Chaos of Ming 1628

Wang Chengen led the way, and it wasn't until they walked out of the palace gates that Sun Qing seemed to find himself again.

A gust of wind blew, and Sun Qing shivered from the cold. Only at this moment did he suddenly realize that he had been sweating profusely during his conversation with Zhu Youjian. His undergarments were soaked through.

Zhu Youjian was born in 1611 and ascended the throne at the age of 16 (17 by the traditional Chinese age reckoning).

Based on their current ages, they are the same age. However, based on their soul ages, they are several decades apart.

Sun Qing looked up at the snow falling all around him, and for the first time, he had such a direct experience of it.

Is this what it means to be the supreme ruler?

Even though he possessed a wealth of experience from his past life, he was completely suppressed by the mental and physical methods of the other man, leaving him nowhere to hide.

So this is the power to hold life and death in one's hands; this kind of pressure is something that ordinary people can never reach.

He had lamented countless times in his books how power could blind people, but today, facing the supreme monarchy directly, he truly felt its allure.

No one dislikes the feeling of looking down on the world and being in control.

The weight on my shoulder instantly warmed me up.

Sun Qing turned around, and Shen Junru draped a cloak over his shoulders, her smile bright and captivating: "Young Master, you've finally come out."

"What did His Majesty say? Did he make things difficult for you?"

"No," Sun Qing shook his head, a slight smile on his face, "but you, you've been waiting here the whole time?"

Shen Junru was soaking wet; the snow had fallen on her, wetting her hair and clothes.

Shen Junru exhaled and laughed nonchalantly, "I'm fine."

"Why didn't you go inside and hide?" Sun Qing's tone was full of heartache.

"They did let me go," Shen Junru said, her smile undiminished, "but I was worried about you. I couldn't drink any water, and I couldn't sit still. So I just stood at the door and watched you; it made me feel more at ease."

Sun Qing felt a warmth in his heart. Despite his advanced age, he was so moved by the little girl's words that his nose tingled with emotion.

Just as he reached out to pat her head, Shen Junru tilted her head to look at Sun Qing and suddenly asked, "Has Grandpa's matter been settled as well?"

When will His Majesty summon my grandfather?

Sun Qing's outstretched hand hung in mid-air.

In my mind, I saw the scene from the Imperial Study.

After Zhu Youjian finished explaining everything, Sun Qing was about to take his leave when he was stopped.

Zhu Youxiao's voice was mocking: Sun Qing, doesn't Grand Secretary Sun want to see me? Tell him to come see me!

Knowing full well what Sun Chengzong's fate would be, Sun Qing never mentioned it. But Zhu Youjian was fully aware of it.

Indeed, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not Wei Zhongxian's private property, but merely controlled by his faction. It seems that Emperor Chongzhen now possessed a portion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard under his own control.

The letter, which had been quietly placed in various prefectures and counties, had already been reviewed by Emperor Chongzhen, at least from the capital to Sun Qing's hands.

Looking at the person in front of him, Sun Qing smiled wryly: "Yeah!"

He responded with a sound of agreement, and slowly said, "Let him enter the capital!"

Shen Junru was overjoyed and exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful!"

"The court is in dire need of capable people now, and the current emperor is not like the late emperor, who favored eunuchs. The Ming Dynasty is saved!"

These words stirred Shen Junru's emotions.

Sun Qing watched from the side, a bitter smile on his face, for there were some things he just couldn't bring himself to say.

The current emperor is indeed not the late emperor. He hates the eunuch faction to the bone, and likewise, he will not trust Sun Chengzong as much as the late emperor did, without any suspicion.

"Hmm!" Sun Qing responded indifferently again.

Even if you enter the palace, what can you do?

Once Wei Zhongxian's arrogance is suppressed, those officials who used to keep a low profile will start to act arrogantly again.

"Let's go!" Sun Qing said with a hint of helplessness, preparing to leave with Shen Junru.

Just as they were about to leave, a horse-drawn carriage arrived.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a smile on Yang Qingqing's beautiful face.

He called out to Sun Qing, "Young Master Sun, it seems I've arrived just in time."

"No," Sun Qing said, his tone slightly indifferent. "We really are leaving."

"That's why it's suitable."

The coachman was already lying on the ground. Yang Qingqing lifted the curtain, stepped out, stepped onto the coachman's back, and landed gently.

She walked slowly to Sun Qing, her face slightly flushed under the oil-paper umbrella.

Every word and action of his was captivating, but when he saw Shen Junru, his smile became somewhat stiff, and he immediately turned his face away to avoid seeing Shen Junru's face.

He smiled at Sun Qing again and said, "Young Master Sun, our ancestor invites you to come in."

Having arrived in Kyoto, how could one avoid meeting Wei Zhongxian?

Sun Qing was prepared, so it didn't bother her.

Shen Junru followed behind, and Yang Qingqing stepped forward, standing between the two of them: "Miss Shen, there's nothing else that would be inconvenient for you to accompany me to."

"I know you eunuchs all like to do dirty things. Even if you beg me to go, I still don't want to." Shen Junru didn't mince words, sneering, "Anyway, you're all going to be finished, so I have nothing to worry about."

"At least I believe that you wouldn't dare to lay a hand on the young master."

Shen Junru's face was full of pride.

Yang Qingqing's face turned pale and then red, and she was so choked up that she couldn't say a word. She flicked her sleeve, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

Seeing Sun Qing get into the car, he hurriedly urged, "Let's go, hurry up and go!"

Wei Zhongxian was already waiting at the mansion.

Unlike the last meeting, this time it wasn't in a private room, but in the dining room.

The large round table was laden with a full range of drinks and delicious food, the variety of which was astonishing. Even at a buffet, you wouldn't expect to find so many dishes.

Moreover, the dishes on the table were all rare delicacies from land and sea.

Upon seeing Sun Qing arrive, Wei Zhongxian personally greeted him: "Oh, Young Master Sun has arrived."

"Young Master Sun, please take a seat."

"I wouldn't dare," Sun Qing said politely, taking the initiative to step down to the guest seat.

Wei Zhongxian did not insist. After gesturing for them to sit down, someone immediately came to serve the dishes.

Sun Qing lost his appetite, put down his chopsticks, and said softly, "Eunuch, please speak frankly."

"Young Master Sun, today you met with the Emperor. Did His Majesty ask you anything?" Wei Zhongxian asked with a smile and a calm tone.

"As for why I attach myself to you," Sun Qing truthfully replied, "it is because I cannot settle scores with you."

With a loud "bang!"

Wei Zhongxian dropped his wine cup on the ground.

The dining hall door suddenly opened, and a dozen or so Imperial Guards rushed in.

A cold glint flashed, and more than a dozen knives were already aimed at Sun Qing.

Sun Qing remained seated, her face expressionless.

Yang Qingqing stood up instantly, looking at Wei Zhongxian with a nervous expression.

"All of you, step back!" Wei Zhongxian waved his hand.

Their steps were synchronized; they sheathed their swords, went out, and closed the dining room door once more.

Sun Qing glanced at the shattered wine glass on the ground, then at the forehead of the statue. He picked up the wine in front of him and drank it all in one gulp.

His tone was relatively relaxed, even slightly teasing: "Eunuch, judging from this posture, were you planning to kill me earlier?"

Yang Qingqing's face turned pale.

Slender fingers, slightly clenched.

Wei Zhongxian laughed and said slowly, "Young Master Sun is right. That was what I wanted to do before."

"But now, we've changed our minds!"