NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 138
"Never in ancient times to the present, there exists an emperor who indulges in child's play with the Imperial Cabinet and Chief Ministers of the Six Ministries!"
"What on earth is the Emperor thinking?"
The summons to the Chief Ministers bewildered them, even raising suspicions if the eunuch delivering the imperial edict had misspoken.
"Your Majesty, kindly rescind your actions."
Inside the Imperial Study, Chancellor Fu Cha couldn't help but darken his countenance.
"The Chief Ministers are all currently on duty!"
His beard seemed ready to curl in irritation, shooting a direct challenge to Xiao Yunzhou seated across the table.
Vice Minister Shen Mian, holding back Chancellor Fu Cha, signaled him with his eyes to remember they were in the presence of Khan Sanda from the Prairie.
Scolding the Emperor shouldn't be a show in front of a foreign guest.
Home troubles should not be aired publicly.
Shen Mian's hardly veiled hints almost left him physically drained, while the Chancellor restrained himself, inhaling deeply to regain composure.
"Erm," Khan Sanda awkwardly rose from his seat, "Well, I should return to my embassy."
He cast a sympathetic glance at Xiao Yunzhou before leaving.
Before departing, Sanda advised Xiao Yunzhou in a low voice, "Brother, let me advise you, don't go against the ministers. If you wish to play, the ministers will surely disapprove. You should find a secret place to play alone."
Sanda had definitely understood the essence of an emperor's leisure time.
He was also certain an emperor and his ministers would never combine their recreational moments.
If one entertained oneself too much, soon titles like tyrant or incompetent ruler would follow, bundled with threats of resignation or illness- who could bear that?
But even an emperor needed to relax!
"I shall visit your imperial children tomorrow." Sanda gave Xiao Yunzhou a knowing look, conveying 'stop being stubborn,' promptly making his exit.
After Sanda left, Wei Zheng glanced at the faces of Chancellor Fu Cha and Vice Minister Shen Mian, filled with their desire to scold the Emperor, and quickly began to clear the 'landlord' game from the table.
But he was barely moving when Xiao Yunzhou ordered, "Don't touch it, let it be. Stop making a scene, Chancellor Fu Cha, Mr. Shen, sit down and wait for Jiang Li to start a round."
Who's making a scene?
Who's making a scene?
Chancellor Fu Cha and Vice Minister Shen Mian were utterly speechless.
The Emperor had changed beyond recognition when not kept an eye on.
Chancellor Fu Cha barely managed to catch his breath, hand on his chest.
As crown prince, Xiao Yunzhou had had his moments of frivolity, but it was all harmless fun, at best led astray by his brothers.
Never like today, even involving his tutors and ministers!
"The incompetent rulers in history at most played with eunuchs, imperial consorts!"
"The Emperor, not content playing with eunuchs, even wishes to draw me and the Six Ministries into play?"
Chancellor Fu Cha's comment visibly made Wei Zheng's expression falter.
Wei Zheng felt wronged.
In the name of all that's good, he had never encouraged the Emperor to engage in frivolous play!
It was the Emperor who always dragged him into it!
But Chancellor Fu Cha glared at Wei Zheng, "Your Majesty, everything you do will be recorded in the imperial annals. How do you think the future generations of your kingdom, the scholars, will view today's proceedings?"
Xiao Yunzhou took a step back, spluttering under the onslaught of words.
【Well, ah! Can it really be that serious?】
Little Xiao Chuchu nestled in her father's arms, silently rooting for her dad.
【I mean, in the modern corporate world, even a CEO needs to mix with his staff.】
The company often hosts entertainment activities for all employees such as annual meetings and team building, allowing staff and managers the chance to mingle. In the process, the overall cohesion of the organization improves.
Xiao Yunzhou's eyes lit up.
So, that's how it is in the immortal world!
There's no need for the employees in the company to be so tense. Taking one workday off for annual meetings or tours is normal.
Xiao Chuchu silently yet humorously commented, "The company's team-building activities surely wouldn't take up the employee's own holiday time, would they?"
Of Course!
Xiao Yunzhou instantly felt that his proposal was like team-building in the immortal world.
"I used to participate in card competitions during the team building activities in my previous company," Xiao Chuchu happily recalled.
"Your Majesty, wouldn't you rescind the order now?" Chancellor Fu Cha raised his voice.
