The Foolish Agent

Chapter 83

Seated high above, Xuanyuan listened expressionlessly to the arguments and opinions of those below. Aside from uttering "Rise" at the start of the morning court session, he remained silent. Only when the debate was decided did he coldly speak:

"As Your Majesty has spoken of matters concerning the Western Ping Kingdom, I also have something to discuss with you all today. Yesterday, I received intelligence from the Western Ping Kingdom. They have sent envoys to form an alliance with the Northern Feng Kingdom, attempting to swallow up my Jinghe Kingdom in one fell swoop. This shows that the Western Ping Kingdom's wolfish ambitions are already common knowledge. Now, what are your thoughts?"

These words further enraged the crowd! Even those few ministers who had previously disagreed with instigating war were now gritting their teeth in hatred. "If the country is no longer a country," they thought, "where is our home?" Shi Yu, seizing the opportunity, took the lead and said:

"If we don't take action before they do, and wait until they are fully prepared to launch a joint attack on us, I'm afraid Jinghe will only be able to passively take the beating! At that time, who will we talk to about peace, and who will we tell to say 'we will not attack unless attacked'?"

"Yes! I agree with the King's suggestion. We must take the initiative and strike them by surprise. Only then can we hope to win against all odds!"

"Your Majesty, I agree!"

"Your Majesty, I agree!"

...

Everyone present voted in favor; no one objected.

Things were even more perfect than he had imagined. A hint of a smile finally flashed across Xuanyuan's eyes. He raised his hand to the large bed where kneeling figures were, and said loudly:

"Since everyone has agreed to send troops, the next step is to handle the deployment. Now, all departments should go back and prepare war preparation data, especially the Ministry of War's troop deployment and the Ministry of Revenue's food and fodder preparation. We must make a budget. We will discuss the specific plan again at the morning court tomorrow. In addition, the Astronomical Bureau will select an appropriate day for the deployment."

"Your Majesty is wise! We obey your decree!" the ministers praised in unison.

"My esteemed ministers, do you have anything else to report? If not, please leave your memorials. Court is adjourned!" With that, Xuanyuan rose and walked out of the hall. Reaching Shi Yu's side, he suddenly stopped and said:

"Your Highness, please come with me to the Imperial Study to discuss matters."

"Your subject obeys the decree," Shi Yu said and followed.

The remaining ministers knelt and shouted, "Respectfully seeing off the Emperor and the Prince!"

After returning to the imperial study, Xuanyuan Yu and Shi Yu exchanged a smile and began discussing the specific matters they would face next. They worked in the imperial study until late at night before returning to their respective residences to rest.

Xuanyuan tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. He faced a crucial unresolved problem. While the court appeared stable on the surface, his departure would leave a void, leaving behind a leader capable of making decisive decisions. He didn't trust the Shui family; only Prime Minister Leng could fill the role. This presented the problem: how to persuade Prime Minister Leng to return? Xuanyuan had tried several times, but to no avail. He couldn't command Leng's return through an imperial edict, given Leng's own past mistakes. After all, a forced marriage wouldn't work.

The last time he forcibly sent the eldest prince over was because Xiao Jie's letter accompanied him. That's why Prime Minister Leng accepted the little boy without objection. Otherwise, he might have been sent back long ago. From Xiao Jie's affection for Prime Minister Leng's family, he could see they were all sentimental people. But who told him to betray them first? Xuan Yuan pondered deeply, but couldn't find a solution. Finally, he thought that if it were Xiao Jie, she would surely make Prime Minister Leng return on his own accord. And the only condition he could use to bring Prime Minister Leng back seemed to be the Empress in the harem! Thinking of this, Xuan Yuan suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He immediately jumped out of bed, threw on a robe, and ran to his study. He spread out a sheet of Xuan paper, picked up his brush, and hurriedly wrote:

"The Empress has been summoned, Father-in-law, please return urgently!"

He affixed his personal seal. Then he put the letter in an envelope and called out towards the door:

"Someone come here!"

