Chapter 009: Reminiscing about the many grievances of the past
"Hehe, several princes have overwhelmed this old minister. Hehe, return, why aren't you giving your respects to the princes yet?" The Duke of Cao appeared flustered and quickly instructed Cao Hui, who was behind him, to return the greetings to Ying Rui and the others
"Unfilial son, unfilial son, how dare you pressure me to lead the expedition in the court, unfilial son, I shall execute this unfilial son." Emperor Yanping continuously slammed the table in anger.
Moreover, it is rumored that Master Hua Fuhua holds in his hands a mysterious imperial guard, the appearance of which is unknown to anyone, and no one knows the number of personnel in this unit. Only a few are aware that this unit is designated by the code "Fox"
His fervent passion nearly forced me to a dead end; he has forgotten who truly gave him life and sustenance, whether it was I or those lowly commoners.
After the formal conferment, Ying Xuan, Ying Rui, and Ying Zhan went to the palace to express their gratitude, but they encountered Prince Cao and Cao Hui at the entrance of the imperial study.
Ying Xuan smiled without speaking, merely looking at the Cao father and son with a smile
"The Fourteenth Prince is merely driven by youthful passion; why must Your Majesty become so enraged over this?" Perhaps only Hua Fu in the entire Great Qin Empire would dare to speak to Emperor Yanping in such a manner.
Emperor Yanping trusted Huafu, valuing Huafu's integrity and loyalty. Even when accepting bribes, he would report everything truthfully and without concealment, which was something Emperor Yanping greatly appreciated.
Go ahead, remember, you owe her nothing anymore, you have no ties with her any longer, if there is a next time, I will surely show no mercy.
Looking at the blade glinting with a cold light, Ying Xuan could not help but exclaim: "A fine blade"
Watching the retreating figure of Xue Rou, Ying Xuan wore a slight smirk and murmured, "Actually, I just wanted to scare you. Who would have thought—this feels quite good, hehe"
Ying Rui seemed not to notice, neither moving nor speaking, just standing there leisurely. Ying Xuan understood that Ying Rui was helping him teach Cao Hui a lesson
When he saw Ying Xuan, his gaze suddenly turned sharp, the fierce look in his eyes seemed as if he wanted to devour Ying Xuan
Ying Xuan knows that today's events will surely spread throughout the capital within half a day, and the Cao family will undoubtedly become a laughingstock. Will they be able to easily brush this matter aside?
After a long while, Emperor Yanping let out a deep sigh, withdrew his somewhat tender gaze, and said in a solemn voice: "So many years have passed in the blink of an eye, we have all grown old. Over these years, how has she been?"
Enough, do I still need you to teach me?" Yanping Emperor, after all, had been an emperor for decades, and a sense of imperial authority that demanded supremacy emerged. Even the most trusted individuals could not infringe upon the dignity of an emperor
Cao Hui glared angrily at Ying Xuan, who was beside Ying Rui, stepped forward slightly, and bowed, saying: "I have met the Tenth Prince, the Thirteenth Prince, and the Fourteenth Prince"
Ying Xuan reached out to gently caress her lips, savoring the electrifying sensation from that moment, warm yet deeply soul-stirring
You say, how did I give birth to such a rebellious son? I bear the lifeblood of the nation, I am the Son of Heaven, the rise and fall of our Great Qin is at stake. For the sake of some lowly commoners, I must personally venture into danger. Rebellious son, rebellious son, I should never have allowed him to survive in the first place. Emperor Yanping stamped his feet, already lacking the dignity expected of a ruler, as if he were a disgruntled peasant cursing his unfilial son.
Emperor Yanping unsheathed his sword and, without looking back, threw it in front of Hua Fu, saying: "Go tell the Prime Minister that among the six armies, one is to be led by the Thirteenth Prince Ying Rui, while the Tenth Prince Ying Zhan and the Fourteenth Prince Ying Xuan Zuo will lead the other two. The remaining five armies can decide for themselves. By the way, return this sword to her and tell her that I no longer owe her anything"
After Hua Fu arrived at Ningyuan Palace with the sword, he handed the sword to Consort Liu and then hurriedly left, only instructing Ying Xuan to prepare for the expedition three days later, without saying anything further.
Cao Hui's face bore obvious scars, with his lips and cheeks slightly swollen, obediently following behind Prince Cao, resembling a wronged little wife.
