The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 19 Ripples
"Have...meal?"

Zhu Kui was stunned. It took him three full breaths to come back to his senses. He asked excitedly:
"So, my envoy is okay?!"

The eunuch smiled and said:

"We cannot know the details, but since Your Majesty has made such arrangements, I believe Envoy Zhao is safe."

The words cannot be said to be final, but the signal revealed is clear enough.

My lord is fine... I am fine too... Zhu Kui's dark face suddenly flushed with red, and the smile at the corner of his mouth spread uncontrollably.

The cold body was thawed by the spring breeze and warmed up again.

At this time, he also had time to notice that Zhang Changshuo's dazed look when he left further proved that what the eunuch said was true.

What tricks did the adults use to actually turn the tables on him?
Or was I wrong before, and your actions in the past two days were really His Majesty's intention?
Zhu Kui was pleasantly surprised at surviving the disaster, but he couldn't help but have a lot of wild thoughts and even began to doubt himself.

……

White Horse Prison.

The atmosphere in the yamen today is quite strange. In the past, the envoys who were usually scattered outside are all on duty without any prior arrangement.

They gathered in groups of two or three, talking in low voices, and did not move until almost noon, looking towards the yamen gate frequently, eagerly waiting.

Obviously, he wanted to know the punishment result for Zhao Duan as soon as possible.

Since ancient times, watching important people suffer misfortunes has been a popular entertainment activity among the people.

"It's time to end it now."

"Considering the distance, I guess he should be back soon. Tsk, what do you think will happen to Zhao...?"

"Heh... I'm afraid I'll be skinned alive if I don't die. Haven't you heard the rumors in the capital? The ministers in the court are putting pressure on me this time. There must be a limit to the favor of the saint."

"Oh, if I had known this..."

Someone shook his head and was about to make a long speech when he suddenly saw a figure walking out of the back hall. He stood up and saluted:
"Master Supervisor."

The other messengers also stood up, looking embarrassed.

The old man with gray hair, deep eye sockets, and wearing the official robe of the White Horse Supervisor looked unhappy. He glanced at everyone one by one and said:
"Don't you have anything to do? Are you just gathering here to gossip?"

A middle-aged messenger tried to ease the atmosphere:
"You are right, sir. We are also concerned about our colleagues..."

Haha... the old supervisor sneered, too lazy to expose them.

Another person said bluntly:
"Zhao Duan has caused so much trouble for the government in the past. Now he has brought it upon himself. Your Excellency has taken good care of him, but what happened to him? He is ungrateful and instead..."

"That's right. I think it's time to do this."

Everyone spoke up, sharing the same hatred for the enemy.

The old supervisor sighed and wanted to say something, but finally gave up.

His feelings towards Zhao Duan were complicated, just like the contradictory two comments on the memorial.

Perhaps people become soft-hearted as they grow old. When Zhao Du'an was arrogant and domineering, the old man wished he could strip him of his official status and send him down to earth.

But now, seeing that he is about to be convicted of a serious crime and his life is in danger, I can't help but feel sympathy for him.

At this time, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the yamen, and then Zhang Changshuo also walked in.

"Envoy Zhang, you are back," a group of people stood up excitedly to greet him, knowing that the former had entered the palace with Zhao Duan to meet the emperor. At this time, they could not help but look around:
"Then Zhao...didn't come back with us?"

Zhang Changshuo had a blank expression on his face: "I am the only one who has returned."

Everyone looked at each other, not surprised at all, but with a kind of "as expected" mentality.

The old supervisor sighed softly, closed his eyes, and asked:

"So, he was taken to the imperial prison? Or the government office? Or the Dali Temple for trial?"

If it involves a rebel party, he must be handed over to the Three Courts for interrogation.

"He wasn't locked up," Zhang Changshuo said in an emotionless voice. He said this and then cupped his hands.
"I am ill. Please take three days off and go home to recuperate."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Everyone was stunned, and the old supervisor also opened his eyes and realized that something seemed wrong.

Given their relationship, if something happened to Zhao Duan, Zhang Changshuo should be overjoyed.

In the end what happened?
When they were confused, they turned their guns and looked at the officials who followed Zhang Changshuo into the palace. The latter had no choice but to explain:

"I don't know the specific process, but I know that Envoy Zhao submitted a memorial, and then His Majesty said that the matter should not be mentioned again... Censor Lu was reprimanded, and Envoy Zhang was... punished to stay indoors for three days..."

what?
Just one memorial changed His Majesty's mind?

The censor who represented the civil and military officials in the court was silenced?

Zhang Changshuo was punished to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors?

Didn’t it say that His Majesty has withdrawn his royal favor and that Zhao Duan is the one who should be thrown into prison?

How come it's completely the opposite?

"What about Zhao Duan? Wasn't he punished? Why didn't he come back?"

"This... Envoy Zhao was kept by His Majesty to have a meal in the palace."

In the courtyard.

There was complete silence for a moment, and every face was filled with disbelief.

Even the old supervisor was stunned, an expression of disbelief appeared on his weather-beaten face.

That kid... a mere fake lover... an insignificant pawn... how did he do it?
……

……

At this moment.

Zhao Duan, who was in the palace, had no idea what kind of ripples the news would cause in the officialdom of the capital.

He would not even know how shocked and disappointed the countless pairs of eyes that were paying attention to this matter and expecting his downfall were when they learned the outcome of the incident.

Or rather, he simply had no time to care.

Because after he had been waiting alone in the flower hall for about an hour, he finally received the news that the empress had summoned him.

……

"Your Majesty does not like to be served by others when he eats. Please go in."

Outside the Empress' bedroom.

The older female official stopped and spoke softly to Zhao Duan who was following behind.

The emperor did not have a fixed place for eating, but mostly had his meals in his bedroom.

Because after lunch, people often take a nap, so the main purpose is convenience.

As a "concubine", this was the first time in history that Zhao Duan entered the empress's bedroom.

The sight is of carved beams and painted buildings, and the courtyard is full of colorful flowers, with many rare flowers and trees.

In the corridor connected by red-painted wooden pillars, there stood several female officials dressed like palace maids from the Tang Dynasty, serving.

Through the only half-open door, one could vaguely see a huge round table covered with delicacies. The eunuchs from the imperial kitchen and the imperial teahouse walked away with lacquerware in their hands.

Beside the table, a moon-white thick silk dress can be vaguely seen.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Duan responds to the call." Zhao Duan stood outside the threshold, took a deep breath, lowered his head and spoke.

"Come in." The voice was as cold as ever.

After getting permission, Zhao Duan stepped over the threshold, raised his head, and finally saw Xu Zhenguan, who was sitting at the dining table, holding a spoon with his slender hands, his lips slightly open, and slowly drinking soup.

The golden sunlight shone through the gaps in the clouds, penetrated the window grilles, and shone on her beautiful, flawless face, which was like a crystal jade work of art.

Dazzling white.

Zhao Duan couldn't help but be a little dazed.

"Sit down and talk."

The Queen of Dayu, Xu Zhenguan, raised her head and looked at his silly and cute appearance, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised with a hint of smile.

Then the summer wind also blew up ripples of light.

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(End of this chapter)