Inside the room, Cao Shu removed his clothes and stepped into the bath. The hot water wrapped around his body, soaking into his skin and bringing a deep, soothing comfort.
“A hot bath… this really feels amazing.”
He closed his eyes and quietly immersed himself in the warmth.
Meanwhile, outside, Old Jia was extremely tense. His throat was dry, his heart uneasy, unable to sit or stand still. The Marquis was simply too reckless. He had actually made the future Emperor of the Great Zhou Empire wait outside the gate. In the future, a single charge of disrespect would be enough to bring disaster upon the entire Marquis Manor.
“What should I do? What should I do?”
Old Jia kept thinking of a way to prevent the future Emperor from getting angry, but no matter how much he thought, he couldn’t come up with a solution.
A sense of despair slowly crept into his heart. Thinking about the uncertain future of the Marquis Manor, he sighed inwardly, Old Marquis, it’s not that I lack loyalty or caution, it’s just that the Young Marquis is too good at courting trouble. If anything happens, please don’t blame me when we meet in the underworld.
He let out a long sigh. Then, gathering himself, he headed toward the manor gate, hoping there might still be a chance to calm the future Emperor.
Outside the manor, Ji Wuxin and Zhao Si had just received the servant’s report. Zhao Si’s face instantly turned livid.
Ever since altering the Royal Edict, he had been cooperating with Cao Shu. Ji Wuxin’s visit today was largely his contribution. Now that Ji Wuxin had been made to wait outside, wasn’t this making him lose face?
This was the future Emperor.
Zhao Si suddenly felt regret. After altering the Royal Edict, he should not have continued working with Cao Shu. His anger surged as he said, “Your Highness, Marquis Cao has gone too far. He actually made you wait outside the gate. Your Highness, allow this servant to smash his gates right now.”
At this moment, the only option was to show loyalty and distance himself from Cao Shu.
Ji Wuxin’s eyes were still slightly red, but he had already calmed down from his grief and regained his usual composure. There was no anger on his face.
From the moment he received the Royal Edict, he had taken the responsibility of the Great Zhou Empire upon his shoulders. He intended to govern it well.
A person like Cao Shu possessed both talent and pride. Only sincerity could make him willing to serve.
When he ascended the throne in the future, Cao Shu would be of great use.
Since Cao Shu had made him wait, then he would wait.
Ji Wuxin said calmly, “Zhao Si, do not be rude. Since Marquis Cao is bathing, we will wait outside. It is only a short while.”
“Your Highness, this…” Zhao Si hesitated. As a eunuch, he could not understand Ji Wuxin’s decision, but he could only bow and say, “Yes.”
At that moment, Old Jia also arrived at the manor gate. He saw Ji Wuxin and Zhao Si standing in the street, facing away, looking into the distance.
Although he could not see their expressions, Old Jia was certain they were angry. He quickly stepped forward and greeted respectfully, “Your Highness, Lord Zhao, I am the steward of the Marquis Manor. The Marquis is still bathing, so I must trouble you both to wait outside. Standing must be tiring. Would you like me to bring chairs for you to sit? The Marquis will be ready shortly.”
Hearing this, Zhao Si’s mood improved slightly. He turned his head and said, “Then what are you waiting for? Hurry and bring them.”
Old Jia felt a flicker of hope and quickly replied, “Yes.”
However, in the next moment, Ji Wuxin said, “No need. Sitting on chairs in the street is not appropriate. This will do.”
Both Old Jia and Zhao Si’s hearts skipped a beat.
It’s over. His Highness is truly angry. The source of this chapter is g.com.
The Marquis has caused a serious problem.
Old Jia’s face turned pale as he said, “Understood.”
Thus, the three of them stood quietly at the gate of the Marquis Manor, waiting.
Time slowly passed. After 20 minutes, Old Jia glanced toward the inner courtyard of the manor. No one had come to report anything. Doubt began to rise in his heart.
The Marquis hadn’t summoned any maidservants earlier. If he was bathing alone, it should have ended by now. Why was there still no movement?
Old Jia grew increasingly anxious.
Another 10 minutes passed. Still no one came.
Old Jia became more and more restless, thinking, Could it be that as soon as we left, the Marquis called in maidservants to serve him?
He glanced at Ji Wuxin. The latter had not turned around, but he must be angry.
