BLHO Chapter 35
by VolareChapter 35: What can be done?
Li Yuliang didn’t explain where he had been, “This servant deserves to die, please punish me, Your Majesty.”
Gu Huan stood up, his eyes filled with bloodshot redness, “The Empress Dowager wants me to marry the daughter of the Prime Minister. Go tell her to withdraw the decree.”
Li Yuliang lowered his eyes, “Since it is the Empress Dowager’s decree, I am afraid this servant cannot persuade her.”
Gu Huan sneered, filled with despair and pity, “The Prime Minister is not a good person. He insists on sending his daughter into the palace because he wants to usurp power and become emperor himself.”
“Your Majesty, isn’t that overthinking things…”
*Pa!* Before Li Yuliang could finish speaking, Gu Huan smashed the porcelain cup in his hand hard on the ground.
“I don’t like that woman!”
Li Yuliang bowed his head even lower. The dim bedchamber was suffocating.
After a long silence, he calmed his emotions and kowtowed to Gu Huan, “This servant understands.”
“If there’s nothing else, this servant will take his leave.”
“Wait,” Gu Huan called out to him. “Who did you go out of the palace to see these past two days?”
Li Yuliang’s heart tightened.
“I didn’t see anyone, just took care of some matters.”
“Are they important?”
“Not important.”
“If they’re not important, then don’t run around outside anymore. In a few days, my imperial sister’s case will be reviewed by the Three Supreme Courts. It’s a matter of great importance, so you must keep a close eye on it.”
“Yes.”
—
He Yuncheng whipped his horse and rushed back to the military camp, the hour already past noon.
Lin Shuangxu had already gotten up and was discussing military pay with Guo Yao and others.
There was no hope from the Ministry of War. That old thing Chen Chang had long become the eunuch’s lackey, sending messages day after day, urging the He family to send troops as if their lives depended on it.
Guo Yao had privately gone to the residence of the Minister of War and reported the movements on the border to Chen Chang.
Who knew that this person, after hearing it, would say that they were being too alarmist, that Yan Zhao had been defeated not long ago and there was no way they could send troops so quickly. He refused to approve their military pay for war preparations and, by the way, urged them again to send troops.
The court’s attitude was obvious, they didn’t care about them at all.
The salaries they were currently receiving were all provided by the General’s Manor, so where would they get the money to fight a war?
Guo Yao had a headache. Fortunately, Young Master Lin Shuangxu had come to provide help in an emergency.
In the past few years of battles, the military pay allocated by the court was also insufficient. In the end, it was the young master who came up with ideas.
The current situation was even more difficult. They were now besieged on all sides, facing enemies both internally and externally.
He Yuncheng entered, covered in dust, bringing in a chill.
Seeing Lin Shuangxu sitting there, he didn’t care about all the messy things at court.
“I’m back!”
He greeted cheerfully, fixing his gaze on Lin Shuangxu as soon as he came in.
Affection intertwined in the depths of his eyes, the sweetness of last night still seemed to linger.
As He Yuncheng had expected, the person who was always good at denying things had an attitude of deliberate indifference, with regret in his evasive eyes.
Guo Yao was completely unaware of their love-hate entanglement and was only concerned about serious matters. He stepped forward to greet He Yuncheng and asked, “How was it? What did the Emperor say?”
He Yuncheng took off his fox fur cloak and hung it aside, sitting close to Lin Shuangxu.
While answering Guo Yao, his infatuated gaze remained fixed on Lin Shuangxu’s face.
“I didn’t see the Emperor.”
“Didn’t see him?” Guo Yao was at a loss. “Why?”
“It’s a long story,” He Yuncheng didn’t explain in detail, only saying, “We can’t rely on the Emperor for military matters. We still have to find our own solutions.”
He spoke to Guo Yao in a serious tone, but when he turned to speak to Lin Shuangxu, his voice was so sweet it made one’s hair stand on end.
“What are you guys talking about?”
Lin Shuangxu subtly moved his body to the side.
Guo Yao didn’t think too much and answered for him, “Oh, this subordinate was discussing military pay matters with the young master.”
“Military pay?”
“Yes.” Mentioning this, Guo Yao’s expression became solemn, and he sighed continuously.
He had thought that the General’s trip to see the Emperor would solve the problem, but who knew it would end up like this again.
He Yuncheng didn’t seem as melancholy as him. The court’s inaction wasn’t a matter of a day or two. Over the years, he had long been used to it.
“Have you guys come up with a solution?” he asked.
Guo Yao said, “We’ve thought of all the possible solutions. During the previous battles, we almost emptied the coffers of the merchants and celebrities in Fengdu. Now, as soon as they hear about supporting the army, they can’t wait to pack their bags and flee overnight. Who else would be willing to donate military pay?”
“It’s a difficult problem.” He Yuncheng moved closer to Lin Shuangxu again. “Young Master, what ideas do you have?”