Chapter 414

Quan De'an came to visit the Emperor without having coordinated well with Wen Chenghuan beforehand; he also didn't expect Wen Chenghuan to raise the matter of punishing Hu Xiaotian before the Emperor's sickbed, which is somewhat overzealous, but since it's been said, let's see the Emperor's attitude.

Long Yelin said: "Minister Wen, rest assured, I will certainly give you an explanation regarding the Talented Person's matter. I am somewhat tired..." The first sentence was just placating Wen Chenghuan; the second was actually issuing an order to dismiss.

Wen Chenghuan is wily and crafty; he naturally understands that now is not the time to demand an explanation. His reason for asking the Emperor to decide is to position himself correctly, so that everyone knows he is the victim.

Zhou Ruiyuan and Wen Chenghuan took their leave, but Quan De'an was kept by Long Yelin. This isn't strange; after all, Quan De'an used to be a eunuch attending Long Yelin, so having him stay to attend is normal.

Quan De'an had the other eunuchs withdraw, then helped the Emperor straighten the cushion.

Long Yelin said: "I just barely escaped death."

Quan De'an said: "Your Majesty, your blessings are vast and heavenly; even if there is some danger, you will surely turn misfortune into fortune."

Long Yelin said: "If it weren't for Hu Xiaotian today, I might not have gotten through this ordeal."

Quan De'an reached out, felt his pulse, confirmed that Long Yelin's pulse was steady, then relaxed and whispered: "Your Majesty, are you preparing to reward him?"

Long Yelin said: "Ji Feihua wants to protect him!" When he said this, Long Yelin's expression was extremely complex, filled with conflict and helplessness: "What do you think?"

Quan De'an said: "The fact that he saved the Emperor will surely become known throughout the land soon."

Long Yelin's expression showed some puzzlement; he didn't understand why Quan De'an would be so certain. Hu Xiaotian's treatment of himself after all took place inside the palace. He had already ordered that this secret be kept; even if the news leaked out, it shouldn't happen so quickly.

Quan De'an said: "Someone will surely deliberately spread this matter. Hu Xiaotian saved the Emperor; if the Emperor investigates the Bright Moon Palace affair and thus blames him, then someone will say the Emperor repays kindness with enmity."

Long Yelin drew a sharp breath and said: "Not bad!"

Quan De'an said: "Even if the Bright Moon Palace matter could be used to punish Hu Xiaotian, it would not possibly implicate Ji Feihua."

Long Yelin said: "Then let him go for now."

Quan De'an nodded and said: "Whether Hu Xiaotian lives or dies is irrelevant. What truly matters is whether his life or death can implicate Ji Feihua; since Ji Feihua wants to protect him, we'll turn the tables on them."

Long Yelin said: "How do we turn the tables on them?"

Quan De'an leaned close to Long Yelin's ear and whispered a few sentences.

Long Yelin's face showed a look of astonishment, then the corner of his mouth twitched with a knowing smile.

Wen Chenghuan and Zhou Ruiyuan left the Xuanweigong side by side; at this moment Wen Chenghuan's face bore not a trace of tears. He glanced at Zhou Ruiyuan beside him—today Zhou Ruiyuan had played the mute from start to finish. This Dakang Left Senior Secretary, the head of the Secretariat, is truly unfathomable. If there is still anyone in Dakang who could make Wen Chenghuan feel awe, it is undoubtedly Zhou Ruiyuan.

Wen Chenghuan said: "Ruiyuan, why didn't you say a word in the Xuanweigong just now?"

Zhou Ruiyuan smiled faintly: "Grand Tutor Wen, I remained silent because I never comment on matters I do not understand."

Wen Chenghuan said meaningfully: "The Emperor often says your vision is far-reaching, your mind broad; nothing in Dakang can escape your eyes."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Now Dakang is fraught with danger; though its rivers and mountains appear splendid, they are actually riddled with holes. Having taken charge of the Secretariat, all manner of affairs have left me harried. I have no time to attend to other matters."

Wen Chenghuan said: "Ruiyuan, you are being overly pessimistic. Dakang's centuries-old foundation has faced life-and-death crises many times, each time turning danger into safety. The Long clan's heavenly mandate is flourishing; even if we encounter some troubles in the short term, I believe we will soon emerge from adversity. Moreover, the Emperor has a talent like you to share his worries; Dakang's revival is imminent."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "An individual's strength is ultimately limited. During my three years in Xichuan, the most I did was reflect on myself. Whether Dakang can revive is not something I alone can decide; only by working together can we swiftly help Dakang out of its predicament."

Wen Chenghuan nodded, then shifted the topic to the Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei: "Is Hu Buwei still in the Ministry of Revenue?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "He is!"

Wen Chenghuan said: "I still don't understand why, with Dakang abundant in talent, we would retain such criminal officials and villains."

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Looking across the Ministry of Revenue, no one can compare to Hu Buwei; his managerial ability is presently irreplaceable."

Wen Chenghuan hit a soft nail in the face, and his old face flushed.

Zhou Ruiyuan clasped his hands toward Wen Chenghuan: "Grand Tutor Wen, I still have official business to attend to; I'll take my leave first."

Wen Chenghuan returned the salute, and Zhou Ruiyuan hurried off. At that moment Wen Chenghuan noticed the Third Prince, Long Tingzhen, approaching; Long Tingzhen gazed after the departing Zhou Ruiyuan, somewhat puzzled: "Chancellor Zhou, why are you leaving in such haste?"

