"Your subject is terrified!"
Nan Chaoyin knelt directly on the ground, extending his hands forward, his upper body almost flat on the ground.
If it were in the past, Lord Nan might have retorted. Seeing him like this now, everyone felt a sense of regret.
In just over half a year, Lord Nan had fallen to such a state.
After the regret, everyone also felt a sense of shared unease.
They feared they might end up in the same predicament.
"Heh~"
Ji Jinmo let out a cold laugh. He no longer looked at Nan Chaoyin, but at Ji Hong. "What is this talk of marital alliances between two countries? What is there to discuss? Da Li is nothing but a pack of stray dogs. Why form a marriage alliance? Have the Da Li envoys take that Da Li princess back."
"Presumptuous!"
Ji Hong's eyes widened, and he shouted sternly, "The matter of marital alliances between these two countries has long been decided. How can it be revoked on a whim? A person without words cannot stand, a business without trust cannot prosper, and a nation without trust will decline. How can I be a person who breaks his word? I shall pretend I did not hear my Imperial Uncle's words, and I also request that my Imperial Uncle speak with caution in the future, and never tarnish the reputation of Lin Yuan."
Ji Jinmo raised his hand and applauded Ji Hong's impassioned speech.
"It is truly a waste of talent for the Emperor not to perform in the Southern Music Troupe."
"If that is the case, then simply waive Nan Yujin's mourning period. You are the Emperor, the ruler of a nation. Can you not even issue such a decree?"
Ji Jinmo did not give Ji Hong time to get angry. He looked mockingly at the civil and military officials standing in the court. His eyelids were lowered, and his ink-black pupils were partially covered by his drooping upper eyelids. His dark irises were slightly hidden, making the cold glint in his eyes appear even more ferocious.
As his gaze swept over them, all the civil and military officials lowered their heads and hid.
"Your Majesty, issue the decree!"
Ji Jinmo withdrew his gaze and looked up slightly, smiling at Ji Hong who sat majestically on the dragon throne.
Ji Hong remained silent.
The atmosphere became momentarily tense, and the officials dared not speak further.
How should this matter be addressed? Although the Prince's actions were forcing His Majesty, if His Majesty truly issued the decree under duress, it would only be an embarrassment on the surface. However, the matter would be genuinely resolved. But this reputation, to disregard the faces of the common folk, His Majesty's face was the face of the entire nation. Currently, Lin Yuan and Da Li were in a dispute over the marriage alliance negotiations. If the Da Li envoys heard of this, it was unpredictable how they would mock His Majesty.
In this matter, the only way out rested on Lord Nan.
At this moment, everyone's gaze fell upon Nan Chaoyin. Nan Chaoyin maintained his posture of kneeling with his upper body prostrate. The gazes falling upon him were like sharp thorns piercing his back. The face he cast down on the ground was so somber it seemed to drip water.
However, at this moment, he had no choice but to speak.
"My late wife cherished our son dearly and did not wish for him to miss a good marriage because of her. Before she passed, she held my hand tightly and earnestly pleaded with me to see His Majesty and request the waiver of my son's mourning period. I beg Your Majesty to grant this request and waive my son's mourning period, to fulfill my late wife's dying wish."
As Nan Chaoyin spoke, he kowtowed heavily. His voice was choked with sobs, and every word was earnest. The deep affection and respect he held for his late wife seemed to move heaven and earth. If everyone had not heard his previous words, they would truly have praised his devotion and righteousness.
Although everyone muttered their thoughts internally, they all displayed expressions of respect. Regardless of the reason for his words, he had, in fact, resolved His Majesty's dilemma. m..oΓg
Ji Hong seized the opportunity to speak, "The Empress's deep love for her son is something I deeply empathize with. I often recall the Empress's care for me, and as a son, I could not share her burdens..." Ji Hong sighed heavily at this point, as if moved by Madam Wang's affection for her son, and went against his initial intention. "Alas, alas, I shall be a sinner this once."
"Issue my decree. I am touched by Madam Wang's love for her son, and I bestow upon Madam Wang the title of nobility. Furthermore, I specially exempt Nan Yujin from observing the mourning period."
"Your Majesty is wise. Long live, long live, long, long live!"
All the officials bowed, shouting "Wise!"
"All officials, please rise."
Ji Hong waved his hand, allowing everyone to stand.
After the ministers rose, they did not dare to look up.
This... why did His Majesty suddenly mention the Empress Dowager? The Empress Dowager, she... the matter of the Jin Yang Marquis's family being exterminated was still fresh in their minds. His Majesty had finally eliminated the influence of his maternal relatives, and now? Could it be that Nan Chaoyin's deceptive words had truly touched his heart, making him recall the mother-son affection with the Empress Dowager?
The currents of the court were now blowing in all sorts of directions. They no longer dared to casually speculate on His Majesty's intentions, at least not to harbor wild thoughts based on a single word from His Majesty.
Ji Jinmo, however, understood Ji Hong's intention. The past events were all orchestrated by Yin Silan, that usurper. His Imperial Sister-in-law had lived a life of hardship for many years. Even though Ying'er often went to the palace for treatment, she was unable to completely restore the Imperial Sister-in-law's voice. Her speech was still slurred. How could Ji Hong bear to have his Imperial Sister-in-law carry the crime of usurping the throne and be reviled for eternity?
However, things had to be handled gradually. Bringing up the matter now was enough.
With the matter of the marriage alliance resolved, there were no more significant issues. After the eunuch's sharp voice announced 'Court dismissed,' the officials withdrew and left the court.
Liu Wanjun strode swiftly, and Wang Langji followed close behind.
The court was full of intricate schemes. Liu Wanjun thought that after supporting Wang Qiancheng and Liu Cheng, he would retire.
As for the position of Chancellor, whoever wanted it could have it!
Wang Qiancheng squatted by the imperial city gate, looking enviously at the ministers leaving the court.
The court was over, but their verbal sparring had just begun.
...
"Your Highness, Xiaoman is feeding the centipede with Gouzi's blood."
Since that day, Nan Shiying had instructed Lu Wan and the others to closely monitor the actions of Xiaoman and the other two. She did not intend to control Xiaoman but was worried about their safety. To call it surveillance would be more like protection. However, Xiaoman and the other two were not skilled at concealment, and their furtive demeanor made it hard not to notice. Ying San couldn't even stand it, and he complained to Lu Wan: "Did this young girl really come from our Ying Ge?"
Lu Wan glared at him and defended Xiaoman, saying, "Xiaoman only stayed in Ying Ge for three months."
Ying San suddenly realized: "No wonder!"
Ying San disguised himself as a tree and stood outside Xiaoman's door, listening to all their conversations clearly.
Xiaoman was feeding the centipede with Gouzi's blood.
The centipede was becoming more and more poisonous with each feeding.
Nan Shiying recalled the gauze on Gouzi's hand that day. So that was why it needed to be wrapped in gauze, to prevent them from seeing the bite marks.
"Xiaoman doesn't seem to understand why the centipede is becoming more poisonous," Lu Wan added.
Nan Shiying: "..."
Gouzi was a medicine person. The reason he was immune to all poisons was that his body was filled with potent toxins. It was already a miracle that the centipede did not die after drinking his blood. And she was still wondering why the centipede was becoming more poisonous?
So, she wasn't trying to raise a king of poisons!
Nan Shiying lightly touched her forehead. Didn't the old man say that Xiaoman had learned some toxicology from him? Is this it?