blogombal Chapter 58: How can the brother-in-law compare to 1?
Chapter 58: How can the brother-in-law compare to 1?
Early the next morning, a group of imperial guards arrived at the gate of the inn where Ye Chengfeng was staying.
The man waiting at the entrance of the inn, judging from his attire, was a eunuch.
If Fan Xian were here, he would definitely recognize this person; it was none other than Eunuch Hou, the personal eunuch of Emperor Qing.
In this inn, the only one who could alarm Emperor Qing was probably Ye Chengfeng.
The other party did not break into the inn but waited at the door, clearly not there to cause trouble.
During this time, Fan Xian also came to this inn and even asked Eunuch Hou about some things.
Unfortunately, Eunuch Hou was very tight-lipped and didn't tell Fan Xian any useful information, nor did he let him go in to find Ye Chengfeng.
Fan Xian had no choice but to leave for the time being.
The area around the inn, which should have been bustling with people, was unusually quiet because it was surrounded by imperial guards.
Ye Chengfeng slept until noon, and only after hearing Xiaomei's report did he learn what had happened.
As soon as Ye Chengfeng stepped out of the inn, Eunuch Hou immediately went to greet him.
"Young Master Ye, you've finally come out! I've kept this old servant waiting."
Ye Chengfeng feigned confusion and said, "Eunuch Hou is the emperor's personal attendant, so why is he here? It's as if he was waiting for me on purpose."
Although Ye Chengfeng knew that Emperor Qing would definitely look for him, he thought it shouldn't be this soon.
Secondly, Ye Chengfeng's visit to Kyoto this time was not on behalf of Dongyi City, but in a private capacity.
"Young Master Ye is absolutely right. This old servant has come here specifically to invite you. His Majesty, knowing that you have come to the capital, wished to meet you, a young talent from Dongyi City. Therefore, he instructed this old servant to invite you to the palace."
"Emperor Qing invited me to the palace? Are you sure it's an invitation?"
Ye Chengfeng glanced at the group of imperial guards behind Eunuch Hou, his meaning clear.
"Young master, please do not misunderstand. His Majesty learned that you were ambushed while traveling with Lord Fan, causing you to suffer an undeserved calamity. Therefore, His Majesty feels deeply apologetic. This time, His Majesty invited you to the palace to offer you some compensation."
After hearing this, Ye Chengfeng basically understood Emperor Qing's plan; he probably didn't want him to help Fan Xian.
After all, Ye Chengfeng is Fan Xian's brother-in-law. If Ye Chengfeng insists on helping Fan Xian, Emperor Qing has no reason to stop him.
Li Chengze is already at a disadvantage, and with Ye Chengfeng's identity also a problem, if he also helps Fan Xian, Emperor Qing can't imagine how Li Chengze will deal with it.
Since Emperor Qing wanted to see him, Ye Chengfeng naturally wouldn't refuse. He had been thinking of asking Emperor Qing to give him another wife!
Ye Chengfeng boarded the carriage and entered the palace in a grand procession. He was then led to the Imperial Garden by Eunuch Hou.
Emperor Qing was already waiting there. He sat alone at the table, which was set with fine wine and delicacies.
Upon seeing Ye Chengfeng arrive, Emperor Qing said, "You've come, please have a seat!"
Ye Chengfeng didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly opposite Emperor Qing, even pouring himself a glass of wine.
"Your personality is very similar to my second child's."
"Uh, how is it similar? Your Majesty, please don't make such a judgment!"
Upon hearing Emperor Qing's words, Ye Chengfeng nearly spat out the wine he had just drunk.
Emperor Qing didn't care at all and poured himself a glass of wine.
Swirling his wine glass, Emperor Qing spoke again: "Send someone to take Fan Ruoruo away, and I won't hold it against a junior like you."
Ye Chengfeng never expected that Emperor Qing would be so blunt about this matter.
In his opinion, even if Emperor Qing were to mention this matter, he would at least do so in a more subtle way!
"What makes you say that, Your Majesty? When did I allow anyone to take Ruoruo away?"
"Wait, does Your Majesty intend to deny this marriage?"
Ye Chengfeng remained completely calm. Emperor Qing couldn't possibly have any evidence of this. As long as Ye Chengfeng didn't admit it, Emperor Qing couldn't do anything about it.
"I am the emperor, how could I break my promise?"
"What does Your Majesty mean by that? Could it be that Ruoruo has disappeared?"
