Chapter 42: Zhen Wants to Punish You; Solving Riddles from Youth
Ying Xi’s lips pressed into a tight, grim line.
The Barbarian King was taking a mile after being given an inch. This demand was far greater than the dowry Princess Huachao had taken with her all those years ago.
The Southwest could not possibly be suffering from a disaster; there had been no memorials reporting such calamities. Moreover, why would silk be used for disaster relief?
The hearts of the people and the strength of the nation—these were the foundations of Ying Xi’s confidence in this life.
He calmly suppressed his rising anger. “What else did the envoy say?”
Zhu Zhao’s voice was warm and steady. “The rest was merely idle chatter. He inquired about the scenery and customs of Chang’an and expressed a desire to tour the Imperial Capital.”
Ying Xi furrowed his brows. “Did he cause any trouble?”
“He found everything fascinating, but he did not cause a disturbance.”
With just those few words, Ying Xi fell silent for a moment. Digging through the phenomena to reach the essence of the matter, he made a judgment: “They are here to test our depths.”
In his past life, the borders had been engulfed in flames of war, and the Barbarian King’s envoys had come with aggressive arrogance to force a marriage. They had run rampant in Chang’an, harming countless commoners.
In this life, although the Barbarian King had opened his mouth like a lion, his subordinates were behaving themselves. clearly, they had been instructed beforehand not to act rashly, as they did not know the extent of Great Qin’s national power.
That the envoy could remain peaceful enough not to be reported by the city patrol indicated that they knew they could not afford to provoke Great Qin.
Ying Xi sneered. “The Barbarian King asks for a sky-high price, waiting for Zhen to counter-offer on the spot. He’ll take whatever he can get, just using an excuse to scavenge for some autumn wind.”
If not for the events of his past life—the old debt of the Barbarian King extorting and then tormenting Princess Huachao to death—Ying Xi might have actually tossed a few coins to send the Barbarian King away, especially since he was preparing to use troops in the North and had just confiscated hundreds of thousands of taels from raided homes.
But when he thought of his sister in the Yunyong Tower, her eyes bright and her spirit lively…
If the Barbarian King wanted money this time, would he come for people next time?
Ying Xi was filled with a mix of regret and shame. dangerous cold glint flickered in his eyes as he made his decision. “I must trouble the Dishi to relay a message to the envoy: Tell them to get lost. Zhen refuses.”
In the Weiyang Palace, where thin light floated in the air, the fragrant mist of incense trembled slightly.
Ying Xi’s aggression was hidden within the tangible and intangible, so plain it became a terrifying sharpness.
Compared to their meeting in the secret chamber, Ying Xi was now even sharper, evoking images of decisive slaughter, thunderous methods, and storms over the sea…
No teacher dislikes an excellent student. Especially one they had taught personally.
Seeing Ying Xi display such boldness—this growing Emperor before him—Zhu Zhao’s throat tightened slightly as he contrasted him with Li Yilong, who was far away and unreachable.
Moved by the moment, Zhu Zhao spoke, “This subject has a way to settle this matter. It will leave the envoy speechless and serve as a warning to the Barbarian King.”
“Please speak, Xiansheng.”
Zhu Zhao answered slowly, “Agree to the Barbarian King’s request, but Great Qin has a condition. The disaster relief supplies must be escorted by Great Qin’s army to the Southwest for distribution. Otherwise, there is nothing to discuss.”
Ying Xi’s lips curled upward.
This rhetoric maintained dignity, but the hidden scheme was clear enough that even Tian Tong could understand it. The System giggled in his ear, [Haha! If the Barbarian King dares to accept, let the army take the money and grain and beat the Barbarian King to the ground~]
He hadn’t expected that Zhu Zhao, who had already drifted away from the Imperial Court, could still offer such a good strategy. Zhu Zhao’s ability was beyond doubt.
Zhu Zhao continued with a gentle request, “However, this subject also hopes Your Majesty will send personnel to investigate whether the Southwest has truly suffered a disaster. If it is true, and Great Qin marches into the Southwest, I fear it may be seen as taking advantage of another’s peril, which would damage Your Majesty’s holy reputation.”
