Chapter 857 - 860: Summoned

Chapter 857: Chapter 860: Summoned

"You," Empress Zhou said, not wanting her imperial son to go down in history with a bad reputation. "Since ancient times, the world has been governed by filial piety. You must keep this in mind. Once you leave my palace, you are not to mention this matter ever again."

Hua Zhang immediately put on a serious expression. "I’m only complaining a bit in front of you, Mother. In the past, Uncle went out seeking medical treatment to avoid arousing suspicion. Now that I am the Emperor, can I recall him?"

Empress Zhou pressed down on his hand to stop him. "Don’t. Your uncle spent the first half of his life on the battlefield. Later, because of me, he spent over a decade battling wits and courage with those old foxes. It’s time to let him rest."

Even if the Emperor brought it up on his own accord now, her brother was, after all, a maternal relative of the imperial family. Over time, suspicions would inevitably arise. Empress Zhou had already discussed this matter with Zhou Shixiong long ago. When he left the imperial court, he never intended to step back in. This way, the Emperor would remember his favor, securing a few more decades of peace and prosperity for the future generations of the Zhou Family.

Hua Zhang remained unwilling to concede. "Uncle has already stepped back so much for my sake. Now that I have the power, there is no need for him to yield like he used to."

"How do you know your uncle isn’t enjoying himself?" Empress Zhou smiled, pointing at the fruit on the table. "Every time your uncle visits a new place, he sends fruits or local specialties back to the estate. These were just sent into the Imperial Palace yesterday.

"Looking at the novelties he sends back every few days, it’s no wonder your uncle is lingering outside, forgetting to return. If I weren’t confined to the harem, even I would want to..."

Hua Zhang felt even more guilty. His mother and uncle had sacrificed so much for him. Now that he had the ability to repay them, he didn’t know how to do so.

In a palace building not too far away.

Hua Shunming was also discussing this matter. "The Crown Prince is young, after all, and his temperament is still somewhat unstable. Fortunately, his mother has strictly adhered to her duties all these years. I hope she can persuade him."

For the most part, Le San played deaf and dumb, acting as a dutiful listener. This time was no exception; he kept his head down and listened respectfully.

Hua Shunming just wanted someone to vent to. "It is rare for him to do something right this time. Appointing Gu Wenheng as the Minister of Revenue is somewhat of a waste of his talents, but he can guard the wealth of the Rong Dynasty well.

"If I hadn’t failed to find a suitable candidate for so many years, I really wouldn’t have wanted to keep him in Shangjing. He is much more suited to serve the common people of the world..."

Le San’s ears twitched slightly. He thought it ironic that the Supreme Emperor felt it was a waste of talent when he was the one who had decided on the candidate.

"Does Hua Zhang think I enjoy dictating his actions?" Hua Shunming scoffed. "I haven’t even enjoyed two days of peace, yet I was nearly angered to death by him.

"He is an Emperor now. There are many things he cannot simply do as he pleases.

"Look at how he dispatched all his personal aides into various positions without even investigating whether they were suitable for the roles!

"Le San, tell me. If I am no longer around and there is no one left to keep him in check, will he ruin this empire?"

Le San felt he could not listen to this any longer. If anyone else heard, he could be suspected of sowing discord. "Supreme Emperor, you are overthinking. The Holy Emperor was personally taught by you, and he carries a bit of your shadow.

"The Holy Emperor is still young. Many things must be taken slowly."

When it came to the survival instincts of these eunuchs and palace maids, they knew exactly what to say at the right moments.

"Yes, it is exactly because we all went through being young that I have been able to tolerate him time and again..." Hua Shunming looked at the empty palace. After adjusting for the past few days, he finally stopped thinking about reviewing imperial memorials.

"I previously mentioned wanting to go out and see your courtyard outside the Imperial Palace, but it seems I’ll have to break that promise." He patted his legs. "This body of mine is getting weaker and weaker. I can’t even take two steps without getting exhausted."

