The snow was not heavy. It snowed and stopped occasionally. The palace servants would get up early to sweep away the snow with brooms. Inside, faint rustling sounds could be heard coming from the courtyard.

It was a rest day, but Jing Ye couldn’t laze the day away. Last night, the guards came into the palace and reported that the old Prime Minister Gu had stayed at an inn outside the capital and entered the city gate early this morning.

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A highly respected elder official from the imperial court had returned to the capital after several years outside. Not mentioning his students and disciples in the capital, those who have received favors from him, those who have been promoted by him, and those who have always respected him, could likely fill the entire city gate.

Jing Ye sat on the couch, his hand resting on the low desk. Gu Hong leaned over to tie Jing Ye’s black mink embroidered five-clawed golden dragon cloak, and said with a smile: “Actually, Your Majesty does not need to go outside the city in person.”

Jing Ye blinked and said, “Everyone in the world thinks zhen should go.”

He would be seeing the other anyway. Jing Ye looked at the graceful gongzi in front of him. No matter how fearsome the father-in-law was, he still had to go over and say his greetings.

Gu Hong raised his eyebrows and said, “Father-in-law?”

Jing Ye: “…No, nothing.”

“Your Majesty.” Gu Hong looked at the embarrassed look on his slightly red cheeks. His slender jade-like fingers slipped through the knot and reached into the lapel of his clothes, stroking the delicate skin of Jing Ye’s collarbone.

Jing Ye’s hair exploded, and he stuttered backwards: “This, this, this, this is inappropriate. We have to pick up old Lord Gu…”

“What’s inappropriate?” Gu Hong chuckled, as if recalling some scenes from last night, his voice became hoarse, “It’s still early, Your Majesty, let’s sleep a little longer…”

Jing Ye still wanted to speak, but unfortunately his mouth was blocked.

Ye Mao hurriedly waved his hand quietly, and the maids withdrew with blushing faces and closed the door.

“Alright, wait outside.” Ye Gonggong flicked his horsetail whisk, “Let’s wait for another hour or so.”

An hour later, Jing Ye stepped onto the imperial chariot with light steps. The master of ceremonies coughed lightly and reminded: “Your Majesty, the hems of your clothes must be straightened.”

Jing Ye’s face was expressionless, and the palace maid hurriedly stepped forward to tidy it up for him.

The palace maid secretly raised her head and saw that the corners of the emperor’s eyes were faintly red, his eyelashes were long and soft, his features handsome and gentle, and she couldn’t help but blush.

His Majesty… was quite beautiful.

When Jing Ye’s imperial chariot arrived outside the city gate, there were already hundreds of people standing outside the city. When they saw the imperial chariot coming, they all knelt down and said, “Paying respects to Your Majesty.”

“It’s cold and snowy, all may rise quickly.”

Jing Ye got out of the chariot. As soon as he leaned over, he felt a pain shoot up his waist, and his face suddenly twisted.

The ministers stood up as instructed.

Jing Ye took a few steps forward, a hand held bronze heater in his hands. It had just snowed all night, and the snow crunched when he stepped on it.

There was silence, except for the sound of the flag blowing in the wind.

After waiting for a while, a few small black spots appeared in the snow in the distance, slowly revealing the outline of a carriage.

The carriage stopped not far in front of Jing Ye. The coachman opened the thick curtain and helped an old man over sixty years old out of the carriage.

The old man had a kind face and a gentle expression. Although he was old, his smile similar to Gu Hong displayed his identity.

Some of the officials already shouted: “Lord Gu!”

Prime Minister Gu took a few steps forward steadily, brushed his clothes and was about to kneel down: “Your Majesty, Gu Shan, pays respects.”

“Prime Minister, rise quickly.” Jing Ye hurriedly put down the bronze heater and stepped forward to help him up, “The Prime Minister was a close friend of zhen‘s grandmother back then and is zhen‘s elder, so there is no need to perform such a grand ceremony.”

Lord Gu stood up and said, “The etiquette cannot be discarded.” He turned sideways and said, “This is my son, Gu Yun.”

Gu Yun knelt down on one knee and said, “Paying respects to Your Majesty.”

Jing Ye looked him over. Gu Yun’s features were more similar to Prime Minister Gu, and they were less elegant and more worldly and casual.

Jing Ye smiled and said: “Rise. Zhen has held a small banquet in the palace to welcome the Prime Minister and wash away the tiredness of travel.”

Prime Minister Gu cupped his hands and said, “Thanking Your Majesty.”

The accompanying palace attendants led the father and son into the prepared carriage, and all the servants of the Gu family followed behind the accompanying carriage.

The guard ran to Gu Yun and whispered something. Gu Yun’s eyebrows jumped, got in the carriage and sat across from Lord Gu, and said: “Father, Mei’er followed us.”

Lord Gu let out an “en” and said, “With how your mother is like, I don’t expect her to be able to control her. Where is she?”

“Apparently she has been following us the whole way, but after being discovered by the guards.” Gu Yun couldn’t help but laugh, “I don’t know where she is now.”

Lord Gu said slowly: “Then she must still be here, probably hiding in the carriage of those maids. Forget it, let her be.”

Behind their carriage, in the carriage where the servant girls sat, Gu Mei was squeezed between several maids, her finger pressed to her lips: “Shh, shh…”

The maid said: “My lady, if you run out without permission, the master will be angry.”

Gu Mei said with a smile: “There are many things that make him angry, not least of which is this one.”

She had always been free and wild, and had learned the habits of jianghu from her two traveling brothers. She often loved to joke with the maids in fun, so the servant girls did not shy away from her, and they all laughed and said: “My lady can really risk it all for Lu Gongzi. “

Gu Mei blushed and waved her hand: “Who came so far for him? I just want to come to the capital to see…”

The maids burst into laughter.

“And by the way… take a look at him.” Gu Mei was a little embarrassed and simply said: “I also want to see what kind of person could make Lu Baizang leave behind those rotten peach blossoms and become a good man.”

Gu Hong followed Jing Ye out of the palace, but did not go outside the city. Instead, he stopped in front of a tavern in the city.

The location here was chosen very well. Behind the tavern was a large plum forest left by the predecessors. There were no plum blossoms in bloom in early winter, but the branches were covered with snow, which appeared glittering and dazzling in the sun and was very beautiful indeed.

The scholar was sitting on a bamboo chair by the window. Hearing the sound, he turned his head and said, “You came early.”

Gu Hong cupped his hands and said, “Sir is here early as well.”

The scholar smiled and said, “I came here to take a look. After nearly four years, this place is still the same as before, unchanged at all.”

Gu Hong raised his head and looked at that pair of eyes—long eyelashes lowered, eyes like rippling water.

The look was so similar to Jing Ye.

Gu Hong brushed his clothes and knelt down and said, “This subject is slow-witted.”

The scholar raised his hand to signal him to rise, and said with a smile: “The identity and disguise were all arranged by your teacher. If you see through it at a glance, where would Old Man Qianji’s reputation be?”

Gu Hong said: “This matter…”

“Not many people know about this.” The scholar leaned on the wine table, “There are a few people in Pingyue City who know about it, including your father and teacher.”

Gu Hong raised his eyebrows and said after a while: “And His Majesty?”

“To him, I am just an old face from the past.” The scholar chuckled, “I came silently, and I should leave silently. He is very good now, and there is no need for a father who has come back from the dead.”

He stood up and looked at the snow-white branches outside the window, “Back then, your teacher read the fortunes of several of my imperial children. He said that my imperial mother killed too much and this bad karma has passed down towards her descendants. The several of them will not reach the age of adulthood. Only Ye’er, in the first half of his life, he bears a fate of sin, but in the second half of his life, he will be a benevolent monarch… But I didn’t believe it at the time.” The scholar laughed at himself.

