Ci Jinzhi

Emperor Xing Yuan stared at the book for a moment: "Is this a script outside the palace?"

Concubine Shu's heart tightened, and she said bravely: "Yes... I heard that this book is very popular in the capital, and I'm really curious, so I asked Xiao Mingzi to buy it and have a look."

Concubine Shu has taken care of the post-officials all these years, and in the eyes of many people, she is a real queen, but only Concubine Shu knows best that she has never been as relaxed as a wife is in front of her husband when facing this emperor.

Whether it's her or the other women in the harem, the emperor's attitude towards them is condescending.

However, some people understand it, such as her.There are also some people who are too stupid to want to be favored by the emperor.

Because of her sobriety, Concubine Shu had to be cautious in front of Emperor Xing Yuan.

"I see." Emperor Xing Yuan came here today to discuss her bastard nephew with Concubine Shu, but the trembling palace servants, the blood on the gold bricks, all these made him lose interest in staying.

"Concubine Shu should not get angry because of her nephew, her body is the most important thing."

"Thank you Your Majesty for your concern, I know."

Emperor Xing Yuan nodded, turned and left.

The eunuch holding the book hesitated for a moment, and silently took "Painted Skin" away because he didn't dare to make decisions without Emperor Xingyuan's explanation.

Concubine Shu looked at the door, her face drooping.

The emperor ordered Jin Linwei to beat his nephew in public, so he didn't want to sweep her face. He came here today without saying a few words and then left.

If so——a beautiful face appeared in Concubine Shu's mind, and the face was even more hostile.

That's really the shadow of their lives. Fortunately, that person will never come back.

Concubine Shu's expression was slightly relaxed, and she swept towards Xiao Mingzi who was kneeling on the ground: "Get off!"

Xiao Mingzi didn't dare to raise his head, and quickly backed out.

When Emperor Xing Yuan returned to his bedroom, he glanced away and found that the servant had brought back the scriptures.

"Bring it to me to see."

The servant's name is Sun Yan, who is one of the best eunuchs, and of course he is humble enough in front of Emperor Xingyuan.

"Yes." Sun Yan tore off the waist seal from the book, quickly turned over the pages for inspection, and then presented the book to Emperor Xing Yuan.

Emperor Xing Yuan took the script and started to read it.

Sun Yanhou didn't dare to disturb him, so he winked at the servant.

Those who can work here are clever, so the little servant hurriedly moved the candlestick to this side.

The brighter the light, the more seriously Xing Yuan looked.

As time passed, Sun Yan couldn't help reminding: "Your Majesty, it's time to rest, and you hurt your eyes carefully."

Emperor Xing Yuan looked away from the book and took a sip of water.

Just as Sun Yan was about to reach out to take the book away, Emperor Xing Yuan pressed him down: "I'll read it for another quarter of an hour."

One quarter of an hour?

Sun Yan thought it was okay, and silently added hot water to the half-empty glass.

A quarter of an hour later.

"Your Majesty, the time has come."

Emperor Xing Yuan didn't even raise his head: "Look at it for another moment, no, two quarters of an hour."

The corner of Sun Yan's mouth twitched, knowing the emperor's temper, he didn't try to persuade him any more.

Two quarters later.

"Your Majesty, it's really time to rest, tomorrow morning will be—"

Emperor Xing Yuan slapped the book, and his face darkened: "At this moment, I am often still correcting the memorials, why don't the scripts fail?"

Sun Yan lowered his head, not daring to say anything.

"Stop rambling, wait until I finish reading."

Sun Yan: "..."

As the night gradually deepened, the candlesticks were already filled with candle tears. Emperor Xingyuan finally put down the book, got up and rubbed his eyes.

Eunuch Sun's expression was numb.

"What is Mr. Song Ling's background?"

After reading a good-looking book, it is human nature to unconsciously want to pay attention to the writer.

Sun Yan was stopped by the question: "The slaves don't know much about things outside the palace."

Perhaps, he should find time to visit the Qingsong Bookstore.

Emperor Xing Yuan was not angry at Sun Yan's ignorance, and ordered: "Let Marquis Chang Le come to see me when the court is over tomorrow."

"Yes."

The next day when he went to court, the officials noticed the big dark circles on Emperor Xingyuan's face, and they were immediately puzzled.

Recently, the government affairs are going smoothly, and there are no news of natural disasters or man-made disasters from various places. Does the emperor still stay up late to deal with political affairs?
This really makes a courtier feel ashamed!
So Emperor Xingyuan felt the efforts of the ministers, and the early court took half an hour longer than usual to leave.

Emperor Xingyuan was dizzy and almost couldn't hold on, and finally stayed up until the end of the morning, when he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Sun Yan didn't dare to disturb, and silently stood aside.

After an unknown amount of time, a voice came asking, "Is Marquis Changle here?"

Sun Yan hurriedly said, "Marquis Changle is already waiting outside."

"Pass him in."

Not long after, He Qingxiao walked in.

"My minister has seen His Majesty."

Emperor Xingyuan showed a slight smile on his face: "Qingxiao, how many times have I told you that I am also your uncle, so relax."

After a few gossips, Emperor Xingyuan told He Qingxiao what to do: "I'm a little curious about what kind of person Mr. Songling who wrote "Painted Skin" is, you go and find out."

He Qingxiao responded quietly, and frowned only after walking out of the palace gate.

The things the emperor entrusted him to do were all related to hundreds of officials and nobles. This was the first time that he had specifically investigated ordinary people.

But regardless of whether the task is reasonable or not, the emperor must do what the emperor entrusts.

Originally, this kind of thing would be directly ordered to investigate. He Qingxiao thought about it, changed into casual clothes and went straight to Qingsong Bookstore.

At this time, there are many people in the bookstore.

Shopkeeper Hu stared at the fewer and fewer books on the bookshelf, his heart bleeding.

It will be sold out in a few days, and every customer who leaves empty-handed will be a small amount of money flying away.

"The treasurer."

"Ah?" Shopkeeper Hu came back to his senses, seeing Mr. He in casual clothes, hesitating how to say hello.

He Qingxiao asked in a low voice: "Is your boss there? I have something to do with her."

"Please wait."

Shopkeeper Hu hurriedly sent Shi Shi to report to Xin You.

Not long after, Shi Shi ran back, leaned close to He Qingxiao and whispered, "There are many people in the storytelling hall of the master's house. If you want to talk about something serious, let the villain take you to the east courtyard."

"Please lead the way."

Xin You was waiting by the stone table in the courtyard, seeing He Qingxiao coming with the stone, she stood up to meet him.

"What does Mr. He want from me?" After sitting down, Xin You picked up the teapot and poured tea for He Qingxiao.

He Qingxiao looked at the girl with a peaceful expression, and said, "Miss Kou, can you tell me about Mr. Song Ling's situation?"

Xinyou's hand holding the teapot paused, doubts appeared in her eyes: "Why did Mr. He suddenly ask Mr. Song Ling?"

"I've seen "Painted Skin" today, and asked about Mr. Song Ling."

Originally, what the emperor explained should not be spread to the outside world, but He Qingxiao said it easily, so easily that he was surprised when he said it, and then calmed down.

Speaking of which, he didn't really want to take up the job of Jinlinwei Zhenfu, and in his heart, that person was just obedient to the imperial power.

When he felt disgusted with the daily life in the Hou's mansion full of imperial servants, He Qingxiao realized that he was not a well-behaved character.

And Miss Kou is also such a person.