Chapter 178 Ants on the hot pot
Xie Mao pretended to be surprised and immediately defended himself.
"how you said that?"
"The prince was afraid that Alliance Leader Qi would worry, so he kept me here to inform me. It was out of good intentions, and there was no point in testing me."
Zhong Hua smiled against the frost, with a calm and chivalrous spirit.
"Princess Yuexi's plan is a clever way of showing favor, and it seems to have a deep meaning."
"Please forgive me for speaking frankly. Lord Qi values friendship in need, and Lord Tao cherishes friendship in poverty. I'm afraid such a favor would be hard to move them."
"I'm afraid the princess has miscalculated. Please thank you for your advice. Why bother with such a futile thing?"
Xie Mao acted as if nothing had happened and changed the subject to ask.
"Alliance Master Qi has this opinion. Has he made it clear to the two adults?"
While asking the question, his eyes lightly swept over Zhong Hua, and finally fixed his eyes on his teacup, taking a sip.
"I'm afraid not."
"Are you afraid that they will be shaken after you speak frankly?"
"It seems that Alliance Leader Qi is not as confident as he appears to be."
Zhong Hua looked ashamed and laughed casually a few times.
"Thank you for your concern, sir."
"You two are wise, why do I need to talk too much?"
As he spoke, he took a sip of tea as a courtesy, then stood up and saluted.
"In that case, I will not disturb you any further. I will take my leave."
"I am sorry to trouble you to advise the princess. I would like to thank you."
Hearing the temptation, Xie Mao still denied it.
"Alliance Master Qi is really worrying too much."
"Your Majesty's favor has nothing to do with the court situation, it is only to save the two adults."
Zhong Hua smiled modestly.
"So best."
"My heart is bound to be shallow, I hope you will forgive me."
Xie Mao stood up immediately afterwards.
"Alliance Master Qi is too modest. Walk slowly."
Zhong Hua bowed.
"Thank you for staying, sir. I will take my leave."
Xie Mao had just walked two steps forward when he heard these words, and stopped and smiled slightly.
Looking at Zhong Hua's departing back, Xie Mao had something in mind.
Just as the princess said, this person is not simple.
The princess asked me to test the waters, but this man is very secretive, so how can I tell whether his words are true or not?
On the surface, it seems that Qi Tao has a chance to surrender; but upon closer analysis, it seems like he is deliberately guiding us. If we continue to use his tricks, we will unknowingly fall into his trap.
Is he really worried that the two adults will change their minds, or does he have other plans?
Alas, it is really hard to see clearly. I shall wait for the princess to return home and then report to her.
At the same time, in Fengzheng Taichung, Xiao Fuzi came here by order.
"The imperial edict has arrived!"
After the imperial edict was read out, the two did not respond. Thinking that they were frightened and stunned, Xiao Fuzi smiled complacently and urged them.
"My Lords, please accept my order."
Qi and Tao looked at each other and pretended to be confused.
Qi Lei adjusted his kneeling position and bowed towards the imperial palace.
"I am leaving the capital with your permission. I am not neglecting my duty. I hope Your Majesty will understand."
Tao Kangping followed suit and bowed respectfully.
"This humble official is also seeking your approval."
"The Prime Minister and the Chancellor left the capital together, fearing that official business would be lost. Before leaving Fengzhengtai, I specially selected a Zhongcheng and a Zhongxiang to jointly manage the important affairs of Fengzhengtai. I dare not fail the emperor's grace. Please understand your majesty."
Xiao Fuzi was full of suspicion.
"Yu's order?"
"How did you get the imperial decree?"
"Words are not enough, seeing is believing, please show it to me, my lords."
As he spoke, he bowed solemnly in the direction of the imperial palace.
"I dare to check it for you, Your Majesty, please grant me permission."
Thinking about Zhong Hua's instructions, Qi Lei took the opportunity to delay.
"Since Eunuch Fu has said that words are not enough, he should return to the palace and ask for permission. If you ask me to check it for you with just a word, isn't that disrespecting His Majesty?"
Xiao Fuzi chuckled.
"Why does Lord Qi want to use a delaying tactic?"
"Even if I go back to the palace to ask for instructions and give you some time, King Dijin will not grant an order."
Qi Lei raised his eyebrows disdainfully.
