Chapter 415: Subtleties in the Court
The next day, the morning light was dim.
In the Golden Palace, all civil and military officials stood in order, in complete silence, waiting for the king to arrive.
However, when the figure in the black dragon robe appeared on the Danbi, the sound of a pin drop could be heard in the hall, followed by an uncontrollable sound of people sucking in their breath.
Yan Shixu was half-supported by Yongtai as he stepped onto the jade steps.
His face was pale, with dark bruises under his eyes that wouldn't heal, and his lips were chapped and bleeding.
The body that was once as tall and straight as a pine or cypress was now slightly hunched, and his steps were unsteady and unsteady, as if all his strength was exhausted with every step.
Stepping on the cold gold bricks felt as unstable as stepping on cotton.
Yongtai's arms were firmly placed under his elbows, supporting most of his weight. He lowered his head with a serious expression.
If tomorrow was not the day for the imperial examination, which was crucial to the country's foundation and would gather the world's best talents, the Emperor would have suspended court today no matter what.
The imperial examination is approaching, and candidates from all prefectures, counties and districts of Dayan have gathered in the capital. The emperor is in person and the court emphasizes the importance of the imperial examination, which shows the court's attention to students all over the world and the strictness of the system for selecting scholars. This is an indispensable stone of reassurance.
Yan Shixu was well aware of the importance of this, so he forced himself to appear in the Golden Palace despite his almost hollowed-out body.
All the civil and military officials in the court looked at the emperor, looking at each other in bewilderment, their eyes colliding fiercely in the air, silently exchanging surprise and speculation.
—What has happened to Your Majesty?! Yesterday morning, you were so vigorous and majestic, yet how could you become so haggard and weak overnight?!
——Could it be... that the dragon is ill and has contracted an acute disease?
——But looking at his expression, it seems more like... he has exhausted his body due to excessive indulgence?
—Shh! Silence! Be careful with your words! Look at your Majesty’s eyes…
Yan Shixu finally sat on the dragon throne, his body almost sinking into it.
He tried to straighten his back and maintain his imperial dignity, but the weakness he felt from the inside out could not be concealed at all.
Fine beads of cold sweat oozed from his forehead, and his breathing became heavier and more rapid than usual.
He closed his eyes slightly, and his thick eyelashes cast shadows on his pale face. He seemed to be trying his best to endure some great pain, or as if he was gathering the strength to speak.
The atmosphere in the entire hall froze.
The slight coughs or rustling sounds of people adjusting their clothes before the morning court in the past have disappeared, leaving only a suffocating silence.
Finally, a young censor known for his outspokenness could no longer contain himself. He stepped out of the ranks and bowed, his voice filled with anxiety and concern for the country and the people:
"Your Majesty! I dare to make this appeal! Your Majesty is the Supreme Ruler, and the safety of the nation and the well-being of the people are at stake! The health of the dragon is the foundation of the prosperity of the nation! Your Majesty... Your Majesty must not indulge in the harem for a moment's pleasure, and harm... harm the essence of the dragon body! I implore Your Majesty, for the sake of the country and the people, to... to exercise restraint!"
As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar broke out.
Many ministers agreed with this in their hearts, but they did not dare to say it out loud due to the majesty of heaven.
At this moment, being criticized by this fearless censor, everyone looked nervously at the dragon throne.
"Hmm? What did Cai Qing say? I didn't hear it clearly." Yan Shixu raised his head and squeezed out these words from between his teeth, walking around the hall with a chill that made one's scalp tingle.
The censor felt a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. When he was swept by that look, he felt as if he was instantly placed in an ice cave, and his blood froze.
The words of advice that he was about to offer were stuck in his throat and he couldn't utter a single word. Cold sweat dripped down his face and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Not only the censor, but all the civil and military officials in the hall felt a chill running down their spines when they saw Yan Shixu's sinister eyes, as if he was choosing someone to eat.
All the thoughts of following the censor's words and subtly admonishing "Your Majesty, please take care of your health" disappeared in an instant.
"Your Majesty, calm down!"
Another quick-witted veteran minister hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over, his voice filled with panic.
"Censor Cai is deeply concerned about Your Majesty's health and may have expressed himself with inappropriate words, but his loyalty is undeniable! Your Majesty... Your Majesty is not well, and we are deeply troubled! I implore Your Majesty to... to rest and recuperate, and take care of yourself!"
"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself!"
The other ministers woke up as if from a dream, knelt on the ground, and shouted in unison, their voices full of 'sincere' concern.
No one dared to mention the words "harem" or "indulgence" anymore.
Yan Shixu's chest heaved violently several times, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just waved his hand extremely tiredly.
Signaling that the court meeting should continue.
He lowered his eyes again and leaned back in the dragon chair, as if the words he had just spoken had exhausted all his strength.
But the subsequent court meeting was extremely difficult and strange.
The ministers' voices when reporting were deliberately very soft and slow, as if they were afraid of disturbing something.
The content of the report was kept as concise as possible, for fear that even one extra word would make the king on the throne even more tired.
Yan Shixu hardly said a word throughout the whole process. Only occasionally, when Yongtai leaned over and whispered a reminder, would he reluctantly lift his heavy eyelids, signal with his eyes, or nod or shake his head very slightly.
All his willpower seemed to be used to maintain his sitting position and fight against the overwhelming fatigue.
When the chief examiner of this joint examination finished reporting the last important matters of tomorrow's joint examination and waited for the emperor's decision, Yan Shixu finally forced himself to cheer up.
He slowly raised his bloodshot eyes, his gaze swept across the dark mass of heads below, and said word by word in a hoarse and low voice:
"The imperial examination is the grand ceremony for selecting talents and the foundation of the country."
"It must be fair, just, and strict!"
"Anyone found guilty of corruption or causing chaos will be executed immediately!"
"If the chief examiner or invigilator fails to perform their duties, they will be punished equally!"
Every word seemed to be squeezed out from the heart, striking clearly on the hearts of all officials.
This was his explanation to students all over the world and also a defense of the system of selecting scholars.
All the ministers responded in unison with solemn voices.
"We obey your command! We will do our utmost to live up to your expectations!"
Yan Shixu asked again, "My dear ministers, do you have anything else to report?"
The civil and military officials looked at each other again and shook their heads in unison.
"Your servants have nothing to report!"
Just kidding, you can’t report it even if there is something wrong.
If the emperor fainted in the Golden Palace, it would be their fault.
Yan Shixu nodded imperceptibly, and Yongtai immediately moved closer without leaving any trace, ready to help him at any time.
Tutor Xu took a step forward, his wrinkled face filled with deep worry.
He lifted the hem of his heavy court robe and knelt down slowly and solemnly, his voice resounding throughout the hall:
"Your Majesty has devoted all his energy to state affairs, and even to the point of being physically ill, our hearts are broken!"
The tutor's voice trembled slightly, and he raised his head with a burning gaze.
"Tomorrow's examination will be held. Your Majesty has issued instructions, clearly stating the laws and regulations. The chief examiner, the invigilator, and everyone in the Ministry of Rites must fulfill their duties conscientiously and do their utmost to repay the emperor's grace! This is our responsibility, Your Majesty... Your Majesty, rest assured!"
The meaning of this sentence is: Your Majesty, I sincerely ask you to take good care of yourself tomorrow and refrain from attending court for one day.
The looks of the civil and military officials when they looked at Grand Tutor Xu changed.
Sure enough, old ginger is still spicy.
Your Majesty, it is not because you have indulged in excessive sexual activities that you are too weak to attend court.
But you have been working too hard for state affairs. We, your ministers, implore you to, must, must stop attending court and take a rest!
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