Chapter 30

"Su Qiao, hear the imperial decree!"

Upon hearing this, Su Qiao's entire body trembled.

He immediately removed his black gauze cap himself, and finally, a long-lost sense of relief appeared on his face.

Finally.

Was he going back?

"Effective immediately, Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion Su Qiao is demoted one rank but retained in service, and reassigned as Companion Reader to the Imperial Grand Heir in the Eastern Palace!"

"Respect this!"

As soon as Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang's voice fell.

Su Qiao, still holding the black gauze cap in his hand, instantly turned to stone right where he stood.

The entire court of civil and military officials went numb.

Did you, Old Zhu, call this a punishment?

To be able to serve as a Companion Reader in the Eastern Palace.

Let alone being demoted one rank but retained.

Even if one were demoted ten ranks, straight down to a commoner, there would still be countless people fighting to go!

Even though Su Qiao had belittled Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen to nothingness in court that day.

That Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen was still the Crown Prince of Great Ming personally designated by Old Zhu.

When Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen eventually ascended the throne.

Then Su Qiao would be a minister who followed the dragon from its hidden lair!

Having served as an official for so many years.

They had only ever heard of apparent promotions that were actually demotions.

This was the first time they had ever seen an apparent demotion that was actually a promotion!

Huang Huang Zicheng looked at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang excitedly and said.

"Your Majesty, regardless of the circumstances, Su Qiao is guilty of moral failings in his private life; I beg Your Majesty to rescind this order!"

Hearing this, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but let out a cold laugh.

"What, Master Huang, do you wish to resist the imperial decree?"

In an instant, Huang Huang Zicheng broke out in a cold sweat all over his body.

"This subject dares not!"

Looking at Huang Huang Zicheng kneeling on the ground.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang finally sat back down on the Dragon Throne, then cast a meaningful glance at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen.

"Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen, starting tomorrow, you and the officials of the Eastern Palace need not attend court sessions." Speaking to this point, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly intensified his tone, speaking with earnest sincerity: "Study hard in the Eastern Palace; only once you have studied well should you return to court to deliberate on state affairs!"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen froze in shock.

He immediately bowed deeply and prostrated himself on the ground.

"Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen accepts the imperial decree!"

"Very well, you may now return to the Eastern Palace to study."

At these words, even Huang Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai both felt the fatherly love within Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang's speech.

Until this moment.

The two of them no longer cared about whether Su Qiao lived or died.

As long as Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen could still remain Crown Prince.

Everything was negotiable!

Upon hearing this, Huang Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai immediately rose to their feet to express their gratitude, saying.

"We subjects accept the command!"

"We subjects will surely not fail Your Majesty's great expectations and will certainly instruct His Highness the Imperial Grand Heir with utmost care!"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen also looked at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang with a face full of excitement.

"Imperial Grandfather, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen is returning to the Eastern Palace to study!"

Hearing this, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly.

"Good child, go."

The four of them immediately rose and departed in the direction of the Eastern Palace.

Watching the retreating figures of the four.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but let out a long sigh, then thought silently in his heart: Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen, I am giving you one last chance; you must seize it!

Through Su Qiao's official record.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang could easily see.

That Su Qiao was not incapable of pledging loyalty to Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen.

It was simply because the current Son of Heaven was not Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen; therefore, Old Zhu firmly believed that once he truly passed the throne to Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen.

Su Qiao would still assist Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen with utter devotion, just as he had in the original history.

At present, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang could only do his utmost to ensure this point.

By sending Su Qiao to Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen's side.

However, Old Zhu did not know.

At this moment, there was only one thought in Su Qiao's mind.

—Could it be that I didn't slap him enough last time?

33, does Your Highness dare to leave the palace?

Beneath the red walls and golden tiles.

Within the narrow palace corridor.

Su Qiao stood out starkly from the three figures ahead.

Only Huang Huang Zicheng's mind was churning incessantly.

He whispered to Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen beside him,

"Your Highness, do you know the intent behind His Majesty's action?"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen hastily whispered in reply,

"Mr. Huang, matters have reached this point; please, sir, do not beat around the bush with Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen any longer."

Huang Huang Zicheng glanced back at Su Qiao and whispered,

"This situation indicates only two things!"

"First, His Majesty has already recognized Su Qiao as a talent."

"Second, although His Majesty has harbored thoughts of replacing the heir, ultimately, His Majesty's heart still leans toward Your Highness!"

Speaking thus, Huang Huang Zicheng lowered his voice even further.

Then he whispered,

"Your Highness need not concern yourself with what you perceive Su Qiao to be."

"Judging by this arrangement, as long as Your Highness can win over Su Qiao and employ him, you will surely secure your position as Crown Prince!"

Hearing Huang Huang Zicheng's words,

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen's brows involuntarily knitted together.

"Win over Su Qiao?"

Huang Huang Zicheng took a deep breath and continued,

"Previously, Minister Qi and I already incurred Su Qiao's resentment; henceforth, everything will likely depend on Your Highness alone."

"As long as Your Highness treats the worthy with humility, even if Su Qiao were a stone, I believe Your Highness can surely warm him until he melts!"

Upon hearing this,

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen involuntarily clenched his fists slightly.

Gritting his teeth, he whispered,

"In that case, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen shall give it a try!"

"Please, both gentlemen, return to Donggong first; let Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen speak with Su Qiao alone for a while."

Hearing this, Huang Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai exchanged a smile, then immediately quickened their pace, walking toward Donggong.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen, however, involuntarily slowed his steps, turned around, and looked back at Su Qiao behind him.