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Eunuch Fu appeared immediately.

Xuanyuan handed the letter to Eunuch Fu and said, "Deliver this letter to Prime Minister Leng of Qizhou immediately, without fail!"

"Yes!" Eunuch Fu took the letter and hurriedly left.

Xuanyuan raised an eyebrow, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips. He murmured softly:

"Xiao Jie, when you return, I will definitely give you a surprise!"

——————

Seven days later, the Leng couple, along with the eldest prince, returned to the capital after more than three years of travel. Yang Tian and Xing Yue, having received the news, were already waiting at the city gate. Madam Leng greeted her son and daughter-in-law with a large hug each. She then asked:

"Xingyue, aren't you always the most well-informed? Do you know what happened in the palace?" Then she glanced at Xiaoyi'er, who was clinging to her, and said, "Could it be that the new imperial concubine did something bad to my Rui'er?"

"Mother, don't worry, Xiaojie said Ruier will be fine," Xingyue reassured her.

Madam Leng said excitedly:

"How could I not be anxious! The Emperor said the Empress has something to attend to and told us to come back immediately. And I almost forgot about Xiao Jie if you hadn't mentioned her; she's such a troublesome girl. Didn't you say she's disappeared again? That girl is already so grown up and she's still running around all over the world. She can't even settle down and find a proper husband..."

Xingyue and Yangtian listened obediently to their mother's nagging, while Xiaoyi stared wide-eyed at the unfamiliar Xingyue and Yangtian.

"Madam!" The Prime Minister could no longer bear it and spoke up to stop him, "Take Yi'er and Tian'er home first. I will go to the palace to see the Emperor now."

“I’ll go with you to see Rui’er!” Madam Leng interjected.

Leng Xiang gave his wife a meaningful look and said cryptically, "No, the situation is unclear right now. You should take Xiao Yi'er back. Just in case!"

One hundred and fourteen, a series of shocking events.

When Prime Minister Leng rushed to the capital, the guards at the palace gates had already received the Emperor's decree. Without needing to announce his arrival, they led him directly to the Imperial Study for an audience. Prime Minister Leng followed the guards, jogging to the entrance of the Imperial Study.

The eunuch at the entrance of the Imperial Study saw Prime Minister Leng approaching from afar and began to report to the Emperor:

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Leng has arrived!"

Upon hearing the news, Xuanyuan, who was discussing state affairs with King Xiuyu of England, immediately closed the memorial in his hand and called out loudly to the person outside the door:

"Announce it immediately!"

After saying that, he turned to Shi Yu and said, "Xiu Yu, go to Longmen first and see the power of our new weapon! Ying isn't here, just find Yuan Zheng and Yang Pu." He then earnestly instructed her:

"But when you get there, you have to follow their orders and don't touch anything there. Those guys are no joke!"

"Is it really that powerful and terrifying?" Although Shi Yu had his doubts, it only fueled his interest in those new weapons. He absolutely believed Xuanyuan's words. He immediately tidied up the memorials beside him and placed them back on Xuanyuan's desk. He rose to take his leave, saying:

"Yes! I understand. I'll take my leave now!"

After speaking, Shi Yu turned and left the imperial study. As he reached the door, he bumped into Prime Minister Leng, who had been summoned in. Shi Yu had always respected Prime Minister Leng, and besides, Prime Minister Leng was now Xiao Jie's godfather. Therefore, the usually aloof and arrogant Shi Yu unconsciously nodded to Prime Minister Leng in greeting.

Although the Prime Minister didn't recognize the new King of England, he saw a handsome and distinguished young man emerge from the imperial study and nod in greeting. He naturally returned the nod and smile, then walked past him into the study.

As soon as Prime Minister Leng entered the Imperial Study, he was greeted by a smiling Emperor. Prime Minister Leng was taken aback! This was the first time the Emperor had smiled at him since his ascension to the throne. He quickly composed himself and prepared to perform the proper courtly rituals.

