by Ning er
With these words, everyone was shocked, even Yu Gong Gong, who already knew the details written inside the imperial edict. He was was greatly surprised. He carefully took a glimpse at Emperor Qian who still remained calm. Yu Gong Gong reminded Nie Huai Yuan in a low voice “Imperial Physician Nie, what are you talking about? His Majesty thinks highly of you, how can you just let down the imperial kindness?”
“Your Majesty, humble official is just merely a commoner! This time being able to do things for the common people of Luo City, truly permitted humble official to benefit from it greatly. Moreover it has permitted me to make my mind to bring about more good deeds for all the common people, please help me accomplish this aim, Your Majesty!” While speaking, facing Emperor Yu Qian Nie Huai Yuan knocked his head on the ground, perhaps he had already made up his mind, no one else will be able to make him change his mind!
Yun Qian Meng also did not expect Nie Huai Yuan to make such kind of decision, it was actually the palace feast for the New Year’s Eve today, he had actually gone as far as to ask to resign from his post in front of all civil and military officials and the people of Northern Qi. This decision not only required the extreme courage, but also he will be having the big risk of getting himself beheaded.
If during this moment any person would speak out trying to slander him, once Emperor Yu Qian got angered, perhaps it will be difficult for him to preserve his life. With this thought, even Yun Qian Meng was also beaded with cold sweat because of Nie Huai Yuan. Who would have really expect that this foolish person who usually immersed himself among the books of medicinal herbs all day long, would actually become this outrageous!
During this moment, a hand grasped Yun Qian Meng’s, cold sweat seeped out from the palm of the hand making Yun Qian Meng to unobtrusively wrinkle up her brows, afterwhich she covered it up with her other hand, wrapping around that hand being ice-cold like snow, in a low voice she consoled her and said “Everything will be alright!”
But when Yun Qian Meng looked at Qu Fei Qing, her face was pale, the originally light pink cheeks went deathly pale like all the fresh blood had been drawn out. Despite her strenuous efforts to remain calm, but those tightly pursed up lips was able to reveal her current mood.
Watching Qu Fei Qing’s gaze tightly glued on Nie Huai Yuan, Yun Qian Meng immediately realized that, perhaps the biggest reason why Nie Huai Yuan requested to resign from his post, was precisely because he wanted Qu Fei Qing to give up on him.
After all, there was still no preceding incidents where the daughter of an official marrying a commoner. Although Nie Huai Yuan is merely an eighth-rank imperial physician now, but he was also serving the court as an official. These drastic measures truly cut off all wishes.
But, with him behaving this way, it had severed off all his way out, in the future if he still planned to serve the royal court as an official, it will be very likely to become an impossible mission.
“Imperial Physician Nie, you have truly gave us a whole new perspective, judging your position like some dung, that is truly admiring! But, it was truly hard to obtain His Majesty’s favor for anybody, rejecting the imperial kindness like this, Physician Nie, do you really not know how to appreciate the kindness being given to you?” This time, Director of Board of Rites, Governor Shen, the one who had drafted the imperial decree, started to speak.
Since the imperial decree was issued under his supervision, he naturally knew the details inside of it.
According to the things written in the memorial handed over by Chu Xiang to the emperor, this time Nie Huai Yuan had actually developed a prescription to put a stop to the outspread of the epidemic disease. As a result His Majesty had put him in an important position. But unexpectedly this person cared less about the worldly things, his thoughts were basically not focused on the imperial court, it had really wasted His Majesty’s patronizing efforts to promote him as the sixth-rank imperial physician.
“Governor Shen, you really have no idea, Imperial Physician Nie almost faced his death when he was requested to rush to Luo City! In Luo City he attended to the needs of the common people and developed the prescription day and night. His body almost collapsed due to exhaustion, such kind of sacrifice, how can you say that he had failed to live up to His Majesty’s favor?” Chu Fei Yang spoke indifferently, avoiding the important and dwelling on the trivial matters trying not to mention about Nie Huai Yuan’s resignation, instead speaking out the matters concerning how Nie Huai Yuan had developed the cure furthermore emphasized his inclination to help His Majesty and the common people.
