by N/A
"What getting knocked unconscious, you were poisoned." Zhong Mei Qing looked to Du Ke Xin and asserted.
Du Ke Xin recalled the matter of Luo Fu kidnapping Du Xiao Li. That definitely was a secret, and she also can't say that she went to Swallow Mountain. Xiang Yu should've had her matter reported to Zhong Mei Qing, that's why Zhong Mei Qing was this assertive in saying that she was poisoned, so as to avoid being discovered by the people in the room.
She turned her head to look around the room. Seeing Du Yun Han present, she slightly felt better inside, but then turning to see Du Xiao Li next to Du Yun Han, the anger in her heart once again shot up, as she shouted towards Du Xiao Li, "What are you doing here, you vixen, get lost!"
"Impudent! How can you speak to your younger sister like that!" Before Du Xiao Li could say anything, Du Yun Han already opened his mouth and berated.
"Father, she's precisely a vixen. It's not enough that she monopolizes Ding Wang, she even went to seduce Ren Wang, stealing my husband! If she's not a vixen, then what!?" Du Ke Xin hatefully looked to Du Xiao Li and yelled.
"Second sister, although you've just woken up, and your brain still not fully conscious, you still need to be responsible for spewing slander all the same!" Du Xiao Li said with a cold face.
"I'm spewing slander?! I heard it myself!" Du Ke Xin struggled to get up, and shouted towards Du Xiao Li. Two streams of tears rolled down her face.
Seeing her daughter cry, Zhong Mei Qing quickly wiped her tears for her, asking: "What did you hear? Say it, mother will help you!"
Du Ke Xin instantly threw herself into Zhong Mei Qing's embrace, violently sobbing, "Mother, Ren Wang said he wants to marry this vixen as the main consort, he doesn't want me anymore, wuu wuu, I originally was Ren Wang's future main consort, but ever since Du Xiao Li returned, everything all changed! Ren Wang has always loved me very much, but now, wants to marry a countryside bumpkin, and completely ignores me. If not for her going to seduce Ren Wang, then what!? Just like that her mother hers back then!"
"Pah------" Du Yun Han slammed against the table, and looked to Du Ke Xin, "What nonsense are you saying?"
Seeing Du Yun Han get angry, Du Ke Xin hid into Zhong Mei Qing's embrace.
Hearing Du Ke Xin talk about Su Su Xin, Du Xiao Li's complexion grew even uglier. Her entire body emitted a cold air, as she coldly snorted, "Capable women put their thoughts on the man, only incompetent women would have their thoughts on other women. You take Han Ming Hong as a treasure, but to me he's nothing more than a stud horse, I don't even want to give him a glance. What he's thinking, I don't know, and why he said he wants to marry me, I don't know either, but instead of putting your thoughts on him, you came to blame me, really is laughable and pitiful! Moreover, that isn't even your man!"
"You..........." Du Ke Xin came out from Zhong Mei Qing's embrace, and looked to Du Xiao Li.
"Second sister, if you have time to think about these meaningless things, you might as well think about your current situation, and how you're going to compete in the next few days! This smelly, don't know if the academy will even let you participate or not!" After she finished jabbing Du Ke Xin's wound, Du Xiao Li turned and left with Xia Yuan, not even giving a single glance to the people in the room.
"Mother, what is she talking about?" Du Ke Xin heard Du Xiao Li's words and turned to look at Zhong Mei Qing. Suddenly, she frowned and said, "Mother, what's this smell in the room, why is it this smelly? Quickly have the windows opened, and light the fragrant incenses!"
"Daughter, settle down, the windows and whatnot have all been opened." Zhong Mei Qing consoled, seeing that Du Ke Xin still having not realized this smell was coming from herself.
Du Ke Xin covered her nose with her hand and said, "Then why is it this smelly? This....the smell on my body?!"
Covering her own nose, she discovered that the smell became stronger. Carefully sniffing, she discovered that her hand was covered in the smell. She then sniffed the back of her hand, and nearly made herself throw up.
