ebookland Chapter 360 Meeting the Emperor
Chapter 360 Meeting the Emperor
Luo An's hand stiffened slightly, unsure whether to continue taking it or withdraw it.
Seeing his hesitation, Xu Sheng sneered and read aloud: "The earthquake in Licheng and Licheng has caused countless deaths and injuries. His Majesty led his troops to provide assistance, but was caught in a landslide and went missing for several days. Please return quickly, Your Highness."
After Xu Sheng finished reading, he bent down, picked up Xuanwu, and walked out. Hailuo quickly followed. Xu Sheng carried Xuanwu all the way to the sea, borrowed a fishing boat, and rowed towards Songlin Island.
Conch sat at the bow of the boat, watching Xu Sheng without daring to speak. She simply accompanied Xu Sheng off the boat, dug a pit, buried Xuanwu, erected a tombstone, and sat with Xu Sheng in front of the grave for a long time before finally rowing back to shore.
Luo An sat on the beach, staring blankly at the sea. Nian Yao sat next to him, holding half a roasted sweet potato in her hand. She crushed it little by little and threw it into the sea, and a group of fish gathered at her feet.
When Nianyao saw Xu Sheng, she stood up abruptly: "It's been so long, I thought you guys had gone back to Nan Yue!"
Sailing a fishing boat back to Nanyue? I can't believe Nianyao came up with that idea.
Xu Sheng glanced at Luo An, who remained unmoved, and his inner irritation inexplicably subsided. He retorted, "Back to Nan Yue? Do you think I can go back?"
Nianyao was stunned for a moment, recalling that Xu Sheng and Luo An were chased and injured after arriving in Penglai last time. It would probably be even more difficult, if not impossible, for them to return smoothly this time.
With the disappearance of the King of Nanyue, leaving behind orphans and widows in the palace, and if even Xu Sheng cannot return, the country will be leaderless, causing unrest among the people, making it impossible to govern and making war even more difficult.
Luo An seemed not to hear, continuing to stare blankly at the sea. To Xu Sheng, Luo An's lack of reaction was the best response.
Xu Sheng half-squatted next to Luo An, his hand on Luo An's shoulder: "Brother, take me back to Bianjing to see Lord Dongyang."
Nianyao was shocked. Before, when Xu Sheng called Luo An his brother and her his sister-in-law, she could sense a hint of teasing. But now, Xu Sheng's address of "brother" sounded natural and affectionate, as if the two were truly close brothers who had known each other for many years.
Luo An was clearly stunned, and it took him a while to come to his senses. He frowned slightly and turned his head to look at Xu Sheng.
The face was the same, but the person seemed completely different. Xu Sheng's tone was sincere, and even his expression and eyes were genuine; there wasn't a trace of pretense: "Help me!"
Nianyao was shocked again. She had heard "help me" or "help me save me" many times, but hearing it from Xu Sheng's mouth was different from everyone else's.
It was clearly a request for help, but there was not a trace of begging in it. Not only did it not feel servile, but the listener actually felt wronged.
The return journey was smooth, without any obstacles. The four men led their horses into Bianjing City, and Xu Sheng exclaimed, "As expected, it was you!"
Luo An hadn't said much the whole way, but now he said to Nian Yao, "I'll take him to see the Emperor, and you take the conch back to Xi Zhai."
Nianyao was surprised: "So soon? Aren't you going back to Xizhai to bathe and change before seeing the Emperor? You're all dusty and travel-worn, it's not very presentable."
Xu Sheng tugged at his clothes: "No need, it's just the two of us brothers, we'll be respectable no matter what."
Dexi led them to the Imperial Garden: "His Highness the Crown Prince has prepared a banquet in the Imperial Garden to welcome the young master and the prince."
An Liangchen stood by the Yujing Pavilion and was secretly alarmed when he saw them: Luo An, dressed in moon white, looked a bit aloof, while Xu Sheng, dressed in indigo, was extremely dashing.
The two are about the same height, and their temperaments are like spring blossoms and autumn fruits, each with its own unique charm, neither able to overshadow the other. If they looked even more alike, no one would doubt that they were twin brothers.
Luo An and Xu Sheng stepped up the stairs together and stood in front of An Liangchen. Xu Sheng spoke first: "Your Highness, I have something to say to His Majesty."
