Chapter 1323 - 1268: Giving Up_3
Thus, Xun Fan did not dare to send these lesson plans into the palace before he departed, fearing that the Little Emperor would be overwhelmed by them in his absence and make mistakes, leaving him helpless.
"Do not be afraid, Your Majesty," Xun Fan’s voice was gentler than usual, smiling as he said, "Take them into the palace and ponder over them slowly. The list of books can also be read at your leisure. No need to rush."
Only then did the Little Emperor’s mood improve. He reached out, took them, folded them, and tucked them into his sleeve.
Xun Fan had nothing more to say, turning to Xun Zu, "Please go invite the Great General."
Xun Zu acknowledged, and said to the Little Emperor, "Would Your Majesty care to move to the hall for some tea?"
The Little Emperor felt he had stayed too long in this room as well; it would not be good if someone misunderstood them as conspiring, so he quickly rose and said to Xun Fan, "I will personally go invite the Great General and also listen to the opinion of the Imperial Physician."
Xun Zu escorted the Little Emperor out. As they were about to cross the threshold, Xun Zu reached out to support the Little Emperor, who looked up at him in surprise.
Xun Zu winked at him and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this is for your self-protection."
The Little Emperor used his wide sleeve to conceal his touch, feeling the cloth bag stuffed inside. He felt something hard at one corner, and round little objects beside it. He squeezed them and his eyes brightened; they seemed to be pearls.
Money, the Little Emperor still had quite an affection for it.
Zhao Hanzhang was very poor, and so was the national treasury.
She was never one to tighten her belt so that the Emperor could live in comfort while she suffered. Essentially, when she suffered, she would drag the Little Emperor along to suffer with her, under the noble guise of enduring national hardships together.
This country’s name was Jin; there was no principle where the regent ministers lived in poverty while the Eastern Emperor lived in luxury.
So since the Little Emperor ascended to the throne, his diet was actually not as good as when he was a prince.
Although no one in the Imperial Palace dared to mistreat him, if he had money, he could have people buy things from outside the palace to bring in and enjoy.
Could that hard and large piece be a gold brick?
With that thought, the Little Emperor tucked the cloth bag further in, happily going to the hall to see Zhao Hanzhang, "Great General, I have finished talking with the Grand Tutor."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, "Is Your Majesty assured?"
"Relieved, relieved. The Grand Tutor is fine. Where is the Imperial Physician? When can the Grand Tutor leave his bed?"
The Imperial Physician stepped forward and replied, "In three days, the stitches can be removed. Then we can assess the recovery of the wound and decide if walking is appropriate."
He said, "The Grand Tutor’s bones were not harmed; the main issue is excessive blood loss, which needs to be replenished internally."
The Little Emperor hurriedly said, "Whatever medicine is required, just take it from the palace."
The Imperial Physician agreed.
Zhao Hanzhang saw that it was nearly time, and having achieved today’s goals, she planned to say goodbye to Xun Fan, set his mind at ease, and then take the Little Emperor back to the palace.
So everyone shuffled back to Xun Fan’s sickbed. Yu Hong had many good friends, one of whom was Xiahou Ren. He hoped Xun Fan could plead for Yu Hong’s family, and so spoke before Zhao Hanzhang could rise to bid farewell, "Great General, Yu Hong’s conspiracy to assassinate the Angel is undoubtedly a great crime, but his family is innocent. Please, Great General, spare his family."
Upon hearing this, Xun Fan also quickly said, "Great General, Yu Hong has only two sons and one daughter. His eldest son is only fourteen, at the prime age for study, and knows nothing of this matter. Although Yu Hong’s crime is extreme, please do not harm his family."
Zhao Hanzhang did not force the issue. After pondering for a moment, she nodded, "I will have Yuan Li investigate. If they are found completely innocent, they will be pardoned."
Xun Fan did believe in Yuan Li, but also feared his methods, hurriedly saying, "This matter is of great importance. Please also have the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Justice, and the Imperial Censorate investigate this case."
Zhao Hanzhang agreed, about to rise when she remembered, "The Grand Tutor once recommended someone to me as a reading companion for the Emperor. Is that person Yu Hong’s son?"
Xun Fan’s face reddened instantly, and he lowered his head, saying, "Yes, it is Yu Hong’s second son, of the same age as the Emperor."
Zhao Hanzhang saw his old face turn red and assumed he was ashamed for having misjudged Yu Hong, quickly comforting him by saying, "To know a person’s face but not their heart, especially when people change. Yu Hong’s actions were beyond even the Grand Tutor’s intentions, and unforeseen to the rest of us. Do not blame yourself."
Xun Fan opened his mouth, but couldn’t speak.
How could he tell Zhao Hanzhang that the reading companion he had recommended was not living up to the name?
The truly clever one was actually the Attendant Student beside them, whose father was a servant?
Zhao Hanzhang, sharp as ever, narrowed her eyes, "What, is there more to Yu Hong’s case?"
"No," Xun Fan said with embarrassment, "it’s just that I lament my inability to judge people. Great General, Yu Hong is a criminal, and his son is clearly unsuitable as a reading companion for the Emperor. Let’s drop this matter."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded and rose to leave.
The Little Emperor also hurriedly got up to follow, moving a bit forcefully. A slight sound of collision could be heard. Someone else might not have noticed without careful listening, but to Zhao Hanzhang’s ears, it was like a symphony. She turned her head to look at his sleeve, displeased, "What does Your Majesty have in his sleeve? Be careful not to damage it."
She believed she had shown sincerity, yet Xun Fan did not reciprocate?
What needed to be secretly passed instead of being handed openly?