"Ah-----mother, what is this smell on me? Why is it this smelly?" Du Ke Xin, after confirming that this smell was coming from her, instantly screamed out.
"Xin'er, don't worry, this smell is only temporary, it'll be gone very soon!"
"Look at yourselves, since there's a smell on you, then just don't go out. Just stay at home!" Du Yun Han looked them and shouted. Afterwards, he turned and left.
Seeing Du Yun Han angry, Zhong Mei Qing wanted to run after him, but seeing Du Ke Xin's panicked look, she restrained the impulse to leave, turning to console Du Ke Xin. "Xin'er don't worry, this is just the smell of the antidote, it'll disperse in a few days!"
"How long is a few days?" Ke Xin Ke anxiously asked.
"Imperial Physician Hu said in ten days to half a month it'll disperse."
"What? Ten days to half a month? But the competition will start in nine days! How can I make it in time? The teacher will definitely have my name removed!"
"Xin'er, you've been unconscious for more than three days. Right now, there's only five days until the competition."
"Ah------Quickly have the smell on me removed, removed!"
"Quick, send someone to go find Imperial Physician Hu! Quickly go!"
Ch. 086.2 – Handing Over the Power (2)
For a moment, Du Ke Xin's room was unusually noisy. A bird flew over the courtyard, lifting its tail, and dropping a lump of bird poop perfectly onto Du Ke Xin's favorite potted flower's most beautiful flower.
After a while, Imperial Physician Hu was called over. Seeing the already awake Du Ke Xin, he inwardly sighed at the impressiveness of Du Xiao Li's poison skills. And towards Du Ke Xin's request of immediately removing the stinky smell on her body, he could only shake his head to express his powerlessness to do so, because this smell, even Bai Ning Yuan himself doesn't know how to dispel. One can only wait for it to slowly disperse.
Hearing Imperial Physician Hu's words, Du Ke Xin was endlessly shocked, kicking up a fuss in her room. However, because she'd been unconscious for a long time, her body was weak. After shouting for a while, she passed out again. Fortunately, Imperial Physician Hu still hadn't left, and quickly examined her, prescribing some medicine before leaving.
Afterwards, Chang Feng came over and said a few words, making Du Ke Xin, who'd just awoken, faint again.
He said: "Old master said, asking second miss to not leave the manor before fully recovering, best to not even leave the courtyard!
This was wanting to confine her!
If she can't leave the courtyard, then she further can't go to the academy. Then, her place in the competition will also be nulled!
Her body smelling all over was already a reality. Even if Du Ke Xin didn't accept it, she still had to accept it. But the competition matter, she absolutely won't accept!
Seeing her daughter faint from crying, then wake and continue crying, Zhong Mei Qing entered the palace and went to find the Empress Dowager. With the Empress Dowager's decree, even if Du Yun Han is angry, he's still unable to go against the Empress Dowager's intention. Thus, after resting for a day, Du Ke Xin was able to go out again. However, even if her body was sprayed with strong perfume, it still couldn't cover that stinky smell on her body.
Meanwhile, Du Yun Han was currently in the palace attending morning court. In Taihe* Hall, all the ministers and officials looked to him in surprise.
(T/N: This name is taken from an actual hall in the Forbidden City, the english name of it is 'Hall of Supreme Harmony'.)
Han Ming Ze sat atop the dragon throne looking to Du Yun Han, who had a sincere expression, with a confused look.
"Prime Minister Du, you've always been this emperor's right and left hand. With you helping this emperor take care of those trivial matters, this emperor is able to rest, yet now you say, without the slightest warning, that you want to have this power handed over, and even request to disband the Cabinet? How did you think of this?"
Du Yun Han slightly bend his waist and replied
, "Replying to your Majesty, this subject recently has been in charge of the competition matter. The competition is of great importance and must not have any mishaps. One hopes to be able to have all of one's energy spent on this competition, just fearing that there's any place one doesn't notice, affecting the commoner's life. After contemplating over and over again, one still feels it's best to have the power handed over to your Majesty. Since there's no need for the Prime Minister to read through memorandums, then the Cabinet doesn't need to exist either."
