Chapter 225 - Afraid of
The morning assembly was as lively as ever. Zhan Yuanfeng praised all the officials who returned to the capital one by one. The officials who were originally tired from the long journey broke into smiles and straightened their back.
Zuo Shaoqing yawned three times in a row. His position was still inconspicuous, so he didn't need to worry about the one on the dragon throne seeing him.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work. Today, I will return and take a good rest. I will report to my Ministry of Personnel tomorrow.” Zhan Yuanfeng said considerately.
Zuo Shaoqing secretly looked towards Jiang Che's location and only saw the back of a person. He didn't know if it was just an illusion or not, but it was obvious that this person had changed a lot in the past few months.
He still remembered when he first arrived in the capital, Jiang Che, who was still an assistant minister, was in high spirits. He was well-off while standing in front of all the top geniuses in the Great Yang, but when he looked at Jiang Che's back now, he seemed a little sad.
Was it because he had just left his wife? Was he really in love with his wife?
Zuo Shaoqing shook his head and felt that he was overthinking it.
Just as his mind drifted away, the chamberlain loudly announced his departure, and then he heard Zhan Yuanfeng say: “Lu Aiqing and Zuo Aiguo stay behind and discuss things with me about the navy.”
Everyone was already used to Master Lu being respected by the emperor. As for the other person, they just treated it as a bonus and didn't care about it.
When the news of Zuo Shaoqing's promotion to Crane City Prefect was spread out, everyone could only say that this person's luck was really good. Some people were jealous in their hearts: didn't he marry a man out of disgrace? Otherwise, how could a brat rise up so fast?
Zuo Shaoqing ignored the confused gazes around him, walked up to Lu Zheng and took the initiative to hold his hand, giving him a sweet smile.
Immediately, the surrounding people coldly snorted. There was no need to ask, it was definitely an official who had never seen the couple show off their love for each other before coming back from outside.
The pair of husband and husband did not even glance at those people as they quickly followed Zhan Yuanfeng. Their fiery gazes were always following behind them, making people feel uneasy.
As he followed Zhan Yuanfeng, Zuo Shaoqing was enjoying the beautiful scenery of the palace with great interest. Although it was winter and the moon was shining, the flowers and trees in the palace were still growing well.
“Go and get some tea. Our Wife of Duke Zhen is probably hungry.” Zhan Yuanfeng lifted his clothes and sat down on a stone stool covered with beast skins as he instructed the attendant on the side.
Zuo Shaoqing's face darkened when he heard the words “Wife of Duke Zhen”, but he didn't have the guts to correct the way Wife of Duke Zhen called him.
“Take a seat. We haven't seen each other for a long time, let's have a good chat. We'll be staying for lunch at the palace.”
“Thank you, your majesty!” Lu Zheng and Zuo Shaoqing answered in unison.
Zuo Shaoqing knew that he was just there as a foil. After the tea was served, he started to eat without a trace of politeness. While listening to the conversation between the two, he also enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the garden.
It was common to hear that there was more than one imperial garden in the imperial palace. At this moment, the garden they were in was filled with plum blossoms that were in bloom.
The pavilion they were in was surrounded by screens. Inside, there was a charcoal brazier with traces of warmth.
The beautiful scenery of good morning, also has delicious pastry rich fragrant hot tea, Zuo Shaoqing's mood shows a qualitative leap.
Seeing that Zuo Shaoqing's eyes were full of smiles, Zhan Yuanfeng joked, “If Minister Zuo likes the plum blossoms in this garden, how about you bring a few stalks of them with you when you leave?”
“Many thanks for the emperor's reward. Then this humble subject won't be polite!” Zuo Shaoqing replied and started to plan where to go.
Zhan Yuanfeng choked. It's not that he was stingy, but shouldn't an ordinary official reject him first after hearing this?
Zuo Shaoqing snickered in his heart: If there's something I can't take, then it's a gift from the king. Maybe in the future, I can rely on these plum trees to collect some money for the viewing.
Zhan Yuanfeng coughed dryly and asked Lu Zheng, “What did you say just now?”
