Chapter 61 Confinement
"Oh," Chen Yu spoke after a long while, "I went out today."
She knew that she couldn't escape Xie Tingzhou's eyes if she went out, so she simply admitted it herself.
"Yeah." Xie Tingzhou responded softly, without asking her what she was doing outside or who she was meeting.
Chen Yu stared at the table, "I'm beginning to doubt myself."
Xie Tingzhou then raised his head from the book and asked, "Why?"
Chen Yu was a little depressed, and said with her head down: "Actually, I still have a lot of things to do. I'm afraid that if I do this, it will be too late for other things, so I don't know whether what I'm doing now is right or wrong."
I was afraid that I wouldn’t have enough time to accompany my grandmother, and I was even more afraid that I wouldn’t be able to do both things well.
Xie Tingzhou looked at her, his long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes.
He asked, "According to your standards, what is right and what is wrong?"
Shen Yu shook her head, "I don't know."
"You doubt yourself because you are afraid of making mistakes," Xie Tingzhou paused for a moment and said, "Since you don't know, how can you define it and say it is wrong after you do it?"
Chen Yu was stunned by his question for a moment and looked up at him.
Xie Tingzhou avoided her expectant eyes and said calmly, "Don't ask what is right or wrong in this life, and don't talk about the right and wrong of the world."
Xie Tingzhou looked out the window. "Besides, there is no right or wrong in many things, but I just want to have a clear conscience."
"I have a clear conscience." Shen Yu repeated silently.
Yes, in her previous life, she lived in guilt every day. Her father and brother died in battle at the border but were blamed for their deaths. She was tormented every day and night, wondering why she could do nothing.
Now God has given her another chance. She cannot save them, but she can let them go cleanly and make those who harmed them pay with their lives.
"I understand." Chen Yu suddenly laughed, "Just make sure you have a clear conscience."
The gloom between his brows disappeared, and the smile was a little dazzling for a moment, so Xie Tingzhou turned his face away.
Chen Yu was generous and booked an entire floor at Shiyue Pavilion the next day.
Since Xie Tingzhou didn't say no, that meant he agreed. Many people went to the palace, and Chen Yu brought Erya with her.
It was rare to have such a relaxing time after returning from Yanliang Pass, and many people were drunk.
Chen Yu's body had not recovered yet, and with Xifeng's warning, no one dared to persuade her to drink.
Xifeng himself did not dare to drink more, and carried the unconscious Changliu back on his back.
I also have to report to Xie Tingzhou.
Xie Tingzhou was in the next yard, sitting alone under the eaves, tearing meat to feed Bai Yu, with Da Huang lying at his feet.
Dahuang doesn't eat raw meat and won't eat it even if it is thrown to him. Baiyu is very proud and doesn't even look at him.
Ever since Dahuang came, Cang was locked in a cage and he has been feeling very resentful these past two days.
Hearing the footsteps, Xie Tingzhou did not turn around and asked, "Are they all back?"
"Yes." Xifeng said, "A few brothers drank too much, Changliu also drank too much, and I stopped Shiyu from drinking too much."
Xie Tingzhou threw a piece of meat into the air. Bai Yu flapped his wings and picked up the meat before it hit the ground. He stood on the railing and swallowed the meat.
Xi Feng added, "Emperor Tongxu summoned Your Highness to the palace tomorrow during the court session. I'm afraid this is not a good sign."
Xifeng picked up the handkerchief from the tray beside him and presented it to him.
Xie Tingzhou took it and wiped his fingers slowly, "What else can he do? I'm fifteen now. If he doesn't take action, he will have no reason to keep me in Shengjing. Tomorrow, he will just find a reasonable reason again."
The Fengtian Hall is majestic and towering, with two golden dragons on the eaves that seem to be about to take off. Giant vermilion pillars support the roof of the hall, and there is a giant dragon coiled on each pillar.
Xie Tingzhou was summoned to the palace and stood in the Fengtian Hall with a group of ministers for the first time during the court session.
