The chief eunuch swept his whisk and said, "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned."
Recently, Consort Lin has been complaining of lower back pain due to her pregnancy, and she has also been acting petulantly, refusing to let him sleep in another palace. He has not had a good night's sleep for several nights.
The emperor rubbed his temples wearily: "Do my esteemed ministers have anything else to report?"
Last night, Consort Lin subtly hinted at Ziyan's improved condition and his ability to attend court, which made the Emperor's head buzz. He could only glare at her and shout, "The empress and concubines are not allowed to interfere in politics!"
That finally shut her up.
At this moment, all he wanted was to finish court early and go home to catch up on some sleep.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Yesterday, an urgent battle report arrived from the western border. The situation in the northwest is dire, and the supply of provisions is of utmost urgency! Although my legs are still somewhat weak, this minor ailment is insignificant compared to the lives of those soldiers fighting valiantly on the frontier. I beseech Your Majesty to order me to escort provisions to the border to provide emergency relief!"
Xiao Ziyan bowed to request the imperial decree. Due to his leg injury, he staggered slightly a few times. The Left Prime Minister Mu Chengye, who was behind him, considerately stepped forward and raised his hand to support his waist.
"Your Highness, please take care of your health."
Xiao Ziyan turned around to express his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your consideration, Prime Minister!"
Although their eyes met for only a few brief moments, everything was understood without words.
What a harmonious scene between the emperor and his ministers! The emperor suppressed the cold frost in his eyes.
Xiao Ziyan's brows were furrowed, and his face was filled with worry and anxiety. His selfless dedication to the people deeply moved the ministers. He truly deserved to be the second prince, who was the most promising candidate to become the crown prince among all the princes.
He truly is benevolent, virtuous, and loves his people like his own children!
Over the years, only the Second Prince has been qualified to stand in the court and handle state affairs for the Emperor. Moreover, he has been outstanding in his abilities and has made no mistakes, which has earned him high praise from the court officials.
If he handles this task well, he should be granted the title of Crown Prince upon his return, right?
Prime Minister Mu withdrew his hand and gave Councilor Liao a look.
Liao, the councilor, nodded slightly and stepped out from among the officials, standing beside Xiao Ziyan. He bowed and pleaded, "The war in the western frontier is critical, and food supplies are scarce. The soldiers on the border are suffering terribly, receiving only one meal a day. How can they have the strength to fight? His Highness disregards his own illness and puts the safety of the people first. Such sincerity is as bright as the sun and the moon! I hope Your Majesty will issue an order soon."
"We humbly request Your Majesty's instructions!" Mu Chengye, who was at the head of all officials, bowed his head and followed suit.
The officials looked at each other in bewilderment, but none dared to offer any objections. They all knelt down and said, "We beg Your Majesty for guidance."
Rumors are circulating that once Consort Lin gives birth to the imperial heir, the emperor will appoint the second prince as the crown prince. Therefore, no matter what, the second prince is someone to curry favor with!
Even Lord Yang of the Imperial Observatory, who had previously informed the Second Prince that the eternal lamp had gone out and that it might be an ominous sign, dared not say anything more.
That day, his advice to the Emperor was unsuccessful, and upon returning home, a servant came to report that his eldest son had fallen from his horse in the outskirts of the capital and was seriously injured.
Although his life was not in danger, he broke his leg.
The injuries were exactly the same as those of the Second Prince!
He didn't need to think about who was instigating it, but he never expected that Consort Lin's power was so overwhelming. In the capital city of Shengjing, right under the emperor's nose, she dared to act so arrogantly and recklessly, which was simply chilling!
The unified voices echoed in the Golden Palace. Xiao Ziyan maintained his bowed posture, his head lowered, and no one saw the triumphant smile on his lips.
With the support of civil and military officials, this task is a sure thing.
The emperor, seated on the dragon throne amidst floating clouds, remained expressionless, coldly observing the densely packed civil and military officials kneeling on the ground. After a moment, he looked at Xiao Ziyan, who seemed unsteady on his feet and about to fall.
To an uninformed person, this situation would appear no different from a coup d'état.
"I hope Father will give his instructions."
The hall was deathly silent. Xiao Ziyan raised his eyes and subtly observed the emperor's expression.
Why is my father so reluctant to relinquish power? In recent years, my father's attitude towards me has changed drastically. He is unwilling to let me get involved in many palace affairs, fearing that I might plant my own people in the Imperial Guard and cause a repeat of the chaos that occurred in the capital.
His suspicions grew deeper and deeper.
Xiao Ziyan suppressed the sarcasm in his heart.
But if the throne isn't passed to him, who else could it be passed to?
The grass on my eldest brother's grave is already two feet high, and Xiao Ziwu is a good-for-nothing with no fighting spirit. Could Father possibly find another prince who is more capable than himself?!
Moreover, the Left Prime Minister's secret letter was still locked in a secret box in his study, requiring him to personally promise that upon his return he would ask his father, the Emperor, for permission to bring Mu Yaozhi into the family and grant her the position of principal wife. The two had already reached an agreement.
With the assistance of the Left Chancellor, he was even more powerful.
It is true that the throne is in his grasp, but after ascending the throne, he will still need several capable ministers to help him consolidate his power. Marrying Mu Yao as his empress would be entirely beneficial to him!
He has readily agreed.
No wonder the Imperial Concubine was so eager last night, repeatedly mentioning in his ear that Xiao Ziyan was ready to fight despite his injuries.
In this way, the Second Prince's reputation among the people will be further enhanced.
The emperor sneered, "Since you are all so in agreement, if I do not issue an edict, it would seem as if I disregard the lives of those soldiers on the border."
The emperor's aura, carrying immense pressure, swept over the crowd. His sinister questioning sent chills down their spines, and some of the more timid civil officials trembled and lowered their bodies even further!
"We dare not!"
The emperor still had some affection for Consort Lin, pitying the difficulty of her carrying the imperial child, and ultimately he restrained his feelings for Xiao Ziyan.
The emperor, his expression unreadable, said, "Very well, since you are the will of the people, then let you go." This trip to the frontier will take at least two or three months, and his absence from the capital will give me more free time.
The saying "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger" is indeed true. Only the chief eunuch sensed the emperor's displeasure and broke out in a cold sweat.
"Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!" Xiao Ziwu silently smiled. Indeed, further delay from his father was futile.
What's meant to be mine will be mine!
The emperor was capricious, but Xiao Ziyan was so immersed in the joy of getting what he wanted that he did not notice the deep fear that had risen in the eyes of his beloved father.
The chief eunuch, Wang Yu, swept his whisk at the opportune moment and said, "Court adjourned."
After the court session ended.
Liao, the councilor, quickly caught up: "Your Highness, please wait."
"What is it, Lord Liao?" Xiao Ziyan stopped in his tracks.
Liao, the councilor, cupped his hands and said, "It's nothing important. My good-for-nothing son is always following Your Highness around like a leech. It's only thanks to Your Highness that he doesn't find my son an eyesore!"
Before Xiao Ziyan could speak, he chuckled and said, "However, I have other important matters to attend to on this trip to the border, and I need Yi Xuan's assistance. I'm afraid I cannot accompany Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will understand."
Xiao Ziyan smiled gently: "I see. It's just a small matter. There's no need for Lord Liao to tell you in person. Just send a servant to deliver a message."
He suppressed the strange look in his eyes. He hadn't originally planned to bring Liao Yixuan along; that rich young master who couldn't endure hardship or fatigue, he didn't want to slow down his marching and escorting!
Liao, the councilor, breathed a silent sigh of relief after watching him leave.
Your Highness, good luck!
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