Xiang Han finished going through the menu and personally went down to the dungeon to receive Zhao Bing Zhang. Once he saw him, he held onto the other person's hands and tearfully choked, "T-Teacher, you've suffered…"
Zhao Bing Zhang had actually been unhappy with the original host's weak and cowardly character. Adding on to his gullibility, he was not suitable to be an Emperor. But he had no choice since the other person was the late king's only blood relative. If he did not assist him, who should he assist?
But after this matter, his attitude towards the Little Emperor underwent a change.
Without the assistant ministers to assist him, the Little Emperor was not as helpless as he had thought, actually faring quite well. Zhao Bing Zhang could not help but think, could it be that he and the two other assistant ministers had tried too hard to control him in the past, causing the emperor to become cowardly and indecisive?
When the original host was eight years old, Zhao Bing Zhang began to teach him the ways of a monarch. In the end, this was the person whom he watched grow up and also the Emperor to whom he had always been loyal, there was no way Zhao Bing Zhang had the heart to criticise him.
After holding onto Xiang Han, he immediately lifted up the hem of his robes and knelt down, "I've caused Your Majesty to worry, it's truly this old minister's fault…"
After a round of expressing his gratitude and loyalty, Zhao Bing Zheng began to mention his desire to retire, sincerely expressing his thoughts: Your Majesty has done very well and he was already old, he could not continue serving His Majesty and wished for the Emperor to allow him to rest his old bones.
Xiang Han was dumbfounded. After Zhao Bing Zhang left, who will help him manage the accounts? He had tried a little in the last few days and his hands nearly fell off.
No way, there was definitely no way!
Xiang Han immediately said tearfully, "Does teacher still blame Zhen for this incident?"
After saying this, he choked for half a day but could not force out a single drop of tear and could only act pitiful.
Zhao Ze stood behind and watched as the emperor's expression flickered between wanting to cry and holding back, he could not help but advised, "Father, His Majesty is still young and easily swayed. What if another person like Prince Liang appears again…"
Xiang Han just noticed his presence and instinctively looked back at him.
En, his swollen face had recovered quite a lot and he could finally see the sharp outline. He looked quite heroic but apart from his eyes, there was nothing that resembled Lu Ze and the rest of them.
Xiang Han was disappointed but thinking from another angle, this arrangement was also good. He could develop an Emperor and courtier relationship. What 'Zhen with Zhao Ze, was like a fish in water', 'learning from Zhao Ze's experience can avoid failure'. They would become a pair of an outstanding monarch and virtuous courtier with a deep and pure relationship.
Zhao Bing Zhang had thought that after he left, the Little Emperor might rapidly grow up. But his son's words also made sense, the emperor was still young and his heart might waver. There was a risk that he may be swayed by some ill-intentioned people.
Therefore, under Xiang Han's repeated pleas, he finally gave up on any thoughts of retirement.
Xiang Han sighed in relief. He had managed to make the hardworking old cow stay, in the future he could relax.
After Zhao Bing Zhang agreed to stay behind, his expression suddenly changed as he roared at Zhao Ze, "Unfilial child, why are you not kneeling?"
Zhao Ze was very obedient, dropping to his knees with a "thud".
Xiang Han had not regained his senses before he heard his teacher said remorsefully, "Your Majesty, this old minister failed to teach his son properly, therefore this unfilial child dared to barge into the palace and even threaten Your Majesty…"
Turns out he was talking about this matter. Xiang Han had nearly forgotten. Instantly, a light flashed through his eyes and Zhao Ze, who just happened to steal a glance at him, suddenly shivered.
Xiang Han touched his chin and said, "Out of filial piety, Minister Zhao risked his life and dared to criticise Zhen. Zhen can understand…"
The more Zhao Ze heard, the more uncomfortable he felt, and he instinctively sneaked a glance at the Little Emperor. Unsurprisingly, his eyes were filled with glee.
"But crime cannot go unpunished lest others learn from Minister Zhao's actions and Zhen will be unable to sleep at night, ah."
Zhao Bing Zhang quickly nodded his head in agreement and also kicked Zhao Ze at the same time, "Unfilial child, you're still not admitting your crimes?"
Zhao Ze endured the pain and said, "This minister has committed a crime, please punish me as Your Majesty sees fit."
Xiang Han's expression revealed his 'dilemma' as he helplessly said, "Zhen actually wanted to let Minister Zhao go, but the laws cannot be ignored. Sigh, Zhen will be lenient, 20 strokes and two years of no salary."
Zhao Bing Zhang was stunned and then softly asked, "Your Majesty, this… isn't it too light?"
Xiang Han grinned and said, "It's not light. It's not light at all. Minister Zhao is Zhen's right-hand man, he cannot be broken or else Zhen will be in trouble."
Zhao Ze heard this and could not help shivering.
Xiang Han personally oversaw the punishment, calling for a group of eunuchs to gather around.
Xiang Han was afraid that the punishment would be too severe and privately ordered his subordinates to simply put on a show. There was no need to hit too hard.
Zhao Ze was pressed against the bench while Xiang Han sat high above, leisurely eating grapes. When he saw the imperial bodyguard lift up the other person's robes and raised the rod, Xiang Han instantly spat out the grape and stopped him, "You're doing it wrong."
The bodyguard was startled. Wasn't this how they had always done it before? Zhao Ze also frowned, wondering what the Little Emperor was thinking of this time.
Xiang Han grinned, his heart filled with ill-intentions as he said, "Take off his clothes and beat him."
Who asked you to drag me out from the bath, hmph!
