Survival countdown

It was slightly bright, Zhao Baiyu and Huo Jingtang slipped back to the inn quietly, changed out of their wrinkled clothes, combed each other's hair, and whispered to the window.

"Next year will be the weak crown, do you want to hold the weak crown ceremony?"

"Whatever."

Zhao Baiyu didn't care much.

Huo Jingtang glanced at Zhao Baiyu, nodded, "I see."

Zhao Baiyu moved his head: "Are you okay?"

Huo Jingtang took a bronze mirror to look at his hairstyle: "How is it?"

The black hair was tied up meticulously, tied in a bun on the top of the head, fixed with a green jade hairpin, wrapped around a light blue cloth towel, revealing the slender and fair nape of the neck, and the purple-red imprint on the collar was faintly visible. Of course, Zhao Baiyu's angle invisible.

He looked it over, got up when he was sure there was no problem, shook his large sleeves, straightened his waist and said, "One day you will be really down and out, and you can use this skill to be a barber under the overpass. Let people forgive you for your little problem of only beheading but not shaving."

Huo Jingtang was amused: "If I am really down and out, I will ask Xiao Lang to support me."

"Raise, raise now." Zhao Baiyu waved his hands proudly: "Go and drink fish porridge, I know where the stall sells the best fish porridge."

After saying that, he moved forward, while Huo Jingtang fiddled with the Buddhist beads with his hands behind his back, and followed Zhao Baiyu leisurely.As soon as the two came out of the yard, they bumped into Huang Qingshang and Adjutant Cui, and nodded their greetings.

Zhao Baiyu: "Where are you going?"

Adjutant Cui: "Zheng Chuzhi's messenger is waiting at the yamen, saying that he is ordered by His Majesty to bring Miss Huang and Sun Yingyi back to the capital for investigation."

"Ah, have you eaten yet?"

Both of them were taken aback, wondering why they suddenly jumped to this topic.

Zhao Baiyu smiled gently and said, "I invite you to drink fish porridge."

Adjutant Cui: "But Zheng Chuzhi's messenger..."

Huo Jingtang: "Even if you want to go to the capital, you have to fill your stomach before going on your way. Let's go."

The generals all spoke, but Adjutant Cui had nothing to say.

Huang Qingshang asked in a low voice: "The messenger has His Majesty's word of mouth, and Mr. Zhao's actions like this...will he be arrogant and arrogant and disrespectful to His Majesty?"

"The sky is high and the emperor is far away. What's more, the people who came here are only Zheng Chuzhi's messengers, not His Majesty's confidantes. You and I have concerns, but Mr. Zhao and the general don't. Besides, Zheng Chuzhi thinks he is with Mr. Zhao. If Mr. Zhao doesn't play tricks Get angry, and he might still feel uneasy."

Huang Qingshang didn't understand the twists and turns in the officialdom, so she simply didn't want to. Anyway, she believed in Zhao Baiyu.

At this time, in the Jiangyang county yamen, Zheng Chuzhi's envoys waited and waited until the imperial envoy delivered Huang Qingshang, and even Sun Chengyi, who had originally agreed to send it, was still being held in the cell, and none of the yamen servants listened to him, so angry Unscrupulous, yin and yang, the imperial envoy has a small belly, can't bear to be robbed of credit, and is arrogant and contemptuous of His Majesty, etc.

Most of the servants in the yamen are ordinary people, and they can tell that the imperial servant is Master Qingtian, how can they bear the nonsense of this messenger?So he continued to refill the tea, locked the person in the room, and refused to open the door no matter how the messenger knocked.

When Zhao Baiyu and the others went back to the Yamen to meet the messenger, they could smell the smell as soon as they opened the door. They took three steps back in unison, silently looking at the messenger who was urging on the teapot in the room.

The courier rolled his eyes in shame, and passed out immediately. The yamen servant was behind, and he didn't see the scene of the courier urinating in the teapot, so he quickly picked up the teapot to wake up the courier.

The courier Yoyo woke up, saw the imperial envoy, and remembered that he had been deliberately rinsed just now, and immediately became anxious, subconsciously licked the water droplets on his face, but tasted a strange smell, then looked at the teapot in the officer's hand, immediately identified it as an imperial envoy Playing, exasperated.

