bullyxtreme Chapter 240 The Marquis Has No Clever Heart 17
Chapter 240 The Marquis Has No Clever Heart 17
The emperor, dragging his ailing body, sat on the dragon throne, gazing down at the officials below, who all trembled with fear.
Many seats were empty above; those were the Fourth Prince's confidants, who were then dragged down to prison.
People were panicked for a while.
Wen Yan appeared at this moment, and after kneeling and listening to the emperor's bestowal of titles, she stood precisely in the line.
The Director of the Department of Military Affairs, a fifth-rank official.
Everyone gasped.
His mind was wandering.
This man, through a single act of saving the emperor, rose from an unknown nobody to a high-ranking official of the fifth rank in the imperial court.
Although this rank was not enough to impress those at the center of power, the speed of his promotion was unparalleled in history.
What's most enviable is that this official position isn't just a nominal one; it carries real power.
"Minister Wen, come forward."
The emperor's voice awakened those who were preoccupied with their own thoughts, and they all turned their heads to look at Wen Yan.
To be precise, he looked at the scarlet fish pouch in her hand.
The emperor actually bestowed upon him a scarlet fish-shaped pouch!
What is that? That is the emperor's trust!
Every person bestowed with a scarlet fish pouch was either a high-ranking official or a trusted minister of the emperor, someone who had truly fought his way up alongside the emperor.
Why should a new little chick like him get the Scarlet Fish Bag?
Those who were initially hesitant due to fear of the emperor's wrath began to have their own ideas and were no longer afraid to be the first to speak out.
He nimbly stepped forward and knelt on the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, please reconsider! Historically, only the prime minister and the ministers of the six ministries have received this honor. Your Majesty's actions may be inappropriate."
You're clearly showing your favoritism on your face.
It's one person, that's fine, but the problem is that one after another they all kneel down and beg for leniency, as if the person sitting on the dragon throne is some kind of unreasonable tyrant.
The emperor was secretly angry.
"Is this my court or yours? You repeatedly obstruct my attempts to reward someone. Where were you when I was assassinated?"
"Minister Liu." He randomly pointed to someone, who was also the first Minister of War to kneel down. "You are my Minister of War... or the Minister of War of the Third Prince."
A light sweat broke out on Minister Liu's back.
An emperor's wrath is something that ordinary people cannot bear.
In his haste, Minister Liu met the Third Prince's gloomy gaze, his legs went weak, and he knelt down to pledge his loyalty to the Emperor.
"I am old, but I still have the strength to kill a few people."
The main hall was completely silent.
No one dared to speak up.
The three princes exchanged glances with each other, and the ministers returned to their positions.
Wen Yan stepped forward to take the scarlet fish bag, keeping a low profile throughout.
A goldfish with a scarlet base hangs from the waist like a solidified crimson cloud, with vermilion tassels swaying gently with each step.
As my fingers traced the fabric of the scarlet fish bag, the gold-threaded fish tail embroidered on it seemed to dance on my fingertips.
She has always preferred to let her abilities speak for themselves.
Several malicious gazes peered over. Wen Yan looked up slightly and saw several princes and the prime minister, among others.
The remaining, incredibly fiery one, belonged to Liang Jinglan.
His eyes were filled with anxiety; his concern and worry were clearly written in them, and he couldn't hide them.
Wen Yan shook her head and chuckled softly.
The Crown Prince's gaze lingered on him for a brief moment, and the next second, someone brought up the Battle of Xuguan.
Then someone mentioned his military power.
Wen Yan had anticipated this, and Liang Jinglan did as she instructed, refusing to budge no matter who brought it up, his eyes sincere and upright.
“This power belongs to the Emperor. If the Emperor has a suitable candidate, I am naturally willing to share the power, but not with you usurpers who have different intentions.”
"What nonsense!"
"You brat, stop spouting nonsense! We're doing this for the sake of the country!"
"Our loyalty to the Emperor is as clear as day and night, but your reluctance to budge reveals your ulterior motives!"
One sentence stirred up a whole group of fish.
The ministers were alarmed. Why was this man so quick to label people?
It's such a huge, towering hat; it could easily crush someone to death.
Is the term "usurpation" something that can be used carelessly?
Don't you want your head?
Didn't you see the deep anger in the emperor's eyes, enough to turn into lava and scald them to death?
Liang Jinglan gave a soft snort and said no more.
Yan Yan is right. He is naturally straightforward, so why should he learn to be so roundabout? The emperor loves his straightforwardness the most.
Easy to understand.
As long as he is loyal and tells the truth, he will not make a mistake.
The emperor didn't want to see this group of noisy and argumentative officials, so the eunuch shouted "Dismiss the court!" in a high-pitched voice and left first.
Wen Yan stayed for a while because the emperor summoned her, and Liang Jinglan also stayed with her.
The emperor had been surrounded by spies, and many of them were removed in this incident, leaving the emperor with a temporary shortage of manpower.
There are also positions vacated by imprisoned officials that need to be filled.
