Chapter 833: Suppressing the Emperor
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wei Ting did not say where he found the armor. It was related to the relics of the previous dynasty. He still understood this principle.
The Wei family was already eye-catching enough. There were some things that did not need to be said to complicate matters.
If Leng Ziling was still alive, he might have told the Leng family about this.
However, he was not afraid that the Leng family would jump out and report him for taking Wei Xu’s armor and the relics of the previous dynasty. Not to mention whether the Leng family knew that the box contained the relics of the previous dynasty, so what if they did?
Did they dare to say it?
They held their father’s incomplete map and did not hand it to His Majesty. Instead, they held it in their hands. It was obvious that they wanted to take the treasure for themselves.
Emperor Jing Xuan promoted the Leng family because they were obedient. Once the Leng family was disobedient, it would be the next Wei family.
The Leng family did not have the guts to gamble.
Emperor Jing Xuan looked at Wei Ting with a complicated expression and tightened his grip on the dragon throne.
“When you say that you’re going south to look for your father, have you confirmed General Wei Xu’s whereabouts?”
The person who asked was Xiao Zhonghua.
Wei Ting said without changing his expression, “After my father escaped, Helian Ye tracked him all the way and found a few items from the southern border where the clues were broken.”
Xiao Zhonghua said, “So you suspect that General Wei Xu was brought to the southern border.”
Wei Ting said, “That’s right.”
Xiao Zhonghua asked suspiciously, “But… why did the southern border capture General Wei Xu?”
Wei Ting said truthfully, “I’m not sure, that’s why I want to find out the truth.”
Xiao Zhonghua looked up at Emperor Jing Xuan, who was sitting on the dragon chair, and said solemnly, “Father, there are many fecious points about this matter. If General Wei Xu really fell into the hands of the southern border, we have to be wary of the southern border’s intentions.”
An old general said disdainfully, “The southern border is just a barbarian land.
So what if they have ulterior motives? Can we be afraid of them!”
There was also a chain of disdain between countries. The Western Jin and the Wei Country were large countries that were at the top of power. The Great Zhou and Northern Yan was not like these two countries and had to look up to them. On the other hand, the southern border was only a small country formed by
Xiao Zhonghua said unhurriedly, “That was the former southern border. Now that they have unified all the tribes and small countries in the region, it’s a force that can’t be underestimated. Moreover, the southern border uses mountains as a miasma and has a natural terrain that’s easy to defend and difficult to attack. It’s an excellent place to nurture soldiers. If they have ambitions, there will be endless trouble in the future!”
The minister of the Honglu Temple had not said anything, but he frowned.
Emperor Jing Xuan noticed his abnormality. “Minister Honglu, do you have something to report?”
The head of the Honglu Temple was in charge of diplomatic relations with various countries. Most of the things that the minister of the Honglu Temple wanted to report were related to news from other countries.
Emperor Jing Xuan thought that Northern Yan had come to ask for peace, but who knew that it was the southern border?
Emperor Jing Xuan’s expression darkened. “What did you say? A marriage proposal?”
The minister of the Honglu Temple said awkwardly, “Yes, the King of the Southern Wilderness requests to marry a princess of the Great Zhou for his son.”
The old general spoke again. “Hmph, I think the King of the Southern Wilderness is dreaming. How can a noble princess of our Great Zhou marry into a barbarian land?”
The minister of Honglu Temple knew that there was no chance. He did not plan to say anything in the court. He only wanted to hand over a memorial and wait for Emperor Jing Xuan to reject.
It was only today that Wei Ting mentioned that General Wei Xu might be in the southern border that he hesitated to mention it.
It was impossible for Emperor Jing Xuan to agree to marry his daughter to such a godforsaken place; he would not even send the daughter of a minister. If the news of the princess of the Great Zhou marrying a barbarian spread, she would probably become the laughing stock of the countries.
Emperor Jing Xuan did not take it to heart at all. What really gave him a headache was Wei Ting going south to look for his father.
Wei Ting said, “Your Majesty asked me yesterday in the imperial study that I had made a great contribution and wanted to reward me heavily. He asked me if there’s anything I want. I don’t want anything except to look for my father.”
The corners of Emperor Jing Xuan’s mouth twitched. He said yesterday that he didn’t want anything else!