"Today's matter, I will definitely report to Vice-Lord Yun that your imperial envoy is playing tricks and despising the sacred edict. As an imperial envoy, you have scribbled rules and deliberately detained relevant criminals and witnesses to delay the big case. This lawsuit will be brought before the imperial court. Let's see how you take it!"

"Whether the imperial envoy can afford it or not, you don't need to worry about it here. But to punish you for the crime of contemptuous of the superior envoy is enough for the king to take off your hat."

"My king...? Are you?"

Adjutant Cui raised his eyebrows and raised his eyes: "Bold! You still don't kneel down when you see the King of Lin'an?!"

With a plop, the courier fell to his knees, sweat dripping down his face, and he couldn't tell whether it was human urine or cold sweat.

"The next official sees His Royal Highness the County King."

"You really know how to fight against others. A junior official of the seventh or eighth rank pointed at the imperial envoy who was polite to a first-rank official and put a high hat on his head. He came from the Yushitai in the capital. After hearing about your ability, I have to be willing to bow down."

"The lower officials, the lower officials dare not! The lower officials are terrified!"

Huo Jingtang sat in the hall, patted the stool beside him naturally, motioned for Zhao Baiyu to sit down, stared at the messenger for a long while without saying a word, until the messenger was so frightened that he couldn't help but speak: "Tell me, my little girl How can you be so contemptuous of the holy decree, Mr. Lang, and scribble the rules."

"This, no, I... I'm an official, he..." The messenger stammered: "Holy, Holy Master ordered Zheng Yun to handle the case of An Huaide and Sun Chengyi with full authority, and asked the imperial envoy to take over the 200 million taels of silver." Going to Xuzhou for disaster relief, therefore, Vice-Master Gu Yun called me to come and transfer Sun Chengyi and the main person to witness Huang's orphan daughter back to Beijing, the next official is... it is the responsibility—"

"What time did your Majesty return to the capital?"

"Your Majesty said that we will leave today."

"It means that there is no specific time. Zheng Chuzhi is in such a hurry that he can't even give someone a time for breakfast. Is he guilty or afraid of being robbed of credit?"

The messenger couldn't hold back, and wiped the water all over his face vigorously, he hesitated and couldn't speak.

Huo Jingtang didn't expect him to be ugly, just sitting there without speaking for a long time would scare the messenger into a serious illness.

Time passed bit by bit, and finally Zhao Baiyu let go: "Since it is His Majesty's intention, there must be no delay. Adjutant Cui, please go to the prison, bring Sun Yingyi out, and hand it over to this messenger. Miss Huang and the messenger go back to the capital, Dali Temple and the Ministry of Criminal Justice will investigate the unjust case of those years, and give you the Huang family justice."

Adjutant Cui: "Yes."

Huang Qingshang had tears in his eyes: "Thank you, sir."

The messenger followed suit and thanked him again and again.

Zhao Baiyu: "I still have a messenger to convey it on my behalf."

Messenger: "Your Excellency, you can do whatever you want."

Zhao Baiyu: "Mr. Zheng is very insightful, and I am willing to bow down. It's just that I can't become a big fat man with one bite. Don't let indigestion kill yourself. Of course, I sincerely wish Mr. Zheng all the best. It's gone."

The courier swallowed in horror, his words were full of gunpowder and smoke, and the imperial envoy really resented fate and put him down.

"By the way, let me tell you something more by the way." Zhao Baiyu said suddenly: "Master Zheng said that he admires me, and I especially appreciate him. The door of the county prince's mansion is always open, waiting for your visit at any time."

Messenger: "Your Majesty promises to bring you exactly what you said, and you will never miss a single sentence!"

Zhao Baiyu smiled gently: "Then I'm relieved. Tsk, what's going on? Didn't anyone remind me to ask the messenger to sit down? You get up, get up and sit down."

Messenger: "The lower officials dare not, the lower officials are terrified."

Zhao Baiyu: "I want you to sit down, so as not to spread the word that I have a small heart, and I will give you a chance to participate in my office by letting you slap Mr. Zheng in the face."

The messenger hurriedly sat down, lowered his eyebrows and looked pleasing to the eye, frightened by this dismounting with a gun and a stick, he no longer had the original arrogance, and did not dare to think of disrespect at all.

Although it is human nature for a dog to rely on power, even if Zhao Baiyu is robbed of merit, he is still an imperial envoy, a princess of the county, and the son of the prime minister. When he is not really down, how can he step on it?

