Wait, system: ...
Could it be that the host has finally lost his mind and is going to commit suicide?
But didn't he just pass the imperial examination and have a bright future? !
Before the system made a sharp explosion sound, Xie Ling had already raised the roasted rabbit with a sweet taste.
"Your Majesty, this is a rabbit that I specially roasted for you. It is absolutely delicious."
"Would you like to try it?"
Well, Your Majesty is not feeling well now. It would probably help if you eat some meat to replenish your strength, right?
Xie Ling's eyes were filled with anticipation. After all, this was the rabbit he had spent half a day roasting with great difficulty.
Xiao Huan felt that he was really crazy. He actually took the skewer of rabbit meat under the gaze of those eyes.
Only when you look at it from a close distance can you see the abnormality of this skewer of rabbit meat. The dry, charcoal-like sebum is stiff and hard on it, and what's even worse is that it is sprinkled with spices.
Under Xie Ling's expectant gaze, Xiao Huan took a bite without changing his expression.
Just one mouthful and the dry taste came up. He closed his eyes slightly and felt that the military rations he had when he lived with the soldiers were much better than this.
Fortunately, fortunately there is no cook like Xie Ling in the army, otherwise how would the soldiers survive?
After eating half of the string of rabbit meat with an expressionless face, Xiao Huan finally put it down.
"I'm full."
"Eh? Your Majesty, don't you want to eat a little more?"
Xie Ling, who was eating roasted pheasant, turned around and saw His Majesty looking at him.
"Okay."
"Wang Bao."
Wang Bao, who had watched His Majesty eat half of the strange rabbit meat, immediately coughed and said, "It's not good to eat too much roasted food, it will cause indigestion."
"Your Majesty and Master Xie, please have a bowl of porridge. The porridge is ready."
It seemed so. Xie Ling happily stepped forward and took the bowl of porridge and handed it to His Majesty.
"Your Majesty, please have some porridge after you finish eating. It will just warm your stomach."
Xiao Huan, who had just eaten the deadly rabbit meat: ...
It might be too late to warm his stomach now, but no matter what he thought, he didn't show it on his face and took the porridge naturally.
The evening picnic didn't end until the moon was at its highest point. After a meal, the group finally headed back home. Just as they returned to Qianyuan Hall, they saw Xie Ling yawning and tiredly saying goodbye: "Your Majesty, I'll leave first?"
"Go ahead." Xiao Huan frowned slightly, and waited until Xie Ling left before saying:
"Go and call Xia Changli over for me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wang Bao was not surprised at all.
Well, when he saw His Majesty eating with a natural look on his face, he thought that the rabbit meat roasted by Master Xie just didn’t look that good.
I didn't expect it to be so unpalatable?
Your Majesty, you didn’t feel better even after drinking a bowl of white porridge?
Wang Bao glanced at the side hall, and without His Majesty's order, he quietly left Qianyuan Hall to look for Doctor Xia. This was the first time he had been so sneaky since entering the palace, as if he was afraid of being discovered.
Xiao Huan sat in the hall waiting for a long time, but the pain in his stomach still persisted. At this moment, he held the pages of the book absentmindedly, not turning a single page for a long time.
If you just look at the surface, no one can tell that Emperor Wu is actually unwell at this time.
After a while, he closed his eyes.
Xia Changli followed Eunuch Wang skillfully and saw His Majesty as soon as he entered the door. This time, when he was wondering what was going on, he heard His Majesty's faint voice.
"I accidentally ate some half-cooked wild food. Please prescribe some medicine."
What? Half-life?
Could it be that Mr. Xie's piece of rabbit meat was not only half burnt but also half raw?
Wang Bao was shocked and looked at His Majesty with admiration. He wondered how His Majesty could eat it.
Xia Changli was also shocked. He didn't expect that His Majesty would eat something half-cooked. He was the emperor. Who among the servants would dare to give His Majesty this?
Their eyes met and Xia Changli coughed.
"I understand."
"Your Majesty, could you please allow me to take your pulse again so that I can prescribe some medicine?"
His stomach was still aching, and Xiao Huan even had some sweat on his forehead. At this time, he just stretched out his hand calmly.
After a while, he waited until Xia Changli withdrew his hand before taking a look and said calmly, "Don't tell anyone about what happened tonight."
"Just think of it as me eating it by mistake."
After all, this is something I just couldn't bear to eat, what does it have to do with Xie Ling. That guy is always timid, he can be scared by a rabbit, so I'd better not let him know.
Wang Bao responded in a low voice, and it was not until they went out that Xia Changli couldn't help but ask curiously.
"So, Your Majesty, what are you doing today...?"
