Miss Truth-Chapter 480 - 314: Summoning

Ran Yan had washed up, and since she had nothing to do, she had Wan Lu fetch a few bolts of white folded cloth mixed with silk from the storeroom, and they began making clothes based on Xiao Song’s own undergarments.

Just as the patterns were drawn, Xiao Song strode in and had Wan Lu fetch his official uniform for him.

"What’s the matter? Are you going to the Government Office to handle affairs?" Ran Yan asked in surprise.

Xiao Song shook his head, "I’m not going to the Government Office. The Emperor has summoned me to the palace, but I don’t know why."

Ran Yan immediately had the maid bring in water for washing and prepared some plain congee and light dishes for him. Ran Yan helped him change into his official uniform. Xiao Song hurriedly washed up, had a small bowl of congee, rinsed his mouth, and then quickly left.

Xiao Song pondered over and over but couldn’t guess exactly why the Emperor chose this time to summon him. If it were a matter of promotion or transfer, it shouldn’t have happened so quickly...

As he traveled, his thoughts circled back several times, quickly reviewing recent events. He felt the most likely reason was that the Emperor wanted to inquire about the case involving Princess Wenxi. Therefore, he prepared numerous drafts in his mind as he walked towards Ganlu Hall after entering through the Anshang Gate. Even if the Emperor’s question wasn’t about this matter, there would be no loss for him.

As he entered, a guard helped him with his horse, and a pale, beardless monk came up to greet him softly, "Assistant Minister Xiao, the Emperor commanded me to receive you."

"Thank you." Xiao Song said with a warm smile, folding his hands in thanks, and followed him towards Ganlu Hall.

Ganlu Hall was where Li Shimin usually resided and where he typically summoned court officials and reviewed memorials.

With guidance from the inner chamber, they reached the study room door of Ganlu Hall without any interruptions. The monk notified Li Shimin’s Eunuch, who then led Xiao Song inside.

Upon entering, the first thing he saw was a large bronze screen divided into squares with diagonally arranged blue, yellow, and green glass. The Eunuch announced, "Emperor, Assistant Minister Xiao has arrived."

"Hmm, come in." Li Shimin’s voice sounded quite amiable, not as stern as usual during court sessions.

Xiao Song, following the Eunuch, walked around the screen and bowed deeply towards the main seat, "Your subordinate, Xiao Yuezhi, greets the Emperor!

"Sit," Li Shimin said, putting down his pen and motioning for Xiao Song to sit as he pleased.

The room did not have ordinary mats but rather couches resembling elongated stools.

Ganlu Hall was somewhat chilly. Du Ruhui, the wise counselor of those years, was quite frail; however, whenever discussing significant matters, he had to kneel on the cold floor for several hours, sometimes even all night, and even thick felt mats did not help much. Therefore, Li Shimin had the couches made.

As the ministers who followed Li Shimin grew older, and even though Du Ruhui was no longer alive, the two couches had not been removed.

Xiao Song thanked the Emperor for his grace and sat waiting for Li Shimin to start the conversation.

"Duke Xiao, has your health been well lately?" Li Shimin asked with a smile, his face elongated and thin, his features remarkably symmetrical, with a full forehead and a firm nose bridge, his narrow eyes especially spirited.

"The old man eats three bowls of rice per meal, his punches fierce as ever," Xiao Song answered.

Li Shimin was startled for a moment, then burst out laughing, "You’ve come to lodge a complaint with me! This is a matter you should take to Wei Zheng, who knows, he might just derive a charge of assaulting a court official from it, and I could conveniently do a favor." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Xiao Song laughed, "The Emperor makes a good point."

It was no secret that there had been a clash between Wei Zheng and Duke Xiao in the Zichen Palace. Despite being just a civil servant and rather skinny, Wei Zheng definitely knew some tricks—resorting to anything but fighting dirty, he had firmly held his ground against the martially trained Duke Xiao. This not only somewhat reflected that Duke Xiao’s martial skills were not that formidable, but also that Wei Zheng was indeed formidable. Although both were upright and direct and should have appreciated each other, they ended up completely at odds.

But it was only on a personal level, in matters of state, they would not go against each other out of spite, hence Li Shimin often joked about the two.

"I heard Duke Xiao returned to Qi State just yesterday?" Li Shimin asked, "Was it something in Xiangcheng that displeased him?"

Xiao Song understood that the Emperor actually wanted to know if his father still harbored any resentments toward him. With a thought, he said, "It’s not so, Your Majesty. The Princess of Xiangcheng is knowledgeable and virtuous, naturally she wouldn’t anger my father. Actually... it was I who upset him."

Xiao Song’s words were watertight. When Li Shimin had previously inquired about Duke Xiao, Xiao Song knew the Emperor might be preparing to ask about this and had laid some groundwork with a joke, making the subsequent answer more credible.

Li Shimin hummed softly, saying slowly, "Duke Xiao is stubborn. As his son, you should be more yielding."

"Yes, I will remember Your Majesty’s teaching," Xiao Song didn’t feel that the Emperor would completely believe him, but some things are better understood if left unsaid, as explaining too much would tear both covert and overt aspects.

Li Shimin smiled faintly and gestured for an eunuch to pass a document from the imperial desk to Xiao Song.

Xiao Song’s heart tightened, and he straightened up even more. As the eunuch presented the document to him, he heard Li Shimin say, "Take a look at this document first."

"Yes," Xiao Song took it, the characters neat and square, evidently a product of the Imperial Censorate. He quickly skimmed through it, feeling somewhat relieved.

The document dealt with the Princess of Baling keeping numerous handsome men and involving in the trade of opium. Xiao Song secretly thought, he had exposed the matter to the Imperial Censorate last time, the Emperor shouldn’t know about it! So why was he called this time, because of the exposure of last time’s issue? Or did he know that the case of the Princess of Wexi involved the Princess of Baling’s Courtyard?

Li Shimin didn’t let him guess for long and directly asked, "It’s said that the Wexi case also involves Baling?"

Xiao Song’s eyes slightly drooped, pondering how to respond. He definitely couldn’t claim ignorance, being one of the key personnel in charge of the case. If he was unaware even who the case involved, he should pack up and go home. So, was it involved, or not?

These questions flashed through his mind almost without pause, and he promptly replied, "To report to Your Majesty, the matter does indeed concern the Princess of Baling. Among the suspects, there is one named Yu Lang, a servant in the Princess’ Courtyard. However, the way they obtained the opium was through an almost deserted temple on the eastern hillside of the city, which housed five monks. Upon investigation, they genuinely didn’t know about the matter, only mentioning that a devout Hu merchant often donated money for oil. As to whether this incident is related to the Princess of Baling, I am not sure. This matter has been transferred to the Government Office of the Capital."

Xiao Song knew that this dilapidated temple was definitely one of the trading spots used by the Princess of Baling and the Hu merchant, but some things shouldn’t be stated by him. These matters weren’t his responsibility, and not knowing wouldn’t be neglecting his duty. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket, your support is my greatest motivation.)

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