Chapter 362: Xu Xianchun Became a Loyal Mad Dog

"Your Majesty is kind-hearted and treats his subordinates with great favor—this is something everyone knows." Chen Hong said slowly, his tone unreadable.

Listening to Chen Hong's words, Cui Yingyuan's heart was filled with complicated feelings.

To be able to serve under such a sovereign would naturally be the best thing. Even if he were to do something less than proper in the future, His Majesty would not treat him too harshly.

But that was for the future. For the present self, things were not so rosy. If he had no present, then there would be no point in speaking of the future.

If not for this opportunity, perhaps Cui Yingyuan would not have needed to worry too much. But with this opportunity before him, he did not want to give it up, yet he also felt some concern—if Xu Xianchun managed to turn things around, what would he do then?

After all, in that previous matter, he had not been particularly courteous to Xu Xianchun—indeed, he had even shown him some disrespect. If Xu Xianchun bore grudges, then this situation would truly be finished.

Cui Yingyuan looked at Chen Hong and said slowly: "Eunuch Chen, should we do something?"

Chen Hong naturally understood what Cui Yingyuan meant by these words, and at the same time, he was truly tempted.

The reason was simple—this time, Chen Hong had also fallen out with Xu Xianchun. If Xu Xianchun were to return, Chen Hong would likely face harassment from him as well.

But Chen Hong understood even more clearly that if he truly let Cui Yingyuan do something, even if he himself knew nothing about it, it would still be very troublesome.

His Majesty had always been sharp-eyed and clear-minded. As long as something happened, he could not escape involvement. When that time came, who knew how His Majesty would deal with him.

Outsiders all said His Majesty was kind-hearted, but Chen Hong knew in his heart that it was because they had never touched His Majesty's bottom line. If one touched His Majesty's bottom line, there would be no room for sentiment.

So Chen Hong shook his head and said: "This is His Majesty's will."

With just that one sentence, Chen Hong did not continue further—there was no need for further explanation.

This already represented Chen Hong's attitude. If Cui Yingyuan still wanted to act, then it would have nothing to do with Chen Hong.

But Cui Yingyuan was not stupid either. The reason he had asked Chen Hong was not because the matter could not be done, but mainly because he wanted to know Chen Hong's attitude—or rather, he wanted to know His Majesty's attitude.

If His Majesty could tolerate it, then naturally there would be no problem.

But judging from Chen Hong's attitude, this was something His Majesty could not tolerate. Then he could not do it, or else the consequences would be even more severe.

Cui Yingyuan said: "This subordinate understands."

After saying this, he extended his hand in a gesture of invitation and said: "Eunuch Chen, this way please."

Seeing Cui Yingyuan's reaction, Chen Hong felt some gratification in his heart, along with some regret.

The gratification was naturally because Cui Yingyuan knew how to read the situation, understanding what could be done and what could not. Smart people generally did not make too great a mistake.

As for the regret, it was precisely because of this same point. If Cui Yingyuan had insisted on acting, Chen Hong could likely have reaped considerable benefits, without even having to bear the responsibility.

The two walked forward, each harboring their own thoughts, and soon arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison.

Chen Hong looked around and said: "Why has Xu Xianchun been put in prison? His Majesty never issued such an order."

Seeing Chen Hong's stern face, Cui Yingyuan quickly said: "To report to Eunuch, this was not our intention either—it was Xu Xianchun, Lord Xu's own wish. He felt guilty toward His Majesty, so he imprisoned himself here. This was not something we did privately."

Hearing this, the expression on Chen Hong's face finally relaxed.

Although Chen Hong still had misgivings in his heart, he was also worried that his subordinates might do something privately. If they truly did something on their own, that would be defying His Majesty's orders—a very serious matter.

Through this period of interaction, Chen Hong had become even more fearful of Zhu Youxiao.

The two of them walked into the prison together and soon arrived at where Xu Xianchun was.

Since it was not imprisonment but self-imposed confinement, the environment here was relatively good.

A spacious and bright room, with freshly laid bedding, the floor swept clean, and even the chamber pot had been scrubbed by someone.

Seeing Chen Hong and Cui Yingyuan, Xu Xianchun was startled for a moment, then stood up, looked at the two, and bowed, saying: "I greet Eunuch Chen, I greet Lord Cui. I wonder what business brings the two of you here today?"

Hearing Xu Xianchun's words, Chen Hong was not particularly surprised. Xu Xianchun had always addressed him this way before.

Cui Yingyuan, however, was startled, quickly retreating two steps, extending his hand and waving it as he said: "Lord Xu is too kind. Without your promotion, I would not be where I am today. This title of Lord Cui—I would not dare to presume it."

Smiling bitterly and shaking his head, Xu Xianchun said: "It is merely a form of address based on official rank. I am now a man awaiting punishment, so naturally I dare not harbor any delusions. You need not overthink it."

After saying this, Xu Xianchun turned to look at Chen Hong, bowed deeply to the ground, and said with some apology: "Eunuch Chen, speaking of it, Xu has failed your cultivation. Since arriving at the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you have shown Xu much consideration, yet Xu has not been able to do anything for you."

"Speaking of it, I am rather ashamed. This matter was truly done out of necessity, and I nearly dragged Eunuch Chen into the water. I humbly ask Eunuch Chen not to take offense."