"This old minister pays his respects to Your Majesty..."

Before Leng Xiang could kneel down completely, Xuan Yuan stopped him with both hands, saying:

"Father-in-law, there's no need for such formalities!" He then took Leng Xiang's arm and led him to the tea table. Pointing to the chair, he said, "Father-in-law, you must be tired from your journey. Please sit down and rest for a moment!"

The cold-blooded prime minister was bewildered by the emperor's sudden attentiveness. His sharp eyes, filled with confusion, stared fixedly at the emperor. Yet, guided by the emperor, his body involuntarily took the seat designated by him. Then, before he could react, a steaming cup of fragrant tea was presented to him by the emperor with both hands.

"Father-in-law, please have some tea! I heard that you love Junshan Yunwu tea the most, so I specially asked Eunuch Fu to brew a pot for you."

The Prime Minister felt a chill run down his spine from the Emperor's constant use of the term "father-in-law." Although he knew Xiao Jie had cleared up the misunderstanding between them, based on his understanding of the Emperor, he would never call him "father-in-law" unless something extraordinary had happened! And so naturally. Could something have happened to his beloved Rui'er? The thought sent a shiver down the Prime Minister's spine!

The cold-blooded prime minister trembled as he accepted the tea, drinking it down in one gulp without tasting it. He eagerly opened his mouth to ask why, but before he could utter a word, something even more astonishing happened. The emperor suddenly knelt before him with a "plop!" Before he could react, the emperor kowtowed again, saying:

"Father-in-law, please accept my bow! I was misled by wicked people in the past and was disrespectful to you. Please accept my sincere apology!"

Although Leng Xiang was a magnanimous man, he was not without integrity. His unwavering loyalty to the emperor and his belief that the emperor was like heaven itself could not possibly justify accepting the emperor's kneeling ceremony! He paused for a moment, then abruptly rose, bent down, and took Xuan Yuan's arms, saying in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty, you are making me feel terrible! I have never held any resentment towards Your Majesty. How can there be any talk of forgiveness? As the saying goes, if the ruler commands the subject to die, the subject cannot refuse. Your Majesty, please speak your mind! I can bear this."

A fleeting, almost imperceptible glint flashed in his phoenix eyes. Following Leng Xiang's gesture, Xuan Yuan rose and sat down opposite him. He picked up his teacup, appearing hesitant to speak, and remained silent for a long time.

"Your Majesty! Has something happened to the Empress?" Prime Minister Leng asked anxiously.

After taking a sip of fragrant tea, Xuanyuan Qian slowly replied, "The Empress is doing well now, but..."

Xuanyuan deliberately left his words unfinished, waiting for Leng Xiang's reaction.

Who is Leng Xiang? He's a hunter-level expert. How could he not understand Xuan Yuan's implied meaning? Knowing that his Rui'er was still safe and sound, the tension in his heart could finally ease for a moment. He followed the emperor's lead and asked:

"Your Majesty, please speak frankly! If this old minister's bones are still of use, I am willing to share your burdens!"

"That's exactly what I've been waiting for!" Xuanyuan hurriedly refilled Leng Xiang's teacup, then said sincerely:

"Then I will thank you, Father-in-law, on behalf of the people of Jinghe! To be honest, Father-in-law, I do have a favor to ask of you! You must have heard about the troops stationed on our border by Xiping on your way back to the capital, right? I would like to hear your opinion?"

From the moment he returned, he never imagined he could still live a carefree life. The Cold Prime Minister rose and replied with the courtesy due to a subject to a ruler:

"According to this old minister, instead of waiting for the tiger to attack, we should go up the mountain and fight it."

"Excellent! What a brilliant idea to go up the mountain and fight the tiger! That's exactly what I was thinking!" Xuanyuan stood up and clapped his hands, exclaiming. After a pause, he continued, "You also know the true story behind that battle six years ago. So I'm taking this opportunity to put an end to that matter once and for all."