“Now, thirteen years later, it is clear who was right and who was wrong.”

When Gu Hong heard these words for the first time, he couldn’t help but be startled.

“Gu Hong.” The scholar said slowly but forcefully, “Whether you are loyal to the Jing family because of the Gu family, or you are really… in love with him?” He let out a chuckle, “I hope you will respect him, love him and protect him from now on.”

Gu Hong’s eyebrows curved, and he brushed his clothes and said, “Of course.”

After the small banquet, Jing Ye returned to Ping’an Palace.

It was broad daylight at almost noon, but there was a faint fragrance floating in the room, and the doors and windows were closed.

“Ah…”

Jing Ye lay on the bed, twisting a corner of the brocade quilt with his long and delicate fingers, and whispered: “You… lighter…”

Lu Baizang leaned forward while moving fiercely, pressed against the side of his face, and said with a smile: “Your Majesty, when will you meet my parents…?”

Jing Ye didn’t answer, he just felt his vision gradually blurring, sweat flowing from his forehead to the tip of his nose, and then being licked away.

When he woke up again, Lu Baizang was sitting next to him, wearing only an inner robe, holding a stack of More memorials and reading through them.

When Jing Ye spoke, he realized that his throat was dry and hoarse: “What are you looking at?”

Lu Baizang snorted, and his tone was very sour: “Your Majesty cherishes old relationships very much. At this time, you still kept the token of love…”

Jing Ye reached out and took it over and saw that it was a greeting memorial from Feng Ling.

Lu Baizang reached out and rubbed his waist fiercely. Jing Ye’s waist trembled and he told him in a hoarse voice not to move.

Lu Baizang turned over and pressed him down, “He is avoiding you now, but you still think about him?”

Jing Ye touched his face and said hoarsely: “It was nothing in the first place, it was just wishful thinking on my part.”

In the Feng Manor garden.

“Brother Feng?”

“En?” Feng Ling came back to his senses, and Yang Yuying looked at him with a smile: “Did you hear me?”

Feng Ling lowered his head and smiled apologetically.

Yang Yuying didn’t care at all and said with a smile: “It might be rude of me to say this. But I’m too curious to not ask.”

Feng Ling said, “Go ahead.”

Yang Yuying said: “I heard from my brother by chance that you often go to the palace to see His Majesty.” She blinked, “I wonder what His Majesty is like? Does he often reprimand people?”

Feng Ling didn’t expect that she would ask about this. After a long pause, he said softly: “His Majesty… is a gentle and kind person.”

“Even though I did something wrong, he still treated me leniently.”

Yang Yuying covered her lips and smiled: “The appearance of His Majesty…”

Feng Ling thought for a while, his eyes softening: “Very beautiful.”

When Prime Minister Gu returned to the court, he gave reassurance to the pure official faction in the court. In addition, during the suppression of the Zhao faction, an astonishing amount of money was swept out of the seized official residences. On the second day after Prime Minister Gu returned to the court, Jing Ye ordered the Ministry of Revenue to conduct a comprehensive inventory of the money and food deficit.

All of a sudden, there was a lot of excitement. 

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According to Lin Xiaosheng’s suggestion, imperial envoys were sent to various regions to conduct inspections, and select officials from previous years’ imperial examination candidates. Once corruption charges were discovered, they would replace them on the spot.

The other imperial edicts were even more to the point.

The days flew by fast when busy, and finally it was almost the end of the year.

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As a toddler, Jing Xiao Yun maintained a sweet and cute appearance most of the time, so long as what he wanted was at hand.

So he often looked down on Zhao Yue Yue, who was constantly crying in the bed over.

Just after midnight that night, there was a cry of a baby in the palace, and the drowsy palace maids who were guarding outside the room woke up and looked up at each other.

“The young gongzi must be fussing again.” The maid in charge stood up, waved to the other maids, and pushed open the door covered with soft gauze, “Go and get some warm water quickly.”

Opening the door, she saw Zhao Yue lying on one of the two small beds, his little fists curled and his mouth wide from crying. Jing Xiao Yun was leaning on the railing of his crib and looking out.

“Gongzi.” The palace maid in charge hurried over, wrapped Zhao Yue in a quilt and picked him up, while calling the palace maid behind her: “Hurry up and dress His Highness in warm clothes.”

“Ai.” The palace maid stepped forward and put on a small coat for Jing Xiao Yun. The latter stretched out his hand and said: “Grass.”

Palace maid: “?”

The head maid smiled and said, “His Highness thinks the young gongzi is noisy.” (TN: ‘grass’ is a homonym of ‘noisy’) 

The palace maid was stunned and couldn’t help but smile.

Jing Xiao Yun sat on the bed arrogantly, refusing to let the palace maid hold him.

Zhao Yue Yue was still crying and refused to drink water.

The palace maid said: “Go and report to His Majesty?”

While coaxing the baby in her arms, the head maid shook her head and said, “His Majesty doesn’t sleep much, so getting up late at night will only be harmful. The young masters will not be happy either.”

The palace maid looked at Zhao Yue who was crying non-stop and wondered: “But the young gongzi…”

Ping’an Palace, bedroom.

Gu Hong opened his eyes and frowned when he heard faint crying outside.

Jing Ye was sleeping nose to nose with him. At this time, he also opened his eyes and looked at him, and said helplessly, “I’m afraid it’s Zhao Yue,” Then he raised his head and said, “Ye Mao?”

Ye Mao outside bowed and said: “Your Majesty.”

Jing Ye said: “Inside the side hall is…”

Ye Mao replied: “It’s the young gongzi.”

Gu Hong held Jing Ye’s hand and said softly: “The palace attendants are there. Your Majesty, please take a rest. You have morning court tomorrow at five o’clock. What time is it now?”

Jing Ye paused, lay back on the pillow, closed his eyes for a while. Lu Baizang beside him turned over and hugged his waist.

After a while, the crying outside the hall still sounded.

Jing Ye let out a breath, opened his eyes and started to get up. Gu Hong pressed him down with a strong hand and said, “Your Majesty.”

Jing Ye looked at him, Gu Hong’s cool and soft hair hung down and brushed his cheek.

“Zhen won’t be able to sleep with the constant crying anyway.” Jing Ye patted his hand, and when he felt the pressure on his hand had loosened, he stood up and crossed over Lu Baizang, casually throwing on a coat beside the bed, and stepped forward to push the bead curtains to go out.

Outside the curtain, Ye Mao came up with a young eunuch and said: “Your Majesty…”

Jing Ye moved forward, and the palace attendants guarding the door hurriedly opened the door. Jing Ye went straight out to the side hall.

It was late autumn, and when he came out of his room where the warm fragrance overflowed, he was faced with the howling cold wind. Jing Ye huddled in his clothes and stepped into the hall with his head lowered.

Zhao Yue Yue showed no acceptance of the palace maids’ comfort at all and was still wailing. Jing Xiao Yun sat on the small bed and played with the wooden carriage that Lu Baizang had made for him.

The palace attendant behind Jing Ye closed the door. The head maid turned around with Zhao The in her arms, and curtsied with the palace maids in the room, “Your Majesty.”

Jing Xiao Yun raised his head and said with bright eyes: “Susu.”

Jing Ye rubbed his head and said, “Be good.”

Jing Xiao Yun stretched his neck upwards, and Jing Ye smiled, lowered his head, and kissed him on the forehead.

Zhao Yue, who was in the palace maid’s arms, suddenly stopped crying, tilted his head slightly, and looked at Jing Ye with his mouth open.

Jing Ye went over, thought about it, and reached out to hold him.

Zhao Yue shrank back and buried his head in the palace maid’s arms.

