flstandardbreds Chapter 353 Beating the Mandarin Ducks
Chapter 353 Beating the Mandarin Ducks
On a deep winter night, the candlelight in the side hall was as bright as daylight.
When the new emperor ascended the throne, there were many things to do. In order to facilitate meetings, Li Guo simply opened a side hall next to the imperial study, which was specifically for his trusted ministers to gather and work.
At this time, Sun Zhonghuai's desk was also piled with documents. He was so tired that he fell asleep on the table.
Li Guo waved his hand and everyone quietly retreated, leaving only him and Sun Zhonghuai in the side hall.
Under the light, Sun Zhonghuai's broad nose pressed against the document, casting a well-defined arc, and his long eyelashes covered his face.
How long has it been since I saw him so closely?
Ever since the fight for the throne began, they have been busy with their own things, even living thousands of miles apart.
Far away in the northern border, at his loneliest moment, he was in his military tent, looking at the intelligence sent from Shengjing, searching over and over again for news about himself.
Knowing that he was discussing marriage with the Shen family, my heart was broken.
Later, he heard that Miss Shen had died suddenly before she got married, and he couldn't help but feel secretly relieved.
Knowing that he studied hard day and night just to become the top scholar in the imperial examination so that he could help him in the court in the future, he could only repay him by fighting even more bravely.
On the night when King Kang was plotting rebellion, he, a mere scholar, held his sword and used his body as a shield to protect him. How could he not know the friendship between them?
only……
Once upon a time, he had no choice.
Now that he sits on the throne, he can no longer do whatever he wants.
Li Guo took off his outer robe and gently covered Sun Zhonghuai with it. The moment the outer robe touched Sun Zhonghuai, he suddenly woke up from his sleep.
"emperor?"
He looked up at the brightly lit hall and was shocked to realize that he had fallen asleep and missed the envoy leaving the palace. He quickly stood up and saluted, saying:
"Your Majesty, I am terrified. I fell asleep. I will take my leave now!"
"Zhong Huai! There's no one else here!"
Li Guo took a step forward and wanted to touch him, but almost at the same time, Sun Zhonghuai also took a step back.
"Your Majesty, it's getting late, and my grandparents are still waiting at home."
"Don't call me Emperor!"
Seeing Sun Zhonghuai's respectful and distant attitude towards him, Li Guo suddenly felt upset.
These days, he sat high on the dragon throne, watching everyone at his feet prostrate themselves on the ground, kowtow to him respectfully, and shout "Long live the emperor", his eyes filled with awe and fear.
Even Duke Dingguo was no longer as close to him as before. He spoke and acted in a businesslike manner, and although he was polite, he was always a little distant.
And then there was his mother, now the Empress Dowager. Every time he went to the Empress Dowager's palace, she would constantly tell him to visit this and that! It had made him afraid to go to the Empress Dowager now. Even if he went to pay his respects, he would find an excuse to leave before even a quarter of an hour had passed.
The love between mother and child, and friendship between friends, seemed to have changed overnight.
He had never had a good night's sleep in this huge palace. Every night when everyone was asleep, he couldn't help but think of the time he spent at Zhuying Cottage.
At that time, there was no power and no status, but there was freedom and happiness.
Now he is the most honorable emperor in the world.
But he no longer has the freedom to do whatever he wants.
There is also no pure happiness without having to worry about anything.
The court officials all said that he was diligent, but who knew that he could only stop his mind from wandering by keeping himself busy.
The throne gave him supreme power, but it also made him feel suffocated.
"Zhong Huai, come have a drink with me. Stay and chat with me, just like before, just you and me, no king or subject! Okay?"
He was almost begging.
Sun Zhonghuai's retreating steps couldn't help but pause.
He had never seen Li Guo so helpless. He used to be carefree and free, laughing heartily, eating meat and drinking wine with big mouthfuls, laughing loudly when he was happy, crying loudly when he was sad, and fighting with anyone he disliked, all he wanted was to be clear-headed and carefree!
