Chapter 34

"Su Qiao, hear the imperial decree!"

Su Qiao's whole body jolted at the words.

He immediately took off his black gauze cap himself, and at last a long-absent ease appeared on his face.

Finally.

Going back?

"From this day forth, Eastern Pavilion Academician Su Qiao is demoted one rank but retained in service, transferred to serve as Companion Reader to the Grandson Heir in Donggong!"

"By imperial grace!"

As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking.

Su Qiao, black gauze cap in hand, instantly petrified on the spot.

The entire court, civil and military alike, was dumbfounded.

You old Zhu call this a punishment?

Being able to serve as Companion Reader in Donggong—

Forget being demoted one rank and retained.

Even if demoted ten ranks, stripped straight down to a commoner, there'd still be plenty of people fighting to go!

Even though Su Qiao had utterly trashed Zhu Yunwen in court that day.

That Zhu Yunwen was still the Great Ming heir apparent personally chosen by old Zhu.

When Zhu Yunwen eventually succeeds to the throne.

Su Qiao would be a meritorious follower from the former princely household!

After so many years in office.

He'd only ever heard of "promotion in name, demotion in fact."

This "demotion in name, promotion in fact"—this is the first time we've ever laid eyes on it!

Huang Zicheng stared激动ly at Zhu Yuanzhang and said

"Your Majesty, no matter what, Su Qiao is still wanting in private virtue—I beg Your Majesty to recall the decree!"

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

"What, Mr. Huang, mean to defy the decree?"

In an instant, Huang Zicheng broke out in a cold sweat from head to toe.

"Your subject dares not!"

Looking at Huang Zicheng fallen prostrate on the ground.

Zhu Yuanzhang only then sat back down on the dragon throne, then cast a meaningful glance at Zhu Yunwen.

"Yunwen, starting tomorrow, you and the Donggong officials need not attend court anymore." Having said this much, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly加重ed his tone and said with earnest weight: "Read your books well in Donggong. Once you've read them well, then come to court and take part in state affairs!"

Zhu Yunwen's whole body went rigid.

He immediately bowed at the waist and dropped to his knees in salute.

"Yunwen receives the decree!"

"Good. You may now return to Donggong and read."

The moment these words were spoken, even Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai both sensed the affection in Zhu Yuanzhang's words.

Until this moment.

The two of them could no longer be bothered with anything about whether Su Qiao lived or died.

As long as Zhu Yunwen could still be the heir apparent.

Everything was negotiable!

Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai, hearing this, immediately rose and gave thanks, saying

"We, your subjects, receive the command!"

"We shall not disgrace Your Majesty's great hopes—we will most certainly instruct the Grandson Heir殿下 well!"

Zhu Yunwen, too, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with an excited face

"Grandfather Emperor, Yunwen is going back to Donggong to read!"

Zhu Yuanzhang gave a slight nod at the words.

"Good child, go on."

The four men immediately rose and headed off in the direction of Donggong.

Watching the four retreating backs.

Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but heave a long sigh, then said silently in his heart: Yunwen, I'm giving you one last chance—you must seize it!

From Su Qiao's service record.

Zhu Yuanzhang could easily see.

Su Qiao was not incapable of serving Zhu Yunwen loyally.

It was simply that the present Son of Heaven was not Zhu Yunwen, so old Zhu firmly believed that once he truly intended to pass the throne to Zhu Yunwen—

Su Qiao would still, just as in the original history, devote himself wholeheartedly to assisting Zhu Yunwen.

For now, Zhu Yuanzhang could only do his utmost on this point.

Send Su Qiao to Zhu Yunwen's side.

Only, old Zhu did not know.

At this moment, Su Qiao had only one thought in his head.

—Was the last slap too light?

33, does Your Highness dare to leave the palace?

Beneath the red walls and golden tiles.

Along the narrow palace path.

Su Qiao stood out starkly from the three ahead.

Only Huang Zicheng's mind kept turning constantly.

He spoke in a low voice to Zhu Yunwen beside him:

"Your Highness, do you know what Your Majesty intends by this move?"

Zhu Yunwen hurriedly replied in a low voice:

"Mr. Huang, we have already reached this point; please, Mr., do not keep circling around with Yunwen."

Huang Zicheng glanced back at Su Qiao and said in a low voice:

"This situation proves only two points!"

"First, Your Majesty has already recognized that this Su Qiao is a talent."

"Second, although Your Majesty has entertained thoughts of changing the heir, in the end, Your Majesty's heart still leans toward Your Highness!"

Having said this, Huang Zicheng lowered his voice even further.

Then he spoke in a low voice:

"Your Highness need not concern yourself with what you think this Su Qiao is."

"Judging by this formation, as long as Your Highness can recruit Su Qiao to serve you, you will surely secure the position of heir apparent!"

After Huang Zicheng said this.

Zhu Yunwen's brows also tightened involuntarily.

"Recruit Su Qiao?"

Huang Zicheng took a deep breath, then said:

"Previously, this subject and Lord Qi have already formed a grudge with Su Qiao; everything from now on, I fear, will depend on Your Highness yourself."

"As long as Your Highness can treat the worthy with courtesy, even if Su Qiao is a stone, I believe Your Highness will surely be able to warm it into shape!"

Hearing this.

Zhu Yunwen involuntarily clenched his fist slightly.

He gritted his teeth and said in a low voice:

"In that case, then Yunwen will give it a try!"

"Both gentlemen, please return to Donggong first; let Yunwen speak with Su Qiao alone for a while."

Upon hearing this, Huang Zicheng and Watching Qi Tai exchanged a smile, then immediately quickened their pace, walking toward the direction of Donggong.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yunwen involuntarily slowed his pace, turned around, and looked at Su Qiao behind him.