Ping Zhao Lu

"You get up first."

Chu Yunxiao's voice seemed to come from the Nine Nether Abyss, as cold as a thousand-year-old ice, which made people shudder.

There was a dark glow in his eyes, as if a storm was coming.

He just turned his head slightly and signaled with his eyes that Xu Zhouye, who was kneeling beside him, should stand up.

Then, he glanced coldly at the ministers who bowed their heads and remained silent. His icy gaze was like a sharp blade, mercilessly slicing through each of their faces.

Finally, his cold gaze fixed on Fu Chuoren, who had a sad face.

The slender fingers tapped lightly on the imperial desk in front of him, making a crisp and heart-pounding sound.

After a while, he slowly spoke, "Mr. Fu is deeply concerned about the country and the people. He is not only worried about the affairs of the former dynasty, but also about the affairs of the harem. This devotion truly makes me feel uneasy. For Mr. Fu to take care of his health, it is best for him to return home and recuperate for the next few days."

Although these words were said in a tactful way, the implication was obvious - you are meddling too much in other people's business, go back and reflect on yourself!

However, Fu Chuoren was obviously not willing to give up.

He knelt on his knees, straightened his spine, and said with a firm face: "Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness. I hope you can listen to my words."

At this moment, Chu Yunxiao's face became increasingly gloomy, like a gathering cloud. His sharp eyebrows raised slightly, revealing an invisible pressure.

Fu Chuoren didn't care about the emperor's feelings at all, and said to himself: "I just heard what the Queen said about the Queen Mother holding power in the harem. I really don't understand. This golden seal was handed over to the Queen during the ceremony of the Queen's coronation. How could it be..."

Having said that, he paused and cast a subtle glance at Xu Zhouye standing beside him.

Before the emperor could react, Xu Zhouye raised his head slightly, his eyes firm and confident as he spoke first, "If Master Fu has any doubts about what I said, you can send someone to the Empress Dowager's palace to retrieve the golden book and seal and see for yourself."

Upon hearing this, Fu Chuoren frowned, as if he felt something was wrong.

I couldn't help but ponder in my heart.

To speak such words with such arrogance, there must be something fishy behind it.

Could it be that the Phoenix Seal is really in the hands of the Queen Mother?

Or was it intentional to intimidate him and force him to admit it?

However, thinking about it carefully, even if the golden book and seal were really in the hands of the Queen Mother, he would never dare to send someone to ask for it easily.

After all, she had just displeased the emperor. If she continued to do as the queen said, wouldn't she be further angering the emperor and asking for trouble?

Thinking of this, Fu Chuoren took a deep breath, tried to calm himself down, and quickly thought about how to deal with the situation.

He knew very well that it was not appropriate to continue to stalemate with Xu Zhouye at this moment. He had to find a suitable way out as soon as possible to avoid falling into a more unfavorable situation.

So, he gathered his thoughts, put on an extremely sincere expression, bowed his head and admitted his fault to Xu Zhouye, "I had absolutely no intention of questioning the Queen. It was really because of my confusion and greed that I spoke without thinking and made such a big mistake. I hope that the Queen will be magnanimous and forgive my sins."

His words were sincere and his attitude was humble, showing his adaptability.

Seeing this, Xu Zhouye couldn't help but applaud in his heart.

The old man's advantage lies in his rich experience!

That's it.

I'll let you go today.

So as not to hinder my important business.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhouye smiled and sighed softly, "Alas, this matter is not entirely the fault of General Fu. The Imperial Study is where His Majesty discusses important matters with the ministers. It was inappropriate for me to come here rashly. It has caused many misunderstandings. I am truly ashamed."

He turned to face the emperor with a worried look on his face and said, "This misunderstanding has been resolved. The rest will be handled by Your Majesty."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Chuoren's forehead twitched slightly.

This guy was given a way out.

But still didn't let him go.

The emperor just nodded slightly, without any expression on his face, and said in his usual majestic voice: "As I said just now, for the sake of your health, you should go back home and recuperate for a while. As for the affairs in your hands, please hand them over to Minister Lin for the time being." After that, he looked down with a cold look.

"Yes." Even though Fu Chuoren was unwilling and reluctant in his heart, he had no choice but to accept this result at this moment. After all, the emperor's will was difficult to disobey, and no matter how unwilling he was, he had to swallow this loss.

His eyes unconsciously swept over Lin Yuyou, who had remained silent, and a trace of deep disdain quickly flashed across his usually shrewd eyes.

Humph, you really got a bargain! Thinking of this, I felt even more depressed and unhappy.

