ABBLEIP Chapter79

After the three rules of agreement came into effect, Shen Qingzhuo really kept his promise and stopped avoiding His Majesty.

 

However, Lord Shen worked hard at his desk day and night. When he was summoned privately, he would bring Lord Pei or other lords with him to discuss state affairs with His Majesty. His tone was serious, and his expression was solemn and dignified, leaving His Majesty no room to make jokes.

 

After a few days, His Majesty couldn’t stand it anymore.

 

“Zhen understands.” The emperor supported his forehead with one hand and said in an unpredictable tone, “The salary expenses of this bunch of good-for-nothings are indeed too high. Lord Pei will first formulate the assessment standards, and Zhen will then convene the six ministries to discuss and implement them.”

 

“Your Majesty is wise.” Pei Yanqi bowed and flattered, “The humble minister will take his leave first.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo followed and bowed, “The minister will also take his leave.”

 

“Grand Tutor, please stay. Zhen has something to ask Grand Tutor.” The emperor said slowly.

 

Shen Qingzhuo paused and could only watch Lord Pei retreat.

 

“Master.” The emperor immediately came out from behind the desk. “Master, didn’t you promise not to hide from me anymore?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo replied calmly, “I didn’t hide from you. We have met alone twice today.”

 

Xiao Shen looked slightly annoyed and asked in a suppressed voice, “Master knows what I am talking about! Doesn’t Master think that now Master and I have nothing to talk about except state affairs?”

 

He didn’t want to talk about the national economy and people’s livelihoods every time they met. He wanted to have a chance to get along with his master privately!

 

“Why, you are impatient after only being the emperor for a few days?” Shen Qingzhuo straightened his sleeves. “You just ascended the throne, and there are many things to be done. If we don’t talk about state affairs at this time, what can we talk about?”

 

“Since I ascended the throne, I have been reviewing memorials until late at night, and I can’t sleep for more than two hours at night. I have never missed a morning court. I have to listen to the endless arguments of the ministers even if it hurts me. I am trying my best to learn how to be a good emperor, Master.” Seeing that the hard approach didn’t work, Xiao Shen quickly softened his attitude, “I just… I just want you to take some time to accompany me.”

 

He expected that with his master’s personality of being soft-hearted, the more he said, the more distressed he would be.

 

As expected, his master’s cold and lonely expression softened a little.

 

“Master also has a lot of things to do ah.” Shen Qingzhuo sighed lightly, “The Jinyiwei is currently investigating the Six Departments of Shangshu and Shilang, and there are some clues.”

 

Xiao Shen walked up to his master and said sincerely, “How can a chronic disease be cured overnight? Master, can we take it slowly together?”

 

“That makes sense.” Shen Qingzhuo raised his hand habitually and combed his scattered hair for him, “Don’t worry, Master knows what’s going on.”

 

Resisting the urge to hold his wrist, Xiao Shen looked at his master eagerly, like a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy, “Then… Master, can you have dinner with me tonight?”

 

After a little thought, Shen Qingzhuo nodded slightly: “Alright.”

 

“Master is the best!” His dark eyes suddenly burst into a bright light. Xiao Shen grabbed his master’s wide sleeve and shook him coquettishly, “Master, you are too thin. I have to supervise you when you eat.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t help laughing: “You are already an emperor, but you are still acting coquettishly to Master like this.”

 

But in fact, he has long been accustomed to his little disciple acting coquettishly at any time and place. Even though he has grown into an emperor taller and stronger than him, he still doesn’t feel any sense of incongruity.

 

If, if he doesn’t press him down on the bed and kiss him hard…

 

“Why are the tips of Master’s ears red?” Xiao Shen’s eyes were glued to his face. “What is Master thinking about?”

 

“No, nothing…” Shen Qingzhuo suddenly turned around and changed the subject: “Master wants to check the memorials you reviewed.”

 

The emperor’s excited face collapsed, and he muttered, “Didn’t we agree not to talk about state affairs?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo tried to calm the heat in his ears and asked casually, “What do you want to talk about then?”

 

“I want to talk…” Xiao Shen leaned close to him from behind and deliberately lowered his voice, “Talk about how to make Master only love me.”

 

But Shen Qingzhuo avoided the warm embrace like lightning: “Three rules.”

 

“Tsk…” Xiao Shen shook his head and complained softly, “Master is really stingy ah…”

 

Having said that, he still said obediently, “Master, please sit down and rest. Dinner will be served soon.”

 

However, the two of them did not have dinner after all. The rare warm atmosphere was soon broken by the Empress Dowager.

 

The eunuch’s announcement sounded: “The Empress Dowager has arrived—”

 

Shen Qingzhuo stood up, straightened his clothes, and stood to one side respectfully, “Greetings to the Empress Dowager.”

