When spring came to an end, Mingde was finally well nourished. Qianwandi and Hu Zhicheng both agreed that he could walk.
In reality, he could walk a long time ago. Not only could he walk freely, but he also had the strength to smash the last jadeite carving in Qing Zhen Hall into pieces.
When Qianwandi stared at the pile of broken pieces that no longer resembled their original appearance, he finally realized that the little cat's claws had been sharpened enough. If he stayed any longer, he would be in danger of having a bloody mark on his face.
He issued an edict. Shangguan Mingde, the advisor of the Ministry of Revenue who had violated the court rules that day, was not only recalled to an important position but also promoted to an advisor of the Ministry of War. He was allowed to attend court meetings and was rewarded with 50 kilograms of gold.
After an entire spring of suppression, this unknown but unusually favored illegitimate son of the Shangguan family miraculously entered the center of the top level of power again.
With a bang, Zhao Mengshan, the Chief of Patrol Guards of the Nine Cities and the beloved concubine of Assistant Minister Ding Huang, threw down his sword outside Zhengtai Hall. He pointed at the fourth-rank bodyguard's nose and scolded, "How dare you!
I am here on Sir Ding's orders to submit a memorial. You, a little bodyguard, dare to stop me? "
Ding Huang was powerful for a time, and Zhao Mengshan was a trusted aide of the Ding family. Usually, no one dared to stop him when he entered or left the front court.
The bodyguard was the son of a newly arrived official. He was young and impetuous and did not know his limits. He raised his sword and said loudly, "The late Emperor has decreed!
Anyone who is not summoned by the Emperor must kneel outside Zhengtai Hall and be summoned by the bodyguard. You may enter later! "
This rule had been set a long time ago. Now, almost all of the powerful court officials had ignored this rule under the deliberate fawning of the internal court officers.
Usually, when they came to ask to enter the hall, not only would they not kneel, they would be served tea and fruits by the internal court officers. How could there be an insensible bodyguard who would ask them to kneel and wait?
Zhao Mengshan pushed the bodyguard aside and shouted, "Where is the internal court officer?
Someone's causing trouble. Why aren't you coming over to take them down? "
The imperial bodyguard gave tit for tat, "Lord Zhao refused to obey the imperial edict and made a big fuss. Don't blame me for taking action!" As he spoke, he was about to draw his sword.
Amidst the chaos, a soft and gentle voice suddenly rang out, "Oh my, who is this?
Who dares to disturb our Lord Zhao? "
The two people who were entangled with each other turned around and saw Shangguan Ming standing at the bottom of the stairs with a faint smile on his face.
Although the sun was shining brightly, he stood in the shadow of the palace wall. The rich color of youth was shrouded in the darkness. At first glance, he looked like a ghost that had silently appeared in the depths of the palace. It was as frightening as that.
The Imperial Bodyguard had never seen him before, so he quickly shouted, "Who are you?"
Shangguan Mingde cast a glance at him and suddenly exploded in anger. He said sternly, "You're just a fourth-ranked imperial bodyguard. How dare you stop our Emperor's most favored Lord Zhao?
Don't you know that with Lord Zhao's imperial favor, he could have ignored the previous emperor's edict long ago? "
It was as if they had seen a lion's roar suddenly erupt from a pale white rabbit's weak voice. The imperial bodyguard and Zhao Mengshan both froze at the same time.
Shangguan Mingde said, "Why haven't you released him yet!"
The imperial bodyguard quickly released his hand. Zhao Mengshan immediately straightened the front of his sleeves and huffed angrily, "Shangguan Daren …"
"Lord Zhao, there is no need to panic," Mingde said methodically, "In a moment, when we go in and see the Emperor, this official will definitely help Lord get justice.
Lord is a dignified third-ranked official, but because of a small edict from the previous emperor, you have been wronged. This is truly intolerable. The heavens are miserable and the earth is resentful. "
Zhao Mengshan jumped in fright, "Nonsense, this official did not …"
"What are you all standing there for?"
Mingde immediately turned to scold the internal court officer who was standing dumbly on the side, "How did Zhang Gonggong in the palace teach you?
Lord Zhao has been wronged like this, and you only know how to stand there stupidly?
Since this is the case, what's the use of you living off the imperial family and receiving the imperial salary? "
The internal court officer panicked, "Shangguan Daren, we, we didn't …"
"Why haven't you called Zhang Kuo yet?
As the Emperor's most trusted eunuch, he actually allowed his subordinates to act like this. He has truly let down the Emperor's grace!
He has truly disappointed the Emperor!
