Xie Ming

Chapter 831 Staying Overnight

Bloodshed is imminent, but alas, no one has eyes in the front and back.

Leaving aside the matter of the Duke's mansion for now, let's turn our attention to the palace gates inside the city, where Qi and Ma, the two ministers, also have their own stories to tell.

Continuing from the previous text, when the cabinet members came to stay overnight, Qi Gang and Ma Minglu coincidentally bumped into each other at the palace gate.

Just before leaving, when he was about to be released, Qi Gang, with his clever mind and good memory, proved to be a good catch.

While seemingly casually inquiring about the details of the defenses, his actions actually revealed a meticulous and cunning strategy.

On the other side, the garrison commander named Pei Huan, who was being questioned, dared not remain silent upon hearing the Minister's question.

"Ah, no, no."

"Minister Qi is joking."

"Our commander had a couple more drinks tonight, well, it's not Chinese New Year, so..."

"Commander Yao was helped to the temporary duty room to rest."

"Just, just left."

Pei Baihu remained calm under pressure, scratching his head to feign embarrassment at being caught red-handed; his acting was superb.

"Oh?"

"Dongpu or Xipu?" Qi Gang sensed something was amiss and pressed for more information.

“Dongpu.” The reply from the Pei family commander was completely nonsensical.

In contrast, Qi Gang, being unaware of the treacherous schemes involved, looked him over but couldn't discern anything amiss, so he had no choice but to give up.

Ma Minglu, a soldier by birth, was not so concerned. Seeing Qi Gang dawdling and taking too long with a centurion, he was getting impatient. He put his arm around Qi Gang's shoulder, putting an end to Qi Gang's worries, and the two of them went inside one after the other.

"Hehe, you're always making a fuss over nothing."

"Spending too much time with that Chief Clerk Qiu makes me want to ask about everything and get to the bottom of everything."

Upon entering the palace gate, a palace lantern led the way by an eunuch on duty.

As the two entered the palace, the vermilion gates slowly closed behind them.

Seeing that there were no other obstacles, Ma Minglu jokingly uttered these words.

Upon hearing this, Qi Gang raised an eyebrow and retorted sharply.

"Hey, there's something hidden in your words."

“Minglu, I didn’t investigate you, but you’ve brought me up instead.”

In contrast, Qi Gang was more composed. Looking ahead at the long road ahead, he couldn't help but exhale a breath of white air, his expression becoming more reserved. In other words...

"Alas, this official position is so restrictive, I have no freedom."

"Yes, about the memorial you submitted requesting merit at the morning court a few days ago."

"Regarding Duke Jing, have you... explained yourself clearly?"

This matter has been under investigation for many days, and only now is Qi Gang able to inquire about it.

Swaying before the dim moonlight, Ma Minglu tilted his head and stared at it with a playful expression after hearing this.

He thought to himself, "You're only asking now? If it's something serious, it'll be eight springs late by now."

By taking advantage of the cold moonlight, Qi Gang glanced at his appearance and shrank back, feeling relieved.

"Hey, don't look at me like that."

"I had no choice in the matter."

"After all, this temple is not like the barracks of the past."

"We are both officials in the same court, and we are both in key positions in our respective departments. There are some things that we have to avoid that could lead to suspicion."

"Still acting as recklessly as before? If people see this, we'll be attacked and annihilated."

"I'm not one to ask too many questions."

"Well, since we've caught you by chance today, we can just ask you privately."

Qi Gang's heartfelt words express the truth and the correct reasoning.

Upon hearing this, Minglu, not being petty or vindictive, immediately let it go.

"Yes, that's right."

"It's nothing, it wasn't a big deal to begin with."

"Once it's been talked about, it'll all be over."

However, as the conversation progressed, Ma Minglu suddenly slowed his pace, gradually increasing the distance between himself and the eunuch leading the lantern.

After feeling comfortable, he lowered his voice and explained the reason.

"To be honest, I went to the governor's mansion that very afternoon."

“The governor is a shrewd man. How could he not have foreseen my situation?!” “This memorial was written down in the governor’s mansion the night before it was delivered to the emperor.”

"Who would have thought that the very next morning, right here at the palace gate, the Zeng family would pull off a classic case of 'switching the prince with a cat,' managing to replace the memorial in my hand with theirs?"

"I wanted to give the military governor a heads-up, but I needed to have the opportunity first."

"Sigh, you wouldn't believe it if you were working under that Zeng guy. If you're not careful, you'll fall into his trap."

"It's like walking on thin ice."

“Unlike you, a high-ranking official, you make all the decisions. You’re so decisive.”

Dao De was born with bad luck. Ming Lu spoke frankly and used Qi Gang as a comparison, full of complaints.

Upon hearing this, Minister Qi was still full of grievances, but this kid didn't take it seriously.

"Okay, okay, you're kidding me."

"We two really shouldn't talk about each other."

“Minglu, I have something to say, but it’s really hard to say.”

"You have to understand that times have changed."

"Serving in the same court, that kind of behavior in the military won't work."

“Some things can’t be done rashly or in the old way.”

"You have to think three steps ahead before taking one."

These words were truly earnest and heartfelt, offering sincere advice and admonition.

Qi Gang is usually meticulous and thorough in his thinking.

Seeing him run rampant and reckless in the court, I couldn't help but worry for him, fearing that he might unknowingly get into trouble and ruin his future.

These words should not have been spoken by Qi Gang in the first place, but the fact that he could say them shows that the two were comrades-in-arms and had a deep friendship.

"Uh"

"Qi, Minister Qi, Academician Ma, we've arrived at the chamber."

"Please, both of you, make yourselves at home."

"Serve me in the outer room."

"If you need anything, just let me know."

Tonight's little eunuch is a close associate of Xiao Chunzi, the current head of the Imperial Household Department. He is tight-lipped, perceptive, and clever.

Although Qi Gang's words were somewhat off-topic, it didn't bother him much.

"Oh, thank you for your trouble."

Nodding in acknowledgment, the two continued talking, one after the other, and entered the inner chamber.

The night is still deep, the watchman's clapper sounds, and a solitary lamp casts its shadow on the dry inkstone.

The wind startles the crows roosting at the corner of the palace, and the moon sets over the city wall where the garrison drums sound cold.

A sealed document, cold as the stars; the dream of the nine-layered palace remains unfulfilled.

I long for the rooster's crow to herald the dawn, yet I still sit late into the night, clutching my tattered books.

Words could not express their feelings. Qi and Ma were on duty for the night, and before they knew it, it was almost midnight.

The palace was completely silent.

The two conducted their business while talking.

The two lamps were dim, and although it was less busy than during the holidays, all departments were at a standstill.

However, this is to facilitate the smooth handling of some accumulated and redundant issues from the past year.

That night, in their duty room, the two continued to write diligently and meticulously.

The cramped room was filled with bookshelves on all four walls, piled high with six official documents and memorials that had been delivered.

It was uneven and precarious.

Qi Gang was hunched over his desk, his brows and eyes stinging with soreness.

Minglu bent over, sorting through documents, his back aching and unable to straighten.

The flickering candlelight cast long and short shadows on the wall, making them appear ghostly.

In the corner, a copper basin holds a nearly burnt-out ember, its residual warmth dissipating.

Inside the palace, in the guardhouse, a chill crept up from the cracks in the blue bricks.

A violent storm and torrential rain are imminent! (End of Chapter)