Lu Zheng stretched out his hand to pick off a petal from Zuo Shaoqing's hair, telling him to eat less pastry so that he wouldn't lose his lunch. Then, he answered Zhan Yuanfeng's question seriously, “Reporting to the emperor, let's talk about the matter of leading a water master to sea half a month ago.”
Zhan Yuanfeng took in all of Lu Zheng's actions and eyes. His eyes swept over the two of them as he said with a hint of disgust, “The two Martial Sisters really love each other dearly, it really makes one envious.”
Zuo Shaoqing thought of the rumors he just heard yesterday and suddenly had a gossip. Without looking at the beautiful scenery or eating delicacies, he sat upright and agreed, “The Emperor's harem has 3000 beauties with each having their own unique characteristics. This is what the men of the world are envious of.”
“Oh?” Zhan Yuanfeng winked at him and asked, “How about I give you these?”
Zuo Shaoqing chuckled dryly. “Your Majesty, you must be joking. The concubines in the imperial harem are all your wives, and friends and wives aren't something to be trifled with, much less your in-laws, Your Majesty.”
“That's true. The Left Official probably doesn't like the ruin of a flower. Since many beauties have been revered by the governors, why not choose a few?”
Zuo Shaoqing did not expect him to make such a joke in front of Lu Zheng, so he pushed Lu Zheng out, “This subject doesn't dare! This subject is afraid of the inside! “
“Afraid of inside?” “Haha …!” Zhan Yuanfeng pointed at Lu Zheng and laughed, “Lu Zheng, Lu Zheng, since when did you become my wife?”
Lu Zheng's expression was indifferent to that. “If Your Majesty has no official business, then this subject will take his leave first!”
“Don't …” “Let's just discuss the proper matters. I am more interested in the personal matters of my two beloved officials.”
Lu Zheng looked at his laughing face and coldly replied: “No comment!”
Zhan Yuanfeng knew Lu Zheng had always been a stingy person, so it was very difficult to get something out of him. He turned to Zuo Shaoqing and asked, “What did you see in him?”
Zuo Shaoqing answered without thinking, “Master Lu has to have looks, identity, status, skill, etc. Do you need any other reason for liking him? “
Zhan Yuanfeng could not help but compare himself with Lu Zheng. In terms of looks, the two of them were not on par, but Lu Zheng seemed to be more heroic, and in terms of status, he was the sovereign of a country, and was one of the most respected people in the world. In terms of ability, Wu Tie was a martial artist, and he governed a huge country like his, with smooth weather and peaceful lives, no one dared say he was lacking, so why couldn't Lu Zheng win the hearts of beauties while he was?
Zhan Yuanfeng frowned when he thought of that person he hadn't seen for almost a month.
“Does the emperor have any worries?” Zuo Shaoqing asked.
Zhan Yuanfeng got the waiter to change the tea into fine wine, and the pastries into dishes with liquor. He slowly said, “I have a lot of worries, does the Left Official want to solve them for me?”
Zuo Shaoqing thought to himself: Who wants to solve your troubles? I just wanted to watch the show.
Zhan Yuanfeng's tone changed and he casually mentioned: “I remember that my beloved official once begged for mercy for a traitor, is that right?”
Zuo Shaoqing didn't expect him to remember such a small matter. He honestly nodded and said, “Yes, the Emperor is a magnanimous person. He will definitely give a person a chance to repent.”
Zhan Yuanfeng thought to himself: I've already given him the opportunity. Using three years of time in exchange for a bright future, he is indeed magnanimous!
He raised his wine cup and took a sip, “Tell me, how are you so sure that person is sincerely repentant? You guys have a deep friendship with each other? “
Zuo Shaoqing didn't understand why he suddenly became interested in this matter. However, he chose to talk about Cao Zongguan's merits, and emphasized the reason and motive for his misguided behavior.
“Oh …” So it's actually a story of hate born from love! ” Zhan Yuanfeng gritted his teeth. How could he forget about this? Could that person be thinking about the woman that abandoned him?
“Then from your point of view, that good friend of yours is someone who has a long relationship with you?” In order to hide his motive, Zhan Yuanfeng sighed emotionally. “I have always thought that ruining my life for a woman is not worth it …”
“Haha …” Zuo Shaoqing laughed dryly, “This humble subject doesn't know, but I can ask the next time I see him.”