 

Xiao Shen also put away the gloom on his face and called out warmly, “Imperial Grandmother, you are here.”

 

The Empress Dowager glanced at Lord Shen, then waved to the emperor lovingly, “Come, let Imperial Grandmother see, have you lost weight?”

 

***

 

After the grandmother and grandson talked, Shen Qingzhuo took his leave and returned to Beizhen Fushi to continue working at his desk.

 

Not long after, Kong Shang hurried back to report: “As My Lord expected, there is indeed something wrong with Hu Quan, the minister of the Ministry of Revenue.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyes. “Tell me in detail.”

 

The losses of each ministry last year were still unclear, so he started to investigate directly from the Six Departments of Shangshu and Shilang.

 

At this time, he remembered that when he had just moved a few days ago, his colleagues sent gifts to the Shen Mansion, so he ordered Xiao Dezi to take out the gift list and check it.

 

Only after this look did he find that the gift list of Hu Quan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was even more generous than the gift of Lord Lin, the minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

 

According to the salary regulations of the official rank of Dayong, the annual salary of the third-rank assistant minister is equivalent to about 150 taels, plus other benefits given by the court. In any case, a mere assistant minister should not be so generous, let alone the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, an extremely sensitive position.

 

He immediately ordered the Jinyiwei to secretly investigate Hu Quan but found that this man was indeed honest, and he was like a real upright official, both inside and outside the palace.

 

However, Lord Shen had handled so many cases over the years that he had long understood that seeing is not necessarily believing, so he ordered Kong Shang to continue to stake out.

 

“Hu Quan is indeed a cunning old man, and his only flaw is that he gave birth to a prodigal son.” Kong Shang wiped the sweat from his face. “I staked out for a few days, and then I remembered that I had met his second son, Hu Hetian, in Zuixiang Fang, so I suddenly had an idea and went to find Hu Hetian.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyebrows slightly: “It’s Zuixiang Fang again.”

 

“Hehe…” Kong Shang smiled while touching the back of his head, “Hero—no, even a bear can’t resist the temptation of beauty!”

 

Shen Qingzhuo knocked on the table. “Continue.”

 

“I set up a trap, took the opportunity to get Hu Hetian drunk, and tried every means to get him to talk. Guess what happened, My Lord?” At this point, Kong Shang kept it a secret, “When Hu Lao’er[mfn]Refers to the second son of the Hu family.[/mfn] became blunt, he spilled the money he spent in Zuixiang Fang, and it was exactly this amount.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo was not too surprised to see him raise ten fingers. “Zuixiang Fang is a den of prostitution, and this Second Young Master Hu is indeed a spendthrift.”

 

Kong Shang couldn’t help asking, “What’s next? Should the subordinate just bring Hu Lao’er over?”

 

“No, don’t make a fuss yet.” Shen Qingzhuo stood up. “You continue to investigate, investigate Hu Quan’s interpersonal relationships, and it would be best if you can find out where he hides all the money.”

 

Kong Shang replied, “Yes, My Lord!”

 

“As for the Ministry of Revenue…” Shen Qingzhuo laughed, “This lord should work with the Censorate to check the accounts in the Ministry of Revenue.”

 

He had a feeling that this time he would catch a big fish.

 

***

 

Three days later, the Shen mansion welcomed several uninvited guests.

 

The eunuch who served beside the Empress Dowager held the imperial edict in his hand and said in a long, shrill voice, “Lord Shen, kneel down and receive the edict.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo naturally understood that the edict was not well-intentioned, but he still lifted his robe and knelt down to receive it.

 

After the eunuch read out two sentences, his heart skipped a beat.

 

The imperial edict was full of nonsense, but it could be summed up in two sentences. The Empress Dowager took pity on him as an old bachelor, so she appointed two beautiful concubines for him.

 

“Lord Shen?” After the imperial edict was read, the chief eunuch reminded, “Receive the edict!”

 

“Thank you for your trip, Gonggong.” Shen Qingzhuo accepted the edict calmly and thanked him, “Xiao Dezi, bring some money over.”

 

“Lord Shen is so lucky. The Empress Dowager has appointed two stunning beauties ah!” The eunuch raised his little fingers and congratulated him in a strange way.

 

Shen Qing smiled slightly and accepted the two concubines obediently.

 

The two girls, dressed in pink and green, timidly bowed to Young Master Shen and introduced themselves in a gentle voice.

 

But Shen Qingzhuo’s eyes didn’t fall on them at all. The first thing he thought of was, what would be his little disciple’s reaction after knowing this?

