Ping Zhao Lu

Chapter 162: No one knows me better than Ajin

Xu Zhouye was dressed in plain clothes, with a posture as straight as a pine tree, and walked into the hall calmly and leisurely.

His face was as gloomy as water, and his eyes were sharp as he looked around at everyone in the hall. He said slowly, "In recent days, His Majesty has been ill and unable to govern the country personally. Therefore, I am taking charge of the court affairs. Do you have any objections to this?"

"How...how can this be possible?"

"That's right, when it comes to choosing a regent, there's the Queen Mother, the Crown Prince, the Prince of Huai, and a whole bunch of ministers. How can it be the Queen's turn..."

"It's ridiculous!"

Some court officials expressed strong opposition.

Xu Zhouye remained calm and completely ignored their comments.

At the same time, he glanced at Queen Mother Jiang, who was standing on the side with a gloomy face, and reached out to take out a national seal from his arms.

He raised the national seal high and said in a loud voice: "The emperor has commanded!"

When everyone saw the national seal, which symbolized the supreme imperial power, they were all shocked. They immediately knelt on the ground and shouted in unison: "Long live our emperor!"

Xu Zhouye looked at the ministers prostrating themselves, his lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. He then read out the imperial edict aloud: "The Emperor has decreed that, due to my illness, all matters of state, large and small, are to be handled by the person holding the imperial seal. We will discuss important matters of state after the Crown Prince returns to the capital! Furthermore, the Prince of Huai is not allowed to return to the capital without my order!"

After reading the oral order, Xu Zhouye slowly put away the national seal, looked around again, and asked in a calm but dignified tone, "My Lords, do you have any other objections to His Majesty's arrangement?"

For a moment, a series of responses echoed in the hall.

"Your Majesty's orders are followed faithfully and we have no objection!"

"I am also sincerely convinced by your Majesty's decision!"

"I naturally have no objection!"

Most ministers hurriedly expressed their willingness to obey the emperor's will and support Xu Zhouye in temporarily presiding over the government.

However, amidst all the responses, only a small group of people led by Fu Chuoren remained silent.

They all had solemn expressions and flickering eyes, as if they had their own ulterior motives.

At this time, Queen Mother Jiang was already trembling with anger, and her well-maintained face became twisted and stiff because of anger.

She stared at the national seal in Xu Zhouye's hand, her eyes seemed to be spewing fire.

After a long moment, Queen Mother Jiang finally suppressed her anger and dissatisfaction, swallowed her breath with difficulty, and said in a low and suppressed voice: "Well, since this is the will of His Majesty, you should naturally obey the Holy Order and not disobey it in the slightest."

After she finished speaking, she flicked her sleeves with a quick and decisive gesture, then turned and left, saying, "I'll go see how His Majesty is doing."

Seeing this, Xu Zhouye raised the corner of his mouth subtly. He nodded gently, then bowed gracefully and said respectfully, "Farewell, Queen Mother!" His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but just loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly.

Immediately afterwards, everyone else also shouted in unison: "Farewell, Queen Mother!" For a moment, the entire court was filled with this uniform farewell voice.

After Queen Mother Jiang walked further and further away until her figure completely disappeared, Xu Zhouye slowly and unhurriedly stood up.

He looked around and paused for a moment before speaking, "There is nothing important to discuss today. You may all go home and rest early."

Upon hearing this, the ministers all bowed and said in unison, "Yes, we will take our leave."

After saying that, they left the court in an orderly manner, leaving Xu Zhouye alone standing there, looking thoughtfully in the direction where everyone left.

……

Three hours ago.

Chu Yunxiao carefully took out the jade seal from the exquisitely carved box, raised his eyes to meet Xu Zhouye's puzzled gaze, raised the corners of his lips slightly, reached out to hold his right hand, and slowly placed the jade seal in his hand into the other's palm.

Xu Zhouye felt the heavy weight in his palm and couldn't help but frown. He looked at Chu Yunxiao with suspicion and asked, "What are you doing?"

"What do you think?" Chu Yunxiao raised his eyebrows and asked jokingly.

Xu Zhouye lowered his head to examine the imperial seal in his hand, then gently stroked the patterns and designs on it, jokingly saying, "Could it be that... Your Majesty is going to abdicate and let someone else take over?"

Chu Yunxiao chuckled and replied with a hint of sarcasm, "How come I didn't know that the Queen had such ambitions?"

Xu Zhouye glanced at him with a look of displeasure, "I said yes, do you believe me?"

Chu Yunxiao's eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he walked around the desk covered with study supplies and walked straight to Xu Zhouye. He then leaned forward slightly, lowering his eyes to stare directly at the man before him. At the same time, he raised his hand and gently stroked his cheek. In a casual and low voice, he said, "Oh? Ah Jin wants to be emperor?"

Xu Zhouye blushed at Chu Yunxiao's series of intimate actions, especially when his fingers touched her cheek. A warm current instantly surged into her heart, and even her ears became hot.

He secretly cursed in his heart: We have been together for so long, why are you still so shy...

"Why aren't you talking?" Chu Yunxiao lowered his head and pecked the lips of the person in front of him, then bit his lower lip gently with an unsatisfied look.

Xu Zhouye only felt his heartbeat suddenly accelerate and his breathing became rapid.

He subconsciously raised his hand to push away the person in front of him who was wantonly flirting with him, but when he met Chu Yunxiao's burning gaze, his hand stopped involuntarily.

Xu Zhouye took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and then said seriously, "I really want to try what it feels like to sit on the dragon throne."

