noffsinger Chapter 219: Is the surname asleep?
Chapter 219: Is the surname asleep?
The sky was turning pale, and the faint light of morning light slowly brushed across the glazed tiles of the palace like a veil.
The candles in the Liangyi Hall were extinguished one by one amid the whispers and hurried footsteps of the palace maids and eunuchs.
The dancing flames struggled and swayed in the wind, and finally turned into wisps of green smoke, dissipating into the air, leaving only the faint scent of candles filling the hall.
Zhang Ananda stood quietly by the side, gazing at Li Chengqian with eyes full of heartache.
Li Chengqian's face looked slightly pale, his eyes were bloodshot, and the dark circles under his eyes told of countless days and nights of hard work and fatigue.
"Your Majesty, you only sleep for so few hours a day, how can your body handle it?"
Zhang Ananda's voice was choked with sobs. He slowly raised his hand and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve. He continued, "Your Majesty, the ministers only have one court session every seven days, enjoying a leisurely time, while Your Majesty toils day and night, without rest."
"Last night, Your Majesty only slept for two and a half hours!"
"Even this old slave sleeps longer than Your Majesty."
"You still have to attend court today! When will Your Majesty finally get a moment of rest?"
Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and looked at Zhang Ananda, whose face was filled with worry and concern. He forced a smile, which was full of helplessness. He said softly, "What does it matter? Even if you let me sleep at this moment, I still can't fall asleep. My mind is restless."
"Only when the people of the world can sleep peacefully at night, no longer troubled by their livelihoods or disturbed by war, can I rest in peace."
After saying this, his gaze fell back on the mountain of memorials and documents on the table. He picked up one and said, "Oh, this is the shipbuilding plan I have drafted. Send someone to deliver it to Grand Tutor Qi immediately."
"These are the memorials submitted by the cabinet that I have reviewed. I have not approved some of the proposals. Please have them reconsider them carefully."
"The following is a dispatch from Xianyang. The General has asked me if I can go to Xianyang to celebrate the New Year this year, and I have agreed."
"Send Xianhuai to find a few capable men and send them as fast as possible to deliver my reply to Xianyang."
"It's almost time for court. Please send me a bowl of porridge. I'll have it and then go to the Taiji Hall."
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
Zhang Ananda bowed deeply and respectfully, then slowly backed out of the hall.
He did not dare to slack off in the slightest. He quickly memorized all the matters ordered by His Majesty and arranged them in an orderly manner. He silently prayed in his heart that His Majesty would take good care of his health and not overwork himself.
Li Chengqian sat alone in the Liangyi Hall. He stood up and stretched, trying to relieve the stiffness and fatigue from sitting for a long time.
He walked to the window and looked out at the sun that was casting a faint but not warm glow.
After reviewing the memorials intently for a long time, his eyes felt sore and unbearable. He blinked hard twice, and a few physiological tears came out, blurring his vision. After the tears slid down, he felt a little better.
Staring at memorials for such long hours day after day, I'm afraid I'll become nearsighted from the heavy workload.
Emperors of all dynasties had to review memorials every day. Wouldn’t this strenuous work damage their eyesight and cause them to become nearsighted?
Li Chengqian was full of doubts, but he didn't think about it any further.
It’s none of his business whether other emperors are nearsighted or not.
If I get myopia, at least I can buy myself a pair of glasses.
He stretched again until he heard a slight "crackling" sound from his bones, and then he stopped.
Outside the palace gate, Yuan Tiangang's figure appeared quietly, instantly attracting the attention and discussions of many old ministers.
In the eyes of these old ministers, Yuan Tiangang was nothing more than a charlatan who was deceiving people.
If it weren't for Emperor Taizong's complete faith in him and his special favor towards him, a person like him would have been expelled from the palace long ago. How could he have the seemingly honorable title of Imperial Master?
Although this title sounds quite majestic and awe-inspiring, he actually has no real power in the court. He can only observe the celestial phenomena and make divinations in the Taishi Bureau.
Moreover, he didn't even have a rank. Because of this, no one would stop him from attending court, and no one would deliberately pursue the matter if he didn't attend court.
Li Chunfeng followed Yuan Tiangang closely, never leaving his side.
The two of them didn't care at all about the looks of contempt, doubt, or curiosity from those around them, as if those looks were just empty breezes that passed by without leaving any trace.
As Li Chunfeng walked along, he looked at the prosperous and thriving scene of the Tang Dynasty and felt confused.
The Tang Dynasty is now at peace, the people live and work in peace, and the national strength is at its peak. How could there be a danger of national destruction?
Where will he die?
The prosperous scene before him formed a stark contrast with the terrifying hexagram. For the first time, he began to deeply doubt and waver in the art of Qimen Bagua and astronomy that he had learned.
Is it a sign that the sky will lift the tripod and overturn?
So who exactly is this heavenly general?
Or some kind of metaphor?
Li Chunfeng racked his brain and pondered over it over and over again, but he couldn't figure it out. He felt that the answer seemed to be far away at the ends of the earth, out of reach.
As the palace gate slowly opened, the heavy vermilion door made a creaking sound.
All the officials straightened their clothes, looked solemn, and filed in.
Yuan Tiangang looked at the tall and magnificent palace gate and sighed softly. There seemed to be thousands of words in that sigh, but they were difficult to express.
He took Li Chunfeng with him, and walked steadily and calmly behind the team of officials. Their figures were quite unique among the many officials.