He has truly disappointed the people of the world! "
The internal court officer looked at the dumbfounded imperial bodyguard, then looked at Zhao Mengshan who couldn't defend himself. He immediately jumped up like a rabbit whose tail had been stepped on and ran away like a wisp of smoke.
Only then did Zhao Mengshan react. If Zhang Kuo came, he would definitely be able to announce the imperial edict on behalf of the Emperor. He had indeed offended the imperial bodyguard first, and this Young Master Shangguan, who had a venomous mouth and was unforgiving even if he didn't have reason, let alone when he was in the right, he would be even more unforgiving. If he added fuel to the fire and fanned the flames, he would definitely make a mountain out of a molehill and set off a huge storm.
Zhao Mengshan stiffly tried to defend himself, "Shangguan Daren, this official is only following Lord Ding's orders to submit the memorial. If I can't meet the Emperor …"
Shangguan Mingde's ability was to pick out a sentence that he could use to make a big fuss out of a bunch of meaningless words. Then, he would seize that sentence and write a great and righteous article.
Almost at the same time, he interrupted Zhao Mengshan, "Lord Zhao."
"… Ah?"
"Submitting a memorial and meeting the Emperor is a great honor and duty for an official. Why can't Lord Ding come in person?"
"…"
Shangguan Mingde took a step forward and stared at Zhao Mengshan almost eye to eye and nose to nose, "What do you think, Lord Zhao?"
Zhao Mengshan could almost feel the sharp and cold aura emanating from Shangguan Mingde's body, "Lord, Lord Shangguan, you misunderstood. Lord Ding is just …"
"Lord Zhao, do you think this official is wrong?
Isn't it the highest honor and duty of a subject to submit memorials and have an audience with His Majesty? "
"No, no, Lord Shangguan, you're right …"
"Since this is a great honor and duty for an official, why does Lord Ding disdain to meet the Emperor and instead ask Lord Zhao to come in person?"
"No …"
Poor Zhao Mengshan really wanted to say that in fact, it was normal for Ding Huang to ask people to submit memorials and walk in place of the Emperor.
Moreover, even if he entered Zhengtai Hall, he might not be able to meet the Emperor. He just needed to hand the brush and ink to the eunuch outside the Imperial Study.
However, he couldn't say it because he didn't know whether it was intentional or not. When Mingde took a step forward, he took a step back. When Mingde took another step forward, he took another step back. When he had no more space to retreat, Zhao Mengshan's entire body was pressed tightly against the wall. Mingde stepped forward unceremoniously and fiercely stepped on his foot.
"Ah!" Zhao Mengshan's face twisted.
Shangguan Mingde asked one question after another, "Why can't Lord Ding come in person to submit a memorial and meet the Emperor?
As an assistant minister, your every action is a role model for all the officials in the world. Lord Ding's actions, aren't you announcing to the world that officials don't need to personally submit a memorial to the Emperor?
In fact, officials are encouraged to take concubines and then find the concubine's elder brother to report to the Emperor?
Could it be that Lord Ding actually wants the Emperor to condescend and personally visit the Ding Manor to ask him for a memorial? "
Zhao Mengshan only felt waves of dizziness in front of his eyes. Shangguan Mingde's sharp and incessant chatter made his temples feel like they were about to explode.
He intuitively knew that he was being dragged into a whirlpool of words. However, Mingde's logic was too strong. He really couldn't refute this seemingly righteous and forceful argument.
At this moment, a sharp voice came from the patrol of the nine cities, "Zhang gonggong has arrived — —"
Zhao Mengshan knelt down stiffly, "Zhang gonggong, please redress this official's injustice!"
Zhang Kuo bowed and walked over with a radiant smile. He first respectfully bowed to Shangguan Mingde. Then, he stood up and reached out to help Zhao Mengshan up, "Aiya!
Lord Zhao?
What injustice has Lord Zhao done?
You've wronged this servant! "
… … Here was the crux of the matter. Zhao Mengshan actually didn't know … … what kind of injustice he had suffered.
He only intuitively felt that he had been wronged. However, he couldn't tell what kind of injustice he had been wronged.
… … Offending the guards?
The guards were speaking with the previous Emperor's edict.
… … Offending an official?
Shangguan Mingde didn't do anything to him.
… … Then, what kind of injustice was there?
Did anyone do anything wrong?
Zhao Mengshan was stunned. Mingde gently covered his mouth and pretended to cough a few times.
"Zhang gonggong, … … this official feels a little uncomfortable … …"
Zhang Kuo was very tactful, "The sun is really too bright … …"
"This official wants to go back … …"
"Lord, have a safe journey … …"
Thus, Zhao Mengshan could only watch helplessly as Imperial Censor Shangguan Mingde, who was still overbearing and fierce just a moment ago, weakly coughed again and again, extremely delicate and timid. Dressed in a cotton robe that appeared to have been worn out from wearing it for a long time, under the brilliant sunlight, he slowly walked away step by step.
