Chapter 854: Chapter 854: Heaven Has Eyes
Lian Wanzhen and Lian Changhe, these days, have been receiving information from the palace through the shadow guards.
The nature of the shadow guards, cold and hard, they simply deliver the message and immediately want to leave. Once stopped, they remain silent for ages, and nothing can be extracted from them despite repeated questioning.
They have been frustrated for a long time, not knowing how people are doing. Every time they only hear that things are okay, Su Ran is still in the palace taking care of people, and nothing more is known.
It was only after hearing Zhang Qing specifically mention that the person is eating five meals a day did they feel slightly relieved, but they didn’t expect the final statement: Divine Doctor Huang also went! Moreover, they will recover sooner or later!
Prior to this, Lian Musu received news from the Huang Family, that the three-day appointment was canceled to see a tricky emergency case. At that time, he didn’t know the person to be seen was Lian Hua.
Hearing Zhang Qing inadvertently reveal this sentence, Lian Musu’s heart sank. Lian Bao, seeing his expression turn grim, couldn’t help but feel his own heart sink as well.
Although Lian Wanzhen didn’t think too deeply, having experienced his mother’s critical illness, just mentioning Divine Doctor Huang triggered a shadow. Once hearing that this old man needed to be summoned, he instinctively felt something was wrong. Coupled with the words "sooner or later", his impatience flared up on the spot, bombarding with a series of questions.
Lian Changhe, belatedly aware, also sensed something was amiss. Lian Bingcheng slapped his forehead, saying he had always felt something was off. Indeed, something was wrong.
The few of them immediately bombarded Zhang Qing with questions non-stop.
This gave Zhang Qing a splitting headache. Fortunately, having survived in the palace for so many years, he had honed his skills. He obfuscated his answers with ambiguity, barely managing to have Lian Wanzhen let go, and finally diverted the conversation back to the matter of exonerating the Lian Family, finding an excuse to slip away.
Returning from outside the palace, Zhang Qing sighed deeply and heavily headed toward the Star Palace.
Such is fate; he could only proceed with the second matter.
Once he announced the decree, those old ministers started wailing on the spot.
Relentlessly clinging to him, they cried, argued, and even rolled on the ground, declaring they wouldn’t leave until they saw His Majesty, demanding he find a way, leaving his hat and robe crumpled and skewed, thoroughly disheveled.
Zhang Qing implored and explained, stating that His Majesty’s mind was made up, but those old ministers refused to listen, insisting they must see him. Perhaps in doing so, there could be a turning point.
They claimed they weren’t trying to defy, nor dared they obstruct an imperial decree. People like Xue Ping, whose crimes were proven, deserved execution! But handling the lesser charges, expanding implications too broadly, isn’t wise. Furthermore, releasing so many cases simultaneously unsettles people’s hearts; a gradual approach is best. They merely wished to convey the pros and cons to the Emperor, urging him to contemplate thrice, and so on.
These old ministers were not as easily fooled as Lian Changhe and his group. At the slightest sign of Zhang Qing’s difficulty, they would launch a tirade on neglecting the nation and its people, painting him as a heinous villain, leaving him utterly flustered.
After much soft and hard pressing, Zhang Qing, unable to withstand the old ministers’ assault, finally relented, promising to convey their intentions to see whether His Majesty would consent, thus managing to extricate himself.
Zhang Qing, in disarray, made his way from the Star Palace to Canglan Court, each step heavier than the last. How could he not know what those old ministers were saying? Yet eunuchs were not to interfere in government; when he previously attempted advice, he was warned, and only later resorted to subterfuge by mentioning the matter now, which was utterly impermissible.
As the Imperial Chief Steward, his loyalty was solely to the Emperor, a duty without any ulterior motives. The Emperor’s orders must be followed with no room for dissent.
His heart felt heavy, suffocating him, each step anticipating being summoned for execution.
Staggering along, he suddenly heard a commotion, recognizing it from afar. It came from Huaqing Pool, laced with laughter, the atmosphere so vibrant one could almost hear a celebratory song from afar.
These days, His Majesty has been gloomy, the atmosphere in Canglan Court heavy, and the entire harem was under house arrest. Who would dare defy such an order boldly and openly?
How could this be tolerated?
Zhang Qing’s expression instantly cooled, striding murderously toward Huaqing Pool, eager to find the audacious culprit just as he needed an outlet for his recent frustration!
Approaching, he was taken by surprise, seeing Feng Ji leading people in catching fish with great delight.
How could this be? Logically, it shouldn’t be this way.
Baffled, he went to inquire about the situation.
"Oh, it’s Steward Zhang. Nanny Qi ordered us servants to fish, to nourish the Master." Xiao Jizi was busy, but when he saw Zhang, he took the chance to reply, holding onto the net while directing others: "Be swift, catch more. Once the ice sets, it becomes troublesome."
Zhang Qing felt even more puzzled. How could Nanny Qi order the fish from Huaqing Pool to be caught? This was truly absurd; how could it be possible?
No, no, that’s not the point. The point is, why is there time to fish leisurely now?
Startled, he thought, "Is something wrong with Master Lian again, needing tonics?"
But that didn’t seem right. There were many items for tonics; why rely solely on the fish from Huaqing Pool?
Zhang Qing’s mind was thoroughly scrambled, unable to comprehend despite thinking it over and over.
Xiao Jizi, while fishing, glanced back seeing Zhang Qing still there, looking unsettled and quite disheveled, with many creases on his robe.
He exclaimed, seemingly comprehending something, set the net aside, and asked: "Could it be Steward Zhang is still unaware?"
"Unaware of what?" Zhang Qing was taken aback; what was he not privy to?
"My bad for not making it clear." Xiao Jizi slapped his thigh, glanced around ensuring all were familiar, then leaned in joyfully and whispered: "Steward Zhang, the Master, has awakened!"
He then joyfully and incessantly explained the matter, as if sharing a joyous celebration.
Zhang Qing’s mind buzzed, hearing only one thing clearly: Master Lian has awakened!
Receiving this news, he uncharacteristically grabbed Xiao Jizi’s arm, trembling as he sought confirmation: "Are you, you, are you telling the truth?"
Xiao Jizi elatedly patted his chest with conviction: "Of course it’s true. How could I boast about such a matter! See, once the Master awoke, didn’t Nanny send us out to fish?"
Zhang Qing could no longer contain his laughter: "Hahaha, the heavens have eyes, the heavens have eyes..."
Master Lian has awakened, things are looking up!
Upon saying this, he released Xiao Jizi, briskly jogging towards Canglan Court, exclaiming all the way about the heavens’ justice.
His hat askew, his hair tangled by the wind, he paid no mind, and by the time he reached Canglan Court, even the Emperor nearly failed to recognize him.
With his spirits lifted, the Emperor found everything pleasing. Knowing Zhang Qing rejoiced over Lian Hua’s awakening, he didn’t pursue anything further, even playfully scolded him, telling him to straighten up before coming to meet him.