Chapter 2, Disguised Service (Part 1)
Bing Shan smiled calmly and said, "Then why bother? Even if she leaves, it is hard to guarantee that Master Xiao won't bring someone else in. Does Your Majesty intend to send every one of them away?"
Xiao Nihan followed his gaze and saw that the two snowmen were his personal attendants, Xiao Lie and Luo Ba. The two had angered Long Yuan by entering the Cining Palace with swords, and as a punishment, they were made to stand in the snow. Upon seeing the Grand Tutor and the Emperor emerge simultaneously, they hurriedly brushed off the snow from their bodies and knelt down, saying: "This humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty and to the Grand Tutor!"
Bing Shandao: "His skill is indeed remarkable. The Prime Minister Xu Wuwu, Prince Pingnan Liang Jing, and others are all veteran officials who have made significant contributions to the Great Kang. Xu Wuwu has stood firm for many years and possesses the strength to contend with Xiao Nihan, thanks to the support of those old officials. If Your Majesty were to establish Xu Wuwu's granddaughter as Empress, it would undoubtedly place Xu Wuwu in an extremely awkward position. Prince Pingnan Liang Jing has a fierce temperament and would absolutely not tolerate such a great humiliation. The long-standing friendship between him and Xu Wuwu would inevitably face the risk of collapse, and it would not only affect him; their entire faction would crumble and cease to exist."
He stood there silently, unable to respond with words, yet tears had already moistened his eyes
Long Yuan's sword-like brows furrowed tightly. He sat back on the dragon throne and after a long while said: "I find it hard to understand. Xiao Nihan has been launching continuous attacks, dealing with Lan Xun on one hand while suppressing Xu Xiangguo on the other. Does he not fear making too many enemies and ending up in a situation where he is besieged by all?"
Thank you, Your Majesty
Long Yuan's gaze was shrouded in a deep melancholy: "With internal troubles and external threats, if I continue to endure, I fear that the two characters of 'Da Kang' will eventually be erased from the land of the Central Plains!"
Long Yuan gazed into Bing Shan's eyes for a long time before saying: "Endurance can temper my will, but waiting only wears away my life and ambition. When both of these have ceased to exist, what shall I use to contend with Xiao Nihan?"
Longyuan let out a sigh of despair: "They want me to visit the Void!"
Xiao Nihan watched Long Yuan depart, a faint cold smile appearing at the corner of his lips. He thought to himself, this young emperor has indeed grown up. His anger is not directed at the two guards, but at me! Today, I killed his personal eunuch, which was indeed a bit excessive, so it is no wonder he is angry. In Xiao Nihan's heart, he did not regard Long Yuan at all, and he silently said to himself: "Let you live a few more days!"
Longyuan then looked at Zihua and asked, "Are you also planning to follow me closely without leaving my side?"
Qiu Fu said: "Your Majesty commands this servant to leave, this servant dares not disobey!" Beside him, Zi Wu could not help but chuckle, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her lips; although it was a subtle smile, it was already enough to captivate all beings
Longyuan hetushucomcom both angry and amused: "Qiu Fuhai, what are you doing?"
Zi Wu's delicate face turned pale with shock, and her knees buckled as she knelt before Long Yuan: "This servant has offended Your Majesty, please punish me, Your Majesty!"
Bing Shan encountered the gaze of Long Yuan, which was filled with murderous intent, and could not help but tremble within. As this young emperor grew older, his brilliance became increasingly apparent. While this is a good thing, if it prematurely aroused Xiao Nihuan's vigilance, it would inevitably give rise to murderous intent ahead of time. He said softly, "Your Majesty, please do not forget the four words: 'Exercise patience in times of urgency.'"
Long Yuan, burdened with thoughts, stepped out of the gates of the Cining Palace. A cold wind blew towards him, causing him to involuntarily sneeze. Behind him, a somber voice of Xiao Nihan echoed: "Your Majesty, please take good care of your health!"
Long Yuan angrily said: "I had long anticipated that this old scoundrel does not have such a good heart!"
A scream suddenly echoed outside the door, as Qiu Fuhai, who had hurriedly followed, was struck directly. He clutched his calf and collapsed onto the snow, while Ziwuh hurriedly helped him up. With a pained expression, Qiu Fuhai exclaimed, "It hurts so much, I fear that this old body of mine will be broken by His Majesty's blow."
Bing Shandao: "Based on the servant's understanding of him, this person must have other motives"
Long Yuan inhaled sharply: "In that case, it would be better for me to simply refuse the Empress Mother."
