stonecrandall Chapter 976: Gao Yao's Private Meeting with People!
Chapter 976: Gao Yao's Private Meeting with People!
The misty water vapor acts like a top-notch soft-focus lens, blurring the specific details while emphasizing the hazy and alluring overall outline. It's like looking at flowers through the fog or gazing at the moon in the water, adding a touch of captivating mystery and excitement compared to being completely unobstructed.
Qi Ji's skin is as white as snow, shimmering with a pearly luster under the moisture; Gulnazar's wheat-colored skin is full of healthy and wild vitality; Natasha's skin is delicate, with a unique exotic charm.
The next day, as noon approached, the intense sunlight streamed through the thin, gossamer-like glass windows, casting dappled patterns of light on the smooth, mirror-like gold-brick floor of the Bright Palace's sleeping chamber. Gao Yao finally awoke. A languid, sweet fragrance permeated the chamber, a lingering scent born from the mingled aroma of precious ambergris and the woman's natural body odor.
He stretched his slightly sore muscles and bones, and heard the even and long breathing of the three ladies in the inner room. They were still immersed in a deep dream. The court banquet last night, which lasted until the moon set and the stars disappeared, had obviously exhausted their energy.
Gao Yao smiled silently, a hint of tenderness in his eyes, but more so, a clear sense of control. He gently lifted the cool-to-the-touch brocade quilt woven from celestial silk, rising without disturbing any of the sleeping beauties. Despite being the supreme ruler of this vast territory, enjoying absolute power and endless pleasure, a string remained taut deep within him—a profound understanding from later generations of souls that one is born in hardship and dies in comfort, and a clear-headed examination of this body that was not born with divine power.
Instead of summoning the palace maids standing outside the curtains, he changed into a specially made, easy-to-move cotton outfit himself, his movements slightly clumsy but exceptionally determined. Afterward, he went to the open-air martial arts arena connected to the outer side of the sleeping quarters.
The area wasn't large, but it was covered with absorbent, non-slip fine sand, and stone weights, wooden stakes, and other equipment were displayed around it. Gao Yao took a deep breath of the cool morning air and began his unwavering morning exercise. The movements weren't fancy; they were nothing more than basic methods to stretch his muscles and improve his physical fitness. Occasionally, he would practice a few punches and kicks on the wooden stakes, and sweat quickly soaked his temples and back.
He knew that in this era where the chaos had subsided but undercurrents were still surging, a healthy body was the foundation for enjoying and controlling everything, far more important than taking an extra hour of sleep.
After finishing his training and taking a bath and changing clothes, Gao Yao did not eat first. Instead, he directly gave a series of clear instructions to the chief eunuch who stood beside him like a shadow: "Summon Zhang Liang, Xiao He, Li Zhao, Wu She, and Er Niu to the study in Guangming Palace immediately for a meeting."
His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. The chief eunuch bowed and accepted the order, retreating swiftly and lightly without the slightest delay.
The reactions of those who received the king's order differed slightly, but their actions were remarkably unified. Zhang Liang, who was meditating in the bamboo grove of his residence, opened his insightful eyes slightly upon hearing the news, a hint of understanding flashing across them. He then calmly straightened his clothes, boarded his carriage, and entered the palace. Xiao He, having just looked up from the mountain of household registers, rubbed his throbbing temples. Not daring to delay, he immediately ordered a sedan chair to be prepared.
Li Zhao and Wu She, one inspecting the military camp and the other handling documents in the guest quarters, both immediately put down their tasks and galloped away on horseback. As for Erniu, this honest and straightforward general, he was struggling with his breakfast of thin porridge and steamed buns when he received the order. Upon hearing the command, he immediately stuffed the remaining food into his mouth, puffed out his cheeks, and ran out, causing his personal guards to chuckle to themselves.
Before long, the group had gathered in the study of the Bright Palace, a room known for its simplicity and practicality. The study's walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, overflowing with volumes, and the air was filled with the faint scent of ink and the distinctive aroma of old books. They exchanged simple nods of greeting, offering no further pleasantries, each silently wondering why the King had summoned them so urgently. An atmosphere of respect mixed with a touch of tension quietly permeated the study.
About an incense stick's time later, the heavy rosewood door to the study was pushed open again, and Gao Yao stepped in. However, somewhat incongruous with the solemn occasion, he was holding a half-eaten meat bun in his hand, eating it with relish. This scene caused a hint of undisguised embarrassment to appear on the faces of the several high-ranking officials who had been standing solemnly waiting; their eyes exchanged glances, all conveying a mixture of helplessness and wry smiles.
Gao Yao didn't care at all. He swallowed the rest of the buns in a few bites, then took the warm towel handed to him by the eunuch and wiped his hands and mouth. He then smiled and looked around at everyone: "Hehe, I got up late and didn't have time to eat breakfast. What about you? Have you eaten? Don't be shy, the kitchen has steamed several baskets, enough for everyone. Some side dishes have also been prepared, you can have them sent over."
"Uh..." Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and the others were momentarily speechless, exchanging bewildered glances. To dine at the same table as the emperor in such a place where important military and political matters were discussed? According to etiquette, this was indeed somewhat overstepping its bounds. Although they knew that Gao Yao disliked formalities, long-held beliefs could not be changed overnight.
In the midst of this delicate silence, a loud and somewhat naive voice rang out: "Your Majesty! I want to eat! I was in such a hurry this morning that I only had a bowl of porridge, and I'm starving!" It was Erniu. He rubbed his rumbling stomach, his face completely at ease, his eyes filled with longing for steamed buns, utterly unlike the others who harbored such ulterior motives.
Upon hearing this, Gao Yao not only didn't take offense, but burst into laughter, clearly appreciating Er Niu's unpretentious frankness: "Good! Er Niu is the most honest one! Someone, go and get thirty more buns, and remember to bring a few plates of various side dishes as well." He then waved his hand, signaling everyone, "Don't stand, sit down, sit down and talk while we eat."
As steaming, plump buns and several plates of delicate and refreshing side dishes were quickly placed on the large square table in the center of the study, the atmosphere immediately relaxed. Erniu, without any hesitation, thanked them and grabbed a bun, devouring it with gusto, making smacking noises as he ate. Seeing this, Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and the others, encouraged again by Gao Yao's gaze, each took a couple of buns, albeit somewhat reservedly, and tasted them slowly.
Gao Yao was quite satisfied with this effect. He knew that necessary hierarchical rules and regulations were the cornerstone of maintaining rule and ensuring efficiency; this was an essential part of the orderly operation of the social structure, and he had neither the intention nor the ability to completely overturn them. However, in some informal settings, such as this study, excessively emphasizing status and completely separating life from work would only widen the gap between ruler and subject, hindering the pooling of ideas. What he wanted was a flexible state where there was a distinction between ruler and subject during work, and friends during leisure time.