Wen Yan reminded him, "Your Majesty, it's time to put the imperial examinations on the agenda."
The emperor nodded, looking tired.
His serious illness had taken away most of his energy, and with the ever-increasing workload of official duties, his body simply couldn't keep up.
Then, as if remembering something, she asked, "Minister Wen, have you arranged your residence properly? Or should I have the Ministry of Works build you a luxurious one?"
The emperor's heart is also like a scale, leaning towards the side of his closest ministers.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am alone and will be content to live with you in the Marquis's residence."
Liang Jinglan's eyes lit up instantly.
"Alone?" The emperor's mind raced, and he immediately pulled his beloved wife to his side, smiling gently:
"Is there any woman you fancy whom I wish to bestow a marriage upon? I think the Grand Tutor's daughter is quite good; she is gentle and dignified, and so is the Minister's daughter..."
Wen Yan was about to politely decline when a voice, even more urgent than hers, racked its brains to come up with a reason.
“Your Majesty, Brother Yuanjun is not in good health and needs to recuperate now. There is no rush to get married. He needs someone to take care of him right now, so how can he take care of others?”
The emperor blinked: "That's right, isn't that why I'm assigning someone to take care of Minister Wen?"
"As a fellow man, it would be more convenient for me to take care of him," Liang Jinglan quickly offered.
"Women should always be more careful..."
"I am also meticulous, no, I am even more meticulous!"
The emperor, seeing the woman trying so hard to be as meticulous as he could, was momentarily at a loss for words.
Marquis Liang is too straightforward; how could he have ever thought he would rebel...?
However, instead of helping your brother with his life's most important matter, you're blocking his romantic prospects. What kind of behavior is that?
Is it possible...
The emperor tentatively asked, "Shall I also bestow a marriage upon you?"
Liang Jinglan shuddered, glanced at Wen Yan, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "No!"
"Why not?"
"I'm not in a hurry. Besides, how can one get married in front of their elder brother?" He glanced at Wen Yan, and when he met her eyes, which held a hint of a smile, he felt even more uncomfortable, like a cat scratching at him.
He saw the shape of Wen Yan's lips, it was—
Husband.
The emperor was focused on Liang Jinglan and didn't notice these minor details; he was simply puzzled:
"Do you feel warm?"
Looking out the window, it's only early spring, why is he sweating?
"Your Majesty, I have something important to tell you."
Wen Yan rescued the helpless man from the emperor's clutches and then they discussed important matters with a serious expression.
The emperor smiled and said, "Minister Wen, please speak your mind."
"Does Your Majesty know why I insisted on becoming the Director of the Department of Military Affairs in the Ministry of War?"
The emperor had actually wanted to give her a higher official position, but she refused.
The emperor was also puzzled: "Why?"
"Because I have learned some things and can do things for Your Majesty, this official position is convenient."
The emperor was deeply moved. So you refused high office and generous salary so that it would be easier for you to do things for me!
He is truly a good subordinate of mine!
However, he didn't forget to ask Wen Yan what was going on.
Wen Yan's lips turned cold, and a flash of icy light crossed her eyes: "Does Your Majesty remember what the Director of the Ministry of War's Department of Military Affairs mainly deals with?"
"Military affairs? Negotiations with ethnic minorities?"
The emperor had a sudden realization, remembering that she came from Xuguan, and incredulously uttered his answer: "...The Xiongnu?"
"Exactly."
The more she spoke, the more alarmed the emperor became.
After hearing this, he smashed his teacup and yelled:
"Bastards, they're all a bunch of bastards! Traitors!"
After catching his breath, he pondered for a moment, then his eyes regained their imperial majesty: "Do as you say, my dear minister."
"Yes."
It was already late at night when they left the palace.
Liang Jinglan drove the car in front, while Wen Yan rested inside, separated by a curtain.
The moon outside the curtain was round and soft, unlike the sharp, curved moon seen in the northern frontier; it appeared exceptionally gentle and beautiful.
Wen Yan knocked on the car wall, and the person outside quickly asked her in a low voice what was wrong.
"Has the Marquis become addicted to being a coachman?"
Liang Jinglan pursed her lips and whispered, "I drive steadily, so you'll experience less bumps."
A soft laugh rang out, making his heart pound wildly.
The Gu man's voice and laughter were in sync: "The dew is heavy at night, and I'm worried that the Marquis might catch a cold."
"No, I'm healthy." He paused after saying that, then looked annoyed.
He was even more sensitive to the words "good health" than she was to them.
When they arrived at the mansion, Liang Jinglan hesitated in front of her room, unable to move an inch for a long time.
He was waiting for her to call him.
It's been cold in the capital these past few days, and he's been the one warming her bed. She's prone to feeling cold and needs him by her side to sleep soundly.
He recalled the first time he held Ruanxiang as he fell asleep, a surge of heat rushed to the top of his head, and blood gushed from his nose, staining her plain white undergarment. He then frantically cleaned it up.
My face feels hot.
After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, no sound came from inside.
Liang Jinglan gritted her teeth and pushed open the door.
The door wasn't bolted.