Xie Ming

The three main gates of the Duke's mansion were wide open, with two rows of armored soldiers flanking the road, threatening and intimidating the crowd.

"Minister Zeng!"

"Please come in!"

"The Duke has been waiting at the manor for quite some time."

The scene was completed in a short time, and the sense of intimidation was quite strong.

Upon hearing the words of the young and strong gatekeeper, Minister Zeng, who was greatly astonished, was stunned and also followed them in.

"Uh, hehe, yes, thank you for your trouble."

Old Feng, who had previously served as a bodyguard, joined them in a state of panic, and they helped each other along.

They hurried along, following the gatekeeper through two courtyards and past the second hall.

As Zeng Ji stepped through the back hall and onto the threshold, he suddenly looked up and saw Jingguo Gongzheng and Ma Weimin standing under the eaves of the third hall.

Fine rain, like silken threads and soft catkins, stopped in front of the two groups of people in the courtyard, wetting the blue-paved road.

Zeng Ji had no time to pay attention to the oil-paper umbrella in Old Feng's hand behind him. Now that he had seen the main person of this trip, in order to show his attitude, he hurriedly took small steps forward, cupped his hands and greeted him.

Old Feng was embarrassed and exhausted. He was carrying a gift box in his hands. When he saw the master suddenly appear, he hurriedly used one hand to support himself and followed. He looked ridiculous and embarrassed.

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Duke Jingguo, it's been over a year since we last met. How have you been?"

Zeng Ji clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, approached quickly, and spoke first.

Then, Xiao Jingchuan, standing under the eaves, showed no emotion, stood still, returned the greeting with a bow, and remained rooted to the spot until the other person arrived.

"Minister Zeng has been promoted to a high position; congratulations!"

"You must have had a long and tiring journey."

"I apologize for not greeting you properly, hahaha."

The official documents were just a formality.

Zeng Ji observed this without changing his expression, and remained polite and courteous, responding to each other's requests.

"Hey, what kind of talk is that?"

"The situation has been turbulent recently, and the Duke was appointed to a critical mission to turn the tide."

"A white jade pillar reaching the sky, a purple-gold beam spanning the sea."

"To be honest, I admire him from the bottom of my heart."

"This is the first time I've said something like this, which shows my sincerity, ah, it shows my sincerity."

As they spoke, Zeng had already stepped up the steps to approach Xiao and Ma, displaying his usual talent for empty flattery and sycophancy.

It's so offensive it makes your teeth ache, but you can't really point it out.

Just then, taking advantage of Xiao's momentary hesitation, the worldly-wise Zeng Ji glanced at Ma Weimin.

They exchanged glances, each secretly harboring resentment.

The situation was already at odds, and Zeng was intentionally trying to speak with the Duke alone, but Old Ma's intervention was like a thorn in his side.

Then he immediately spoke in a sarcastic tone, neither warm nor cold.

"Uh, hehe. Ma Daotai is here too."

"Zeng's predecessor, Shi Kefa, died tragically at the gates of Yangzhou while trying to relieve the crisis in Yangzhou, thus earning a lifelong reputation for loyalty."

"I wonder if Ma Daotai had a final meeting with Shi Gong back then?"

He once used the fall of Yangzhou as an excuse to give Ma a cold shoulder.

At this point, Ma Weimin glared at him, but with Xiao Jingchuan beside him, he couldn't lash out, so he gritted his teeth and endured it.

"Ugh"

"However, on the other hand..."

"Loyalty is certainly commendable, but someone like Magistrate Ma, who is quick to address the court's urgent needs, can also be considered unparalleled in loyalty and courage, huh? Hehehe."

Looking back at Xiao Chu, she realized that since they were still inside the Duke of Jing's mansion, it was not a good idea to completely break off relations.

Xiao snorted at this.

“Ah, Minister Zeng, the corridor is cool and not a place for a long chat.”

"Warm wine is prepared in the inner room, please follow me!"

Interrupting the conversation, Xiao Jingchuan, acting as the host, led the way to the inner room where a feast was prepared.

