Yan Xiu looked expressionless at the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War standing below.
The deep and tranquil phoenix eyes emitted an intangible pressure, causing Vice Minister Sun to involuntarily wipe the sweat off his forehead and stammer, "Emperor, I just mentioned that it seems a bit wasteful to assign Prince Xuan as an escort, but since General Li is currently not in the Capital City, this..."
"So in Vice Minister Sun’s eyes, General Li is not as capable as Prince Xuan."
Yan Xiu said coldly.
Vice Minister Sun’s knees weakened and he involuntarily knelt to the ground: "Emperor, that’s not what I meant. I only recalled that you intended to send Prince Xuan to Beihuang to suppress the bandits the other day, which is why I mentioned Prince Xuan. I had no intention of comparing Prince Xuan with General Li."
"Oh, according to your words, you are thinking for me and relieving my worries?"
"I am terrified..." Vice Minister Sun bowed his head low, wishing he could slap himself to calm the Emperor’s anger.
Ultimately, a decision was made, and the escort task was delegated to a deputy general.
This person was one of the trusted aides of General Li.
"Incompetent officials! Foolish!" Upon hearing the court’s decision, Yan Zixuan angrily smashed a teapot in Prince Xuan Mansion.
How much effort had he spent? How many arrangements made?
When preparing to go to Beihuang the other day, the soldiers he selected were those without much attachment in the Capital City, intending to have them under his command as trusted aides after staying away from the Capital City for some time.
Yet as preparations were about to start, Li Mo replaced him with the Emperor’s Imperial Decree.
Even though Yan Zixuan didn’t want to comply, what else could he do? Once the Imperial Decree is issued, who dares to defy it publicly?
Upon his unwilling return, Yan Zixuan discovered it was Li Yuyu who had caused a scene in front of Yan Xiu, prompting Yan Xiu to change his mind. He didn’t know whether to be happy or angry.
But since the matter was settled, Yan Zixuan wouldn’t push the blame onto a woman, and began planning a second strategy.
During today’s discussion in the Imperial Study, the escort topic suggested by Vice Minister Sun was his objective.
Unexpectedly, Yan Xiu rejected him again, still dispatching military generals, and it was Li Mo’s faction going. Yan Zixuan felt a hint of worry in his heart.
Could it be that Yan Xiu was starting to guard against him?
Yan Zixuan narrowed his eyes, tapped his finger on the table edge, and finally spoke gently, "Send a note to the palace; I will visit the Imperial Concubine."
"Yes." Someone outside responded.
Inside the Imperial Study, after all the ministers left, Shen Quan came forward to confess.
"Speak." Suddenly, Yan Xiu had a bad premonition.
"Lady Li was summoned to Cining Palace by the Empress Dowager early this morning and hasn’t returned yet," Shen Quan bowed and said.
Yan Xiu: ...
"If Lady Li is safe, so be it; otherwise, I will definitely punish you!" Yan Xiu said angrily, flinging this statement before raising his Dragon Robe and striding out of the Imperial Study.
Shen Quan trotted alongside Yan Xiu: "Emperor, don’t be anxious, I’ve sent Donglai to keep watch outside Cining Palace; his absence indicates Lady Li hasn’t been troubled."
Yan Xiu’s heart was anxious, unwilling to converse with Shen Quan.
He had witnessed his mother’s methods; these days Yu’er had indeed been somewhat reckless, causing no severe loss, but certainly violating many palace rules in his mother’s eyes, enticing the thought of punishing Yu’er.
It was just unfortunate he was too busy today, delaying the response, and unsure if Yu’er could endure.
The more Yan Xiu thought, the more his heart was aflame with urgency, wishing he could fly across the eaves to Cining Palace immediately. But he couldn’t; doing so would disregard the Emperor’s status and truly place Yu’er in danger.