"Eunuch Fu is wrong. How dare you speculate on the intentions of King Dijin?"
Xiao Fuzi showed no sign of weakness.
"Master Qi, you are too kind."
Then, he bowed to Emperor Jin's palace.
"I have no intention of speculating. As everyone knows, the prince is upright and righteous. If he saw you two knowingly committing a crime, he would definitely detest it and would never issue an order to protect you."
Qi Lei stared deeply, his words hinting at something.
"Master Tao and I are both prime ministers of the Eight Terraces. How can we allow you to make up nonsense and convict me?"
"People who are missing something are more daring than ordinary people!"
Eunuch Fu looked down at himself, his face flushed, and he became furious.
"you……"
Qi Lei interrupted him in time and explained cleverly.
"Eunuch Fu, please don't misunderstand me. I mean, people who lack etiquette will inevitably overstep their boundaries."
Xiao Fuzi could only suppress his anger and urged him in an dissatisfied tone.
"Please, my Lords, show us your decree immediately!"
Qi Lei's lips curled up slightly, looking contented.
"The imperial decree is in the palace. Please sit for a moment, eunuch. I will tell my attendants to go back to the palace to get it."
Tao Kangping smiled and spoke immediately afterwards.
"Me too, please wait a moment, Eunuch Fu."
"Someone, serve tea."
Xiao Fuzi sat down as he was told.
Afraid that there might be something fishy in the tea and that it would delay the emperor's orders, he did not drink a sip. He showed his orchid finger in a show of arrogance and directly used the tea to water the flowers, draining it all out.
As his words flowed, he also began to mock.
"The end is set, like an ant on a hot pot, what's the point of struggling?"
"A few years ago, I watched a play in which the actors acted out a helpless situation. I still remember it vividly."
"I wonder if you two adults have ever had any personal experience?"
Qi Lei pursed his lips coldly, revealing a hint of indifference.
"Eunuch Fu feels sympathetic and is looking for someone who shares the same feelings?"
"I'm afraid to disappoint you, but I don't feel that way."
“I deeply believe that only fools will fall into a situation where they have no solution.”
Being ridiculed again, Xiao Fuzi felt annoyed and almost furious.
You better come up with an imperial decree, otherwise, if you fall into my hands, hum...
Not long after, two followers presented the emperor's edict with both hands.
Xiao Fuzi was hoping for a lucky break and refused to believe it.
"Do you know, my Lords, that if you falsely convey Yu's order, it will bring disaster to the whole family?"
As he spoke, he glanced at her, and at one glance, his smile disappeared.
"This...this is impossible!"
Tao Kangping looked angry.
"Why is it impossible?"
"It is human nature to care about one's relatives. Even if he meets the emperor, he will grant an imperial decree to allow him to leave the capital. There are other reasons. My son is indeed innocent."
"Eunuch Fu said it was impossible. Could it be that he was spreading rumors that Emperor Jin was unkind?"
Qi Lei mocked again.
"Eunuch Fu is a man who is lacking something, so it is inevitable that he speaks and acts inappropriately and disrespects King Dijin."
"Oh, I forgot to speak frankly again. I lacked etiquette. I always speak like this, half of it is hidden and half of it is said. Will Eunuch Fu misunderstand me again?"
Xiao Fuzi was so angry that his face turned pale, his expression trembled with anger, and he pointed his spear involuntarily.
"You... you..."
Tao Kangping seized the opportunity and gave orders loudly.
"Yu's order is here, there is no way to depose him. Lord Qi and I are both prime ministers of the Eighth Palace. How dare you point fingers at us?"
"Someone, drag him out and make him kneel down with a stick!"
Xiao Fuzi's momentum weakened and he retreated again and again.
"Wait, I have to go back and report..."
Qi Lei turned and gave orders.
"Then kneel down and apologize."
"Eunuch Fu has violated etiquette. If word gets out, it will damage the emperor's reputation."
Xiao Fuzi knelt down reluctantly.
"I am a rude and presumptuous servant. Please forgive me, my Lords."
Qi Lei started to act serious.
"You are too polite, Eunuch Fu. Why is it so?"
Tao Kangping waved his sleeves and hit him right on the face. He then pretended not to notice and ordered him to leave.
"Eunuch Fu, please take care!"