Chapter 10

Thus, in order to ensure his availability at all times, she must also hold onto this imperial throne! She took a step back, smiling at him, in the tranquil night, facing the person she had long desired, how wonderful! The sense of distance is often created by the people around; the Prime Minister stands here alone, and she does not feel distant at all. After all, he is just a man; the more arrogant he becomes now, the more unexpected surprises he will bring in the future. The sense of distance is often created by the people around; the Prime Minister stands here alone, and she does not feel distant at all. After all, he is just a man; the more arrogant he becomes now, the more unexpected surprises he will bring in the future.

The Chancellor did not respond, merely gazing at her淡淡.

The Prime Minister turned around and calmly sat cross-legged opposite her, "Today at noon, I received a report from Shanhaiguan..."

He said: "The troubles in the lord's heart can actually be shared with the minister. The minister is wholeheartedly devoted to alleviating the lord's worries. Sometimes the lord misunderstands the minister; if we speak openly, there will be fewer grievances."

The Chancellor pondered over her so-called "ten thousand arrows piercing the heart" and was unsure of the basis for this claim. Therefore, with a very certain demeanor, he said, "I do everything for Your Majesty, and I hope Your Majesty can understand my sincere intentions"

She felt troubled, furrowing her brows and sighing: "The lies are getting bigger and bigger; are you not afraid that you won't be able to turn back in the future? Moreover, I believe you will regret it. Rather than facing a heart-wrenching situation later, it is better to stop at the edge of the cliff now"

He felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, and it was not easy for him to endure until the end. The iron horse under the eaves continued to clink. She threw away the deer horn, picked up a jar of wine, and sat down beside him, smiling as she asked, "How well did I jump?"

She truly drank alcohol, and thus her thoughts were like a runaway wild horse, impossible to rein in. As she fantasized about the future, it seemed as if this person was within easy reach. The Prime Minister appeared as if he had seen a ghost, which only improved her mood further

The lamp trees are resplendent, illuminating the long gown of willow color, with skin as smooth as凝脂 subtly visible through the fabric. It strikes the eyes of onlookers. From the moment she touched the ground, she was raised as a prince, lacking nothing that a man would possess, yet she has never been seen in women's clothing. The long gown is worn after bathing and cannot be entirely classified as women's attire; however, when worn in a subtle manner, it exudes a sense of leisure on a man and a charm on a woman.

Fu Wei raised his hand slightly, "The dismissal and appointment of officials in Liaodong have always been decided by Uncle A. What I am worried about now is that the next court meeting is approaching; should we really confer the title to Nie Lingjun"

The Chancellor felt somewhat disappointed at the missed strike, "I am an external minister and it is not appropriate for me to stay overnight. Since the Lord is tired, I shall also take my leave."

She clung to him and could not be removed. The Prime Minister did not know how it had come to this, and could only repeatedly remind her: "Your Majesty, please do not lose your dignity. What will others think? Quickly let go... let go..."

She raised the corners of her lips in a place where he could not see her, and he carried a faint scent of zero and fragrance, which she liked very much. Taking a deep sniff, she mumbled: "Clearly the same... as long as Uncle is willing, the forbidden palace is still Uncle's home."

"Father, I can dance with a sword, and I will perform for you." She pushed him a little further away and seated him on her throne, "Sit properly; if I hurt you, I will feel heartbroken." After saying this, she smiled shyly and retreated to the central heavy mat of the hall.

The seat was quite spacious, and Fu Wei did not speak; she turned to the side and quietly grasped the corner of his robe

The Prime Minister remained silent, his gaze lowered to the depiction of the twin fish at the bottom of the ear cup, his heart also becoming empty. If guilt and reluctance could be considered love, then he once had a love of his own. Unfortunately, fate was too fragile; by the time he turned around, that person had already scattered with the wind, and he could no longer find them at the ends of the earth. For all these years, he has lived in solitude, occasionally recalling the past, feeling a gentle pang of pain, while what remains is boundless regret

Perhaps it is because everyone knows that the young emperor poses no threat; even when in the same room as the chancellor, the chancellor would not suffer any loss. Therefore, those palace attendants and the Chief of the Imperial Guards obeyed her orders and unlocked the palace gates. It was only at this moment that the chancellor realized he had underestimated her. The long-standing facade of weakness she had cultivated was not without purpose. If she were intent on eliminating him, the current situation would make it no difficult task for her to ambush and assassinate him.

