Mingde was led by two bailiffs. Because he had not been convicted, there were no shackles or anything like that on his body. He was only dressed in green as he walked up and half-knelt on the ground.
Qianwandi sat on the head seat, his expression dark. However, Mingde acted as if he did not see anything and said easily, "This subject greets the Emperor."
That tone was like he had met Qianwandi by chance while strolling in the imperial garden and then greeted him easily and happily.
Qianwandi pursed his lips tightly. Two deep wrinkles appeared between his brows.
Those who were familiar with him knew that this was a sign that he was angry. The last time he had this expression, it was when Xi Wan Kingdom's assassins attacked the palace at night. Another time before that, it was when he confiscated the entire family of the corrupt Grand Secretary.
Zhang Kuo coughed and called out in a sharp voice, "The Minister of Revenue, Shangguan Mingde!"
Mingde said modestly, "This subject is here."
"Do you know your crime?"
"What crime has this subject committed?"
The Chancellor of the Supreme Court looked at the Emperor's expression and slapped the table, "Shangguan Daren, you disregarded the laws of our court. As an official of the imperial court, you mingled in a brothel. What crime should this be?"
In the narrow and dark courtroom, the candlelight flickered and flickered, reflecting the enormous shadow on the wall.
Mingde raised his face. His sharp chin carried a hint of a smile in the shadow, very tactfully, "To die under a peony flower, even as a ghost, it is still romantic.
The nature of food and sex is also the teachings of the saints. How can this subject dare not follow? "
The Chancellor of the Supreme Court choked and looked at the Emperor's expression. He turned his head and said sternly, "Quibble!
As an official of the imperial court, you mingled with the women of the brothel. You have really lost the face of the officials of the imperial court! "
"Daren's words are not correct," Mingde said with a faint smile, "Beauties are like flowers, pearls, and jade. Naturally, their appearance is priceless. How can it be confused with the boring matters of officialdom?"
He coughed lightly a few times, but couldn't hide the smile on his face.
The smile lines were very light and fleeting, and he was wrapped in a thin green robe. For a moment, under the candlelight, he looked like a floating ghost that would disappear with a touch.
The Chancellor of the Supreme Court had never seen such a ghost before. His mind was suddenly muddled. In a daze, he only felt that he should continue to ask about the case, but he also felt that anything he said was unnecessary.
Her pair of eyes stared at Mingde's half-lit face in the shadows. After staring blankly for a long time, she only felt that the snow-like paleness on the side of her face was enough to burn her vision. She hurriedly dodged her gaze.
Zhang Kuo suddenly coughed and raised his voice, "Shangguan Daren!"
"Your subject is here."
"If you don't plead guilty, then you will be punished according to the laws of our dynasty.
If an official of the imperial court sleeps with prostitutes, he will be flogged 50 times and demoted by three levels. Don't force yourself to be flogged! "
Mingde stared at Zhang Kuo for a while. His gaze was like ice. Zhang Kuo stood up and sat down again. When he almost couldn't take it anymore, he asked in a seemingly puzzled voice, "Then what should your subject do?"
Zhang Kuo said loudly, "Shangguan Daren, please tell me in detail. Who invited you to Tian Xiang Lou?
Do you know the person who went with you?
Is that woman an old acquaintance of yours?
Who paid the bill?
If you explain it clearly, then you will naturally be free of all responsibility! "
Zhang Kuo was clearly shielding Mingde because he was looking at Qianwandi's expression when he spoke.
If he really wanted to flog Shangguan Mingde, it probably wouldn't even take 50 flogs. Two flogs would be enough to kill this little noble.
The Minister of the Supreme Court, the commander, and the others who were present all secretly thought to themselves that Shangguan Mingde was indeed a favored official. Even when he was caught red-handed and brought to the court for questioning, the Emperor's favorite eunuch Zhang was still able to clear his name.
