Drunk Bamboo

After several days of debate, the choice of candidate for the southern tour finally fell into the hands of Wu Guanzhong, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

No one expected that the emperor would choose Wu Guanzhong, who was over fifty years old, to embark on a thousand-mile southern tour.

But if I say I am against it, I can't find any reason.

Wu Guanzhong has enough seniority and a high status. He is loyal to His Majesty. It is not obvious that he loves the people, but he is not a greedy or lustful person.

Without fighting for land, we have reached this position today. It is the result of decades of hard work.

The moment the emperor issued the edict, Hua Qinming turned pale and lost his expression.

Wu Guanzhong also lost his soul.

"Congratulations, Master Wu."

After the court session, Xun Bai stroked his white beard and walked towards Wu Guanzhong to congratulate him.

This is a position that many people are vying for. To represent the emperor on his southern tour is so glorious, so grand, and it brings such glory to the family!

"Lord Xun is making fun of me." Wu Guanzhong looked as pale as death.

"It's not a joke. I'm just glad that I'm old and Your Majesty understands me." Xun Bai smiled and felt lucky that he had escaped.

This southern tour will take at least a year and a half, and at most two or three years.

His old bones cannot withstand the fatigue of traveling, and he is even more reluctant to leave his children and grandchildren.

Wu Guanzhong's face was filled with regret. "If I had known this, I wouldn't have to attend court on time every day. Your Majesty should have been considerate of me if I had a minor pain or illness occasionally."

Xun Bai said earnestly, "Your Majesty still trusts Lord Wu."

Wu Guanzhong: “…”

Three days later, Wu Guanzhong led a group of people out of Zhongdu City in a mighty manner.

I didn’t even spend the Double Ninth Festival with my family.

The emperor had solved a big problem in his heart and was in a good mood. After the Double Ninth Festival ceremony, he held a family banquet in the palace.

"Today is Double Ninth Festival, let's have a family dinner. No need to be formal." The emperor raised his glass and enjoyed himself with everyone.

In addition to the emperor's close relatives, there were also some court ministers who were trusted by the emperor.

Zhang Xinghe is the youngest among them.

The Queen could not see Hua Qinfeng and Xie Yuzhu around her, so she asked, "Your Majesty, where are Feng'er and Yuzhu? Why can't we see anyone from Prince Feng's mansion?"

The Emperor: "Yuzhu is unwell and is recuperating in the mansion, Feng'er is on duty in the palace."

The prince raised his glass, "With my third brother here, the palace will be safe."

The emperor smiled, "Your Highness is right."

We were enjoying our meal when suddenly we heard a noisy noise outside.

The emperor frowned, "What's going on?"

Eunuch Dong immediately went out to check. When he came back, his face was obviously serious and he bowed to report.

"Your Majesty, the offerings that were just lit on the altar were not completely burned out. A gust of wind blew away the sparks. There were flames in several palaces. Fortunately, the Wind King was on duty and discovered it early. He led the imperial soldiers to put out the flames."

Eunuch Dong continued, "There is also a fire in Fu'an Palace. Prince Feng has already led his men there. Your Majesty, please wait here."

The emperor looked unhappy, but when he heard that Hua Qinfeng had solved most of the problems, he was no longer in a hurry.

"As long as there is wind, I will wait here."

But I can't eat this meal.

Everyone at the banquet was also full of doubts.

The prince felt uneasy and asked the princess consort to take the crown prince back to the palace first.

After a while, an eunuch came in hurriedly.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

Eunuch Dong scolded, "To be impetuous in front of His Majesty is a capital crime!"

The eunuch was so frightened that he forgot to speak.

The emperor asked, "Why are you so flustered?"

The eunuch hurriedly said: "The fire in Fu'an Palace is getting bigger and bigger. Your Majesty, Your Majesty is trapped inside!"

The emperor stood up and said, "What! I want to go and take a look!"

"Your Majesty, be careful with the Sacred Body!"

Everyone followed.

The Imperial Concubine looked unhappy. How could there be a fire?

Why is it her Fu'an Palace?

From afar, flames and thick smoke could be seen rising from the direction of Fu'an Palace.

Xun Shurui, with an embarrassed look on his face, just came out carrying a bucket of water and saw the emperor and others.