No matter how one looked at it, that was the figure of an honest and upright official who had been suffering from depression for a long time.
That afternoon, Zhao Mengshan had no choice but to kneel in front of Zhengtai Hall for more than an hour. According to Zhang gonggong, the Emperor hadn't woken up from his afternoon sleep. If he wanted to hand over a memorial, he would have to wait for a while.
Thus, everyone who came and went saw the insufferably arrogant Ding Fuzheng's disciple, Lord Zhao, kneeling under the sun with a memorial in his hands. Under Zhang Kuo's apologetic gaze, he didn't dare to move as he waited for the Emperor's summons.
Everyone knew that Shangguan Mingde, who was deeply favored by the Emperor, stood firmly on Prime Minister Xia's side and went against the Ding family in every way.
When Ding Huang heard this news, he was so angry that he smashed the delicate porcelain in his hands into pieces. He said angrily, "Shangguan Mingde, isn't he just a little kid?
Just because he's favored by the Emperor, he dares to go against me. How many heads does he think he has? "
His disciple, Wang Chongjun, sighed and said, "Last time, we were ordered by Lord Zhao to lure him to the brothel. Originally, we thought that since the Emperor didn't mention him for a whole spring, this person had been suppressed. Who knew that he would suddenly rise again, and rise so quickly … … He must have remembered our grudge."
Ding Huang was silent for a while, then said softly, "Since we can't suppress him, why don't we just point it out directly … …"
Wang Chongjun was shocked. He saw a fierce look flash across Ding Huang's white bearded face.
That night, after Mingde finished his official business, he passed through the long corridor of Zhengtai Hall, preparing to return to Shangguan Mansion through the narrow path.
Although Qianwandi had always wanted to get him out of Shangguan Mansion, he had always been firmly refused.
It was unrealistic for Qianwandi to visit Shangguan Mansion every night. However, if it was a mansion bestowed by the Emperor, who cared whether the person who should live there was actually the person who should live there?
Although Shangguan Mansion was not a good place, it was much more comfortable than a dragon bed every night.
The young man's thin body was wrapped in a wide green robe. His belt was pulled tight, as if it could be grabbed with one hand, and it was easily broken.
A thin and pale hand with elegant joints held a palace lantern. The bloody color of the lantern was reflected on the light colored clothes. Slowly moving in the endless spring night, it was so strange and elegant that it made people's hearts tremble.
The faint fragrance of phoenix marrow incense floated in the thick spring night. In the long river of night air, the bloody color was slowly moving away. It was so light that it seemed like a dream, and it did not make any sound.
The killer took a deep breath and jumped down silently from the branch. A dagger was dipped in poison. It broke through the wind and pointed directly at the thin figure behind the palace lantern.
The light blue blade flashed, and in an instant, it seemed to have gone through countless brilliant lights.
The light was like a shooting star in the night, passing through the fingertips in a hurry.
The killer only felt a chill slowly rise up his back, almost making him shudder.
The young man put one hand over his shoulder and grabbed his wrist that was holding the dagger.
The tip of the dagger stopped an inch away from the killer's body, and could not go any further.
The killer wanted to break free, but the hand holding him was like an iron clamp, making him break out in a cold sweat.
Official Ding had said that this young man did not have any martial arts. Not only did he not have any, his body was very weak. He was a tuberculosis patient, coughing as if he was about to faint.
This young man was also very thin. His loose robe seemed like it would be blown away by a gust of wind.
However, it was such a slender and beautiful hand that gently rested on his wrist. With just a casual touch, it accurately locked onto his vital point. The icy cold aura from her fingertips was like a poisonous snake that slithered along his skin, slowly eroding into his bone marrow.
The killer was about to pull out his dagger when the young man turned around and smiled at him.
How should one describe that smile?
It was like countless flowers silently blooming in a spring night. Countless flourishing colors flowed on the ground in an instant. Only endless blood was worthy of such a grand dress.
The killer felt a chill in his heart.
Everything in front of him gradually darkened. The palace lantern in the young man's hand flashed red and slowly moved away from him.
He fell to the ground.
Blood slowly meandered on the ground, like countless little snakes spitting out their crimson tongues.
He vaguely saw the young man's face, still smiling. Then he turned around and almost silently flew away.
The night wind blew, taking away the last bit of warmth from the body.
Abruptly, the cyan-colored robe fluttered in the air, then disappeared under the walls of the thousands of ancient palaces in the imperial city.