At this time, Lin Yufen was thinking: I am in trouble. I have to deal with a lot of trouble.

Chu Yunxiao drooped his eyelashes slightly, stretched out his hand and gently rubbed his swollen head, and said impatiently: "If there is nothing else important, everyone can leave."

Upon hearing this, several ministers present bowed and said in unison: "We will take our leave." Then, they left the palace one after another in an orderly manner.

When most people in the hall had left, Chu Yunxiao's tense expression finally improved a little.

He suddenly reached out and pulled the person who had been standing quietly beside him to his front, then held the person in his arms.

Then he hugged the other person tightly, as if he was afraid of losing her.

Chu Yunxiao rested his chin on Xu Zhouye's shoulder and said in a low, yet somewhat guilty voice, "I'm sorry for wronging the Queen."

Xu Zhouye gently shook his head and said softly, "I don't feel wronged." He reached out and gently massaged the emperor's head. "Your Majesty, you should also pay attention to your health and avoid overexerting yourself."

Chu Yunxiao was delighted by his actions.

He raised his eyes slightly and looked straight at Xu Zhouye's face, as if he wanted to see deep into his heart through his eyes.

A slender and powerful hand, with a hint of deep meaning, gently rested on Xu Zhouye's waist, while the other hand gently stroked his smooth cheek. The corners of his mouth turned up, and his tone was full of joking: "Work hard? You mean my care for the Queen..."

However, before he could finish his words, Xu Zhouye quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

No, Chu Yunxiao wasn’t so shameless in his previous life!

Xu Zhouye blushed slightly, turned his head away guiltily, and whispered, "Your Majesty, this is the imperial study."

Seeing him like this, Chu Yunxiao finally couldn't hold back any longer, and a low and magnetic chuckle escaped from his throat.

When Xu Zhouye heard the laughter, he felt extremely helpless, and a trace of anger unconsciously appeared on his face.

He struggled out of the emperor's embrace with a look of displeasure, then stood aside in a proper manner, saying softly, "Your Majesty is still in the mood to tease me, so I guess you are not tired at all. In that case, Your Majesty should continue with your government affairs. I am sorry to bother you so much, so I will take my leave now."

After saying this, he turned around and made a gesture to leave.

Chu Yunxiao was quick to stand up, opened his arms and hugged Xu Zhouye tightly from behind, as if he was afraid that the person in front of him would disappear if he let go.

He held Xu Zhouye tightly in his arms, as if time had stopped. There was silence all around, with only the sounds of their two breathing intertwined.

However, he never said a word, but just silently felt the warmth and breath of the person in his arms.

This went on for quite a while before Xu Zhouye finally noticed something was wrong.

He slowly turned his head and looked at Chu Yunxiao beside him with his watery eyes.

The emperor, who usually kept his emotions secret, now revealed a look of loneliness, and his expression seemed to hide endless sorrow and sadness.

"Your Majesty..." Xu Zhouye couldn't help but frown slightly, his heart full of confusion and worry.

He turned around, stretched out his hands and gently held Chu Yunxiao's handsome but slightly haggard face, and asked with concern, "What happened?"

Chu Yunxiao stared deeply at the person in front of him. After a long silence, he let out a low sigh: "I had a dream."

"What kind of dream is it that can make Your Majesty so sad?" Xu Zhouye asked.

Chu Yunxiao closed his eyes slightly, still seemingly immersed in that horrible dream. "I dreamed... the Queen was lying sickly on the couch, her face as pale as paper, barely breathing."

Having said that, Chu Yunxiao's arm holding Xu Zhouye moved slightly unconsciously, as if he wanted to hold him tighter, fearing that if he let go, he would leave him like the queen in his dream.

When Xu Zhouye heard this, his whole body trembled violently, his eyes full of astonishment and fear.

Before he could recover from his shock, Chu Yunxiao continued to speak with difficulty: "I remember that cold winter in my dream. The snow fell heavily, and the entire palace was dyed white. The funeral bells on the city wall rang again and again. It was the Queen..."

Xu Zhouye's heart instantly rose to his throat, and an inexplicable fear surged in his heart.

He didn't have time to think about it and quickly interrupted the emperor: "Your Majesty, it's just a dream, don't take it seriously."

Chu Yunxiao looked down at the person in his arms, and a sudden sour feeling rose in his heart.

He raised his hand to smooth down Xu Zhouye's hair and said in a deep voice, "I also think this dream is too absurd."

After saying this, he pressed the person to his heart again, took a deep breath, and said slowly: "But since this concerns the Queen, no matter how absurd the dream is, I will take it to heart."