Chancellor Fu Cha knew his student well; as long as his volume is higher and makes sense, his student would comply.
Like this time's frolic, The Emperor certainly would listen.
But Chancellor Fu Cha's confidence was soon extinguished.
Xiao Yunzhou, shaking off his previous lethargy and irritations, smiled as if he was aided by divine powers. "Combining work and rest, Chancellor, no need to bring that up."
"???"
"Say it again, and it's disobedience."
"……!"
Chancellor Fu Cha was about to retort, but Xiao Yunzhou gestured, "Any objections, let's play a round first. Otherwise, I will be angry, and won't attend the court meeting tomorrow."
'!!'
Bad influences.
The Emperor has been corrupted.
Chancellor Fu Cha, who was so annoyed his eyes were seeing stars, was sure that Sanda was to blame!
Helpless, he sat down with Shen Mian, pulling a long face.
"Let's just play one round. Your Majesty, after this round, we must discuss state matters," Shen Mian persuaded.
"Of course, would I be so engrossed?" replied The Emperor.
"……"
Before long, the Chief Ministers of the Six Ministries arrived.
Before entering the study, they had already managed their surprised reactions along the way. Now, even upon seeing the Chancellor playing with the Emperor, they were no longer surprised.
"Have you arrived? Jiang Li, come here, sit at my table," Xiao Yunzhou raised his head, calling for Jiang Li.
"As for others, start your own table. Wei Zheng, teach them."
"……"
"Relax, I will only play one round with you."
But that night, the light in the study never went off.
*
The next day, at the Qianxi No.5 Residence where the princes were resting after smallpox vaccination.
Soon, the screams of the Sixth Prince were heard.
"What, the Emperor said he would just take it away?! Not to compete with us children?!"
"He played all night? The Emperor didn't sleep the whole night?! Not just playing by himself, but making Chancellor Fu Cha play along, too? Eldest Brother, Fifth Brother, is the Emperor all right?"
"He won't be scolded by the Empress Dowager… uh-uh-uh.”
With Cheng Qian and the Eldest Prince covering his mouth, they exchanged embarrassed glances.
Eh, what to do with a Sixth Brother who speaks such outrageous words?
What to do with an Emperor… who loses himself to play?
The Eldest Prince and his brother Cheng Qian, for the first time, felt an unspoken understanding between each other.
The next day, when The Empress Dowager in Cining Palace heard Consort Li’s complaint, was stunned.
"What?"
"The Emperor and the Chancellor, they played dice all night?"
"Consort Li, are you sure you heard it right? The Emperor was supposed to be reading memorials, discussing state matters all night."
Consort Li gave a humph, casting a cold, mocking glance at Concubine Liu and Consort Min.
"I haven't said anything wrong, Empress Dowager. This distracting piece of amusement for the Emperor and the Imperial Cabinet, was made by Concubine Liu and Consort Min yesterday."
The Empress Dowager froze, disbelief glinting in her eyes as she looked towards the named Channiang duo.
The Empress stood up and knelt down solemnly, "Mother, I want to go to the imperial study to advise the Emperor."
"Let's go, I'll come with you!" The Empress Dowager quickly stood up.
A nervous Consort Min pulled Concubine Liu behind her, "Channiang, if anything happens later, push it all on me. Just say I created this big jackpot."
"The Emperor being preoccupied with his playthings has nothing to do with you!"
Liu Channiang, hesitating on her words, finally clenched Consort Min's hand tightly.
This has nothing to do with them!
That's not how things are...
But before they could explain, the Empress Dowager and the Empress took their group and marched to the door of the imperial study.
Just as the Empress Dowager was about to enter with a serious face, Xiao Yunzhou's hoarse night-long voice was heard from inside.
"Jiang Li, you still don't get it? I have already gained enlightenment from this big jackpot, about lending money to merchants and ordinary people."
"You still don't get it!"
"I have played with you all night!"
"Imperial Cabinet, I have understood the operational principles amongst the bankers, merchants, and parcels. How about you?"
"All you know is being led astray by your indulgence, turning pale at the mention of play..."
"Tonight, I played and thought of seven or eight policy changes. How about you?"
"You still want to stop me from playing? Now, say it, what have you learned?"
Suddenly, the footsteps of the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Consort Li came to an abrupt halt, almost tripping over themselves.