Chapter 382 – Dark Currents

Chapter 382 – Dark Currents

Arching his hand toward the officials, Chief Minister Wang entered the palace along with the old eunuch and walked all the way to the side hall of the imperial study.

The old eunuch ordered the eunuchs to serve tea and respectfully said, “Lord Shoufu wait a moment.”

With that, he left.

Chief Minister Wang sat alone in his chair, and this wait was half an hour.

He was in no hurry, and waited in silence, scarlet robe, high hat, and graying temples.

His expression was calm, no joy or anger could be seen, but the trance-like look in his eyes from time to time made people realize that this old man’s emotions were not as good as they seemed.

Finally, footsteps came.

Chief Minister Wang’s slightly cloudy eyes brightened slightly as he looked toward the doorway.

The old eunuch in python robes with a duster in the crook of his arm came in alone and lamented, “Lord Chief Counselor, His Majesty’s grief is unbearable, and there is a loss of propriety, so he will not see you.”

The bright light of Chief Wang’s eyes, little by little, dimmed.

The old eunuch sighed, “His Majesty he needs time to calm down, you know, King Huai is his sibling, His Majesty has been deeply attached to King Huai since he was a child. Now it’s gone cold.”

Chief Minister Wang nodded his head numbly, arched his hand, and left the side hall of the imperial study.

As he walked down the steps, Chief Minister Wang didn’t hold back and turned back toward the imperial study, bowing deeply.

And then he strides away without looking back.

Witnessing the departure of Chief Minister Wang, the old eunuch exhaled a mouthful of turbid air as if he was relieved, and he was a little afraid of Wang Zhenwen’s eyes, which had a strong disappointment in them.

He walked through the imperial study and entered the chambers, bowing and saying, “Your Majesty, Lord Chief Minister has gone back.”

Emperor Yuan Jing gave a “hmm” sound, did not open his eyes, closed his eyes and asked, “Who are the people who gathered at the palace gate?”

The old eunuch said in a deep voice, “All that should come have come.”

Emperor Yuan Jing snorted coldly, “I knew that half of these dogs that usually climb over each other are just putting on a show. Hateful, abominable, deserve to be killed!”

He fumed for a moment, regained his composure, and asked, “Has the left imperial historian Yuan Xiong come?”

The old eunuch thought for a moment and shook his head, “I don’t seem to have seen it.”

Emperor Yuan Jing closed his eyes again, and after a long silence, when the old eunuch thought that things were just going to pass, he suddenly heard Emperor Yuan Jing say:

“Make a note of those who didn’t show up today, and do the same for the following days.”

“Yes!”

Dusk, in the golden-red afterglow.

Xu Qi’an led the filly, and Xu Xinxin led his mount as they walked slowly through the streets.

Accompanying them were Zheng Xinghuai, the Minister of Prefecture, and Shentu Baili, a fifth-ranked martial artist.

“Lord Zheng, are you staying at the post?” Xu Qi’an’s tone implied worry.

With Zheng Xinghuai’s official position, he must have lived in a post station in the inner city, where the security conditions were very good, and there was a group of personal guards such as Shentu Baili.

It was just that their current enemy was Emperor Yuan Jing, and there were some things they had to guard against. A martial artist of the fifth grade of Harmonization Strength really wasn’t enough to look at in the capital.

“Big brother don’t worry, and now the Zhenbei King’s massacre has pushed both His Majesty and Lord Zheng into the limelight. Even His Majesty wouldn’t make an unwise move at this point in time, he would be guilty of public anger, and needs to know that the rolling momentum cannot be hard fought.”

Xu Xinxin said.

Zheng Buzheng Minister was surprised to look at him, his bitter face, more than a trace of approval, said:

“Xu Yinluo, this cousin of yours, he is quite the visionary, what he said. With this attitude of honor and disgrace, he will surely have a bright future.”

Xu New Year smiled faintly.

No, he is just used to being arrogant and pretentious, in fact, his inner capacity to bear is just average, and often social death, not at all the kind of mountain collapsing in front of the face of the face does not change the color of the great power Xu Qi’an heart spit.

Unaware of Xu Baihua’s inner drama, Minister Zheng said rather reminiscently, “He reminds me of Duke Wei’s youthful splendor.”

No, Lord Zheng, what you said about Wei Gong, does he agree with you Xu Qi An tugged at the corner of his mouth, pulling up a farfetched arc, and finally remained silent.

Some things happen and as long as they are not dealt with, they will stick in the throat.

“You needn’t worry,” said Mr. Zheng Buzheng, “there’s a gang of night watchmen living in the stagecoach, you understand.”