Long Yuan felt a surge of anger, which relieved him considerably. He returned to his study, took out the brocade pouch given to him by the Empress Dowager, filled with curiosity yet unaware of what it contained. He suppressed his urge to see what was inside and summoned Bing Shan to his side
It seems that Your Majesty should try to come to this imperial study less often in the future
Long Yuan walked extremely fast, leaving a group of young eunuchs and palace maids far behind. Upon returning to the imperial study, he sat down at the desk in a huff and grabbed the inkstone on the table, throwing it out the door.
Long Yuan stepped out of the room and glared at Qiu Fuhai, saying: "What are you still following me for? Get as far away as you can, I want some peace and quiet!"
Long Yuan recalled that she was Xiao Nihan's niece, and his anger diminished somewhat. He said to Bai Hong beside him, "You all take her and settle her down first. If there is anything, we will discuss it tomorrow."
Bing Shan said softly: "But what about Zi Wu?"
Long Yuan felt a stir in his heart and thought to himself: "One smile topples a city, two smiles topple a nation, it is nothing more than this." He stepped forward and lightly kicked Qiu Fuhai on the backside: "You disrespect your elders; since you have nothing to do, hurry up and prepare. After lunch, accompany me to the Prime Minister's residence to have a look."
Bing Shan sighed and said, "The old servant cannot figure it out either. Could it be that he truly no longer wishes to wait any longer?"
Qiu Fuhai stood up and bowed his head, feeling delighted as he left
Bing Shan said softly: "Prince Pingnan, Liang Jing, has a grandson named Liang Xuan Yu, who was born on the same day, in the same month, and in the same year as Xu Hui Yan. Prince Pingnan, Liang Jing, and Xu Wu Wo share a close friendship, and the two had verbally arranged a marriage between their children at the time of their birth. This matter is well known throughout the entire Da Kang."
Bing Shan's face was filled with a look of terror as he whispered, "Your Majesty, do you not know that my granddaughter, Xu Wu, has already arranged a marriage with someone else?"
Long Yuan's pair of bright and handsome eyes flashed with a piercing cold light: "If he has the intention to usurp the throne, I will risk my life to ensure that he meets his end!"
Bing Shan furrowed his brow and said, "Does Your Majesty not know the etiquette for visiting the sick?"
Longyuan struck the table and said: "Indeed! The Empress Dowager wishes to bestow upon me a consort!"
Long Yuan shook his head and said: "My granddaughter Xu Huiyan of the Void is truly clueless about what Xiao Nihan is thinking. Does he not fear that I might actually appoint my granddaughter from the Void as empress? If that were to happen, then the Void would wholeheartedly stand by my side, assisting me in dealing with him"
Bing Shan hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, amidst great chaos, there must be opportunities; perhaps the moment will arrive soon."
The Empress Dowager has instructed me to take care of His Majesty
Long Yuan said softly: "I will find a way to get rid of her sooner or later"
Bing Shan fell silent
Bing Shan earnestly advises: "As long as the green mountains remain, one need not fear the absence of firewood. When Your Majesty's wings are fully developed, we shall decide the outcome with the rebels."
Of course, I know that Xiao Nihan has asked me to visit incognito, and on the surface, it seems there is no malice involved
Longyuan's eyes gazed into the distance, and he suddenly laughed, saying, "These two snowmen are indeed well made!"
Long Yuan angrily said: "Endure? How long must I endure? Am I to wait until the old thief brings people to kill me?"
Long Yuan slowly shook his head and said: "Bing Shan, have you ever considered what the worst consequence might be?"
In front of Xiao Nihan, Long Yuan was too lazy to continue making things difficult for the two of them and coldly said: "There must be rules in everything; a servant must behave like a servant. If I see you two entering the palace with swords again, I will definitely have your heads chopped off!" This was the first time he had lost his temper so greatly in front of Xiao Nihan. After saying this, he turned around and strode towards the Qianqing Palace, not even casting a glance at Xiao Nihan.
Long Yuan was momentarily taken aback, but soon a surge of rage filled his heart. He suddenly stood up and said: "This scoundrel dares to insult me in such a manner!"
I have someone to take care of me! Long Yuan's tone was icy, displaying an expression that kept others at a distance.
Bing Shan meaningfully said: "Your Majesty, do you think there is still room for maneuver in matters they have already decided?"
Bing Shandao: "I have heard that Grand Master Xiao has sent his niece to serve Your Majesty."
Longyuan nodded and said: "The Empress Dowager has spoken, I have no choice but to comply. I truly do not understand what they intend to do"
Qiu Fuhai attempted to move a couple of steps, reassured that there was nothing serious with his calf, and then said: "This servant will roll away now!" To his surprise, he actually lay down in the snow and began to roll around.