Chu Yunxiao did not get angry but laughed at such nonsense. He reached out and took Xu Zhouye's hand, holding it tightly, and strode towards the main hall.

Soon, the two arrived at the main hall.

The dragon throne, which symbolizes supreme power, stands there quietly.

Xu Zhouye looked at the dragon throne in front of him in a daze, feeling a little uneasy and nervous.

Chu Yunxiao seemed to sense his uneasiness, smiled slightly, and comforted him softly: "Don't be afraid." As he spoke, he pulled Xu Zhouye towards the main seat steps, then carefully helped him sit down slowly.

After Xu Zhouye sat down, Chu Yunxiao also sat down beside him, turned around and asked with a smile: "How is it? How do you feel?"

Xu Zhouye: "..."

Feeling like sitting on pins and needles.

Xu Zhouye lowered his head slightly and his eyes fell on the exquisite jade seal in his hand.

He gently stroked the surface of the jade seal, then raised his head, looked directly at Chu Yunxiao across from him, and slowly said, "Your Majesty, do you wish me to read out the Regent's edict on your behalf during tomorrow's morning court session?"

Chu Yunxiao raised his lips, stretched out his slender and powerful arms, and gently hooked Xu Zhouye's shoulders into his arms, making Xu Zhouye involuntarily snuggle against his chest.

"No one understands me better than Ajin."

Xu Zhouye smiled silently, leaning comfortably in Chu Yunxiao's arms. After a long silence, he suddenly stood up and said, "By the way, Your Majesty, your headache..." After a pause, "Xiang Heng sneaked into the Shang Pharmacy to investigate and found out that the dosage of peach kernels in Your Majesty's medicine was deliberately controlled. No wonder your headache gets worse the more you drink it..."

Having said this, Xu Zhouye's face turned gloomy, and a cold murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

Chu Yunxiao noticed the change in his eyes and patted his shoulder to comfort him, "It's okay, Xiang Heng is already researching a treatment for me. Since he said he's fine, there's no need to worry, Queen, don't worry."

Hearing Chu Yunxiao's soothing words, Xu Zhouye's tense heart finally relaxed slightly. He nodded slightly and replied, "Xiang Heng is indeed a skilled doctor, worthy of being the descendant of a miracle doctor."

Chu Yunxiao nodded in agreement and said thoughtfully, "Well, with such medical skills, isn't it a bit of a waste to serve as a deputy envoy in the palace?"

"I think so too. Why don't you, Your Majesty, give him a high-ranking official position?" Xu Zhouye kissed the corner of Chu Yunxiao's mouth playfully.

Chu Yunxiao's heart surged with emotion. He bent down and kissed Xu Zhouye's lips, not wanting to be offended. He didn't let go until a moment later. "Being in a high position is like being on the edge of an abyss. I see that he has no ambition to serve in the government. It would be better to let him go and let him revive the family."

Xu Zhouye snuggled into his arms again, "This is also a good place to go."

Chu Yunxiao lowered his head and stared at him, "Well, I have another piece of good news to tell the Queen."

"What good news?" Xu Zhouye looked up at him cooperatively.

Chu Yunxiao lowered his head and pecked his lips again, saying, "Your elder brother will be back in a while, and he will surely arrive before He Yuan's birthday."

Xu Zhouye's eyes lit up instantly, and he excitedly put his arms around Chu Yunxiao's neck and moved to sit on his lap, "This is really good news!"

Chu Yunxiao carefully moved his hand to the lower back of the person in his arms, holding it tightly, fearing that Xu Zhouye, who was too excited, would accidentally slip down. He whispered: "Not only that, Shang Jiu is still alive and is at your uncle's house right now."

Hearing this, Xu Zhouye's eyes lit up again and he said excitedly, "Then Zhuang Yan must be here too!"

Chu Yunxiao couldn't help but chuckle: "Ajin has observed their affairs very carefully."

Xu Zhouye raised his hand and pinched Chu Yunxiao's face. "Isn't this obvious? Even His Majesty can see it, let alone me."

"And I dare to conclude that it was Shang Jiu who fell in love first, and then he intentionally or unintentionally hooked up with our Zhuang Yan!" Xu Zhouye added confidently.

Chu Yunxiao was amused by Xu Zhouye's appearance and rubbed his hair lovingly. "Well, what Ajin said is right. It's our Shang Jiu's fault."

Xu Zhouye smiled complacently, resting his head on Chu Yunxiao's shoulder, and occasionally touching the other's sensitive parts with his hands, causing the usually calm emperor to chuckle.

"Ajin, stop messing around..."

"There's no fuss, it's just that His Majesty can't help but be amused."

"Then let me try. If you don't laugh, I lose!"

"I don't...ah...hahahaha...Your Majesty, no ah haha..." Xu Zhouye couldn't stand Chu Yunxiao's teasing and laughed non-stop.

……

"That's enough, Your Majesty..."

Unconsciously, Chu Yunxiao's teasing had changed its nature.

As Xu Zhouye smiled, tears began to fall.

"His Majesty……"

"I was wrong... Woo! Your Majesty... Yun Xiao... A Sheng... my good husband, please let me go... This is the dragon throne!" Xu Zhouye cried out in pain.

Chu Yunxiao seemed to hear nothing and refused to stop no matter how the person in his arms called out to him.

He didn't stop until Xu Zhouye felt sleepy.

……

Xu Zhouye's cheeks flushed, his eyes misty, he lowered his head to look at Chu Yunxiao, panting slightly, "Your Majesty, why are you doing this..."

Chu Yunxiao replied in a hoarse voice: "It doesn't matter. I still have several months to endure. One day is nothing."

Xu Zhouye: "..."