Duke Wei has already taken precautions ah, with him looking after Lord Zheng s safety, then I won t worry Xu Qi An s heart is relieved.

“Farewell!”

Zheng Buzheng arched his hand and led Shentu Baili away.

Xu Qi’an silently watched, from Chuzhou to the capital, in just one decade, Zheng Xinghuai’s back had even become a bit stooped, as if there was something pressing on his shoulders, pressuring him to not be able to straighten his back.

“Ugh,” he sighed inwardly, stroked the curve of the filly’s back and rolled over onto his crotch.

At the sound of the horses’ “da-da-da-da-da”, the two brothers walked slowly in the direction of their home.

“Lord Zheng is a poor man, a jinshi of the 19th year of Yuanjing, and I heard from Royal Secretary Liu that this man’s father died early, and his widowed mother worked hard to bring him up. It was not easy to send him to the State Scholarship Academy, and he was successful as a jinshi, but as a result, he himself died because of the years of hard work that drained his body, and he did not wait for his son to return to his homeland with his clothes on his back.”

Between the mare’s slow walk, Xu Qi’an said: ”And then because of the stereotypical rules and regulations, do not know how to change, offended the former chief minister, sent to Chuzhou.

“He operated in Chuzhou for eighteen years and left most of his life there. As a result, it turned to dust overnight.”

Xu New Year was silent for a long time, holding his depressed breath in his heart, it was hard to bear.

He exhaled his pent-up breath and lamented, “Eighteen years of wind and rain, half a lifetime of Hongye, speak and listen to the withered bones.”

“Don’t say that.” As if to get rid of that depressing mood, Xu Qi’an raised an impish smile:

“Rhetoric, how far did you get with Ms. Wang? Has it uh, tipped the scales?”

Xu New Year’s tender face reddened and said unhappily, “How vulgar is the word engage, I admit to having a good feeling for Miss Wang, she is knowledgeable, learned, elegant in her speech, and can talk to me about the past and present.

“Such a talented woman, I have never seen any other than Princess Huaiqing. What’s so strange about being slightly attracted to her.”

My brother, we have the same taste, I also like a talented woman like Huaiqing, besides, I also like a little fool like Lin’an, a snacker like Caiwei, a warrior like Li Miaozhen, and a poor girl like Zhong Li.

“Actually, I’ve always had hesitations.” Xu New Year said helplessly, “Wang Zhenwen is Wei Yuan’s political enemy and may not marry Miss Simu to me. I, on the other hand, haven’t decided to marry her yet.”

Xu Qi’an stopped being oily and murmured, “We have discussed this issue more than once. Between you and I, a cut must be made.

“You walk your sunny path, I walk my one-wood bridge. Hehe, Wei Gong is not a log bridge. I know your concern, afraid of being forced by Wang Zhenwen to go against me and fight in the same room is it. On this point, big brother is going to tell you a way.”

Xu New Year humbly asked for advice, “Big brother, please speak.”

Xu Qi’an hemmed and hawed, “Embrace your wife.”

“What does big brother mean by this?”

“You marrying someone’s daughter is equivalent to having a hostage, and unless Wang Zhenwen doesn’t care about this first daughter, he won’t really be desperate even if your relationship is bad. Grasp this degree and you will be invincible. Besides, it’s not like you need to be completely dependent on the Wang family, it’s just an extra path for the Xu family.”

“Makes sense.” Xu New Year nodded slowly.

Seeing that he seemed to be enlightened, Xu Qi’an smiled and eyed ahead, thinking in her heart about her own outer room that she kept outside.

I haven’t seen her for a few days, and I’m actually a bit tired of her. The charm of the first beauty of Dafeng seems a bit strange, not as alluring as Luo Yu Heng, but secretly subtle?

I wish I knew exactly where she came from.

Well, let’s put the outer room at the redoubt first, and then we’ll go see her when the dust settles on the Zhenbei King. Until then, one needs to be careful.

Zhong Li also did not receive first, stay in the Si Tian Jian, I definitely have to go out frequently in the next few days, it is inconvenient to take her with me.

Linan and Huaiqing also first do not see, this period of time I certainly can not enter the palace, and this matter is related to the royal family, I also counted involved, do not want to see them.

As he floated around, he suddenly heard Erlang Xu say in confusion, “Big brother, what does pouring out his bag of tricks mean?”

He initially thought it was a mistake in wording by the uneducated and vulgar big brother, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized what was wrong, so he couldn’t help but open his mouth and ask.

Xu Qi’an thought for a moment and replied, “Whether a man loves a woman or not depends on whether or not he’s willing to pour his heart out.”

