AMLFS Chapter 27
by VolareChapter 27 The Hypocritical Imperial Court
Chapter 27 The Hypocritical Imperial Court
Just as Song Huaixi finished his second plate of pastries, the emperor finally appeared at the palace banquet with Noble Consort Xiao.
The ministers hurriedly rose, knelt, and paid their respects.
Song Huaixi also put down the pastry in his hand and followed suit, kneeling to pay his respects.
“Rise, my esteemed ministers. Today is New Year’s Eve, and I wish to share this joy with you all.”
The emperor’s voice echoed from the throne on the high platform.
At the emperor’s command, a group of singers and dancers immediately flooded into the hall. Eunuchs also lined up in two rows, serving dishes to the ministers one by one.
Noble Consort Xiao sat beside the emperor, her gaze shifting between Zhao Fangye and the Crown Prince.
A hint of triumph flashed in her beautiful eyes.
She delicately raised her wine cup to pour wine for the emperor, and said softly, “Your Majesty, speaking of which, this is Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s first time attending the New Year’s Eve palace banquet. Luckily, I reminded Your Majesty, otherwise Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district would have had a dull New Year’s Eve.”
The emperor glanced at Zhao Fangye sitting below the stage and sneered, “Consort, you are kind-hearted and don’t hold Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s offense against him, but your kindness may not be appreciated.”
“Your Majesty, don’t say that. I am considered half an elder to Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district. The last time he entered the palace, it must have been my improper handling of things that offended Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district. I have been regretting it, fearing that I would not have the opportunity to make amends. Fortunately, Your Majesty agreed to my suggestion, and I can finally feel at ease.”
Noble Consort Xiao’s words were filled with remorse, but she deliberately brought up the incident of Zhao Fangye breaking into the Zhiro Palace and executing the palace servants last time.
Remembering this matter, the emperor’s displeasure with Zhao Fangye’s presumptuousness increased. He dared to break into the Zhiro Palace and execute all the palace servants.
Next time, would he bring troops to the Qian Qing Palace?
Thinking of this, the emperor slammed the wine cup in his hand heavily on the table.
Zhao Fangye holding military power in the Northwest has always been a major concern for him.
Seeing his anger, Noble Consort Xiao hurriedly pleaded for forgiveness, her voice delicate and filled with fear.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? It’s all my fault for saying unnecessary things on New Year’s Eve and making Your Majesty angry.”
Turning to look at her charming face filled with worry, the emperor’s mood eased slightly, “Consort, get up. How could I be angry with you?”
The ministers below were all astute and naturally speculated about what was happening above.
The hall was filled with singing and dancing, and the ministers exchanged toasts.
Receiving Noble Consort Xiao’s gaze, the Crown Prince suddenly stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and knelt down, the surrounding singers and dancers retreating.
The lively atmosphere came to an abrupt end.
The ministers also stopped their toasting and watched the Crown Prince’s figure in the center of the hall with bated breath.
The emperor frowned, his face gloomy, and a pair of narrow eyes flickered with cold light as he stared intently at Zhao Jingshuo kneeling in the hall, his voice low and majestic, “Crown Prince, what is the meaning of this?”
“Shuo’er, what are you doing?”
Looking at Zhao Jingshuo in the center of the hall, Noble Consort Xiao covered her mouth with her slender hand, feigning surprise, “Today is the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, any matters can be discussed later.”
“Father, Mother. Today is the New Year’s Eve palace banquet. I shouldn’t disturb everyone’s enjoyment. However, the matter is urgent and I must report.”
Song Huaixi looked up from the delicious food, looking at Zhao Jingshuo in the center.
He remembered him from Qi Meng Lou that day, he was a bad person!
Pointing at him, he turned to ask Zhao Fangye, “What is that bad person doing? Is he going to dance too?”
The singers and dancers in the hall were gone, leaving only Zhao Jingshuo kneeling in the center. Song Huaixi didn’t understand what he was saying and looked puzzled.
Hearing his question, Zhao Fangye couldn’t help but smile, “Huaixi is right, just a clown jumping around.”
“Ah? What good and ugly? Is he ugly?”
Song Huaixi understood even less.
Touching his earlobe, Zhao Fangye picked up a piece of auspicious cloud crisp for him, “Don’t bother with him. Don’t you like noodles? The chefs in the palace are not bad, try it.”
“Okay!” Putting the cloud crisp into his mouth and chewing slowly, Song Huaixi narrowed his eyes comfortably.
It was so delicious, and Zhao Fangye remembered that he loved noodles.
