owlsbooks Chapter 2537 Criticizing State Affairs, Punished with a Beating
Chapter 2537 Criticizing State Affairs, Punished with a Beating
Chapter 2537 Criticizing State Affairs, Punished with a Beating
After finishing dealing with the memorials for the day, Wang Yu got up and left the main hall. Surrounded by a group of eunuchs, he arrived at the warm pavilion in the rear hall of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace.
At this moment, countless charcoal braziers and floor lamps were already lit inside the pavilion, and the air was filled with a sweet and cloying aroma of incense and cosmetics, while the sounds of string and wind instruments could be faintly heard.
Wang Yu removed his long robe and changed into a dark blue casual dress with a dragon pattern. A jade belt was loosely tied around his waist. He leaned against a rosewood couch by the window in the warm pavilion, with a freshly brewed cup of cloud and mist tea beside him, its steam rising gently.
The door to the warm pavilion was pushed open silently, and a slender yet not weak figure walked in, carrying a black lacquered table inlaid with mother-of-pearl, with her head bowed and eyes lowered.
The owner of this figure is none other than Kang Min, a concubine of Duan Zhengchun, the Prince of Zhennan of the former Dali Dynasty.
The vast majority of the women in Tongquetai were the wives of the former emperors and ministers of the Song Dynasty and the former emperors and ministers of the Dali Kingdom.
As for the female relatives of Xuanyuan Yan and his ministers, they were all released because of the agreement between Wang Yingkan and Xuanyuan Huang.
As long as the emperor does not rebel against the court in the future, the Han Dynasty will not pursue any past matters.
And the women of Dali naturally included Duan Zhengchun's entire family.
Today, Kang Min wore her hair in a serpentine bun and a light blue palace dress with cloud patterns, over which she wore a matching vest. The colors were elegant and understated, perfectly suited to her current status.
She moved with light steps, and only after Zhao Gao had examined the food with silver needles did she gently place the food table on the small plum blossom table beside the couch.
On the table were several exquisite dishes from the imperial kitchen, along with a pot of warm Jinhua wine.
"Your Majesty, please have your meal." Kang Min's voice was gentle and melodious, like jade beads falling onto a plate.
Wang Yu has been enjoying good fortune lately, with a great victory for the Eastern Barbarians and the rewards already decided. Now that he is relaxed and watching such a beautiful woman serving him so attentively, he is in a good mood. He casually raises his hand and points to the embroidered stool by the bed.
A hint of joy flashed in Kang Min's eyes. She obediently thanked the emperor and did not sit down immediately. Instead, she picked up the silver pot, poured a cup of warm wine for the emperor, and presented it with both hands, her fingertips seemingly brushing against the back of Wang Yu's hand.
"Your Majesty has been working hard these past few days. Please have a cup of wine to warm yourself up," she said, her voice growing softer.
Wang Yu took it, sipped it, and found the wine to be mellow and warm. His gaze swept over her lowered neck, its lines beautiful and delicate.
"Sit down and have some with me."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Kang Min then sat down on the embroidered stool, but only slightly to the side, her posture respectful yet subtly intimate.
She didn't rush to pick up her chopsticks. Instead, she carefully placed several side dishes on the jade plate in front of Wang Yu, softly introducing the dishes. Occasionally, she would pick up a little, blow on it to cool it down, and then bring it to Wang Yu's lips. Her eyes were full of flattery and probing.
Wang Yu enjoyed it, taking a couple of bites from her hand, his fingers inadvertently brushing against her wrist, feeling its delicate, slightly cool touch.
Kang Min's cheeks flushed, her eyelashes trembled, but she did not back down. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, taking the opportunity of serving the dishes to get closer to Wang Yu, her faint fragrance wafting over her.
After a few cups of warm wine, the atmosphere in the warm pavilion became even more enchanting. Seeing that the emperor's expression was relaxed and that he was quite tolerant of her, Kang Min became bolder.
She refilled Wang Yu's glass with wine, took a small sip herself, and, slightly intoxicated, softened her voice, making it sound like a pleading, coquettish plea.
“Your Majesty… I heard yesterday that Sister Qiao and Sister Su, by Your Majesty’s grace, were able to leave the Bronze Sparrow Terrace and enter the palace… This servant…”
She raised her eyes, her gaze brimming with tears, and said, "This servant knows her lowly status and dares not compare herself to my two younger sisters. However... I serve His Majesty day and night, and I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's grace. I also hope to be able to stay by His Majesty's side often, even if it means being just a palace maid who sweeps and cleans..."