Jing Ye had no choice but to retract his hand and said to the head maid: “Since he no longer cries, just give him some water and put him to sleep.”

The head maid curtsied and said, “Yes.”

Jing Ye glanced at the infant Zhao Yue again. Jing Xiao Yun felt an inexplicable sense of crisis. He threw away the wooden car, grabbed the railing and shouted, “Susu.”

Jing Ye tweaked his nose and said, “Go to sleep, and I’ll ask Uncle Lu to make milk for you tomorrow.” Then he turned and left the side hall.

After passing through the blue gauze panels and exiting the door, a snow-white fox fur cloak was shaken off and laid over his shoulders, accompanied by the man’s complaint: “They don’t even stop in the middle of the night, these little debt collectors.”

Lu Baizang was a martial arts practitioner, and his body temperature penetrated through his thin clothes, making Jing Ye unable to help but move towards him.

Lu Baizang lowered his head, and Jing Ye tilted his head to kiss his lips. The two held hands and walked quickly through the late autumn courtyard.

After taking a nap the next day, Jing Ye went to Lin Xiaosheng’s Yiyuan Hall to discuss finances.

Jing Ye was sitting at the desk, watching Lin Xiaosheng take down one account book after another from the overcrowded bookshelf and put them on the table, dividing them into several piles.

The servant boy who served him stood by the gauze curtain, staring warily at the “lusty and incapable” emperor.

The aroma of tea lingered in the room, and Lin Xiaosheng ordered the palace servants to bring a chair which he placed next to Jing Ye. He said: “Your Majesty, you can look through it at will.”

Jing Ye said: “Is this all of it?”

Lin Xiaosheng said: “This is from the past three days.”

Jing Ye: “…”

He picked up a book casually, opened it, and frowned.

Lin Xiaosheng said: “Over the years, the Ministry of Revenue has suffered a deficit of millions of taels, but the miscellaneous donations and illegal taxes in various states have been huge.”

Jing Ye held the thin pages of the account book and said nothing.

A majestic empire, it looked powerful from the outside, but in actuality was empty inside.

Jing Ye thought for a long time and said, “Govern.”

“There are policies from above, and countermeasures from below.” Lin Xiaosheng tilted his head, and the phoenix eyes behind the crystal mirror were as clear as a cold lake.

Jing Ye raised his eyebrows and smiled: “Then think of a countermeasure policy.”

Feng Ling returned home after going to court and found that the manor was much busier than usual.

The maids came and went. When they saw him passing by, they all smiled and said, “Young Master.”

Feng Ling stopped and said, “Today is…”

The head servant girl said: “The mistress has invited the mistresses of the Yang family and the Feng family to come over for tea, and they are currently chatting in the pavilion by the carp pond.”

Feng Ling was startled, and remembering Madam Feng’s words a while ago, he said hurriedly: “If mother calls me, just say that I am busy and it is inconvenient to see guests.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Madam Feng’s personal maid came over and said, “Young master, the mistress asked you to come over.”

Feng Ling had no choice but to go with the maid.

When he arrived at the pavilion, he saw Madam Feng (凤) talking to Madam Yang, Madam Feng (冯). Next to her were Yu Ying, the youngest daughter of the Yang family, and the two daughters of the Feng family.

The maid alerted: “Mistress, the young master is here.”

When Madam Feng saw Feng Ling, she waved and said, “Come here Qing Sheng, come greet your aunts and little sisters.”

Feng Ling stepped forward and bowed in salute. He was dressed in a crimson official uniform, which made his face as handsome as jade and his figure tall and upright.

The two young ladies from the Feng family were already blushing.

The mistresses of the Yang and Feng families also nodded with satisfaction. Madam Feng smiled and said: “I know you young people don’t like to listen to us old people talking, so how about you take your three little sisters to go for a walk in the garden?” The last sentence was directed at the three young ladies.

Feng Ling was about to refuse, but he remembered what Madam Feng said to him privately: “You don’t want to get married? There are so many people in the world, but there is no one you like?” Jing Ye’s smile appeared in front of his eyes, and his hand that always reached over to him.

Madam Feng waved her hand and said, “This child, why are you just standing there?”

Feng Ling came back to his senses, looked at the dignified and elegant young ladies in front of him, his eyes dim, and said slowly:

“Yes.”

The sky had darkened.

Jing Ye was sitting in Yiyuan Hall, holding an account book in his hand and looking through it, asking Lin Xiaosheng from time to time.

Lin Xiaosheng sat on the side and watched Jing Ye reach for the pen, but touched the ink in the inkstone instead and got his hand dirty.

Just as Jing Ye was about to speak, Lin Xiaosheng had already ordered the servant boy: “Bring hot water and hand towel.”

The servant boy looked at Jing Ye fearfully, turned and left.

When the hot water was brought, Jing Ye slowly washed his hands. The palace was so quiet that it was awkward.

Lin Xiaosheng suddenly said: “It’s already late, Your Majesty is returning to the palace…”

Jing Ye then said: “Then tomorrow zhen will…”

“Or stay for dinner?” Lin Xiaosheng picked up a hand towel and wiped Jing Ye’s hands. He still had an indifferent expression, but his behavior was very natural, as if the two of them were already so intimate.

Jing Ye paused, then stood up and said, “Thank you for qing‘s kindness. Zhen is tired, so it is better to go back early.” After saying that, he turned around.

But after he saw the scene in front of him clearly, he couldn’t help but be stunned.

“It’s snowing.”

Lin Xiaosheng sat quietly on the bamboo chair, dabbing the water that the ink had been diluted by, and spoke in a cold tone.

Jing Ye wore a cloak and walked on the thin layer of snow step by step.

Ye Mao followed behind and said, “Your Majesty, the road is slippery with the snow.”

Jing Ye smiled and said: “No matter, you are behind me, so just be careful to catch zhen.”

Ye Mao said stupidly: “Ah?”

Jing Ye couldn’t help but laugh and walked forward.

A person came towards them from a distance without a cloak. Snow fell on his hair and shoulders, melting into water and soaking his clothes.

He knelt on one knee on the ground and said, “Paying respects to Your Majesty.”

Jing Ye raised his hand to gesture to him to rise and asked, “Has your wound healed?”

“It is fully recovered.” Li Tingqiu raised his head and looked at him, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for the medicine.”

“Good.” Jing Ye reflexively wanted to brush the snow off his body, but luckily he caught himself.

“The snow is going to be heavy.” Jing Ye smiled and said, “Go back as soon as possible.”

“Yes.” Li Tingqiu responded stiffly. After standing stiff for a while, he said softly: “Even though the state affairs are troublesome, Your Majesty, please take care of yourself.”

“En?” Jing Ye didn’t react for a moment, “What did you say?”

“This subject will be retreating now.” Li Tingqiu took a few steps back, turned around and strode away through the snow.

Jing Ye: “…”

Today was really a particular day.

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A few days later, Lu Baizang returned to the palace and brought back the news from Wen Xueyi.

With the grain and horses sent to them by Jing Ye, Wuhuan had the courage to challenge the Dayue clan. At this time, the two clans were at a stalemate. Dayue’s intention to join forces with Zhao Mingde to take a bite of the northern border naturally came to nothing. Not only that, but also in the next few years, the northern grasslands would become the battlefield and judgment table between the two clans.

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Jing Ye casually took a look at the letter of gratitude and smiled: “This King Wuhuan, his sincerity is worrying.”

Lu Baizang said while feeding Jing Xiao Yun curd cheese, “What?”

“A king of barbarians, his letter of gratitude is written more beautifully than the ministers in my court.” Jing Ye looked over it, “Who would believe it? En… though the words used… are very sincere.”

