Chapter 64: City Gate
The next morning, after participating in the court meeting, Zhu Yuhuan left the palace and went to the princess's mansion, where he stayed for two consecutive days. Xu Yun's servants gave the Xu family clinic the news in advance, and Xu Wangzhi asked someone to inform Zhu Yuhuan. Zhu Yuhuan then sent someone to the gate of the capital to tell Xu Yun to report to the six ministries first and then come to Taiping Teahouse.
In addition, Zhu Yuhuan also asked Huai En to go and check the situation, while he himself spent time in Taiping Teahouse with Han Guilan and Xu Wangzhi.
Xu Yun had been working on water conservancy projects outside for nearly four years, and now he had finally returned to the capital. It was the emperor himself who ordered him back to the capital to serve as the Minister of Works.
Xu Yun looked up at the magnificent gate tower, and his heart was extremely excited.
Although Xu Yun was away, he had also heard that Princess Shunde had been ordered by Empress Chengxiao to assist in the administration. He naturally understood that he must have been able to return to the capital this time with the secret care of Princess Shunde, otherwise the emperor would not have specially transferred a minor official like him who had nothing to do with the military back to the capital.
However, Xu Yun was also quite curious about the other three, especially Yu Qian, the governor of Shanxi and Henan, who had almost no connection with Princess Shunde.
Zeng Heling was one of the eldest princess's teachers. Xue Xuan once worked in the Wunong Temple founded by the eldest princess, not to mention Xu Yun.
The only exception is Yu Qian, who, on the surface, seems to have no relationship with the eldest princess. He is just an official whom Emperor Xuanmiao once trusted and promoted. Having said that, Emperor Xuanmiao only exiled Yu Qian for nearly ten years and never transferred him back to Beijing.
If it was just because Xuanzong once admired Yu Qian, the emperor would not have suddenly promoted him now. In addition, the appointments of the four of them were issued almost at the same time, so Xu Yun could almost conclude that Yu Qian must also be the candidate chosen by Princess Shunde.
When Xu Yun's sedan chair was about to reach the city gate, the accompanying servant had already opened the curtain and whispered, "Don't worry, sir. The filial tribute to Eunuch Wang has been sent by someone."
Xu Yun had already inquired about this before coming to Beijing. In recent years, Wang Zhen has become more and more powerful and has recruited some officials in the court. All the officials who came to the capital would "show respect" to Wang Zhen. Even if they did not give gold or silver, they would at least give him something.
In short, Wang Zhen’s people cannot be allowed to return empty-handed; they should at least give them some “small gifts”.
Therefore, Xu Yun had someone deliver the gift to Wang Zhen early in the morning. Of course, the eldest princess could not be slack either. Xu Yun specially brought a cart of things back to Beijing with him. In addition to the gifts for the eldest princess, there were also things for other colleagues. It could be said to be "complete" and no one would find any mistakes or omissions.
After finally reaching the city gate and asking someone to check it out, Xu Yun saw someone blocked at the gate. It also looked like a sedan chair, but compared with Xu Yun's, it looked more plain and simple.
Even Xu Yun's servants were a little surprised. They couldn't help but murmur, "An official who can ride in a sedan chair is actually riding in such a shabby one... even simpler than the master's sedan chair..."
When Xu Yun lifted the curtain and took a look, he couldn't help but feel puzzled. He knew that as an official appointed by the emperor, he could not be too high-profile nor too shabby, otherwise where would the emperor and the court put their face?
The sedan he sat in was the most low-key one he chose from several sedans given to him by others. He never expected that there could be someone more "simple" than him.
While waiting for the escort, Xu Yun instructed the servant beside him: "Go and find out whose sedan chair that is."
The servant was also very curious about the owner of the sedan chair and immediately went forward to inquire. After a while, he returned and said, "This man seems to be like the master, an official who came to the capital from other places." After saying this, he lowered his voice and said, "It seems that he didn't prepare a gift for the eunuch, so he was treated so harshly."
Xu Yun understood and said, "No wonder you are stopped here and can't get in."
The King of Hell is easy to deal with, but the little ghosts are difficult to deal with, not to mention the eunuchs.
Although he said this, Xu Yun was actually quite puzzled. After all, if this person had paid close attention, how could he not know about the "new regulations" after Wang Zhen took office? It was obvious that this person probably didn't take Wang Zhen seriously at all.
He believed that he had the support of Princess Shunde, but he also knew that he could not offend people like Wang Zhen. How could someone be so bold?
"Master, someone from Taiping Teahouse has come, saying that the Princess has instructed us to report to the six ministries first, then return home to settle down before going to see her."
Xu Yun's thoughts were pulled back, and he said, "Let's go, don't waste time, go and pay your respects to the Princess first after returning from the Six Ministries."
"yes."
As soon as Huai'en arrived at the city gate, he saw people from Taiping Tea House leading Xu Yun's sedan chair away. He then stepped forward and made the excuse that Princess Shunde asked him to do some work near the charity hall and he happened to encounter such an incident, so he stepped forward to rescue the sedan chair that was stopped by someone.
The people who blocked the road didn't recognize Huai'en at first, but the person supervising him was Wang Zhen's confidant. He had sneaked into the inner study hall with the help of Wang Zhen's relationship, so he had naturally seen Huai'en. He knew that this was Princess Shunde's confidant. Not to mention them, even Wang Zhen, the eunuch in charge of writing, would never offend the princess, so he let him pass immediately.
When gods fight, don’t hurt these little ghosts!
Seeing that someone helped to speak for the master, the master was able to enter the city smoothly. The servant who had been arguing in front of the sedan chair could not help but show gratitude and said to Huai En: "Thank you for speaking for my master. The master was able to enter the city smoothly. I am very grateful."
He did not personally hear how Huai En negotiated with the other party, but he vaguely guessed that Huai En's identity was extraordinary, so he was very respectful and polite in his words.
Huai En waved his hand and said, "The girl often reminds us to be kind to others. It's just a small favor, don't be polite."
From what Huai En said, it seemed that the "girl" he mentioned saw this scene, which made Huai En step forward to rescue her.
The servant hurriedly inquired, "I'd like to ask, what family are you from, so that the master can come and thank you in person."
Huai En just waved his hand and said, "It's just a small matter, why bother thanking me."
Seeing that he was so insistent, the servant didn't force anything. After saying goodbye to Huai En, the servant returned to the sedan chair and said to the master, "Just now, thanks to a servant of a girl who came to rescue us, otherwise it would not be so easy for the master to enter the city today. If the lady knew about it, she would definitely worry about the master again."
The person in the sedan chair said, "First, go to the government office to see your superiors, handle the affairs at hand, and prepare the memorials to the governor of the two places. Then go home to see my wife."
"yes."
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