Yu Jingchen had little energy to deal with the morning court session that day, as his mind was filled with Nan Zhiyun's dejected appearance from yesterday.
"Your Majesty?" It was Xinglai calling him.
Yu Jingchen snapped out of his daze and looked down, where he saw Minister Lin of the Ministry of War standing in the middle of the hall.
"Your Majesty, Minister Lin was just talking about General Nan's return to the capital," Xing Lai reminded him, thinking to himself, "Isn't His Majesty usually the most serious? Why is he daydreaming during the morning court session?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Jingchen quickly composed himself and said, "General Nan has rendered great service this time. He has been guarding the border for many years and has made great contributions. He also quelled the peasant uprising and made meritorious contributions to disaster relief. I will reward him upon his return."
Minister Lin was somewhat surprised to hear this. Why was His Majesty saying such things? Hadn't he always harbored resentment towards the Nan family? A reward? Was it a genuine promotion or a demotion disguised as a promotion?
"Your Majesty, isn't it inappropriate for Nan Su to bring troops back to the capital this time?" Minister Lin asked tentatively.
"Minister Lin is very well-informed, isn't he?" Yu Jingchen looked at him.
"Your humble servant is terrified," Minister Lin said, immediately kneeling down upon hearing this.
"It's just because General Nan's return to the capital this time was so grand, and everyone is saying that General Nan has done a great job in disaster relief, and the people are praising him highly. Your humble servant..." Minister Lin's forehead was already sweating.
"It was my permission. Do you have any objections?" Yu Jingchen's eyes were slightly cold. Having lived a second life, how could he not know that this old scoundrel Lin was Yu Jing'an's man? (Yu Jing'an is the Prince An who plotted the rebellion at the beginning.)
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am guilty!" Regardless of whether he was right or wrong, admitting guilt is the best course of action. Minister Lin felt that Yu Jingchen had been acting strangely lately, especially in his treatment of the Nan family, which is why he deliberately brought it up just now.
"If there's a next time, you can forget about being Minister Lin. I can arrange something for you, like being the head of an intelligence network, how about that?" Yu Jingchen had no intention of letting him off the hook.
Fortunately, he silently mourned for Minister Lin. Anyone with eyes could see that His Majesty was in a bad mood today, yet he still insisted on running into the line of fire. Not only did he run into it, but he also ran up to run into it, and he even chose a sharp blade to run into.
I've seen people who don't value their lives, but I've never seen anyone so reckless. They're practically handing their lives over to the King of Hell. They're really clueless and have something wrong with their brains.
really……
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I am terrified!" Minister Lin knew that Yu Jingchen was angry.
"Minister Lin, have you not rested well lately? Is your mind muddled? In that case, I will grant you a month's leave to rest at home. You need not go out during this month. Just rest well at home and let the imperial physician check if there is anything wrong with you." Yu Jingchen was too lazy to pay attention to him. If he could, he would want to dismiss him from his post right now.
"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Minister Lin had no way to express his bitterness. Wasn't this just a way of confining him to his home? His Majesty's mood was becoming increasingly unpredictable.
He was uneasy about the current situation. If he couldn't participate in the Ministry of War's affairs for a month, how could the Ministry of War gain the upper hand upon Nan Su's return? But Yu Jingchen had already given the order, and he couldn't possibly beg for mercy...
Looking at Minister Lin's distressed expression, Yu Jingchen didn't feel much better, as he found him quite an eyesore. He gestured to Xinglai, who immediately understood.
He then shouted, "If you have something to say, speak up; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"
Just when Yu Jingchen thought everything was alright, the Imperial Advisor came in from outside.
"I have something to report," Gu Yin's voice rang out, calm and composed.
Everyone was surprised by his arrival. Why had the Imperial Advisor come out of seclusion today? And even took the initiative to come here. You must know that after the late emperor left, the Imperial Advisor stopped attending court.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Gu Yin walked unhurriedly to the center of the hall and then gave a small bow.
"Why has the Imperial Advisor come?" Yu Jingchen asked, his expression unreadable.
Gu Yin straightened up: "I have something to report."
"What is it?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"I am old and have come to resign from my post." Gu Yin's words stirred up a storm. Resign?!
Everyone looked at him in disbelief, and discussions began to circulate in the imperial court.
"Resign from office?" Yu Jingchen was also surprised. Why did he suddenly want to resign from office?
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am getting old and fear I am no longer fit to take on this important task. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to resign from my position as Imperial Preceptor." Gu Yin's face remained expressionless, showing no sign of being swayed by favor or disgrace.
But... Your Excellency, even if you want to resign, could you please come up with a better reason? "I'm getting old? I think you'll only be forty next year?"
"What if I don't allow it?" Yu Jingchen felt that something was amiss.
“If Your Majesty wishes to force me to stay, then I will have no choice but to comply. However, I will also cease fulfilling my duties as Imperial Preceptor. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to grant my request,” Gu Yin said.
Yu Jingchen looked at him, remaining silent for a long time. Since they didn't speak, the other officials dared not speak either.
In the end… Yu Jingchen still didn’t agree directly. He only said, “Grand Preceptor, you should go back and think it over carefully. If you insist on doing so, then I will naturally not force you to stay.”
"Your Majesty, I have thought it through very clearly. Please grant my request!" Gu Yin even bowed this time.
Yu Jingchen had no reason to refuse. He hesitated for a few moments, but he still agreed: "In that case, let's follow the Imperial Preceptor's wishes. However, although the Imperial Preceptor is preparing to step down from this position, he has done many things that benefit the country and the people since following the late Emperor. He is considered a founding minister and is deeply respected by the people. Therefore, the Imperial Preceptor's residence will be retained as before, and renamed Gu Residence." Yu Jingchen did not intend to let Gu Yin leave the capital.
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty," Gu Yin said without objection.
He didn't stay in the palace long. After leaving the palace, he felt much lighter.
"Young master..." A servant came forward to greet him.
"Let's go back," Gu Yin said, but as he got into the carriage, he suddenly started coughing violently.
"Young Master!" A servant said anxiously, handing over a handkerchief. Gu Yin took it, covered his mouth with the handkerchief, and continued coughing.
After he finished coughing, the handkerchief was stained with blood.
"Young master, why are you coughing up blood again?" The servant looked anxious, but it was clear that this was not the first time.
"It's alright, it's all fate. I'm not that easy to die." After Gu Yin relinquished his identity as the Imperial Preceptor, he was free from all constraints, and even my attitude became much more casual.
"Go back now. As for the rest, this young master... cannot interfere." Gu Yin glanced back at the palace. How many people were trapped within these low palace walls...
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