“Of course he couldn’t have written it.” Lu Baizang put down the porcelain bowl, sat over and hugged Jing Ye, “Someone wrote it for him. I heard from Wen Xueyi that there is a Han adviser beside the new king to advise him, otherwise how could he step on his brothers and ascend to the throne?”

Jing Ye nodded: “So it is like this…”

“I heard that the advisor is greatly favored by King Wuhuan. The two eat at the same table and sleep on the same bed…” Lu Baizang smiled and leaned close to his ear, his thin lips touching Jing Ye’s round earlobe, “Say Your Majesty, the two of them… Aren’t they similar to us?”

Jing Xiao Yun swallowed the curd cheese in his mouth and looked at the two with big eyes.

Jing Ye didn’t even look back, he raised his hand and slapped Lu Baizang on the face: “Yun’er is still here, please pay attention.”

Lu Baizang put his arms around his waist, buried his head between his neck and shoulders, and began to make unreasonable noises, commonly known as throwing a tantrum.

“How long has it been since you asked me to be intimate with you! These days that I haven’t been with you, someone has taken advantage, haven’t they? I worked hard for you outside, but you are here enjoying the new and forgetting the old… Hmmph, I’m back now yet I don’t see how happy you are…”

Jing Ye: “…”

Lu Baizang looked like a resentful wife, but his hands gently and slowly twisted on Jing Ye’s jade belt-wrapped waist, trying to get inside.

Jing Ye felt embarrassed being rubbed by him, so he pinched his wrist and turned around, “En? Why did I hear that when you went to Zhengzhou, a beauty climbed on your bed at night?”

Lu Baizang’s handsome face froze and he said sheepishly: “That surnamed Gu spread the rumor…”

Jing Ye patted his hand and said, “Enough, I have to go to the imperial study room. You can watch them both here.” After saying that, he stood up.

Lu Baizang was startled and said, “Aren’t you angry?”

Jing Ye said: “What is there to be angry about?”

“…” Lu Baizang grabbed his hand, “Me and that woman, you don’t ask me about that woman…”

Jing Ye looked at him and said, “You…”

Seeing his calm expression, Lu Baizang was so angry that he sneered: “That’s right. I was bored at night, so I spent the night with her, it was very enjoyable. I must pamper her well when I go back to Zhengzhou.”

Jing Ye was stunned for a moment, looked at him and said, “It’s up to you.” Then he left.

Feng Ling returned home after going to court, and first went to the main hall to see his mother.

The maid smiled and lifted the curtain, saying: “The young master is back.”

Madam Feng was leaning on an azure pillow, comparing needlework with several older servants. When she saw him coming in, she smiled and said, “Come here Qingsheng. Seeing that winter is coming soon, the servant girls told me those winter clothes in your cabinet are still the same as they were two years ago. I’m discussing with them to make some new ones for you.”

Feng Ling went over and saluted, “Thank you, mother. Mother, please pay attention to your health and don’t hurt your eyes.”

Madam Feng waved her hands and said with a smile: “I only have one son, shouldn’t I worry about you? While I can still move my old bones, I will make some clothes for you. In a year and a half, you will be married. Your wife will be doing all this instead, and I, as the mother, can’t get involved.”

Everything else was fine, but hearing the word “married”, Feng Ling couldn’t help but be startled: “Married?”

“You don’t want to get married?” Madam Feng glared at him, “How old are you? The fifth son of the Qin family is the same age as you yet his child can already talk. I discussed it with your father last night. Within the next six months, I must choose a marriage for you, and find a virtuous young lady as soon as possible.”

Feng Ling couldn’t refute his mother. But he thought of Jing Ye and felt that he couldn’t let go. He hurriedly said, “This son will go back to my room first” and walked out regardless of Madam Feng calling after him.

In the evening, Lord Feng went back to his room to go to bed. Madam Feng sat in front of the mirror and said, “I feel Qing Sheng has become a bit strange.”

Lord Feng turned around and said, “I feel that too.”

Madam Feng thought about it carefully and said, “Is it possible that he may have a sweetheart outside?”

Lord Feng raised his head, and Madam Feng said: “The manservant said that he comes back to the manor every day after court and does not go out. Could it be a maid at home? It doesn’t look like it…”

The couple looked at each other, but they still didn’t understand.

Jing Ye did not return to his palace residence until very late in the evening.

“Your Majesty.” Ye Mao led the palace servants to welcome him into the palace residence and whispered, “Lu Gongzi is inside, he’s not asleep yet.”

Jing Ye paused and nodded.

Lu Baizang was sitting by the window. The window was open. When he saw Jing Ye coming in, he reached out and closed it.

The palace attendants came forward to remove his clothes. After washing, the palace attendants all left, leaving only two people in the room.

Jing Ye stood there and thought for a while, then stepped forward.

Lu Baizang didn’t look at him.

Jing Ye leaned over and held his slender hand. Lu Baizang twitched his fingers.

Jing Ye said: “I don’t ask, not because I don’t care.”

In the early morning of the next day, the palace maids were guarding outside the room with face towels and copper basins. Two palace maids standing side by side chatted secretly.

Palace Maid A said: “His Majesty and Lu Gongzi had a quarrel yesterday. I wonder if they reconciled last night.”

Palace Maid B smiled and said, “They’ve already reconciled.”

Palace Maid A said: “How do you know?”

Palace Maid B said: “Last night I was keeping watch with Ye Gonggong, and I heard His Majesty inside saying, ‘Gu Hong won’t be back tonight.'”

Palace Maid A was confused: “What does this mean?… What else did His Majesty say?”

Palace Maid B said: “His Majesty also said: ‘Get out’.”

Palace Maid A looked at her and had an epiphany.

As soon as the door opened, Ye Mao came out and waved his horsetail whisk to signal the palace attendants to enter.

On the dragon bed, Jing Ye got up with his hair disheveled. Lu Baizang turned over and hugged him, smiling: “Your Majesty, shall this subject serve you in washing up?”

Jing Ye looked at his gleeful face and gathered enough strength to kick him out of bed.

“Get out!”

Jing Ye didn’t get enough sleep at night, and went to court under a cloud of low pressure during the day. He spoke in the same expressionless tone, which frightened several ministers who wanted to remonstrate.

After taking a noon nap, he went to the imperial study as usual. After Jing Ye handled some of the memorials, he heard two knocks outside the door. It was Ye Mao: “Your Majesty, Lin Gongzi requests an audience.”

Jing Ye lowered his head and said, “Let him in.”

Lin Xiaosheng came in with several volumes of account books and placed them on the desk in front of Jing Ye.

Jing Ye said: “This is…”

Lin Xiaosheng said: “The tax account books sent by the Ministry of Revenue.”

Jing Ye took it over and looked through it. There were marks written by Lin Xiaosheng everywhere on it.

Lin Xiaosheng said: “Corruption is too serious. Even if a lot of money has been ‘purged’ this time, in the long run, the national treasury will still be in deficit and the common people will be overwhelmed.”

Jing Ye looked up at him, thought for a moment, and said, “Bring zhen the account books and zhen will take a closer look.”

Lin Xiaosheng said: “There are many account books. Forgive this subject for the rudeness, but how much does Your Majesty know about this matter?”

“Learn from ignorance.” Jing Ye said bravely, “Let zhen have a look, and gain an estimate in my mind.”

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Lin Xiaosheng lowered his eyes and looked at him, then suddenly smiled: “If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, why not come to this subject’s palace to take a closer look, and this subject can also help from the side.”

This person could also smile.

Jing Ye was stunned for a moment, but quickly came to his senses. Lin Xiaosheng’s smile had him feeling inexplicably embarrassed.

“…Fine, let’s go.”

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The autumn hunt finally ended with arrests, imprisonment, and conviction. The next day, the emperor led his ministers back to the court, although many of them had been captured the night before.

