Chapter 5 Complaint
Golden Palace.
The court officials had been waiting for a long time, and they thought that the emperor would still not come to court today. Some uncontrollable whispers were already appearing from below.
Someone secretly glanced at the Left Prime Minister, the former Grand Tutor Wei Chengdong, who was standing at the head of the civil officials. They saw that his back was straight, and even though his temples were already gray, he still stood there steadily.
Right Prime Minister Yuan Zhang caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye and curled up the corners of his mouth imperceptibly.
So what if I taught His Majesty in the past? Now His Majesty is moody and ruthlessly suppresses even the heroes who helped him ascend the throne.
"Sir Yuan, are we dismissing today?" someone asked.
Without waiting for Yuan Zhang to reply, Wei Heci said, "Your Majesty hasn't arrived yet, and Eunuch Ji hasn't come to deliver the message. Why is Lord Liu so anxious?"
This was Wei Chengdong's eldest son, a second-rank General of Cavalry. The official called Sir Liu was choked and did not dare to refute for a moment.
Yuan Zhang said with a smile: "General Wei, calm down, it's already noon, Your Majesty..."
"So what if it's morning?" Wei Heci was a serious man, and due to years of fighting, he had a rough and tumble temperament. "Your Majesty hasn't spoken yet, and as a subject, it's only right for Lord Yuan to wait here for a day."
Yuan Zhang's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes gradually became gloomy.
After waiting for a while, Wei Chengdong's eyes gradually dimmed as he looked at the throne.
In the next moment, the eunuch's shrill and loud voice resounded throughout the Golden Palace:
"Your Majesty has arrived—"
Many people's eyes lit up. His Majesty actually came?!
The emperor, dressed in bright yellow court robes, a crown on his head and a sash, walked steadily towards the throne.
The court officials below all knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor".
"If you have something to report, please report it. If not, please leave the court—"
All officials above the seventh rank in the capital could attend the grand court meeting. The emperor made his first appearance after a long absence, and the ministers below put in their best efforts to make reports.
Yuan Zhang stood with his head bowed under the steps, his hand gripping the imperial tablet quietly tightening.
He gave a look and immediately a minister stood up from behind.
"Your Majesty, the position of Vice Minister of War has been vacant for a long time, and I have a recommendation."
"Who does Minister Zhang recommend?"
Minister Zhang bowed his head and spoke loudly, "I recommend Wang Qiang, the governor of Wei. Wang Qiang is a skilled warrior, has served in the Pacification Office for many years, and his achievements are well documented. He was highly regarded by the late emperor and is an excellent candidate."
He Yanchen's emotionless gaze fell on him, and he said calmly, "It seems that Lord Zhang approves of him very much."
"Yes, I dare to recommend you. Your Majesty, please make your decision."
He Yanchen played with the jade ring in his hand, his eyebrows raised slightly: "With such excellent skills, wouldn't it be a waste of talent to keep it in the Ministry of War?"
Before Minister Zhang could even smile, he heard a voice from above: "Propagate my decree. Send Wang Qian to guard the late emperor's mausoleum. Leave today and do not return without an imperial decree."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Golden Palace fell into complete silence.
Minister Zhang opened and closed his mouth for a long time before he uttered a single word: "Your Majesty, this..."
"Why, didn't Minister Zhang say that Wang Qiang was a martial arts expert and highly regarded by the late emperor?" He Yanchen said in a scattered voice, "It was a blessing for the late emperor to have him guarding his side."
After hearing his order, Wei Chengdong swallowed the words of advice he wanted to give.
The corners of Yuan Zhang's mouth twitched, and he closed his eyes. Once he went to the imperial mausoleum, this man would be completely ruined.
"Minister Zhang, I heard that the Deputy Minister of War embezzled tens of thousands of taels of silver from the military examination. Is this true?"
Minister Zhang swallowed his saliva and said in a trembling voice, "Yes, I have suspended him from his post and am waiting for the Dali Temple to investigate and make his decision."
"He embezzled tens of thousands of taels of silver, and he was only suspended?" He Yanchen's eyes suddenly turned cold and stern. "I think your Ministry of War is now full of officials protecting each other. It's disgraceful!"
Minister Zhang's legs softened, and he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I just want to wait until the matter is fully investigated before taking any action..."
"I don't think there's any need to investigate. The Minister of War will have his property confiscated immediately and his head executed in public."
"As for you."
He Yanchen stood up, his dark eyes narrowed slightly. "Drag him out and beat him to death outside the Golden Palace."
Minister Zhang collapsed to the ground. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare my life!"
Many court officials also knelt down and begged for mercy.
