"Look at the Prince Regent’s pale complexion—he seems like he could die at any mont. I just hope he doesn’t drop dead here today," a burly general said, a hint of pity in his voice as he looked at Yu Zhao.
Hearing this, another general snorted. "What are you saying, General Li? Even if he dies here today, nobody would care. It’s just bad luck, and we’ll all have to take another bath when we go ho."
While they talked about him, Yu Zhao still wore a faint smile as he listened.
Standing before him, Qu Zhihuang’s face had already turned red from suppressed anger.
Feeling bad for Yu Zhao, he leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, please ignore them. They’re just envious of your talent and noble bloodline."
Shaking his head, Yu Zhao calmly responded, "Minister Qu, it’s alright. This prince is used to hearing such words. They do not affect this prince."
Qu Zhihuang let out a sigh and could only shake his head, lanting the current state of the imperial court, filled with corruption and power struggles.
’If only the Prince Regent had a healthy body’, he sighed inwardly. ’The one sitting on the dragon throne right now would be him. How could that useless Emperor have had the chance otherwise? Alas... at this rate, the downfall of the Yu Empire is unavoidable.’
Glancing at Yu Zhao again, Qu Zhihuang sighed once more. ’I only hope that no matter what happens to the empire in the future, no matter who becos the next ruler, the Prince Regent will be able to live a peaceful life.’
While Qu Zhihuang was deep in thought, the chief eunuch walked out from the side corridor and shouted in a shrill voice, "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
Following his words, all the ministers and generals took their places and knelt on the ground.
In the next second, they said in unison, "Long live the Emperor for tens of thousands of years! Long live the Empress Dowager for a thousand years!"
As the powerful voice of the ministers and generals echoed through the Hall of Righteousness, Yu Fu walked out from the corridor connected to the side hall with Wen Qiaolun walking side by side with him, followed by palace maidservants holding ceremonial fans and young eunuchs.
After Yu Fu sat on the dragon throne, Wen Qiaolun took her seat on the phoenix throne behind him, separated only by a beaded curtain.
Once the two had seated themselves, Wen Qiaolun said imposingly, "All beloved subjects, please rise."
Hearing this, the ministers and generals replied in unison, "Thank you, Empress Dowager. Thank you, Your Majesty."
After everyone stood up, Wen Qiaolun noticed Yu Zhao sitting in his wheelchair, lined up in front of the ministers.
With a flash of disdain in her eyes, Wen Qiaolun gently said, "It is rare for Aijia to see the Prince Regent. It seems the weather today is very good for healing illnesses."
Pausing for a second, she smiles and adds with a hint of mockery in her tone, "Prince Regent, you must seize this rare opportunity to see the world. Don’t leave with any regrets in the near future."
Sensing the sarcasm in her tone, Yu Zhao understood that Wen Qiaolun was cursing him to die early.
Putting on a calm smile, Yu Zhao responded, "This prince thanks the Empress Dowager for her suggestion. Today is indeed a good day to go out and take a look at the world."
"However, it is quite a pity. Unlike this prince’s expectations, the air today is foul and the place is filled with flies. After being outside for less than one sichen, this prince already felt very uncomfortable and sick from the foul stench."
Realizing that Yu Zhao was scolding Wen Qiaolun for having a slly mouth and was annoying like a fly, everyone present fell silent—everyone except the foolish Yu Fu.
Seeing that nobody was speaking, Yu Fu ordered arrogantly, "Zhen wants to eat the plum cake! Bring it right away! Otherwise, Zhan will chop off all of your heads!"
As a heavy atmosphere settled over the spacious Hall of Righteousness because of Yu Fu’s reckless words and Yu Zhao’s mockery, Wen Qiaolun’s expression darkened, and she nearly ground her teeth to dust.
Although Wen Qiaolun understood perfectly that Yu Zhao was scolding her, she could only endure it and force out a stiff smile.
With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, Wen Qiaolun gently said, "Since the Prince Regent is not in good health, Aijia thinks you should return to your mansion and get so rest. It would be bad if you suddenly faint here."
Knowing she was trying to send him away, Yu Zhao coughed lightly and weakly replied, "This prince is fine. Assisting this prince’s imperial nephew in governing the empire is my rightful duty. Enduring so hardship is nothing, as long as the common people may live peacefully."
When the old ministers and generals from the neutral faction heard this, they all nodded in agreent and appreciation.
However, Wen Qiaolun, Wen Kang, and other ministers and generals noticed that Yu Zhao didn’t call Yu Fu’ His Majesty’, but called him imperial nephew instead.
Frowning deeply, Wen Kang turned to look at Yu Zhao and said, "Prince Regent, you should refer to the Emperor as His Majesty. Calling the Emperor your imperial nephew in public is not appropriate."
Just when Yu Zhao was going to speak, Qu Zhihuang suddenly said, "Pri Minister Wen, it’s a fact that the Emperor is the Prince Regent’s imperial nephew. What is wrong with calling the Emperor like that?"
Hearing this, the other old ministers and generals nodded in agreent.
An old general narrowed his eyes at Wen Kang and said, "That’s right. The Prince Regent’s calling the Emperor his imperial nephew only shows their close relationship. Pri Minister Wen, what is your intention by prohibiting the Prince Regent from getting close to his own nephew?"
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