Chapter 570 - 570. Black-bellied Emperor
Xiao Zeyu covered his nose and acted pitiful,
“Qing’er, you’ve made my nose bleed.”
“Sister-in-law, you hit my brother’s nose.”
Xiao Lanxin quickly spoke up for Xiao Zeyu. She had to make her sister-in-law’s heart ache so that she could forgive her brother.
“Here.”
Su Qing took out a medicine bottle and handed it to Xiao Ying. She was going to deliver the medicine to him. She went to the living room and sat down without even looking at it.
Xiao Lanxin could tell that her sister-in-law was still angry, but since she was willing to give her brother the medicine, she still cared about him.
Xiao Lanxin came out with the healing medicine. Xiao Zeyu thought that his trick would work. However, the door opened, but only his sister came out. His eyes dimmed.
How long would it take for Qing’er to cool down?
‘Zhou Wen, you bastard. What are your intentions for exposing our relationship?’
Xiao Zeyu cursed inwardly as he held back his anger and waited to deal with Zhou Wen.
“Brother, Sister-in-law gave it to me. Go to court first. You can’t coax Sister-in-law when she’s angry.”
Xiao Lanxin whispered to her brother.
“Alright.”
Xiao Zeyu had no choice but to leave. He held the bottle of medicine Su Qing had given him tightly in his hand, hoping that she would be appeased when he returned the following day.
Zhou Wen observed the Emperor’s expression during the morning court session. He didn’t know if the Emperor had seen his memorial.
As long as he agreed to choose a beautiful girl, he would send his sister to the palace. At that time, he would be a relative of the royal family. It would not be long before he could get a lucrative job.
Zhou Wen had his eyes set on the position of the salt historian. He could earn more in a year than in his entire life.
Of course, this was all for later. First, he had to persuade the Emperor to agree to take a concubine. Yesterday, he had already spoken to the ministers. They were all willing for the Emperor to take a concubine. Only then would the women in the family have hope of entering the palace.
Everyone wanted to be a relative of the Emperor. Look at how much the Emperor respected the Empress’ father. All the civil and military officials in the court were standing in front of him, and only Su Hanxuan was given a seat. How glorious was this?
Xiao Zeyu first dealt with political affairs and ordered that this year’s spring plowing be done with corn. The ministers did not object to this. The corn planted by the Empress was simply too delicious.
After Xiao Zeyu issued two more decrees to benefit the people, he changed the topic and talked about the Japanese pirates.
“I’ve already decided to attack Japan on the 1st of next month. Do you have any objections?”
“That’s great. These bastards should have been beaten up long ago.”
Zhong Yong was excited when he heard that there would be a war. He took the initiative to ask for a fight.
“Emperor, this subject will lead troops to flatten the East Ocean Continent!”
“The Japanese pirates are the most arrogant and occupy most of our cities.”
Zhang Jinglin was the second to agree. Su Hanxuan nodded.
“Your Majesty is wise; you should eliminate the Japanese pirates and return the safety of our fishermen.”
Even if the other people had opinions, they dared not say anything. They just said that the Emperor was wise, and that was it.
Xiao Zeyu then dealt with the memorials submitted by the ministers and passed the memorials that he had approved last night to the eunuchs.
Zhou Wen was anxious. The Emperor hadn’t said what he wanted to hear after all this time. Could it be that the Emperor didn’t have the time to approve the memorial last night?
Other than this reason, he really couldn’t think of any reason for the Emperor not to approve his memorial.
Which man didn’t like to hug? What was the point of hugging only one woman for the rest of his life?
Not to mention the Emperor, even though he had several women. Recently, he even wanted to marry a daughter from the previous dynasty. She was as beautiful as a flower, and he would take pity on her. He was referring to that woman, and she had simply stolen his soul.
Of course, women and power were more important. What kind of woman could he not have with power?
Just as Zhou Wen let his imagination run wild, he felt a sharp gaze land on him. He subconsciously looked up and met Xiao Zeyu’s cold gaze, scaring him into breaking out in a cold sweat. Then, he saw Xiao Zeyu smile at him. Why did that smile feel so cold?
Before Zhou Wen could figure it out, he heard the Emperor say,
“Dear ministers, I saw an interesting memorial last night. I think Grand Scribe Zhou’s proposal is perfect and have decided to implement it in court.”
It’s here, it’s here, as expected, and the Emperor can’t wait to announce it!
Zhou Wenxing looked at the Emperor in a hurry. His high-spirited appearance made it seem as if he had been promoted.
When he got home, he could tell his sister to prepare to be a consort to enter the palace. His sister would be overjoyed. She had met the Emperor once and fell in love at first sight. She had been asking him to think of a way to send her into the palace. It could be considered as fulfilling her wish.
Just as Zhou Wen felt smug, Xiao Zeyu looked at him coldly. Why didn’t he realize he was such a vile person during the selection of ministers?
It seemed that he was still not good at judging people!
But it wasn’t too late to find out now…
Everyone was waiting for the Emperor to share the exciting memorial from yesterday. Seeing the Emperor staring at Zhou Wen, they immediately understood. So, the Emperor also wanted to take a concubine?
Just as everyone was speculating, Xiao Zeyu spoke again,
“Grand Scribe Zhou handed me a memorial yesterday. I have decided that his proposal is perfect. In the future, the officials of the court are not allowed to take concubines unless the main wife dies. If anyone secretly takes a concubine, they will be severely beaten with fifty strokes of the cane and removed.”
The moment Xiao Zeyu said that all the officials were stunned. Those who had the intention of taking a concubine or had already taken one glared at Zhou Wen.
What kind of wicked idea was this? Show your ability.
If you don’t want to marry a beautiful concubine, we do!
Zhou Wen was dumbfounded as he looked at Xiao Zeyu with his mouth agape. That’s not right. His memorial clearly stated that he wanted the Emperor to take a concubine. If the Emperor took a concubine, they could naturally take concubines. Why did the Emperor say that his memorial forbade concubines? Wouldn’t this make the entire court hate him?
“Minister Zhou, let’s start with you. You have to set an example. I’ll send troops home with you. If you have a concubine…Then you should resign!”
Xiao Zeyu looked at Zhou Wen coldly. ‘You caused our Celestial Empress to be at odds with me, so how can I let you off?’
“Emperor, this official’s memorial didn’t write like this. You must have seen it wrongly.”
Zhou Wen was so frightened that he knelt on the ground and kowtowed as he cried out.
“Are you saying that I framed you?”
Xiao Zeyu’s voice was so cold that it made one tremble. Zhou Wen was stunned when he heard his words. How could he dare to say that? Wouldn’t it be treasonous to say it?
Zhou Wen felt extremely aggrieved despite knowing that he had been wrongly accused.
Sensing the angry gazes from his surroundings, Zhou Wen broke out in a cold sweat. He had several beautiful concubines at home. According to the Emperor’s decree, taking a concubine required fifty strokes of the cane and the removal of the flower feather.
He had lost his official position and became an ordinary citizen. If these elders in the imperial court could not marry concubines because of this memorial, what about him? He would teach him a lesson.
When the time came, there would be no place for him to hide. Zhou Wen’s forehead broke out in cold sweat as he was filled with fear.. Why did he feel like the Emperor was using someone else to kill him?