The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 386 Returning to Beijing
On the 14th day of the tenth month of the 24th year of the Jiajing reign.

Lord Zhu Yijing, commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, awoke from his sleep.

Sunlight was already filtering through the cracks in the window, casting slanted patches of light onto the bed.

He knew that he had missed his turn to report for duty.

But he didn't need to rush. There were two people in the Embroidered Uniform Guard who didn't need to take attendance and whose secrets no one could reveal: one was Li Miao, and the other was him.

Of course, he also knew that Li Miao enjoyed special treatment because everyone respected him; while he only had a good father.

But so what?

Even an emperor has to have an emperor father first, right?

"Hey……"

The thought of the word "emperor" made him chuckle softly.

That laugh woke the person in my arms.

"My lord has awakened..."

Those gentle, doe-like eyes blinked, and then she came to her senses: "Oh dear, it's already broad daylight! I'll help you change your clothes right away!"

After saying that, her arm, as white as a lotus root, stretched out from under the covers, only to be pulled back by Zhu Yijing and held to his heart.

"It's okay, it's okay."

Zhu Yijing said with a smile.

"It's cold, Jin Yi, there's no need to get up. It's already late, so let's have lunch together before we go."

Liu Jinyi struggled slightly, then placed her hand on Zhu Yijing's chest and pressed her face against it.

“My lord… I naturally wish for you to stay by my side for a long, long time, but I also know that the land of gentle pleasures is the graveyard of heroes.”

She raised her head and looked at Zhu Yijing.

“My lord is a hero; he should not waste his time here with me.”

"The brocade robes..."

Looking into those eyes filled with longing, Zhu Yijing felt his heart melt. In his entire life, no one had ever looked at him with such eyes, nor had anyone ever recognized him so much.

He knew that everyone, including his subordinates, was only superficially respectful; behind his back, they all called him a "useless piece of trash."

But he doesn't think so.

There are plenty of spoiled rich kids in the capital, but someone like him who is willing to start from the bottom and do chores is extremely rare. The term "useless good-for-nothing" shouldn't be used to describe him.

Zhu Yijing knew that this was because of one person.

Li Miao.

Under the spotlight of this de facto but nominally adopted son, all the shortcomings of his biological son became topics of conversation and laughingstock. Even Zhu Zai himself liked to use Li Miao as a comparison to criticize him.

"Brother Miao..."

Zhu Yijing sighed.

He knew it wasn't Li Miao's fault.

Zhu Zai was a strict father who disciplined him rigorously from a young age, even forbidding him from going out to play. Back then, the thing he looked forward to most every day was Li Miao coming to visit.

Li Miao wouldn't scold him; instead, she would lift him over the courtyard wall, take him to stroll through the streets and alleys, and let him eat all kinds of snacks. She would take him to see the lantern festival, stroll on the flower boats, and drink with him.

But from the moment he joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he gradually drifted apart from Li Miao. Sometimes, when he even ran into Li Miao, he would deliberately avoid him, and over time, the two gradually lost contact.

He wasn't dissatisfied with Li Miao.

He just didn't want to accept it.

Zhu Yijing rolled over and got out of bed.

"Jin Yi, you're right."

"Right now, my father and those civil officials are vying for power, and the political situation is turbulent. It is a critical moment, and I should not be tempted by tenderness."

He reached for the clothes hanging by the bed, but a hand gently took them from his grasp.

Zhu Yijing turned around to look.

Liu Jinyi stood naked behind him, her skin as smooth as silk, gleaming like porcelain in the sunlight. A semi-transparent satin cloth was hastily wrapped around her slender waist, and she reached out to drape the cloth over his shoulders.

"This servant will help my lord change his clothes."

She lowered her head and whispered shyly.

Zhu Yijing reluctantly turned his gaze away, waiting for Liu Jinyi to help him get dressed. He then turned around and draped an outer garment over Liu Jinyi's shoulders before pushing open the door and leaving.

