As the sun sets and the palace gates are locked, a young man in official uniform gallops in from a distance on horseback, followed closely by a dozen foreign troops from the Eastern Depot.
The young man here is Zhu Ping'an.
After verifying the inventory data, Zhu Ping'an immediately took the data, rode his horse and rushed to the West Garden to ask for an audience with Emperor Jiajing.
When he arrived at the gate of Xiyuan Palace, Zhu Ping'an dismounted from his horse and knocked on the gate.
At this time, the one guarding the palace gate was Eunuch Cao, the one promoted by Feng Bao from the Laundry Bureau. Every time he entered the palace, he would take the initiative to greet Zhu Ping'an.
"My Lord Zhu, why do you want to see the emperor at this time? The emperor is having dinner and taking medicine at this time. It is against the rules for you to ask for an audience with the emperor at this time. I suggest that Lord Zhu ask for an audience as early as tomorrow morning." When Eunuch Cao saw that it was Zhu Ping'an who knocked on the door outside the palace gate, he knew Zhu Ping'an's purpose and couldn't help but remind Zhu Ping'an with good intentions.
Zhu Ping'an cupped his hands, smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Eunuch Cao, this matter is of great importance, I dare not delay, I can only make an emergency decision, please inform the inner court, all consequences will be borne by Ping'an alone."
"How big is it?" asked Eunuch Cao curiously.
"It concerns the foundation of the country." Zhu Ping'an replied seriously.
"Master Xiao Zhu, please wait a moment. I will go in and report the matter right away." Upon hearing this, Eunuch Cao knew that the matter was of great importance, so he did not hesitate any longer and turned around to report the matter.
"Thank you, Eunuch Cao."
Zhu Ping'an bowed to express his gratitude and stood outside the palace gate waiting.
As the sun sets, the sunset glows half the sky red, and the palace wall at the west gate is also burned red.
Waited for a long time.
It lasted so long that Zhu Ping'an's legs became sore from standing.
"Crunch..."
The sound of a door opening sounded like the sound of nature to Zhu Ping'an.
Eunuch Cao opened the palace gate, wiped the sweat from his head, and said to Zhu Ping'an while panting, "Master Zhu... please come in."
"Thank you, Eunuch Cao." Zhu Ping'an could tell from the sweat on Eunuch Cao's head and his heavy breathing that he had just run all the way here. When he entered the door, Zhu Ping'an nodded to him and thanked him.
"Master Xiao Zhu, you are too polite. Please come in and don't keep His Majesty waiting for too long." Eunuch Cao smiled and shook his head.
Zhu Ping'an nodded and walked quickly inside.
The palace ridge is decorated with golden beasts, the palace pillars are decorated with jade scales, the imperial road is lined with green trees and famous flowers, and the red walls and golden tiles are magnificent and glorious.
The journey was smooth.
Logically speaking, the palace should be filled with the scent of women's makeup, but it is different in Xiyuan. The most prominent smell in Xiyuan is the smell of incense.
If you only look at the taste, you would think you have entered a temple or Taoist temple.
Walking into the gate of Wanshou Palace, Zhu Ping'an organized his words again, straightened his official uniform, and then walked in.
Just as I raised my foot and was about to enter the door, a fragrant breeze blew towards me, and then I was bumped by a person who was running out angrily.
"Princess, please slow down, be careful..." The two palace maids in the palace shouted after the fact, but it was too late. When they shouted "be careful", the two had already bumped into each other.
The incident happened suddenly and Zhu Ping'an didn't have time to dodge. He was hit on the shoulder and took a step back.
The man inside was not so lucky. He was half a head shorter than Zhu Ping'an, and he was lowering his head, so his forehead hit Zhu Ping'an's shoulder directly. His shiny forehead immediately turned red, and a small bump almost appeared.
"Ouch, which blind dog slave dares to block the princess's way." A thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl in palace dress cried out in pain, covered her forehead with her slender hands, pouted her lips, pointed at Zhu Ping'an and cursed him.
She's actually a princess?!
Still a wild princess!
Zhu Pingan was very angry when he heard this, but he was reborn into a good family. Although he was scolded, he could only bow his head, bend down, and apologize, "I didn't know the princess was here. I am guilty."
"Huh? It's you, the exhibitionist?!"
Zhu Ping'an lowered his head and suddenly heard a scream from above his head. Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but look upset.
Is this princess crazy?!
How could I be an exhibitionist? I am wearing my official uniform very neatly, and this is the first time we meet!
"I don't understand."
Zhu Ping'an lowered his head, speechless.
"So the reason why my father sent me back to Fengyang Pavilion was because of your crappy memorial? Just wait! Humph! You'll be in for a treat!"
The princess' voice above her head was filled with anger, and then she snorted, flicked her sleeves, and left with a series of angry footsteps.
"I am terrified."
Zhu Ping'an was even more speechless. This princess must be crazy. It was inexplicable.
"Princess, please slow down..."
The two palace maids trotted after him.
Zhu Ping'an raised his head only after the footsteps faded away. He glanced around with his peripheral vision and saw three figures walking away. He shook his head speechlessly and walked into the palace.
Zhu Ping'an didn't take seriously the threat from the princess, whose appearance he hadn't even seen. He thought that this crazy princess might have recognized the wrong person. How could it be him, an exhibitionist
Princesses are kept in the deep palace and unknown to the people. I have only been to the palace a few times and have hardly seen a maid, let alone a princess. Besides, I am always very careful in the palace. I always dress neatly, even when I sleep, I wear pajamas. How dare I expose myself? So, this slightly neurotic princess must have recognized the wrong person.
To Zhu Ping'an, this was just an inexplicable episode and he didn't take it seriously at all.
After entering the outer hall of Wanshou Palace, the eunuch on duty passed the message inside, and soon Zhu Ping'an was summoned and walked in.
"Your humble servant Zhu Ping'an kowtows to the emperor. Long live the emperor."
After entering the inner hall, Zhu Ping'an immediately performed the ritual of three bows and nine kowtows to pay his respects to Emperor Jiajing in the hall.
Emperor Jiajing was indeed eating just now, and he hasn't finished his meal yet, there is still food on the table.
"Why do you call yourself a criminal?" Emperor Jiajing put down the jade bowl in his hand and asked Zhu Ping'an, who was kneeling on the ground, with interest.
"I, a guilty minister, asked for an audience when the palace gates were locked and His Majesty was having dinner. This was a violation of the rules. This is my crime." Zhu Ping'an replied respectfully, crawling on the ground with his forehead touching the floor tiles.
"Zhu Ping'an, you know that it is against the rules to see me when I am having a meal. Although you are small, you are very brave." Emperor Jiajing stood up, walked to Zhu Ping'an, and said with a smile.
"It's not that I'm bold, but the matter is of great importance and I dare not delay." Zhu Ping'an saw the Shifang shoes embroidered with dragon patterns in front of him out of the corner of his eye, and he couldn't help but be even more respectful.
The upper of the Shifang Shoes is a black and white striped pattern with ten holes on it, representing the ten directions of east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, north, northeast, up, and down. Hence, they are called Shifang Shoes. They are shoes often worn by Taoists and are also loved by the Taoist-worshipping Emperor Jiajing. There is no doubt that the person standing in front of him and looking down at him is none other than Emperor Jiajing.
"Get up. Tell me what's important. I'm listening."
Emperor Jiajing walked to the dragon throne with his hands behind his back and sat down.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhu Ping'an bowed deeply again and then slowly stood up.