Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 171 Young Emperor

The three of them sat in the carriage, which slowly headed towards the palace.

On the way, A'Zhu looked at Mu Wanqing in front of him and joked: "Congratulations to my sister on being crowned a princess. My slave, A'Zhu, pays homage to Her Royal Highness." After saying this, A'Zhu playfully pretended to bow to Mu Wanqing.

Mu Wanqing was not very happy. She held her chin and looked at the people on both sides of the road through the car window. She said, "If you like it, I will give you this identity."

A'Zhu said with a smile: "Forget it. This is my sister's blessing, and I can't bear it."

A'Zhu said to Zhao Mu: "My lord, who do you think the envoy from Dali is?"

Zhao Mu shook his head and said: "I'm not sure about this either. The three princes of Dali are going to assist Emperor Baoding, so they probably won't come. Although the four guards are the prince's confidants, he is just the crown prince and has not yet ascended the throne. They represent I'm afraid Dali is not qualified to send an envoy to the Song Dynasty. Even if he comes, I'm afraid he will only accompany him. I think the most likely person to come is Lord Gao or..."

Zhao Mu looked at Mu Wanqing in front of him, but he still didn't say the name in the end.

Seeing Zhao Mu's hesitant expression, Mu Wanqing guessed who he was talking about. Although she would be very angry when she heard that name, she couldn't help but chuckle when she saw Zhao Mu respecting her so much.

In this way, the three of them talked to each other and came to the gate of the palace with a smile.

After getting off the car, Mu Wanqing and A'Zhu looked at the tall palace walls and the solemn guards, and couldn't help but feel a little fear in their hearts.

Zhao Mu, on the other hand, was a little emotional. Although he had lived in the capital for a long time, this was also the first time that Zhao Mu actually came to the palace gate.

The walls of the Imperial City of the Song Dynasty were very high, not much different from the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in later generations. Zhao Mu couldn't help but sigh that the towering city wall failed to stop the golden man's iron hoof in the end.

Although Zhao Mu's goal was to see the emperor and get promoted to a higher rank, Zhao Mu couldn't help but feel a little nervous when he really wanted to see the emperor. Looking at the Shinto in the palace, he didn't know how far he could go on this road.

However, the three of them were separated after arriving at the palace gate.

A'Zhu and Mu Wanqing were taken into another car by the courtesy officer responsible for welcoming them. It was said that he was meeting with the envoy from Dali State. Wait until the dinner party before entering the palace.

Zhao Mu, on the other hand, followed a eunuch and several other dragon guards as they walked deeper into the imperial city.

But after actually stepping into the forbidden court, Zhao Mu was no longer so nervous, and instead looked around at everything in the palace as if he were on a sightseeing tour.

Looking at Zhao Mu's expression of "country people are curious about everything they see when they enter the city", the old eunuch who was responsible for guiding the way said: "Is this your first time entering the palace?"

Hearing this, Zhao Mu replied calmly: "Exactly, to be honest with my father-in-law, although Zhao Mu is a member of the royal family, he has a humble background and a humble position. He has never been lucky enough to enter this palace. Today, he can It is a great blessing to be summoned by His Majesty and enter the palace for a visit. If I don't remember the scenery along the way this time, I may not have the chance to come in again in the future."

After listening to Zhao Mu's words, the eunuch couldn't help but smile. Then he said nothing more. The few dragon guards around him also lowered their heads and snickered.

Seeing their reaction, Zhao Mu was also very satisfied.

Because this was Zhao Mu's way of protecting himself. Although he didn't know what the little emperor's intentions were, Zhao Mu knew that he had already targeted him. It's always right to pretend to be more "honest" and temper your edge now.

The people around him were all close to the emperor, and they could not be said to have the little emperor's spies.

After passing through several halls, everyone finally stopped in front of a stone staircase. The old eunuch shook the fly whisk in his hand and said, "Please wait a moment, Lord Marquis, and let me go and report to Your Majesty." Zhao Mu didn't say much, but bowed in affirmation.

Then the old eunuch walked up the high steps next to the Danbi Stone.

Zhao Mu pretended to look around as if nothing had happened. He paid attention to the deployment of guards around him, and then relaxed.

Except for the few around him, the other guards in the palace are ordinary imperial guards. It seems that this time it is just surveillance, not a drama of "capturing Han Xin".

After a while, the old eunuch's voice came from above, "The descendant Zhao Mu has an audience!"

After hearing this sound, Zhao Mu slowly walked up the stairs. Then the old eunuch from before took Zhao Mu into a side hall. This is the Wende Hall where the emperor worked daily.

Although the young emperor has not yet taken office personally, as a preparation before officially taking office, memorials on state affairs still have to be presented to him. It's just that the little emperor couldn't give his approval on major matters alone. He had to find the Queen Mother, who listened behind the curtain, and make decisions after a "meeting" with the auxiliary ministers.

After Zhao Mu entered the palace, he still stood in front of the door waiting for the emperor's summons.

The old eunuch said at this time: "Your Majesty! The acting marquis has arrived!" As soon as the old eunuch finished speaking, Zhao Mu stepped forward and saluted and said: "Your Majesty, Zhao Mu!"

Hearing this, a young boy's voice sounded young and crisp: "Oh! My beloved, you will be free of charge!"

Hearing this voice, Zhao Mu was a little surprised. Although he had never met Emperor Zhezong, in his impression, Emperor Zhezong should be about the same age as him even if he was young. But listening to this voice, it seemed to be that of a young man.

After Zhao Mu got Zhezong's permission, he slowly stood up. Seeing Zhao Mu lowering his head, Emperor Zhezong said, "Why are you hanging your head, my dear? Raise your head, let me take a look."

When Zhao Mu heard this, he raised his head and looked at Emperor Zhezong. Emperor Zhezong looked Zhao Mu up and down, and Zhao Mu also looked at Zhezong carefully. Then Zhao Mu lowered his eyelids again. After all, it is taboo to look up at the king and look at him with the intention of assassinating the king. But even though it was just a glance, he also remembered the appearance of Emperor Zhezong.

Emperor Zhezong was wearing an exquisite scarlet satin robe. He had star-shaped eyebrows and sword-like eyes, and looked majestic. Although he looks like a young man about the same age as Ah Zi, sitting in front of the Long Bookcase, he still looks like an emperor. The little emperor was reviewing the memorial with his pen. When he saw Zhao Mu coming, he slowly put down the imperial pen in his hand.

Emperor Zhezong also looked Zhao Mu up and down. Although it was a little different from what he imagined, he was still quite satisfied with Zhao Mu.

Emperor Zhezong then said: "I have long wanted to see Aiqing. I heard that Aiqing was seriously ill a few days ago. Has your health gotten better these days?"

Zhao Mu replied: "Reporting to your majesty, thanks to your majesty's great blessing, I was slightly ill when I returned to Beijing due to a lack of acclimatization, but now I have recovered."

Emperor Zhezong smiled and nodded. He looked at Zhao Mu and said, "Aiqing, you don't have to be so reserved. Come on, give me a seat for you."

Zhao Mu replied: "Thank you, Your Majesty." After saying that, Zhao Mu was led by the old eunuch and sat down on a chair at the bottom.

After Zhao Mu sat down, the little emperor didn't say anything. He just looked at Zhao Mu sideways, as if he was looking at something new.

This feeling of silence made Zhao Mu very uncomfortable. He usually looked at beauties with this kind of look, but now that this kind of look came to him, it made him feel on pins and needles.

(End of this chapter)