There is such a saying? Xu Ru Lao said, “Then does a woman love a man? How can one tell.”

After his big brother broke through to the Qi Practicing Realm, he had constant peach blossom luck, always hooking up with stunning beauties, and in the field of love talk, Xu Ruilu was still very convinced of his big brother.

Are you asking if Wang Simu truly likes you or not? Xu Qi’an pondered for a long time and said, “It depends on the woman, whether she is willing to gush.”

What the hell is Big Brother talking about Xu Rui old failed to comprehend, all the way to the drill.

“Cauldron.”

Entering the mansion, he came to the inner hall, just in time for the evening meal.

As soon as Xu Suoyin saw her long-lost big brother return, she didn’t even eat her meal, striding her short little legs, welcoming her with surprise, and then slamming headfirst into Xu Qi’an’s arms.

Xu Qi’an’s body swayed, a little surprised.

I haven’t seen you for a month and a half, and Little DouDing’s chi has grown to this extent?

“Have you made your mother angry lately?” Xu Qi’an held Little Dou Ding in his arms as he walked towards the inner hall.

“Huh? Do I often make Mother angry.” Xu Lingyin asked back in surprise.

She herself was obviously such a good child, and her mother had said that she didn’t know what was going on in her life to give birth to a Xu Lingyin.

You can see that you are different from your big brother, second brother and sister.

Xu Lingyin still hadn’t been able to tell the difference between her cousin and her own brother, and had always thought that her elder brother was also born of her mother.

Xu Qi’an stroked her head and didn’t say anything.

It seemed that the cultivation method of the Force Compulsion Department could indeed only grow qi and could not have the effect of increasing intelligence, or else Lina wouldn’t be in her current state.

Thinking of this, he looked at the little black skin of the southern border with curly hair at the end, eyes like the blue sea, wheat-colored skin, and delicate features.

“I feel like you’ve changed.” The little dark skinned man scrutinized him.

“Where is it different.” Xu Qi’an asked rhetorically.

Lina thought about it and shook her head, couldn’t say, just that she felt that the coordination of his limbs and the way his muscles were firing had improved between his walks.

“Big brother you’re back.”

The happiest of all was of course Xu Ling Yue, her clear and elegant melon face blossoming into a smile as she personally served Xu Qi’an the rice and set out the chopsticks.

Xu Ru Lao waited for a bit, and seeing that his own sister-in-law didn’t care about him at all, he took matters into his own hands and plumped up his own food.

“It’s good to be back.”    Uncle Xu had been scrutinizing his nephew, and when he saw that he was unharmed and his essence was instead growing stronger, his rough face suddenly revealed a smile.

“Uh-huh!”

The haughty aunt nodded in agreement, then said, “Suzume, get down here, don’t delay your big brother’s dinner.”

Auntie wore a plain colored pair of small clothes today, embroidered with plump begonias, just as beautiful and plump as her person, outlining her full breasts and slender waist.

Underneath was a goose-yellow jacket, which gave her beauty a touch of civilized knowledge.

After dinner, Xu Qi’an was invited into Erlang Xu’s study.

Unconsciously, the two men discuss important matters, have begun to avoid Uncle Xu, unlike when they dealt with the Minister of the Household, Zhou Xianping, the three men discussed together.

The brothers thought this was good, Uncle Two was not good at hooking up, the more he knew, the easier it was for him to get bitter instead.

Because as an elder, he is thinking about how to solve the problem, not sitting around waiting for his nephew and son to solve the problem.

Covering up for the heir is an instinct that every elder has, and it’s just that Uncle Xu isn’t very good at that, so it only adds to the trouble.

East Room.

Uncle Xu sat down at the table, took a sip of tea, and sighed, “The two assholes can’t look at old me anymore.”

The aunt, dressed in a thin white chambray, sat cross-legged on the bed, playing with her jade bracelet, and asked, “How so?”

Her legs were well-proportioned and slender, interlocked in a rather showy manner.

“Alas, something big has happened in Chuzhou, the rumor is spreading that a hundred officials are causing trouble in the Imperial City today.” Second Uncle Xu frowned.

“What is it?” Auntie asked curiously.

“A woman’s family, why do you care so much.” Uncle Xu glared at her

Just like the brothers do not want to let Uncle Xu worry more, Uncle Xu also do not want to let his wife worry for nothing, like her such a handful of years still think that the woman in the prime of life, to allow her to a peace and joy will be enough.

“Big brother, you haven’t told me the details of what happened in Chuzhou City.”

In the study, Xu Erlang held a cup of strong tea and sat by the coffee table.

