Concubine Ling was beside herself with joy. This was the first time the emperor had praised her so amiably. It seemed that even if the queen came tonight, it might not necessarily turn out badly.
"It's all what this concubine should do. This concubine sees that the emperor has been working so hard on state affairs, but this concubine is incompetent and unable to share your burden. I can only do these trifling things." Concubine Ling couldn't wait to tell the emperor all about her virtue and kind - heartedness.
"I understand your kind intentions. If there's nothing else, you may leave." Si Junlin, of course, couldn't stand her act.
"Your Majesty?" Concubine Ling seemed rather reluctant.
"Ahem, does my love have something else to say?" Si Junlin coughed lightly and gave her a subtle warning look.
"N - no... nothing. This concubine will take her leave." Concubine Ling quickly knelt down to bid farewell and then withdrew.
Su Wan'er frowned slightly. What was all this about? On her way here, she had heard that Concubine Ling had come to offer some ginseng soup and hadn't left yet. She had even stayed until now? And in the imperial study?
"Has the queen come here at this moment to convey your kind regards to me as well?" Si Junlin asked seriously, as if he had just noticed her presence.
"..."
Su Wan'er had thought up many arguments on her way here, all about how loyal Brother Jingtian was and how to dispel Si Junlin's suspicion. But now she had witnessed this act of Si Junlin and his concubine living in harmony, which had completely disrupted her prepared plan.
Moreover, she hadn't prepared any soup or cakes. What was the point of bringing such things in the middle of the night?
"Oh? Could it be that the queen has come here without bringing anything?" Si Junlin seemed to have anticipated this. His words made it sound as if it was really improper for Su Wan'er not to bring anything.
"I came in a hurry and didn't prepare anything..." Su Wan'er replied dejectedly and truthfully.
"Really? You came here in such a hurry. It seems that Wan'er misses me so much." Si Junlin looked at her with a smile, but that smile always made Su Wan'er feel like punching him. It was a fake smile.
"This concubine didn't come here for this reason." It was more important to get to the point. They had just met at noon. Who would miss you?
"I've approved quite a few memorials today, and the ink is almost used up. How about the queen come over and grind ink for me?" Only after Si Junlin said this did he notice the thick black ink in the inkstone. Concubine Ling had been clamoring to grind ink for him earlier. Wasn't there still so much left?
"..." Su Wan'er was clearly unmoved. She didn't even want to answer. Si Junlin was obviously avoiding the main issue and making small talk. How could he not guess why she had come today? He was using the matter of grinding ink to prevaricate.
"Does the queen not want to?" Si Junlin seemed to be serious as he looked at Su Wan'er.
After looking at her for a while, he suddenly laughed to himself and said, "It doesn't matter. Anyway, I've finished approving the memorials today. But I'm very tired now. Wan'er, come and massage my shoulders."
"..." Su Wan'er looked at this even faker smile and got even angrier. She didn't even want to pay attention to him.
"What, doesn't Wan'er know how?" Si Junlin looked at her.
"Your Majesty!" Su Wan'er finally couldn't bear it anymore. "This concubine has come today on a very important matter. I wonder if Your Majesty has the time to listen to this concubine's report?"
Seeing her kneel down properly, Si Junlin naturally knew who she had come for. He was both angry and couldn't bear it.
Fang Xi beside him immediately understood, stepped forward to help her up, and offered her a seat.
"Of course I have the time. The queen's matters are of utmost importance to me. How could I not have the time?" Si Junlin still didn't want her to be angry. There was a bit of coaxing in his words.
"Then this concubine will speak directly." Su Wan'er pursed her lips, wondering where to start.
"Your Majesty punished General Gu... Jingtian today. This concubine thinks it's unjust." This was not just her and Qingcao's private desire to plead for Brother Jingtian. It was unjust both emotionally and rationally.
"Oh? Really? Where does the queen think it's unjust?" Si Junlin clearly didn't seem to care.
"This concubine is well - versed in military affairs and has specifically gone through the military department's documents. Allocating military funds for troop reviews is a long - established rule..." Su Wan'er had long thought that Si Junlin would surely hold on to the charge of squandering military funds.
"The queen really came in a hurry. This cape... is worn backwards." Si Junlin carefully examined her from head to toe. His gaze was so intense that it seemed as if he wanted to see through her.
Su Wan'er glanced at her cape uncomfortably. Sure enough, it was backwards... But what did it matter? "Your Majesty should also know that the rule of troop reviews every year was established by the late emperor. How can you punish General Gu because of this now..."
"Did the queen come here right after hearing the imperial edict? The ink on my edict isn't even dry yet." Si Junlin continued to talk about other things as if he wasn't listening to what Su Wan'er was saying at all.
"Your Majesty!" Su Wan'er stood up. "This concubine earnestly requests Your Majesty to revoke the order immediately. This concubine is willing to risk her life to guarantee that General Gu is absolutely loyal." Si Junlin was just afraid that General Gu was disloyal. But she and Brother Jingtian had grown up together since childhood. She had long known that he was loyal to defending the border.
"Is the queen... pleading for General Gu?" Si Junlin suddenly stopped smiling and looked at the bowl of ginseng soup that Concubine Ling had left there.
"Yes. General Gu was just promoted by my elder brother. If he is punished this time, he will surely be disgraced in the army. Moreover, he has done nothing wrong. Please, Your Majesty, revoke the order." One had to yield when under someone else's roof. Su Wan'er thought that the key to the problem now was Si Junlin's suspicion. As long as she explained clearly and vouched for him, Brother Jingtian was definitely loyal.
"Really? You've thought so much about him." Si Junlin squinted his eyes, and his eyes were full of a dangerous look.
"However, if the queen wants to plead for someone, she can't just ask me to agree with empty words." Si Junlin lazily raised his hand and pointed at the bowl of soup on the table. "As you can see, even Concubine Ling knows to bring a bowl of soup. The queen comes empty - handed. Don't you think it's a bit inappropriate?"
"..."
Su Wan'er was slightly stunned. So all the words she had just said to prove General Gu's loyalty, even risking her own life, were just a waste of breath?
"Your Majesty! General Gu is innocent..."
"Alright, we'll discuss this matter later. How about the queen go back first and think about how to plead for someone when coming to me." After saying this, Si Junlin left the imperial study with a carefree air and returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
He left behind Su Wan'er, who was filled with anger and had nowhere to vent it, and Qingcao, who was anxiously pacing back and forth.
"Your Ladyship, what should we do? Should we just let that imperial edict spread everywhere?" How devastated General Gu would be! He had worked hard every day to finally get General Su's approval, but he was punished like this just after taking office.
"How about we leave the palace and go to see Brother Jingtian?" Since the plea for mercy had failed, they should at least go and console him. Si Junlin's way of being a king really made loyal officials feel disheartened.
"Ah?" Qingcao was greatly shocked. Leave the palace? But ever since the matter of the southern border envoys was settled, the emperor had explicitly forbidden Her Ladyship from leaving the palace casually.