It seems that Emperor Ganwu is just putting on a brave face...

Sun Jian knew perfectly well what was going on, but his expression and demeanor at this moment did not reveal his true thoughts.

At this critical juncture, the Lin family has just turned against the government. On the surface, the entire court appears to be peaceful and prosperous, but underneath, it is a turbulent and extremely dangerous place.

Emperor Ganwu was certainly aware of his physical condition and the many crises he faced.

It seems that the series of measures and actions taken at today's morning court session were the result of Emperor Ganwu's careful consideration...

After a short while, Emperor Ganwu forced himself to endure the discomfort and continued the morning court session.

He began to recount and implement his many previous plans one by one, discussing them with his ministers and making decisions as needed.

It even mentions the current wars between the border regions and the Great Zhou and Great Song dynasties.

However, there has been no significant progress in the border wars; only a series of arrangements and measures have been taken incidentally.

This also includes the allocation of provisions and the transfer of military officers and lieutenants.

...

And so, the morning court session successfully concluded after Emperor Ganwu's various nagging remarks and warnings.

Yao Tianzheng, Zhuang Qishi, and Yi Yu were left behind to continue their discussion in the side hall, while the others could leave the court immediately.

Two of the three high officials were summoned, but the powerful minister Lin Xuanfu was not.

This made Lin Xuanfu's face turn deathly pale, and his flesh twitched involuntarily.

No one can guess what he is thinking at this moment, but it is obvious to everyone that Emperor Ganwu is slowly undermining Lin Xuanfu and gradually targeting and weakening the Lin family.

————

After the emperor left, the officials all breathed a sigh of relief.

In the past, when the court session ended, everyone would surround Lin Xuanfu, Yi Youwei, Yao Tianzheng, or the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, and escort them as they left the court.

However, the situation after court today was completely different. Because of Yi Youwei, Yao Tianzheng had been summoned to the side hall. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince also stood in place, looking into the depths of the inner hall, concerned about their father's health, and did not rush to leave immediately.

Whether you say they are genuinely fulfilling their filial duties or are just putting on an act for others to see, it doesn't matter.

In short, with the two princes standing at the entrance to the inner palace, surely the officials wouldn't be so tactless as to follow them up to greet them or watch them.

Therefore, only Prime Minister Lin Xuanfu remained in the entire room, the only person he could surround.

However, it is a very obvious fact that Lin Xuanfu is isolated and about to be sidelined.

Therefore, when the court session ended this time, Lin Xuanfu's side was completely deserted. Very few people greeted him, and only a few loyal disciples accompanied him.

Even the ministers who had pledged allegiance to Lin Xuanfu only paid their respects from afar...

On the contrary, the rising star Sun Jian became the hot spot.

Many officials came to congratulate Sun Jian, addressing him as "Lord and Marquis" repeatedly.

The officials who had once flattered and fawned over Yao to curry favor have all become opportunists and turned against him.

Seeing this scene made Lin Xuanfu's already pale face even more unsightly, as if he had been slapped hard by Sun Jian several times.

As for Sun Jian, he was also somewhat flattered.

The assembled officials all treated him with utmost respect, and even those of lower rank appeared quite nervous when greeting Sun Jian.

At that moment, many people seemed to have forgotten that two people had been subjected to severe torture on the eve of the morning court session.

Sun Jian responded to each of them with a forced smile, seemingly just going through the motions, but in reality, his thoughts had already drifted far away.

At this moment, Sun Jian's mind was in turmoil as he pondered what might happen next.

It wasn't until the Second Prince Li Chengru walked up to Sun Jian, praised him, and congratulated him on being granted the title of Marquis of Ting that Sun Jian finally came to his senses.

"Thank you, Your Highness. You flatter me. I was just lucky."

Sun Jian responded with a smile.

Although there are unclear entanglements and conflicts between him and the Second Prince, at least for now they are still in the court, and the other party has not yet broken off relations on many matters, so they still have to maintain appearances.

The second prince was also a smiling tiger; when he spoke with Sun Jian, there seemed to be no distance between them.

"Hehe, the word 'lucky' is a bit too much."

"Sir, you are a star descended from heaven, a rare genius in a century, and now you have become a great banner in the hearts of our people. Today, your appointment as general and your conferment of a marquis title are well-deserved."

The Second Prince Li Chengru didn't mean any flattery in his words; he genuinely believed it to be true.

Sun Jian immediately feigned surprise and flattery, replying repeatedly.

As the two were talking, the Second Prince looked behind him and noticed that although Crown Prince Li Gancheng was no longer gazing out of the inner palace, he was talking with Mi Zhu and Xing Kang and had not come over directly.

After confirming that His Highness the Crown Prince would not disturb his conversation with Sun Jian, the Second Prince Li Chengru then asked him directly what he wanted to ask.

"Hehe, I wonder why you, my lord, have not kept your previous agreement? Is there some misunderstanding between us?"

The Second Prince Li Chengru immediately changed his address to Sun Jian from "Sir" to "Lord," which alone shows that the Second Prince Li Chengru had given Sun Jian enough face.

He was a prince, and the other party was a marquis.

Even if you talk about it to the extreme, it's still Sun Jian trying to flatter himself.

Previously, addressing someone as "sir" was a sign of respect; now, addressing them as "Lord" is a sign of humility.

It can be said that the Second Prince's words were full of sincerity!

How could Sun Jian not understand the meaning behind the words of the second prince, Li Chengru?

But he really couldn't understand the prince in front of him.

Is this guy schizophrenic?

Why is he suddenly allied with Lin Xuanfu to deal with him, trying to kill him at every turn, and now he's being humble and sincere with him?

Sun Jian didn't care about anything else. Since the other party was asking him so respectfully, he should speak frankly.

Sun Jian cupped his hands and said to the Second Prince Li Chengru, "Your Highness, the reason I did not have time to visit you earlier is because when I went out of the city with General Gu Hu to survey the imperial estate, we discovered a large number of locust eggs."

"I immediately reported this matter to Governor Yao, and finally presented it to His Majesty."

"Following that, Your Majesty transferred me to the Tiger Warriors to serve as Deputy Commandant. This back and forth caused a delay."

After saying this, Sun Jian cupped his hands again and continued to the Second Prince Li Chengru, saying, "I did not mean to break my promise. I hope Your Highness will investigate."

"As for the misunderstanding... Your Highness does not know what you mean, but I beg Your Highness to explain."