As she spoke, she observed Wang Yu's expression. Seeing that the emperor seemed to still be listening, she leaned closer, almost nestling against the bed, her breath sweet as orchids. "Your Majesty, have you been satisfied with me these past few days? I am willing to do my utmost, only asking that Your Majesty... grant me a favor, so that I... may have something to look forward to."
Kang Min felt that her words were tactful and pitiful, and that she had adopted a very humble posture. She also thought that the emperor was in a good mood and would most likely agree, taking advantage of the intimacy they had just built.
Even if they don't agree immediately, they will at least offer gentle words of comfort and give you something to look forward to.
However, the relaxed and languid look on Wang Yu's face faded somewhat when she mentioned the word "grace".
Upon hearing her imply a desire for a title by claiming she was satisfied with her service, the warmth in his eyes suddenly turned cold.
The other day, while reviewing memorials, this woman was grinding ink and adding incense. She dared to whisper a few words about a decree concerning the adjustment of taxes in the former territory of Dali. Although it was just a few words, it had already offended Wang Yu's taboo.
At the time, I was in a hurry to deal with the military report from the north, so I only glanced at her coldly and did not react on the spot. It seems that she was completely unaware of it or thought that she had gotten away with it.
At this moment, old memories and new desires intertwined, and the gentle warmth that Wang Yu felt due to the beauty vanished instantly.
He slowly put down his wine cup, the jade cup clinking against the small rosewood table, producing a crisp yet heart-stirring sound.
"Zhao Gao." Wang Yu ignored the woman and looked directly at Zhao Gao, who was standing to one side, and spoke.
“This old servant is here.” Zhao Gao immediately bowed.
"Kang has been disrespectful in his service, has presumptuously discussed state affairs, and has become arrogant and covetous of imperial favor."
"Drag him out and beat him to death."
"As you command." Zhao Gao waved his hand expressionlessly, and two tall eunuchs immediately stepped forward, silencing Kang Min's piercing cries, and dragged her out without mercy.
The warm pavilion returned to silence, with only a faint scent of perfume and lingering effects of wine remaining. Wang Yu picked up the slightly cooled Jinshan wine, drank it all in one gulp, and his eyes were devoid of any warmth.
Some people just can't recognize their own limitations. Yesterday, he did indeed confer the title of "Cainü" upon Qiao Wanmian and Su Xiaoyong. Although they were only the lowest-ranking concubines in the palace, their status was completely different from those people at Tongquetai.
According to Luo Wang's investigation, these two women are from the Jianghu (martial arts world) of Da Xi. During the Eight Kingdoms Alliance, the Jianghu forces of the eight dynasties were also intertwined. Later, Da Xi broke the alliance, and the Si Gu Men behind it was also betrayed by the Da Xi court. Under these various factors, they finally appeared in the Dali Dynasty.
When Bai Qi attacked Dali, the Dali Dynasty gathered a large number of Jianghu forces, but they were eventually wiped out by the Han army. That's how Bai Qi ended up in Tongquetai.
It was because these two women were not very skilled in martial arts, but were quite beautiful, that they appeared in the Bronze Sparrow Terrace. As for some of the masters who were captured alive, such as Duan Zhixing, they were going to a different place.
Techniques like the Absorption Technique are indeed valuable, capable of quickly cultivating a group of experts. The imperial court also greatly needs such a useful, disposable power bank.
Yesterday, Su Xiaoyong demonstrated remarkable medical skills, and coupled with Wang Yu's satisfaction over the past few days, Wang Yu bestowed a royal favor upon Su Xiaoyong and Qiao Wanmian, who served the emperor alongside her.
Unexpectedly, this led others to have inappropriate thoughts.
As far as Wang Yu was concerned, if it was merely a request for a favor, he would not take it to heart even if he refused.
It's normal for people to have desires and thoughts.
However, since they had first made unwarranted comments on state affairs and then tried to inquire about the emperor's favor, even though this woman was indeed quite skilled, Wang Yu would not keep them any longer since they had crossed the line.
Even for the concubines in the palace, there are certain things that have to be done in a certain way, let alone the canaries in the Bronze Sparrow Terrace.