Chapter 214: Chapter 213: Slapping the Green Tea Empress Dowager 30
"Hey..."
Just as Mr. Liu was crying particularly miserably, a faint voice came.
Both he and Emperor Jianwu were startled and looked toward the source of the voice, only to see a head popping up from over the wall.
This person was recognized by them both; he was Yun Que’s sworn elder brother, named Hao San.
Seeing Hao San, hope rose in Emperor Jianwu’s heart.
He quickly stood up and walked over: "Brother Hao."
Hao San jumped down from the wall: "Yun Que asked me to relay a message to you; she’s fine, currently hiding in the City God Temple to the south, disguised as a little beggar, there shouldn’t be any danger for the time being."
Emperor Jianwu’s heart tightened, hearing that Yun Que disguised as a beggar to survive, it felt as if something heavy had struck him: "Brother Hao, I want to see her."
Hao San thought for a moment: "I’m not sure who wants to kill Yun Que, fortunately, we have a good friend here, otherwise Yun Que would be in real danger. If you suddenly show up, it might expose Yun Que."
Emperor Jianwu clenched his teeth: "But Yun Que can’t always remain a little beggar, she must live her life, she can’t stay hidden forever. Currently, the only way for Yun Que to survive is for me to bring her home."
"What?"
Hao San couldn’t believe Emperor Jianwu’s words: "What can your home do? Can it protect Yun Que? The assailant has very strong martial arts."
Emperor Jianwu revealed a self-satisfied smile: "Of course, if she can still be assassinated while within the Imperial Palace, then there is no safe place left under the heavens."
"Imperial Palace, Imperial Palace..."
Hao San stepped back in shock, sizing up Emperor Jianwu: "You, you’re the Emperor?"
He shook his head: "Impossible, impossible, the Emperor calling me ’brother,’ that’s impossible."
Mr. Liu timely stepped forward: "Brother Hao, our Family Head is indeed without a doubt the Emperor, and I am the Chief Eunuch Liu Fu by the Emperor’s side."
Hao San indeed knew of the Chief Eunuch Liu Fu, highly favored by the Emperor; hearing Mr. Liu saying this, sizing him up once again, then thinking it over, he indeed was a eunuch.
Only the Emperor or a Prince could employ a eunuch.
Either way, this man held a high status.
Hao San cleverly knelt down: "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Emperor Jianwu bent down and helped Hao San up: "Now quickly lead me to see Yun Que, I must bring her back to the palace as soon as possible to feel at ease."
Hao San agreed, and walking ahead, he revealed a smug smile where Emperor Jianwu couldn’t see.
As Yun Que’s sworn elder brother, Hao San naturally had a special bond with Yun Que.
When Yun Que was very young, she had once received Hao San’s help; although Yun Que was carefree and power-hungry, she genuinely respected and appreciated Hao San.
This brother, who helped her when she was driven out by the Yun Family without food or clothing, and faced death, held a rare and pure place in Yun Que’s heart.
Over the years, Yun Que shared any good thing she acquired with Hao San.
Hao San, being the least favored and unloved son at home, held little importance or warmth from his parents. He doted on Yun Que as if she were his own younger sister, also distressed by Yun Que’s difficult life, always keeping her in mind when he got something good.
No matter how these two personally felt, or how they behaved towards others, good or evil, they harbored rare good intentions towards each other.
It’s fair to say, if Hao San were in danger, Yun Que would risk her life to save him, even if it meant death, without regret.
Hao San would do the same.
Because of this relationship, when Yun Que met Emperor Jianwu and guessed he was the Emperor, she turned to Hao San and shared the matter with him, and thereafter, the siblings laid a trap, step by step, luring Emperor Jianwu into it.
Hao San had always known that Emperor Jianwu was the current Emperor; now, he was merely acting, pretending as if he had just found out.
This time, Hao San and Yun Que had already discussed their plans early on. Yun Que was determined to enter the palace while Hao San wanted to secure a minor official role.
Hao San was delighted and overjoyed, hence his steps quickened.
Emperor Jianwu thought he was worried about Yun Que, naturally following closely.
The three of them spoke little along the way and quickly headed for the City God Temple where Hao San went in for a moment and then brought out a little beggar.
At the sight of Yun Que, Emperor Jianwu felt a joy of regaining what was lost, coupled with a sense of desolation in his heart.
He, an emperor, had actually reduced the person he liked to a beggar; he was truly a poor excuse for an emperor.
Looking at Yun Que, dressed in ragged clothes, her face smeared black, Emperor Jianwu felt an especial heartache, "Are you, are you alright?"
Yun Que burst into tears upon seeing Emperor Jianwu: "I... I’m fine."
She stepped forward and suddenly threw herself into Emperor Jianwu’s arms, "I was so scared, if not for a friend who rescued me, I would have died, I would never have seen you again, I was really terrified."
Emperor Jianwu’s heart melted by Yun Que’s tears, and at the same time, his hatred towards the Empress Dowager grew.
If not for the Empress Dowager, Yun Que wouldn’t have suffered such misfortune.
"There, there, don’t cry anymore."
Emperor Jianwu comforted Yun Que, and led by Hao San, they went to a residence Hao San had arranged. After Yun Que cleaned up and changed into clean clothes, Emperor Jianwu then said to Yun Que, "Come with me to the palace."
"What?"
Yun Que and Hao San had the same expression.
Hao San hurriedly explained to Yun Que, "This is His Majesty the Emperor, he had concealed his identity to befriend us before."
Yun Que glanced at Emperor Jianwu, then rubbed her eyes and slapped her cheeks, "No, how did you become the emperor? How could you... I must be dreaming, wake up, wake up."
Emperor Jianwu’s heart ached again, he went over and took Yun Que’s hand, "I am the Emperor, I wish for you to enter the palace as a concubine, would you be willing?"
Yun Que looked at Hao San, "I, whether I am willing or not?"
Hao San laughed, "You have to decide for yourself, why ask me?"
"Big brother as a father," Yun Que muttered.
Only then did Emperor Jianwu remember Hao San, "Once you enter the palace, of course Brother Hao must be properly thanked; since Brother Hao is righteous and has made many friends, why don’t I appoint him an official in the Five Cities Military Department?"
"Really?"
When Yun Que heard that Hao San could become an official, she was happier than if she became the Imperial Concubine herself, "My brother can be an official? Is that true? If my brother becomes an official, let’s see if his two older brothers and sisters-in-law dare to bully him."
Emperor Jianwu nodded, "It’s true."
Hao San was also very pleased.
Since Hao San could become an official, Yun Que was definitely going to enter the palace.
She didn’t delay, quickly got ready, and followed Emperor Jianwu to the palace.
Along the way, Yun Que asked about who exactly wanted to kill her.
Emperor Jianwu wanted to keep it from Yun Que, but then he thought, once Yun Que enters the palace, she would be under the scrutiny of the Empress Dowager; if she isn’t a bit cautious, she might inevitably get caught by the Empress Dowager, so he carefully told Yun Que what was happening.
Upon hearing that the Empress Dowager wanted her dead, Yun Que pretended to be especially scared on the surface, but inside she thought, as expected, old witches are all the same, Second Mrs. Yun wanted to kill her, and Second Mrs. Yun’s relatives couldn’t tolerate her either.
She thought to herself that once she entered the palace, she would stir up a storm, letting the Empress Dowager see her true capabilities.