Emperor Tongxu sat on the throne and said, "Prince Beilin has made great contributions in rescuing Yanliang Pass. He deserves a generous reward for saving the people."
Xie Tingzhou bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am too kind to praise you. It is my duty to drive out the Tartar invaders. I dare not take credit for it."
Emperor Tongxu was smiling, his eyes sharp, "Reward when it is necessary. The north is rich, and just rewarding you with some gold and silver objects is too light. I have discussed with the cabinet many times, and finally decided to give you a sinecure. What do you think?"
You can hear a pin drop in the hall.
Xie Tingzhou had no choice at all.
He couldn't be Xie Tingzhou. At this moment, he had to be the non-threatening playboy in everyone's eyes.
Xie Tingzhou raised his head and suddenly laughed, "Your Majesty, may I ask you a question? What rank is the deputy commander?"
Although his words were rude, the ice in Emperor Tongxu's eyes melted instantly. He pointed at Xie Tingzhou and smiled heartily, "This kid, he's always thinking about his official rank. Why, you're not happy with a lower official rank?"
Xie Tingzhou's eyes turned around and landed on a person in the hall, "How does your rank compare to his?"
Jiang Lianzhi stepped out and said, "I am the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a third-rank official, and the Commander-in-Chief is of the same rank as me.
”
Xie Tingzhou nodded slightly, as if he was reluctantly satisfied. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Shengjing is so prosperous that I can't bear to leave. My father has sent a letter urging me to return to Beilin. I was worried that I couldn't find a reason to refuse. Your Majesty has helped me out of my urgent need."
Emperor Tongxu laughed, "That's great, let's pass on the order."
After the court was dismissed and he came out of the Fengtian Hall, officials from all walks of life expressed their congratulations.
One person said, "In the future, when we serve in the same court, I don't know whether I should continue to call him the Crown Prince, or should we both command Xie Qianshi."
Xie Tingzhou smiled and said, "It's just a title. My colleagues, please feel free to use it as you wish."
Beilin was too strong, and Emperor Tongxu was afraid. He wanted to imprison the son of the vassal king in the capital as a hostage, but it was just a matter of issuing an imperial decree.
If he had no official position, it would be unreasonable for Emperor Tongxu to force him to stay in the capital.
After going through so much trouble to give him an idle position, it was nothing more than Emperor Tongxu trying to be a whore and build a chaste archway to establish himself as a wise ruler.
The Fengtian Hall moved away behind Xie Tingzhou. He stepped on the bluestone slabs one step at a time. His feet became heavier and heavier. He was fed up with this place.
"Your Majesty, please stay!"
Xie Tingzhou stopped here and turned around to see a man coming hurriedly. He was wearing an official uniform with a peacock patch, which made him look very elegant.
"Master Jiang, is there something wrong?"
Jiang Lianzhi walked up to him and said, "I have something to ask your Highness."
"Business or personal?"
"Private matter."
"What private matters could there be between Lord Jiang and me?" Xie Tingzhou started to walk away.
Jiang Lianzhi chased after him, "Your Highness, you have returned from Yanliang Pass. I want to ask you if you saw a woman on the battlefield? She is General Shen's daughter, Shen Yu."
It’s Chen Yu again.
Xie Tingzhou slowed down his pace and glanced sideways at Jiang Lianzhi.
Jiang Lianzhi continued, "To be honest with you, my lord, General Shen's daughter is the one Lianzhi loves. I heard that she went to the battlefield, but neither her body nor her body was found. I..."
"Master Jiang," Xie Tingzhou said, "Do you know why there is no body?"
Jiang Lianzhi looked puzzled, "I'd like to hear the details."
Xie Tingzhou narrowed his eyes slightly. "Because there are too many bodies. All you can see are the bodies of soldiers. Some are frozen together, and some are trampled by horses beyond human form. So, why can't you find them? It's just that you can't recognize them. They were all piled together and burned."
Jiang Lianzhi's face turned pale in an instant, and Xie Tingzhou had already left.
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