My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 234 Night Talk

"I suppose everything is alright now. His Majesty didn't question us about our negligence and even praised our bravery," Lin Ziping said.

The four of them visibly breathed a sigh of relief, their faces beaming with joy under the moonlight.

"That's great!" Fan Ji said. "Any other arrangements?"

Lin Ziping pursed his lips: "Let me serve the Emperor."

"Huh?!" the four exclaimed in unison.

A black line appeared on Lin Ziping's forehead as he said, "I should be transferred to guard the gate for His Majesty."

There was a few seconds of silence.

"Not bad, kid." Wu Xudong slapped Lin Ziping on the shoulder. "You've made something of yourself, congratulations!"

"Cough-cough-"

Lin Ziping couldn't help but cough twice: "Old Wu, are you doing this on purpose, to get revenge for that slap Xiao Wei just gave you!"

Wu Xudong laughed and said, "You don't know the pain until you get slapped yourself. Let's see if you'll bully Xiao Wei again in the future."

“Xiao Wei and I are friends who have been through thick and thin together.” Lin Ziping put his arm around Tang Jiawei’s shoulder, who was standing next to him. “I have to thank Xiao Wei for saving me today. Show me the iron needle that you shot into the tiger’s eye.”

The atmosphere gradually became more lively, and Fan Ji and the others looked at Tang Jiawei with curiosity.

Tang Jiawei pulled a needle about ten centimeters long from his hair, placed it in his palm, and said, "This is it, it's a family heirloom."

"Is it safe to touch?" Tang Jiawei nodded. Lin Ziping picked it up and examined it closely. The needle gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

This material must be of steel quality, right?

"Was that iron lump on the tiger's body also shot out by Xiao Wei?" Pu San asked.

Tang Jiawei nodded: "It's the metal sheet we usually use to kill chickens."

Such a small piece of iron has such great power; Xiao Wei is truly a man of hidden strength.

"It's a pity, we've used up almost all of what we brought from home." Tang Jiawei coughed twice, covering his mouth.

"My dagger was taken too." Lin Ziping sighed. "Tomorrow I'll go see Lord Dongshan to see if we can get our things back."

“Okay,” Tang Jiawei said.

Lin Ziping looked at Tang Jiawei in surprise. This guy was usually the most talkative, so why was he suddenly so quiet today?

"Alright, it's getting late. You've had a long day, so get some rest," Fan Ji said.

"Old Fan, I can't go up the mountain with everyone tomorrow. Please take care of my little donkey," Lin Ziping said.

"We're all brothers, why are you being so polite all of a sudden? You've made it big now, kid. Don't forget me when you're rich and powerful." Before Fan Ji could speak, Wu Xudong chimed in.

"Haha, absolutely! When I rise to prominence, it will be the time for us brothers to soar to new heights as well," Lin Ziping laughed.

"Just blow it."

……

The group laughed and joked as they returned to their tent, arms around each other's shoulders.

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

In the very center of the tent, candlelight flickered.

The emperor and Zhou Qian sat facing each other, with Dongshan serving them.

The emperor picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"Your Majesty, it's getting late. It's not advisable to drink too much tea. This is a hangover soup that I just made. I added some ginger. Please try it," Dongshan said, placing a bowl of hangover soup in front of the emperor.

"Qianzheng, you see, Dongshan is becoming more and more like a disciplinarian," the emperor said.

Zhou Qianzheng said, "Dongshan is right. Dongshan shouldn't favor one over the other. Give me a bowl too."

Dongshan responded, picked up the bowl beside him, and placed it in front of Zhou Qianzheng.

Zhou Qian picked up the glass and drank it in one gulp: "It tastes good. Which chef made it?"

The emperor laughed and said, "What good food haven't you eaten? You're already thinking about this hangover soup. Did the man from Dongshan send it back?"

Dongshan suppressed his smile and said, "I had Yan Shu send it back. I'll come over tomorrow."

The emperor nodded slightly.

"Does Your Majesty think he's capable?" Zhou Qianzheng asked.

The emperor did not answer directly, but looked at Dongshan and asked, "What do you think?"

Dongshan paused for a moment, then smiled again: "This servant is blind and cannot see anything, but he does seem rather composed."

"You, when did you start playing tricks on me?!" the emperor laughed. "I also think he's steady and reliable. The sixth prince is the same age as him, yet he's always so loud and boisterous."

Zhou Qianzheng said, "The Sixth Prince is already quite good. He even discovered an iron mine while traveling for study."

"Why don't you mention the huge mess you caused in Fuchun?" The emperor rolled his eyes at Zhou Qianzheng. "You only know how to say nice things."

“You’re not happy about praising your son?” Zhou Qianzheng said.

"Chaofeng is not bad either," the emperor casually remarked.

Zhou Qian lowered his eyes and sighed, "Chaofeng was a good boy, it's just a pity, alas!"

The emperor's smile faded: "The Zhou family will still have to rely on you in the future."

Zhou Qianzheng remained silent.

The room suddenly became quiet, with only the crackling sound of the candlelight.

"Is Qianzheng still resentful of me?" the emperor asked after a long silence.

Zhou Qianzheng lowered his eyes and said, "Your subject dares not."

"Heh." The emperor gave a wry smile. "I haven't even said anything yet, and you already say you dare not. It's clear you still harbor resentment."

Zhou Qianzheng said, "The only one who can blame His Majesty is Wanrong, but what can I blame Wanrong for?"

After a pause, Zhou Qianzheng continued, "From an official standpoint, the Cui family committed the heinous crime of treason. What punishment they will receive is something the entire Cui family must have considered carefully when they had this idea. As a member of the Cui family, Wanrong should bear whatever the final outcome may be."

"And what about from a private perspective?" the emperor asked.

“Personally speaking,” Zhou Qianzheng sighed, “I admit that sometimes I really envy you, Mingyuan, that Wanrong chose to be with you.”

A hint of longing and a touch of pride flashed in the emperor's eyes: "Those were truly wonderful times."

“Yes,” Zhou Qianzheng said. “But later, when Wanrong and His Majesty entered the palace, the time was also very good. His Majesty asked me about my personal life, and it was Wanrong’s choice. As for the outcome, it was a matter between His Majesty and Wanrong. I had long since lost the right and the position to comment, so of course I have no resentment.”

"It is I who have let Wanrong down," the emperor sighed.

"It's getting late, Your Majesty should rest early," Dongshan advised, covering the emperor's legs with a blanket from the couch.

The emperor waved his hand: "What does Qianzheng think of Lin Ziping?"

Zhou Qianzheng thought for a moment and said, "It's a pity that he has a scar on his face."

"Yes, it's a pity there's a scar on his face." The emperor nodded thoughtfully.

The two sat facing each other for a while longer before Zhou Qianzheng stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and left.

Dongshan served the emperor until he finished washing up and lay down.

The emperor suddenly asked, "Is Lin Zhongke in the capital?"

Dongshan paused as he lowered the bed curtains before replying, "He must be here. A few days ago, a batch of incense was sent in. Does Your Majesty wish to summon him?"

The emperor said, "No need. Let him return to Qingyang. The child is in your care."

"Yes," Dongshan replied.

I lowered the bed curtains and lit the calming incense by the bedside.