I heard that Zeng Jishun went down the slope, displaying an exaggerated and affected demeanor, and then followed him in.

"Ah, this, ho ho."

"Oh dear, I feel unworthy to accept this, but it would be impolite to refuse it. Ah, it would be impolite to refuse it."

The three entered the hall one after another and took their seats.

During this period, further details were given to introduce what would follow.

"Oh dear, it's only been a little over a month since we escorted the emperor south and retreated to Hangzhou." "But now that I'm back on my mission, the city is completely different from what it used to be."

"Thanks to the Duke's pillar of strength, Yingtian Prefecture is now filled with soldiers and banners waving."

"It certainly has its own unique charm; the mighty army is truly magnificent, displaying its heroic spirit! Ah? Hahaha!"

Zeng's words were tinged with bitterness.

Upon hearing this, Xiao feigned ignorance and confronted him directly.

"Haha, Minister Zeng, how was your journey?"

"No one on the road would dare to stop me, would they?!" Xiao asked.

"Oh, that's for sure."

"How dare such petty people approach?"

"The Duke is valiant and his army is disciplined and well-organized. Those generals and soldiers are as fierce and imposing as tigers."

"Even I, just by looking at it, can't help but feel terrified."

"If it weren't for the imperial decree..."

"As for me, Zeng, hehe, I really don't have the guts to come and pay a visit, huh? Hehehe."

His words were loaded with hidden meaning; he subtly threatened a threat while subtly shifting the conversation to the Emperor's true intentions for the trip.

The reason why Xiao put on such a show today is actually because...

The industry has made significant contributions.

Just the day before yesterday, when Xiao Jingchuan had just set off for the Northern School, he had already received a secret report from the Hangzhou Zhizhong Office.

They were fully aware of the imperial court's request for money.

So when the conversation reached this point, and it seemed that Zeng was about to use the emperor's will to pressure people, Xiao quickly cut him off.

“Hey, Minister Zeng, you’ve just arrived in Nanjing. We can discuss official matters another day.”

"Here, have a cup of hot wine to warm yourself up first."

Having digressed to this point, Zeng Ji, with his shrewdness, could hardly fail to see through the Duke of Jing's intentions.

Obtaining money by imperial decree is a job.

But how could he dare to offend Xiao Qu so easily, going into the tiger's den alone?

The prefect must have soldiers on standby outside.

If one loses control of the situation, one fears that one might anger the martial artist in front of him and be forced to take action against him.

At worst, we can kill them all and then blame them later.

The imperial court? Ha!

They also lack the ability to control and punish crimes.

"Ah, yes, yes."

"Thank you, thank you."

So, while Xiao was personally pouring the wine, Zeng Ji glanced over and had no choice but to agree and see how things went.

He was about to bend over when Xiao pushed him back into his chair.

He hastily downed a glass of wine, feeling guilty and apprehensive.

"Hehe, Minister Zeng, huh."

"Recently, I have heard that His Majesty is currently recuperating in Hangzhou, but medicine is ineffective and his condition is deteriorating."

"Since Minister Zeng has come directly from before the Emperor, he must surely know the details."

"There are no outsiders in my household today."

"Why don't you just tell me the truth?"

"Mr. Xiao has been leading troops in the field in recent years, and his busy military affairs are not mentioned."

"However, in order to devote all his efforts to fighting the northern enemy, he was really too busy to be in two places at once."

"Given the current situation, Your Majesty's well-being is of utmost importance."

"You said that I will be away from home and unable to serve you closely, which really worries Your Majesty's health."

“Recently, I have overheard my subordinates discussing this matter again. How could I not be extremely worried and anxious?”

"Fortunately, you came in person today, so you've made it in time."

"What exactly happened? Just tell me the details, okay?!"

Xiao's words were brilliant, cutting off Zeng Ji's approach and turning the tables on him, directing the conversation towards the Hongguang Emperor's illness.

The more a matter is kept secret, the more it will be controlled by the person who keeps it.

(End of this chapter)