336 I Have Never Suspected (2/2)
The Emperor sucked on the refreshing candy and leaned into the Empress' embrace. He closed his eyes blissfully and said, ”Days like these are really good. I wouldn't trade it for the throne.”
The Empress sniggered. ”Your words are like a commoner's.”
She hit the Emperor lightly as she spoke, and then, she patted his back to help with the cough.
The Emperor smiled. ”Can't I speak like this? That's why I said I wouldn't trade it for the throne.”
He thought about Li Peiyan's report and then, raised his brows and laughed. ”In fact, I am a little jealous of Ning Que. He was luckier than I am to be able to learn from the Headmaster of the Academy. And he can speak freely. Even the little maidservant by his side is stronger than the woman by mine. At least she doesn't force him to drink medicine every day.”
The Empress was speechless when she heard Ning Que's name.
The Emperor sat up and said, ”Even though I hate that old goat, Wei Guangming, but I still respect him for his abilities. Ning Que's maidservant had the Lucky Chance to become his successor. That was really shocking. When you have the chance, invite her to the palace and see if there's anything special about her and placate her while you are at it. After all, they must have been surprised by the events of today. Ning Que wouldn't say much, but I'm sure he's thinking of something deep in his heart.”
The Empress nodded and said softly, ”I'll arrange it.”
The Emperor looked at her gentle features and suddenly said, ”Let Zhuge resign on his own.”
The Empress patted his back softly, her hand pausing when she heard that. She had always trusted Zhuge Wuren of the Imperial Center Administration. It was no secret in the palace. Then, she continued patting his back and said calmly, ”Alright.”
The Emperor looked at her eyes. After a moment of silence, he continued, ”As for Tuyang City, the imperial court has issued a warning edict. It is a sin to move the army without an imperial edict. I wonder how Xia Hou will explain that to me.”
Empress's lashes fluttered. Her brother was involved in the incident and she did not know what else she could do but only stay silent.
The Emperor looked at her tightly pursed mouth and sighed softly. ”The Devil's Doctrine believed in power. They have remained silent in the world and not meet with Haotian and are the most stubborn of them all. You have always been this stubborn, not to mention him. I'm just afraid that Xia Hou would not give in this time.”
The Empress raised her head and looked at him calmly in the eye. ”I will write a letter to convince him.”
The Emperor nodded. ”Very good.”
The Empress suddenly said, ”The prince said that he could not understand why the military was furious. But in my opinion, I think that there are many who are worried about the Academy and how it would be when the Headmaster of the Academy leaves. You should pay attention to all these undercurrents.”
Before the Imperial Astronomer had read about the unrest in the country in the stars at night, one would often see the Empress reading reports on behalf of His Majesty in the imperial study. However, after that, the betrothal between Princess Lee Yu and the Chanyu of the Golden in the grassland as well as the rumors had made the Empress silent. She never did bother with the country's affairs anymore. However, when she was alone with the Emperor, she would still occasionally express her views as she had done many years ago.
The Emperor respected his wife's opinion because he knew that she was capable. He shook his head and said, ”I will not guard against the Academy. In my opinion, any citizen of Tang who cannot learn to trust the Academy completely would not be not qualified to sit in the upper echelons of the Tang Empire. This is because it shows that they do not understand why the Great Tang is so.”
”As for Xu Shi...” The Emperor furrowed his brows. He did not have any suitable ways to deal with this general who had worked hard and performed valuable services to the country. ”He is loyal to the country and has performed many valuable services. It is just that he is a little cold and quick to anger. Furthermore, his lung ailment had gotten more serious. We don't know how long he will live for. Those who are on the brink of death usually view the world in darker shades. It is normal for him to be more vigilant.”
The Empress made a move to speak but stopped herself. Worry was evident in her eyes.
The Emperor held her hand and smiled. ”You are still young, and our children are young. You should not be so gloomy. You have to remember, that we would not have been able to be together if not for the Headmaster of the Academy and the Academy. The Academy is as important to the Tang Empire as it is to us. I will not doubt or worry about it.”
The Empress smiled and turned away slightly. She checked the handkerchief she had tucked away earlier surreptitiously for traces of blood while the Emperor was otherwise distracted. She only became slightly happier when she discovered no signs of blood on it.
She was once the Saintess of Diabolism and was the current Empress of Tang. However, she only viewed herself as an ordinary woman and did not wish to think about other things. She just wanted her husband and son to be safe and happy.
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”Many will be uneasy and guard against the Academy entering the human realm. The generals who guard the Tang Empire with their lives would. That's because this is the first time for them to discover that there is a threat that cannot be gotten rid of with martial strength.”
”However, to some others in Chang'an City, this is a great opportunity. They can use the Academy's power, or stand, to gain some things.”
There was a copper brazier on a pedestal beneath the canopy of the Princess's Mansion. Lee Yu looked at the fire in the brazier and began to tell the Prince, Li Huiyuan, about a story that was yet to happen.