Unexpectedly, Mingde was silent for a while, then said softly, "Your subject went on my own. No one invited me."
Zhang Kuo said in a sharp voice, "Daren, you have to think carefully!"
Mingde's expression was extremely solemn, "Your subject is only telling the truth. There is nothing to think about."
Qianwandi suddenly stood up. Everyone looked at him, but there was no expression on his face. After a while, he said, "Mingde."
"Your subject is here."
"Are you looking for a beating?"
"That depends on whether the Emperor wants to beat me or not."
Qianwandi asked in a low voice, "… Then tell me, will we beat you?"
The dangerous meaning in this tone was so obvious that when the cold wind in the court blew on their bodies, they felt as if they were being cut by a thin dagger.
Mingde actually nodded and said, "I will."
Zhang Kuo immediately took half a step back to avoid being affected by the supreme anger of the Emperor. His decision was clearly correct, because Qianwandi suddenly grabbed the paperweight on the table and threw it at his face.
The Minister of the Supreme Court, the commander, and the others immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!
Calm down! "
"Your Majesty!
… … "
With a bang, the paperweight fell to the ground. Mingde held his forehead. Thin lines of blood flowed down between his fingers.
The scarlet color was reflected on the back of his hand, which was so pale that it seemed transparent. It was so fresh that it made people's hearts palpitate.
Qianwandi only felt his ears buzzing. There was only one thing in his mind: I hit him.
I really hit him.
"Your Majesty!"
The Minister of the Supreme Court threw himself forward and used his body to block Qianwandi. He was a very experienced official and knew when to not let anything happen, even if sometimes he couldn't find a better solution. "Your Majesty, calm down!
The Brocade Guard will take care of the official's crimes. The damage to the Emperor's body is related to the country! "
Qianwandi stood there in a daze. Then he was pushed down by a group of officials and sat down on the seat of honor.
Through the heavy crowd, he could see Shangguan Mingde stand up. He covered his wound with one hand and smiled at him, his face covered in blood.
No one could describe this smile. No one could describe the hatred contained within it. It made people's hair stand on end and their hearts tremble with fear.
… … So … … he had always hated him.
This kind of person, even if you provoked him for a small matter, he would silently remember it in his heart. There would be a day when he would get revenge.
Even if it was just a small matter or detail that normal people wouldn't pay attention to, he would silently remember it. He would spend a great deal of effort and dedication to remember it for many years. If he didn't get revenge, he wouldn't be able to rest in peace even when he was lying in his coffin.
… … Not to mention, what about the Qianwandi Li Ji that he had been thinking about and hated so much that he wished he could eat his flesh and drink his blood?
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Li Ji stared at Shangguan Mingde. He could clearly hear his almost inaudible voice among the shouts of the surrounding officials: "… … Selecting talented girls to fill your arms, this official was just imitating Your Majesty's dissolute conduct. Why did you have to … … be so heavy-handed to this official?"
Qianwandi clearly felt his blood vessels contract in an instant and then suddenly expand. Blood rushed to his brain, rushing to the point that his vision turned black.
He stood up abruptly and broke free from the tearful officials. He strode over and grabbed Mingde by the neck like he was grabbing a kitten. He dragged Mingde all the way to the door on the blood-stained, dirty, and hard floor of the courtroom.
The Supreme Court Chancellor was stunned. Just as he was about to throw himself forward, Zhang Kuo pulled him back tightly: "Daren, you can't!"
The Supreme Court Chancellor was at a loss: "Eunuch Zhang, Your Majesty is … …"
Zhang Kuo quickly interrupted him: "Daren, you didn't see anything."
The Supreme Court Chancellor was stunned.
Zhang Kuo's voice was almost shrill: "Daren!
You didn't see anything today!
Nothing happened! "
The Supreme Court Chancellor recovered from his panic and was stunned for a moment. Then he knelt down: "I … … I accept the decree!"