Xu Qi’an stood by the window, looking at the dark and silent compound, and slowly said, “The Chuzhou case is far more complicated than you think .”

He calmly narrated, telling Xu Ru Lao about his experience of traveling north, bit by bit, including empathizing with Zheng Buzheng and seeing the sight of the white slaughter of Chuzhou City.

His tone was so calm, too calm to dare the slightest rise or fall.

Great sorrow without tears.

“So, it turns out he was involved .”

Xu New Year froze. In his heart, the few feelings of loyalty to the king collapsed, and there was no more residue.

“The purpose of the mission’s return to the capital this time is to make the crimes of the Zhenbei King known to the world, heh, Lord Zheng will not allow a brute like the Zhenbei King to be able to be buried as a Prince, and pass on to posterity as the name of the Great Feng Protectorate’s Divine General.” Xu Qi’an sneered.

Readers pay the most attention to the name behind them, if you can not convict the king of Zhenbei, in the view of Zheng Xinghuai, this is an unsuccessful revenge, and does not count as justice for the people of Chuzhou City.

“What do you think of this “war”?” Xu Qi’an quizzed.

“You are already doing it.” Xu New Year said, “Bringing rolling momentum to bully Emperor Yuan Jing, even if he is the emperor, he can’t stop the momentum of the crowd. Didn’t he promise to meet with Chief Minister Wang, just to see what comes out tomorrow.”

“It’s a pity that I can’t help much with the affairs of the imperial court, it doesn’t feel very good to pin your hopes on someone.” Xu Qi’an sighed.

“Big brother, you’ve done enough .”

Xu New Year was about to offer a few words of relief when he suddenly frowned, pausing for a long time, his face slowly turned grave, “Big brother, the situation seems a little off.”

Xu Qi’an turned around and looked at him.

Xu New Year whispered, ”According to you, if this case is a conspiracy between Emperor Yuan Jing and King Huai, then the mission’s plan to catch him off guard was a failure from the start.

“Don’t forget that Que Yongxiu absconded, and the Zhenbei King’s spies also escaped. These people, would they not spread the news of the Zhenbei King’s perishing back to the capital? Perhaps he had already gotten the news in advance when you were hesitant.

“Then, Emperor Yuan Jing has definitely figured out how to deal with it, don’t doubt that this Majesty of ours has been playing with power for so many years. If he wants to get serious, I’m afraid that Duke Wei and Chief Minister Wang are no match for him.”

“You’ve reminded me, indeed.” Xu Qi’an turned his body back to face the darkened courtyard without another word.

Xu Qi’an knew that the courtroom was not his home turf. First of all, the political struggle is not to solve the case, not to mention relying on a smart brain can be vertical, can be in the imperial examination to kill out, which is not a smart person.

But so many people rise and fall every year.

Xu Qi’an wouldn’t be so arrogant as to think that he could fight Emperor Yuan Jing for three hundred rounds in the courtroom.

Secondly, his official position is after all a bit low, and he does not even have the opportunity to attend the court, which means that he is not qualified to go to the “front line”.

“So this time, the position of the main force will have to be ceded to Duke Wei, Minister Zheng Buzheng, and those princes who are in it for the name of profit, or who have justice left in their hearts However, I can still contribute outside the bureau.”

Stargazer Building, Bagua Terrace.

The white-clothed, snow-like, white-haired, white-bearded Supervisor Zheng stood at the edge of the Bagua Platform, standing with his hands in the air, overlooking the entire capital.

The night wind blew the corners of his coat and stroked his white beard, immortal as an exiled immortal.

“I heard that the King of Zhenbei died in the Northern Realm.”

A low voice rang out, its tone low and flat, like a conversation between old friends, giving off an inscrutable feeling.

Behind the Supervisor Zheng, a white-clothed back figure appeared.

King of Dabong Pussy, Yang Chien Fantasy.

Master and disciple back to back, both stand with their hands down, both white as snow. Don’t say, for a while it’s really hard to tell the difference.

The Supervisor gave a “hmm” and laughed, “Some people wake up laughing in their sleep.”

Teacher refers to Wei Yuan, or who . Yang Qianyi muttered in his heart, his tone was still the same as that of an outsider, and he followed the Supervisor’s example and gave a “hmmm”.

The Supervisor is used to this disciple’s temper and does not pay attention to him, as long as Yang Qianyi does not recite in front of him, “The sky is the shore at the end of the sea, and I am the peak of the magician”, the Supervisor is too lazy to bother with him.

Yang Qianyi continued, ”The one who killed the Zhenbei King was a mysterious expert, who fought five experts alone on the ruins of Chuzhou City, beheading the Zhenbei King in full view of the public and avenging the people’s hatred. And then he chased after them for thousands of miles and killed Jili Zhigu.

