in2ebook Chapter 245 The items have been brought.
Chapter 245 The items have been brought.
Li Desheng quickly responded with a smile, "This time it seems that's not the case."
The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. He then said, "That's good. However, speaking of the blueprints that Consort Zhuang sent last time, several items on them are quite suitable for both defending and attacking cities. I have already ordered the Ministry of Works to begin manufacturing those machines."
Then, the Emperor murmured to himself thoughtfully, "How come I never noticed before that Consort Zhuang is so talented? She is truly remarkable."
Seeing that the Emperor was in a good mood, Li Desheng, who was standing to the side, was about to say a few words in agreement, but the Emperor saw through his thoughts at a glance. The Emperor glanced at him and said with a smile, "Hmph, it's a waste of breath to ask you. I doubt you could give me a proper answer."
Li Desheng quickly lowered his head and admitted his mistake, saying with an embarrassed smile, "Your Majesty, please calm down. This servant is foolish and truly does not know how to answer."
At this moment, as if suddenly remembering something, the Emperor turned to Li Desheng and asked, "By the way, how are the preparations on the Empress's side going? Has any news come?"
Li Desheng quickly replied, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress just sent someone to report that everything is ready and we can depart at any time."
"Then let's wait until Consort Zhuang's things arrive, and then set off for the summer palace tomorrow." As the Emperor spoke, he casually picked up the mountain of memorials in front of him and began to read them lightly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will personally go and inform the Empress of this news." Li Desheng hurriedly bowed deeply to the Emperor, who was engrossed in reviewing memorials, and then carefully withdrew from the Imperial Study.
Upon reaching the door of the Imperial Study, Li Desheng stopped, looked around, and then beckoned to Xiao Yuanzi, who was waiting nearby. He lowered his voice and solemnly instructed, "Master is going to Anning Palace to deliver a message to the Empress. You will be in charge of looking after the Emperor. You must be careful and not make any mistakes!"
"Master, please rest assured, your disciple will be on high alert and pay close attention to the Emperor's every move at all times." Xiao Yuanzi nodded respectfully, his eyes full of determination.
Li Desheng nodded in satisfaction, then turned and strode briskly toward Anning Palace.
This time, Li Quan entered the city earlier than last time.
Although it was still some time before dinner, Li Quan had already arrived at the palace gate, looking travel-worn.
Upon arriving at the palace gate, Li Quan dismounted with practiced ease, patted the horse's back gently as before, and then handed the reins he was holding tightly to a guard standing watch at the palace gate. One of the guards took the reins and led the horse towards the temporary resting place.
Then, Li Quan calmly reached into his robes, fumbled for a moment, and pulled out an exquisite waist token. This token was his pass to enter and exit the palace, engraved with unique patterns and markings. He held the token with both hands and respectfully presented it to another guard for inspection. The guard examined it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, nodded slightly to signal that he could pass.
Li Quan thanked the guards, then opened his satchel and asked them to check for any dangerous items.
Last time he came back, he only brought blueprints and a letter, so there was no need for such trouble. But today he carried a satchel, so we need to check it.
After the inspection, Li Quan put the letter into his sleeve, then put his satchel back on and entered the palace under the watchful eyes of the two guards.
However, before Li Quan even reached the vicinity of the Imperial Study, the sharp-eyed Xiao Yuanzi suddenly spotted Li Quan's all-too-familiar figure. Without hesitation, Xiao Yuanzi darted into the Imperial Study like a bolt of lightning.
Upon entering the Imperial Study, Xiao Yuanzi immediately bowed and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Li, who serves Consort Zhuang, has returned."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor, who was engrossed in reviewing memorials, slowly raised his head. A hint of surprise flashed in his deep and wise eyes, and with a slight smile, he said, "Oh? You've returned quite quickly this time." After speaking, the Emperor gently put down the memorials in his hands and leaned back in his chair to rest for a while.
Immediately afterward, the Emperor seemed to have thought of something. After a moment of thought, he instructed, "Now that he has returned, let him come in directly when he arrives at the door of the Imperial Study."
"Yes." Xiao Yuanzi bowed slightly and answered respectfully. Then, he took a few steps back and turned to walk out of the Imperial Study. After leaving the room, Xiao Yuanzi stood quietly to one side of the door, his gaze focused on the front, waiting for Li Quan's arrival.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea passed before Li Quan arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study, limping. However, before Li Quan could speak, Xiao Yuanzi, who had been waiting there, greeted him with a smile, bowed respectfully to Li Quan, and said softly, "Eunuch Li, His Majesty has already instructed that you do not need to announce your arrival and can directly enter the Imperial Study to meet the Emperor."
Upon hearing Xiao Yuanzi's words, a look of surprise flashed across Li Quan's face. He quickly cupped his hands in return and said, "Thank you for informing me, Eunuch Xiao Yuanzi." After saying that, he straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and then strode into the Imperial Study.
Upon entering the imperial study, Li Quan immediately saw the Emperor seated behind his desk. He dared not be negligent and quickly walked a few steps to a spot not far from the Emperor. Then, Li Quan knelt down and kowtowed heavily to the ground, shouting, "Your humble servant Li Quan greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The Emperor slightly raised his head, his gaze falling on Li Quan, who was kneeling and kowtowing before him. After a moment, he said calmly, "Rise!" Upon hearing this, Li Quan was overjoyed, but still dared not be careless. He kowtowed again to express his gratitude, saying, "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."
After completing this set of formalities, Li Quan carefully stood up, stood with his hands at his sides, and quietly awaited the emperor's further instructions.
"What did your master ask you to send back this time?" The Emperor sat on his dragon throne, his eyes slightly narrowed, his gaze falling on Li Quan's bulging satchel, and asked with great interest.
Li Quan bowed respectfully and answered cautiously, "Your Majesty, this servant was entrusted by the Imperial Concubine to deliver something to you. However, before that, please take a look at the letter the Imperial Concubine wrote to you personally." With that, he reached into his sleeve, rummaged around for a moment, and then pulled out a neatly folded letter.
Upon seeing this, Li Desheng, who had been serving the emperor, quickly stepped forward, extended both hands, and respectfully accepted the letter from Li Quan. Then, he turned around, bowed, and presented the letter to the emperor as if it were a priceless treasure.
The Emperor casually reached out and took the letter, first glancing at Li Quan standing below, before slowly tearing open the envelope. As the letter was slowly unfolded, the Emperor's previously leisurely expression gradually changed. When he finally saw the contents of the letter, his face instantly turned serious, and he could no longer maintain his previous composed demeanor.
The Emperor suddenly raised his head, staring intently at Li Quan with an anxious and impatient look, and asked loudly, "Have you brought the things?"