But now, under his bright yellow dragon robe was clearly an exhausted body. Although he had a smile on his face, one could still see endless bitterness!
In just a moment, his heart softened and he almost blurted out:
"it is good!"
In the Qinzheng Hall, the lights were on brightly again all night...
The next day, Empress Dowager Jiang saw her son, whom she hadn't seen for many days. He had changed his usual gloomy expression and was now refreshed, even brimming with a long-lost smile. Even when she discussed trivial matters like planning the annual banquet with him, he responded patiently and carefully, offering many suggestions.
Seeing her son in such a good mood, Empress Dowager Jiang breathed a sigh of relief. She felt that he had finally adapted to his status as emperor, so she smiled and asked:
"Your Majesty, what good news has happened?"
Empress Dowager Jiang waved her hand and asked someone to bring hot tea.
"Huh? No?"
Li Guo smiled and looked up. Seeing the Queen Mother looking at him with a sharp gaze, he subconsciously suppressed his smile and said:
"Oh, nothing serious. I've just been busy for a long time, and I've finally sorted out all the affairs at court. Now that I'm not so tired of handling government affairs, I'm naturally a lot more relaxed."
Empress Dowager Jiang nodded with a smile.
"The other princes have all held various positions in the court and are somewhat knowledgeable about government affairs. You wasted a lot of time in your youth and later spent your entire career in the military, so it's normal that you don't understand much about government affairs."
"Fortunately, with the help of your brother Prince Heng, the eldest princess, Duke Dingguo, and a group of court officials, the government has been able to transition smoothly. Once things are back on track, Your Majesty will have a much easier time."
"Yes!"
The mother and son chatted for a while, then Li Guo stood up and said goodbye.
"Your Majesty, I have many official duties to attend to, so I will not stay any longer."
"Go."
As soon as the emperor left, Empress Dowager Jiang asked her personal nanny to question her.
"What happened in Qinzheng Hall last night?"
The nanny waved her hand and asked everyone to leave. When only two people were left, she lowered her voice and whispered in Empress Dowager Jiang's ear:
"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Sun did not leave the palace last night."
There was a snap.
The cups were placed heavily on the table.
Empress Dowager Jiang frowned suddenly, her expression suddenly not looking good. "I was wondering why the Emperor was smiling today and sitting here with me for so long in such a good mood. He even patiently talked to me for such a long time, appearing to be in such a good mood. To be honest, this is just ridiculous!"
Mammy said cautiously:
"Queen, perhaps nothing happened."
"Humph, he crawled out of my belly, and as soon as he sticks his butt out, I know what shit he's going to do! His behavior today doesn't seem like nothing happened!"
Empress Dowager Jiang stood up suddenly.
In the past, the emperor acted absurdly, and she just thought he was young and having fun, but if he continued like this now, it would be bad news.
"I've dealt with all the people who served in the Qinzheng Palace last night under other pretexts. You can then personally select a few and send them over. Remember to leave no trace."
Empress Dowager Jiang said solemnly.
"This... is it!" The nanny hesitated for a moment and responded silently.
Empress Dowager Jiang sighed softly.
"Don't blame me for being cruel. It's just that it's been incredibly difficult for my mother and I to get to where we are today. Now that the Xin Dynasty's foundation is unstable, I really can't afford to make even the slightest mistake!"
As long as she can help her son sit firmly on the throne, she will do anything even if her hands are stained with blood and lives are lost!
"There's one more thing that needs to be done as soon as possible. We can't delay any longer."
"The Queen Mother is talking about choosing a queen?"
"That's right! I personally urged this matter. Whether he is willing or not, it will be decided after the New Year."
Empress Dowager Jiang was determined to push this matter through to the end! She absolutely could not allow the Emperor to continue his mischief! As for Grand Secretary Jiang, she had to think of a way to make him go as far away as possible, preferably so that he would never return to Shengjing in his lifetime.
……