That is to say, when the messenger saw Zheng Yun mentioning the imperial envoy full of contempt, he acted as if he was not afraid of the envoy, and he really thought that he could be rude to the imperial envoy with the support of the envoy. Thinking of suing the imperial court.

It must be known that what he said really brought it to the capital, and reached the ears of Yushitai.

If someone else had found a reason to deal with the messenger, Zhao Baiyu was just bluffing, not even making things difficult, and he was really lenient.

***

Adjutant Cui acted quickly, and soon brought Sun Chengyi, who was carrying the shackles, to the messenger.The messenger raised his head to see Adjutant Cui's face, and immediately frightened his legs, and blurted out "the imperial envoy forgives the crime", but he heard Adjutant Cui sneer, pointing to Zhao Baiyu behind him and saying that he is the imperial envoy.

Under the intimidation of the King of Lin'an, the messenger never dared to raise his head, so he didn't know the real face of the imperial envoy, so he was stunned when he saw it clearly.

Isn't this the guard next to the imperial envoy?

He is the real imperial envoy?

The messenger who was full of doubts returned to Yangzhou to report the matter to Zheng Chuzhi, but Zheng Chuzhi didn't care about it, obviously he already knew about it.

Thinking about it in his mind, the messenger realized that the lord knew the identity of the real imperial envoy long ago, and he used this to put others together, so that no one could feel comfortable. He also went to other people's territory to provoke him, so he was not a punching bag at the door?

The messenger had a bitter face, thinking he was unlucky.

Zheng Chuzhi asked him what else he had experienced in Jiangyang County, and the messenger dryly described what happened during the day.

Zheng Chuzhi touched his beautiful beard after listening and said with a smile: "If Zhao Baiyu is indifferent, I should worry that he has dug a trap in front of me and waited for me to jump. He used you to vent his anger to connotate me, but it also shows that he is inferior to me. At this time You are in a state of desperation. Let’s go down, and let people set off to return to Beijing immediately, so as not to have long nights and dreams.”

The messenger stepped back, and the staff member came out with a serious expression on his face: "I heard that the imperial envoy's words seemed to have some deep meaning."

"It's just a trick to scare people." Zheng Chuzhi waved his hand: "He has stumbled with me, and he must find some face elsewhere. However, I have been marching and fighting for many years. In the womb—he's still too young."

Staff: "It depends on the owner to beat a dog. What's more, the officialdom is dangerous. It's a life-and-death situation. The imperial servants are not as good as the people. They should admit defeat. How dare they act wildly on your head?"

Zheng Chuzhi: "If a dog hits you, it will be beaten, and I will pay the imperial envoy." Shaking his head, he continued: "The imperial envoy is still young, and he was stepped on by me as a stepping stone. Why should I argue with him?"

Staff: "There are a lot of adults."

***

The spread of the Huainan case shocked the government and the public.

After arresting An Huaide and Sima Jiao, they made it clear that they rushed to the East Palace. For a while, everyone in the Prince's Clan was in danger.

The officials of the court thought that this wave would be the imperial envoys who lifted the sky in Huainan, but they did not expect that it would be Zheng Chuzhi, who is well versed in the way of protecting one's life. Could it be that the dispute between Duke Zheng's mansion and the East Palace's heir apparent was revealed and no longer covered up?

But not long after King Qin fell... I almost forgot that there was still the sixth prince.

There was a strong competitor who had been neglected for many years on the chessboard of the crown prince battle, and many shrewd courtiers noticed the sixth prince and recalculated their chips in their hearts.

The East Palace and the Fifth Prince's Mansion don't see any visitors except for court affairs, the door of the Central Palace is closed, and no wife is seen. It seems to be the same as usual. Could it be that there has been a plan?But Zheng Guogong's mansion is coming in menacingly, the Huainan case is no small matter, even more so the Jiangnan examination room fraud case, how can we deal with it?

The court official was in the middle of the game, unable to guess or see clearly, so in a panic, he went to the governor's mansion to ask for a way.

However, the few officials in charge of the prime minister were considered to be smart, and they only talked about romantic affairs, but kept silent about state affairs and political affairs.

***

East Palace.

The fifth prince was upset: "Second brother, what happened to Sima Jiao? We didn't communicate in advance to let him get the relief money first. How could he be cut off by Zheng?"