Xue Rou stood obediently beside Ying Xuan, serving him, yet deliberately maintained a distance, clearly still haunted by the events of last time
However, Ying Rui seemed not to have heard, turning to Ying Xuan and saying, "Fourteen, do you think my hearing has been a bit off lately? Why can't I hear the voice of Young Master Cao Er?"
The palace maids and eunuchs, upon seeing Huafu's gesture, felt as if they had been granted a great pardon and quickly retreated
After Hua Fu exited the study, Emperor Yanping remained motionless in front of the wall that originally displayed the horizontal sword. Without that ancient sword, this luxurious study seemed particularly harmonious, yet the faint marks on the wall appeared to stubbornly hint at the former presence of the sword.
Isn't this the Duke of State and Brother Cao? Rui, pay your respects to the Duke of State. Ying Rui has been intelligent since childhood, and with the special guidance from Concubine Xiao and Minister Xiao, he is more than capable of navigating the officialdom. In front of Duke Cao, Ying Rui appears like a seasoned veteran in the political arena, exhibiting a remarkable level of shrewdness.
Ying Xuan was quite surprised when he heard that he had been selected to participate in the expedition. He originally thought that he would be neglected due to the events in the court that morning. However, contrary to his expectations, he was not overlooked at all; instead, he suddenly became the deputy commander of one of the six armies of reinforcements, which filled Ying Xuan with joy
Sigh, it is I who have wronged her. If it had not been for her back then—. Yanping Emperor turned around, staring blankly at a three-foot broadsword on the wall
The breathing of Emperor Yanping was somewhat rapid, and his heavy breaths sounded like the panting of a tiger, exuding an unspoken authority. No one dared to challenge the majesty of the sovereign
The servant does not lack silver, yet the servant still owes debts to others; the servant is here to repay the debts
If one were to speak of who is most trusted by Emperor Yanping in the palace, and indeed throughout the entire Great Qin realm, then the chief eunuch Hua Fu would undoubtedly be the foremost candidate
Do you still have contact with her? What benefits have you received from her, that you dare to speak on her behalf in such a manner?
"Hehe, Second Young Master is truly being too formal; there is no need for such courtesy among brothers." Ying Rui smiled as he helped Cao Hui up, seemingly oblivious to Cao Hui's expression. He patted Cao Hui's shoulder and said, "A servant is still a servant, no matter how high he climbs. Hehe, Second Young Master, please do not take offense; I also do not know why I suddenly said these words. I wasn't pointing at you, I wasn't pointing at you. Haha, Tenth Brother, Fourteenth, let us go; Father Emperor is waiting anxiously."
Your Majesty, I humbly request your understanding. Over these decades, I have been fortunate to receive your gracious favor. To speak candidly, the tributes I have received in these years are not less than those of the current Prime Minister. Even though one knows that a ruler's anger can lead to widespread devastation, Hua Fu remains completely unperturbed and continues to speak in a calm and unhurried manner
Hua Fu glanced around, waved his hand at the kneeling palace maids and eunuchs, signaling them to leave
Xue Rou felt a moment of bewilderment, but her face instantly flushed red, and she ran out while covering her face
This broadsword is approximately three feet long, with a wide and thick blade. The scabbard is made of ironwood, and the hilt can accommodate both hands comfortably. Although it has an ancient style, it exudes a strong sense of martial spirit, which is in stark contrast to the luxurious elegance of the imperial study.
Xue Rou, unable to contain her curiosity, leaned closer to Ying Xuan, stretching her head forward. To her surprise, she saw her own reflection clearly on the blade, which sparked her playful spirit. She began to make various funny faces at the blade, completely forgetting that Ying Xuan was holding the sword.
After speaking, Ying Rui did not greet Lord Cao, and, accompanied by Ying Xuan and Ying Zhan, proceeded towards the Imperial Study, leaving the Cao father and son in a state of astonishment
Hua Fu's acceptance of tributes from his subordinates was known to Emperor Yanping, and it was also under his tacit approval. Hua Fu had been with him since the beginning, serving him diligently. The eunuchs had no heirs and were not interested in women; only money could arouse their desires. Emperor Yanping also hoped that Hua Fu would have some support and security in his old age, so he openly and secretly rewarded him generously. As for the bribes that others offered to Hua Fu, as long as they were not excessive, the emperor turned a blind eye.
