Page 173

"So, it seems like Wang Jinfang has the biggest issue now." the Emperor said. He had a bad feeling about Wang Jinfang from the moment he first laid eyes on him.

Cao De took another gulp of tea, he was dying of thirst and hadn’t stopped for a moment, exhausted like a tirelessly grinding donkey.

After guzzling the tea to quench his thirst, he let out a comfortable sigh and returned to his insouciant demeanor, "It appears so at present. I have already sent people to search. It depends on when we’ll receive news.

If they can be found by today, the people from the Internal Guard Bureau are still of some use.

I’d boldly ask His Majesty to bestow some reward silver on each of them.

If it’s after today, for every additional ’shichen’, they should be punished with a beating, keep the account for now and settle it all once the matter is concluded. What do you think?"

As he spoke, he raised his foxy eyes, giving the Emperor a sly smile; the more you looked at him, the more cunning he seemed.

The Emperor looked at his frivolous manner. This fellow was trying to swindle him again, wasn’t he? No matter, he would agree.

He said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Agreed, but the leader should be rewarded or punished together with his men."

On hearing this, Cao De bristled. "Your Majesty, I have worked hard for you, how could you treat me this way?"

He thought indignantly that Yuchi Zhao was really cunning and sinister, dragging him down too. Even if he had confidence in the staff of the Internal Guard Bureau, he hadn’t been paying close attention to them for years and didn’t know if this bunch of slackers had grown negligent.

His original thought was that if their work was as effective as usual, then getting silver from the Emperor would be his reward to them upon returning. If they had become lax, then they would see why the flowers are so red!

Either way was fine for him, but he hadn’t expected the Emperor, that stingy ghost, to see through his plan and drag him down with them.

The Emperor glanced at him and casually said, "What’s this?

Aren’t you the Ancestral Master of the Internal Guard Bureau?

Do you have so little faith in them?" This fellow had been avoiding work for years and now wanted to take advantage of his return; fine, but he wasn’t going to let him have it all.

Although Cao De knew the Emperor was using reverse psychology, he couldn’t help but take the bait. He couldn’t stand the Emperor’s gaze, which seemed to suggest that he lacked courage and was no longer competent. How could he tolerate that?

He slammed the table, "Done, that’s settled then. I’ve never been one for small appetites, just don’t be too heartbroken when the time comes!" He didn’t believe he’d lose. He would give those slackers a good knock when he got back, and if they did well, he’d extract a large sum from the Emperor.

The Emperor ignored him, returning to the matter at hand, "Is Huang Zude waiting outside?" He wanted to see him personally, to check things thoroughly.

Cao De nodded, "Indeed, I have brought the man back. That lad must be mad for medicine, terribly honest. He’s not much of a talker at the Imperial Medical Bureau, only having a few words with that old head with a broken leg, mostly about treating illnesses.

If he doesn’t have any work, he usually keeps quiet and reads books, and it’s the same when he’s off duty at home, either seeing patients or reading books. "

He was beginning to suspect the boy was a fool. When they caught him, he showed no fear, didn’t ask where he was being taken, only begged to pay homage to his ancestors before leaving, which he and his subordinates ignored.

As they rode off, the youth suddenly slapped his head, saying he forgot his medicine chest and desperately wanted to get it.

Sheesh, the Internal Guard Bureau had never captured someone with such a reaction before. Usually, people would either be terrified or plead for mercy.

Suddenly, Cao De thought, could the boy believe he was being arrested to provide medical treatment? Such a strange reaction.

When they brought the youth to the Star Palace, upon hearing that the Emperor himself was present, he excitedly prostrated himself repeatedly, mumbling prayers, saying things like "Ancestors bless, having just repaired the family graves and now to see Your Majesty’s face, my ancestors have shown me favor! " He bowed and kowtowed unceasingly.

Cao De felt a toothache watching him. He really wanted to pry the boy’s head open to see what was inside; it wasn’t his ancestors showing favor, but he, Uncle Cao, had brought him back. If anyone should be thanked, it should be him.

The Emperor nodded, "Summon him!"

Huang Zude suppressed his excitement, straightened his robe, and walked into the Star Palace with his head held high and chest puffed out, unable to contain the thrill on his face.

This summons from His Majesty was different from the previous ones; this was the place where His Majesty summoned his ministers. He truly felt thrice blessed to be officially summoned by His Majesty—his ancestors must have cultivated good fortune!

Indeed, Cao De guessed correctly. While Huang Zude was attending to the ancestral rituals, Cao De grabbed him and threw him onto a horse.

Since his father had also been summoned in such a manner before, Huang Zude truly thought it was because someone was urgently ill and knew of his medical expertise, so he didn’t panic at all.

His only regret was not finishing the ancestral rituals, not bringing his medicine box, and the rather bumpy manner of the summons. Other than that, he didn’t think much of it.

Once inside the hall, Huang Zude knelt forward, firmly kowtowed with a loud thud, performed a grand salute, and called out loudly, "Greetings to His Majesty, may my Emperor live for ten thousand, ten thousand, ten thousand years." His voice was high and strong, even trembling with excitement.

The Emperor looked down from his seat at this man, noting his clear eyes, forthright gaze, and his straightforward actions, which didn’t seem to indicate any issues, and he made a mental note of it.

Still, there was a strange sensation in his heart; every time this man looked at him, he felt incredibly odd about it.

How to describe this sensation? It was as if this man was one of his fanatical devotees, worshipping him wholeheartedly and reverently.

The Emperor pushed aside the strange feeling, and his authoritative voice echoed in the hall, "Rise."

Huang Zude stood with his head bowed, his heart bursting with excited elation.

Just at this moment, a commotion arose outside the hall. Zhang Qing, accompanied by a Young Eunuch, rushed in seeking an audience.

As soon as Zhang Qing entered, without time for formalities, his first words were, "Your Majesty, there’s trouble—something has happened at Canglan Court."

The Emperor immediately rose to his feet, asking anxiously, "What has happened?" He hurried down from his dais.

Zhang Qing, with a look of urgent concern, said, "A Serpent with deadly poison has been found in the court; it’s suspected to have been deliberately released. Fortunately, Master Lian is unharmed."

It was Xiao Linzi who had gone to seek assistance, and upon returning, reported that something had occurred at Canglan Court.

Xiao Linzi hadn’t explained the situation very clearly, only mentioning that it was urgent and Master Lian had to leave quickly with some people, which is why this Young Eunuch had rushed back to report.

Zhang Qing was extremely frustrated; he had patrolled repeatedly today, thinking everything was secure, yet still there was a lapse. Now he truly felt it was a fault he couldn’t die enough times to atone for.

The Emperor, without pausing, strode out of the hall with urgent steps. Despite Zhang Qing saying no one was hurt, his heart remained heavy with concern. He needed to see for himself how his Little Concubine was at the moment to ensure she was completely unharmed!

If nothing had happened, then all was well. But if she was hurt in the slightest, he vowed to execute the entire clan of the one who released the Serpent.

With this thought, the Emperor’s eyes filled with an overwhelming murderous intent, and with an icy expression, he bolted out of the hall.

Cao De also stood up and hurried out following the Emperor. When they reached a corner, he signaled towards a hidden spot—it was time for the Internal Guard Bureau to take action.

Having known the Emperor for many years, Cao De had never seen him so agitated, radiating with killing intent. That Little Beauty really was Yuchi Zhao’s Achilles’ heel.