As his voice settled in the study of Weiyang Palace, the Dishi bowed with hands clasped.
Ying Xi remained silent for a few breaths, his impression of Zhu Zhao salvaged by two or three points. The Dishi possessed a compassionate heart for the world, something truly unique to Great Qin.
Ying Xi cast a scrutinizing gaze in secret.
In his dark grey eyes, a thought unknown to others turned.
Compared to giving Zhu Zhao the cold shoulder while letting a traitor continue to enjoy the court’s salary for free, his previous approach wasn’t appropriate.
The Emperor’s pleasure could also be found in commanding enemies for his own use. Letting a traitor spare no effort in working for the Imperial Court, while keeping them in a state of constant anxiety—that was how one truly enjoyed oneself.
[System Mission: Pinky promise with any character (0/1)]
Ying Xi decided on his next move. He waved his hand, dismissing all the attendants, and the study instantly became empty and silent.
Zhu Zhao was perplexed.
The Emperor rose from the Dragon Chair and walked around the desk.
The lofty Emperor gradually closed the distance. His imposing presence forced Zhu Zhao to bow and lower his eyes; his vision was filled with the bright dragon patterns on the Emperor’s chest.
“Xiansheng, this student hopes you will agree to one thing.”
Ying Xi extended a finger toward Zhu Zhao. The fingertip was snow-white and luminous, the nail like a shell, the knuckle like a jade belt hook of superior quality.
Zhu Zhao’s thoughts were pulled by this small gesture, and in an instant, it was as if he had returned to the Fanglan Hall.
Back then, Ying Xi was neither Crown Prince nor Emperor; his identity was a secret, and his movements were restricted.
As his teacher, after they became familiar, Zhu Zhao was often begged by him to agree to harmless things through the ritual of hooking pinkies.
For example, bringing a few leisure books to relieve boredom.
Or, concealing that he knew the Little Duke Xie, to protect his only friend.
When he was small, this gesture of Ying Xi’s represented trust. It was a tacit understanding that once belonged solely to teacher and student.
Zhu Zhao was in a trance. Subconsciously, he hooked his finger around Ying Xi’s pinky. That knuckle was still soft and tender, like a willow branch in spring.
“The situation in the North concerns the fate of the nation. Only with internal stability can Great Qin have a free hand to deal with foreign enemies.”
“Zhen has countless self-recommendations on the desk from officials wanting to go North to offer amnesty to the various bandit strongholds. But the matter is of grave importance, and Zhen trusts only Xiansheng.”
“Please, Xiansheng, you must serve as the Chief Envoy for the Amnesty!”
“…”
[System Mission: Pinky promise with any character (1/1)] [Mission Reward: Charisma +50]
In that split second, Zhu Zhao’s breathing almost stopped.
The position of Chief Envoy for the Amnesty Mission promised a boundless future and was sure to leave a name in history; it had already caused a scramble among the court officials.
Zhu Zhao, feeling guilty, had not dared to recommend himself. He never expected that Ying Xi would still entrust him with such a heavy responsibility. His speculation that the Emperor was distancing himself vanished in a puff of smoke.
Surging from his heart to his limbs was a wave of sour, scalding heat, layer upon layer.
What position did he hold in Ying Xi’s heart?
He couldn’t figure it out.
It felt as if countless giant stones were pressing on Zhu Zhao’s chest!
He seemed to see through the Ying Xi before him to the Ying Xi of childhood, that small figure always waiting at the entrance of Fanglan Hall.
His voice calling out “Teacher” was crisp and clean. Every time they met, he would proactively take the books from Zhu Zhao’s hands, and then, at the moment of parting, he would peek at Zhu Zhao’s wide sleeves with a hint of eagerness, hoping there was a gift hidden inside.
“Xiansheng.”
“Xiansheng, I’ve finished reading this volume of Zizhi Tongjian. Can you tell me a story?”
