Chapter 6, Audience

Upon hearing this, the Emperor suddenly laughed and scolded, addressing the loyal and brave Marquis beside him, "This Qin Zheng has always been a mischievous rascal since childhood, constantly bullying others throughout the year. Five years ago, he was bitten by a rabid dog in the outskirts of the capital, and after returning to the palace, he insisted that the Empress Dowager grant him a dog even fiercer than the rabid one. The Empress Dowager, being fond of him, ordered someone to find him a wolfdog. Since then, not only have people walked arrogantly, but even dogs have walked arrogantly; no one dared to provoke him. Now, unexpectedly, he has been run over by Wang Yin's carriage, that lad must be furious. He must have relentlessly pursued the loyal and brave Marquis to his residence yesterday, right?"

Xie Fanghua slowly raised her head

Oh? The Emperor was somewhat taken aback

The Southern Study is indeed as magnificent and resplendent as rumored, filled with the fragrance of books and ink

The emperor ceased his conversation with the Duke of Loyalty and Valor, waved his hand, and casually said, "Let him come in!"

Lu Yong's expression stiffened, and his sharp gaze narrowed. Since this person came from the northern desert to meet the Emperor, and the Emperor had not yet seen him, he naturally could not openly press for answers; otherwise, it would be tantamount to probing military secrets. He was somewhat surprised, as he did not expect this young servant to show no signs of fear or panic in front of him, displaying a degree of composure. He couldn't help but scrutinize her once more.

In the center of the room stood a row of bookshelves, a bright yellow desk, and a man in his forties, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, seated at the desk. Next to the desk was a chair where the loyal and brave marquis sat. In this southern study, there are very few individuals who are granted the honor of sitting in the presence of the emperor

After the initial pleasantries, everyone turned their gaze towards the servant behind him, their curiosity palpable

The loyal and brave marquis sighed and said helplessly, "That dog was given to Young Master Zheng Er by the Empress Dowager, and it just happened to be unfortunate yesterday"

Xie Fanghua stepped forward and respectfully bowed to the old eunuch, saying, "It is I, Your Excellency."

The loyal and brave marquis pretended not to notice the gazes of the crowd, skillfully navigating among them.

"It is!" Xie Fanghua lowered her head

Xie Fanghua looked up and saw that the person in front of her was in his forties, with a round face, somewhat short and stout. His features were not particularly striking, but he had a pair of sharp eyes. She had just heard her grandfather refer to him as the Left Minister, so he must be Lu Yong, the Left Minister who had angrily forced the Fourth Prince, Qin Yu, to leave with the invitation. She lowered her head and respectfully said, "I am Wang Yin, a person from the Northern Desert military camp, and not from the loyal and brave marquis's residence."

Xie Fanghua felt the harmony between the two, the ruler and the subject. If it were not for having lived a second life, facing this scene, she would never have imagined that one day, Long Wei would be enraged and order the extermination of the nine clans of the Loyal and Brave Marquis's residence. Centuries-old aristocratic families turned to dust in a single night

"Yes!" Wu Quan responded and retreated.

At the entrance of the Southern Study, several officials were waiting

Lu Yong's sharp gaze fixed on her as he asked in a deep voice, "Why aren't you responding?"

Although the Duke of Loyalty and Valor has not attended court for three years, the Emperor's favor towards him remains undiminished, and few can compare.

Xie Fanghua said softly, "I have not yet met the Emperor, so I do not know how to respond to your words"

Xie Fanghua reached into her bosom to feel for the token, but found nothing. Suddenly, she remembered that yesterday, Qin Zheng and others had verified her identity and took the token, but had not returned it to her, and she had also forgotten to ask for it back. After a moment of daze, she lowered her hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, I entered the city yesterday, and there was an incident at the entrance of the banquet hall. The token was taken by Young Master Zheng from the Prince Ying's residence, and it has not been returned to this day."

Which one is Wang Yin? The Emperor has ordered him to enter! Earlier, that old eunuch came out again and scanned the crowd.

"You should get up as well! Just wait aside for now," the Emperor said generously, waving his hand at Xie Fanghua.

Half an hour later, Wu Quan returned from outside and reported, "Your Majesty, Young Master Zheng Er has arrived"

As soon as the Marquis of Zhongyong entered, a distinguished gentleman approached Xie Fanghua and said, "Who are you? You look unfamiliar. Since when has the Marquis of Zhongyong had such a young servant, and even brought him to the Nanshufang? Do you know that not just anyone can come here?"

