"Your Majesty, this subject shall take his leave."
After finishing their discussion, the Duke of Li rose and bowed to the Emperor.
Then, he turned to depart.
Suddenly, the Emperor's expression grew sowhat grave as he called out to stop him: "Zihui."
"Your Majesty."
The Duke of Li halted his steps.
After the two locked gazes for a long while, the Emperor shook his head: "No, it's nothing."
And so, the Duke of Li withdrew from Xuanyu Hall.
Leaving the Emperor alone, whose solemn expression now revealed a trace of unease.
Once again, he gazed at the back of his hand, examining it repeatedly before slowly opening his mouth: "Chen Bao, who do you think I should establish—the Prince of Jin or the Prince of Wu?"
"Your Majesty! This slave does not dare speak carelessly! Please, Your Majesty, forgive this transgression!"
In a hurry, Chen Bao prostrated himself before the Emperor in terror, kowtowing.
Watching him, the Emperor smiled bitterly and sighed to himself: "In this entire world, there is not a single person who can speak heart-to-heart with ."
Chen Bao remained prostrate, trembling and not daring to raise his head.
After a long while, the Emperor said: "Draft an edict for . Tomorrow, confer upon Wei Wusheng the title of Commander of the Five Offices, and have him participate in the court assembly the day after."
"As commanded."
………
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Wei Wusheng is hereby appointed Commander of the Five Offices and shall participate in tomorrow's court assembly."
An unprecedentedly brief imperial edict was proclaid from Chen Bao's mouth.
Feeling deeply apprehensive yet exceptionally excited in his heart, Wei Wusheng suppressed his expression into one of calm composure before prostrating himself and kowtowing: "This subject accepts the edict."
And so, the imperial edict ca into Wei Wusheng's hands.
"Congratulations to the Sixth Prince."
After proclaiming the edict, Chen Bao's solemn expression changed as he spoke with a smile.
"Eunuch Chen."
Wei Wusheng stepped forward, approaching him. Taking the eunuch's hand with one of his own, he spoke with particular respect: "Could you perhaps reveal to what this edict truly ans?"
This edict was extrely strange.
First of all, in terms of content, it was shockingly brief.
It only had the most basic format—there was no explanation for the reason behind the appointnt, no comndation of his achievents whatsoever, and it didn't even ntion where he would serve or which troops he would supervise.
No ceremony.
No military tally.
Just this title alone.
Of course, an imperial edict from the Emperor was everything—he was definitely the Great Yu's Commander of the Five Offices, possessing the highest legal authority.
But it was far too abrupt.
"Your Highness jests—the imperial edict has already made everything quite clear," Chen Bao said with a smile.
"Then what about the aning beyond the edict?" Wei Wusheng probed.
The other party wasn't soliciting a bribe.
Although most eunuchs were greedy, there was one ironclad rule: they could accept rewards, but they absolutely could not actively hint at accepting bribes from imperial princes or princesses.
Toward mbers of the imperial family, they must show the utmost respect.
So whether or not to reveal the Emperor's intentions depended entirely on this 'second-in-command's' own mood.
Looking at Wei Wusheng, Chen Bao, sowhat hunched over, said quietly: "Perhaps it has so significance—Your Highness will know at tomorrow's court assembly, won't you?"
Having said this, Chen Bao bowed to Wei Wusheng: "Then this old slave shall take his leave first."
After seeing him off, Wei Wusheng, holding the imperial edict in his hand, fell into deep thought.
I'll know at tomorrow's court assembly?
Before this appointnt, Father Emperor never consulted with about anything.
No—in these twenty years, Father Emperor has never spoken even a single sentence to .
This sudden appointnt seems like it was arranged just so I could participate in tomorrow's court assembly.
According to Eunuch Chen's aning, could it be that Father Emperor hopes I will... make so kind of showing at tomorrow's court assembly?
Does His Majesty have sothing he wants to do?
Could it have so connection to yesterday's military dispatch?
With these thoughts, after Wei Wusheng returned to his Hening Palace, he continued pondering, simply staring at this imperial edict.
At this ti, Xinyue also returned to the palace.
Facing him, she spoke with considerable sha: "Your Highness... this one was unable to strike up a conversation with that Song Shi'an."