In the prison of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review, the scholar carried the medicine box and walked into a separate cell under the guidance of the prison guard.

Compared with the gloom and filth of other prison cells, this place was obviously much neater and cleaner, just like an ordinary room.

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The door lock was unlocked, and the middle-aged man lying on the wooden bed moved and made a sound.

“Lord Zhao.” The scholar placed the medicine box on the wooden table and stood beside it, “Is this prison time as painful as you imagined?”

The middle-aged man turned over, sat up slowly, and said hoarsely: “No.”

“I think so too.” The scholar smiled, “His Majesty is kind. Even if the lord has committed a major crime, His Majesty has not forgotten your assistance over the years.”

Zhao Mingde aged almost overnight. He looked at the calm scholar in front of him and laughed miserably: “But I will still die.”

The scholar’s finger pointed at the flap of the medicine box: “Yes, but how one dies is different for different people.”

Zhao Mingde sneered: “What do you want?”

The scholar smiled and said: “As long as the lord gives a clean account, His Majesty will let you go on your way peacefully.”

“Clean?” Zhao Mingde raised his head and let out a miserable laugh, “I understand!… Why he had only put anesthetic on the knife? He is kind? Hahahaha…”

Zhao Mingde stood up and looked at the scholar, “He wants my money. My Zhao family has existed for many years and can be considered extremely wealthy. There are Xirong in the west and barbarians in the north. How can he fight without my money? Hahaha… the little emperor, it doesn’t matter that I, Zhao Mingde, am a prisoner, he still has to beg me…”

“So the lord just needs to come clean.” The scholar held up a small medicine bottle, “His Majesty will let you go on your way peacefully.”

Zhao Mingde seemed not to have heard at all, but still laughed and said: “The little emperor is nothing! If it weren’t for the help of the Gu family, the Gu family!” He said with a look of hatred on his face, “How can that incapable ruler be worthy! To have the Gu family from top to bottom go to such efforts…”

The scholar said: “Do you think you are worthy? There is a severe drought in the southwest. In order to make the emperor lose the support of the people, you cut off more than 200,000 silver taels worth of grains sent from the capital. How many lives were wasted?”

Zhao Mingde murmured: “Just him? Just him…”

“Because he is willing to open the southwest treasury and take out the imperial family’s money to help the people. Because he has been busy reading and handling documents from various places day and night in the past few months.” The scholar sat down at the table, “Because he strictly forbade the Imperial Army from disturbing the common people last night. That they must not kill or injure anyone, nor to bully women, children and the elderly, and anyone who disobeys this order will be killed.”

Zhao Mingde seemed to have exhausted all his strength and collapsed to the ground.

The scholar smiled: “Such an emperor, even if he is slightly clumsy and has done wrong in the past, is still considered at least qualified.”

This settling of political upheaval brought about a major change of blood in the imperial court. More than half of the officials were arrested. Some of them had really done evil, and some of them were caught as part of the Zhao faction, but their crimes were not deserving of death. Whoever had done evil should be killed, whose home should be confiscated and exiled, and who should be imprisoned for a few years. Because there were too many special circumstances, the Imperial Court of Judicial Review could not make a decision and could only leave it to Jing Ye and a few trustworthy old ministers to discuss and solve the problem.

There were also Zhao Mingde’s accomplices and informants in various other regions that need to be dug out one by one.

Gu Hong was in charge of Qingyu Pavilion in the palace. Although he could help, Jing Ye couldn’t put all the responsibility on him.

The money taken from the houses of corrupt officials was organized by the Ministry of Revenue (in fact, there were not many people left in it) and transferred to Lin Xiaosheng for adjudication, because most of the people who could be used were transferred over by him.

Jing Ye lost weight rapidly.

He was not considered to be heavy to begin with and as he usually wore thick autumn clothes it was not obvious. But when Gu Hong hugged him to sleep at night, he could feel all his bones.

In the evening, Jing Ye changed his clothes and went to bed. Gu Hong hugged him and whispered in his ear: “There should be more people from the imperial kitchen in the prison. They serve you meals all day long but none of it can be turned into meat on your bones.”

Jing Ye laughed and said, “Then you have to see what the cook looks like. If he is also thin, he must be doing his job well.”

Although he smiled, there was weariness in his voice.

Gu Hong looked at him, moved closer, and the two became entangled in each other. Jing Ye said, “Sleep.”

“En.”

In this upheaval, the Xu family, who were in-laws of the Zhao family, did not suffer much loss. With Xu Ming suppressing the unrest in the northwest, even though Madam Xu was the eldest daughter of the Xu family, after simply cutting ties it allowed the Xu family to escape the disaster.

The second day after Madam Xu was thrown into prison, Meng Qiucui came to see her.

Madam Xu rushed over and clung to the iron bars, “Vicious woman, vicious woman!”

Meng Qiucui took a step back, supported herself on the maid’s hand and sneered: “With such strength, it seems that sister is doing well here.”

Madam Xu glared at her angrily and shouted at the top of her lungs: “Living off us while secretly helping outsiders…”

“I should give you a mirror so you can see what you look like now.” Meng Qiucui looked at her and smiled, her eyes curving delicately, “You are much uglier than I was back then.”

“Whore!” Madam Xu breathed heavily, “I have known for a long time that you had ulterior motives. You, you entered the manor… just for…”

“I was sold to Zhao Mingde by my father, a beast.” Meng Qiucui’s smile disappeared, her expression cold and arrogant, and her voice trembling slightly, “I endured it. But since you poisoned my ten month old child to death, I have been waiting for this day.”

Madam Xu seemed to have remembered something, and she stretched out her hands more violently: “What are you going to do! You dare to hurt Miao Ling, Yue’er…” Zhao Yue was the young son of Zhao Mingde and Madam Xu.

“Go die, sister.” Meng Qiucui raised her head and stared at her, “When you die, I will live a good life, and my daughter will also live, and our lives will be thousands of times better than yours.”

Jing Ye was sitting on the couch, with one hand on the table placed on the couch and the other holding Jing Xiao Yun.

Jing Ye said: “The rising clouds cause rain.”

Jing Xiao Yun said: “The rithing cloudth cauth rain.” He held a toy tiger in his hand.

Jing Ye couldn’t help laughing, but still continued: “The dew turns into frost.”

Jing Xiao Yun said: “The dew turnth into froth.”

Jing Ye rubbed his tender face and said, “Uncle can even recite it, can you?”

Jing Xiao Yun’s eyes were wide and innocent: “No.”

The maid in charge came in and said, “Your Majesty, the young gongzi has fallen asleep.”

“Okay.” Jing Ye rubbed Jing Xiao Yun’s head, “Go and join your new little brother.”

Jing Xiao Yun opened his eyes wide, thought for a while, and said, “He’s stupid.”

Now this sentence was easy to learn. Jing Ye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so he picked him up and went to the side hall.

Young children easily became sleepy, Jing Xiao Yun said no, but as soon as he lay down on the small bed, a few minutes later he gradually closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Jing Ye looked at him by the bed, then turned to look at Zhao Yue in the other bed.

This was a mentally disabled child.

The scholar said that when the imperial army broke into the Zhao Manor, all the maids and servants ran away, leaving only an old maid to protect the child. Young children could not handle being frightened. Someone knocked over the bronze cauldron for burning incense and made such a loud noise that the lively baby was scared into a retarded child.

The palace maid came over and said softly: “Your Majesty, Gu Gongzi is back.”

Jing Ye nodded and returned to his room. Gu Hong was sitting where he had just been sitting. When he saw him coming, he asked, “Your Majesty, are you going to take in the Zhao family’s child?”

Jing Ye said: “Children are ignorant, simply change his name and identity, and it is no matter to raise him here for the rest of his life.”