The crown prince rubbed his throbbing temples: "There's a reply, Sima Jiao was a step late, but he told me an old story about King Jing and Fahrenheit."

"When are you still talking about the old things? I'm afraid that we are the ones who killed An Huaide. He has been our sect party all these years. No one knows that he has something to do with Prince Jing. To wash away Jing It's easy for the king to be suspicious, and it's easy to pull us into the water." The fifth prince said: "The most important thing is the attitude of the father. I was fishing at Longting Lake every day, but I didn’t see my queen, but every now and then I asked people to ask for dishes cooked by the maid next to my mother, do I really trust my queen and second brother, or let us relax our vigilance?”

Prince: "You know it's a time of urgency, but Sima Jiao doesn't know? He will bring up old things for no reason? He told me that King Jing has an iron certificate in his hand, even if he rebels, he will not die. Hey, do you remember the fourth brother? ?”

"Fourth brother?" The fifth prince wondered what he was doing with the almost invisible fourth prince at this time. The king interceded and was hated by his father, tell me how much his father hates Prince Jing?"

"Well." The prince: "Natural disasters and man-made disasters, the people of Huainan are in dire straits, the court and the emperor are not in a good place, Prince Jing even poured hot oil into it, madness is not enough to say it is evil, but there is the legacy of the ancestors, no one will touch it." Without him, no emperor would be able to bear this humiliation! I really can't imagine how my father tolerated this hard bone stuck in my throat for more than twenty years. Get rid of the eighth uncle!"

"What's more, there is still the matter of the garrison of troops that has not come to light. If it does, I really don't know what will happen to my father, let alone how you and I will survive this disaster."

The fifth prince: "The soldiers are in An Huaide's hands. Sima Jiao can't touch the soldiers in Huainan, and there is no trace of any contact in private. What does the stationing have to do with us? An Huaide doesn't let Sima Jiao touch private soldiers, and he is often angry. Jumping feet, the second brother once suspected that he had ulterior motives, but now it is an opportunity for us to get out of trouble, what is there to worry about?"

The prince sighed, and there was uncontrollable anger between his brows: "It would be great if there were no traces of any dealings in private! This idiot Sima Jiao really fell on a woman's belly. The account book of his private embezzlement of Huainan public funds is with An Huaide. We Every year, the money allocated to An Huaide is recorded by him, which can be compared with the ledger in Sima Jiao's hand, it is the real evidence that can bring down Gu!"

The fifth prince fell down on the chair like a bolt from the blue when he heard the words, and the six gods asked helplessly: "Then, what should we do?"

Prince: "Find a way to get out of the ledger in An Huaide's hands, if it doesn't work, just intercept it halfway!"

The fifth prince was stunned: "But if something happens at this stall, they will suspect us."

Prince: "As long as there is no proof of death, the truth is not for the living to tell? What's more, if An Huaide dies, there will be Eighth Uncle in front."

The fifth prince thought about it, and asked worriedly: "What if this road doesn't work?"

"If this road doesn't work..." The prince opened his eyes, looked at the sky outside the window and said, "If it doesn't work, I can only lower my face and talk to my sixth brother."

***

Huainan Xuzhou.

Zhao Baiyu and Huo Jingtang escorted 200 million taels of disaster relief money to He Guangyou, the governor of Xuzhou, and handed it over to He Guangyou after checking the details of the disaster relief accounts in previous years. After all, there are many disaster relief projects, so it is better to hand them over to experienced and dedicated people .

At the same time, Zhao Baiyu proposed to release the [-] fishermen: "Prefect He doesn't have to be embarrassed. Whether An Huaide is the mastermind of looting the relief money is not yet conclusive, but it is probably close to ten. The orphan Huang's daughter testified It is only a matter of time before the fishermen are innocent of the status of the dead 'rebellious party', so let them go home first, and I will take care of everything."

He Guangyou responded respectfully: "Even if there is no order from the imperial envoy, the lower officials will open the prison door and let the fishermen go back."

When An Huaide wanted to arrest fishermen in Yujiazhai, He Guangyou strongly advocated that the fishermen could not be arrested because of insufficient evidence, and he tried his best to prove that Yujiazhai has kept its own law and order for generations. Participating in the concert, Zhao Baiyu, who is far away in Jiangyang County, has also heard of it.