Le San coaxed him, "This old servant has already asked someone to paint the courtyard. I will have it brought in tomorrow for you to see.

"If you are feeling a bit bored, this old servant can have a light carriage prepared, and we can take a stroll in the rear gardens."

Hua Shunming waved his hand. "I won’t go. In the past, I avoided the rear gardens because I didn’t want to run into those posturing, dancing imperial concubines.

"Now I don’t want to go because I’ve already spent a lifetime looking at that scenery. I lost interest a long time ago."

Le San didn’t dare to reply. The Supreme Emperor had made several dark hints today, and it frightened him.

"You old fellow, you don’t have the slightest potential to be a sycophant," Hua Shunming pointed at Le San and scolded with a laugh. "This is the time you should be advising me to take a walk around."

Le San hurriedly knelt on the ground. "Supreme Emperor, this old servant wouldn’t dare be so bold! It wouldn’t be easy if you wanted to leave the Imperial Palace. If you’re feeling terribly bored, this servant can have someone build a replica street inside."

The Supreme Emperor’s health was already so poor. If he were to leave the Imperial Palace and get into an accident, Le San wouldn’t have enough heads to chop off, even if he had nine lives.

"That would be meaningless," Hua Shunming said, losing interest. "I’ve been trapped here my whole life. Aside from offering sacrifices to heaven and the ancestors, I’ve never stepped out of the palace gates. What do you think about me moving out of the Imperial Palace?"

Le San thought it was a terrible idea. Even the Holy Emperor wouldn’t dare agree to this if he were here.

"Sigh, how boring." Hua Shunming also knew this was impossible; he was just bored and teasing Le San. "Get up!

"Send someone to summon a few old officials to chat with me. Now that I am just like them—retired and living out my old age in honor—I assume they won’t anger me anymore."

At the gates of the Imperial Palace.

On this day, the area was exceptionally lively. The grand patriarchs of various estates were carried into the palace in soft palanquins. These old patriarchs had all been retired for many years. They hadn’t expected the Supreme Emperor to still remember them.

Seeing several old fellows appearing together at the palace gates, they all looked at each other and smiled. They had fought with one another for a lifetime. Who would have thought that in their old age, they would be able to coexist peacefully.

Liu Donglai was the oldest. He squinted his eyes for a long while before finally recognizing everyone. "So it’s you old fellows. Cao Xiangqian, Niu Hai’an, Zhang Jida... I haven’t remembered wrongly, have I?"

The other three, sitting in their soft palanquins, cupped their hands toward him in greeting. "Old Chancellor, your eyesight is truly not bad. We’ve all grown so old and withered, yet you can still recognize us."

Liu Donglai laughed heartily. "They always say old eyes grow dim, old eyes grow dim. But the moment these old eyes of mine saw you lot, they lit right up!

"So many years have passed, and we’ve all grown old. Our faces are covered in wrinkles. If I didn’t have a knack for recognizing people, I really wouldn’t have known who you were.

"I thought the Supreme Emperor only summoned me to the Imperial Palace today. I didn’t expect he had summoned all of you as well."

Cao Xiangqian had long since passed his noble title to his eldest son. Because of his early years fighting battles in the north and south, his body had suffered the greatest toll. He had changed the most, now appearing withered and gaunt.

However, he was a military general after all. Even in his old age, his booming voice remained. "The Supreme Emperor must be missing us! Those little brats at home always restrict me from going out. It had to be the Supreme Emperor to finally let me out for some fresh air."

His young grandson, who was following closely behind, looked utterly speechless. With his grandfather’s frail bones, he still wanted to run around wildly? Whoever let him out would be held responsible if anything happened. Which son or grandson would dare make such a decision?

"It’s the same for all of us. I didn’t expect that in our old age, we would be strictly controlled by these little brats." Bringing up this topic gave the several old men some common ground. They were practically suffering the exact same fate.