113 Ning Fus Remorse (1/2)

Ning Fu hadn't thought that the usually easy-going monarch would become so severe but then thinking about it, he realised that he was the one who had dared to pull at the cat's whiskers so now he couldn't complain if the cat had unsheathed its claws and was barring its teeth at him.

So, he silently listened to the monarch as the other person reprimanded him and then asked him to leave.

However, he still couldn't forget the loneliness he had seen in the monarch's eyes a few hours ago and it also reminded him of the solemn tone the monarch had used when he had told about his beloved to the Empress Dowager.

Hence it shouldn't have come as a surprise to either of them when he said, ”Your Majesty, this lowly one will reflect on his actions and will gladly accept any punishment you mete out but this lowly one has one thing to say. Will Your Majesty give leave to this lowly official to say it?”

Su Li sighed in anger and exasperation when she heard those words.

The usually reticent Ning Fu was akin to a dog with a bone that wouldn't stop chewing and sucking on it until and unless he finally reached the bone marrow.

Still, she was tired and had to attend the morning court assembly in a few short hours so she didn't want to stay awake any longer and she knew from prior experience that this person wouldn't stop until he had said his peace, so she waved her hand instead of a verbal response.

”Your Majesty, this lowly one doesn't exactly know the kind of problems you have faced in all these years and wouldn't dare to comment upon it. But this one thinks that you are wrong in your thinking that you are untrustworthy.”

Su Li whirled around to face Ning Fu at his words and raised an eyebrow,

”This one feels that if what Your Majesty thinks had been true, the late emperor wouldn't have handed over these vast lands and its citizens to Your Majesty.”

When the monarch didn't stop or rebuke him for his words, Ning fu bolstered his courage and continued.

”Your Majesty, don't underestimate the esteem and trust the people of this dynasty place upon you. We all trust you from the bottom of our hearts - not only because you are our undisputable liege but also because of your selfless actions since you have been at the helm of this vast empire.”

Finished with his words, Ning Fu bowed to the monarch and waited with bated breath for the monarch's words.

Just as Ning Fu raised his eyes to look at the monarch through his eyelashes, he saw the sneer on his face and the moving glint in his eyes.

”Beloved official, Zhen didn't know that you had also learned to brown-nose others in the past year that you have been stationed at the Imperial Capital.”

With a dismissive glance at his face, she continued, ”You are saying that people - noblemen and commoners alike trust Zhen but isn't there a fallacy in your words, hmm?”

”Your Majesty?”