Qianwandi walked to the door of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison. The guard hurriedly knelt down in salute and was kicked down the steps by the Emperor.
The little eunuch trembled in fear and didn't dare go forward. He saw the Emperor drag a person wrapped in a blue robe who was about to cough to death. He walked a few steps down the steps, untied the horse's reins, and leapt onto the horse.
The little eunuch trembled as he went forward: "I, I dare to ask Your Majesty to give a decree. Where, where to place the horse, should we return to the palace?"
What answered him was Qianwandi suddenly pulling on the reins. Snowstorm Cloud leapt high into the air and almost stepped on the little eunuch's head.
The little eunuch scrambled away, clutching his head. He only heard the rumbling of the horse's hooves as it ran away like rolling thunder. Qianwandi had already disappeared into the smoke and dust rising from the noise on the official road.
Mingde was about to curl up into a ball from coughing. The horse's back was constantly jolting, and each jolt increased his pain. It was as if his organs were going to come out of his throat.
Qianwandi leaned down to his ear and asked: "Do you know why I chose so many talented women?"
Mingde gave him a twisted smile: "— Of course Your Majesty is thinking about the bloodline of the ancestors and the country."
"No," Qianwandi said, "I just want to remind you. I don't want the Empress and the Eastern Palace to have too comfortable days."
Mingde wanted to say something, but he couldn't say it.
Qianwandi didn't want to hear him say anything that would make him lose his mind. He held the reins with one hand and covered Mingde's mouth with the other.
Snowstorm Cloud galloped on the wide official road. The passersby screamed and dodged. Mingde coughed soundlessly in Qianwandi's wide robes, his entire body curled into a small ball.
The gates of the Imperial Palace quickly appeared in front of them. The guards quickly opened the gates from a distance. A group of people quickly bent down on the ground and shouted in unison: "— Welcome Your Majesty!"
"Welcome Your Majesty back to the palace!"
"This subject welcomes Your Majesty …"
Snowstorm Cloud leaped over their heads and landed heavily on the stone floor. Then it galloped without stopping in the direction of the Clear Frame Palace Hall.
Qianwandi pulled on the reins just three zhang away from the jade steps. Snowstorm Cloud whinnied, raised half of its body, and then landed on the ground with a crash.
Qianwandi grabbed Mingde and jumped off the horse.
This jolt almost took Mingde's life. Qianwandi only felt his palm warm. When he raised his hand to look, he had already coughed up a large mouthful of bright red blood.
"Shangguan Mingde." Qianwandi pulled the hair on the back of Mingde's head and forced him to look up at the blood in his palm. "— Look, I can easily take your life. It's easier than strangling a kitten. Do you want to try?"
Mingde only glanced at it. A muffled laugh seemed to come from his chest.
Qianwandi pulled his hair hard, forcing his thin white neck to be exposed. "What are you laughing at?"
"… Your Majesty, why do you have to pinch me?" Mingde said softly. "Look, I'm so weak. I'm a tuberculosis patient. If I take a little less medicine, I may die … Even if I entertain you a little in bed, I may die at any time …"
Li Ji only felt a fire burning in his heart.
At that moment, he believed that he really wanted to kill the person in front of him so that he would never be able to say anything that would make him furious.
He would never be able to resist his will. He would never be able to stretch out his claws and show off in front of him. He could only lie softly in his arms, obedient, delicate, and docile.
Qianwandi moved closer to his face. This gesture was as intimate as a real lover. If the women in the harem saw this, they would go crazy with jealousy.
"Mingde," Qianwandi said word by word, "I like your idea very much."
He suddenly carried Shangguan Mingde and walked through the long corridor. The magnificent and exquisite decoration of the inner hall seemed to be blurred by the unusually strong incense.
With a bang, Qianwandi threw him heavily on the bed. Then he grabbed his chin and forced him to open his teeth and kiss him.
Mingde moaned because Qianwandi had bitten hard on the corner of his lips and then greedily sucked the sweet and warm blood.