Indeed, upon hearing Chu Fei Yang’s words, Emperor Yu Qian’s initially gloomy face had then improved better. But those eyes filled with haze still shot the angry gaze towards Nie Huai Yuan.
After all, the emperor’s prestige had reached it rock bottom because of one Nie Huai Yuan today. As compared to all the meritorious service established by Nie Huai Yuan, it seemed to be like the ocean against a tiny grain of rice, in a split second it would swallow up the grain of rice.
“Are you truly unwilling to serve the imperial court?” Everyone had held their breaths as a result of Emperor Yu Qian’s interrogation, at the same time some of them seemed to rejoice in his misfortune, feeling this Nie Huai Yuan was indeed an idiot, leaving aside his opportunity to achieve meteoric success in his official career, he had spontaneously asked for the resignation, enraging Emperor Yu Qian like this, this time it will be difficult for him to escape his death.
“Your Majesty, please help humble official accomplish his aim!” Despite being a low ranking official, his courageous spirit was truly admiring, facing Emperor Yu Qian’s interrogation, he still insisted on his own decision.
“Aren’t you afraid that I might kill you?” Just as expected, Emperor Yu Qian appeared to have the intention to kill him.
“Your Majesty, ever since you had ascended to the throne, you became a rare wise ruler. Your Majesty, if you are to kill me because of this matter, it will not cause any harm to the imperial court, but, Your Majesty, your usually distinctive reputation for being hardworking in handling politics and loving your own people, will be like a spilled puddle of black ink!” Nie Huai Yuan was emphatically not stupid.eEvidently he knew that if he will not make his remarks right now, it will be very likely for Emperor Yu Qian to issue an order to grant him the silk cloth to hang him!
“Hahaha……” Yet unexpectedly, before he could finish speaking, everyone heard Emperor Yu Qian started to laugh heartily at the top of his voice.
‘Bang!’ In the middle of the big laughter, Qu Fei Qing accidentally overturned the teacup on the table. The warm wine inside were all spilled onto her skirt. Fortunately this sound was extremely subtle that it did not attract too many people’s attention.
Seeing her losing her cool, for the fear that other people might be able to see her peculiar behavior, Yun Qian Meng immediately gripped Qu Fei Qing’s other hand, allowing her to calm down.
Yet unexpectedly, Han Che still saw Qu Fei Qing’s behavior of losing sel-control. Those cold and slightly trembling eyes slowly shifted towards Nie Huai Yuan. Han Che’s brows wrinkled a bit, the coldness in his eyes seemed like the cold surface of the lake in the winter season, shooting out thin white rays, causing other people to feel frightened looking at his expression.
“Chu Xiang, he is indeed the person that you had recommend to me at that time, how will you handle this matter?” Emperor Yu Qian gradually regained his smiling expression, speaking in grave and stern facial expression.
After hearing these words Chu Fei Yang stood up, in a simple smile he replied “Your Majesty, during that time humble official had recommended Nie Huai Yuan judging by his exquisite medical expertise and his moral character to wholeheartedly serve the common people, hence I’ve made this action. But all the facts had proven that, Nie Huai Yuan indeed devoted wholeheartedly on managing the illness, doing everything all by himself, this had also enabled him to produce the cure in the shortest period of time, and saved the l
ives of the common people in Luo City! Now that he asks for a resignation, even though he wouldn’t be able to serve Your Majesty in the imperial court, but among the common people, he will similarly benefit the common people, Your Majesty, why not let him go for the sake of Western Chu’s common people?”
With these statements, he had transformed all the unfavorable matters into their brighter side. This made Emperor Yu Qian broke into laughter again as he shook his head, and during this time the Empress Dowager slightly leaned closer to Emperor Yu Qian, whispering some words in his ears. The vicious look on Emperor Yu Qian’s face had eventually dissipated, afterwhich he took a glimpse at Yu Gong Gong, hinting him to put away the imperial editc. Then he spoke personally “Since Chu Xiang had persuaded me on your behalf, I also knew that leaving you inside the Imperial Physician Institute will also keep you away from performing your duty. Ministry of Rites, draft another decree, Nie Huai Yuan to be dismissed from his position as the imperial physician, throughout his life he will not be allowed to become an official in the royal court! Since today you have offended me, but considering your meritorious service for Western Chu, your mortal crime can be exempted. But you cannot escape from the punishment, somebody, drag him out and beat him thirty times with the use of huge planks!”
