Yusui Chang'an

Zheng Cheng was the emperor's close attendant, and his words and actions all represented the emperor's will. It was a great honor for him to personally bring the reward.

Gu Hongzhang thanked him respectfully, but when he heard that Zheng Cheng was going to see him off, he quickly declined. When he heard that it was the emperor's oral order, Gu Hongzhang bowed to the imperial study and said thank you for your trouble.

Zheng Cheng sent the eunuch carrying the rewards ahead, and he, with a kind smile on his face, walked slowly with the three old ministers.

After some polite chat, Zheng Cheng looked at Master Yao:
"The Grand Master has returned to the court after many years of seclusion. His Majesty is very happy and often praises him for his loyalty."

Master Yao sneered:
"Happy to be praised? Since I returned to the court, I have often sneezed or had hot ears. I personally think it is because of your Majesty's anger and scolding."

Zheng Cheng's face tensed up, and he looked around. Seeing that the guards and eunuchs on duty were far away and no one could hear him, he breathed a sigh of relief and resumed his smile.

"Grandmaster, you are joking. This is in the palace, please be careful with your words."

Master Yao: "It's okay. Your Majesty and the three of you all know that I have always been loyal to the late emperor and Tian Chu. If Your Majesty really minded, you would have silenced me long ago."

Zheng Cheng's scalp tightened, and he looked around again:
This living ancestor, do you really think that His Majesty doesn't think so? !

Without waiting for Zheng Cheng to dissuade him, Gu Hongzhang whispered:

"The Grand Master is your Majesty's mentor. Your Majesty is wise and would never have such intentions. It is better for you not to make such jokes."

Zheng Cheng: "What the general said is true. Before the Grand Tutor returned to the court, he had his pulse checked by the imperial physician and fortune-teller. As long as he takes care of himself, does less work and jokes less, he will be safe."

After hearing Zheng Cheng's clear advice, Lin Yanqing and Gu Hongzhang were both surprised:

Is this Zheng Cheng's intention, or is this His Majesty's intention...

Master Yao nodded slightly, accepting Zheng Cheng's kindness:

"Thank you, General Manager Zheng. Judging from your age, you should know the late emperor. If he had been born earlier, he would have followed the late emperor like us three old bones." Zheng Cheng looked up at the sky, squinting at the dazzle of the rising sun, and his tone was filled with nostalgia and admiration:

"Such wise rulers are rare in the world. How many people would not follow them?"

After he finished speaking, he realized that he had said something wrong, his expression suddenly changed and he smiled again, and he quickly leaned over and changed the topic:

"Fortunately, your majesty is also a wise ruler throughout history, and this old servant is also very lucky."

Seeing that the three people only looked nostalgic and had no dissatisfaction, Zheng Cheng breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously:
I have been with the emperor for many years and I dare not relax for a moment. I actually lost my guard in front of these three people. Fortunately, it was these three adults...

Master Yao: "They are all wise rulers. Who will Zheng Zongguan choose?"

Zheng Cheng was stunned for a moment, looked around at Lin Yanqing and Gu Hongzhang who were equally puzzled, and then put on his usual smile:
"How can I choose? The late emperor passed away many years ago, so naturally I will follow Your Majesty."

Master Yao glanced around and saw that there was no one nearby, so he suddenly stopped and looked directly into Zheng Cheng's eyes:

"What if there is a choice? I want to know, if there is a choice, who would Zheng Zongguan choose?"

Seeing that Master Yao asked so seriously, Zheng Cheng's heart started beating wildly:
"What do you mean, Grand Master?"

Master Yao took a step forward and avoided answering:
"Manager Zheng, please think carefully and make sure you understand. I am waiting for your answer."

After saying this, Master Yao no longer slowed down his pace. All the way out of the palace, no matter how Zheng Cheng asked indirect questions, he would not answer, but just waited for his answer.

After watching the three people get on the carriage, Zheng Cheng did not get a reply. He kept thinking all the way back:

Is there a choice? How to choose? Can the Grand Master revive the late emperor? (End of this chapter)