57 Mirthless Laughter (1/2)

Unit Commander Ning Fu had been residing in the Imperial Capital for close to half an year but His Majesty hadn't made any moves against him.

He had attended court every single day since he came back waiting for the other shoe to drop. However, he hadn't been singled out even once so that gave him hope for his future. He also noticed that the monarch didn't seem to care which way the murky waters of court politics was floating.

He had noticed that His Majesty's style of doing things was far different from how the royal's thought and implemented their words. The monarch never reprimanded or chastened anyone without cause and although he never praised anyone for a job well done, he never seemed to question the people he used.

The first imperial edict had left him reeling with shock. Who could have thought that His Majesty would improve the lives of uncountable individuals and warm up so many hearts with just one edict?

He had also watched the farce created by all the hungry wolves to force His Majesty to take on a few consorts. Though Ning Fu hadn't contended in court and was comfortable with playing on the battlefield, it didn't mean that he wasn't well versed in the inner workings of the Imperial Court politics.

Today, the monarch had dismissed the court and while he was walking out of the audience hall, a eunuch had come to inform him that the emperor was calling him for an audience.

He had thought that he would be led to the Imperial Study but the eunuch had walked towards one of the gardens that were a bit secluded.

Ning Fu wondered whether he would be killed in this garden? He couldn't see anyone except His Majesty and a number of his shadow guards, hidden away from plain sight. If it was to be so, let it be.

Ning Fu hardened his heart and went forward. Before he could kneel, His Majesty had said, ”No need to kneel.”

Ning Fu felt taken aback by those words.

With a questioning lilt in his voice, he had started, ”Your Majesty, ...”

The emperor had turned towards the eunuch standing by their side and sent him away as well by then and when he turned to face him again he had ordered, ”Unit Commander Ning, walk with me.”

They had walked for about half an hour in between the pathways in the lavish garden but the emperor didn't say a word all this time. Ning Fu firmly believed in the fact that until his superior asked or ordered him, he shouldn't open his mouth.

Su Li watched from the corner of her eyes as Ning Fu walked two steps behind her, matching her pace perfectly. She thought this must be the result of the patience he had attained while fighting on the battlefield. The guy was older than her by almost seven years, however, she was his superior.

She marvelled at the thought that these ancient folks would follow the commands of a fourteen-year-old child when they were a lot older and intelligent than the aforesaid person.

Su Li watched in amusement as The Unit Commander kept his head lowered, his eyes downcast and how he never strayed his line of sight away from her shoes. She turned towards him and questioned, ”Unit Commander Ning, are you afraid of me?”

She wouldn't be bothered by his answer but she was interested to hear what he had to say.

Hearing His Majesty's question, Ning Fu's eyes clouded but he covered his emotions. He couldn't afford to reveal the slightest bit of his fears or worries of imperial power.

He hastily replied, ”Your Majesty, you are the favoured Son of Heavens. This official knows that Your Majesty isn't someone unreasonable, therefore, this lowly official isn't fearful of Your Majesty. This lowly official is simply in reverence of your exalted existence.”

Su Li hadn't thought the other person would give her a textbook reply by rote learning. This lowered her interest in the valiant man. Still, she couldn't just wave her hands and send him off like this. It would be too disrespectful towards a soldier.

Therefore, she waved towards a nearby pavilion and walked towards it. As she sat down, she noticed that the other person was still standing and she realised that in these times nobody would sit as an equivalent with her.

Su Li rolled her eyes at herself for expecting too much of someone who followed the rules and regulation explicitly.

His Majesty asked, ”Unit Commander Ning Fu, you have been back for some time. I hope any and all injuries you received on your expedition have healed and all the soldiers that returned along with you have settled into the barracks.”

She had long wanted to have this conversation with him. Therefore, currently was as good a time as any other and this could additionally take her mind off the problems and issues heaped-up upon her.

Ning Fu respectfully replied, ”Yes, Your Majesty, most of my wounds have healed and the soldiers have also settled in the barracks.”

Ning Fu thought that the emperor wanted to exchange some common courtesies before he came to his main point so his reply was somewhat pre functionary.

His Majesty raised his glass and warmly said, ”Unit Commander Ning Fu, have a toast with me.”

The words made Ning Fu almost freeze in terror.

What was about to come, will surely come?

Nobody could change their fate.

It seemed this was to be his end.

The bitter realization flooded his face with horror.

He watched as His Majesty poured two cups of wine, one for each of them.

Ning Fu could clearly picture how His Majesty must have organized everything to give him a swift end. He had heard about jars with mechanisms where although a person poured wine or tea from the same jar, one cup would be poisoned whereas the other one was nonvenomous.

It appeared that His Majesty had prepared everything meticulously. The emperor was still looking at him with a warm gaze and a slight smile on his lips.

It seemed His Majesty was very interested in play-acting that even when he was on the brink of sending someone off to the Yellow Springs, he still wouldn't remove his benevolent mask.

But if the monarch thought that Ning Fu was going to make it easy for him, then he was utterly mistaken.

Even if he had to die today, he'll make sure to make His Majesty realise that not all military men had wolf-like ambitions to control everything under the heavens.

Ning Fu lamented that he couldn't merely send the entire tray flying, that would send the heads of his family and subordinates flying as well to accompany him in the afterlife.

Therefore, Ning Fu picked up the cup of wine offered to him and without a missing a beat, he poured the wine on to the ground.

Afterwards, he looked up at the emperor and said his heartfelt words, ”Your Majesty, this lowly- official is wholeheartedly loyal to you. The Sun and Moon are a witness to my devotion towards you. If you still don't feel at ease, then this official will solely die so that Your Majesty can sleep at night without any worries.”

Before Su Li could comprehend what had happened Ning Fu rushed towards one of the pillars. He would have preferred to die with a sword to his neck, however, no one was allowed to bring weapons into The Imperial Palace. Hence he was without his trusted sword.

However, Ning Fu still wanted to die in his own honourable way and not die thanks to someone's petty scheme even if the aforesaid person was the revered monarch.

Su Li had also realised that this battle-hardened idiot had misunderstood her words so she simply called, ”Stop.” She knew with his martial arts and his loyalty towards her, he would stop as soon as her words reached his ears.

Ning Fu felt perplexed and puzzled when His Majesty ordered him to stop.

Wasn't that what the emperor wanted?

Didn't the emperor want him dead?