In her previous life, although she was not raised in seclusion, the only people she was acquainted with were the ladies and young misses from the noble circles in the capital. Naturally, she was unfamiliar with court officials. In this life, she left the capital at the age of seven, and now, after eight years, she has just returned, so it is normal for her not to recognize them.

The secret letter from the Ministry of War has always been sent via relay stations, with an expedited delivery of eight hundred miles. Why has the General of the Imperial Guard specifically ordered you to come?

The Emperor looked at Xie Fanghua for a moment and said to her, "I have heard from the Duke of Loyalty and Valor that you have come from the northern border garrison and have a confidential letter to present to me"

Xie Fanghua surveyed several individuals, none of whom she recognized

Xie Fanghua looked at her toes and did not respond to his words

The Emperor and the loyal and valiant Marquis seem to have not seen each other for a long time, and there is much to discuss. The two engaged in casual conversation, exchanging pleasantries.

Xie Fanghua knelt on the ground, bowing her head in a proper manner.

The emperor nodded and said, "What proof do you have that you are a member of the Northern Desert Army?"

The emperor nodded, seemingly unwilling to comment on the matter. He instructed the old eunuch stationed at the door, "Wu Quan, go to the residence of Prince Ying and bring that little thing into the palace for me." After a pause, he added, "Make sure he brings along the token that was seized from someone yesterday." After a moment, he continued, "Let the people outside disperse! Today, I will be discussing matters with Marquis Zhongyong and will not attend to any other affairs."

The status of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor is undoubtedly significant, with a family lineage spanning several hundred years of nobility. In his youth, he defended the northern borders of the Northern Qi, repelling the incursions of their troops multiple times and safeguarding the territory. He also arranged for his only daughter to marry a prince of Northern Qi in place of a princess. Therefore, the Emperor holds him in high regard. Since three years ago, when his health began to decline, the Emperor has excused him from court discussions. Over the past three years, although the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor could have an audience with the Emperor at any time, he has not appeared even once. However, his presence today indicates that there must be significant matters at hand.

The loyal and brave marquis nodded and followed the old eunuch into the southern study

The old eunuch scrutinized Xie Fanghua from head to toe, nodded slightly, pushed aside the curtain, and entered. Xie Fanghua stepped forward and followed him inside

"Lift your head, let me have a look." The emperor spoke with authority, gazing at the boy of about fourteen or fifteen years old below him

Xie Fanghua could only grit her teeth and briefly recount the events of yesterday.

When several people saw that the Loyal and Brave Marquis had actually come to the Southern Study today, they all showed expressions of surprise and came forward to exchange pleasantries

Since entering the palace, Xie Fanghua has been observing with her eyes focused on her nose, her nose on her heart, behaving in a proper manner, with her head lowered in a respectful posture

In these years, the thing she least wanted was to recall her past life, especially in front of this unfathomable emperor. Therefore, she quickly focused her mind, staring at the golden bricks on the ground, determined to stare a hole through them.

The loyal and valiant Marquis pondered, "The grandson has some acquaintance with Young Master Zheng, so it is not too difficult."

"Returning to Your Majesty, I do not know the reason either. The General of the Imperial Guard only instructed me to take a letter to the capital under the pretext of delivering New Year goods to the Duke of Loyalty and Valor's residence, and I am unaware of anything else." Xie Fanghua shook her head

Xie Fanghua thought that indeed he was the emperor, as even the slightest disturbance could not escape his notice; surely someone had reported yesterday's events to him long ago

The several court officials waiting outside, upon receiving the Emperor's words, exchanged glances and silently left the Nanshufang.

Xie Fanghua and Xie En stood up and silently stood by the side

Before long, an elderly eunuch emerged from the Southern Study. Upon seeing the loyal and valiant Marquis, he beamed with joy and said, "Old Marquis, I heard that your son has come today. His Majesty has ordered me to come out to welcome you. In this bitterly cold weather, please hurry inside!"

Lu Yong was taken aback, squinting his eyes, "Are you from the Northern Desert military camp? You wish to see the Emperor? Is there military news from the Northern Desert?"

The emperor cast a meaningful glance at the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, saying, "I have heard that he has claimed that the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor's residence now owes him a substantial debt. Is this not a significant difficulty?"