"Speak! I would certainly like to hear what else you have to say!"
Chu Jinghui looked coldly at Yang Qing, who lay prostrate on his knees.
"Yesterday, Your Majesty, my wounds had yet to heal, and I was suffering greatly. That was why I suddenly thought of Chancellor Wei, who was still in prison."
Yang Qing sounded slightly anxious. "I failed to think things through and was moved to pity. I even spoke impertinently before Your Majesty."
Chu Jinghui continued to watch him in silence. "Is that so?"
Yang Qing remained prostrate. "I tossed and turned last night, unable to sleep, consumed by shame over my recklessness. But the torrential rain blocked the roads, and the hour was late, so I remained in anxious suspense until now."
"But my actions concealed no disloyalty or ulterior motive. I beg Your Majesty to judge this clearly!"
Yang Qing had been kneeling for some time, and a faint trace of blood was showing through the back of his robes.
Standing nearby, Eunuch Zhang watched with keen eyes. He glanced at Yang Qing, then cautiously at Chu Jinghui. After a moment's thought, he slowly stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, morning court has ended, but you have yet to eat! The young eunuchs serving the meal are still waiting outside. Might Your Majesty take your meal?"
Chu Jinghui glared at him. "You old rascal, can't you see that I am angry? Serve the meal? What meal?"
A smile rose to Eunuch Zhang's face. He took another two steps forward and said softly to Chu Jinghui, "Your Majesty, your servant is merely concerned for the health of your imperial person."
"Your servant has a narrow view of things. All I see and all I think about are Your Majesty's health, meals, and daily comfort."
"You are always