"I have met His Majesty!"

The emperor asked anxiously, "What happened? It was just a small fire, why is the fire so big? Where is the Wind King? Where is he?"

Xun Shurui: "Your Majesty, it was originally a small fire, but a maid in Fu'an Palace went crazy for some reason and ignited the fire with candle oil. The entire Zijing Garden and the Buddhist Hall were instantly turned into a sea of ​​fire."

The Imperial Concubine was terrified and trembling, "Your Majesty, I don't know why there is such a lunatic in Fu'an Palace! I am scared."

Hua Qinming protected Luo Qi, whose palms were cold, and comforted her, "Don't be afraid."

Xiao Bingxin on the side was filled with envy and resentment.

But I hate my own disappointing stomach even more.

The emperor hugged the imperial concubine and said, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Fortunately, you are not in Fu'an Palace today, otherwise you would be in the sea of ​​fire right now."

The prince looked at the fire and only cared about Hua Qinfeng, "Master Xun, the fire is too big, quickly call my third brother out!"

Xun Shurui looked embarrassed, "The prince said that Fu'an Palace is closest to your Majesty's Qingning Palace, and he was worried that the fire would spread there, so he risked his life."

The emperor was even more moved after hearing this and ordered: "Let the palace burn down, Feng'er's life is more important than anything else!"

"Yes, I obey your order."

Xun Shurui rushed into the fire without hesitation.

The prince frowned, "Wuying, go and help."

As he spoke, Wuying disappeared from sight.

As more and more people came to put out the fire, the emperor was placed at a distance from Fu'an Palace to ensure his safety.

"The fire has died down, your majesty!" Eunuch Dong pointed at the dimming flames.

At this time, Xun Shurui came out carrying Hua Qinfeng on his back.

"Feng'er!"

"Feng'er!"

"Third brother!"

"Send the message to the imperial doctor quickly!"

The emperor stroked Hua Qinfeng's dark face and saw that his clothes were burned in many places, revealing his injured skin.

My hands couldn't help but tremble and I felt so heartbroken.

"Royal doctor!"

Hua Qinfeng opened his eyes slightly and said in a weak voice, "It's okay, I'm fine, father... don't let... Yuzhu know..."

After saying that, he fainted.

The emperor shouted, "Come quickly, the imperial physician! If Feng'er is in any trouble, bring his head to see him!"

The imperial physician who arrived in a hurry immediately examined Hua Qinfeng's body.

"The Wind King passed out due to inhaling a large amount of smoke, but his life was not in danger."

The emperor then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Send Feng'er to Qingning Palace to rest."

The Queen kindly suggested, "Your Majesty, after all the commotion in Fu'an Palace today, I'm afraid it's not suitable for people to live in. My sister will stay in my Changle Palace tonight."

The emperor agreed, "Okay."

He turned around and asked fiercely, "Where is that crazy maid?"

Xun Shurui replied: "Your Majesty, the maid has been burned to death."

The fire was getting smaller and smaller, and the emperor was full of doubts and his eyes were alert.

"Xinghe, I leave tonight's matter to you. You must find out everything."

"Yes."

Those who should return to the palace should return, and those who should leave the palace should leave.

Everyone was kept awake at night by this fire that burned for no reason.

Zhang Xinghe stopped Xun Shurui who was about to leave.

"Commander Xun, please stay. Zhang has something to ask you."

Xun Shurui responded respectfully, "Please ask, Sir Zhang."

"Is what the prince is looking for in Fu'an Palace?"

Xun Shurui was stunned, but his face, which was blackened by the fire, looked normal.

"I don't understand what Master Zhang is saying."

Zhang Xinghe: "You found the Lin Hai Xue Lian, so the maid set it on fire."

He raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Xinghe in surprise.

Even Lin Hai Xue Lian knew about it? !

But Xun Shurui still didn't say a word.

Zhang Xinghe had already gotten the answer and didn't ask any more questions.

"Zhang follows His Majesty's orders and only investigates the cause of the fire. The rest has nothing to do with Zhang."

He added, "Please ask Commander Xun to tell the prince not to pretend to be sick for too long, or he will be exposed."

Xun Shurui: “…”