Long Yelin sighed again, brows furrowed: "Do you think Ting Sheng or Ting Zhen is more suitable?"

Quan De'an lowered his eyes and said: "This servant dare not speak rashly." He certainly understood that Long Yelin was asking which of the two brothers is more fit to be crown prince. If one compares intellect and wisdom, the Third Prince, Long Tingzhen, seems to have the edge; the Eldest Prince, Long Ting Sheng, usually appears somewhat dull, and from childhood has given an impression lacking spirit. Yet he is after all the eldest son and born of Empress Jian; in the matter of selecting a crown prince, Quan De'an dares not readily voice his opinion.

Long Yelin said: "When I fell ill just now, the Empress hurriedly summoned Ting Sheng." After a pause, he exclaimed furiously: "This wicked woman first thought not of my condition but of my throne."

Quan De'an advised: "Actually, the Empress having the Eldest Prince come to inquire about the illness is only natural; Your Majesty should also settle the crown prince's position as soon as possible."

Long Yelin slowly nodded: "How could I not want to decide early? But as long as the rebel remains unremoved, my heart is ill at ease; no matter whom I choose as crown prince, someone will surely stir things up, ultimately leading to fratricidal strife and a bloody conflict." Long Yelin is no foolish monarch; his understanding of imperial rule even surpasses that of most.

Quan De'an nodded in deep agreement; being Emperor is no easy task.

Long Yelin said: "Chancellor Zhou just now seemed not to have said a word."

Quan De'an said: "Your Majesty observes minutely, your eyes like torches."

Long Yelin said: "Is he dissatisfied with me, or with Grand Tutor Wen?"

Quan De'an said: "Dakang is fortunate to have a virtuous minister like Chancellor Zhou supporting it; although Grand Tutor Wen's private motives are somewhat stronger, he ultimately still wholeheartedly supports the Emperor."

Long Yelin nodded, then closed his eyes wearily: "Once this matter is settled, accompany me to the Great State Temple."

"Yes!"

Hu Xiaotian kept watch in the Xuanweigong until midnight; these past two days he hadn't rested properly. After the second watch, a heavy drowsiness welled up, and he involuntarily began to nod off. In his haze, someone tapped his shoulder; Hu Xiaotian jerked awake, lifted his head, and saw a petite maiden standing gracefully before him.

Hu Xiaotian blinked hard before he could dare conclude that the figure before him was indeed the little princess Qiqi. Only a month apart, Qiqi had grown remarkably tall—at least half a head taller than when she left. Her weight clearly hadn't kept up with her height, making her look thin and tall like a bean sprout; her large eyes were red, obviously from having just cried.

Hu Xiaotian examined her from head to toe; her chest was flat, still an undeveloped "airfield"—after all, she's still a child. Though her height had shot up a bit this month, after a moment's stupor he cleared his mind, hurriedly rose, and dropped to one knee: "Hu Xiaotian pays his respects, Princess."

Qiqi said: "You may rise!" Her tone was unexpectedly gentle.

Hu Xiaotian rose accordingly; Qiqi's head already reached his eyebrows. If she kept growing like this, it wouldn't be long before she surpassed him.

Qiqi said: "I just returned to the palace and heard that Father Emperor is ill."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Princess, rest assured; the Emperor's blessings are vast and heavenly—he has already turned danger into safety."

Qiqi said: "I've already heard all about it; this time I owe it to you." Although the words were grateful, her tone lacked any hint of gratitude.

Hu Xiaotian said: "As long as the Emperor is unharmed, that's good."

Qiqi sighed: "I never expected that during my time away, so many things would have happened in the palace." Looking at her furrowed brows, she actually seemed to have acquired a more mature air.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Indeed, quite a few things have occurred."

Qiqi said resentfully: "I heard that the Talented Person of Bright Moon Palace is a jinx; since she entered the palace, events within have erupted one after another—she even burned down Bright Moon Palace!"

Hu Xiaotian finally heard someone utter a fair remark, nodded and said: "Bright Moon Palace has indeed seen much happen; since the Talented Person entered the palace, people there have died one after another. Although I don't believe in fate, this Talented Person truly is somewhat sinister."

Qiqi's lips curled into a sly smile: "No corpse, no contradiction—do you think that because the Talented Person is dead, you're dumping all the blame on her, since a dead person can't jump out to refute you?"

Hu Xiaotian groaned repeatedly, saying: "Heaven and earth, conscience! What do these matters have to do with me?"

Qiqi took a step toward him, pointed at his nose aggressively and said: "You think just because I'm outside I don't know what's happening inside the palace? Was Wang Decai killed by you?" The little princess then started bringing up old scores again.

"No……"

"Was Ma Liangpeng killed by you?"

"Uh…… this……"

"What the hell is this? Qiu Yan must also have been killed by you, then you framed others, killing two birds with one stone to get rid of Wen Ya's close aides. Once you've cleaned out these people, you go all the way, setting fire to and burning the Bright Moon Palace, burning to death Wen Ya and the six palace maids and eunuchs in the Bright Moon Palace—Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, you are truly vicious!" Her finger almost poked Hu Xiaotian's nose.

This chapter is an extra chapter for the red-hot grandson like the wind! Baobao's chapter still needs to be made up tomorrow! (To be continued~^~)