"Why? He ignored you?" Wei Wusheng asked curiously.
"..." Thinking back to what happened last night, even Xinyue, who was usually ice-cold and aloof, beca sowhat flustered. "I deliberately dropped my coin purse, and he ca forward to return it to . I took the opportunity to express my gratitude and asked his na, but he actually said he was called Wang Shuishan or sothing?"
"Hahaha." Wei Wusheng was amused, waving his hand dismissively. "Forget it then. At least this verifies that he's a gentleman who returns lost money."
"Then Your Highness, shall we not seek him out anymore?" Xinyue asked.
"In a few days at the Secretariat's appointnt ceremony, he'll probably be appointed as a county magistrate. We can see then whether we'll have a chance to witness his abilities."
Speaking of this, Wei Wusheng felt a surge of interest and asked: "By the way, what did he look like?"
"Eight chi tall, his build neither robust nor thin, his appearance... should be handso."
"Any other characteristics?"
Wei Wusheng continued pressing.
"It's not this one's bias, but he gives the feeling of soone who would toy with others—soone with very deep scheming."
"That's clearly just your bias from being toyed with, haha."
"..."
Xinyue didn't know what to say and lowered her head. After remaining silent for a while, she said: "Your Highness seems to be in quite a pleasant mood?"
"Mm, His Majesty has appointed Commander of the Five Offices."
Hearing this, Xinyue was greatly shocked.
Because everyone knew that the Sixth Prince was essentially treated as a discarded piece.
Of the seven surviving princes, even the youngest one, who was only nine years old, had already been enfeoffed as a prince, yet only the Sixth Prince had not.
Moreover, he had no official position whatsoever.
This was a truth as clear as a mirror to everyone in the world—the Emperor despised the Sixth Prince.
Xinyue couldn't help but feel sowhat worried.
But Wei Wusheng was full of anticipation: "Father Emperor, have you finally noticed ?"
………
The court assembly.
After the hundred officials entered the palace through the side passages, they ca to the long staircase of Taiyuan Hall.
Ascending the long staircase, they would enter the hall for the assembly.
Walking at the rear and not yet having climbed the stairs, Song Jing quickened his pace forward, catching up to a second-rank elder who appeared to be around seventy years old.
The elder stopped, spoke with soone nearby, let them proceed first, then stood together with Song Jing.
Cui Ting, Right Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Manufactories, Junior Second Rank.
"Father-in-law." Song Jing bowed to him.
Cui Ting supported his hand, then asked with a smile: "Aji, Ce'er passed the provincial examination, didn't he?"
Song Jing spoke with so embarrassnt: "His policy essay was off-topic, but he still managed to pass."
"No matter. Ce'er is only fifteen—he can take the tropolitan examination next year and strive to beco a jinshi." Cui Ting said.
"I was thinking the sa thing, so I plan to arrange for him to attend the Imperial Academy to focus on preparing for the exam."
"Good, good."
Cui Ting nodded approvingly, his expression kind and benevolent.
However, after finishing this discussion about his legitimate grandson, Cui Ting's face gradually grew serious as he asked: "That Song Shi'an—was that your idea?"
"Father is referring to the matter at Minister Sun's birthday banquet?"
"What else could it be? The entire city knows about it."
"That boy is unruly and didn't consult with at all..."
Thinking of this, Song Jing felt his teeth itch with anger: "What's more, he still hasn't returned ho!"
"Call him back ho imdiately."
Cui Ting raised his finger, admonishing with utmost seriousness: "No more incidents can be allowed. In a few days at the appointnt ceremony, send him to Chong County. I have a friend who serves as Prefect in Ning Commandery—he can keep him safe."
"I will definitely tell him."
Song Jing nodded earnestly.
"Things have co to this point—there's no room to turn back now." Cui Ting assessed. "Since he could pass as jieyuan, he naturally has so real talent and learning. If he wants to stand out, then let him stand out."
Here, they couldn't say too much, but the two n had already reached a tacit understanding.
At the sa ti, a group of officials led by Minister Sun also walked toward the staircase, talking and laughing.
Even upon seeing the two of them, their attitude remained casual.
Song Jing and Cui Ting cast them a cold glance, then heavily flicked their sleeves before turning around and helping each other ascend the steps.
Reviews
All reviews (0)