Gu Hong looked at him: “Your Majesty, are you still feeling apologetic? If this child is mentally well, there will be risks whether he is raised under you or released outside.”

“Zhen doesn’t believe you will do something to a child either.” Jing Ye sat down opposite him, “Besides, he is already like this. Zhen owes him this.”

Gu Hong laughed and shook his head: “Your Majesty is too soft-hearted.”

“Zhen is soft-hearted and soft-handed.” Jing Ye said, “As an originally foolish and stubborn person, it is better to obey my heart.”

Southwest, Gu Manor.

Gu Yun entered Lord Gu’s study, bowed his head and said, “Father.”

“En.” Prime Minister Gu turned around and said, “All captured?”

Gu Yun raised his head and smiled: “To capture the thieves, first capture the leader. Ah Hong has captured the Zhao family in the capital. It will be easy to clean up these remnants.”

“Good.” Lord Gu nodded, “You young people have finished your work, and I, an old man, still have to work hard.”

Gu Yun looked at him and saluted again: “Father… may I be allowed to come with you?”

Lord Gu said: “What are you going to the capital for?”

Gu Yun said: “I want to take Qi Lan to cure his illness.”

“The son of the Qi family.” Lord Gu thought for a while, nodded and said, “Fine, go together.”

Gu Yun smiled and said, “Thank you, father.”

The father and son discussed some more official matters, and suddenly a servant boy came from outside to report: “Third Young Master, there is a lady outside asking to see you, saying that she wants to find someone from you.”

Lord Gu looked at Gu Yun, who hurriedly lowered his head and said, “Then… This son shall go see them first?”

Lord Gu motioned for him to go, and Gu Yun exited the room and went all the way to the front hall of the manor where guests were entertained.

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There he saw a graceful woman sitting on a chair sipping tea. Two servant girls behind her got up when he came in.

Gu Yun glanced at her, stepped forward and cupped his hands: “How may I refer to the lady?”

The woman said, “I am Lady Bai of General Zhenbei’s Manor. I am here to find Qi… Qi Gongzi.”

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The more Madam Xu looked, the more satisfied she was with Yang Ziran. During the past two days of the autumn hunt she often went to drink tea and chat with Madam Li. Seeing that the other also seemed to have the same intention, she became more and more sure of her choice.

Zhao Miaoling had been a little affected ever since she saw the second son of the Yang family that day. It was not that she thought he could compare with Gu Hong, but that the fact such a handsome young man who attracted the attention of the ladies was always joking and making her laugh satisfied her vanity.

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She also knew that she, despite being eighteen-year-old and still not yet engaged, was considered rare among the families of officials and nobles.

Only Zhao Mingde felt something was fishy: “The Yang family has always kept their mouth shut and never got involved in faction disputes. If the second son of the Yang family marries the daughter of my Zhao family, they will unavoidably belong to my Zhao family faction. Old man Yang does not appear to be that easy to talk to.”

“Now that husband commands popular support, and they see the momentum is good, so naturally they are willing to be a fence-sitter.” Madam Xu smiled as she prepared the hairpins for her daughter to use for tomorrow’s hunting banquet. “Isn’t the Yang family a loyal family? When they become our in-laws, are you afraid that they will fall out with us?”

Zhao Mingde thought about it and felt it made sense, so he did not say anymore.

This was the last day of autumn hunting. In the afternoon, Madam Li and her maid came over to have tea with Madam Xu.

“Tonight is His Majesty’s banquet. Will sister be attending the banquet?”

Madam Xu fingered the embroidered handkerchief in her hand and said with a smile, “It’s a must to go to the emperor’s banquet. What’s the matter? Is there a new curiosity?”

Madam Yang smiled and said: “A servant came to report this morning and said that a sister of mine from Jiangnan sent me a white jade Buddha. It is in excellent condition and I would like to invite sister to come and have a look.”

Madam Xu loved to collect jade Buddha. She couldn’t help but become interested and said, “Truly? Then I shall go and have a look.”

Madam Li appeared troubled: “But the banquet…”

“The banquet is of no importance.” Madam Xu waved her hand, and without waiting for Madam Li’s suggestion, she turned to the maid and said, “Go and tell the young lady to clean up. We will go back to the capital early.”

Madam Li smiled as she watched the maid walk away, a flash of something appearing deep in her eyes.

Night fell.

This feast was no different from the one on the first night of autumn hunting. Other than the fact that the faces of the young people were a little more tired and excited after hunting, everything was as usual.

Jing Ye sat quietly in front of the low wine table, watching the people below clicking cups and drinking wine.

In the second half of the banquet, Zhao Mingde stood up and said: “Your Majesty, allow this subject to offer something to Your Majesty.”

Jing Ye put his elbows on the armrests and said with a smile, “What is it?”

Zhao Mingde waved his sleeves and two children carrying a bronze wine vessel half a person’s height walked over. When the copper lid was lifted, the light of wine flickering could be seen.

Zhao Mingde said: “This subject offers you this ‘State Wine’ with hopes that Your Majesty will be a wise monarch who uses wise ministers.”

Jing Ye nodded in understanding: “Zhao Qing is considerate.” Then he raised his hand and said, “Serve the wine.”

The palace servant then took the jade cup from Jing Ye’s wine table and stepped forward. The boy carrying the wine held a long ladle to scoop out the wine and gradually filled the jade cup.

Zhao Mingde stood at the foot of the dais, looking up at the little emperor with a calm expression.

The palace servant turned around and handed it to Jing Ye. Jing Ye took the wine, raised his cup to Zhao Mingde, and flashed a very clear smile.

Zhao Mingde looked at his calm expression and suddenly felt something was wrong.

The little emperor threw back his head and swallowed all the wine. Then he looked at the ministers. Suddenly his eyes widened and he spit out a mouthful of blood.

The wine was poisoned!

The ministers were frightened, and several loyal ministers immediately stood up and shouted “Protect His Majesty!”. The timid madams and ladies also screamed, and the soldiers standing guard on all sides drew their swords.

There was chaos and panic.

Zhao Mingde was a man who had been through storms. Seeing this sudden incident, it was better to retreat than to advance. He rushed to the throne while the palace servants were panicking, hugged Jing Ye’s body lying on the wine table and shouted: “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

The emperor’s face was pale, with blood stains on the corners of his mouth. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at him with a tranquil gaze.

Zhao Mingde’s pupils dilated.

The dagger was hidden in the emperor’s sleeve. The moment he hugged the emperor, it penetrated his heart without any hindrance.

“You…” Zhao Mingde looked at Jing Ye. He had never thought, not even now, that the emperor would kill him like this.

“You…”

Jing Ye had no expression, lowered his head and said softly: “This way of dying is quite decent, Zhao Qing.”

Yang Manor in the capital.

Madam Xu was sitting in the room, looking at the embroidered uniform guards outside the door, with a face full of panic: “Sister, this is…”

Madam Li still looked gentle and docile as she said with a smile: “Sister, there is no need to panic. A servant just came to report that some rebel remnants of the previous dynasty had appeared at the autumn hunting banquet. His Majesty sent these people to prevent us and other female family members from being threatened. The Yulin Guards will protect us.”

“Re-, really?” Madam Xu forced a smile, feeling her temples twitching and painful, “Then Miao Ling and the others…”

Madam Li looked at her and said with a smile: “Miao Ling and Yu Ying are together. Don’t worry, sister. As soon as the rebels are captured I will personally send you back to your home. The white jade Buddha will also be gifted to sister to help get over the shock.”

Madam Xu listened to her words of comfort for a while, but no matter how uneasy she felt, she could only remain silent.

Almost an hour later, someone from the Yulin Guards entered the room and saluted Madam Li.