He Yanchen simply turned away, leaving the ministers who wanted to plead for mercy to kneel there.
*
Jade Palace.
Lianqiao walked in with a bowl of yogurt. Yueli was leaning on the couch in a daze, and it took her two breaths to come back to her senses.
"Has the meeting ended?"
Lian Qiao nodded, leaned over, and whispered, "Master, I heard that His Majesty, at the court meeting today, exiled one person to the imperial mausoleum, raided another's home, and even beat the Minister of War to death with a stick outside the Golden Throne Hall."
Yueli savored the cheese slowly and said, "They must have done something wrong."
Lian Qiao choked: "This... this is..."
"Since they have committed a crime, why can't Your Majesty punish them?"
Yue Li thought that it was simply because the world was peaceful now and the previous emperor's rule was gentle, that the court officials were not used to He Yanchen's iron-blooded tactics for the time being.
She has a deep filter for He Yanchen and doesn't think he did anything wrong.
He saved her life, how could he be a bad guy?
"Your Majesty has returned to Linde Palace?"
Lian Qiao nodded, then shook her head: "I don't know either, anyway, I haven't entered the harem."
Yueli quickly put down the porcelain bowl and climbed up from the couch: "Hurry up and change my clothes. I want to see His Majesty."
"Master, you just went to the Imperial Court yesterday..." Lian Qiao felt a little ashamed. In the eyes of the master, the Imperial Court was like a vegetable market, where he could go whenever he wanted.
Yue Li didn't think there was anything wrong with her behavior. Ever since she was reborn yesterday, she always felt uneasy when she was not with He Yanchen.
She changed her clothes on her own and took people to Linde Hall.
But when passing through the Imperial Garden, he was stopped by someone.
In the pavilion, Concubine Jin was playing with the eldest prince, and Concubine Zheng was beside them.
The eldest prince was originally born to Concubine Zheng, but Concubine Zheng was of low status and could not raise the royal heir, so he was raised by Concubine Jin.
It is strange to say that the eldest prince and the eldest princess of Concubine Lin were both born in the palace three years ago when He Yanchen had not yet ascended the throne. In the three years since he ascended the throne, not a single concubine in the palace had given birth.
In her previous life, Concubine Yi was briefly pregnant for a few months, but eventually had a miscarriage.
Concubine Jin's maid Qin Xin stood in front of Yue Li.
"Lady Yu, Concubine Jin invites you."
Yueli came to the pavilion and knelt in greeting: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to Her Majesty Jin."
Concubine Jin held the eldest prince in her arms and said with a slow smile, "There's no need to be so polite, Lady Yu. Please take a seat."
"Where are you going, Miss Yu?"
Yueli paused before saying, "It's a rare sunny day today, so I'll go out for a walk."
Concubine Jin knew that she was heading towards the Imperial Court, but she didn't expose her. Yue Li was beautiful and favored, but her status was low. If she could be used by her, not only would she be helpful, but she wouldn't have to worry about her stepping on her head.
Concubine Jin wanted to win her over, so she lowered herself to chat with her. However, Yueli, whether she was stupid or pretending, just ignored her.
Concubine Jin's expression gradually darkened. She said in a cold voice, "Everyone says that Lady Yu is a smart person. Seeing her today, it is indeed true."
Yueli smiled shyly: "No, it's just the compliments from my sisters."
Concubine Jin: "..."
Seeing her embarrassed look, Concubine Jin didn't know for a moment whether she was really stupid or just pretending.
She lost interest and her face turned cold: "I still have to accompany the eldest prince, so Lady Yu please leave first."
"Yes, then I will take my leave first."
Yue Li stood up to say goodbye, but when she passed by the eldest prince, she saw him stretching out his short arms to grab the jade pendant hanging from her waist.
Yue Li subconsciously wanted to step back. She didn't dare let the only little prince touch her, lest anything happen to him and she would be blamed.
Concubine Zheng remained silent, but just watched the eldest prince beside Concubine Jin. It was not until the eldest prince reached out to grab the jade pendant on Yueli that her eyes began to fluctuate.
Before Yueli could even react, she quickly hugged the eldest prince and pushed Yueli away.
Her movement was so sudden that Yueli lost her balance and had to support herself on the pavilion pillar.
However, the pavilion pillar was not smooth. Instead, it was covered with tiny bumps, which immediately left a glaring red mark on the woman's fair wrist.
"Master..." Lian Qiao hurriedly supported her.
Yue Li's eyes instantly became misty with pain.
It would be fine for her to tolerate Concubine Jin, but who the hell is Concubine Zheng? How dare she push her?
I can’t stand it anymore!
She's going to complain now! Immediately!
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