Wei Ting had just made a great contribution at the border. Now that he had suggested finding his father in front of the civil and military officials, how could Emperor Jing Xuan not agree? Did he still want his image as a wise ruler? Emperor Jing Xuan said, “But your injuries haven’t healed…”
Wei Ting said seriously, “I’m eager to find my father. What’s this small injury?” The ministers nodded. How could Wei Ting’s filial piety not move them?
“Your Majesty, let Wei Ting find General Wei Xu.”
“Please let General Wei Xu return to the court!”
“We beg Your Majesty to let General Wei Xu return to the court!”
The entire court asked for orders on behalf of Wei Ting and Wei Xu. Emperor
Jing Xuan could not go against the entire court, so he could only agree.
After leaving the palace, Wei Ting got into the Wei family’s carriage.
The Old Marquis and Su Yuan were also sitting inside.
The two of them deliberately took leave today and did not go to court. Others could ask for orders on behalf of Wei Ting, but the Qin and Su families had to temporarily lie low.
“Did His Majesty agree to let you go to the southern border?” Su Yuan asked.
“He agreed,” Wei Ting said. “Thank you, Uncle and Granduncle.”
On the surface, the Old Marquis and Su Yuan did not go to court, but they secretly made arrangements. Those who jumped out to plead on Wei Ting’s behalf were all asked by them.
The Old Marquis sighed. “I can only help you until here. Anything more will backfire.”
Wei Ting nodded. “I understand.”
“Today, we’ll consider it as facing His Majesty head-on. There’s no turning back.” The Old Marquis looked at Wei Ting. “I hope your deduction is right.
Your father is still alive and in the southern border.”
Su Yuan said, “Regardless of whether Wei Xu is in the southern border or not, he has to go for Wei Qing’s sake.”
“Yes,” the Old Marquis said to Wei Ting. “How do you plan to go?”
Wei Ting thought for a moment and said, “I’ll go south through Qingzhou. I’ll bring Xiaoxiao back to pay respects to the ancestors and offer incense to Mother.”
The biological mother of Su Ergou and Su Xiaoxiao, Madam Chen, was buried in the countryside of Qingzhou. Previously, they were not sure of Su Cheng’s identity. Now that Su Cheng had already acknowledged his roots and ancestors, it was actually time for them to move Madam Chen’s grave.
They planned to move Madam Chen’s coffin back to the capital after returning from the southern border and set up the stone tablet to protect the Duchess and bury it in the Qin family’s fengshui treasure land.
The Old Marquis sighed sadly. “That’s how it should be. Sigh, that child is also a pitiful person.”
Although Madam Chen was born in the countryside, she had parents and an elder brother. Her life should not be bad, but she had not been treated well since she was young. It was not easy for her to get married, but she passed away after a few years.
The Old Marquis patted Wei Ting’s shoulder. “Go and see your mother. It’s good to do so.”
The matter of Wei Ting going to the southern border was settled.
Wei Qing also traveled with him. He was a strategist of the Western Jin Dynasty, and Emperor Jing Xuan could not care less about his whereabouts.
Li Wan couldn’t bear to part with him, afraid that this farewell would be forever.
Wei Qing looked at her gently. ‘Wanwan, don’t worry. I’ll be back.”
Wei Xiyue could not bear to part with her father either. She sat on Wei Qing’s lap and hugged his neck tightly.
Wei Qing stroked her little head dotingly. “Daddy will miss Xiyue too.”
Old Madam Wei sat in the room. Her heart ached at the thought that the children would have to leave again. “You’ve only been back for a few days and have to leave the capital. It’s always cold and desolate here.”
Wei Ting squeezed his grandmother’s hand. “Don’t worry about me. This small injury of mine is fine.”
Old Madam Wei glared at him and removed his hand in disdain. “Who’s worried about you? I’m worried about my granddaughter-in-law and great-grandchild!”
Wei Ting looked hurt. “Grandmother, you’ve changed. You don’t dote on Little
Seven anymore.”
In the evening, Emperor Jing Xuan’s imperial edict arrived to formally instruct Wei Ting to find General Wei Xu. In addition, Emperor Jing Xuan arranged for a prince to accompany him.
Su Xiaoxiao asked, “Is it Xiao Duye?”
Wei Ting looked at the imperial edict and said, “Xiao Shunyang..”