"What more could a man ask for than a wife like this!"

He walked with a powerful stride, his eyes shining brightly.

"Get things done! Get things done!" "Brother Miao is not in the capital, and Father is busy handling state affairs. The Imperial Guards will not refuse my deployment!"

"The court is in turmoil; this is the time to act! I must make my father and Brother Miao look at me with new respect! Today I will investigate those civil officials, gather evidence of their crimes, especially that bastard who sold me the official position last time!"

With world affairs on his mind, he stepped out of his house with light steps, feeling that there was a vast world out there where he could make a difference!

"work!"

"Please invite Commander Zhu back for tea."

"what?"

Before Zhu Yijing could react, he was squeezed into the middle by a group of burly men. Before he could even raise his hand, he was pressed down, and seven or eight feet were thrust into his crotch at the same time, causing him to scream in pain.

"Who! Who! What are you doing!"

"Commander Zhu, don't shout, don't shout."

Through the crowd that had pushed him into the middle, Zhu Yijing saw An Ziyang with his hands in his sleeves, smiling at him.

"Keep your voice down, it's just a family matter, it won't hurt you."

"An Ziyang! What are you doing?!"

"I just wanted to invite you to have some tea."

"Bullshit! What kind of crap tea are you talking about? You think I don't know? This is how we catch people alive in the family!"

Zhu Yijing was furious and struggled desperately in the crowd.

"I haven't done anything lately! How dare you touch me... Who ordered this! Did you go to Father and slander me or what! You despicable person!"

An Ziyang was not annoyed at all, and just smiled and said.

"Yes, yes, I am a villain. If Commander Zhu likes to curse, then with your relationship with the Garrison Commander, you can curse him seventeen or eighteen more times without any problem."

"you!"

Zhu Yijing's veins bulged.

If An Ziyang retaliated with insults, he wouldn't be too angry. But it was precisely this attitude of not taking him seriously that he loathed and hated the most!
"Is this Li Miao's idea?"

In his anger, he began to speak recklessly.

"I'm asking you, was this Li Miao's idea? Was it right for him to make you do this? He's afraid I'll take his position, afraid that Father will pass it on to me, isn't he!"

"I knew it! A cuckoo in the nest! Even my own son hasn't had any designs on me, but he—"

“Commander Zhu!” An Ziyang’s face turned cold.

"I advise you not to say anything more, otherwise..."

"What else can you do! Finish me off for Li Miao!"

Having already reached the point of rage, how could Zhu Yijing back down? Seeing that An Ziyang was truly angry, he felt even more exhilarated and couldn't stop!
These were words he had kept in his heart for a long time!
"Li Miao! Why didn't you come in person? Why did you have to send your men? Is our friendship not enough for you to come in person? Do you look down on me that much?!"

As Zhu Yijing continued his tirade, he sensed the Imperial Guards surrounding him gradually retreating. He assumed it was because he had broken off relations too openly, making it difficult for them to attack, and was about to continue speaking.

"Li Miao—"

Snapped.

A hand patted his shoulder, wet and splashing tiny droplets of water.

Zhu Yijing turned around abruptly, about to yell at the man to drive him away.

But then it suddenly stopped.

A tall figure stood behind him. The shadow cast down, completely enveloping him.

A dark black cloak, black gold gloves, and a flying fish robe.

An Ziyang bowed and clasped his hands in greeting. The Jinyiwei guards around him knelt silently on the ground, their heads bowed, and the scabbards of their embroidered spring knives struck the ground with a neat and crisp sound.

"Miao... Brother Miao..."

Zhu Yijing stammered.

Li Miao squinted at him for a while, then reached out and wiped the undried bloodstains from her gloves onto Zhu Yijing's chest, before pulling up his collar.

"Your clothes aren't on properly."

puff.

Zhu Yijing collapsed to the ground.

Li Miao turned to look at Zhu Yijing's residence and waved.

The Imperial Guards poured in like a tidal wave.

(End of this chapter)