Chapter 189.1
After sending away Xiao Jirou with difficulty, Yaoniang was like an ant on a hot pan, unable to sit or stand still. Despite having comforted Xiao Jirou just now, she couldnt help feeling anxious.
She had never found time to pass so slowly before, but today it felt like every minute was dragging on forever. When Jin Wang and the others finally returned home, she asked about the matter and learned that Jin Wang had already known about it for a long time. According to Jin Wang, he didnt tell Yaoniang because it wasnt a big deal and she could continue her days as usual without worrying about it.
Was it really not a big deal? Yaoniang couldnt help but wonder.
She didnt know that before Jin Wang returned home, he had already met with Lu Hai, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Lu Hai had no choice but to seek out Jin Wang. If he ever had the chance to find out who had set him up, he would eat that person alive. But now, he was in a hurry to explain himself to Jin Wang.
That matter really hadnt been done by him. His Majesty himself had ordered him to act. He would need to have eaten a bears heart and a leopards gall to complete the order on one hand and spread rumours with the other. That wasnt bravery, that was foolishness. Only those who were tired of living and sought death would do something like that. So, seeing how the matter was getting out of hand, Lu Hai couldnt sit still any longer. He sneaked out of the palace in a green carriage and waited outside the Ministry of Works all afternoon until Jin Wang finally came out.
Once he managed to invite Jin Wang to a teahouse, Lu Hai didnt care about saving his old face anymore and immediately kneeled down, begging Jin Wang to save his life.
Jin Wang didnt want to deal with this old eunuch, but Lu Hai was shameless, clinging to his leg and crying with snot and tears, even reminiscing about Jin Wangs childhood. In the end, Jin Wang told him a single sentence: instead of wasting his energy here, he should go all out and serve his Father Emperor. If he could show even one-third of the determination he was showing right now, he would have nothing to worry about.
After Jin Wang finished speaking, he left, and it took Lu Hai a while to react. Then, he quickly returned to the palace.
So, its not a big deal after all. But what exactly did you suggest to him? Why cant I understand? Yaoniang asked.
It doesnt matter if you dont understand, as long as he does.
Meanwhile, in front of the Qianqing Palace, a great drama was unfolding. On this snowy day, Lu Hai, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, knelt in front of the palace gate.
What was he trying to do?
Besides begging Emperor Hongjing to spare him and pleading his innocence, he vented his grievances, saying that someone had intentionally set him up. As soon as he had finished handling the matter, news like this was released. It was clearly meant to target him and ruin him!
Lu Hai claimed that he had served Emperor Hongjing for many years and even if he was stupid, he wouldnt be stupid enough to do something like this. He didnt mention Xiaobaos matter at all. However, in recent days, the news had spread widely, so everyone knew that Lu Hais current behaviour was related to that matter.
The Qianqing Palace was a place where many people comes and goes frequently, so in a short while, everyone in the palace knew about it.
News rapidly spread that someone was intentionally stirring up trouble, wanting to provoke a fight between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Jin Wang Manor. They even wanted to incite others to view the eldest son of Jin Wang Manor as a thorn in their eyes and a fishbone in their throat.
It was both cunning and malicious!
In the Dongnuan Pavilion, Emperor Hongjing told Li Dequan, Go and call Lu Hai in. He is not a young man anymore. Whats the point of kneeling in the snow like that?
Li Dequan was an old rival of Lu Hai. The two old buddies had been fighting for decades. If His Majesty gave face to Lu Hai, it would mean less face for himself. Li Dequan agreed on the surface, but in his heart, he couldnt help feeling sour. Wasnt this what His Majesty had wanted to see? He really pitied Lu Hai. He didnt choose to call him in earlier but instead made him cry outside for so long that everyone in the palace knew before finally deciding to show mercy.
However, he dared not say such things and hurriedly went out to call Lu Hai in.
As soon as Lu Hai entered the Dongnuan Pavilion, he immediately felt warm all over.
Although he had prepared himself before the performance, the fact was that he was not getting any younger.
He knelt on the ground, crying with tears and snot all over, looking especially pitiful.
Emperor Hongjing scolded, Since you know you were wrong, get up quickly and be smarter in the future.
Lu Hai acceded and said Of course, of course, before getting up from the ground. With trepidation, he accompanied Emperor Hongjing to talk for a while before leaving the Qianqing Palace.
After passing through the Rijing Gate, Lu Hai could finally let go of the long-hanging stone in his chest, but he was also filled with anger.
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