“Aiya, I forgot that the girl is my beloved elder sister.” Zhan Yuanfeng waved his hand and said, “No way, I know that your sister is now Minister Jiang's wife. We can talk about this in private, but if someone else hears about it, won't it ruin Jiang Young Madame's reputation?” Such a suggestion would definitely bring up Cao Zongguan's sorrows, so it was best not to mention it.
“The Emperor's words are extremely true!” Zuo Shaoqing covered it with a large hat, “For the emperor to think so highly of this subject is the fortune of a hundred officials!”
“Of course. The reason why I agreed to your request was because I didn't want you to love me. That not only betrayed the trust you had in me, but it also made the world lose some beautiful words.”
What thick skin! This was the first time Zuo Shaoqing had a long conversation with Zhan Yuanfeng. No wonder people said that he was a smiling tiger with such deep skills.
“Your majesty's great kindness, this subject and Master Lu have always kept it in mind, and will never forget it!”
“My beloved one is serious. As long as all of you are able to work diligently for the people and not stand against me, then it would be considered as you repaying me the best.”
“Your majesty really is a kind-hearted commoner. No wonder the commoners all praised you for your brilliance when you were mentioned!”
Although Zhan Yuanfeng was flattered to the point of being physically and mentally comfortable, the topic was getting more and more out of hand. He said a few righteous and benevolent words, then changed the topic, “I know that it is very difficult to make the people under heaven sincerely submit. I don't know how many rebels like Prince Ruiqing are left.”
“Your Majesty is overthinking.” Zuo Shaoqing secretly glanced at Lu Zheng. He suspected that Zhan Yuanfeng's constant mention of treason was hinting at something?
“Fortunately, he is not an incurable person among the traitors. Like you said just now, as long as he sincerely repents, I will let bygones be bygones.”
Zuo Shaoqing had already heard that Cao Zongguan had entered the Crown Prince. Presumably, Zhan Yuanfeng hadn't severely punished Zuo Shaoqing. Otherwise, for Zuo Shaoqing, it would be a light punishment if he was unable to pass the Imperial Examinations due to his crime.
“Brother Cao is a man of great righteousness. He will definitely understand the Emperor's intentions.”
No wonder! Zhan Yuanfeng thought of a certain someone's stern face and thought, “Hearing what my beloved one said, I would like to meet your good friend in private. How about you make the arrangements?”
“Huh?” Zuo Shaoqing was shocked and confused, “This…” What was going on?
“Sigh, I have been living in the palace for a long time. I have a yearning towards the people, so I might as well take this opportunity to take a walk with my beloved one.”
Zuo Shaoqing was still thinking about how to answer when Lu Zheng, who was at the side, answered first, “The safety of the emperor is related to the nation. How can we take the risk?” Looking at his gloomy face, one could tell that he did not agree.
“With a dignified Duke Zhen accompanying you, if I am still worried about your safety, then Duke Zhen would really let down your status.”
Zuo Shaoqing only thought that he was bored to death in this cage-like palace and wanted to go out to relax. Thus, he secretly pulled on Lu Zheng's sleeve, indicating that he agreed.
“How about… “I didn't go far. I was just going to take a seat at Duke Zhen Manor?” The point was to meet someone who was hiding from him.
Speaking of which, he could summon a person into the palace with an imperial edict, but the situation had been tense recently. That person avoided him like a snake or a scorpion, so if he tried to force his way in, it would only backfire.
Moreover, they usually only met at night, so their interaction was limited. They really wanted to see how he usually looked like.
Lu Zheng saw his abnormality today and made a bold guess. However, whether it was true or not, he still had to personally experience it. Thus, he nodded and said: “This is still okay!”
The smile on Zhan Yuanfeng's face became brighter and brighter, “Then let's set it for tomorrow afternoon. It has been a long time since I last saw my cousin.”
Zuo Shaoqing felt that Zhan Yuanfeng's smile was too dazzling and bright. He really didn't know what to be happy about. Could the madame's appeal be that great?
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