“Xiansheng, I’m giving you a real purple marten hair brush. I supervised Ju’er chasing it over half a mountain before he caught it…”
“Xiansheng, if you have official duties, you can bring them here. I can share the burden for you.”
Xiansheng, Xiansheng.
Xiansheng…
“Xiansheng, Zhen wants to lead Great Qin out of this long night.”
The boy had gradually grown into an Emperor, his character and temperament changing, yet the trust Ying Xi once placed in him remained the same today.
Zhu Zhao’s vision began to blur.
Inside his chest, it felt as if a knife was churning heavily, reminding Zhu Zhao of a fact—ugly and cruel.
He had betrayed this young man during Great Qin’s hardest times! And he had vainly attempted to use the common people to mask his own cowardice!
Zhu Zhao’s eyes were scalding, his jade-like face burning red. He just wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Falling into this dilemma was exactly what he deserved.
Zhu Zhao secretly thought of his code name in the Jiangnan Army:
—Zhaohui (Morning Sunlight).
This identity had once represented hope, but now it felt searing to the touch.
Zhu Zhao finally spoke in a raspy voice, “This subject is willing to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”
“It is only that this subject’s ability is shallow; I fear I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider.”
The latter half was, of course, polite formula.
Except for proud sons of heaven like Su Xueyi, no one would speak with absolute certainty before starting a job. Zhu Zhao’s words were equivalent to acceptance.
Good, he agreed. The beast of burden had entered the yoke.
Ying Xi suppressed his joy and, seeming casual, followed up on the polite remark to offer comfort. “Xiansheng need not feel pressured. Zhen will disguise myself and accompany you as your deputy. With our master and disciple hearts united, what difficulty can we not solve?”
Zhu Zhao: “…”
The Emperor was actually leaving Weiyang Palace!
Wanting to go out on official business to go deep among the people, Ying Xi’s decision seemed hasty, but it was not a spur-of-the-moment whim, nor was it solely to monitor Zhu Zhao.
In this life, he had left the palace incognito three or four times, and each time he had witnessed different people and different scenery.
Born deep within the palace, raised by the hands of women—Ying Xi did not want to be that kind of Emperor.
In his eyes, the dominion of Great Qin should not be a vague castle in the air. Since he had the chance in this life, he wanted to understand his territory thoroughly. That was why he chose to travel with Zhu Zhao; this trip wouldn’t be too long anyway.
As for what to do about the Imperial Palace?
Those fifty-one “Xu Fangxin Gift Boxes” that had raised the real favorability values were enough for Su Xueyi to stabilize the court in the rear.
With Yujing covering for him by claiming he was ill and suspending court, and the Hongyan Chuanshu (Swan Goose Message) to control the world’s movements, he could even return to the study at any time.
What was he afraid of?
The more he planned his retreat, the more Ying Xi looked forward to this long journey.
He couldn’t wait to arrange everything he had just thought of, including his public identity. He prepared a few sets of decent outfits and successfully used a Xu Fangxin Gift Box.
Tian Tong screamed gibberish in excitement: [This time Prime Minister Su will definitely fall beneath your dragon robes~!!!]
Ying Xi was already used to ignoring its chaotic and aggressive “shipping” and paid it no mind.
Not long after, intelligence came from the Ministry of Personnel saying that Su Yin had recovered. Su Xueyi immediately cancelled his leave. Once the relevant procedures were done, Su Xueyi would come to Weiyang Palace to see the Saint—Ying Xi refused decisively.
You leave whenever you say so; am I someone you can see whenever you want?
In the evening, treading on the afterglow of the setting sun, the Emperor shook his sleeves and left the Weiyang Palace grounds without a shred of lingering attachment, just going for a walk anywhere.
Because he had encountered a precedent last time, and Su Xueyi was incredibly smart, if he waited too long he would think of a way to find any excuse to sneak into Weiyang Palace.
Ying Xi did not want to be blocked at the door by Su Xueyi.
So, taking Yujing, master and servant exited through the North Gate. If Su Xueyi came for an audience, he would take the South Gate; the two sides would be heading in opposite directions.
