Zhou Quande walked out from the door, bowed respectfully, as if welcoming someone.
Then, the emperor wearing a black and gold dragon robe appeared before everyone.
Some of the ministers' eyes flashed with astonishment.
The ministers shouted in unison: "Long live Your Majesty!"
Qin Zheng silently looked down at the people, without saying a word.
After a few breaths, he returned to the palace.
Zhou Quande said to the people: "Ministers may return to your residences, His Majesty will continue to recuperate for a period of time. Please don't come to bother His Majesty unnecessarily, if you have anything just memorialize it, His Majesty will review everything."
The ministers: "..."
Although they disliked Zhou Quande's wording, they reluctantly agreed.
The ministers got up and left.
They automatically divided into three factions, one part followed Left Prime Minister Xiao Ang Ming.
One part went with Right Prime Minister Cao Ren.
While the military officers mostly gathered around Huo Xiaosu, he didn't actually want to come today.
But considering that not following along at this sensitive time would seem too conspicuous, he could only reluctantly come.
Facing the attempts of those around him to converse, he perfunctorily brushed them off.
Currently at court there were factions supporting the Second Prince and the Sixth Prince.
Because at present only they had shown ambition to contend for the throne.
But Huo Xiaosu didn't want to support either of them.
As a general who had made great achievements, no matter who took the throne later, they would have to treat him as an honored guest, so why get involved in the mess.
The person walking in front of Huo Xiaosu was Left Prime Minister Xiao Ang Ming.
His face was slightly gloomy, only because he had inexplicably been taken as the vanguard supporting the Second Prince.
He carefully recalled what had happened at court over the past two months, and could understand why others thought this way about him.
He had supported the Second Prince's decision to allocate one million taels of silver for disaster relief in the south, but that had nothing to do with the Second Prince!
He was only considering the common people.
But these court officials who only cared about the black gauze hat on top of their heads thought he was taking sides.
"Minister Xiao, we haven't had a drink together for a long time. I'm holding a banquet at the Baixiang Building tonight, how about we get together?" Department of Rites Vice Minister Zhang Hou said.
Xiao Ang Ming said: "This minister has matters tonight."
He didn't wait for Zhang Hou to speak before hastening his steps and shaking off Zhang Hou.
Zhang Hou let out a light snort, then turned to chat with someone else.
-
Qin Zheng was supported by Wei Chen back to the bedside and laid down again.
Wei Chen said: "Your Majesty, you must not take too much Return to Light Pill.
If you take too much, I'm afraid it will damage your foundation."
When Qin Zheng awoke, he couldn't move his body or speak. It was Wei Chen who used Return to Light Pill to temporarily restore his vitality.
But the reason this medicine was effective was because it drew upon his remaining life force.
The more he took, the sooner he would die.
Qin Zheng blinked his hazy eyes and sighed: "Even without taking Return to Light Pill, this king does not have much time left."
Wei Chen said: "Your Majesty, why be so pessimistic? Your elixir of immortality is still being refined.
Recuperate well, and when the elixir is complete, Your Majesty will naturally attain immortality as you wish."
Qin Zheng said: "Wei Chen, I can't wait until that day.
So I hope there is someone who can accompany me on my way out."
"Your Majesty, Princess Zhao Yang's fate is tied to the fortunes of the state, please reconsider carefully."
"You said that as long as I don't personally make a move, Zhao Yang's death will not cause Yue Kingdom's downfall.
I will have others handle this matter."
Wei Chen's brows slightly furrowed. He had said that before to try to delay the emperor from taking steps to harm Princess Zhao Yang.
In fact, as soon as Princess Zhao Yang died, Yue Kingdom would definitely be destroyed!
But he couldn't tell this to the emperor.
The emperor would not believe the words of someone who had deceived him.
Wei Chen asked: "How does Your Majesty plan to do it?"
Qin Zheng closed his eyes and said: "I am already in the process, just wait and see."
-
After rejecting Liu Yu's invitations twice, Qin Zhaooyang received another invitation card.