Hua Fu, with a body full of excess fat, knelt down on the ground, appearing from a distance like a quivering mound of flesh.
What a sovereign is most eager to know is not how much silver a corrupt official has embezzled, but rather what the ministers in the shadows are truly up to
Ying Xuan carefully examined the broadsword brought over by Liu Zhong in the room, and the antique design of the blade captivated him. As he held the hilt with one hand, he surprisingly felt a sense of a visceral connection.
The Imperial Study is the place where the Emperor of the Qin Dynasty handled state affairs. It is heavily guarded, and under normal circumstances, one cannot approach it without prior notification, let alone enter.
Hua Fu trembled as he held the broadsword, examining it for a long time before heavily placing it on the ground and saying: "Old servant, on behalf of the young lady, I thank the Emperor. This servant is willing to be a beast of burden for all eternity to repay the Emperor's grace"
She has long lost the wild demeanor of her youth; ever since giving birth to the Fourteenth Prince, she has not stepped outside the palace even once.
With a crisp sound of "clang," the sword was drawn from its sheath, a fleeting flash of eerie blue cold light glimmered along the blade, and an astonishing chill of sword intent surged forth, causing Ying Xuan to shiver involuntarily
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health." The Grand Eunuch Hua Fu, with his corpulent body, knelt beside Emperor Yanping.
Hua Fu entered the palace at the age of seven, and upon entering, she began to serve the then-prince Yanping. It has been forty-three years since then, and the bond they share, which is both that of ruler and subject as well as that of good friends, is one that others cannot surpass
After listening to Hua Fu's words, Emperor Yanping was momentarily taken aback. He raised his head to gaze into the distance, and in his pair of fierce eyes, the imperial majesty was no longer overwhelming; instead, there was an unexpected hint of warmth.
"Return, why have you not yet had the princes greet each other again?" Although Lord Cao still wore a smile, as if nothing had just occurred, his tone carried an undercurrent of coldness.
On the second day, Ying Xuan received the official appointment from Emperor Yanping as the Deputy Commander of the Fifth Army, with the title of General Ningyuan, holding the rank of Zhengwu. Ying Zhan was appointed as General Dingyuan, also holding the rank of Zhengwu. Ying Rui was appointed as General Xuanwei, holding the rank of Zhengsi, commanding the Sixth Army, which consisted of 20,000 elite soldiers from the Southern Camp's Six Schools in the capital.
Today, all the guards tacitly expanded their patrol range by double, isolating the Imperial Study in the center.
Cao Hui spoke very loudly this time, almost shouting, which drew the attention of the nearby patrolling guards who turned to look. At this moment, Cao Hui's body was already trembling, and his hands were swollen with blue veins due to excessive force.
After a long while, Liu Fei handed the knife to Liu Zhong and said, "Do not seek him out again; let this bond of affection come to an end here." Liu Fei sighed softly and continued, "Give this knife to Xuan'er. He has always aspired to achieve something great, and this time it can be considered a fulfillment of his wish. From here on, it will depend on him alone."
"But, Father," Cao Hui still wanted to argue about something but was glared back by Uncle Cao, "Pay your respects to the Tenth Prince, the Thirteenth Prince, and the Fourteenth Prince."
The precious porcelain inkstones in the room have long been shattered into countless pieces, all quietly lying on the ground as fragments
The people in the room were all trembling with fear, countless beautiful young women with graceful figures and faces like peach blossoms, along with beardless eunuchs, were prostrated on the ground, their faces filled with trepidation. Even if porcelain were to shatter upon them or fall on their heads, they would not dare to utter a single sound
Just as Xue Rou was having a great time playing, Ying Xuan suddenly turned around, stood up, and in a moment of panic, Xue Rou did not have time to pull her head back. In the midst of the thunder and lightning, their lips touched, but they quickly separated as if shocked by electricity
Lady Liu held the broadsword in silence for a long time, carefully caressing the scabbard as if she were admiring an exceptionally elegant piece of art
Cao Hui, upon hearing Ying Rui's words, suddenly raised his head and widened his eyes.
The blade, as clear as a silver mirror, reflected the delicate features of Xue Rou. Ying Xuan gazed at Xue Rou's playful expressions and couldn't help but smile knowingly, a slightly mischievous thought arising in his mind.
The servant believes that the temperament of the Fourteenth Prince is very much like that of Consort Liu, being kind-hearted and benevolent. His Majesty should feel fortunate in this regard