"But the Cabinet has already been around for several dynasties, how can one just disband it just like that?!"
"If Prime Minister feels one is inadequate, other officials are naturally willing to take your place."
"Prime Minister, with your abilities this strong, how would you be unable to handle? Asking Prime Minister to please reconsider!"
"........."
The voices of opposition came in waves. Han Ming Ze listened as he tightly clenched his fist.
"Precisely the so called, 'the land under the heavens is nothing more than the imperial land, and within the borders merely imperial subjects'. The entire Feng Ming is all his Majesty's land. Then, his Majesty ought to personally govern the matters on this land, personally come govern the subjects of this land. This is also the direction in which the public opinion points!" Du Yun Han said this as he knelt down, "By having this power handed over, one is naturally following the will of the people. Asking your Majesty to please take back the power!"
"Prime Minister Du, please, quickly get up!" Han Ming Ze waved his hand, "Since Prime Minister says it like so, then this emperor will take back this power. From today onwards, disband the Cabinet, and all the memorandums, this emperor will personally handle."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Du Yun Han took the lead and shouted. The other officials looked to one another, and seeing that Du Yun Han had already took the lead, they could only follow along, shouting 'your Majesty is wise'.
But all the way until morning court ended, there were still people who didn't understand why Dun Yun Han wanted to let the Emperor disband the Cabinet.
The Cabinet was different from the six ministries. It was an organization internal of the imperial power. At first it was directly governed by the Emperor, but afterwards it was parted to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister thus was the head of the Cabinet. Moreover, at the time, in order to restrict the imperial power, that Prime Minister even ruled that it must be approved by both the Emperor and the Cabinet at the same time in order for the Cabinet to disband.
Because at the time, that Prime Minister's power overflowed the heavens, this rule continued on like this, all the way until now.
The Cabinet has continued for so many dynasties, and has always been a sore point for every successive dynasty's Emperor. Many Emperors wanted to have this system eliminated, disbanding the Cabinet, but this power has always been in the Prime Minister's hands. Letting the Prime Minister have the meat in his mouth spat out, how can that be possible!
That's why, Du Yun Han's action today shocked too many people, and also made too many people have other thoughts inside, especially those that had their interests damaged.
Outside Taihe Hall, a crowd of officials had him surrounded, inquiring his reasoning for this decision. Du Yun Han just smiled and said, "This official has already stated the reason in court. I still have some matters to attend to and will leave first."
With that said, he hastily left the imperial palace.
"Tsk, really a fool!" Those officials looked to Du Yun Han's departing figure. Thinking about how he actually had the power returned to the emperor, they all felt this Du Yun Han definitely must have broken his brain.
Only a small portion of the officials understood, the imperial power centralizing was merely something that was going to happen sooner or later. Du Yun Han merely took the lead, that's all.
After Du Xiao Li got up, she ate breakfast and then went to Sui Yuan. Today, the people of Northern Yuan will arrive. She needed to work out their living arrangements.
"Father." Just as she arrived at Sui Yuan's entrance, Du Xiao Li saw Du Yun Han coming out from the gates.
"Xiao Li, you've come." Du Yun Han saw Du Xiao Li and stopped his steps.
"Father, have the people of Northern Yuan arrived?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"Not yet, they won't arrive until the afternoon."
"Then what are you in a rush for?"
"I have some matters that I need to take care of. Go in and see if there's anything else that still needs to be taken care of." Du Yun Han said.
Du Xiao Li nodded and said, "Alright father, you go take care of your matter."
"En."
After Du Yun Han left, Du Xiao Li entered Sui Yuan with Xia Yuan and them. In two steps, she already felt it was different from before. The entire environment became very solemn, seemingly as if even the atmosphere wasn't as relaxed as before.
Other than the outside of Sui Yuan being surrounded by a bunch of soldiers, even inside, there was a soldier standing guard at every three steps, and a sentry at every five steps. Aside from the soldiers that were outfitted with pikes, there were also the imperial guards with swords patrolling everywhere!
