Chapter 0172: A Transitional Mini-Chapter, Plus Another Leave Request

After accompanying the princes to send off the imperial procession, Li Dongyao returned to the government office.

Just as he was preparing to draft a memorial to the throne to report on the progress of the Ice Sculpture Festival, the chief clerk approached carrying a box. “Sir,” he said, “this was sent by an official from the palace. He mentioned he greatly enjoyed the Ice Sculpture Festival and specially sent this gift for you.”

“Oh? Do you know which official it was?” Li Dongyao gestured for the chief clerk to open the box, only to discover two dark-colored scented sachets inside.

Li Dongyao immediately showed a look of disdain.

What was the point of giving him such feminine items?

Ah, right—in Jingcheng, high-ranking officials and nobles, regardless of gender, loved using these scented sachets. Having stayed in Liaozhou for so long, he had adopted many local customs and nearly forgotten this practice.

“The servant who delivered the gift didn’t mention which official it was,” the chief clerk shook his head. “It seems the sender was merely acting on a whim.”

So, there was no intention of currying favor.

Li Dongyao waved his hand dismissively. “I have no use for such things. You’ve worked hard these past few days—consider it a reward.”

“Ah! Thank you, sir!” The chief clerk’s face lit up with delight, and he quickly tucked the box into his sleeve.

He thought to himself, anything gifted by nobility must be of high quality. When he returned home, he would light one for his wife—she was sure to love it.

…

On the journey back to the capital.

Inside a certain carriage.

“Sir, there’s been an issue at the Salt Bureau.”

“What happened?”

“The Salt Administration Officer at the Salt Bureau has fallen ill. I heard that during his episode, he appeared deranged and was in excruciating pain…” The servant whispered a few more details. Inside the carriage, the man in purple robes slowly curved his lips into a mocking smile. “There will always be those who refuse to follow the rules and disobey. They bring misfortune upon themselves. I gave them a chance to live peacefully, but they didn’t cherish it. So be it.”

“Have the antidote delivered on schedule.” Sheng Shihai’s smile was enigmatic. “Since they won’t obey willingly, make them completely compliant.”

“Yes.”

The servant withdrew from the carriage, seamlessly blending back into the procession as if he had never been there.

“Father, what are you looking at?”

Xie Zimiao asked Emperor Jian, who had lifted the carriage curtain and seemed to be gazing at something. Xie Zimiao was returning to the capital with Emperor Jian and Rou Fei this time. Though he was reluctant to leave his second brother, imperial orders were not to be disobeyed, so he had no choice but to follow the main party back to the capital.

“Nothing, just admiring the snowy scenery.”

Emperor Jian withdrew his gaze and coughed twice.

“Why hasn’t your cold improved?” Perhaps from spending too much time at the ice venue, Emperor Jian had been coughing incessantly these past few days, and even the imperial physician’s decoctions hadn’t helped.

Xie Zimiao rummaged through his small bundle and reluctantly pulled out a piece of old ginseng. “Father, would you like to hold this in your mouth?”

“Cough, cough—my child is so filial.” Emperor Jian reached out to take it, but the movement seemed to trigger another fit of violent coughing, as if he were trying to cough up his lungs.

“Cough, cough! Cough!” Emperor Jian covered his mouth, struggling to suppress the sound. Outside, Eunuch Zhao heard it and anxiously lifted the carriage curtain. “Your Majesty…”

“It’s—cough, it’s nothing.” Emperor Jian pulled the heavy curtain shut. After a few final coughs, he gradually calmed down and lowered his hand.

“Father!” Xie Zimiao’s gaze fell on the startling streak of red in Emperor Jian’s palm. His pupils contracted sharply. “You—!”

“Shh.” Emperor Jian made a quieting gesture, calmly wiping the blood from his hand before speaking slowly, “Your father knows that among all my children, you, Fourth Child, are the most tight-lipped. You are the child I trust most.”

Xie Zimiao bit her lip.

“Miao’er, what do you think of your second brother?” Emperor Jian looked at Xie Zimiao gently, though his eyes held a sharpness that was difficult to detect.

“Second brother is quite good.” Xie Zimiao lowered her head and scratched it, “He cares for the common people and can find solutions to any difficult problem. I greatly admire Second Brother.”

“And compared to your third brother?”

Xie Zimiao’s entire body stiffened instantly. She looked up at Emperor Jian, “Crown Prince brother is also very good. Why does Father ask this?”

“Don’t you think Ze’er is more suited to governing the country than the Crown Prince?” Emperor Jian coughed twice more before saying solemnly, “You’ve been by Ze’er’s side for so long, surely you can see most clearly that in terms of statecraft, the Crown Prince cannot compare to Ze’er.”

“Father, governing a country requires not only managing the people but also leading the officials. Second Brother is simple and kind-hearted by nature and doesn’t understand political strategies at all. How can he be said to compare to Crown Prince brother?” Xie Zimiao quickly shook her head, “In my opinion, if we want Jian’an to remain stable, political strategy is naturally more important.”

Emperor Jian’s gaze lingered on Xie Zimiao for a long time before he finally smiled, “You’re quite right. Your father has been confused by illness.”

“If someday your second and third brothers were to quarrel, who would you help, Miao’er?”

“I have no particular abilities and wouldn’t be of any help.” Xie Zimiao shook her head, “But Second Brother has such a good temper, I doubt he would ever quarrel with Crown Prince brother.”

“Hahaha.” Hearing this, Emperor Jian couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “That’s true. That child has always had a good temper, never gets angry.”

Even when he did get angry, he would calm down quickly.

Exactly like his mother back in the day.

Emperor Jian affectionately patted Xie Zimiao’s head, “Good child, when we return to the capital, I shall bestow upon you a prince’s residence. It’s time for you to establish your own household.”

Xie Zimiao looked up sharply.

Looking at the blood at the corner of Emperor Jian’s mouth that hadn’t been completely wiped away, she seemed to realize something.

No wonder her father, who had always disliked extravagance when it came to himself, was suddenly willing to go through the trouble of bringing the entire imperial harem and all officials to Liaozhou for the festival. It turned out it was because…

“Yes.” Thinking of this, Xie Zimiao clenched her lips, her eyes involuntarily reddening, “I obey your command.”