Wang Bao had a strange expression on his face. He knew that Doctor Xia had been ordered by His Majesty to keep his mouth shut. So he revealed, "Your Majesty ate some of the rabbit meat roasted by Master Xie."
Xia Changli: !!!
What kind of rabbit meat could have such a great effect? He wanted to see it in his heart, but he regretfully gave up the idea when he thought of His Majesty's words.
"I see."
"I will make some medicine right now, and please bring it to Your Majesty."
Wang Bao nodded and sent Doctor Xia away.
It was not until late at night that Xiao Huan looked better after drinking the medicine. He lay on the couch, holding his abdomen and frowning.
When the emperor attended court the next day, everyone noticed that he did not look well, as if he was... sick.
The Zhou king and his party were excited and looked at each other. If that was the case, it would be convenient for them. After all, His Majesty would have less energy to deal with these matters if he was ill.
However, Prince Shun raised his head and looked at His Majesty, feeling a little hesitant.
Prince Shun was practicing sword in the yard. When he saw his eldest son coming back, he looked hesitant and frowned.
"What's wrong?"
Prince Shun looked at his father and sighed, "Your Majesty didn't look too good when he came to court today. I wonder if he was worried about what happened recently."
Everyone thought that your Majesty was as hard as iron. He was merciless when he seized the throne. He had killed batches of court officials over the years. They always treated this emperor who had realized his long-cherished wish of unifying the Central Plains with more respect than closeness. But today, seeing your Majesty's pale face, thinking of your Majesty's secret struggle with the royal family to fight against the Huns, I felt a little sad.
It turns out that Your Majesty is also a human being.
Prince Shun had always been on the same page with his father. After he finished speaking, he looked at his father and knew that his father would definitely waver. Sure enough, Prince Shun, who had not been optimistic about the plan of King Zhou and his group, stopped his action.
"Does your Majesty really look ill?"
He asked again.
Prince Shun nodded. His Majesty is such a strong man, it is impossible for him to pretend to be sick. His pale face in the morning court must be real.
Come to think of it, even though Your Majesty is an emperor, the resistance from the entire royal family cannot be underestimated. It is natural that he would be annoyed if someone has been trying to trip him up every day for so long.
Prince Shun was silent for a while, then said, "Send a letter to the palace and say that I want to see His Majesty."
"Let's see if His Majesty will see it."
Prince Shun nodded.
Xiao Huan had just taken the medicine in the afternoon when he received a letter from Wang Bao asking for respect. He paused for a moment and said, "You said that Prince Shun asked if I was well and specifically asked to see me?"
Wang Bao nodded: "That's what the prince said."
Ever since Prince Shun was dismissed from his post following the conflict in the imperial examination case, he had never had the opportunity to see the emperor again. His sudden request for an audience this time was somewhat surprising no matter how you looked at it.
Xiao Huan pressed his forehead and thought for a while.
"Let him come."
"Tell Prince Shun that I will be at Wannian Pavilion until evening."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Not long after the messenger returned to Prince Shun's mansion, a carriage arrived at the palace.
But compared to the expressionless Prince Shun who had been against His Majesty before, Prince Shun today seemed a little different from usual...
Wang Bao glanced at him and said, "Old Prince, please come this way."
Although a suspicious case concerning the imperial examination was brought up, since no one was hurt and he was vouched for by an elder of the royal family, Prince Shun was only dismissed from his post but his title of prince remained.
After nodding to Eunuch Wang, Prince Shun walked into the hall.
As soon as I entered, I smelled the smell of medicine in the hall. Just as the eldest son said, His Majesty was indeed sick.
Prince Shun took a deep breath and knelt down to salute.
"This old minister pays respect to Your Majesty."
Xiao Huan put down the medicine bowl and did not call out for a long time. He just stared at the old prince below him.
The atmosphere in the hall was stagnant. Even Wang Bao couldn't help but wipe his sweat. He didn't know how long it had been, it felt like an incense stick of time, before he heard the emperor ask indifferently, "What are you doing here, Prince Shun?"
"What's up today?"
If it was just a greeting, I would have already asked.
Prince Shun looked up at His Majesty. He was originally hesitant, but now he was more determined. He bowed his head and said, "I have come here to expose something."
"The day before yesterday, King Zhou and his men invited me and more than eleven of my clan members to gather in the palace, secretly planning to assassinate Prince Cheng in order to put Your Majesty in an unjust position."
Once these words were spoken, they became much smoother. Prince Shun recounted in a deep voice, word for word, everything that had happened that day.
Xiao Huan narrowed his eyes. He didn't expect that he was going to say this.