“It’s just so hot that I can’t wait to take my place. However, when I think that Xu Ning Banquet was similarly not in the limelight, I feel much better in my heart. Hehehe, this brat has been taking away my chances and is very hateful. I’m sure that he’s envious in his heart as he watched that mysterious expert streak across the land in Chuzhou.”

After saying that, Yang Qianyi, with the intuition of a fourth grade warlock, noticed that the supervising teacher turned back for the first time in his life and glanced at himself.

Is Mr. Supervisor finally ashamed of what he did in the past. Yang Qianyi’s heart rose freely.

Supervisor Zheng’s eyes were filled with pity.

The next day, the ministers gathered at the palace gate again and went on strike to cause trouble. They had the feeling of being teased.

After all the fuss yesterday, I thought that His Majesty had compromised and invited Lord Chief Minister in to deliberate. Who would have thought that the reply given by Chief Counselor Wang would be that His Majesty did not see this official.

Ridiculous. Think you can just avoid it and pretend it didn’t happen?

As the incident fermented, the Zhenbei King’s massacre was no longer confined to the official circles. In the city, the three religions and nine streams all heard about it and were shocked.

Taverns, teahouses, brothels, places that can be called the distribution centers of news, people come to listen and talk all day long.

“King Zhenbei is inhumane, three hundred and eighty thousand lives, an entire city, how is he cruel?” Someone slapped the table and cursed angrily.

Now in the city, insulting the king of Zhenbei is already politically correct, without fear of being questioned, because the whole officialdom is cursing. Whoever does not curse the King of Zhenbei is a heartless beast.

If you scold the King of Zhenbei, you are a well-read scholar and a partner in justice.

“Did you guys know that the one who went to the northern border to investigate the case this time was Xu Yinluo, it’s worthy of him, if it wasn’t for him, the Zhenbei King’s crimes wouldn’t have been able to be uncovered until now.”

“There is no case in the world that Xu Yinluo cannot find out, and with Xu Yinluo I feel that the court is still a good court, for there is no longer any possibility of villains getting away with it.”

“But I’ve heard that there’s nothing Xu Yinluo can do about this court matter.”

“This can be no harm, the civil and military officials will naturally succeed Xu Yinluo, have you heard, Xu Yinluo’s cousin, that Chunxin exam will be yuan, yesterday in front of the palace cursed for two whole hours, cursing until dusk. Today went again.”

“That’s awesome.”

Inside the bedchamber.

The old eunuch crossed the threshold with a splitting headache, his old face white with anger: “Your Majesty, that, that Xu New Year is screaming and cursing outside again. It’s really hateful and killable.”

Emperor Yuan Jing was sitting on a large chair, holding the Taoist scriptures in his hands, and when he heard this, he responded lightly, “If you kill him, then it will truly be a rolling momentum that can’t be stopped, and you’ll be committing mass anger.”

The old emperor’s face was calm as he said, “Yesterday, what did Wei Yuan do?”

The old eunuch unconsciously whispered, “Duke Wei went to see Chief Minister Wang privately at night .”

The implication is that the two fierce tigers in the courtroom have made a private alliance.

Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen, symbolizing the two largest parties in the court, if they joined forces, no one would be their opponent. Even His Majesty has suffered losses from the two.

When the sale of officials and knighthoods was on fire for a while, it was later extinguished by the two men.

The old emperor laughed, seemingly disdainfully, and turned to ask, “What’s unusual in the palace?”

The old eunuch whispered, “The wind is calm, however, yesterday Princess Lin’an returned to the palace. And Princess Huaiqing…”

The old emperor narrowed his eyes, “What happened to Huaiqing.”

“Out of the palace and back to the Huaiqing Mansion.”

After a long period of silence, the old emperor gave a hmmm and commanded, “If Lin An comes to ask for an audience later, let her go back.”

Day Three.

The ministers are still gathered at the palace gate, but those who are attentive will find that the number of people has not changed, but some of the ministers who hold great power are not here today.

Xu Qi’an met the head of the guards of Princess Huaiqing’s mansion at the night watchman’s office. By order of the Princess, he had come to invite Xu Qi’an to the Princess’ residence.

PS: That, I would have been able to update at five today, but I was in pretty good shape, so I coded an extra two thousand words. Six thousand words big chapter.

Thank you to “God Dynasty_Window Uncle” for the reward. Uncle Window is so funny and nice to talk to, I love to watch him talk in the group. This is the big number of the window speed. He’s also the owner of a small number.