 

“My Lord…” At this time, the pink-clothed girl bravely took a few steps forward. “My Lord, Jianqie[mfn]Jianqie means a concubine of low rank; it was a humble term used by women in ancient times to refer to themselves.[/mfn] will serve you—”

 

“Wait a minute!” Shen Qingzhuo came back to his senses and leaned back, “Don’t move, yes, just stand there and don’t move.”

 

Lan Lu paused. “My Lord…”

 

“Lan Lu and Liu Feng, right?” Shen Qingzhuo called Xiao Dezi, “Take the two ladies down and arrange accommodation for them.”

 

Lan Lu wanted to say something, but stopped herself at Lord Shen’s cold gaze. The two sisters bowed and left together.

 

“My Lord is so lucky ah!” Kong Shang watched the excitement for a while and couldn’t help but smile, “They are even a pair of sisters!”

 

Shen Qingzhuo rolled his eyes at him, “It’s a pity that I, your lord, am not lucky enough to enjoy it.”

 

“Ah?” Kong Shang asked in confusion, “Why not?”

 

“What do you think of the people sent by the Empress Dowager?” Shen Qingzhuo paced with his hands behind his back. “Besides, this matter has been…”

 

If the emperor knew about it, there would probably be another big fuss.

 

After sending Kong Qianshi away, Shen Qingzhuo stood in front of the desk, worrying about how to deal with these two girls.

 

However, what made him even more troubled was that Miss Lanlu took the initiative to knock on his door at night.

 

Shen Qingzhuo stood at the door and subconsciously avoided her gaze. “It’s chilly in spring, Miss should wear more clothes.”

 

Lan Lu wrapped her thin clothes tightly and bit her lip shyly. “My Lord, Jianqie is here to help you go to bed.”

 

“You didn’t understand what I said during the day.” Shen Qingzhuo held the door and explained in a gentle voice, “Since the Empress Dowager sent you to the Shen Mansion, the Shen Mansion will not treat you badly. Just stay here, but this lord doesn’t need you guys to serve.”

 

Lan Lu bit her lips even deeper, “But Jianqie…”

 

She made up her mind and threw herself into Lord Shen’s arms. “My Lord, Jianqie clean—”

 

Before Shen Qingzhuo could push her away, he heard a furious shout in the night: “Let go of Master!”

 

The girl in his arms trembled with fear, and Lord Shen was not much better. He pushed Lan Lu away like an electric shock and said very quickly, “Go quickly!”

 

However, Lan Lu still didn’t understand the situation and leaned on the door frame in a daze. The next moment, a sharp palm wind came towards her—

 

“Xiao Qi!” Shen Qingzhuo shouted in a low voice, “Calm down!”

 

As if a prohibition talisman, the furious emperor suddenly calmed down, and his powerful fist froze in midair.

 

“You retreat first.” Shen Qingzhuo emphasized his tone, and then took the emperor’s arm and led him into the room.

 

The strong muscles under the palm of his hand were swollen and hard as stone, fully showing the current state of the owner of the arm.

 

“You’ve grown up to be so capable that you fight in front of Master?” Shen Qingzhuo let go of his hand. “The person was sent by your imperial grandmother. She’s just a weak woman. Why are you so angry at her?”

 

Little did he know that this simple sentence would ignite Xiao Shen again, “Master is protecting her?”

 

“What are you yelling about?” Shen Qingzhuo frowned, “Nothing has happened yet.”

 

With his hands clenched into fists, Xiao Shen gasped like a wild animal out of control, with a raging fire burning in his dark pupils, “If I hadn’t come today, would Master and her, and her…”

 

He couldn’t even utter the second half of the sentence.

 

Seeing that he was furious, Shen Qingzhuo softened his tone, “No.”

 

Xiao Shen pursed his lips tightly, trying to hold back, but couldn’t help but hug his master, “No! Master is mine!”

 

As if to remove all the smell left on his master by others, he rubbed his master randomly and finally simply picked up his master and put him on the bed.

 

“Xiao Qi!” Shen Qingzhuo panicked and reminded loudly, “Three rules!”

 

The person beside him took a deep breath, and the hot breath sprayed on his neck, burning him so much that he couldn’t help trembling.

 

But fortunately, after the rebel put him down, he knelt in front of him, looking up at him with bright eyes washed by anger.

 

“Master…” His deep and pleasant voice became hoarse. “Master, do you like women?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, he heard him answering his own questions.

 

“Although I am not as delicate and soft as a woman, nor as gentle as water, but—” Xiao Shen’s eyes were red, “But I love Master the most, no one in the world loves Master more than me.”

 

Instantly, Shen Qingzhuo seemed to be hit by something, and his heartbeat stopped for a moment and then beat violently like a drum.

 

“If…” Xiao Shen’s adam apple rolled, and he said in a harsh voice, “If Master really likes it, I can also wear clothes like that. Hasen’t Master seen it?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo: “……”

 

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