Anyone with eyes could tell from Ye Chengfeng's words that he knew Fan Ruoruo was not in Kyoto.
But Emperor Qing did not point this out.
Who is Emperor Qing?
How could they not see through Ye Chengfeng's little scheme?
Even if he points it out, Ye Chengfeng can find an excuse. It's still the same. As long as Ye Chengfeng doesn't admit it, Emperor Qing can't do anything about it.
"She is indeed missing. Fan Ruoruo has been kidnapped by a female thief and her whereabouts are unknown."
"Oh dear, what should we do?"
Only Emperor Qing, with his deep mind, would have slapped this pretentious brat to death.
Then Emperor Qing saw Ye Chengfeng suddenly looking at him expectantly.
"Your Majesty, such a thing has happened right under the emperor's nose. Don't you deserve an explanation?"
"Oh, what kind of explanation do you think I should give you?"
"Of course, it's to compensate me with a wife."
"Which noble lady from my Qing Kingdom have you set your sights on this time?"
"I've heard that Ye Ling'er, the daughter of the Kyoto garrison commander, is a remarkable and extraordinary woman. I wonder if Your Majesty would grant me this opportunity?"
Ye Chengfeng certainly didn't really have feelings for Ye Ling'er.
He's disgusting Emperor Qing. What is Ye Ling'er's identity?
No matter how you look at it, Emperor Qing would never agree to the idea of a descendant of Grandmaster Ye Liuyun.
"Ling'er? Yes, I agree."
As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and Eunuch Hou came over with the imperial edict and handed it to Emperor Qing.
Ye Chengfeng really miscalculated this time!
"Wait, he's even prepared an imperial edict? How is that possible? Why would he agree?"
Ye Chengfeng knew that Emperor Qing would not do something in vain; there must be some calculation in it that Ye Chengfeng could not see through.
"No, no, Your Majesty, I was just joking."
"Oh, you think I'm joking? You think I'm the kind of emperor who changes his mind all the time?"
Emperor Qing didn't say much, simply tossed the imperial edict to Ye Chengfeng, and got up to leave.
Watching Emperor Qing's retreating figure, Ye Chengfeng thought to himself, "As expected, even the young emperor of Northern Qi could outmaneuver me, let alone Emperor Qing."
Ye Chengfeng opened the imperial edict and looked at its contents.
This was not just an imperial decree bestowing marriage, but also a reward.
This reward is even somewhat outrageous.
"He's going to make me the King of the East City? What exactly is he planning?"
The throne is secondary, after all, Ye Chengfeng is not a citizen of Qing Kingdom, so for Ye Chengfeng, the throne is just an empty title.
To Ye Chengfeng's surprise, he received a reward of one million taels of silver.
This is different; this is something that will be given in real terms.
"Young Master Ye, His Majesty has sent this old servant to deliver a message to you!"
Emperor Qing left, but Eunuch Hou did not.
After Ye Chengfeng finished reading the imperial edict, he stepped forward and spoke.
"Oh, what did Emperor Qing say? Why didn't he say it earlier?"
"His Majesty said that Young Master Ye should not get involved in the affairs between Lord Fan and the Second Prince. The reward given in the imperial decree is this."
The reward that Eunuch Hou mentioned was clearly the one hundred taels of silver.
"Of course, since His Majesty has said so, how could I refuse?"
Ye Chengfeng didn't even think it through before deciding to ignore Fan Xian.
He's just my brother-in-law, how can he compare to a million?
Ye Chengfeng did not stay in the palace for long. Not long after Emperor Qing left, Ye Chengfeng left the palace.
In the Southern Qing Imperial Palace, Ye Chengfeng spoke words intended for Emperor Qing to hear.
With Emperor Qing's strength as a Grandmaster, how could Ye Chengfeng possibly keep his words from him?
Even if Emperor Qing didn't deliberately listen, Eunuch Hou would probably report it to him anyway.
Back at the inn, Ye Chengfeng immediately began to consider how to deal with Ye Ling'er.
Given this girl's impulsive nature, she'll definitely come knocking on our door after learning that Emperor Qing has bestowed a marriage upon her.
"Xiaomei, get ready, we'll be going back in a few days."
"Yes, young master."
Although she didn't understand why Ye Chengfeng had to leave so soon after arriving in the capital of Nanqing, as his subordinate, she only needed to follow orders.