149 Coconut
Before Xiao Juan left, he did not forget to send someone to inform Yu Niaoniao that he was going to enter the palace to meet the emperor. He told her to go home today and not wait for him.
The emperor was old, and his health was not what it had been.
Before he finished reading the memorial today, he felt tired. He threw away his pen and was helped to lie on the couch for a while.
The old emperor sat up when his attendant came in to report that the Prince of Lang had arrived.
Everyone stepped forward to help the old emperor change and wash.
When he walked out after changing, Xiao Juan had been waiting in the side hall for a while.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
The old emperor took the teacup from the eunuch and took a sip to moisten his throat. Then he spoke slowly.
“I heard that you captured a group of scholars today. What’s going on?”
Xiao Juan explained the situation before taking out confession and offering it with both hands.
The eunuch stepped forward and took the confession, and transferred it to the old emperor.
The old emperor narrowed his eyes. It took him a moment to read everything.
He sneered. “So this was done by Prince Min. I usually treat him well. I didn’t expect him to harbor ill intentions!”
Xiao Juan said, “Li Qiao’s words alone can’t convict Prince Min. We have to investigate this matter again.”
The old emperor put down the confession and instructed him in a low voice.
“I don’t care what methods you use. You have to investigate this case as soon as possible.
If Prince Min was really responsible for the anti-government poetry, I would not let him off easily even if he was my brother! Do you understand what I mean?”
He emphasized the last sentence with an especially oppressive tone.
Xiao Juan lowered his head and replied respectfully, “I understand.”
The old emperor’s paranoia had gotten worse over the years.
He even became suspicious of his brothers and felt that everyone wanted the dragon throne under him.
He was hinting that Xiao Juan could use this anti-government poetry case to implicate Prince Min.
Xiao Juan even suspected that the old emperor had deliberately arranged for Li Qiao to be accused of plotting something but he stopped his thoughts in time.
These things were not for him to think about. All he had to do was carry out the emperor’s orders, that was all.
When they were done, the old emperor changed the subject and asked suddenly.
“I heard that Assistant Minister Yu’s eldest daughter has been living in your house recently. Are you getting along well?”
Xiao Juan said, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. We’re doing fine.”
The old emperor smiled ambiguously. “It seems that the rumors are true. You and that Yu Niaoniao really have a deep relationship. In that case, I’m relieved. If there’s a chance in the future, bring her into the palace to meet the Empress Dowager and me.”
Xiao Juan agreed.
The old emperor had limited energy. After only a short conversation, he looked tired.
Xiao Juan tactfully bade farewell.
“It’s getting late. I won’t disturb Your Majesty’s rest.”
The old emperor instructed the eunuch beside him.
“Didn’t they send a batch of coconuts to the south recently? Get someone to bring a basket back for the Duke and let him try them.”
“There.”
Xiao Juan cupped his fists and bowed. “Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty.”
When he returned to the prince’s residence, he was just in time for dinner.
Yu Niaoniao was very happy to know that he had brought back a basket of coconuts.
“Coconuts are great things. I’ll stew coconut chicken for you later!”
She had only eaten coconuts before she transmigrated. She had not eaten coconuts since she transmigrated to the Dayan Dynasty.
Transportation in this era was inconvenient, and transporting fruits required a lot of manpower and resources. The transportation cost was too high.
Only the emperor was qualified to enjoy the fresh coconuts sent from the south. The commoners had never even seen this thing.
Xiao Juan looked at her thoughtfully.
“You sound like you’ve had coconut before?”