Wang Dun said, "The Cui family's daughter is renowned for her talent from a young age, her beauty is unparalleled in Yandu, she has excellent calligraphy skills, and she is intelligent and quick-witted. She is capable of being the empress of the world."
"With such effusive praise, why doesn't the Prime Minister marry her?"
Everyone looked up in astonishment, "---"
What kind of talk is that?
The eldest wife of the Wang family is still alive. The Cui family's daughter is a generation younger. If word gets out, won't she be laughed at?
Wang Dun's face turned even uglier, and he lowered his eyes, saying, "Your Majesty is confused."
Yan Beimo looked languid and said in a low voice, "Is that so? The other day, the elder of the Wang clan took a concubine. She is a concubine's daughter from a collateral branch of the Longkang Heng clan. She has just come of age and is a few years younger than your youngest daughter."
"Your fourth son is barely over twenty years old, yet he is secretly keeping young girls and even beat the daughter of the Duke of Lu to death in the street. Am I right?"
Wang Dun's eyes changed slightly; he hadn't realized that the man knew about this.
Yan Shiji said, "Your Majesty is exaggerating. The eldest daughter of the Duke of Lu died by hitting her head against a wall. It has nothing to do with the fourth son of the Wang family. As for raising young girls, they are just a few beautiful maids."
It was common for upper-class families to be extravagant and frivolous, and for famous scholars to keep beautiful maids and give them away in private. Yan Bei Mo came from a prominent family in Yandu, so how could he not know about the filth of these aristocratic families?
He looked at the prince with a detached expression and lightly tapped the table.
"I believe that the Langya Wang clan is getting stronger with each generation, all of them are imitating their elders and should act in this way."
The powerful clans of Yandu held no sway over the other court officials.
Some young masters from aristocratic families indulged in debauchery and lewdness, neglecting their duties and even daring to keep young girls as pets and beat and kill women of officials.
Wang Dun knew that His Majesty was deliberately using this matter to warn him, so he spoke up.
"Your Majesty is wise. The royal family has strict family rules and will never allow such a thing to happen."
Inside the hall, there was a moment of silence.
Yan Beimo said calmly, "Step down."
The members of the Yan clan exchanged glances, and seeing that Wang Dun was also silent, they all stood up.
Yan Shilin was unwilling to let this go so easily and spoke frankly.
"Your Majesty, what is your opinion on the matter of making Lady Cui empress?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Beimo glanced over, his face cold and his eyes swirling with a fierce energy.
Yan Shilin, oblivious to what was happening, continued, "The Empress has been dead for so long; Your Majesty can't possibly sacrifice a dead woman for her sake—"
Before he could finish speaking, a golden cup came crashing down on his face without any mercy, instantly silencing him.
Everyone was stunned by this scene; that was his fourth uncle.
Yan Beimo's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Don't mention her to me again."
Yan Shilin's eyes widened in shock as he was hit, his anger rising. He snatched the golden cup from his mouth and shouted.
"Six months ago, His Majesty went mad and smashed through that snow cave, but couldn't find the body. Upon returning, he forbade anyone to mention that name. It's been more than half a year now, and he's pretending nothing happened, yet he still refuses to establish an empress and even wants to attack the Western Regions. What is he trying to do? Can't he let go of it? ---"
"But you saw it with your own eyes. She fell from such a high city wall. There's no way she could still be alive. Stop fooling yourself."
"For an emperor to be so devoted to one woman is utterly insane. Even your father wasn't this foolish when he was alive. Our Yan family has truly produced some incredibly devoted lovers—"
Yan Shilin's cursing was scathing, and everyone stared in shock at the man on the dragon throne. Anyone with eyes could see that his suppressed anger was on the verge of exploding.
"That snow cave is a bottomless abyss. She's dead. There's no way she could still be alive! Dead!"
"Shut up!"
In the high hall, His Majesty was furious. He stood up abruptly, his eyes revealing no trace of ruthlessness or murderous intent.
Yan Shilin was startled and immediately shut his mouth, while the others all knelt on the ground.
His indifference over the past six months was all an act; this is his true nature.
When Night Hawk entered, he saw people kneeling all over the ground, memorials and tea sliding down the jade steps, and the man in the hall with a violent look in his eyes.
He quickly lowered his head and stood to the side.
The ministers below were also surprised that His Majesty would lose control of his emotions like this, and even Wang Dun was somewhat astonished.
Their emperor, who was usually reserved about expressing his likes and dislikes, was unusually furious.
"Get out! All of you, get out of here! If you dare to utter another word, you'll all die!"
Everyone bowed and withdrew. Yan Shiji quickly grabbed the stunned Yan Shilin and pulled him away.
The palace doors closed, the surrounding light dimmed, and the magnificent building was eerily quiet.
Yan Beimo suppressed his anger and slumped onto the dragon throne, his dark eyes seeming to hold a storm brewing beneath the surface.
He closed his eyes and rested his chin on his hand to conceal his emotions, but blood suddenly spilled from the corner of his mouth, and his already pale lips instantly lost their color.
Seeing this, Night Hawk carefully stepped forward, took out the medicine bottle, and placed it on the imperial table.
Yan Beimo took the pill, poured it out, tilted his head back, and swallowed it.
"What is it?"
Night Hawk respectfully reported, "The Qilin has sent word that they have information about Helian Ye's whereabouts."
"oh?"
"He frequents the Tianshan area, accompanied by a woman---"
Before he could finish speaking, Night Hawk noticed that His Majesty's hand holding the chair trembled slightly. He lowered his eyes and continued.
"This woman is from Xiye. Our people investigated and it seems that she was a gift presented to him by the Xiye clan. Apart from traveling around, he has not done anything else."
Inside the hall, all was quiet.
Yan Beimo sat there silently, the bright sunlight streaming through the window, casting a soft glow on his face.
"Go down."
After Night Hawk withdrew from the palace, he saw the little prince squatting under the eaves. His small figure was motionless, and it was unclear what he was doing.
He walked over suspiciously and called out softly, "Your Highness."
Ayu heard the sound and tilted her head to look over curiously.
He saw a familiar figure, slowly stood up, and hobbled into the hall.
Yan Beimo looked up and saw Ayu walking in, her small hand supporting the palace door, calling out to him as she went.
In a daze, he seemed to see a familiar turquoise figure rushing towards him.
She gave him a quick kiss, her little mouth landing on his clothes, her chubby body rubbing against his long legs as she climbed up.
Yan Beimo lowered his head and lifted him up with one hand.
"Daddy, eat---"
Ayu sat on his lap, opened her little hands, revealing a dark, indistinct insect.
Yan Beimo threw him aside and placed him on the imperial table, then stood up.
"Take him to get cleaned up."
Seeing the disdain in His Majesty's eyes, Night Hawk quickly went up the jade steps, picked up the person, and carried him towards the back hall. But before he had taken more than a few steps, he was stopped and turned back.
"Go and make preparations, I am going to the Western Regions."
ah---
Night Hawk paused slightly. At this critical juncture of war, wouldn't His Majesty be walking into a trap if he went to the Western Regions? If he were captured, the kingdoms of the Western Regions would rise up against him and kill him, and the Central Plains would be in chaos.
He hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Qilin saw with his own eyes that the young master of the Western Regions was accompanied by a woman from the Northern Frontier. Does Your Majesty still wish to go and see for yourself?"
The palace doors were wide open, and blinding white light shone in from outside. His murmured voice was so low that it was almost inaudible.
"Even the body should be brought back."
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