Chapter 842: Returning to the Imperial Court

Because Yin Ji has been mischievous all the way, it was not until dark that they caught up with the royal carriage. Fortunately, it was not a military expedition and it didn't matter if they were delayed for a few hours. The only thing that made Xie Yun helpless was that Yin Ji kept holding onto the sound of "Ji gege" and even muttered it before going to bed at night.
Xie Yun was annoyed, so he smeared a pillow on his face before he settled down.
The next night, the carriage stopped at the boundary of Qingzhou, and Yin Ji received a group of local officials. This was also one of the places Qi Yan mainly inspected. The Xiao family had been entrenched in Qingzhou for many years, and almost all the officials in Qingzhou had some connection with the Xiao family. Therefore, Qi Yan and his team discovered many irregularities. When he went to Fengzhou earlier, he had already written down the details in the memorial and submitted it.
可殷稷却并没有当庭发难，仿佛什么都不知道一般将人放走了。
“你是想一网打尽？”
谢蕴端了杯参茶进来，被殷稷拉着坐在了他腿上。
"There is such a plan, but it is not everything. I don't think now is the best time."
When it comes to the marriage between Xie Yun and Yin Shi, even if it's not her fault, she will definitely be criticized by others. He cannot stand others speaking ill of her behind her back, so he has to think more carefully.
"Let's take care of them after our wedding."
"Are you trying to create momentum for me?" Xie Yun looked down, her eyes went from being stunned to moved.
Yin Ji has never bothered to defend his own reputation, but unexpectedly, he has thought so carefully for her.
"You..."
"Moved?" Yin Ji chuckled, "Then call me and let me play some new tricks with you tonight, I..."
Xie Yun did not have time to fully digest her feelings of being moved when Yin Ji's words quickly suppressed them. She covered Yin Ji's mouth: "Is this the only thing on your mind right now? Do you know how much this matter benefits the Xie family? It's a huge favor."
Yin Ji pulled her hand down and said, "Can't we try something different for such a big favor?"
Xie Yun: "..."
Can't chat anymore.
She tried to get up and leave, but Yin Ji hugged her waist and refused to let go. "I know what you mean. You don't want the chaos of the aristocratic families to happen again, and you don't want the Xie family to become a thorn in the side of the court. You want me to use this to make a deal with the Xie clan, but..."
His voice softened: "Anyun, you will never be my bargaining chip."
After the branch of the Xie clan in the capital had an incident, they retreated to their ancestral home in Chen County and had not emerged for ten years. They should have gradually been forgotten, but compared to other aristocratic families that had their homes raided and were exiled, the intact Xie clan became particularly conspicuous.
Especially, after the Chinese New Year, Xie Ji will enter the court again, and then the entire Xie family will be thrust into the spotlight.
"In fact, we have also considered self-preservation, but we are always unwilling."
Xie Yun sighed, "We have worked hard for generations to bring forth such outstanding offspring. If we hide our talents and confine ourselves to a simple country house because of others' jealousy, we would not only betray our own knowledge but also betray the Great Zhou Dynasty... I'm sorry to put you in a difficult position."
Xie Yun held his hand, with a hint of guilt in her eyes, Yin Ji's eyes brightened for a moment: "If you really feel that I have put you in a difficult position, then..."
Xie Yun covered his mouth again, "We are discussing serious matters, no nonsense is allowed."
The light in Yinji's eyes dimmed, although he didn't say anything, his displeasure was evident: "Fine, let's talk about serious matters..."
He sighed and his expression became serious, "Allowing Xie Ji to return to the court is also something I have considered. Chu Zhen was right in saying that power nurtures people and makes them foolish and selfish. However, he was wrong in one aspect, it's not just the emperor, but also the court officials."
The current court looks peaceful, and everyone is capable and talented, but what about a few years later? What about a dozen years later?
"The courtiers cannot have a unanimous heart, even if they are all honest ministers carefully selected by me."
If we can't hear voices from inside and outside the court, it won't be long before the country perishes.
"The emperor's deep planning and far-sightedness are admirable."
Yin Ji's eyes lit up: "Do you think I'm right?"
Although they are both happy, the current joy is completely different from the cunningness just now, pure and simple. Xie Yun couldn't help but kiss him: "Of course, how can your thoughts be wrong?"
"Then I still want to..."
"You're not allowed to think."
Xie Yun interrupted him in time. Since the last successful seduction, Yin Ji gradually became unrestrained, maybe because his body was getting better and his long-restrained body couldn't hold back anymore. Xie Yun also wanted to understand him, but everything must be done in moderation.
And they were still on the road, so tired that she was afraid their bodies couldn't take it.
But even though her mind was so clear, she was still bewitched by the allure of men on the way, allowing Yin Ji to succeed twice. One time was in the palace, and the other was on the royal carriage. Speaking of the second time, Xie Yun felt extremely regretful. She had let her guard down, thinking that everything that belonged to the dragon had been taken by her and Yin Ji wouldn't be able to do anything. Who could have imagined that Yu Chun would be carrying it with her.
She was both angry and upset, and she didn't even give Yuchun a good face, so the other party didn't dare to approach her again.
After walking like this for a while, they returned to the capital after a month. Zhao Cangman led the civil and military officials to go out of the city to welcome them. At that time, Xie Yun was still sleeping heavily in the carriage because she didn't learn her lesson. She had been making a fuss all night and only fell asleep in the early morning.
Yin Ji got off the carriage and raised his hand before the courtiers could offer their greetings, silencing their voices. His own voice was also very soft.
"There's no need to make a fuss, everyone can disperse."
Although Yin Ji has no face in front of Xie Yun, he is still considered the unpredictable "tyrant" in the hearts of the people. Seeing him speak like this, whether it is courtiers or relatives, they dare not ask anything and obediently retreat. Only Zhao Cang and Xue Jing, along with other trusted confidants, stay in place. However, seeing Yin Ji speaking in such a low voice, they also lower their voices: "It is a major event for the Emperor to return to the capital. We should all show our support. I heard that the Empress Dowager and the concubines are waiting at the palace gate."
"Yuchun."
Yin Ji hastily called out, hoping to let him go back first and disperse the crowd, but his voice was too soft to be heard by Yuchun. He had to call out several times, but still got no response. Finally, Dou Jing, unable to bear it any longer, pulled Yuchun out of the crowd.
"Your Majesty, did you summon me?"
In a low voice, Yin Ji conveyed his decree, and Yu Chun frowned, saying, "Your Majesty, please speak louder, I can't hear clearly."
Yin Ji's temple twitched, but he glanced at Dragon Nian and restrained himself, saying, "Go and convey the decree, let everyone in the harem disperse, no one should come near me."
Yuchun only understood after hearing it clearly and ran away.
Xue Jing found Cai Tianxi in the crowd, seeing him leaning against the yoke of the cart and dozing off. Looking at his strong and uninjured body, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and mentioned the capture of the remnants of the Xiao family.
However, just as the conversation had begun, Yin Ji raised his hand to lower the volume. Although he didn't want to be disobedient, he was afraid that Yin Ji couldn't hear clearly, so he could only get closer and closer. In the end, the two of them almost touched heads.
Xue Jing had a puzzled look on his face: "Your Majesty, we came here to escort you, why are we making such a fuss as if we were thieves?"
"Shhh... Ah Yun is still sleeping, of course, we shouldn't wake her up."
Xue Jing was taken aback, and his face suddenly changed: "Who did you say?!"