An Liangchen looked at Luo An: "You know, Father's health is poor, and he hasn't been involved in state affairs for a long time."
Luo An glanced at the table, which was fully stocked with wine, dishes and snacks. He looked a little hungry and said, "Dongyang is governed by the Crown Prince. You can discuss anything with him."
An Liangchen said, "Your Highness, please sit down and speak slowly. You may also have the opportunity to sample the food and wine of Dongyang."
Xu Sheng insisted on refusing: "It's a private matter. I have a private matter to discuss with His Majesty."
Private matters? Both Luo An and An Liangchen were somewhat surprised.
Luo An assumed that Xu Sheng's meeting with Lord Dongyang was to discuss peace talks between the two countries, a matter that could be discussed with An Liangchen. Now Xu Sheng was bringing up private matters? What private matters could he possibly have to discuss with Lord Dongyang?
Seeing An Liangchen hesitate, Xu Sheng emphasized again, "Your Highness, this is a private matter."
Luo An thought for a moment: "Should we leave?"
Xu Sheng said, "There is no need to avoid it. Firstly, although it is a private matter, it is a perfectly legitimate private matter."
Secondly, Brother Luo brought me back to Bianjing, and His Highness allowed me to enter the palace, which is already an unprecedented and great favor. For the two of you to need to leave would make me seem extremely ignorant of etiquette.
Thirdly, His Majesty's health is poor. If His Majesty's health deteriorates during the period when the two of you are avoiding him, I will be in deep trouble and will also implicate Brother Luo, which would be a grave sin on my part.
"It's always better to be prepared for anything, even if it seems like a million things might happen. Your Highness, am I right?"
Not only was it good, it was practically a watertight defense against An Liangchen and his son. Xu Sheng made it clear beforehand that if anything unexpected happened to the Emperor, he wouldn't be held responsible.
Luo An was surprised. On the way back, Xu Sheng kept calling him "brother," and passersby treated them like brothers. But now, in front of An Liangchen, Xu Sheng's address of "Brother Luo" sounded distant and aloof.
This was exactly what Luo An wanted. If Xu Sheng called him "brother" in front of An Liangchen, he would have to explain to An Liangchen that Xu Sheng had gone mad. It wasn't that he was afraid of An Liangchen, but it was really inappropriate for Xu Sheng to call him "brother," and he didn't want to cause trouble for himself.
Now that they've arrived at the capital and entered the palace, insisting on preventing Xu Sheng from seeing the emperor would make him seem petty.
An Liangchen personally led Xu Sheng there, with Xu Sheng following behind An Liangchen and Luo An following behind Xu Sheng. As they approached Yishou Palace, Luo An saw Nan Hua and his senior sister passing through the plum garden.
Luo An paused slightly. Senior Sister seemed to sense something, glanced in his direction, nodded slightly, and then followed Nan Hua.
Over the years, Luo An had never seen his eldest sister descend Mount Taiwei. When the emperor was unwell, there were imperial physicians who would occasionally descend the mountain to check on him, but his eldest sister never did.
While he hesitated, An Liangchen had already reached the entrance of Yishou Palace. Xu Sheng turned back and waved to him, signaling him to follow. Luo An suppressed his questions and quickly followed.
In Yishou Palace, An Ran sat leaning against the bed, with Zhao Ziyu sitting on the edge of the bed watching over her. An Liangchen stepped forward and said, "Father, Mother, Prince Rui of Nanyue has come to visit."
An Ran asked, "Xu Sheng?"
“Indeed!” Xu Sheng replied loudly, kneeling down and presenting the pair of jade unicorns with both hands facing upwards: “Nephew Xu Sheng greets Uncle and Aunt. This pair of jade unicorns was obtained by me during my travels in the South China Sea. The unicorn is a benevolent and auspicious beast, and I specially present it to Uncle and Aunt to wish you both good fortune and health.”
The whole place was silent.
An Liangchen and his son had an excellent relationship, so there was naturally little formality involved. Luo An never knelt before anyone. In contrast, Xu Sheng was very humble in his actions and words: he knelt down to perform a grand ceremony, the flawless white jade kylin was clearly a rare treasure, and he addressed everyone as nephew, uncle, and aunt.