Chapter 21

It was just that Old Zhu did not know.

To let Su Qiao beat people.

Su Qiao dared.

To let Su Qiao kill people.

Su Qiao's courage still fell a little short...

"Damn it, do I need you lot to save me?!"

For Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen, who had been raised within the deep palace since childhood.

He had long taken for granted that everyone revered him and would risk their lives to protect him.

But Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang knew.

A person truly driven to desperation.

Would care nothing for hierarchy or status.

Even without any grievance or feud, such a person would kill just to drag someone down with them.

The fact that Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen could still stand here unharmed before his eyes.

Was already the "greatest proof" of Su Qiao's loyalty.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, sat back on the Dragon Throne, lifted a bowl of tea, and quietly observed Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen and Huang Huang Zicheng below.

After pondering for a long while.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang finally set down the tea cup in his hand.

"Release Su Qiao immediately."

"As the top scholar of the first class, appoint him as a Donggong Scholar to remain in the palace and offer counsel to us."

The moment the words left his lips.

Everyone in the hall instantly froze where they stood.

It was not that the position of Donggong Scholar was particularly high-ranking.

But regardless of anything else, Su Qiao was the man who had openly flouted ritual law and slapped the Imperial Grandson dozens of times.

Not punishing him was one thing.

But releasing him and making him an official?!

"Why are you standing there dumbstruck! Our decree has already been issued!"

Even though Huang Huang Zicheng, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen, and the others were filled with reluctance.

In the end, they could only accept Old Zhu's decree.

After drafting the edict, they immediately dispatched it.

Old Zhu stared coldly at the crowd before him.

"Why are you still standing there! Withdraw quickly!"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang's sharp rebuke jolted the people in the hall awake.

"This grandson accepts the decree."

"We, your subjects, accept the decree."

The Forbidden City was the place under heaven with the most secrets.

Yet the people living within the Forbidden City were those with the fewest secrets in the world.

At the very moment the decree left the palace.

Many high officials in the capital caught wind of the news.

Ru Taisu and Zhan Hui immediately ordered carriages prepared.

And hurriedly rushed to the Imperial Prison.

Inside the Imperial Prison on the other end.

When the young eunuch from the palace finished reading the imperial decree.

Everyone within the entire Imperial Prison froze in place.

They could never have imagined, even if beaten to death.

That after everything Su Qiao had done.

He would still be allowed to live!

"Lord Su, this humble servant offers congratulations here."

"Entering the Donggong directly after the imperial examinations, Lord, you are the first in our Great Ming Dynasty!"

After all, the Grand Secretaries of the halls at this time were not yet the Grand Council established after the Yongle era.

In the thirteenth year of Hongwu, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang executed Hu Wei and abolished the position of Prime Minister.

He then established the Grand Secretaries of the halls to devise strategies for him, though these Grand Secretaries themselves were merely minor officials of the fifth and sixth ranks.

Moreover, they possessed only the power to offer suggestions.

Thus, they were far from holding the high status and heavy authority of later times.

But that was only in comparison to the Grand Council of future generations!

For a new jinshi just entering officialdom.

The starting point of Grand Secretary.

Was already four full ranks higher than the common appointment of a Bachelor Editor at the seventh rank for a Hanlin Academician!

This was enough to show Old Zhu's high regard for Su Qiao!

After the imperial edict was proclaimed, several young eunuchs departed one after another.

Commander Commander Jiang Huang, who had been standing aside, suddenly came to his senses and roared at the cluster of Embroidered Uniform Guards beside him,

"What are you all standing there dumbfounded for? Hurry up and unlock the shackles for Lord Su!"

Several Embroidered Uniform Guards immediately scrambled forward in a fluster to unlock Su Qiao's shackles.

Before long, Su Qiao was led out from the Imperial Prison.

Even as Su Qiao left the Imperial Prison,

his entire mind remained utterly bewildered!

He even looked back at Commander Commander Jiang Huang, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with reluctance, saying,

"Commander Commander Commander Jiang, I cannot bear to leave you!"

"No, please discuss it with His Majesty; I am guilty, I am truly guilty!"

Hearing Su Qiao's plea,

the corners of Commander Commander Jiang Huang's mouth twitched slightly.

He had seen many who entered the Imperial Prison desperate to get out.

He had seen quite a few of them.

But how could there be someone who entered the Imperial Prison and was reluctant to leave?

Had he truly made himself at home?!

Commander Commander Jiang Huang made no sound.

With just a glance from him,

two Embroidered Uniform Guards stepped forward and "escorted" Su Qiao out.

Shortly after Su Qiao was shoved out of the prison gate, he saw two old men in the distance running toward him with blazing eyes.

Zhan Hui took the lead, rushing straight up to Su Qiao.

With an almost fawning demeanor, he grabbed Su Qiao's elbow and smiled at Ru Taisu, saying,

"Haha, Old Master, your distinguished disciple has emerged."

Ru Taisu also stroked his beard, examining Su Qiao closely before clicking his tongue and remarking,

"You lad certainly have a charmed life."

"If Minister Zhan had not fought to the death for you today, you lad would likely have already perished in the Imperial Prison by now!"

Upon hearing these words, Zhan Hui, standing aside, instantly regained his composure and hastily added,

"I merely overstepped my bounds. Today in the hall, it was your mentor who fought to the death; he knelt outside the hall for two full hours before finally persuading His Majesty to change his mind!"

The two old foxes exchanged a smile.