As for Zhao Si, his anger was written all over his face. He had already flared up once, but Ji Wuxin had stopped him.
After more than half an hour, there was still no sign of anyone. Old Jia was completely despairing.
Making the future Emperor wait for so long… it would be strange if he wasn’t angry.
The Marquis was truly too reckless.
Finally, after about 1 hour and 30 minutes, a servant came out from the manor and greeted them with clasped fists, “Your Highness, Lord Zhao, Steward Jia, the Marquis has finished bathing. He is now in the study. Please follow me.”
Only now?
Old Jia completely lost all hope.
Let it all end. I’m exhausted.
Ji Wuxin simply nodded lightly and followed the servant into the manor.
They passed through a courtyard and eventually arrived at the courtyard outside Cao Shu’s study.
Cao Shu, with his hair loosely draped over his shoulders, was wearing light, comfortable plain-colored home clothes as he stepped forward to greet them.
Old Jia’s eyelid twitched. Making the future Emperor wait outside for so long was one thing, but could he not at least tidy his appearance and change into formal attire when receiving him?
He was truly courting death to the very end.
There was no saving this situation.
Cao Shu greeted with a bow, “Your Highness, Lord Zhao, my apologies. I smelled unpleasant earlier and could not receive you properly. I made you wait for so long. I truly apologize.”
At close range, he carefully observed the Eldest Prince. Having just lost his father, his eyes were still red.
In terms of appearance, he was exceptionally handsome—so beautiful that he could rival a woman. His skin was also unnaturally fair. If his long hair were fully let down, one might mistake him for a woman. No wonder people called him a pretty boy. This chapter was copied from novelping(.)com without permission.
It was no surprise that the late Emperor preferred the more masculine Second Prince.
Originally, Cao Shu had intended to make him wait even longer. However, considering that he had just lost his father, he decided not to push things too far. Even though the imperial family was ruthless and lacking in familial affection, it did not mean there was none at all.
Zhao Si said unhappily, “Cao Shu, you have quite the arrogance. You actually made His Highness wait outside for so long.”
On the other hand, when Ji Wuxin heard that Cao Shu had delayed to wash away his unpleasant odor, the resentment he had built up from waiting dissipated.
“It was only a minor inconvenience. Marquis Cao has good intentions. Zhao Si, do not be rude.”
Zhao Si’s anger instantly subsided. If his master was not angry, what right did he, a servant, have to be?
Old Jia felt something was very strange. After waiting for so long, not only was there no anger, but there was even praise. What kind of situation was this?
Wasn’t it said that when the Emperor is angered, heads fall? Had the sun risen from the west today?
“As it should be.”
Cao Shu then looked at Zhao Si and frowned slightly, “Lord Zhao, you smell quite unpleasant. Have you not bathed since returning?”
“You!” Zhao Si’s expression darkened. Wasn’t it because of him?
However, he froze for a moment.
Indeed, he still had not washed away the smell from earlier. He had been standing beside Ji Wuxin all this time. Even though nothing had been said, it was clearly inappropriate. Cao Shu’s words were actually a reminder.
Moreover, Cao Shu had personally come outside to receive them. If he entered the room like this, wouldn’t the entire study be filled with the smell?
How could they even discuss matters then?
He realized he had misunderstood Cao Shu.
With a respectful tone, Zhao Si said, “Your Highness, Marquis Cao, please go inside and talk. This servant will stand guard outside.”
Ji Wuxin nodded, “Alright.”
He truly did not want to endure the smell any longer. He had been holding it in for quite some time.
Cao Shu also had no intention of letting the Chief Eunuch listen in. His presence was an eyesore.
The two entered the study, closing the door behind them. After exchanging brief courtesies inside, they both took their seats. Only then did Cao Shu ask, “May I ask what brings Your Highness here today?”
Of course, he already knew the reason. He was simply pretending not to.
Ji Wuxin’s gaze was sincere. He stood up and greeted respectfully, “With the Emperor’s passing, this is a time of transition when capable people are needed. Marquis Cao is both talented in civil and military affairs and a pillar of the Great Zhou Empire. I sincerely hope that Marquis Cao will accept the position of Prime Minister.”
Hearing this, Old Jia’s mind went blank. His head buzzed as if struck by thunder.
“Prime… Prime Minister?!”