Zhao Ze, "…"
The imperial bodyguard was very fast, stripping off his upper robes in an instant. Xiang Han did not expect that this lad who always appeared elegant to be so buff after taking off his clothes. Just look at those smooth muscular lines on his back, from its firmness, it was clear that his figure was not too bad. No wonder Zhao Ze could easily drag him out from the bathtub that day.
But he remembered that it was the butt that would be hit. Therefore, he calmly instructed, "Take off his pants too."
Zhao Ze's face immediately flushed, raising his head to stare at him. To strip off his pants in public was equivalent to sweeping away his pride, destroying his dignity.
The palace maids at the side heard it and also blushed. Every one of them looked away in embarrassment.
In the end, Zhao Ze never grovelled. His bones were still prideful and he could only grit his teeth while he said, "If Your Majesty holds a grudge, you can simply execute this criminal. Why does Your Majesty need to humiliate this minister as such?"
Xiang Han choked. When he was dragged out of the tub, he had also been butt-naked. But how did it become so pitiful when it came to him?
But seeing that Zhao Ze's fury was not small, he still waved a hand and sent the eunuchs and palace maids away before he instructed, "just leave his underwear."
Zhao Ze no longer spoke. Apart from the first strike when he let out a groan, he was silent. Actually, in addition to Zhao Ze's endurance, the bodyguard did not dare to use any strength after hitting a cry out of him.
After the punishment, Xiang Han walked towards him, feeling a little guilty. He lightly kicked him and asked, "Hey, are you alright?"
This was still the general. He did not know if the old Marshal saw it. But since Big A and Little B did not say anything, there should not be a problem.
Zhao Ze glanced at him and then ignored him, putting on his clothes expressionlessly.
To be able to stand up and put on his clothes, he seemed to be fine. Xiang Han immediately relaxed and could not help sizing up the other person's figure. A flash of admiration crossed his eyes. The original host's limbs were like sticks, too skinny. It was still Zhao Ze who had a great figure.
Zhao Ze was also frozen by his fervent gaze and subconsciously looked back. He saw the shining gaze and asked, "Your Majesty doesn't hate this criminal?"
"Don't hate, ah." Xiang Han easily replied.
Zhao Ze scratched his jaw and asked again, "Then why did Your Majesty…humiliate this criminal as such?"
"Humiliate?" Xiang Han was stunned. Was he talking about taking off his pants? But wasn't this how all people were flogged?
System carefully reminded him, [This sort of punishment only started after the Ming dynasty. This is a fictional dynasty and does not follow the Ming dynasty.]
Xiang Han, "…"
Zhao Ze held onto his clothes and seeing his stunned expression, he could not help asking suspiciously, "Unless…Your Majesty purely wants to see this minister being…Cough."
"En, en." Xiang Han nodded. Who asked you to see my naked butt before?
Zhao Ze fell into silence once more and even instinctively moved away a little. He had heard before rumours of the Little Emperor being a homosexual. Earlier on, he even saw his sparkling gaze staring at his own body. He could not be…
Thinking of a certain possibility, Zhao Ze felt a chill down his spine and hurriedly bid his farewell.
Their Zhao family was clean and strict, they could not have a minister that tended to the Emperor's sexual needs. If it really happened, his father would probably be the first one to beat him to death.
Zhao Ze did not suffer too heavily but he was afraid that the Little Emperor was pining for his body and stayed at home for half a month. In the end, Teacher Zhao could not take it any more and chased him back to morning court with a rod.
After half a month, Zhao Ze finally saw the Little Emperor once again. He realised the other person seemed to have gotten cuter.
How should he describe it? Zhao Ze suddenly lowered his head, the corners of his lips twitching.
Xiang Han yawned, bringing tears to his eyes as he forced himself to stay awake to listen.
He had thought after Zhao Bing Zhang returned, he could relax. But the reality was extremely cruel. Scripts still needed to be written and the court still had to be held. In the afternoon, he had additional classes. Who asked him to bring his teacher back?
But this afternoon, Xiang Han realised his teacher had changed.
Seeing the {Classic of Rites} in Zhao Ze's hand and his expressionless face, Xiang Han's jaw dropped in shock. When he remembered the other person was a court academician with the highest educational qualifications, he finally closed his mouth. He had nearly forgotten this lad would occasionally tutor the Little Emperor.
After Zhao Ze greeted him, he started to recite {Etiquettes}, {Attire}…Xiang Han listened until his head spun.
After reciting, Zhao Ze said sternly, "Your Majesty does not place importance on appearance and lack manners. After going back, Your Majesty needs to revise the lesson taught today. This minister will hold a quiz tomorrow."
Xiang Han immediately felt a headache. "If revenge breeds revenge, will there ever be an end to it?"
"This minister is only devoted to doing his job," Zhao Ze said gravely. As he left, he looked back at Xiang Han's bitter expression and the corners of his lips slowly curved up.
The next day, Zhao Ze really conducted a quiz.
Xiang Han was furious as he silently gritted his teeth. In the end, with System's help, he had finally memorised everything with much difficulty.
Zhao Ze's brows pinched. He did not expect that the Little Emperor was smarter than he had thought. But…apart from delight, why did he feel a little disappointed?
Zhao Ze saw that the other person had raised his chin, looking expectant as if he was waiting for praise.
His lips could not help curving up and he smiled, "Your Majesty's memorisation is still lacking and needs more practice. Please copy the entire script at least once after going back."
C-copy everything once?
Xiang Han's expression froze. When he returned to his sleeping chambers, he bitterly said, [Little Nine, he is taking his personal revenge!]
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Xiang Han: Flogging can even produce a paragraph. Ah, Zhen really has to give it to him …