The Minister of War, upon hearing the Minister of Rites, couldn't help but feel annoyed by his companion.
As colleagues, who would try to poach someone right in front of them? He had merely wanted to curry favor with the Emperor.
He had initially thought the Emperor did not wish for the existence of the Prince of Beijin to be known to the world, but from the Emperor's words just now, it was clear he agreed with the Prince of Nan'an's idea.
It was just that he, this foolish donkey, couldn't grasp the meaning. Now he had sent himself into the tiger's mouth. Truly, accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger.
The Minister of War was filled with resentment and hatred, sweating profusely, not daring to breathe heavily as he awaited the Emperor's words.
Murong Liuzun, seated on the high throne, shifted his body and stood up, his tall and straight figure illuminated by the imperial yellow dragon robe, his handsome, chiseled features appearing almost casual.
In reality, his crystal-like black pupils flickered with sharp glints, and the corner of his lips curled into a cold smile, instantly casting a layer of frost over the hall, oppressing everyone.
"Ah Jiu, immediately go to the Prince of Beijin's manor to deliver an imperial edict, ordering the Prince of Beijin to prepare the relevant matters for the reception of the envoys from the six nations."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ah Jiu took his leave to proclaim the edict.
"Minister of War, assist the Prince of Beijin in hosting the envoys from the six nations. This matter must be handled perfectly. If anything goes wrong, you will bear the consequences."
His warning as cold as ice, the Minister of War trembled slightly, his chest feeling suffocatingly uncomfortable. Truly, misfortunes never come singly. It seemed he had to be more careful. He hurriedly and respectfully accepted the decree: "Your humble servant obeys."
The Minister of War retreated, leaving only two figures standing in the hall: the Prince of Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao, and the Minister of Rites.
Seeing the Minister of War depart, the Minister of Rites respectfully spoke, "Your Majesty, all matters concerning this grand wedding have been discussed and settled with the Imperial Household Department, following the precedents of our ancestors. Does Your Majesty find this acceptable?"
"So be it,"
Murong Liuzun waved his hand, and the Minister of Rites breathed a sigh of relief. For reasons unknown, the young Emperor always exuded an immeasurable pressure, making one afraid to be presumptuous.
"Very well, you may withdraw," the Emperor commanded, and the Minister of Rites retreated.
The Emperor descended from the high platform and gracefully looked at his imperial brother, speaking slowly:
"Zhao, you will send additional personnel to monitor the safety of the envoys from the six nations. Not the slightest error is permissible. We have not yet reached a point of complete rupture with them."
"Your humble brother receives the command."
The Prince of Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao, clasped his hands and accepted the order. Just as he was about to withdraw, the Emperor's deep voice sounded: "Imperial brother, be careful."
"Your humble brother understands," the Prince of Nan'an withdrew...
Ah Jiu went to the Prince of Beijin's manor to deliver the edict and soon returned to the palace to report. The Emperor nodded with satisfaction, his eyes flickering. He suspected that the one in the palace already knew and wondered what her reaction would be, or perhaps she would come to question him soon.
Guangyang Palace, situated in the northwest, was in disarray. The person on the high throne had a pale face, glaring furiously at those below. The hall was filled with kneeling palace maids and eunuchs.
"Empress Dowager."
"What damnable things! How could he treat his own brother like this?
"He knows Liu Mo is not well, yet he makes him personally receive the envoys from the six nations.
"Those envoys are all like wolves and tigers; which one of them is easy to deal with?
"He is clearly throwing his own brother into the fire!"
The Empress Dowager, speaking too hastily, began to cough.
A嬷嬷 (māma - wet nurse/senior servant) beside her quickly stepped forward to gently pat her chest and help her regain her breath.
"Empress Dowager, please do not be anxious, do not be anxious. If you continue to worry yourself, who will care for the Prince of Beijin?"
This remark reminded the Empress Dowager. Her complexion softened slightly, but her eyes grew colder and more sinister.
Yes, she couldn't afford to have any mishaps. If something happened to her, what would happen to her Liu Mo?
He would surely be harmed to death by that fellow. But now, to let her watch the Emperor deliberately put Liu Mo in danger, how could she, as his mother, stand by and do nothing?
"Your words have indeed reminded this empress dowager."
As the Empress Dowager spoke, the hall finally relaxed a little. The kneeling eunuchs and palace maids breathed a sigh of relief.
A figure in crimson gracefully walked in from outside the hall, followed by two palace maids dressed in resplendent robes.
The trailing crimson skirt, puff sleeves, and a silk brocade belt of the same color around her waist. Her cloud-like black hair was styled into a loose bun, adorned with a phoenix hairpin. Her entire being exuded nobility, possessing a refined beauty like an orchid, tender and charming.
Upon entering the hall, she spoke softly.
"Mother, what is wrong?"
The suppressed anger of the Empress Dowager surged forth again as she spoke with simmering rage.
"Do you know what the Emperor has done? He actually made Liu Mo receive the envoys from the six nations. Is he not placing Mo'er in a perilous situation by doing so? Mo'er's health has always been poor, and he has been recuperating in his manor. Now he is even depriving him of this rest. Do you think this empress dowager can not be angry?"
Upon hearing her aunt's words, Chu Yuyan hurried to the phoenix couch, comforting her aunt.
"Mother, please do not worry. The Emperor surely has his own considerations. He would not harm cousin. If not, why doesn't Mother speak to the Emperor and ask him to retract the decree?"
Chu Yuyan's gentle suggestion, her soft tone, was very soothing. The Empress Dowager finally felt a little better, but she did not agree with Yuyan's words.
"The Emperor would listen to me, listen to me, and that woman would not have entered the palace, and you would be the Empress."
As soon as these words were spoken, Chu Yuyan's face turned pale. She bit her lip hard and said pitifully:
"Mother, this daughter does not seek the position of Empress. As long as the Emperor has a place for this daughter in his heart, this daughter will be content."
"You are truly foolish. Does he have you in his heart? If he did, would he have left you to guard the imperial chambers alone for half a year without ever stepping into your palace?"
"Mother?"
Chu Yuyan's voice trembled. The Empress Dowager's sharp words finally struck her hard. A tear rolled down her cheek as she sobbed silently.
Seeing her distress, the Empress Dowager quickly reached out and patted her hand:
"Do not be sad either. This empress dowager will make decisions for you. As long as this empress dowager is here, even if that woman manages to ascend to the position of Empress, this empress dowager can still have her removed."
"Mother, please do not make things difficult for the Emperor." Chu Yuyan quickly interjected.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand earlier. She was not troubled by this matter now; it was the matter of Liu Mo having to receive the envoys from the six nations.
The Emperor's actions clearly indicated ulterior motives. If Liu Mo made any mistakes during this reception, he would inevitably be punished. Or perhaps the Emperor intended to use the envoys from the six nations to eliminate Liu Mo.
The Empress Dowager's gaze suddenly turned fierce at the thought of this possibility.
He shouldn't even dream of it. Her son, she would never let him be harmed.