The Prime Minister turned to look at her, the wet light silk clinging to her abdomen accentuating her curves, even the silver hook patterns at the edges were clearly visible. The Prime Minister blinked his dry eyes, vaguely recalling that this little garment was indeed a gift from him, and her trajectory of growth was intricately connected to his own. Although she was arrogant and outrageous, he could not hold it against someone who was intoxicated. Young people often go through a phase where they find fault with everyone; once the sharp edges of the state have wounded her, she will understand the implications of it all.

The Chancellor, completely unaware, continued in a gentle tone: "For instance, if Your Majesty wishes to reorganize the Ministry of Rites, such matters can also be entrusted to me for handling. The Grand Tutor is, after all, quite old, and many state affairs are not managed with the necessary prudence. What could clearly be done openly is instead shrouded in secrecy, leading the ministers to believe that you and I, as sovereign and subject, are not of one mind, which is quite undesirable"

In those pair of sparkling big eyes, there were tears glistening, and delicate, fragile fingers climbed up, prying open his palm, "I want to make you my consort."

The Chancellor is somewhat angry, "I have said before, that the common man drinking alcohol can lead to mistakes in their work, while the ruler of the world drinking can lead to mistakes in governing the nation. Does Your Excellency still remember?"

The Young Emperor said, "I remember your words, every single word I hold in my heart, engraved in my bones... you have no idea how much I value you"

The young emperor, upon hearing this, was quite displeased. Puffing his cheeks, he said: "The Chancellor barges into my private chamber just to supervise how I drink? Those corrupt officials..." She moved the sword away from his neck and slashed wildly at the empty grand hall, "They must be saying that I am so drunk that I have lost all semblance of a person, and have called the Chancellor to restrain me, haven't they?"

The Chancellor raised his arms and, bypassing the sword's edge, bowed to the Young Emperor, saying, "I have heard that Your Majesty is not in a good state of mind tonight and is worried about Your Majesty, so I have specially come to the palace to take a look." As he spoke, he glanced at the wine jars that were toppled over in front of the bed, "Wine is a good thing; it can relax the muscles and lift the spirits, but I urge Your Majesty to remember not to indulge too much. Excessive drinking is detrimental to the dragon's body, and I ask Your Majesty to prioritize the greater good."

She referred to him as "Uncle" repeatedly, indicating her hidden malice. He was aware of her every move, and his itinerary could not escape her scrutiny. It seems they have become rivals, making this political career all the more intriguing.

The Chancellor nodded and said, "My lord has also drunk the wine and danced; it is time to rest."

The principle of propriety between men and women, does she truly understand it? It was excusable when she was young, but now that she has grown up, she should be even more cautious to avoid misunderstandings. He was annoyed and exerted more force in his grip, and finally, Fu Wei reluctantly sat up, her face stern as she said: "Uncle, are you not afraid that the officials will misunderstand our relationship as one of discord between ruler and subject? If you remain in the palace, the rumors will naturally dissipate, which is far more effective than a thousand words of feigned camaraderie. What exactly are you afraid of, Uncle? Am I going to devour you? In terms of power, I am not your equal; in terms of martial skills, I..." She raised her voice and began to wail, "All you can do is show off your flowery moves. I want to establish the Changqiu Palace, but when I want to appoint you, you are unwilling..."

The hearts of young people are difficult to fathom. Especially for young girls, who find themselves in a position of overlooking the world; they can act recklessly, yet you cannot impose any constraints upon them

Fu Wei had long known that his network of informants was spread throughout the imperial city, and she aimed to accomplish something that was inherently difficult. Therefore, when he saw through her, she did not feel any embarrassment. However, at that moment, it was not appropriate for her to respond to him, so she closed her eyes and softly murmured: "I am tired... Please stay here tonight, my lord!"

A heart... smiled faintly and said, "Uncle, have you ever had someone you liked in your life?"

She spoke incoherently, and the Prime Minister was too weary to pay her any mind, instead immersing himself in the sorrowful memories of the past. Eventually, he could not recall when he fell asleep; in his dreams, he saw that person again, and this time he did not shy away. He extended his arm, carefully cradling her in his embrace.