In the hall, Zhao Jingshuo spoke eloquently, “Father, today is New Year’s Eve. We are enjoying fine wine and delicacies, but the people of the Northwest thousands of miles away are suffering unspeakable hardships.”
As soon as these words came out, the ministers began to discuss. Why were they talking about the Northwest for no reason?
“The Northwest is Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s fiefdom…”
“Yes, what does this have to do with the Crown Prince…”
The emperor’s expression was obviously serious, and his gaze turned to the Crown Prince below, “Crown Prince, what do you mean by this?”
Seeing that the time was ripe, the Crown Prince took out a stack of letters from his arms and said excitedly to the emperor and the court officials.
“Father, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district Zhao Fangye has established a separatist regime in the Northwest. He is raising soldiers and recruiting troops, and a prince actually possesses tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. Where is the Son of Heaven’s authority placed?”
“What’s even more heartbreaking is that Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district is levying heavy taxes on the people in order to support these soldiers, causing the people to live in misery.”
After saying that, he handed the letter to the chief eunuch beside the emperor, “This is a petition from the local people, please read it, Father. I hope that Father will take back Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s military power and severely punish Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district to give justice to the local people!”
The emperor took it and quickly scanned it, and each piece of paper was filled with the suffering of the people.
However, the emperor didn’t care about what kind of life the people were living, and he was even a little happy.
He was happy that he finally had an excuse to take back the military power from Zhao Fangye. If it weren’t for the fact that he needed him to lead troops to resist foreign enemies, he wouldn’t have allowed Zhao Fangye to hold military power.
Even if he summoned him back to the capital, he still didn’t feel at ease.
Only by firmly grasping the military power in his hands could he feel at ease.
Throwing the letters in his hand on the ground, the emperor was furious and slammed the table, “Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district! What do you have to say for yourself?”
The ministers were also surprised by his actions and looked at Zhao Fangye one after another.
Leaning back in his chair, Zhao Fangye was not afraid of the emperor’s question, and his eyes were filled with sarcasm.
How hypocritical the entire imperial court was.
Zhao Jingshuo couldn’t stand his arrogant appearance of indifference the most, and stepped forward and reprimanded angrily, “Bold! Father is asking you! Disrespecting the Son of Heaven, are you rebelling?”
With such a big hat being put on him, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.
Song Huaixi was frightened by this situation, and his hand trembled, and he didn’t care about the pastries that fell on the ground.
Holding Zhao Fangye’s hand tightly, the nanny was right, someone really wanted to bully Zhao Fangye.
Under the table, Zhao Fangye gently patted his hand holding him and smiled to reassure him.
Zhao Fangye stood up, passed Zhao Jingshuo, and looked directly at the emperor.
His tone was indifferent, “So what if I am? So what if I am not? Isn’t Your Majesty just trying to find an excuse to take away my military power?”
The emperor, whose thoughts were exposed, also became exasperated.
He suddenly picked up the wine cup on the table and threw it at him, and said sharply, “Presumptuous!”
The ministers hurriedly knelt down, “Your Majesty, calm down…”
The wine cup shattered at his feet, Zhao Fangye smoothed the hem of his clothes that had been stained with wine, and looked at the emperor’s face without any waves.
At this time, several old ministers of the Crown Prince’s faction also began to come out to help, “Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district is so arrogant, please Your Majesty immediately take back Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s military power.”
“I second that! Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district holds military power, which may be detrimental to the country…”
“Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district is arrogant and rebellious. He holds military power and ignores the suffering of the people. Does he have the intention of rebelling?”
Several ministers spoke one after another, putting one hat after another on Zhao Fangye’s head.
They were afraid that he could still turn the tables.
Seeing this scene, the Crown Prince and Noble Consort Xiao’s eyes were full of joy, revealing a look of confidence. Without military power, he would see what ability Zhao Fangye had to compete with him.
He eliminated his father’s worries, and his father would only trust him more.
The Chancellor looked at Zhao Fangye standing in the hall, his expression as usual. He slowly drank his wine.
The ministers of the Chancellor’s faction also calmed down when they saw him so leisurely.
However, Minister Song, who was sitting farther away, was a little anxious. If the prince was in trouble, then Huaixi would not have a good life.
Moreover, he didn’t think Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district would do something that would enslave the people.
Although he was in the position of Minister, he didn’t have much real power. Therefore, he didn’t take sides. Even if there was a suspicion of taking sides at this moment, he still stood up firmly and walked to the hall and knelt down.
“Your Majesty, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district has recovered the Northwest and resisted foreign enemies. He is a pillar of our dynasty. Even if he is wrong, it may be a last resort. It is not appropriate to draw conclusions based on a few letters of unknown origin.”