"Miss, this places is really tight now!" Qiao Zhu looked to those soldiers and exclaimed.
"The competition this time not only concerns the few countries' honor, those students' safety is further important. If any mishap occurs to the students from another country during the competition period, our country needs to bear the responsibility." Du Xiao Li explained, then thinking again, she added, "If anything happens, our Sui Yuan definitely won't be able to escape the blame. That's why during this period, everyone needs to all be more alert."
"Yes, Miss." Xia Yuan and them simultaneously answered.
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Ch. 086.3 – Handing Over the Power (3)
T/N: Chapter Sponsored by Ella, Anon, and Nightowl87! Thank you for sponsoring!
Du Xiao Li and them went to the place arranged for the people of Northern Yuan, having the two courtyards carefully inspected. And after confirming that there weren't any problems, they finally returned to their resting place.
Not long after having lunch, Mu Zi Mu came over to report that the people of Northern Yuan were about to arrive. Du Xiao Li quickly tidied up, and when she went out, she saw Ji Liu Feng riding on top a white horse walking out from the corner of the street. Behind him followed some soldiers, and in the middle of them was a line of horse carriages. It should be the students of Northern Yuan inside.
The nearby few streets have all been isolated. Ordinary commoners, during the competition period, are not allowed to set foot on these streets. If one dares to trespass, the patrolling troops can have the person arrested, and if one even dares to resist, can be directly put to death!
"Young General Ji, to have troubled you." Du Yun Han was also waiting at the entrance, and after Ji Liu Feng drew near, he cupped his hand in greeting.
"Prime Minister Du is too serious. Liu Feng has already brought the people of Northern Yuan over, and now will be handing over to Prime Minister." Ji Liu Feng said as he got down from the horse.
"Alright."
"Then, Liu Feng will leave first to take care of other matters."
"Young General, please."
Ji Liu Feng bow towards Du Yun Han, and then winked at Du Xiao Li who was behind Du Yun Han, before finally turning to leave.
The people on the horse carriage had already started coming down one after another. Male and female all together there were forty some people. In addition to each having either a servant girl or servant boy, and also the carriage drivers, in total, there were a hundred some people. Ji Liu Feng went over and talked to the leader of t
he group. Afterwards, he waved his hand at his own people, got on his horse, and left.
The ones leading the group were two teachers from Northern Yuan. In addition, there were also two middle aged women, should be the mamas in charge of the young ladies.
"Teacher Yuan, didn't expect for you to lead the group here this time! Long time no see!" Du Yun Han greeted the thirty some year old man walking in the very front.
"Prime Minister Du, long time no see." Yuan Lin saw Du Yun Han and greeted with a smile. "This time, it's Prime Minister Du that's in charge of the competition?"
"Yes. You all must be travel-worn. The lodging has already been prepared, how about going in to rest first?" Du Yun Han suggested.
"Alright."
"Please come in."
Yuan Lin turned to the peopled behind him and said to rest first. Those students all nodded in agreement.
Du Yun Han let the male students follow him, while the female students followed Du Xiao Li. Everyone finally noticed that there was a little miss behind him.
"This one is?" Yuan Lin asked.
"This is my daughter, and also the owner of the site for the competition this time. The matters on the female side are all taken care of by her. If you all need anything, you can also go look for her." Du Yun Han introduced, "Xiao Li, this is Northern Yuan's number one teacher, Yuan Lin."
"Greetings Teacher Yuan." Du Xiao Li curtsied in greeting.
Yuan Lin looked to Du Xiao Li and then turned to Du Yun Han, "Miss Du this young, yet already bearing such heavy responsibilities. Prime Minister Du really is 'a tiger father without a puppy daughter'!"
Because Du Xiao Li was a girl, Yuan Lin temporarily had the saying changed.
"Many thanks for Teacher Yuan's praise!" Du Xiao Li calmly said, yet her face didn't have the slightest arrogance.