"My lord has been in office for four years, worrying about the worries of the people, anxious about the urgency of the people, so that the rule is clear, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. This time, the flood relief and relief work, my lord has worked hard day and night. Your Majesty has a clear eye and a clear heart. , Baiyu is also very admired." Zhao Baiyu bowed to He Guangyou.

He Guangyou was flattered, and quickly helped Zhao Baiyu up: "My son, what virtue can you do to get the words of a high-minded person who is too modest? Little Master Zhao saved his teacher, went to the disaster area alone, donated thousands of gold, and denounced Huainan official circles in order to return justice to one person." , is the person of righteousness that Ziliang admired the most in his life. It is a great honor for Ziliang to receive a compliment from you."

Ziliang is He Guangyou's word.

The Dajing Chaotang gathers smart people from all over the world. He Guangyou feels that he is not outstanding in it, so he does not seek a way out and does not delve into it. go down in history.

Because of this, He Guangyou has no ability to resist Gao Yi and unparalleled people.

God knows how excited he was when he learned that Zhao Baiyu had come to Xuzhou. Before the meeting, he took a bath and changed his clothes and sat quietly in front of the sandalwood for a long time before meeting the imperial envoy with anxiety and excitement.At first glance, I felt that I was worthy of being a man of high righteousness, but he was more beautiful than I imagined. The first thing I did when I came here was to release the fishermen.

If Zhao Baiyu knew He Guangyou's inner activities, he would know that this is a proper fan mentality, but he didn't know, and he just felt relieved. Fortunately, Huainan's officialdom is not so bad that it can't be cured.

"Mr. He is too modest." Zhao Baiyu is a gentleman, gentle and elegant: "I have one more thing to ask Mr. He to help urge it to be implemented, that is, the imperial court will provide money to appease the Yujiazhai. If someone is injured or disabled in the prison , please also give corresponding compensation and extra care according to the Dajing law. According to the Dajing law, three thousand fishermen who were innocent were wronged, and they can get subsidies from the imperial court. .”

He Guangyou was ecstatic: "Xiaguan thanked the imperial envoy on behalf of Yujiazhai! But why is it deducted from the next year's tax? The term of Xiaguan will end next year, and I am afraid that the successor will delay this matter."

Zhao Baiyu: "Xuzhou suffered such a catastrophe, logically speaking, next year's corvee should be exempted. You can embezzle it at ease, just keep the accounts."

He Guangyou's face glowed red, he thanked him again and again, and invited Zhao Baiyu over to the house again and again.

Zhao Baiyu said with a smile: "I have someone waiting at home, it's really inconvenient, I still hope Haihan."

"Hai Han Hai Han, must be Hai Han. The so-called Qi family governing the country, the adults focus on the family, so that the backyard is peaceful, the family is harmonious, and the love with his wife is deep, and others are envious..." He Guangyou lost his smile when he was boasting.

Mrs. Zhao seems to have married a man, but is that man Lin'an County King who has a reputation of being violent and ugly like Shura?

He Guangyou was heartbroken immediately, and he wronged Mr. Zhao.

After personally sending Zhao Baiyu to the door, He Guangyou found an ordinary carriage parked outside, and the people inside opened the curtain of the carriage and jumped down.

He Guangyou: "May I ask who this gentleman is?"

During the interrogation, Zhao Baiyu walked up to Huo Jingtang's side and said, "Young Prince of Lin'an, the one in my family, come and pick me up."

He Guangyou subconsciously saw the county king, and when he came back to his senses, he realized that the Lin'an county king was very handsome and good-looking. Why did the folks say that he looked like a yaksha Shura?Is it true that people in Kyoto Prefecture generally have high vision?

He also personally came to pick up Mr. Zhao, although his demeanor and complexion were not very gentle, he was not violent at all. Could it be that everyone in the capital admired Jiangnan's gentleness like water?

Zhao Baiyu nodded: "Your Excellency, please stay."

He Guangyou watched Zhao Baiyu enter the carriage, and when he lowered his head, he caught a sharp glimpse of dense purple marks on the back of his neck, and couldn't help being stunned. As a man, he naturally understood what those marks were, but the collar was so dense, the clothes How terrible should it be under the leadership?

He Guangyou, who had just thought that Zhao Baiyu and the Prince of Lin'an were quite a match, suddenly felt distressed and felt wronged by Mr. Zhao.

***

Inside the carriage, Zhao Baiyu said in a low voice: "The prefect of Xuzhou, He Guangyou, loves the people and is loyal to the court and His Majesty. He is a good minister."

