61 Silly Antics (2/2)

Friday:

Some of the more observant court ministers had noticed that Unit Commander Ning Fu's expression seemed to be turning gloomy with each passing day. Nobody knew the reason behind it and anyone who tried to make small talk with the aforementioned person would be pricked by his acerbic words.

Just as Ning Fu was planning to follow His Majesty and try his luck once again, he was stopped by The First Prince, Prince Xi.

As kids, Ning Fu and Prince Xi had often met during Palace Banquets or during the hunting season and were familiar with each other. Moreover, even Ning Fu had expected him to the next one to sit on the throne inside The Heavenly Hall and for this reason, he had always been congenial towards Prince Xi.

He had thought of it as a political investment that would bear fruit in the future but now, it all seemed pointless.

The current monarch was one of the best ones, the commoners and nobles alike, could hope and wish for.

Ning Fu also knew that there were no free lunches in this world so he wanted to avoid Prince Xi, but it seemed he had been caught today.

Sighing to himself, Ning Fu gave the other person a bow that was accorded to him as Imperial family member but didn't try to initiate any further conversation.

Prince Xi also understood Ning Fu's taciturn nature so he started the conversation naturally and said, ”Unit Commander, how has the capital been treating you since you returned from the border.”

Ning Fu knew the other person was fishing for information. He straightforwardly replied, ”This lowly official grew up in the capital. This small one feels at home within the capital as well as at the borders.”

Prince Xi tired to lead the conversation his way once again and continued, ”That said, Unit Commander is seasoned in the way of war and is always on alert for attacks from steel weapons but Unit Commander there are other attacks one has to stay vigilant against.”

Nung Fu could already picture the successive back and forth between the two of them, however, he wasn't interested in playing the political dance. His own misconceptions had already landed him in hot water.

If the emperor heard that The Unit Commander was seen walking and talking amicably with Prince Xi, wouldn't the monarch be even more disappointed in him and think of him as an ingrate.

Ning Fu was more worried about how His Majesty thought of him than any power that could be gained by supporting Prince Xi.

Moreover, he had complete faith in the monarch. If a war did eventually break out between His Majesty and Prince Xi, Ning Fu would bet all his life savings that His Majesty would emerge victorious in it.

Therefore, why would The Unit Commander pick up a rock to smash his own two feet? With that thought, his tone of voice did a complete u-turn.

With a scowling face, Ning Fu said, ”First Prince, am sorry. This lowly official doesn't plan to intervene in any matters pertaining to the court. The only thing this small one wishes for is to safeguard the borders.” and walked towards The Imperial Study.

When Ning Fu reached there, he was informed by The Head Commander that His Majesty had gone to pay his respects to The Empress Dowager.

This way Friday also passed without The Unit Commander achieving his heartfelt desire.

Meanwhile, The Head Commander of The Shadow Guards was also getting tired of being polite to someone who was so inconsiderate to the mercy shown to him by His Majesty.

He uncharitably thought, humph! since I can't turn you away with soft words just watch how I use hard tactics to deal with you tomorrow.

See if this Head Commander doesn't send you crying and running back to your mother's womb.

Saturday:

Just as Su Li was going through the memorandums, she saw The Head Commander enter her study with a perplexed expression on his face. She wondered what had happened.

She was informed that The Unit Commander of The Devil Snare Army was kneeling outside the doors and had said that he wouldn't leave until she gave him an audience.

Su Li had really forgotten all about that silly person since he came to see her six days ago, she had thought he'll patiently wait for her summons. She had already made up her mind to see him tomorrow but this obstinate act of forcing her and being a blockhead irked her.

How come first he misunderstood her intentions and was now obstinate enough to not give her the respect accorded to an emperor. She was the sky for these ancient people but that man seemed to be hell-bent upon provoking her.

His Majesty was so angered that he shouted at the top of his voice, ”Tell Ning Fu to scram before Zhen kicks him in the behind.”

The Head Commander was so happy to hear His Majesty raise his voice. This way the white-eyed wolf kneeling outside could also hear and see that the monarch wasn't helpless against him and that if he dared to try and reach for the heavens, his hands would be cut off.

The Head Commander bowed low to his leige and ran back outside. He added his own embellishments to the monarch's words and said, ”His Majesty has said that The Unit Commander should stop before word of your antics spreads to others and you end up creating unnecessary trouble for yourself.”

After nearly a week of being pushed away, His Majesty had finally sent Ning Fu a message that was more than a single sentence but the tone and underlying threat was quite severe.

Ning Fu understood the veiled warning for what it was and relented.

That night he drowned his worries in large cups of wine.

Sunday:

Nothing happened on Sunday.

A person might question: Why? Did Nung Fu finally admit defeat? Was that the extent of his determination?

The answer to that is:

Do you remember that His Majesty had made three decrees that had turned the nation on its head? What were those three decrees? Let's see.

The first one pertained to abolishing slavery.

The second one pertained to His Majesty asking for each clan's family registry booklet.

The third one?

The third decree His Majesty announced was that there would be no Morning Assembly on Sundays i.e. there was no court on Sunday's.

Hence, how could Ning Fu enter The Imperial Palace without an imperial token?

On Sunday, His Majesty enjoyed his free day.

The Head Commander enjoyed being free of that pest that came running to their leige every single day.

The Unit Commander - Ning Fu thought about his recent actions and as a last resort decided to call one of his high-ranking generals.

He specifically ordered his subordinate to meet him in the woods a few miles away from The Imperial Capital since what he wanted to do couldn't be spoken about within The Imperial Capital.