Hearing Emperor Yu Qian intended to severely punish Nie Huai Yuan, Qu Fei Qing immediately struggled to get up. Yet she was being heavily pressed down by Yun Qian Meng. Yun Qian Meng’s warning voice echoed beside her ears “Don’t move, or else not to mention being unable to save his life, even you yourself will be highly suspected by other people!”
Until this time, Yun Qian Meng had actually felt somewhat relieved, even if Emperor Yu Qian really wanted to take Nie Huai Yuan’s life, perhaps Gu Lao Tai Jun and Qu Fei Qing would also step in, after all, for them, Nie Huai Yuan could still be considered as the one who had saved Qu Ling Ao’s life, didn’t the Empress Dowager’s action also proved this point?
“Your Majesty, tonight is the New Year’s eve, it would be better for these beatings to be postponed until next year, so as to avoid bringing bad luck!” This time, the Empress Dowager plainly remarked.
“What you said is right, Mother!” Hearing the Empress Dowager mentioned about it, Emperor Yu Qian waved his hand, allowing the people to bring out Nie Huai Yuan. Seeing this situation, Yu Gong Gong immediately gestured the musical instruments to continue on, so as not to continue to turn the atmosphere inside the imperial garden cold and cheerless.
And this time, those palace eunuchs had walked past the female dancers through the gaps between them, lighting up the bonfire at the center of the imperial garden, putting a stand on top of it. Soon after everyone saw the members of the imperial kitchen carrying up a recently slaughtered suckling pig inside, with their skilled actions they propped up the suckling pig on the stand and slowly turned it around, not for long the fragrance of it floated up inside the imperial garden, shaking up the people’s appetite. All the people seemed to have forgotten about the matter concerning Nie Huai Yuan earlier. They started to resume their toasts and friendly talks, included among these there were quite a huge number of people staying beside Chu Fei Yang and Chen Wang, one after another the major officials went ahead and proposed their toasts, not allowing idle time for them to take rests.
In the women’s corner they were still continuously set forth chatting with each other. Looking at them, the only ones who were still keeping their sitting posture, apart Rong Gui Fei, were Hai Tian and her mother.
But, as compared to the calm and composed manner of Rong Gui Fei, Hai Wang Fei was pulling Hai Tian’s hand all along, the two of them still continued to converse with each other, probably since Hai Tian was about to leave Western Chu, being her mother, Hai Wang Fei naturally will be reluctant to part with her.
“Brother Han, let’s go over there to propose our toasts to Chen Wang!” Although it was just a seventh-rank editor position, but since he was being able to enter the Imperial Hanlin Institute, it had given Kong Fan a thread of hope in his heart. So long as he will be able to endure the hardships during these three years probation period, he will still have the chance to be chosen as an internal minister. The most important thing this time, will be to cling on to a member of the influential officials, for him to be able to surpass Han Che as soon as possible.
“I’m not good at drinking wine, Brother Kong you’d better go alone!” But Han Che spoke to reject Kong Fan’s suggestion. Without consulting anyone he sat on his seat and continued to drink the tea in front of him, even the delicate meals in front of his eyes did not attract his attention.
Kong Fan suspiciously glanced at him, feeling Han Che was truly enigmatic today. But he also knew that he did not have the heart to curry favor with Chen Wang, so he had only pretended to generously invite him earlier. This time seeing him refusing the offer, Kong Fan did not speak further, carrying the wine cup in his hand he walked towards the direction of the group of influential officials ahead of them.
“Meng’er, I want to go to the side palace hall to take some rest!” Missing the person in her heart inside the imperial palace, Qu Fei Qing had momentarily lost her interest in everything, plus having her skirt sprinkled with some wine, she stood up and left her seat.
“I’ll join you!” Thinking about the things that she had encountered previously inside the palace, Yun Qian Meng felt uneasy for allowing Qu Fei Qing to stay alone inside the side palace. Then she stood up immediately afterwards. The two of them held on to each other as they crossed over the arched door, walking towards the direction of the side palace hall.
