Chapter 8: Father and Son

  Thinking of Li Xuan's complex eyes when he left, Ye Xiang's heart had a cold laugh, you've discovered something too late, there's no time now. Although thinking so in his heart, Ye Xiang still looked at Li Xuan's back with a respectful face.

  "Li Xuan Shi is indeed the emperor's confidante, and this time it's all thanks to her." Ye Xiang knew how much the person in front of him doted on Li Xuan Shi, not just because of historical records but also from his own understanding over the past few days. Although he couldn't openly ask about anything, Ye Xiang still found out some things from Li Lan. The emperor's confidante was very envious of Taichang Emperor's attitude towards Li Xuan Shi and had mentioned it countless times in front of Ye Xiang. Perhaps none of these women who could enter the palace were simple people, or perhaps this complex environment changed those originally innocent girls.

  At this time, Ye Xiang naturally had to put on a show in front of Emperor Taichang, which was probably the way it was when one was in the world, unable to control their own body. Sure enough, after hearing Ye Xiang's words, Emperor Taichang was very pleased in his heart, his beloved son and his beloved concubine were getting along harmoniously. Even if he had anything, he could leave with peace of mind.

  While Ye Xiang and Tai Changdi were talking, the wheel of history did not stop, still running forward with force, only to know who would be crushed by this wheel next.

  The weather is clear and breezy, but Beijing's weather has been strange in recent years. It usually gets this hot during the three hottest days of summer, but it's already very high temperature now. There are few pedestrians on the streets, and occasionally one or two people hurry by with a busy pace.

  The cabinet, at this time the cabinet has started a new day's work, but it seems that everyone's face is shrouded in a layer of gloom, the entire cabinet looks like an old man on the verge of collapse, devoid of vitality.

  In the duty room, Neige University and Liu Yiyong were chatting with Han Kuang. As both of them were also members of the Imperial Academy, their relationship was naturally very good. They all came from the same background as jinshi and represented the same interest class, so there was no major conflict between them.

  Liu Yijun was an elderly man with snow-white whiskers, although he was no longer young, his spirit was still very good. However, today his face looked not so good, and he lightly placed the tasteless tea on the table and said: "Han Gonglao, I heard news from the palace today that the Emperor's body is getting worse and can't get out of bed. It wasn't long ago that Emperor Shencong passed away, do we have to go through this again? I've also heard that..." Before Liu Yijun could finish speaking, Han Kuang had already waved his hand to interrupt him.

  Han Kuang's expression was somewhat tense, he quickly got up and closed the door before slowly sitting back down, carefully saying: "Lord Liu, it's still best to be careful, walls have ears!"

  "Haha", Liu Yiyuan burst out laughing and pointed at Han Kuang: "A gentleman is open-minded, why do you have to be so secretive? The Ming dynasty has never had a history of blocking the way of speech. Moreover, as cabinet ministers, discussing state affairs is our duty, why do you have to make it seem like we're in a situation where we can't speak freely?"

  Han Kuang was not angry about Liu Yiyuan's accusations, the two had a good relationship and some jokes were harmless. After a slight pause, Han Kuang said: "This is an autumn of many things! A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, we should be more careful."

  "It's all right, we all know the Crown Prince's style. If His Majesty really... then what can be done?" Although Liu Yiyu's words were spoken in a veiled manner, they were also very clear.

  Han Kuang's expression changed slightly, and he hesitated for a moment before saying: "What can we do at this time? If that day really comes, who will be able to play the role of Huo Guang, and who will dare to play the role of Huo Guang?"

  Looking at Han Kuang's dejected appearance, Liu Yijun also let out a deep sigh and weakly shook his head.

  Just as the two of them didn't know how to continue, a sudden knock at the door came from outside. The two looked at each other in shock, and Liu Yiyu said calmly: "What's going on? Didn't I instruct that no one should disturb us unless it's something important?"

  After listening to Liu Yiyu's words, a somewhat tense voice came from outside and said: "Report to the two adults, Honglao Temple Li Kezhuo wants to see you."

  Liu Yijun's eyebrows furrowed as he listened to the answer from outside. He and Li Kexuan didn't have any relationship, so why did he come here? His gaze involuntarily fell on Han Kuang beside him.

  Liu Yiyuan saw Han Kuang shake his head, indicating that it wasn't him who called Li Kexu over. The two exchanged a glance and quietly stood up, adjusting their makeup before opening the door.

  Standing outside the door was a clerk of the cabinet, at this time the clerk's head was already covered in cold sweat, and he had cursed Li Kezhuo to death in his heart. At the same time, he also hated himself, hadn't he ever seen money before? Was it really that ten taels of silver would be more important than his own future?

  "Bring him here!" Looking at the clerk in front of him, Han Kuang let out a cold hum with an unpleasant tone.

  The clerk, who had been prepared to withstand the rebuke of two cabinet ministers, was now stunned by these words and looked at Liu Yiyuan and Han with a mixture of shock and joy. After saying "yes", he quickly ran outwards. Watching the departing clerk, Liu Yiyuan fiercely swung his sleeves and loudly scolded: "You insolent creature!"

  Han Kuang was also very dissatisfied, but he didn't say anything. He couldn't do anything about his old friend either, so he just shook his head and said, "Liu Gong, don't be like this, you're just a minor official."

  After hearing Han Kuang's words, Liu Yijun suddenly turned his head to look at him, with piercing eyes but not speaking. However, Han Kuang knew that his old friend was angry and had no choice but to force himself to say: "Why is Lord Liu looking at me like this? Is there something wrong with me?"

  "A glimpse of a spot and the whole appearance is seen, my cabinet has always been inseparable from scholars like you and the book officials." Liu Yijiu said coldly, then turned his face to one side and stopped talking.

  Looking at his old friend's appearance, Han Kuang could only smile wryly and shake his head. He was very familiar with this old friend's temper, although he said so, he wouldn't really get angry with him.

  Just as the conversation between the two had reached an impasse, another elderly man wearing a purple robe arrived. This was an even older man with a very good complexion, who smiled knowingly at the sight of the two and said: "What's going on here? Is there something troubling you again? Can you tell me about it?"

  Seeing the old man walking over, Liu Yijun and Han Kuang simultaneously bowed to the old man and respectfully said: "We have seen Mr. Fang."

  "Two of you, we meet every day, why so polite." Although he said this, the old man also accepted their courtesy with equanimity, and the smile on his face was even more intense. This was not only a courtesy to him but also an affirmation of his authority, for he was Fang Congzhe, the current Grand Chancellor.

  "It is often said that courtesy should not be wasted, and Ye Gong is a minister of my great Ming dynasty, so he should receive our courtesy." Han Kuang slowly stood up, smiling and saying. In contrast to Liu Yijun's straightforwardness, Han Kuang's personality was similar to that of the former Chief Assistant Shen Zhiyuan, who adhered to the Confucian doctrine of moderation.