Chapter 467
Chapter 467
“Sigh, I’ve been busy, haven’t had the chance to do anything yet.” Zhu Jingchen said with a smile.
“Your Majesty, I’ve been running errands for you outside, yet you let the Empress burn down my backyard. You didn’t help fix it, and now you want me to face Miss Li’s wrath?” Xu Heming looked at Zhu Jingchen discontentedly.
Zhu Jingchen, hearing this, rubbed his nose awkwardly and then said uncertainly, “It’s... not that serious, is it? At the time, Second Miss Cheng stopped it, saying she would marry on Miss Li’s behalf.”
Thinking of this, Zhu Jingchen felt even more guilty. After all, Li Zhiwei hadn’t agreed, and he truly hadn’t done anything.
“Your Majesty, do you know what the Empress said to my princess?” Xu Heming glared at Zhu Jingchen discontentedly, suspecting the Empress had said more than that.
“This... I didn’t ask in detail, but I’ve already scolded the Empress. I will absolutely not let Miss Li marry into the Qinling Kingdom.” Zhu Jingchen coughed lightly and quickly said.
“What, did Your Majesty originally intend for my princess to marry Shangguan Mu?” Xu Heming raised his voice.
Xu Heming was furious.
How could Zhu Jingchen even entertain such a thought?
“No such thing!” Zhu Jingchen denied it outright. What choice did he have? On one side was his trusted minister, on the other his empress.
He couldn’t afford to offend either, or his life would become miserable.
“Rest assured, I’ve already sent Zhang Yanchu to take Shangguan Mu to the royal hunting grounds. He hasn’t bothered Miss Li.” Zhu Jingchen added.
“Your Majesty, I request leave!” Xu Heming said without hesitation.
“You just returned. Taking two days off to rest before court is fine.” Zhu Jingchen generously granted Xu Heming two days off.
He thought this would make Xu Heming drop the matter of what the Empress said to Li Zhiwei.
“Your Majesty, I’ve been diligently busy with official duties over the years, neglecting time with my family. This time, I intend to take all the leave I’ve accrued.” Xu Heming said very seriously.
“That won’t do!” Zhu Jingchen refused without thinking.
After all, Xu Heming had never taken leave since taking office. If he took all the accrued leave,
wouldn’t that mean a whole year off?
How could that be?
The Third Prince of the Qinling Kingdom was still lurking in the capital, watching like a hawk.
The iron mines at Wangxian Mountain were still waiting for weapon casting.
The gold mines in Heping County were still awaiting excavation—
No, Xu Heming couldn’t take leave!
If he did, Zhu Jingchen feared he wouldn’t even have the strength to visit the harem.
Zhu Jingchen refused immediately: “If you’re tired, you can rest a few days. After the wedding, come back to court.”
Zhu Jingchen’s implication was that any further delay would ruin the opportunity.
“Your Majesty, the court now has many capable officials. I am truly unable to continue. I have one humble request.” Xu Heming bowed deeply to Zhu Jingchen, his tone solemn.
“Minister, name your request, and I shall grant it!” Zhu Jingchen was deeply annoyed. He regretted not sending someone to the Li residence earlier to soothe Li Zhiwei.
Now Xu Heming, this thorn in his side, was threatening to quit!
How could that be?
The reason Zhu Jingchen had enjoyed his reign so comfortably was largely thanks to Xu Heming.
If Xu Heming really stepped down, Zhu Jingchen didn’t dare imagine what awaited him.
At this moment, even if Xu Heming asked for the stars in the sky, Zhu Jingchen would have to find a way to pluck them. But taking leave? Absolutely not.
“Your Majesty, I have served as an official for decades. My health has deteriorated, and I wish to resign to recuperate.” Xu Heming said calmly.
“What?!” Zhu Jingchen nearly fell off his dragon throne upon hearing this.
Oh my—if he wouldn’t let him take leave, he wanted to resign?
Zhu Jingchen swallowed his shock. Xu Heming really dared to say it.
“Your Majesty, I am submitting my resignation.” Xu Heming didn’t avoid Zhu Jingchen’s gaze and deliberately repeated himself.
“Nonsense!” Zhu Jingchen was furious!
For a woman, he wanted to resign?
Was it worth it?
Besides, the Empress had only said a few words, done nothing outrageous!
And yet he wanted to resign!
Did their years of friendship mean nothing?
Thinking this, Zhu Jingchen glared at Xu Heming as if he were an ungrateful betrayer.
“Your Majesty, I speak sincerely. This is no joke!” Xu Heming raised his chin, adopting a defiant attitude that left Zhu Jingchen exasperated.
Zhu Jingchen inwardly cursed Xu Heming as a wretch.
He knew full well that Zhu Jingchen would never agree, so he boldly threatened resignation.
“Enough! Get out of here! I don’t want to see you now! Scram!” Zhu Jingchen, enraged, dismissed Xu Heming.
“Your servant withdraws.” Xu Heming showed no concern over whether Zhu Jingchen approved his resignation.
He had to go explain things to Li Zhiwei.
Otherwise, that foolish woman might still be stewing in her own thoughts.
Imperial Study
“Look at him! I barely said a word, and he wants to resign! It infuriates me!” Zhu Jingchen pointed at Xu Heming’s departing figure, venting to the eunuch Liu beside him.
“Your Majesty, Prince An was just speaking in anger,” Eunuch Liu quickly said with a smile.
“I’ve known him since childhood. Just because the Empress suggested Li Zhiwei marry the Qinling Kingdom’s Third Prince, he makes such a fuss with me. If I were any other emperor, wouldn’t his head have rolled by now?” Zhu Jingchen was extremely displeased.
Zhu Jingchen felt that Xu Heming didn’t value him.
“Your Majesty is right, but this old servant thinks Prince An’s words were merely anger. Prince An still holds great respect for Your Majesty. Otherwise, why would he have spared no effort in sharing Your Majesty’s burdens all these years?” Eunuch Liu bowed.
He knew that the emperor and Prince An were lifelong friends and wouldn’t let this create a rift.
But as the chief eunuch by the emperor’s side, he had to soothe him now.
Zhu Jingchen could only huff in silence.
Still, thinking back, he admitted it was his fault for not sending someone to clarify matters with Li Zhiwei.
“Send more gifts to Miss Li as a wedding present later,” Zhu Jingchen decided. Doing this should count as making amends to Li Zhiwei.
Banyue Pavilion
Li Zhiwei was meticulously blending incense.
Qinghua and Qingyue dared not speak.
Ever since the prince returned, Miss Li had sat here crafting incense, not uttering a word no matter what they asked.
But they could feel it—Li Zhiwei was unhappy.
When Xu Heming arrived, he saw Li Zhiwei quietly absorbed in her work.
Even as he stood beside her, she seemed not to notice him.
“Weiwei.” Xu Heming softly called out.