Madam Li understood. She stood up and smiled at Madam Xu: “The rebels have been captured. I will take sister back home now.”

Madam Xu saw that her expression was gentle and she didn’t seem to be pretending, so she got up and left the house as she was told, and got into the carriage with her. Seeing that the carriage was surrounded by guards from her own manor, she finally felt at ease.

Zhao Miaoling also got into another carriage with Yang Yuying, the daughter of Madam Li.

The wheels rolled, driving all the way towards Zhao Manor.

Late at night.

In front of the main entrance of the Zhao Manor, the coachman lifted up the curtain, and Madam Xu got out of the carriage with the help of her maid. Madam Li smiled, still in the carriage and said, “It’s already late night, so forgive sister for returning home first.”

Madam Xu nodded. Zhao Miaoling got off the carriage and looked at the tall door wall of her home in front of her. She felt a little uneasy and couldn’t help but take a few steps forward and stand behind Madam Xu.

The servant boy stepped forward and knocked on the door, shouting: “Madam is back, open the door!”

There was a sound of footsteps from the other side, and then someone pulled the door in, and the door opened. Madam Xu held the handkerchief in one hand and entered the door surrounded by maids and servants.

There were very few people along the way, and Madam Xu’s heart lifted little by little. When she walked into Qingbin Hall where she lived, it suddenly sank.

She saw maids and manservants kneeling all over the hall, a few old maids were sitting on footstools, and at the front kneeled all the madams and ladies of the manor.

Meng Qiucui sat on the main seat in the hall, holding a cup of hot tea with a leisurely attitude. When she saw Madam Xu coming in, she smiled and said, “We’ve been waiting for you for a long time, sister.”

On the night of the last day of autumn hunting, the common people shut their doors tightly and looked through the cracks in the windows at the columns of Imperial Guards walking back and forth on the street.

How many officials’ families and servants woke up from their sleep, only to see groups of silent and solemn soldiers, sealing off the entire manor.

The officials’ tents in the distance were already in chaos, but the imperial tent was still peaceful.

Jing Ye placed down a chess piece and looked at the chessboard again, smiling: “I lost again.”

Feng Ling placed down a white chess piece and said, “If Your Majesty was not distracted, you will naturally have a chance to win.”

Jing Ye looked at his slender jade-like fingers, shook his head and said, “It’s a mess outside.”

Feng Ling lowered his eyes and said after a while: “Your Majesty summoned this subject here just to play chess to relieve fatigue?”

Jing Ye smiled and said, “That’s right, tonight is a sleepless one.” Then he started to pick up the white pieces on the chessboard, “As there is nothing else to do, let’s play another game.”

Feng Ling lowered his eyes and said nothing. 

Lin Xiaosheng was sitting in another tent, flipping through the account books. Behind Ye Mao was a young eunuch who came in with a pile of account books and said, “Everything gongzi wants is here.”

Lin Xiaosheng raised his head, took the book he handed over, and said, “Thank you. Gonggong doesn’t need to go to the imperial tent to serve His Majesty?”

Ye Mao smiled and said: “His Majesty is playing chess with Lord Feng, there is nothing for me to do.”

Lin Xiaosheng raised an eyebrow and said, “Lord Feng?”

“That’s right.” Ye Mao sighed and said, “His Majesty is a hard-faced but soft-hearted person. Although he has not been as close to Lord Feng in the past two months as he was a while ago, he still thinks of him.”

Lin Xiaosheng frowned slightly.

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There had been a commotion outside for more than two hours. Don’t know how many officials have been arrested. According to Gu Hong, it was better to kill by mistake than let go any guilty. Those neutral factions in the court, such as the Dou family, Feng family, etc., although they were not members of the Zhao family faction, it was still absolutely impossible not to be affected. No matter what, they would have to be imprisoned for a few days at least.

But Jing Ye summoned Feng Ling to his side. In this way, he and the Feng family could be completely pulled out of this chaos without a single loss.

Actually protecting that person like this?

Lin Xiaosheng smiled and lowered his head.

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The banquet lasted until very late.

Jing Ye was so intoxicated by that cup of wine that he almost lost his senses. All night long he could only stare at the figures in the lights swinging in front of him in a daze. Lin Xiaosheng held his hand. His hand was very cold, which prevented Jing Ye from falling asleep.

In the middle of the banquet, Jing Ye took the sedan back to the imperial camp.

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Ye Mao didn’t go to the banquet and didn’t expect for him to be like this when he came back. His cheeks were red, his lips were white, and there were layers of sweat on his forehead.

His hands shook with anxiety, and while he ordered the palace servants to bring over some water and tea to relieve the intoxication, he cursed in a low voice: “That old bastard of the Zhao family, when he falls into my hands in the future, I will definitely force a thousand and eight hundred cups down his throat, and then throw him into the smoker to steam into a suckling pig!”

Jing Ye was so drunk that his sight and hearing were all confused, but when he heard this, he laughed while gasping.

Lin Xiaosheng sat sideways and held Jing Ye’s waist, put a cup of hangover tea to his lips, and said softly: “Your Majesty?”

Jing Ye glanced at it vaguely, frowned and looked away. Lin Xiaosheng’s hand on his waist tightened and he whispered: “Your Majesty, just have a taste. It will make you feel better.”

Jing Ye still refused and shook his head to avoid. Lin Xiaosheng sighed, took it back and took a sip, then he held Jing Ye’s chin and fed him by the mouth.

He had been taking medicine all year round, and over time, a cool and bitter medicinal fragrance seemed to perpetually appear on his lips and tongue. Jing Ye, who had been in drought for a long time and found nectar, couldn’t help but raise his head to meet the other.

The tea was quickly swallowed, but the kiss was reluctant to end.

Their lips parted, Jing Ye hugged the other man’s shoulders and kept mumbling drunkenly. Lin Xiaosheng kissed his drooping eyelashes, brushed his thumb against his red and swollen lips, and whispered: “You have two different faces when you are drunk and when you are not drunk.”

Jing Ye rubbed against him: “#%￥#@%#…”

Lin Xiaosheng said in his ear: “Your Majesty has not seen that the little Lord Feng has been restless all night.”

Jing Ye lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Lin Xiaosheng picked up the bowl of tea and took another mouthful, saying, “I’m afraid one mouthful is not enough, Your Majesty?”

Jing Ye was supported by him by the waist and raised his head obediently.

The candlelight was bright in the tent, their lips and tongues were intertwined, their noses were rubbing together, and they drank a whole bowl of hangover tea.

The palace servants had already been led out of the tent by Ye Mao. Lin Xiaosheng stood up to lift the curtain and ordered them to pour hot water. When he came back, he saw Jing Ye huddled up and hiding in the corner of the bed.

Lin Xiaosheng stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty…”

Jing Ye opened his eyes suddenly, full of fear, holding his head and seeming on the verge of emotional collapse.

Lin Xiaosheng frowned and stepped forward, but he grabbed him by the collar and shouted: “You beast! Don’t you want to eat me? Come on, zhen is not a coward! If you have the guts, just bite me!”

Lin Xiaosheng: “…”

Jing Ye yelled while shedding tears, pounced over to hug Lin Xiaosheng, aimed for his neck and opened his mouth.

Lin Xiaosheng’s forehead twitched and there was blood.

Jing Ye was still biting and crying, “Why don’t you have any fur…”

Ye Mao came in with the hot water: “…”

Lin Xiaosheng raised his hand to hold Jing Ye’s shoulders and looked at him.

Jing Ye looked back at him blankly and suddenly pressed his temples: “It hurts.”

“It’s okay, it’ll be fine after sleeping.” He reached out and held him, hugging him and lying on the bed.