She still speaks coherently, but her articulation is clearly not clear. The Chancellor said: "It is not suppression, but counsel. Drinking like this, I fear that the Lord's body may not be able to bear it"

She was simply going mad, with such a loud voice, as if she feared that others could not hear her? The Prime Minister hurriedly covered her mouth; this drunkard was too despicable. If it were not for the fact that the useless emperor was not part of his plan, he would have already been unable to restrain himself from committing regicide.

She shook her sleeves, the silk fluttering gracefully around her. With her red makeup, she danced with a sword, creating a sense of paradox that was both captivating and harmonious. Unlike the resolute and hard demeanor of a swordsman, each flourish and turn of her sword carried a soft yet spicy essence. The Prime Minister, well-versed in the world, had seen many performances of this kind, but it was the first time he encountered someone of such a unique status performing sword dance. The young emperor, with his proud spirit, always held his head high in the court, yet now, as he wielded the imperial sword with a seductive gaze, it sent a shiver down his spine. Her figure was exquisite, like a startled swan or a soaring dragon; apart from these two phrases, no better description could be found. Barefoot on the cattails, she spun gracefully, still so clear and distinct. The Prime Minister felt even more dizzy, having rushed from the discussion venue to the palace; was it truly just to witness her peculiar antics?

Indeed, in the eyes of the Prime Minister, there was a tumultuous sea of emotions, and Fu Wei secretly felt quite pleased. After a few drinks, she spoke her mind so convincingly that even she began to believe it herself. Regardless of how he thinks, she has already informed him repeatedly; if he does not exercise caution and any unforeseen circumstances arise in the future, she will not be held responsible.

The slight furrow between the Prime Minister's brows caught her attention. Fu Wei propped her chin on her hand and said, "What I fear is not parting without joy, but rather missing out. So I often think, what should I do if I cannot come to like the Empress?" She extended a finger and drew a frame between them, saying, "There is a wall between me and Uncle. I want to go to the other side of the wall, but Uncle keeps building it higher and higher." After saying this, she disregarded his sidelong glance, lay back comfortably, propped one leg up, and rested the other on her knee, swaying slightly as she said, "How wonderful it would be for Uncle and me to rule the world together... I handle external affairs, and Uncle manages internal matters, how wonderful!"

He gritted his teeth and glared at her, "What exactly does Your Majesty intend to do?"

After her ascension to the throne, she had not been this close to him for over ten years. Today, however, she suddenly became intensely entangled with him, which caused a slight feeling of dread to rise within the Prime Minister. He pushed her away, eager to break free, saying, "This is one time, that is another; things are different now."

With a grand sweep of her sleeves, she exclaimed, "Nonsense! I... am in great abundance! Look at me, my father, where am I drunk?"

Fu Wei saw the cold light in his eyes and smiled dismissively. Standing sideways by the lamp tree, with her head lowered, her face was half illuminated and half shadowed by the light. "Uncle, rest assured, no one knows I am a woman, I won't tarnish your reputation." She placed a jar of wine on the table, lifted her wide sleeves, and broke the oil seal of the jar with a punch. "Those literati are so noisy they could drive one to death. Uncle, you must have been drinking without feeling much before, right? I have only the finest imperial wine here, let me accompany you for a few more drinks."

He wanted to rise, but she, covering her face with alcohol, took a step forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. The Chancellor had a good physique, his figure was upright and capable beneath his clothing. Fu Wei's heart leaped with joy, and she did not forget to feign indifference, saying: "Uncle, you lived in the palace for a full thirteen years before being granted a title; why was there no mention of any inconvenience back then?"

She ignored his words and took another swig. The mouth of the jar was too wide, and the wine spilled down from the corner of her mouth, soaking her collar. She leaned back and let out a deep sigh, "With my father present, how can I possibly sleep..."

The chancellor felt a wave of sweetness and bitterness in his throat, and he threw her aside and left. After taking a few steps, he heard her cool laughter, mocking him: "The Eastern Palace is locked up; if you have the ability, Uncle, then fly out with wings."

She leaned her face closer to him, as her height was still insufficient for him to see clearly. To make him see better, she jumped up and down a couple of times. With that jump, the smell of alcohol immediately filled the air. The chancellor could only remember the cold, deep eyes beneath the crown, and he had never seen cheeks flushed with drunkenness that were any different from those of the drunkards outside