Looking at the three characters Chunfeng Building on the invitation, she hesitated for a moment.
She said to Ling Long who was waiting nearby: "Go prepare a set of men's clothes for me."
Ling Long asked: "Your Highness is going out, do you need this slave to accompany you?"
"No need."
Another abrupt voice sounded: "I'll go with you."
Qin Zhaooyang looked up and saw Qi Yan Su Luo walking over, she smiled and said: "Sounds good, Ling Long, prepare two sets of clothes."
"Here you go."
Qin Zhaooyang pulled Qi Yan Su Luo to sit down and asked: "Why do you suddenly want to go out with me?"
Qi Yan Su Luo said: "I often wonder, what exactly is our relationship?
If I say it's not good, we have very intimate interactions every night.
If I say it's good, I've been at Princess Zhao Yang's residence for so long, yet I still can't understand what you're doing?
So I want to get to know you better."
Qin Zhaooyang held Qi Yan Su Luo's hand and said: "I will tell you anything you want to know."
"But there are some things that if you don't take the initiative to say, I also don't know how to ask."
"That makes it difficult. But you can be by my side anytime to learn about what you want to know."
Ling Long brought the clothes. They went back to the room to change.
Standing together in front of the bronze mirror, Qin Zhaooyang discovered that Qi Yan Su Luo was actually a little taller than her, around 1.75 meters.
Qi Yan Su Luo's height was enough to carry off the men's clothes. Paired with her exquisite looks, she completely resembled a refined young master.
Qin Zhaooyang pecked Qi Yan Su Luo's left cheek and praised: "Delicious!"
Qi Yan Su Luo returned the gesture, but bit her cheek instead, saying: "Smooth texture."
Qin Zhaooyang pushed Qi Yan Su Luo away and rushed to the bronze mirror. She saw two rows of teeth marks on her face!
She was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
She grumbled: "Qi Yan Su Luo, are you a dog?
Aside from my face, I didn't have any intact skin left on my body. Now my face has also fallen!"
"Pfft." Qi Yan Su Luo laughed and said, "I thought you quite enjoyed it."
Qin Zhaooyang: "..."
Although it was the truth, it wasn't good to openly admit it. How embarrassing!
502 criticized: "Host's preferences are truly unique."
Qin Zhaooyang: "I thought you were on strike."
"How could that be, this system is on standby anytime."
"Give me some useful information then."
"Host, you're not wearing a belly wrap."
Qin Zhaooyang: "..."
"None of your business."
Qin Zhaooyang felt her flat chest and thought: Chest wraps are more useful than belly wraps, at least they won't jiggle.
After getting dressed, Qin Zhaooyang went out with Qi Yan Su Luo.
Walking on Tai Ping Street, Qi Yan Su Luo received the ardent gazes of the common people.
Some who had walked past would even turn back for another look.
"Who's that? So good looking!"
"Maybe it's the young master of some prestigious family!"
"It's the one next to him, hard to describe exactly."
Qin Zhaooyang's mouth twitched. She cursed them silently for not appreciating unique beauty!
A woman came up to Qi Yan Su Luo and stuffed a handkerchief into her hand before hurrying away red-faced.
Qi Yan Su Luo opened the handkerchief and saw written: "The red bean grows in Yue Kingdom, how many branches will sprout in spring? I wish you to pluck more, blessing you and her."
Such bold wording surprised and embarrassed Qi Yan Su Luo. She quickly folded it up!
Qin Zhaooyang noticed her actions. Realizing something was up, she snatched the handkerchief and unfolded it to look.
She immediately burst into loud laughter that rang Qi Yan Su Luo's ears!
"Hahahahaha! Qi Yan Su Luo, your peach blossoms bloom everywhere. I admire you, admire you!"
Qi Yan Su Luo glared at her before quickening her pace to get away from the gossip.
After laughing enough, Qin Zhaooyang hurried to catch up and said: "Luo Luo, you're so popular with women, have you considered taking a concubine or something?"