This imperial uncle is not senile after all.
Xiao Huan knew that Prince Shun stopped him from sending troops to the Xiongnu because he was worried about Dagan. Others, such as King Zhou, were trying to fish in troubled waters and get their hands on the court.
Da Gan had always treated the royal family with favor, but since he came to power, he had cut their salaries, which made many people dissatisfied. He had suppressed them with his skills before, but they were still unwilling to accept it, and now they jumped out as soon as there was a sign of rebellion.
After all, his concern for Xiao's kingdom was fake. His real intention was to use the fact that Xiao intended to send troops to the Huns to label him a "tyrant" and return to the court to make a profit.
Although Xiao Huan had known about this for a long time, he did not show it. He just asked calmly: "Doesn't the emperor's uncle also think that I am too eager for quick success and too aggressive in military affairs?"
"Why do you have to tell me this today?"
"Wouldn't it be better to let King Zhou and his men succeed in their plan and welcome the Queen Mother back?"
This was also what Prince Shun thought before.
Prince Shun smiled bitterly: "Because I know they will not succeed."
"Besides, I myself am a little hesitant."
"Your Majesty, can you tell me why you must be so impatient to send troops to the Xiongnu in the past few years?"
He looked up and finally couldn't help but ask.
It would take ten or twenty years to defeat the Huns. We have already fought a tough battle before, and the people have just had a chance to recuperate. If we continue, it might shake the foundation of the country.
Xiao Huan knew about this matter, so he made preparations early.
At this time, hearing Prince Shun's question, he looked at the other party and said, "Da Gan has integrated Dayan, and it seems to be thriving, but the Xiongnu side is not peaceful either."
"Uncle, I wonder how long it has been since you heard any news about the Xiongnu?"
When asked by His Majesty, Prince Shun suddenly realized that although the Xiongnu were thousands of miles away from Dagan, news about the Xiongnu could always reach Dagan due to some circumstances. However, recently, in the past six months, he seemed to have not received any news about the Xiongnu.
Prince Shun is not one of the civil officials in the court who has no eyes and ears. He has served in the army for many years and has his own men in the military. However, even so, he was unaware of this until Your Majesty made it clear to him.
"The previous Chanyu of the grassland died, and now the eldest prince has succeeded to the throne." He frowned.
Xiao Huan said calmly: "Wuluyan is a talented person."
"Most of the Xiongnu tribes have been controlled by him, which is completely different from the loose Xiongnu royal court before."
He paused, then suddenly sneered.
"Guess why he took so much trouble to integrate the Xiongnu tribes?"
Just to become Chanyu? Then he could be like the old Chanyu before. Now his ambition is obvious, and the other party is referring to the Central Plains.
Prince Shun took a deep breath, he didn't expect that he had overlooked such an important matter. Da Gan could wait, but the Xiongnu would not let them wait.
He was silent for a while: "Your Majesty, is this information reliable?"
Xiao Huan: "Uncle Emperor doesn't have to believe it."
Just one sentence and Prince Shun sighed, his back bent a lot in an instant.
"I was narrow-minded before and made a mistake." Fortunately, he and Queen Mother Sun failed, so no big mistake was made. Prince Shun felt complicated and even a little scared.
Xiao Huan glanced at him indifferently.
"In that case, when Prince Zhou and his men take action in a few days, I'll have to trouble you, uncle, to guard the Dali Temple Prison."
"I will send someone to accompany you."
Although they said they would send someone along, everyone in the palace knew that it was just surveillance, because Prince Shun had lost the emperor's trust because of what had happened before, so of course this matter couldn't really be handed over to him, they just asked other people to watch him and let Prince Shun be a witness.
Prince Shun naturally had no objection to the foreseeable result, and just bowed his head and said:
"I will do my best, Your Majesty, please rest assured."
"Go down."
It was not until the emperor at the top spoke that Prince Shun stood up and prepared to leave. But when he walked outside the palace, his heart moved slightly and he sighed.
The emperor has always been a very suspicious person, because he had a hard time in the palace when he was young, so he never trusted anyone. As the emperor's uncle, he had lent a helping hand several times, but now he has betrayed the emperor.
Prince Shun was just thinking about it when he heard a noise outside.
After Xie Ling woke up, he realized that His Majesty was ill, and he was a little confused as to why everyone in the palace was hesitating. After asking Qian Ming and getting no result, Xie Ling discussed with the system for a long time and decided to come and take a look.
As a result, as soon as he arrived at the door, he ran into Prince Shun who was coming out to see the emperor.
Xie Ling was very respectful to this old prince who was considered to be the most senior member of the royal family. Although the other party had a dispute with the emperor in history books, it was also for the sake of great success.
