Huangfu Yuxuan glanced at the Crown Prince from the corner of his eye, with a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
Grandfather called for soone, surely to draft a Holy Decree.
The Crown Prince pressed his lips tightly, feeling discontented about losing to a little rascal. Yet, he coldly sneered to himself, thinking he had even seized the crown prince title from this little rascal’s father. Did this little rascal think he could overturn the skies?
He hastily stood up for Shang Jingwang, trying to suppress that old bastard, Marquis Anning, not expecting Prince Li and Huangfu Yuxuan to jump out. It seems that the old bastard, Marquis Anning, has submitted to Prince Li’s camp. Did the little rascal think that by clinging to Prince Li, he could stand equal to him, the Crown Prince?
Dream on!
Prince Li gazed at Huangfu Yuxuan with even more caution.
While others thought Huangfu Yuxuan relied on him, only he knew that wasn’t the case. They were rely cooperating, or perhaps not even that, for he was the one being threatened.
How far must his reach extend to catch hold of Prince Li’s Vassal Land’s weaknesses?
Does this an he has everyone else’s weaknesses too?
So young, yet unfathomable!
The Chief Eunuch, Eunuch Feng, by the Emperor’s side, quickly stepped forward.
The Emperor spoke with a calm voice: "Summon Gu Yuanzheng!"
Eunuch Feng promptly called out loudly: "Summon Gu Yuanzheng to the presence!" The voice echoed away.
Everyone felt a bit dazed—why not directly draft a decree for Prefect Shang Jingwang to enter the Capital City to face judgnt? Or is this decree to be drafted by Gu Yuanzheng?
This seems to be making a mountain out of a molehill. To know, Gu Yuanzheng is the Dean of Wenbo Academy, the head of upright scholars nationwide, a model for literati, and a master among scholars!
Yet, since the Holy Emperor’s decree has been issued, and the divine will is hard to fathom, they could only wait.
The Emperor, more direct, simply leaned back on the dragon throne and closed his eyes for a rest.
After all, age was catching up.
But he could close his eyes to rest, others couldn’t.
He could sit on the dragon throne, but those ministers couldn’t sit on the floor.
Of course, they still stood upright in the hall.
The younger n managed fine, but the older ones found it hard to endure, they couldn’t help but sigh, when the kings clash, the innocent suffer!
The Dean of Wenbo Academy, a figure who could see the Emperor at any ti, could co and go as he wished during large and small court sessions, didn’t attend today’s great court assembly.
Yet, the Emperor sent soone to summon him.
What could they do?
Just wait!
Finally, when the ministers felt their necks weren’t their own, backs weren’t their own, and feet weren’t their own, a figure finally entered the hall.
Looking at the lean figure, exuding an aura of scholarly elegance entering the hall, in his forties, his face appeared sowhat lean, eyes deep-set, bright, and tranquil, filling with the beauty of mountains and rivers, the winds of ti, carrying imnse talent and vast knowledge. The aura of elegance seed to overflow from his steps.
He was the Dean of Wenbo Academy, Gu Hanmo.
He exuded the freshness of cleanliness, the fragrance of ink on his sleeves!
As he stepped forward, it was as if a cool breeze swept away the tense atmosphere in the court, like a clear stream washing away the dark calculations.
Gu Hanmo knelt, paying respect: "Long live the Emperor!"
"Mr. Gu, rise!"
The Emperor smiled faintly, "I summoned Mr. Gu today for a matter to inquire!"
His gaze swept over the ministers below, speaking slowly: "Mr. Gu, you must rember the last grand court assembly, where I sent an imperial envoy to the Northern County!"
Gu Hanmo replied, "I rember!"
The Emperor continued, "During Emperor Pingzong’s reign, do you recall the matter of Huangfu Chi?"
Gu Hanmo maintained a calm expression, "Huangfu Chi, as a relative of the Imperial Family and descendant of Prince Su, inherited the Marquis title. He failed to handle disaster relief, had unclear responsibilities, and reported inaccurately, resulting in the death of a hundred thousand disaster victims. Emperor Pingzong stripped him of the Marquis title, demoting his line to commoners and condemned Huangfu Chi to death. It was sternly ordered that any disaster must be reported without omission, and relief efforts must not be neglected. Any offender would be severely punished!"
The Emperor’s expression remained calm, "So, how do Shang Jingwang and Huangfu Chi differ?"
Gu Hanmo replied lightly, "Huangfu Chi deserved death, Shang Jingwang deserves comndation!"
These words left everyone, including the Crown Prince, Prince Li, and Huangfu Yuxuan, shocked. The two had committed the sa cri; why should one be condemned, and the other comnded?
Could Gu Hanmo be growing senile?
However, the Crown Prince felt pleased.
Even if he didn’t intend to protect Shang Jingwang, but rely to put Marquis Anning down, if Shang Jingwang were not only spared but also comnded, then he hadn’t lost.
The Emperor chuckled, "Let’s hear it!"
Seeing the Emperor actually smile, reactions varied among those present. Gu Hanmo stating that Shang Jingwang should be comnded didn’t anger the Emperor; instead, he smiled, indicating the Emperor didn’t intend for Shang Jingwang to die!
Those who monts ago, eager to ingratiate themselves with Prince Li and Marquis Anning, thinking themselves in the right and even wished to dig up Shang Jingwang’s ancestral grave to convict him, now felt a bit of regret.
It wasn’t that Prince Li deeply pleased the Emperor; although the Crown Prince held the title, his words before the Emperor didn’t hold as much leverage as Prince Li’s. Moreover, when the Crown Prince was a Vassal King, although he returned to the Capital City more frequently than other Princes, he stayed there less permanently compared to Prince Li, who nearly resided there.
Now that the Crown Prince had not long assud his title, his influence in the Capital City wasn’t as large as Prince Li’s.
Isn’t this obviously an unstable position?
That’s why they looked to align with Prince Li, eager to show favor, believing that if Prince Li overturned the situation, they could be significantly utilized.
Of course, so envied Shang Jingwang, a Fifth Rank Prefect, a trivial official. Was it not re luck that he was sent away, and an epidemic arose within his jurisdiction, allowing him to seize the opportunity?
A comndation decree, awaiting reward upon returning to the Capital City—what fortune is that?
What does a Fifth Rank Prefect have to offer?
No matter, since they had leverage, they naturally aid to criticize him severely. Despite having various motives, they all wished for Shang Jingwang’s downfall.
As for personally venturing into peril? It was rely for show!
Saving the people? If he didn’t go, could not others have saved them the sa? It was purely fortunate for him!
What I cannot obtain, others should not either.
If only they thought even slightly about the people’s safety and lives instead of re political intrigue, they wouldn’t have just now leapt about and shouted so much.
At this mont, with the Emperor’s attitude still unclear, they had beco frightened and trembled.
Even Prince Li’s expression darkened.
Only Huangfu Yuxuan’s deanor remained unchanged and steady.
The Grandfather’s smile doesn’t necessarily an anything; his relationship with Gu Hanmo was closer than with others. The smile wasn’t concerning the issue itself, but rather about Gu Hanmo as a person.
Huangfu Yuxuan quickly analyzed in his mind.
This matter was stirred by him; he simply wished to see how many people the Third Imperial Uncle had gathered as Crown Prince over a few months.
It seems his progress hasn’t been swift after all.
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