Chapter 1776: Chapter 1714: Finds Him an Eyesore
What is the dignity of an emperor? Once spoken, there is no turning back. Emperor Yan’s offhand remark made Ah Jiu ’banished’ to act as the imperial envoy to investigate the embezzlement case of disaster funds in the Northern Region.
Empress Dowager Mo saw that the matter was settled, so she said to Ah Jiu, "You are the Prince of Beiyan, your Imperial Brother trusts you, so perform this duty well. Rescuing the common people from suffering is also a virtuous deed. However, be aware that many people in the north can be fierce, you must pay attention to your safety."
"Yes."
Emperor Yan saw him feeling downcast and laughed angrily, "At your age, you even have a Princess Consort. Could it be that you still want to run around like before without any achievements?"
Ah Jiu forced a smile, "I daren’t, Your Majesty."
"There’s no time to waste. You should leave the palace now, prepare yourself for the journey." Emperor Yan waved his hand.
Ah Jiu complied, bid farewell to Empress Dowager Mo, and then left the palace.
Empress Song watched Ah Jiu leave, and said, "It’s rare for Your Majesty to have leisure time, why not let me arrange for us to dine with the Royal Mother?"
Emperor Yan was very pleased and nodded, "You go ahead and arrange it."
Empress Song withdrew with a smile.
"Royal Mother loves peonies. It is said that our family estate cultivated many famous varieties last year. I will have them send a few pots over for Royal Mother to enjoy..."
Empress Song stood at the entrance of the garden, glanced back to see Emperor Yan helping Empress Dowager Mo walk back to the peony bushes, personally picking a purple peony to replace the pink one.
Empress Song’s gaze tightened, her hand retracted a bit, and she turned to leave.
As soon as Ah Jiu exited the palace gates, his hands clenched inside his sleeves, his face gloomy.
Back at the residence, Ah Jiu sat in the study, his handsome face dark enough to drip water.
Yuan Ye walked in, trembling with fear, "Your Highness?"
"Get ready; we are heading to the Northern Region."
Yuan Ye froze, why so suddenly?
"The Emperor ordered me, as the imperial envoy, to go to the Northern Region to investigate last year’s disaster fund embezzlement case," said Ah Jiu.
"Yes."
"First, arrange for some people to go ahead. In addition, select skilled people to accompany on this journey. I’m afraid the trip won’t be peaceful, either on the road or over there," Ah Jiu said in a deep voice.
Yuan Ye’s pupils contracted slightly, he clasped his hands and replied, "I understand."
Ah Jiu waved his hand, "Send Jia Yi to see me."
Yuan Ye retreated, Ah Jiu closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. It wasn’t that he was unwilling to serve Beiyan or was afraid for his life.
But Emperor Yan’s attitude, truly feeling as if he had no one to employ, thought he was too idle and so found him something to do.
Or perhaps, disliked him being an eyesore, hence the reassignment.
Ah Jiu knew very well that prior to this, Emperor Yan didn’t have such intentions, clearly a spur-of-the-moment decision, but why suddenly decide?
He closed his eyes, recalling today’s words and actions, from discussing state affairs with Emperor Yan, to later leaving, seeing the Royal Mother, Brother Huang and the others coming to pay respects...
The conversations among them continuously intermingled in Ah Jiu’s mind, he pondered while recalling everyone’s expressions, Royal Mother, Imperial Brother, Empress...
Ah Jiu suddenly opened his eyes, his brows furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his hands clenched into fists.
If he didn’t dare believe it before, now he already suspected, even somewhat certain, that his Imperial Brother and Royal Mother might have something, his Imperial Brother didn’t want to see him lingering in front of his Royal Mother.
A man doesn’t want another man appearing too often in the presence of a certain woman, why is that? It stems from selfish motives.
And the Empress’s ostensibly inadvertent words stimulated his Imperial Brother’s selfishness, hence the sudden order.
"Damn it!" Ah Jiu slammed the table fiercely.