But with Qu Fei Qing leaving her seat, it made Han Che’s heart immediately filled with a bit of disappointment. But his both eyes still remained as calm as usual, making it impossible for anyone to notice the difference.
“Brother Han, do you to go with me to propose a toast to the head of the Ministry of Justice? Governor Qu was once the assistant minister of the Ministry of War before, I wanted to seek some advice from him! And he was a subordinate of Chu Xiang before, Chu Xiang being the top scorer for both literary and military examinations had came from Imperial Han Lin Academy, naturally he knew about everything inside the Imperial Han Lin Academy. Brother Han, you must consult Governor Qu about them!” This time, Han Shao Mian smiled as he spoke. He was someone who initially practiced martial arts, with regards to Chu Fei Yang and Qu Zhang Qing he admired them very much. Now that being able to work with them in the same imperial court as officials, it had also made Han Shao Mian feel deeply honored.
And according to those scholars from the poor and humble families, Chu Fei Yang seemed to be just like a high mountain that wasn’t easy cross over, being able to achieve a single title as the top scorer was already considered amazing, not to mention achieving the double titles for being the top scorer in the same year for both examinations, on top of that, Yun Qian Meng being the furen of Chu Xiang had helped him handle those bullies in the restaurant before, it made Han Che admire Chu Fei Yang even more. As the matter fact, he didn’t refuse Han Shao Mian’s suggestion, as they advanced towards the direction of Qu Zhang Qing who was sitting down in his seat enjoying the meal in silence.
Chapter 136: Part 1 Marriage as a Peace Treaty | Chu Wang Fei
“Meng’er, I’m okay now. I just want to be left alone.” Accompanied by Yun Qian Meng, the two of them entered the side palace hall. This time all the people were all gathered inside the imperial garden. Aside from the two of them being inside the side palace hall, there were no others. Qu Fei Qing suddenly sighed deeply, no longer burying the frustrations inside her heart. She watched Yun Qian Meng and spoke with a bit of disappointment and sadness.
Seeing her willing to express her true emotions in front of her, Yun Qian Meng slightly loosened up her tensed heart. She was about to go ahead and say something to comfort her, but suddenly her face went stiff. Her cold gaze immediately shot across the wooden door that was half painted in red, lifting up her right index finger she put it besi
de her lips, making a gesture to hush Qu Fei Qing, yet she did not alarm the person who was standing beside the doorway.
But Yun Qian Meng’s eyes turned slightly cold, a severely cold air penetrated through her body. Dragging along Qu Fei Qing she squeezed her behind a red pillar of the side palace hall, afterwhich she quickly approached behind wooden door, then cautiously looked outside.
Following the series of actions made by Yun Qian Meng, Qu Fei Qing’s facial expression suddenly turned serious. Both her eyes were cold and raw, immediately she closed her both lips, taking precautions as she looked at the doorway of the side palace hall.
‘Creak!’ The half-opened door in the side palace was being pulled open by Yun Qian Meng in an instant, the person standing outside unexpectedly fell inside. Fortunately the ground of the side palace was covered with a thick layer of carpet, as it had slowed down the impact of the slide, although her figure looked somewhat staggering, yet she did not tumble, but just dashed a few steps to the front and stood firm as she balanced herself.
“Chu Jie?” Watching that peach pink figure in front of her, Yun Qian Meng half squinted her eyes, somewhat surprised as her eyes went extremely cold. But the tone of voice was gentle but contained faint curiosity, almost seemed as if waiting for Chu Jie’s explanation.
“Sister-in-law!” Chu Jie struggled to balance her body, somewhat having lingering fear as she patted her own chest, afterwhich she turned towards Yun Qian Meng, her eyes smiling as she called out for her.
“Jie’er why did you come to this side palace hall? If Er Niang wasn't able to find you inside the imperial garden, I’m afraid she might be anxious!” Qu Fei Qing walked out from behind the red pillar, while Yun Qian Meng regained her usual indifferent expression as she concealed the unhappy thoughts in her mind as she spoke.