Cui Jintang hailed from the Cui family of Qinghe, a century - old noble family and the darling of the people's hearts.
On the other hand, Pei Zhaolin held the token of the Black Armored Army and had reached a high position at a young age.
If these two were to be united...
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly.
Behind him, the chief eunuch, carrying a tea cup, quietly stepped forward and called out carefully, "Your Majesty."
The killing intent on the emperor's face gradually faded. He turned around, took the cup of tea, and asked calmly, "Has everything been arranged properly with Luo Xiang?"
"Everything has gone exactly as Your Majesty expected."
This could barely be counted as good news.
The emperor curled his lips into a smile, took a sip of the warm tea, and then placed the cup back on the wooden tray.
The chief eunuch hesitated for a moment and said, "There's another matter. Your servant doesn't know if it's appropriate to mention it."
"Speak."
"The hostage Xue Wuyou from the State of Shu has been getting very close to the Princess Royal these days."
The emperor waved his hand indifferently. "Such a trivial matter doesn't need to be reported to me!"
"However, Your Majesty," the chief eunuch stepped closer and whispered, "Recently, there have been rumors that the emperor of the State of Shu is seriously ill and... doesn't have much time left."
The emperor of the State of Shu had few heirs. Apart from Xue Wuyou, who was a hostage, there were two other princes. One was born disabled; even if he was a good candidate, he was doomed not to ascend the throne. The other one was born with great strength and was a general who could gallop on the battlefield.
Everyone had thought that the sixth disabled prince or at least the eldest prince would come to the State of Yan as a hostage. No one had expected it to be Xue Wuyou.
The emperor pondered for a moment.
If Xu Tao were to marry another military general, the best outcome would be to maintain the balance between the civil and military officials in the court and gain another subordinate at his command.
But if Xu Tao were to marry Xue Wuyou at this time, forming a marriage alliance between the two countries.
The State of Yan could use the promise of supporting Xue Wuyou as a temptation. Such a great temptation would surely make Xue Wuyou's heart flutter!
"Go quickly and summon Xu Tao into the palace!"
The emperor waved his hand grandly. His eyes were blazing, and he looked confident, as if he could already see the State of Yan prosperous and invincible!
"Yes, Your Majesty."
—
The bluestone road glowed coldly in the twilight. Cui Jintang lifted her plain skirt and ran all the way on the palace path.
She didn't even notice that her embroidered shoes had stepped into a puddle and were soiled with sewage.
When crossing the threshold, she accidentally lost her balance and quickly reached out to support herself on the door frame.
"Be careful, miss!" A young eunuch carrying a palace lantern caught up and helped her.
Cui Jintang thanked him and then stepped into the imperial study.
Facing the obstruction of the chief eunuch, Cui Jintang took a jade pendant from her waist.
This was a jade pendant that the current emperor had given to the Cui family when he first ascended the throne.
"Please, eunuch, convey a message for this commoner girl."
The chief eunuch smiled slightly and accepted the jade pendant, obviously not intending to return it to Cui Jintang.
"His Majesty knew that the girl was coming and has been waiting for the girl in the hall for a long time."
Cui Jintang frowned slightly and followed him in.
The incense in the hall was burning very strongly.
The emperor was holding a cloth and wiping a sword.
The Kunwu Sword, the sword that the emperor had carried with him during his military campaigns.
"Tangtang is here."
The emperor's voice was as calm as ever. He even had the time to smile at Cui Jintang. "I heard that the elder of the Cui family has also returned to the capital. Why didn't he come with you today?"
A drop of cold sweat slid down her spine into the back of her neck.
Cui Jintang suddenly knelt in front of the emperor and kowtowed heavily.
"The Cui family is guilty and has come to ask for punishment from Your Majesty!"
Saying this, she took out a booklet from her sleeve and held it above her head with both hands.
"This is the list of the Cui family members who entered the capital without permission recently. This commoner girl failed to manage them strictly. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
The hall fell into complete silence.
Cui Jintang could hear her own every breath.
After an unknown amount of time, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the hem of the bright yellow dragon robe sweep across the jade steps.
The emperor's footsteps were especially clear in the silent hall.
He bent down and personally helped Cui Jintang up, but still handed the booklet to his subordinate.
"You and I are family. I've watched you grow up. How could I blame you?"
The emperor's voice was gentle but with a hint of majesty. "How could I not trust the Cui family?"
Cui Jintang looked up and met the emperor's unfathomable gaze. Her heart tightened.
Even though she had taken the initiative to hand over the list to show her goodwill, the emperor still had doubts about the Cui family.
When the emperor ascended the throne, no noble family had vouched for him or assisted him. This was the biggest taboo in the emperor's heart.
Just then, there were hasty footsteps outside the hall. The chief eunuch rushed in and knelt down to report, "Your Majesty, Lord Pei from the Censorate is waiting outside the hall for Your Majesty's summons."
"Summon him!"
Cui Jintang's heart tightened.
She mustn't let Pei Zhaolin find her here!
"Your Majesty has important matters to attend to. May this commoner girl leave first?"
The emperor waved his hand, grabbed Cui Jintang's hand, and laughed. "Didn't I just say that I've watched you grow up? What is there that I can't trust you with?"
"I heard some days ago that there was a misunderstanding between you and Lord Pei, and you moved out of the Pei Mansion. Today is a good opportunity for you two to clear things up."
Cui Jintang tried to twist her wrist to break free from the emperor's grip.
But the emperor's hands were as hard as iron, making it impossible to break free.
Cui Jintang became more and more anxious and even blurted out, "This commoner girl has no relationship with Lord Pei. We keep to our own business. Your Majesty, please show some mercy—"
Before she could finish her sentence, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.
"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty."
Only then did the emperor let go of his hand and looked at the newcomer. "Lord Pei, do you have any important matters today?"
Pei Zhaolin bowed with his hands clasped, but his eyes inadvertently swept over Cui Jintang beside him.
Seeing her disheveled clothes and slightly loose hair, he couldn't help but frown.
This subtle expression didn't escape the emperor's eyes.
"Your Majesty, I've investigated the case of the poisoned death of the students in the Imperial College some days ago and am here to report."
The emperor snorted. "For such an important matter, has Lord Pei handled it properly?"
Pei Zhaolin said expressionlessly, "The safety of the students is related to the future of the country. Your servant would never dare to be negligent."
Cui Jintang lowered her head to avoid Pei Zhaolin's gaze.
Pei Zhaolin should not have heard what she said just now, right?
How could she explain why she was in the palace today...
"...Some days ago, Zheng Ting and other students went on an outing and accidentally came into contact with a medicinal herb called 'Fucao', which was incompatible with the glazed tofu in the meal at the Imperial College that night. That's why he died suddenly."
Pei Zhaolin paused for a moment, frowned slightly, and then quickly relaxed his brows. "It was not a murder by others."
"Very good."
The emperor showed his approval and even patted Pei Zhaolin on the shoulder. "Lord Pei always handles things properly. You've really won my heart!"
"It's getting late. Lord Pei, why don't you personally escort Tangtang out of the palace?"
Pei Zhaolin's calm eyes swept over Cui Jintang beside him.
There was not a trace of emotion in his eyes. He just politely raised his hands in salute. "Miss Cui."
His reaction not only stunned Cui Jintang but also caught the emperor off guard.
—Shouldn't he be full of doubts and constantly suspicious of Cui Jintang?
Pei Zhaolin paused for a moment and said calmly, "Your Majesty, please forgive your servant for not being able to comply with your order."
"Just as Miss Cui said just now. Your servant is not familiar with Miss Cui."