Chapter 242 - 242 Transforming into Eunuch Jiang
242 Transforming into Eunuch Jiang
Staying with him for a day—it was easy to understand. As the words suggested, it meant that Jiang Danhe had to work with him. Whatever Shao Zhan did, Jiang Danhe had to follow exactly.
Just thinking about Jiang Danhe’s impatient expression made Shao Zhan want to laugh.
Jiang Danhe sighed helplessly. How unlucky. He was trying this same trick again. Just thinking about it annoyed him.
Hence, the two of them happily started the day’s work.
After breakfast, Jiang Danhe accompanied Shao Zhan to Qianqing Palace to read the holy teachings. After that, the emperor returned to Yangxin Hall to change his clothes. He also gathered the Grand Secretary of the Inner Court, Hanlin, and a few others to get together for a tea banquet. Just as Jiang Danhe was about to fall asleep from sitting, the tea banquet finally ended. Then, he returned to Yangxin Hall with Shao Zhan to review the memorials.
Jiang Danhe followed behind the energetic Shao Zhan bitterly. Compare and despair. Shao Zhan was as energetic as Jiang Danhe was listless.
Shao Zhan turned around and looked at Jiang Danhe. He snickered. “Are you feeling tired already? I have barely started.”
Jiang Danhe did not expect that the emperor would take so long to review the memorials. He spent the day doing the job of Eunuch Su. It had become his job to grind ink and hand over the memorials. Shao Zhan even gave Eunuch Su the day off for this reason.
Therefore, Jiang Danhe had to take over all of Eunuch Su’s duties for the day. He was also supposed to help Shao Zhan get changed, but when he declared that he wouldn’t do it, Shao Zhan reluctantly dropped him from the task.
Jiang Danhe frowned as he ground the ink. He had never done this before. It was so annoying and boring.
As the day passed, he felt like shutting himself out from the world.
Just as Shao Zhan put down his brush and closed the last memorial, Jiang Danhe revealed a rare smile. He put down the millstone and looked at the person opposite him expectantly. Was it about to end?
Shao Zhan smiled. “My dear minister, Prime Minister Su is here to see you.”
Jiang Danhe’s face darkened as he resigned himself to his fate and walked outside. There were so many ministers entering and leaving Yangxin Hall. When the last minister left, he was dying to leave with him. Who cares about the punishment? He just wanted to go home!
But how was that possible? They had agreed on a day. Every second counted.
Jiang Danhe touched his hungry stomach. Shao Zhan had requested for him to follow him wherever he went, but why did he have to follow his lunch timing as well?
“Danhe, let’s call for lunch.”
Shao Zhan touched his stomach. He had no choice.
“Yes…”
Jiang Danhe walked outside with heavy footsteps. When he reached the door, he looked in the direction of the palace gates in the distance. He really wished he could grow wings and fly out. It was too boring here. Not only was the place boring, even the daily chores were boring.
After lunch, Jiang Danhe went through the memorials with Shao Zhan and met with the minister. Then, he admired some antiques with the emperor and returned to Yangxin Hall with him to write poems and practice his calligraphy. Jiang Danhe was also forced to write many doggerel poems during the period of time. In Shao Zhan’s words, those were pure nonsense.
Everything just didn’t make sense. Today was the worst day he had ever had.
Jiang Danhe sat in a chair. The veins on his forehead were bulging. If he stayed any longer, he really couldn’t be sure what he would do.
At this moment, candles had been lit in the palace. Shao Zhan knew very well that he had reached the limit, and he knew that it was time to stop. Since there was nothing much left to do, he let Jiang Danhe go.
“It’s been a long day. Dear minister, you may leave.”
When Jiang Danhe heard his words, he got up immediately. After bowing, he walked out, seemingly unable to withstand another second longer in the room.
“Jiang Danhe, don’t be late tomorrow. Of course, if you like to stay with me, I will be quite happy to have your company.”
Jiang Danhe stopped in his tracks and held it in…
After taking a deep breath and calming down, he turned around and smiled at Shao Zhan.
Shao Zhan laughed out loud at Jiang Danhe’s reaction. In fact, he really hoped that Jiang Danhe would make more mistakes. This way, he wouldn’t be bored anymore. During the day, whenever he encountered any problems, he would instantly feel joy when he looked up at Jiang Danhe’s dark face. Therefore, he would welcome Jiang Danhe to make more mistakes.
When Jiang Danhe left the palace, the sky had turned dark. There were many lights in the palace, so the surrounding was not entirely dark.
Jiang Danhe walked to the entrance of the palace. At this moment, the Imperial Secret Service guard saw him coming out and quickly brought the horse over.
He mounted his horse and hurried towards the mansion along the dark and dimly lit road.
When he returned to his residence, he handed the horse to the soldier at the door and walked back to the house alone. He was still feeling full from lunch, so he planned to wash up and go directly to bed. Although he didn’t do much manual work, the exhaustion he felt was psychological.
He couldn’t take it even for a day. One can imagine that Shao Zhan’s lamentations were all real. They both loved freedom, but there was someone who was trapped behind the high walls.
He thought that he would doze off instantly, but to his surprise, he couldn’t fall asleep no matter what. This was because he was thinking about Xiaoguo again. Did she really not understand what he was trying to say? He really wished to hear from her…
He dozed off intermittently until the next morning and eventually woke up in a daze.
Fortunately, he woke up just in time. Although he didn’t sleep well, at least he didn’t wake up late. After washing up, he put on his robe and headed to the palace.
When he passed by the backyard, he kept a look out for Li Shouji. When he didn’t see him around, he was relieved.
Li Shouji had probably gone to the military camp. If he were to see him messing around with the metal parts again, he would definitely not let him off.
The coachman yawned as he waited outside the door. Just when he finished yawning, his teary eyes vaguely saw a muscular figure appear at the door.
With a shudder, he got ready to set off.
After the general got into the car, he scratched his head in confusion. Why was the general so early today?
When Jiang Danhe arrived at the throne room, he was the first to reach. He stood alone in the empty hall. After a while, ministers entered one after another.
At first glance, they were a little surprised to see Jiang Danhe. Slowly, a few ministers gathered in a group and started speculating softly.
“I heard that the general was sick yesterday and spent the entire day in the palace with the emperor. It seems that the rumors were true. At first, I didn’t believe it, but when I got here very early today, the general had arrived even before me.”
“It must be true. I saw the general at the Qianqing Palace yesterday.”
“I have to say that the general is really loyal. He insisted on coming to court despite being sick. I’m really impressed.”
“It would be great if I could become in-laws with the general.”
“Haha, Minister Liu, forget about your unruly young lady.”
“My eldest daughter is one of the four most talented ladies in the capital. If she can meet the general, I am sure that something good will come out of it.”
“Not necessarily. Although my girl is unruly and willful, her looks are top-notch.”
“Looks are second-place to talent.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s stop arguing. Can’t you see that someone has already made his move?”
As soon as the minister finished speaking, the group of men looked ahead. The Prime Minister had arrived at some point and was standing beside the general. The two of them were talking in low voices. From time to time, the Prime Minister’s hearty laughter could be heard. The few men standing behind could not hear any part of the conversation even if they pricked up their ears. Eventually they gave up trying.
After everyone arrived, it was time for the court session. Shao Zhan arrived on time and sat on the throne. He looked around and finally landed his gaze on Jiang Danhe’s head. He couldn’t help but purse his lips and smile. “Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Everyone got to their feet in unison.
After that, it was time to go through the daily agenda. The ministers would present their memorials and offer suggestions. The emperor would then consider their plans and choose the best one.