"Your Majesty is already confident, isn't you? If there's anything this old minister can do to help, please don't hesitate to give the order. Even if it costs me my life, I won't hesitate," the Prime Minister Leng said firmly. Then, his tone shifted, becoming pleading.

"However, after this matter is resolved, if this old minister is still alive, I hope Your Majesty will agree to allow Her Majesty the Empress to return to her maiden home to recuperate!"

Xuanyuan nodded and said:

"I will reinstate you to the position of Prime Minister and grant you the title of Duke! After I personally lead the expedition and leave the capital, you will oversee the affairs of the state. At that time, you can bring the Empress home to live permanently."

"The Emperor intends to personally lead the expedition?" Prime Minister Leng asked immediately in surprise. This news shocked him even more than the Emperor's promise that his daughter could return home. Had he forgotten that the Crown Prince was still alive?

Xuanyuan saw through Leng Xiang's concerns and explained to him:

"Only after I leave the capital will the former crown prince return to force me to abdicate, won't he? You are my elder, so I don't need to hide anything from you. In fact, the eldest prince I sent to you is not my flesh and blood. He is the son of Yin'er and my elder brother..."

Xuanyuan recounted everything that had happened since Xiaojie returned to the capital, and his plans for the future, to Prime Minister Leng in detail. After listening, Prime Minister Leng agreed, saying:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will risk my old life to protect Jinghe's empire!" After saying that, he thought for a moment and added:

"Your Majesty, I have never blamed you for not accepting the Empress. This is my honest opinion. However, I have another matter to say, which I must also speak out!"

“Father-in-law, please speak!” Xuanyuan replied cheerfully.

Leng Xiang suddenly knelt down and earnestly pleaded:

"This old minister originally thought that Your Majesty already had a son, which is why you requested the return of the Empress. But now I know there is another reason. This makes this old minister worry about the royal bloodline! It is all because my daughter Rui'er is unable to share the responsibility with Your Majesty that this has happened. Therefore, this old minister would like to request Your Majesty to simply issue an edict stating that the Empress has died suddenly, and then establish a new Empress who is both virtuous and capable!"

Leng Xiang's sincerity made Xuan Yuan feel ashamed! He deeply regretted his childish behavior and the harm he had caused Leng Xiang and his daughter. He helped Leng Xiang up with both hands and said with equal sincerity:

"I can only apologize for the Empress's matter! I have failed her. As for the issue of offspring, Father-in-law, you need not worry. If someone in this world must leave a bloodline for me, that person can only be Xiao Jie. Therefore, I am now making every effort to achieve this."

Xuanyuan's words were undoubtedly another bombshell for Leng Xiang. He trembled, then asked in astonishment:

"Is Your Majesty referring to my Xiaojie?"

“That’s right, it’s your adopted daughter, Leng Jie!” Xuanyuan replied affirmatively.

"So that's how it is!" He had been wondering how the Emperor could possibly give such an important gold medal to just some young girl. The Prime Minister finally understood.

"If that's the case, why doesn't Your Majesty keep Xiao Jie in the palace?" Prime Minister Leng asked in confusion.

Xuanyuan shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly:

"I would like to! But knowing Xiao Jie as you do, do you think she's someone I can keep just because I want to?"

The Prime Minister frowned and thought about it, realizing that the Emperor's words made sense. Given Xiao Jie's personality and abilities, keeping her wouldn't be easy. Unless she willingly stayed for a man, just like his wife did for him.

"Does Xiao Jie know the Emperor's intentions?" Leng asked with concern. This concerned his other daughter, so he couldn't help but care!

Xuanyuan replied awkwardly:

"As clever as she is, how could she not see through my intentions! But I still can't understand her heart. Just like this time, she secretly slipped away with a sword wound. There was nothing I could do about it."

"What? Xiao Jie is injured?" He hadn't heard Yang Tian mention it, and Leng Xiang asked hurriedly.