Chapter 360: 191 Strongest White Lotus (First Update) _2
Most official households maintained a large private residence, but the old High Priest’s wife had died early, and he had no son. His salary was ample for his own comfortable living.
The old High Priest thought to himself, wasn’t it plundered by your mother queen?
Forget it, he isn’t my biological son anyway.
Speaking of the current emperor’s birth background, it was somewhat pitiful. His biological mother was only an insignificant palace maid who happened to win the favor of the previous emperor and became pregnant.
In the Imperial harem of Zhan Country, imperial concubines below third rank weren’t qualified to raise a royal heir. After his birth, he was sent to the Palace of the Tranquil Concubine, where he was brought up.
The old High Priest laughed and said, “I somehow find those modest meals and a simple life quite nice, it brings peace to one’s mind. After the ups and downs in the court for so many years, there are hardly any quiet moments.”
At his words, the emperor seemed to genuinely feel something.
As the sovereign of a country, from the court to the harem, when did he live a day of peace?
Just now, while waiting for the old High Priest in the cold wind, there were surprisingly few distractions in his mind.
Sitting in the room, without having to worry about court affairs, was really like snatching a half-day leisure from life.
The emperor suddenly felt that this room was not so unbearable after all, “Did you come back to the capital this time to see Master Feng?”
He had also heard about the death of Master Feng. He regretted that such a talent was gone.
The old High Priest nodded, “For Master Feng, and to see Your Majesty.”
The emperor sighed, “I’ve reopened the Guozijian, but without you, the Guozijian still seems to be lacking something.”
The old High Priest said, “Talents are aplenty in Zhan Country, Your Majesty will certainly find the right person to take over the Guozijian.”
The emperor sighed again, “Alas, I’m afraid you haven’t heard about the Guozijian’s matter.”
With a puzzled expression, the old High Priest asked, “The Guozijian…what happened again?”
The emperor told him about Zheng Siye’s muddled accounts, “Not only did he embezzle and take bribes, but he also took advantage of his position and changed the students’ results. How dare I trust the Guozijian to him? I really want to kick him out of the Guozijian!”
The old High Priest quickly said, “Please calm down, Your Majesty. Every person makes mistakes. Zheng Siye took bribes a few years ago, but now he’s turned over a new leaf. Why not give him another chance? As for changing the students’ results, I believe Zheng Siye would not be that foolish. There might be a misunderstanding.”
Without Zheng Siye’s black and bad, where would his white lotus face come from?
After the old High Priest spoke a few good words for Zheng Siye, the emperor finally dismissed the idea of firing him.
Afterward, the emperor talked to the old High Priest about inviting him back to the Guozijian.
“The Guozijian has been closed for too long. People’s spirits are scattered, and all major forces are infiltrating. The eldest grandson of Minister Zhuang, Prince An, has returned from Chen Country. He entered the Guozijian as the top scorer.” The emperor got to the point and looked at the old High Priest intently, “This is the time when I need people. I hope you can return to my side, help me stabilize the country of Zhan.”
The old High Priest didn’t agree immediately.
The emperor’s eyes fell on the old High Priest’s complex face and asked, “Are you…still upset about Ahen’s affair? You don’t want to return to the Guozijian because it’s the place where Ahen had an accident?”
The old High Priest was silent.
The emperor didn’t pressure him, got up and left. At the door, he suddenly turned around and said, “Ahen would also want to see you come back in the spirit world, wouldn’t he?”
The old High Priest looked even sadder.
The emperor sighed and left.
Once the carriage was far away, the old High Priest’s expression changed in a second, “Liao Quan, bring out the chicken leg! I’m starving!”
Gu Jiao couldn’t sleep well last night. Since there wasn’t much to do at the Medical Hall during the day, she returned to her small courtyard to rest.
She had slept for less than two hours when she was woken up by a knock on the door.
“Miss Gu! Miss Gu! Please come out for a moment!”
It was the careful and urgent voice of Xiao Sanzi.
Gu Jiao was not a morning person. She got up irritably, yawned, and with a sullen face went to open the courtyard door for Xiao Sanzi.
Startled by her formidable aura, Xiao Sanzi stammered, “Miss…Miss Gu…”
“What is it?” Gu Jiao asked.
Xiao Sanzi hesitantly said, “That man from last time is here again.”
“Which man?” Gu Jiao asked impatiently.
Xiao Sanzi gulped, thinking ‘Can you please not make such an angry face? I feel like my life is hanging by a thread…’
Gathering his courage, Xiao Sanzi said, “It’s Liu Yisheng! He’s here again to get medicine! The second shopkeeper is not in, and manager Wang doesn’t dare to give him medicine. He’s trying to find a way to send him away.”