Huo Jingtang: "He Guangyou's achievements in the four years in office are indeed impressive. Huainan has no one available right now, Xiao Lang intends to push He Guangyou?"

Zhao Baiyu: "Whether you can get the blue eyes of the Holy One depends on He Guangyou's personal creation. The diversion of the Yellow River and the disaster in Huainan did not happen overnight. If things go on like this, the water source and land will be affected, and the peach blossom flood is coming soon. Leave an official in Huainan who is familiar with Huainan and can take the lead in repairing embankments and river channels, laying a solid foundation so that future successors can get started."

If a mess is left directly, the new official who takes office will have a headache, simply put it in a mess, and leave after grabbing a hand, Huainan is really hopeless.

Huo Jingtang held Zhao Baiyu's hand, and stuffed the peeled pine nuts into his palm, "Xiao Lang is considerate, with your recommendation, His Majesty will be more at ease in appointing He Guangyou."

Zhao Baiyu knew it was safe when he heard the words, and said while eating the pine nuts: "The matter in Huainan is over for now, and the capital is probably full of soldiers... Where did you buy the pine nuts? A thorough investigation into the major case will definitely shake up Huainan's officialdom. Are you saying that you will return to the big prison?"

Huo Jingtang gave Zhao Baiyu all the pine nuts he had peeled, and wiped his fingers slowly: "I bought them at the preserved fruit shop on the street, and I will buy two more packs later. Killing a batch and dismissing a batch is a normal process, but the mastermind is My good father, I cannot say."

Zhao Baiyu frowned, feeling unbearable.

Huo Jingtang's index finger clicked between Zhao Baiyu's eyebrows: "Xiao Lang's heart is too soft."

Zhao Baiyu: "Under the great prison, there are desolate souls. Although there are officials who are not benevolent, there are also those who are not guilty of death. Officials are also common people. Except for ghosts and gods, there is only the law of the country. It should not be based on the emperor's own thoughts. Death is in vain for personal selfishness."

Huo Jingtang's expression didn't change much, but his gaze changed sharply, and his momentum suddenly changed: "Xiao Lang, be careful with your words and practice."

Zhao Baiyu opened his eyes slightly, this was the first time he faced Huo Jingtang's stern and stern side, inexplicably felt a sense of grievance, he lowered his head and fiddled with the pine nuts in his palm, without saying a word or looking at Huo Jingtang.

Huo Jingtang held Zhao Baiyu's wrist, and Zhao Baiyu let him hold it without breaking free. He took a half bite of a pine nut and suddenly felt that it was not so fragrant.

"I know that my little gentleman is wise, insightful, savvy, tolerant, and has a heart of worrying about the country and the people. He is sympathetic and sympathetic to the suffering of the people. Zhi, but in the officialdom, you can’t say everything even to me.”

"I'm not that good."

Zhao Baiyu still lowered his head, muffled back, not to take Huo Jingtang's afterthought.

"No matter how good the literati's sage writes, it can't conceal the fact that the imperial power is supreme. The emperor's order is called system, and the emperor's edict is called a report. Those who cannot be killed by the national law can be killed by the emperor, and those who cannot be released by the national law can be released by the emperor. Just like The law cannot kill King Jing, who seeks to usurp the throne, because he is protected by the imperial edict of the holy ancestor, and His Majesty cannot touch him, and the imperial power is lost to the imperial power."

Huo Jingtang saw Zhao Baiyu's innocence, although he was too naive to agree with it, but he was willing to protect it, provided that Zhao Baiyu would not be implicated by it.

Taking half of the pine nut from Zhao Baiyu's hand and biting it into his mouth, Huo Jingtang leaned his chin on the top of Zhao Baiyu's head and hugged him tightly: "The officialdom is dangerous, I wish you a prosperous career, and I also hope you are safe and sound. .”

Zhao Baiyu clenched his palms tightly, and after a long time said in a low voice, "Don't attack me, I will be afraid."

Huo Jingtang's heart softened instantly.

--------------------

The author has something to say:

When I wrote about Xiaoyu's grievances, I felt that he was finally wronged because of Lao Huo's fierceness, and Xiaoyu's grievances and anger were finally coaxed.

PS:

Xiaoyu knows that the imperial power is supreme, but he has no way to agree with it.