"Even the blood of a person like you can be warm," Qianwandi said through gritted teeth. "I thought you had cultivated to the point where you didn't have emotions and desires!"
Mingde raised his head and tried to reach out to cover his bleeding forehead.
Even if he was dizzy, he still didn't have any expression of pain. His voice and face were very serious. "Your Majesty's birthday is coming soon."
The unrelated topic made Qianwandi pause.
"I have prepared a gift for Your Majesty."
If it weren't for his expression and voice that were very serious, Qianwandi would almost think that he was joking. "Gift?
You? "
Mingde said, "That day, I was recovering in Clear Frame Hall and had nothing to do, so I chatted to pass the time.
When I left the palace, I forgot to take it with me. It should still be in the secret compartment under Your Majesty's desk. "
His expression and tone were very serious. Qianwandi looked at him suspiciously, but still slowly got up and walked towards the desk.
… … Maybe … … maybe he really did prepare a gift … …
After all, two years of feelings, it wasn't … … at such a young age, he wouldn't have a heart of stone … …
When the high and mighty Emperor pulled open the secret compartment under the desk, his fingers trembled slightly.
In the secret compartment, there was a one-foot long table. It was covered in incense and gave off a faint and solemn fragrance.
It was a handwritten lotus sutra.
Mingde's words were all taught by Qianwandi.
Every man would have some kind of fantasy in his heart, including personally teaching the person he loved. Every detail was exactly the same as in his dream, including the clothes, the incense, the eyes, the smile, every small detail, including the words.
Mingde could write Hairpin-style Small Regular Script only because Qianwandi liked to read it, so he taught him step by step.
He copied the sutra and flipped through it page by page. He was as beautiful and graceful as a woman in a painting.
Qianwandi's voice trembled slightly. "You … … you copied it for me?"
Mingde coughed heavily a few times and nodded. "Yes."
"… … You copied it yourself?"
"Yes."
Qianwandi flipped through page by page. In fact, he didn't really understand it, but he still flipped through it from beginning to end, not missing a single page.
Mingde asked, "Your Majesty, do you like it?"
Qianwandi had already sunk into a huge and light feeling.
He was like a young boy who was being watched by his crush for the first time. He didn't know what to say at all. His mind was blank, only an indescribable joy and nervousness tightly gripped his heart.
He didn't know what kind of expression or words he should use to express this joy. At this time, even if he was told to kneel, he would kneel down without hesitation to worship.
He nodded helplessly and said, "I like it."
Mingde took the sutra from his hands and smiled. "It's just a pity."
He spread the sutra open and then reached out to pick up the half cup of cold tea by the bed. In front of Qianwandi, he slowly poured the tea onto the pages of the sutra.
The beautiful Hairpin-style Small Regular Script immediately became blurry. The water immediately seeped into the paper. The traces were like a face wet with tears.
"… 'Only superstitious and pedantic people believe in the supernatural. This subject is an official of the court, how can I believe in these things' … …"
Mingde lightly repeated these words. Each word was like a sharp knife, flying towards him with great hatred and viciousness.
Suddenly, Qianwandi raised his hand and sent the teacup in his hand flying far away. Then he grabbed the sutra.
Mingde raised his head and stared at him. Then he was heavily slapped on the face and fell back onto the bed.
The pain on his face was so great that he couldn't feel any pain. There was only a burning sensation that spread along his nerves.
"Shangguan Mingde." Qianwandi pulled on his hair, almost pulling it out.
Mingde's eyes reflected this man's face. Because of anger and pain, it was almost twisted.
"Don't you want to die?
I … … I won't let you die! "
Mingde wanted to turn his head, but another slap followed. His ears went blank and he couldn't hear anything.
But miraculously, he was able to immediately understand what Qianwandi was saying from the shape of his mouth.
He said word by word, "I want you to live. I want you to keep your eyes open and see!"