"If Xu can still leave this place, then in the future, whatever matters Eunuch Chen may have, please do not hesitate to command—Xu will go through fire and water without hesitation, to repay Eunuch Chen's kindness today."

Looking at Xu Xianchun, Chen Hong revealed a helpless bitter smile.

He could naturally see that Xu Xianchun lowering his posture so much was not out of genuine gratitude, but because he had already formed his own calculations.

The fact that he and Cui Yingyuan had come together was clearly because a verdict regarding Xu Xianchun had already been reached.

Xu Xianchun naturally saw this clearly as well. With his intelligence, he naturally understood that what came next would be his final judgment.

Before that, Xu Xianchun naturally had to display a sufficiently respectful attitude.

If the result was good, he still had a chance to rise again, and naturally he would need to repair his relationship with him and Cui Yingyuan.

If the result was bad, having displayed a sufficiently low posture beforehand, he would not make things difficult for him or his family in the future.

Either way, lowering his posture now could only bring benefits, not harm. From this alone, one could see Xu Xianchun's intelligence, and Chen Hong could not help but admire it.

At this moment, Chen Hong somewhat understood why His Majesty wanted to let Xu Xianchun off—such a person was indeed rare.

So Chen Hong said with a smile: "This servant already knows of your matter. Speaking of it, you are still the one to blame—what was there that could not be stated openly?"

"Even if you could not trust this servant, could you not trust His Majesty? His Majesty trusted you so greatly—how can your actions be worthy of His Majesty?"

Hearing these words, Xu Xianchun fell to his knees with a thud and said directly: "Eunuch Chen, please say no more. It is I who have wronged His Majesty, I who have betrayed His Majesty's trust!"

"I have a message I wish to report to His Majesty—please, Eunuch Chen, convey it on my behalf. Xu Xianchun has wronged His Majesty. However His Majesty chooses to punish this subject, this subject will bear no resentment whatsoever. If there is a next life, this subject is willing to serve His Majesty as an ox or a horse."

Watching Xu Xianchun kneeling on the ground, tears and snot streaming down his face, his words sincere and earnest, Cui Yingyuan let out a sigh.

Indeed, he was still far from this level.

Chen Hong stepped forward, reached out to help Xu Xianchun up, and said: "Lord Xu, there is no need to wait for the next life to serve His Majesty as an ox or a horse. This servant has come today precisely because there is something I need to tell you."

"His Majesty's oral edict!"

Hearing these words, Xu Xianchun knelt on the ground once again, his face solemn as he kowtowed and said: "Your guilty subject Xu Xianchun, respectfully inquiring after His Majesty's wellbeing!"

"His Majesty is well!" Chen Hong also said with an expressionless face: "Xu Xianchun, you panic over such a small matter? You think that over such a small matter, I would not look after you? Do you think my nature is so cold and unfeeling, that I would mistreat my own meritorious subjects?"

"I tell you, put away your petty suspicions. Do not measure a gentleman's heart with a petty man's mind. This time I will still punish you, because you committed an error, and also because you actually did not believe in me."

"I am very angry. Your post as Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is gone—it has been given to Cui Yingyuan. Serve well under your former subordinate, do not harbor any schemes, and properly atone for your crimes through good service."

After saying this, Chen Hong declared, "Thus by imperial decree."

"Your servant Xu Xianchun thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace!"

Xu Xianchun knelt on the ground, kowtowing loudly, his face covered in tears.

His entire body trembled, and then he viciously slapped himself several times across the face. "Your Majesty treats your servant so well, yet your servant is truly worse than a beast! Your servant is unworthy of Your Majesty's kindness!"

Xu Xianchun then burst into loud wailing.

Chen Hong watched Xu Xianchun without any intention of stepping forward to console him, simply observing quietly.

Then, Chen Hong turned to Cui Yingyuan beside him and said, "You've seen it too—what kind of attitude does Your Majesty hold toward people like you? How immense is that grace?"

"When you return, do your work well. Don't emulate Lord Xu. In the future, you will surely have boundless prospects. As for Lord Xu being under your authority from now on, don't harbor any resentment—just do things as they should be done."

"The two of you must cooperate well and not betray the trust His Majesty has placed in you. Do not let discord arise between you, and above all, do not bungle matters. Do you understand?"

These words were spoken for Cui Yingyuan to hear, but naturally they were also meant for Xu Xianchun.

Cui Yingyuan hurriedly bowed and replied, "Rest assured, Eunuch. Your subordinate knows how to conduct himself. I will absolutely not betray His Majesty's trust, nor will I let down your kind intentions."

Xu Xianchun snapped back to his senses at this moment as well. He stood up, bowed to Chen Hong, and said, "Thank you, Eunuch Chen. Your kindness and generosity are deeply engraved in Xu's heart."

"I don't expect either of you to repay me in any way. Just cause fewer troubles in the future and put all your efforts into handling His Majesty's affairs. Don't make me clean up your messes for everything—that alone would satisfy me." Chen Hong looked at the two men and waved his hand as he spoke.

"Rest assured, Eunuch. The two of us will work together with one heart and will absolutely not disappoint you." Xu Xianchun quickly gave his assurance.

"Good, as long as you understand." After saying this, Chen Hong turned to look at Cui Yingyuan and said, "You may go first. I still have matters to discuss with Lord Xu."