It was more than half an hour later when Zhou Shuren left the palace, and he limped out. Zhou Shuren calculated how long he had been kneeling. It was the first time he had knelt for so long. Fortunately, he had not changed his cotton trousers, otherwise his legs would have suffered from rheumatism. The icy ground was too cold.
After leaving the palace gate, regardless of the general guarding the gate's surprise, Jin Yan helped him get on the carriage, and he climbed up after two attempts.
When he got into the carriage, Zhou Shuren shuddered, not caring how much his legs hurt. Waves of chills spread from his heart to his whole body. He felt cold and sweaty, and was terrified!
Just now the emperor had a blank expression on his face and did not ask him to get up. That was also a warning to him. The emperor warned him that he should accept the emperor's grace. He also told him that the emperor's grace could be given to him and could also be taken back.
Zhou Shuren calmed down for a while, touched his swollen legs, and his face turned cold. This was the imperial power in ancient times. The emperor was supreme. He reflected more on his actions in the past few years.
Zhou Shuren closed his eyes and sneered in his heart. He felt somewhat relaxed and complacent. As expected, he was still a mortal and a vulgar person.
He had a smooth career, had many achievements, and had a very close relationship with the emperor. He also received favors from the emperor. Even though he remained cautious and never exposed his feelings, he was clear about whether there had been any changes in his heart.
This time, the blow woke him up completely, but his face became a little colder, reminding himself that imperial power is supreme.
They soon arrived at the Ministry of Revenue. Zhou Shuren's legs were too weak to get out of the carriage. His legs had never suffered such pain before, but he had to endure the pain to move.
Jinyan looked at the smiling adult and inexplicably felt that the adult was a little different.
Zhou Shuren took a deep breath and endured the pain, "Help me down."
Jinyan supported him carefully, feeling the weight of the master on him. He didn't know what happened in the palace, and he was very nervous. "Master, do you want to call a doctor?"
Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "No, let's go."
If he handed him over to the doctor at this time, wouldn't that be an insult to the emperor? Since the emperor had punished him, he had to accept it. Both rewards and punishments were the emperor's grace.
The officials from the Ministry of Revenue were stunned when they saw this, and they didn't know how to react for a moment. This was Lord Zhou, and it was obvious that he was going to be punished.
Even Lord Zhou was punished, not to mention them. They didn't understand. Wasn't he entering the palace today for the southwest border? Was it because of money
Zhou Shuren returned to his room and just as he pulled up his pants, the door opened.
Xiao Qing came in holding a heater, took out the ointment from his arms and handed it over, "Apply it!"
Xiao Qing paused and continued, "This ointment is very useful. I have been using it all the time."
The Ministry of Revenue was very difficult in the past. He wanted to hide, but he couldn't. When the emperor got angry, he would have to kneel for a long time.
Zhou Shuren was about to thank the master, but before he could open his mouth, Xiao Qing hurriedly said, "I haven't used it for a long time, and I don't know if the ointment is still effective."
Zhou Shuren's thank you card got stuck in his throat. He calculated in his mind, bah, it's not just that I haven't used it for a long time, this ointment has long been expired and is dry. "It's not serious, no need to touch it."
Xiao Qing took the ointment back, acquiescing that it could no longer be used. She pulled a chair over and sat down, pressing Zhou Shuren's leg. Seeing that Zhou Shuren's face had turned green from the pain, she said faintly, "Have you learned your lesson?"
Zhou Shuren endured the pain and said, "Sir, please take your hand away. I will learn my lesson."
Xiao Qing pressed it again, "It seems like you still haven't learned your lesson."
Zhou Shuren was stunned, "Sir."
Xiao Qing signaled everyone in the room to leave, and when no one was in the room, he said, "I knew this day would come sooner or later."
Zhou Shuren stared at Lord Xiao. Although the old man was a Shangshu and gave up his power very decisively, Zhou Shuren never looked down on him. He raised his head and waited for Lord Xiao to continue speaking.
Xiao Qing looked directly at Zhou Shuren with deep eyes, "You have no respect for the imperial power."
Zhou Shuren's heart skipped a beat. "Your Excellency is joking."
Xiao Qing looked up with a sharp gaze, as if it was an illusion just now, and said, "Don't deny it. You are cautious about the imperial power, but you rarely have awe. The awe engraved in your bones, I got it the first time I covered for you."
But he was shocked and thought he had discovered something wrong, but after a few times, he knew that he was right.
Xiao Qing did not give Zhou Shuren a chance to speak. "So I know that you will be punished sooner or later. The imperial power must be respected, and the ministers cannot escape the imperial power."
After saying that, Xiao Qing stood up and patted Zhou Shuren on the shoulder. Zhou Shuren was smart and understood what he had not said. This was all he could do to help Zhou Shuren.
Zhou Shuren took a long time to come back to his senses. So that's what was happening. The emperor was not just showing favor to him. What he really wanted to hit him with was awe, awe of the royal family. The emperor had a filter for him before, and he still had a filter now, but not as many, because the emperor wanted to abdicate and jumped out, so he discovered his problem!
In the palace, the emperor came back and sat there without saying a word. The emperor punished Lord Zhou, and the news spread throughout the palace.
The prince looked up at his father several times. He couldn't understand why his father would punish Zhou Shuren. He said out of disgust, "No way."
The emperor saw the prince observing him and spoke, "Zhou Shuren has the blood of the Rong family. Regardless of whether other blood of the Song family can be found, Zhou Shuren can be considered a member of the Rong family."
The prince was stunned, "Yes, I know."
The emperor continued, "I hope that the Rong family can be stable after going through hardships. You don't have to think about letting Zhou Shuren be Xuhao's master. I hope Zhou Shuren can be a loyal minister."
What the Emperor said was already very straightforward. The Prince came to his senses and realized that his father thought he had assigned Zhou Shuren to Xuhao!
The prince was silent. He seemed to have had this thought, but it was not obvious before. Now that his father had revealed it, he also faced up to his own thoughts, "Son, I just want to give Xu Hao the best, just like your father."
The emperor understood, and it was because he understood that he was afraid. This was a warning to Zhou Shuren, but he was also glad that he discovered it early. "You do love the Crown Princess, but you and the Crown Princess are different from me and your mother."
He and the Queen have been through so much, they have lived and died together, and have faced many thorns along the way. Their relationship cannot be compared to that of the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess who have had a smooth journey.
Although the Crown Prince loves the Crown Princess, he often goes to the backyard. His son does not share his affection for him. It can be seen from his feelings towards Yue's family that time takes its toll on people.
The prince wanted to deny it, but he couldn't find a reason to refute it, "My son really wants to give Xuhao the best."
The emperor waved his hand and said, this is the best thing now, but as for the future, he cannot afford to gamble.
In the evening, when Zhou Shuren came home, Zhulan smelled the medicine on him and looked at the way her husband walked. "What's wrong with your legs?"
Zhou Shuren motioned for the maids to go down, "Don't worry, I've already applied medicine. The medicine from the palace is really good. The swelling has gone down a lot."
That’s right, it was the medicine from the palace. Not long after he returned home, a eunuch came to deliver the ointment. He was completely relieved when he saw the ointment. He knew that this incident was over and he had completely solved the problem of becoming a teacher for the emperor’s grandson.
The most important thing is that he knows the problems he has been hiding and will not make the same mistakes again in the future.