After seeing Prince Shun, he hesitated for a moment, but still bowed slightly.
Then he looked at Eunuch Wang.
"Eunuch Wang, is His Majesty busy?"
When Prince Shun saw the young man, he felt vaguely that he looked familiar, so he stopped for a moment.
After seeing Wang Bao in front of the emperor smile skillfully, he was still a little surprised when he was waiting in the shade.
Wang Bao seemed to be very familiar with this young man.
The chief steward in front of the emperor waved his whisk and said, "Thank you, Master, wait a moment. I will go in and ask."
Xie Ling nodded: "Thank you, Eunuch Wang."
Eunuch Wang entered the hall, and Xie Ling rubbed his arm and waited at the door.
Speaking of which, I rode horseback all day yesterday, but I didn’t feel anything when I came back. But when I woke up today, I felt sore all over.
"Hiss, system."
“No one said the aftereffects of riding horses were so severe.”
System: "How come Emperor Wu is alright?"
Xie Ling: ...He reacted and immediately refuted:
"Who said it's okay? Isn't His Majesty sick?"
The system hesitated to speak, always feeling that Emperor Wu's disease and the host's disease were not the same disease. One person and one master bickered with each other. After talking to the system for a few words, Xie Ling subconsciously turned his head away, but he didn't expect that Prince Shun hadn't left yet. When their eyes met, they were both stunned.
Prince Shun finally remembered where he had seen this young man. Wasn't this the young man standing next to the emperor when the imperial examination incident happened? He said he looked so familiar.
But did the other party live in the palace? Just now, Prince Shun noticed that the young man seemed to have come directly from the side hall. This made him think more.
What is the relationship between this young man and Your Majesty?
"What's wrong with Prince Sen's evening grooming?" Xie Ling felt a little uncomfortable being stared at.
He had a handsome face, and when he tilted his head slightly, his eyebrows and eyes looked even more charming, and people who saw him could not help but admire him. Even a serious man like Prince Shun could not help but feel fond of such a handsome young man.
Your Majesty is alone and has no harem. If you really have someone to accompany you...
But it was only for a moment, he remembered the rumor that His Majesty disliked gay men, and he hesitated for a moment.
Prince Shun came back to his senses and nodded amiably to Xie Ling, but he was still a little worried. The young man in front of him must be trusted by the emperor, even if he was not what he thought.
After all, his nephew was extremely cautious. If he didn't completely trust the other party, he would not allow someone to have such a close relationship with the imperial eunuch.
After all, this is the emperor's pillow.
Prince Shun just said hello and left. Xie Ling looked back and felt a little strange. He felt that the way Prince Shun looked at him when he left just now was a little unusual, as if he was thinking of something he didn't know.
Forget it. When Xie Ling came to his senses, he saw Eunuch Wang coming out.
"Thank you, Master. Your Majesty is free now. Please come in."
"Okay, Eunuch Wang."
As soon as Xie Ling entered, he saw His Majesty drinking tea, and he looked up when he saw him.
"Aren't you in pain all over? How did you get here?"
As early as when Xie Ling was lying on the couch for a long time and couldn't get up, Xiao Huan called Xia Changli to check it out. It turned out that Xie Ling was so tired after riding for a long time for the first time that he was speechless for a long time and asked him to rest.
Seeing Xie Ling limping over now, he felt a little strange.
Xie Ling also felt that his current image was a bit silly. He chuckled twice, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Well, didn't I come to see how His Majesty is doing?"
"I heard that His Majesty is taking medicine. What's wrong with you?"
Xiao Huan was silent for a moment and looked at him strangely.
"It's just an old illness from my early years. It's not a big deal. It will be fine after a little treatment."
Wang Bao lowered his head slightly, pretending not to hear this.
is that so?
Although Xie Ling always felt that something was wrong, he couldn't really see what it was, so he could only say, "Then I'm relieved."
"By the way, Your Majesty, I am here to return this."
After Xiao Huan finished speaking, he noticed that he was holding something in his hands. He looked over and found that it was the cloak from last night after Xie Ling opened it.
Xie Ling blinked, not knowing what he was thinking about, and his face turned red for some reason: "I thought it was an ordinary cloak. I went back last night and asked Qian Ming, then I found out it belonged to His Majesty."
Moreover, it is the cloak that Emperor Wu often wears. No wonder there is a faint scent of ambergris on it.
While Xie Ling was muttering to himself, the golden light above his head was shining brightly.
"Well, if I had known, I would have asked Qian Ming later. Covered by your Majesty's cloak, I actually had such a dream last night..."
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