Chapter 515: Son
Editor: Atlas Studios
Qi Haoran was brought directly to the Emperor.
A few ministers were discussing government affairs with the Emperor. When they saw Qi Haoran being led in, their mouths fell open.
One of the officials was the first to react and shouted, “Assistant Commander Qi, you’ve disgraced yourself in front of the palace. How dare you?”
Qi Haoran rolled his eyes and knelt down to greet the Emperor before replying, “Your Majesty, I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of the palace. It was the emissary who brought me here who said that you wanted to see me immediately. That’s why I didn’t have time to wash up and change my clothes.”
The Emperor was also shocked by Qi Haoran’s image. He looked at Qi Haoran’s thin face sympathetically and nodded. “It’s indeed my order. Minister Qi can’t be blamed. I’m just eager to hear news about the south road of Jinghu.”
After saying that, he looked at Qi Haoran sympathetically and said, “Minister Qi, you’ve suffered during this period of time.”
“This is what I should do,” Qi Haoran said righteously.
Everyone couldn’t help but look up to him. Qi Haoran’s current appearance was too miserable. His clothes were in tatters, and they were so dirty that they had lost their original color. Some of the cloth strips were covered in blood clots, and there were some wounds on his exposed skin that had yet to be treated. Saying that he looked miserable was quite an understatement.
Most importantly, Qi Haoran’s aura was much sharper than before. It was obvious that he had struggled his way out of the sea of blood.
After all, one’s appearance could be faked, but the aura couldn’t be faked. Moreover, Qi Haoran had lost a lot of weight compared to before he left the capital.
Just as the Emperor and the ministers pitied Qi Haoran, Qi Haoran’s stomach growled. Looking slightly embarrassed, Qi Haoran explained, “Your Majesty, the pastries on the table in front of you are too fragrant…”
Otherwise, his stomach wouldn’t have growled no matter how hungry he was.
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This time, it was the Emperor’s turn to be slightly embarrassed. He gestured for the emissary to bring down the pastries on the table for Qi Haoran and said, “Minister Qi, eat something first. I’ll ask again after you’re done eating.”
“It’s alright. Your Majesty, ask away. I can answer while eating.”
Although it was a little inelegant, the Emperor urgently needed to know more details about the south road of Jinghu, so he didn’t care.
Since the information they’d received was all sent back by the frontline generals through letters or messengers, the information was limited. Considering Qi Haoran was a general who had just returned from the south road of Jinghu, he should have more information.
There was indeed a lot of news from Qi Haoran. After all, he had lived with bandits.While hiding the news about Liu Dahei and Lin Man from the Emperor, Qi Haoran told the Emperor everything else he knew, including the West Xia captives and the confessions they had obtained.
After talking for a long time, Qi Haoran finished telling him everything he could reveal. Seeing that the Emperor had lowered his head to discuss matters with a few ministers, Qi Haoran shifted his butt and couldn’t help but say, “Your Majesty, I heard that my sister-in-law and Madam Mu are both in the palace. Can I meet them? Also, I haven’t seen my son since he was born.”
The Emperor’s expression darkened slightly, then he quickly smiled and said, “Of course, this is human nature. However, the Empress’s health hasn’t improved, so I’m afraid the officials’ families will have to stay in the palace for a while.”
Qi Haoran knew that the Emperor was worried that he would bring Mu Yangling and the others out of the palace. He hurriedly said, “I’m asking Your Majesty to let Madam Mu and the others stay in the palace for a longer time. Since there’s still no news of the two teams of West Xia soldiers, I don’t know if they’ve infiltrated Lin’an City. It’s naturally safer for the families of the generals to stay in the palace.” Qi Haoran licked his lips and said, “Although I’m only a fourth-grade general, all thanks to my big brother, Madam Mu and my child can stay in the palace, too. They can keep my sister-in-law and nephew company.”
The Emperor was stunned. Only then did he remember the confession of the West Xia soldiers that Qi Haoran had mentioned previously. His mood instantly brightening up, he nodded with a smile. “Alright, alright. Then let them stay for a few more days. Since the generals are leading troops to war and charging into battle, all I can do is to protect the safety of their families.”
The ministers below lowered their eyes and silently felt that it was ironic, but they had to admit that the Emperor was lucky. Who knew that West Xia would send people to kill the families of the generals? His luck could simply be described as a blind cat encountering a dead rat.
However, it was undeniable that everyone was relieved. After all, with this matter, the conflict between the Emperor and the generals would be much weaker. This was the Great Zhou more united internally.
This matter improved the Emperor’s impression of Qi Haoran. With a wave of his hand, he agreed to let Qi Haoran meet his wife and child in the harem as long as he left before the palace door was locked.
After receiving this grace, Qi Haoran willingly kowtowed three times to the Emperor and excitedly followed the emissary to the Evening Hall.
Qi Haoran’s attire attracted many people’s attention along the way, but he ignored them as he followed the emissary to Evening Hall.
Mu Yangling was carrying Little Bear and letting him look at the flowers in the courtyard. He could straighten his neck now. As Mu Yangling carried him, he turned his head around and looked around. After a while, he turned to the entrance of the courtyard. Leaning on his mother’s shoulder, he met the eyes of the man at the door.
Little Bear looked at that person curiously with his round eyes, and saw that the other party was also staring at him with his eyes wide open. It was probably Little Bear’s first time seeing someone’s eyes open so wide. Therefore, he raised his tiny hand to his mouth and laughed happily. He even let out two “Ah” sounds. Seeing that the other party’s eyes were even wider, he was even happier.
Mu Yangling hugged him and tapped his nose. “Why are you so happy all day? You’re like a fool.”
“Who said that my child looks like a fool? He’s clearly so smart.” An unhappy voice sounded from behind.
Mu Yangling’s body stiffened. After being stunned for a while, she turned around to look at Qi Haoran in disbelief.
Qi Haoran stared intently at the child in Mu Yangling’s arms. Noticing that his wife did not speak for a long time, he reluctantly diverted some of his attention to her. Seeing that she was staring at him in disbelief with her eyes wide open, he waved his hand in front of her eyes. “Are you stupid? You’re clearly the one who’s like a fool, yet you still say that my son looks like one.”
Mu Yangling sized up Qi Haoran with reddened eyes. Seeing that the baby fat on his face was gone, she reached out to touch his arm and chest. Her eyes turned even redder. “Why have you lost so much weight?”
Qi Haoran was a little flustered. “Why are you crying? I haven’t lost any weight at all. I’ve just become stronger and more toned.” Qi Haoran reached out to hug his wife and child and patted her back. He coaxed her in a low voice, “Don’t cry. We’re in the palace.”
Mu Yangling blinked back the tears in her eyes and moved their son closer to him. “Look, this is your son.”
Qi Haoran and his son looked at each other silently for a while. Qi Haoran reached out to touch his little face, but Little Bear slapped Qi Haoran’s face in disdain. With his entire face scrunched up and his nose wrinkled in disdain, he turned around and hid in his mother’s arms.
Qi Haoran’s expression changed.