Chapter 74 Don’t want you to follow (2)
Lin Qing blanked out for a long time after hearing this news. A weird smile appeared on his face. After Situ Yaohua and prime minister Lin once again entered the palace of emperor Jinghui, and after they came out, emperor Jinghui issued another decree. This decree surprised everyone.
This decree decreed that Situ Jinkang, Situ Wenrui and Situ Yuanxiao to be appointed as a prince of first rank. After this year, every prince would go to govern their own fiefs and couldn’t return to the capital without being summoned.
Messed up, everything got messed up.
The fractions of the princes who were fighting for the throne became chaotic like a scattered army. If the few princes are no longer in the capital, how could they fight for the throne? In all likelihood, they could only spend their days on their fiefdom.
Everyone thought that Lin Qing had been driven mad. They didn’t know how he bewitched emperor Jinghui to cause emperor Jinghui to crown these princes as the prince of first rank. Also, he was in the same camp as Situ Wenrui. Why didn’t he differentiate between the foe and the friend? If this wasn’t madness, what was?
However, this was also excusable. He was sent to fight against the Xiongnu. Not to mention whether he could win or not, it was still a question whether he would be able to keep his life. What did he still have to care about? What was more, Situ Wenrui has never helped him.
Moreover, leaving aside the issue of the Xiongnu, if he, a eunuch, went to such a remote place, how could he handle himself in a place where the military and the government was self-contained? The sky is high and the emperor is far away, after leaving emperor Jinghui’s care, who would acknowledge him as superior?
- The sky is high and the emperor is far away: remote places beyond the reach of the central government.
Moreover, how could the officials at court let go of this excellent opportunity to get rid of him? If they just gave Lin Qing a slight stumble, perhaps, it would cause him to stay at the frontier forever. At a place like the frontier, there doesn’t need any justification if one person had died.
—
Lin Qing’s sedan chair returned to Qiansui’s residence. Zhao Zimu was already waiting at the front door. She was dressed in white and there was a slight smile on her face. Her eyes looked calmly at the figure walking out of the sedan chair.
He silently walked to the woman at the door, but walked past her as if he didn’t see her. Zhao Zimu’s eyes dimmed for an instant at the moment he passed her.
This night, Lin Qing shut Zhao Zimu outside of the door and didn’t let her in even if she stuck at the door.
Lin Qing was struggling in his heart. He might not be able to come back this time. He didn’t want her to follow him and die.
There were war and blood everywhere in such a dangerous place like the frontier. Moreover, the officials of those places would probably set up various conspiracies and traps for him. He didn’t believe that those at court who wanted him dead, would let go of such a good opportunity to kill him.
There would be dangers and traps everywhere. It was even difficult for him to protect himself, how could he protect her well?
Lin Qing thought for a whole night in his room. He was tangled everywhere and worried. The person outside didn’t stand there for the whole night. When Lin Qing opened the door the next day, he found that there was no one.
He panicked and called Xiao Lianzi to inquire. How could Xiao Lianzi know? Ever since Zhao Zimu lived in Lin Qing’s courtyard, the guards at the door automatically and consciously moved far away. Now, even if you ask them, they wouldn’t be able to answer. Besides, with madam’s ability, if she wanted to not let them notice, they wouldn’t notice.
Lin Qing was silent for a moment. Then, he clenched his fist and said, “Yue Yi!”
Yue Yi appeared in front of Lin Qing in an instant and respectfully bowed his head. After Zhao Zimu had trained them, they had become Lin Qing’s exclusive guards. For the sake of Lin Qing’s safety, they would usually hide in the dark and wouldn’t appear in front of people easily. After Lin Qing got them, Jia Yi and Jia Er had been sent back to the Prefecture of Arrest.
“Where is madam…?”
Yue Yi was silent for a moment. Lin Qing panicked, looked at him sharply and said, “Speak!”
“Reporting to Qiansui, madam…went out of the residence,” Yue Yi lowered his head. It was apparent that they knew what had happened these days since they had been following Lin Qing in secret. That Zhao Zimu went out at this time easily made people think of bad things.
After a moment of silence, Lin Qing suddenly looked grim and said, “Find her! Bring her back!”
At all costs!
Frightened by the fierce light in Lin Qing’s eyes, Yue Yi immediately disappeared as soon as he took the command. It seemed that if they couldn’t find madam, all of them would have to bear the anger of Qiansui.
After Yue Yi left, Lin Qing ordered Ling Er to be put on house arrest again. At the same time, the spies of the Prefecture of Arrest closely watched all the movements of Fengya Pavilion and secretly looked for Zhao Zimu in the capital.
After finishing all of these, Lin Qing sat alone one the steps of his door wearily. He put his hands on his knees and buried his head there.
His Majesty gave him three days to prepare. He handed the matters of the Department of Supervision to Wang Yue and Lin Jiu. So, he didn’t have to go the Department of supervision these few days. He didn’t know where that person went to. So, he has to wait here for her to come back.
No one dared to approach Lin Qing. he sat alone on the icy stone steps; silently and lonely. Xiao Lianzi was guarding not far away. He didn’t dare to get too close nor leave. He only hoped that Zhao Zimu would return soon.
Although, it had been rumored on the outside world about how vicious Lord Qiansui was, but they, the people who worked under him, knew that Lord Qiansui had treated the people who worked for him quite well. He wouldn’t treat them unfairly or bully them. Moreover, he didn’t let others bully them. One person took care of two big departments in good order. So, the people under him admired him and were loyal to him.
No matter how bad they were rumored to be on the outside world, but how many things had they done that harmed the country and the people? Their target had always been those hypocritic and sanctimonious officials. When had they bothered with those who lived from hand to mouth?
Xiao Lianzi was also very sad seeing Lin Qing like this. He only hoped for Zhao to return sooner.
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