The North Gate of Weiyang Palace was not the main gate, after all. It was the necessary path for the Emperor to reach the Shanglin Park for leisure. With pine and bamboo, stone-paved paths, the layout leaned more towards quiet spontaneity.
The evening breeze brought the rustling sound of bamboo leaves. Ying Xi took a deep breath.
Closing his eyes, he felt the scent of spring vegetation infiltrating his lungs everywhere.
But when he opened his eyes again, Yujing’s footsteps beside him had already stopped. Yujing even bowed and took a half-step back. “Yingguo Gong.”
Ying Xi looked toward the North Gate.
Even though the setting sun was intense, the green bamboo eye-catching, and the gate pillars straight…
None of them were as upright and attention-grabbing as Xie Qianli in his white clothes and silver armor. Ying Xi’s heart tightened; his vision was instantly occupied by the other party before he moved his gaze elsewhere.
Ying Xi spoke in a deep, displeased voice, “Why is Minister Xie standing outside Zhen’s palace?”
Xie Qianli bowed to the Emperor, like a snow-capped mountain sinking halfway.
The straight bridge of his nose gave him a very handsome silhouette. His gaze fell exactly on the tips of the Emperor’s boots, which were white-soled and embroidered with golden dragon patterns.
Xie Qianli silently stared at the dragon eyes for a moment; they were peacock blue, exquisitely stitched, shimmering with a dark light.
Xie Qianli spoke frankly, “I asked the Chief Eunuch to announce me this afternoon. Your Majesty was resting, and this subject could not bear to disturb you. I have not yet been summoned, so I wandered here, daring not to go far.”
The evening breeze brought another rustle from the bamboo forest. Yujing lowered his eyebrows, secretly locking his brow tight, feeling that these words vaguely sounded off.
The Emperor asked, “Announce what matter?”
Xie Qianli stood up and showed the finalized military usage document to the Emperor. “This subject heard that the Chief Envoy is Mister Zhu Zhao, and the Amnesty Mission departs tomorrow.”
He was more than half a head taller than Ying Xi. The Emperor reached his chin.
But the Emperor did not need to look up, because the Duke of Ying intentionally lowered his head slightly. “Acceptable. Zhen grants permission; execute according to these specifications.”
“This subject obeys the decree.”
A long wait just for this brief report?
If he couldn’t wait, entrusting the document to Yujing to bring into the study would have been fine. Yujing was filled with a sense of strangeness and dared not step forward even more.
But the Duke of Ying’s explanation was reasonable.
“This subject was bestowed grapes by Your Majesty and feels deeply the vastness of Imperial grace. Perhaps parting with the Monarch for a month or more, this subject came to give thanks, and also to bid farewell.”
Ying Xi: “Understood. Whatever fruit you cannot finish, Zhen will punish you.”
A thought of ‘as expected’ surfaced in Xie Qianli’s mind, and his tone lifted slightly. “This subject brewed them into wine.”
Light flowed in Ying Xi’s eyes.
The scenes of countless riddles posed and solved in their youth were vivid in his mind, swirling and lingering.
For a very brief moment, Ying Xi forgot his hatred and almost blurted out praise: “Ju’er is indeed so clever.”
Because he wanted to call Xie Qianli by his milk name, a wave of sourness hit his nose. Amidst the pain in his heart and lungs, he decided to walk away without looking back. Yujing hurriedly followed.
Xie Qianli bowed on one knee toward Ying Xi’s retreating figure. Amidst the embers of the setting sun, broken gold and orange-red, his voice was steady: “Your Majesty, take care.”
Wait, something was wrong…
Ying Xi stopped.
There was one thing he had forgotten to inform the Duke of Ying about, otherwise, he would be exposed tomorrow. With those rough men of the Longwu Army, it couldn’t be kept secret at all.
Ying Xi absolutely did not want his identity to be shouted out directly by Lian Qing, causing the three armies to shout “Long Live the Emperor”—how could he leave then?
Ying Xi suppressed the sour heaviness in his throat and said, “No need for farewells. Make preparations; Zhen will change identities and be right there within the Amnesty team.”
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