Drunk Bamboo

After the court was adjourned, the officials left the Golden Hall in an orderly manner. The officials at the front were all preoccupied with their own thoughts, thinking about what had happened before.

Xun Bai, the white-haired Secretary of the Secretariat, stroked his snow-white goatee and said jokingly to the Prime Minister Wang Yan, who was preoccupied with his thoughts:

"The Prime Minister is only concerned about national affairs, and he is fair and strict. He has always disliked the straightforward Prince Feng. Today is the first time I have seen Princess Feng speak out to argue for them and Lord Han. It is really rare."

Wang Yan is a steady man. Although he is not as old as Xun Bai, he is very mature and has a frown on his face.

"I'm just telling the truth. If Lord Han hadn't had something to hide, how could he have panicked and been shocked by Princess Feng's seemingly logical words. In recent years, the Han family has become a little arrogant." As the prime minister, Wang Yan has always been fair and strict, and has done things meticulously. Although he doesn't like Prince Feng, he won't do dirty things to slander him. "Speaking of which, Lord Xun rarely speaks, and when he does, he reminisces about the past. Just a few words made Your Majesty feel pity for Princess Feng."

Xun Bai smiled and began to play it off: "They say that when you get older, all you have left are memories."

Wang Yan couldn't stand Xun Bai's way of dealing with people. He was always leisurely and carefree, never offended anyone, never expressed his opinions, did things in a proper manner, had no dignity, and sat in the high position of Zhongshu Ling, but was fishing in troubled waters.

But Your Majesty just likes him because he is good at pleasing Your Majesty and likes to say things that Your Majesty likes to hear.

"Lord Xun is not reminiscing about the past. He is clearly reminding Your Majesty that the Grand Tutor has done Your Majesty a favor. They are not father and son, but better than father and son. And the Prince of Feng saved the Grand Tutor's life. It is not reasonable, public or private, that Lord Han should not take the opportunity to attack the Prince of Feng. Usually, the Prince of Feng does not follow the rules, and the old ministers in the court are also uncomfortable with it. They report to Your Majesty in order to maintain the face of the royal family. But this time, Lord Han was too impatient, and his intention to target the Prince of Feng was too obvious."

Xun Bai just smiled and stroked his goatee.

Wang Yan's tone was full of disdain and admiration: "Lord Xun's wisdom, I admire it very much. I'm afraid that only Lord Xun would dare to warn His Majesty in front of the court officials."

"It is our duty to ensure the stability of the country and to help His Majesty solve problems. This is what every minister should do. Your Majesty governs the world with benevolence, loyalty and filial piety. If you punish the King of Wind who saved the life of the Grand Tutor because of a little rule, what will the people of the world think? How will they evaluate it? The Xie family in the south has students all over the world, and the Grand Tutor is knowledgeable and has many people who admire him. If Lord Han falsely accuses the King of Wind and involves the Queen, the Hedong Wang family and the Crown Prince, will they sit idly by and do nothing?"

His eyes suddenly became solemn: "Lord Han did not offend only King Feng, but all the students in the world. Princess Feng did not sue Lord Han alone, and what she protected was not only the reputation of King Feng, but all the students in the literary world."

Wang Yan was slightly stunned after hearing this.

Then he bowed and said, "Old people are always wise. Lord Xun has always been trusted by His Majesty. Today I finally understand the meaning of it."

Xun Bai's expression returned to his lazy look, and he said casually: "If you want to say who is the most trusted person by His Majesty, it is none other than Eunuch Dong."

"Eunuch Dong?" Isn't she the Imperial Noble Consort or the Queen?

Soon, Wang Yan seemed to realize something and looked at Xun Bai in astonishment.

Xun Bai smiled and said, "The prince grew up under my watch. He is kind and gentle, and loves the people like his own children. The eyes of the people in the world are sharp. Some positions belong to him, and no one can take them away. The prime minister does not have to worry about everything. People always make mistakes. No matter how well you do, there will be people who don't like you. People who are too perfect are more likely to be feared by others."

Wang Yan was stunned again.

Xun Bai, who usually doesn't talk much and just smiles and passes it by vaguely, is actually the one who sees it most clearly.

Xun Bai ignored Wang Yan's surprised look and quickened his pace: "I heard that the Grand Tutor has woken up. I have an appointment with Lord Wu to visit him, so I'll take my leave now."

After leaving the palace, Xun Bai got directly into a carriage.

"Are you done talking?" Sitting in the carriage was Wu Guanzhong, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

"The situation in the court is about to change, and I'm afraid it will become more and more complicated." Xun Bai sighed softly.

"Didn't we agree not to get involved in party and political affairs? Your Majesty's mind is unpredictable. He favors the one in the palace, and Prince Wen secretly colludes with Han Jian and a group of court officials. Now, except for Han Jian, they are all insignificant officials who cannot cause any big waves. As long as they don't take action against the prince. Prince Feng's wedding and recall to Zhongdu, isn't it just to make him fight with Prince Wen, and both suffer losses?" Wu Guanzhong had a serious expression.

Both of them are in high positions and keep themselves out of trouble.

Xun Bai stopped smiling and said with emotion, "Are you shocked by what Princess Feng said and did today?"

Wu Guanzhong's expression changed slightly. "I graduated from Baiyun Academy, and was a classmate of her father Xie Juesheng. Juesheng never asks for favors from others, but half a month ago he sent me a letter asking me to take care of the princess. The letter mentioned that the princess was the youngest in the family, weak and soft-hearted since childhood. What I saw today made me feel in awe, she is indeed a descendant of the Xie family."

Xun Bai: "She is right. I don't know when the scale in our hearts lost its standard."

Wu Guanzhong: "We are doing this for the greater good, not for ourselves."

Xun Bai smiled again and didn't answer.

Then he said with envy: "The granddaughter of the chess master is really extraordinary. I am so jealous."

Baoping Hall

"Your Majesty, do you have a headache again?" Eunuch Dong saw the emperor half lying on the couch with a frown on his brow. Knowing that he had a headache, he immediately lit some incense.

White smoke rose up from the hall and surrounded the place. The incense had a faint medicinal smell, which would not be noticed unless you smelled it carefully.

The emperor smelled the incense and his headache eased a little. He sat up, leaning one hand on the soft pillow brought by Eunuch Dong.

Eunuch Dong gently pressed the acupuncture points on his head and said carefully, "Your Majesty has suffered from headaches for several years. Even Gao Fengyu, the head of the pharmacy, can only relieve the symptoms with fumigation but cannot cure it. Your Majesty is very busy and has to keep it a secret from everyone. I heard that there are many doctors with special skills in the folks. They have inherited ancestral prescriptions and specialize in treating difficult diseases. Why don't you post a notice and ask them to treat your Majesty?"

The emperor closed his eyes and rested: "I have sent people out of the palace to look for folk remedies in secret, but they have not worked for several years. Gao Fengyu is a miracle doctor who cured the plague. If even he can't cure the disease, who else in the world can cure it?"

"Long live your majesty, God bless you."

Eunuch Dong said no more.

The emperor asked, "You saw what happened in the court just now. If the officials knew that I have a headache, wouldn't they make a scene in the sky? I am the Son of Heaven. How can I be afraid of a headache? If the heaven does not bless me, I will fight against the heaven."

"Your Majesty will live a hundred years." Eunuch Dong responded, "Your Majesty is wise and sees everything. Your Majesty has long known what Lord Han is thinking. No one can escape your Majesty's wise eyes."