Chapter 246 - Li Qiang Meets The First Prince
Chapter 246 – Li Qiang Meets The First Prince
Eunuch Wang entered the study room as soon as Li Qiang left.
In his hands, he had a tray filled with some light food. He put them on the table and said respectfully
"Your Majesty, please eat some. Your Majesty ate very little in the breakfast."
Zhao Wang Lei nodded his head and continued to write with one hand while he used his other hand to pick something from the tray.
After a few moments, he raised his head and finally looked at the old Eunuch who still has not left the study.
A deep smile was present on his lips as he looked at the Eunuch Wang who had served him for so many years.
"Do not worry, Eunuch Wang, since Zhen had promised that nothing will happen to your nephew then we will keep our promise."
Eunuch Wang instantly kneeled down on the ground and kowtowed again and again while thanking the Emperor.
"May Your Majesty live a thousand of years. This servant will always remain loyal to Your Majesty, will always serve Your Majesty selflessly."
Zhao Wang Lei smiled as he signed Eunuch Wang to get up.
With a genuine smile on his lips, he patted the wrinkled hands of the old man and said
"Eunuch Wang has served us for so many years and has always been loyal to us. How can we let Eunuch Wang worry about his family while he is serving Zhen here in the Imperial Palace?"
Eunuch Wang looked deeply moved as he looked at the genuine smile on the Emperor's face. Zhao Wang Lei continued
"However, Zhen would have been happier if your nephew would have been more intelligent and sensible just like you, Eunuch Wang. Zhen had thought of making him head Eunuch or perhaps he could serve the next Emperor."
Eunuch Wang's eyes dimmed and his face was full of regret.
He already knew that His Majesty had such plans for his nephew and he also warned her many times not to do any mistake. But he had never expected that his nephew still didn't improve his previous behavior.
He had already been very cautious of letting his nephew enter the Imperial Palace because he had received some letters from his mother in the past mentioning that his nephew had a loose character.
The brat had been beaten many times in the village by people after his attempts to touch young girls in the wrong way. In the end, his nephew's reputation became so bad in the village that no one was ready to hand his daughter to any of the men who had reached marriage-able age as long as they belonged to Eunuch Wang's family.
So his elder brother forcefully sent this nephew of his to the Imperial Palace to become a Eunuch. In the end, he could not let his other sons remain unmarried just because of one.
And since Eunuch Wang was already in the Imperial Palace, he thought that he would not have to worry about his this son who has loose character also.
However, two days ago, when Eunuch Wang saw this nephew of his being dragged out of the same room inside which Li Clan's daughter had been found, he almost vomited blood in rage.
Even after losing his sword, this nephew was courageous enough to jump in the battlefield.
Fortunately, the Emperor saved his nephew and sent him out of the Imperial City otherwise Eunuch Wang didn't know how he would have shown his face to his Elder brother although he knew that he would never have to show his face to him.
After all, he would live in the Imperial Palace till his last breath.
Eunuch Wang thanked the Emperor again and then continued to stand beside him as he ground ink for the Emperor to use.
On the other hand, Zhao Wang Lei smiled as he remembered Li Qiang's face when he had left the Imperial study room.
——
Li Qiang walked past the Imperial Palace's corridors without any expression on his face.
The Emperor's words rang in his ears.
"Minister Li…"
Li Qiang stopped when he heard someone calling him and turned around.
When he saw the first prince walking towards himself, Li Qiang confirmed that it was really him who was being called a few moments ago. He would not have stopped just now if he was not sure that it was only him who was present at the spot from Li Clan.
Inside his heart, he could not help but wonder just how he suddenly gained the title of Minister Li.
As an Elder Son of Li Clan, he didn't get the position of General. That's why his position in the Imperial Court always has been very complicated. It was never compulsory for him to attend the Imperial Court.
Neither the Emperor ever gave him any title, nor did someone else in his clan bother enough about it.
So he had been used to being called by his name.
Today, however, seemed to be a little different.
"Li Qiang greets Your Highness."
Zhao Zhuang Cheng arrogantly nodded his head as he looked at the 'not so happy' face of Li Qiang.
"What is Minister Li doing here? Could it be that Minister Li didn't know that all ministers were granted two days' leave to rest after the banquet celebration?"
Li Qiang's lips were pressed in a thin line but his face looked as if he didn't know how he should answer the first prince's question.
The first prince's eyes scrutinized him carefully and after a few moments, he said meaningfully
"Why doesn't Minister Li come with Benwang? Benwang would like to have someone accompany him to walk inside the Imperial garden."
Li Qiang wanted to refuse the offer but he also didn't wish to disrespect the first Prince. He had heard from many people just how angry the first prince could get if someone dared to disobey him. Although he was not scared of anything, he just didn't want to involve himself in some other mess.
So in the end, he nodded his head and accompanied Zhao Zhuang Chen to take a walk in the Imperial Garden.
——-
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