At this mont, the Emperor had just finished his breakfast, sipping tea unhurriedly.
Sun Kui walked in from outside, respectfully saluted the Emperor, and then reported, "Your Majesty, the ministers have all gathered."
The Emperor asked, "What did they say?"
"The Crown Prince asked Pri Minister He if he slept well last night, and Prince Dai inquired about what exactly happened in Yangzhou." Sun Kui reported exactly what he heard to the Emperor.
"Did other ministers say anything?"
"No, only the Crown Prince, Prince Dai, and Pri Minister He spoke."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor let out a sneer, "Quite able to hold their tongues."
"Your Majesty, there is sothing I don’t understand."
The Emperor was in a very good mood these days and permitted Sun Kui to ask.
"What don’t you understand?"
"The matter in Yangzhou has already reached the capital. Why haven’t you announced it?" Sun Kui dared to question only because he saw the Emperor was in a good mood. "All the ministers have received or heard news from Yangzhou. Aren’t you afraid that the involved families will make preparations in advance?"
The Emperor idly twirled the lid of the teacup with his right hand and said, "What if they prepare in advance?" Then he stood up and tossed the teacup lid onto the cup. With a clatter, the lid fit perfectly onto the cup.
He curled his lips into a cold smile, "Not one of them will escape."
Sun Kui was frightened by the cold look at the Emperor’s lips, his heart chilled, and he quickly bowed his head, "Your Majesty is wise."
The Emperor resud his playful deanor, hands tucked into his sleeves, slightly hunched, unwillingly heading toward Chengguang Hall.
Sun Kui followed behind the Emperor, noticing the Emperor’s heavy steps, exuding an aura of "I don’t want to hold court," causing the corner of his mouth to twitch slightly.
Every day, the Emperor attends court with such... reluctance.
At this ti, all civil and military officials were already standing in order in the main hall of Chengguang Hall.
The Emperor hunches over, slowly walking into Chengguang Hall like an old man.
"Waaa..." The Emperor let out a rather loud yawn, especially noticeable in the silent Chengguang Hall.
"Tsk" The Emperor clicked his tongue impatiently and then sat down on the dragon throne.
Sun Kui, standing beside the Emperor, shook the horsetail whisk and then loudly proclaid, "The court is in session!"
The ministers imdiately saluted, "We greet Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years."
The Emperor extended his left hand, motioning for the ministers kneeling below to rise, "Stand up." After that, he yawned again with his mouth wide open.
"Thank Your Majesty." The civil and military officials stood up.
The Emperor shifted his posture and lay sideways on the dragon throne.
"Speak, what’s the matter?"
The ministers had grown accustod to the Emperor’s lack of proper posture. Initially, the Imperial Censor had advised the Emperor to sit properly during court, but the Emperor ignored him and continued to sit however he pleased.
The ministers looked at each other, waiting for Pri Minister He to present matters.
Pri Minister He seed oblivious to the ministers’ stares, standing at the head of the assembly, detached.
Prince Dai and the Crown Prince frequently glanced at Pri Minister He.
Pri Minister He said he would announce the matter in Yangzhou earlier, why was he silent now?
The ministers were all waiting for Pri Minister He to raise the issue of Yangzhou.
The Emperor lay on the dragon throne, hands tucked into his sleeves over his belly, feet resting on the throne’s left armrest, as if asleep.
"What, nothing to report?" The Emperor said without opening his eyes.
The ministers exchanged glances again, seeing that Pri Minister He still didn’t step forward, so they had to co forth and speak.
The Emperor lay on the dragon throne, eyes closed, listening to the ministers present their cases.
Sun Kui occasionally glanced at the Emperor to check if he had fallen asleep, as the Emperor often napped during the morning court.
When the ministers finished speaking, seeing the Emperor unresponsive, they looked toward Sun Kui, as if to say, "Is the Emperor asleep again?"
Sun Kui felt the pressure of their gazes, sighed inwardly, then approached the Emperor and quietly called out, "Your Majesty!"
He thought he would have to call several tis to awaken the Emperor, but surprisingly, one call did the job.
The Emperor was not asleep; he opened his eyes and said to Sun Kui, "Tell them about that matter."
Sun Kui imdiately understood, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Then Sun Kui took out the imperial decree and walked to the front, announcing to the ministers, "Yangzhou..."
The ministers instinctively held their breath, listening intently to Sun Kui’s proclamation.
The hall was extrely quiet; Sun Kui’s voice resonated in the grand chamber.
Soon, the ministers’ expressions changed. They looked astonished, seemingly unable to believe what they had heard.
So ministers turned pale, their eyes filled with fear and anxiety.
The decree was lengthy, taking Sun Kui two full marks of ti to finish reading.
When Sun Kui finished reading the decree, the hall fell into grave silence. The ministers all bowed their heads, not daring to utter a word.
The Crown Prince and Prince Dai did not lower their heads, both looking utterly shocked.
The Emperor sat up, stretched lazily, and then walked to the front.
"You’ve all heard it, haven’t you? Any thoughts?"
The ministers bowed their heads even lower.
"What, cat got your tongue?" The Emperor said with a wry smile, "Are you expecting to speak?"
The ministers still did not speak.
The Emperor, hands clasped behind his back, smiled, "Alright, you want to speak? If I do, it’s over for you."
Over?!
Many ministers were struck with fear upon hearing this.
Over?
What is the Emperor planning?
Several ministers turned deathly pale, cold sweat covering their foreheads and faces, bodies trembling slightly, their legs weak.
The Emperor walked to the steps and sat down.
Seeing this, the ministers hurriedly knelt down.
The Emperor, sitting on the steps, propped his right hand on his face, elbow on his knee, gazing playfully at the kneeling ministers.
"I’ve been in a good mood these past days, so I’ll give you a chance. If you don’t speak, don’t bla for being ruthless."
"I am guilty." A minister crawled forward from the ranks, heavily kowtowing before the Emperor.
This person was from the Wang Family!
The ministers were shocked: The Wang Family was involved in the Yangzhou affair!
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