Jing Ye then lay down obediently with him, leaning his head on the jade pillow, looking at him and saying, “That beast wants to eat me, so stay with me.”

Lin Xiaosheng lowered his eyes and said after a while: “Okay, I’ll stay with you.”

Jing Ye was still worried and stubbornly refused to close his eyes. Later, he couldn’t hold on any longer and gradually fell asleep.

Lin Xiaosheng took off his shoes and lay beside him, and said to Ye Mao: “Go out and keep watch. We won’t be able to wash up tonight.”

Ye Mao looked at the two of them, nodded, and silently retreated.

The morning of the second day.

Jing Ye leaned against the bed, his wrist on the soft pillow, and the scholar’s calloused fingers seeing over his pulse carefully.

“Slowing down and stopping at certain times.” The scholar raised his head and looked at Jing Ye, “Intermittent pulse. Your Majesty, how is sleep at night?”

“Ah?”

“Caomin asked, how is sleep at night?” (TN: term used by commoners)

Jing Ye came back to his senses, his lips were still white, and he said: “It’s not good, I have a headache.”

“That’s right, I imagine so.” The scholar rummaged through the medicine box, “Excessive thoughts have added to the panic disorder. Your Majesty is physically weak and cannot bear the extra strain.”

Jing Ye smiled. The scholar said: “The body should not be played with, and the daily diet should be given care. The ancients said, ‘He who eats grain will live.’ If Your Majesty’s daily food cannot nourish the spirit and blood, even immortal elixirs will be useless.” 

Jing Ye nodded and the scholar stood up. Jing Ye told Ye Mao, “Send the gentleman off.”

The scholar bowed his head and said, “Thanking Your Majesty.”

Jing Ye smiled and said, “Zhen still doesn’t know your name.”

The scholar said: “My surname is Xu.”

Jing Ye smiled and said, “Mr. Xu, It is thanks to your care in Pingyue City.”

The scholar said: “It’s just at the request of Villa Master Lu. Your Majesty’s illness is not a serious matter, but once the autumn hunting is over, you must take good care of yourself.”

Jing Ye nodded and said, “When zhen has sorted out this mess…”

As soon as the curtain was lifted, Lin Xiaosheng came in with breakfast, and the scholar said goodbye with a smile. Lin Xiaosheng put the food on the small table beside the couch with carved hibiscus flowers.

Jing Ye looked at the swath of cotton bandage around his neck, feeling a little embarrassed and said, “Last night zhen…”

Lin Xiaosheng still looked aloof and indifferent, “This subject always seems to see Your Majesty being drunk.”

Jing Ye was speechless and said after a long time, “Zhen doesn’t drink often.”

Lin Xiaosheng glanced at him and remained silent.

When Jing Ye went to the hunting ground, he found that the accompanying captain of the cavalry had become the adjutant of the Yulin Guards, so he asked where Li Tingqiu was.

The adjutant said: “The general was scratched on his left shoulder by a wild wolf. The imperial doctor told him not to go out to ride and exert himself, so he asked me to temporarily take over the post of chief of guard.”

Jing Ye recalled that he was scared to death at that time and didn’t even notice that Li Tingqiu was injured on his back.

The other was also injured because of him, so it would be unreasonable not to take a look at him.

With Jing Ye thinking this, he went to Li Tingqiu’s tent.

The tent where Li Tingqiu lived was naturally much simpler. He and his adjutant slept on either side of the tent. There was a long table in the middle with several volumes of military books and historical records. One of them was spread out, and next to it was a porcelain bowl with residual medicinal juice.

Jing Ye entered the tent and looked around, but saw no one present.

The boy servant who followed him in quickly knelt down and said, “The general has left his tent for a walk, not knowing Your Majesty will come. Please forgive the oversight.”

Jing Ye nodded and reached out to Ye Mao behind him. The latter understood and handed over a small jade vial decorated in celadon flowers. Jing Ye took the jade bottle and looked at it, then leaned over and held it in front of the boy servant and said, “This is for treating skin and flesh wounds. It can be applied externally or internally. Give it to your master. Apply it twice a day. It will heal faster.”

The boy servant took the jade vial with both hands, knelt down and said, “On behalf of my master, caomin would like to thank Your Majesty for your grace!”

“En.” Jing Ye straightened up and turned to Ye Mao, “Go back.”

Ye Mao hurriedly bowed and followed after.

According to the old practice, the sons of officials and nobles hunted in the countryside outside the camp in the morning, and the prey they brought back were handed over to the chefs who served in the camp, who cooked various delicacies to entertain the families.

Zhao Mingde only had one youngest son from the main wife, who was still in his infancy, but he had a lot of nephews. In addition, the Zhao family was now in the height of power, and there were always many people who flattered and fawned over them, so the hunting banquet of the Zhao family was particularly grand and lively.

At noon that day, the Zhao family hosted a banquet for dozens of nobles and officials. Zhao Mingde sat on the main seat, with Madam Xu and her eldest daughter Zhao Miaoling beside him.

While Madam Xu smiled and greeted the female members from other families who came to greet her, she quietly asked her daughter who was sitting next to her: “Look, the eldest son of Lord Qian’s family, he bought a sixth-grade official rank just this year. He looks good too.”

Zhao Miaoling didn’t even bother to look over, and sneered with a raised eyebrow: “How can mother bear to marry me to this kind of person? Daughter is not one of those official family ladies. In this life, I will never marry anyone other than him.”

Madam Xu sighed.

Zhao Mingde sat on his seat and asked Madam Xu in a low voice during the break: “Why did you invite the Yang family?”

Madam Xu sat upright as she replied: “The second son of the Yang family must be twenty-two years old, which is the age for marriage. The way I see it, among the noble sons of the whole dynasty, he, the son of the Feng (凤) family, the third son of the Feng (冯) family and the eldest son of the He family, these few are the only ones worthy of our Miao Ling.”

Zhao Mingde snorted coldly. Madam Xu‘s smile disappeared. She glanced at him and said, “Husband, are you blaming me for not bringing Miao Rong? She is still young and can’t learn anything even if she comes out. I am afraid she will simply follow and take after others’ frivolity.”

Zhao Mingde did not answer, but instead talked and laughed with the officials who came up to toast. Madam Xu looked at Yang Ziran who was joking with others at the table, stood up and pulled Zhao Miaoling along, “Come, mother will take you to meet the young master of the Yang family.”

Zhao Miaoling thought of her group of friends, some of whom liked the Feng (Feng Ling) family son, and some of whom were enamored of the Yang family’s second son. She thought that it wouldn’t hurt to go and take a look, so she followed Madam Xu and let herself be pulled over.

The mistress of the Yang family, surnamed Li, was a middle-aged woman with gentle features. When she saw Madam Xu coming with her daughter, she stood up and said with a smile: “There was a tea party held in our manor a few days ago. I wanted to invite you, but I was afraid of Han Bo being an embarrassment. “

“Nothing of the sort.” Madam Xu smiled and turned sideways, “Why are you still not making your greetings, Miao Ling?”

Zhao Miaoling turned around and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet the madam.”

“En.” Madam Li looked at her with a smile, stretched out her hand to help her up and said, “What lovely looks.” After saying that, she turned back and said, “Come here Zi Ran.”

Yang Ziran smiled and came over to make the greetings.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Zhao Miaoling took a sneak peek while she was standing up, and saw that this man was handsome and smiling, another kind of handsome that was different from Gu Hong. She couldn’t help but blush.

Yang Ziran greeted Madam Xu, turned around and looked at her, cupped his hands and said with a smile: “I am Yang Ziran, knowing Miss Zhao by reputation cannot compare to meeting you in person.”

“You flatter me.” Zhao Miaoling curtsied and lowered her head. For some reason, her heart was beating loudly.

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