Chapter 151
“The morning assembly is so free every day, how can I do that?”
“Minister Bo, have you been summoned by the Emperor?” A court official asked as he looked at Bai Shangshu, who was standing calmly in the hall. The other court officials were also listening in on the commotion. In the imperial court, only President Bai was trusted by the emperor. However, the emperor was suddenly very ill this time. Every day, he would head over early to meet them before leaving. He hadn’t even seen the emperor before.
With his hands behind his back, Minister Bai’s face showed no anxiety or worry. “This subject has never seen Your Majesty, but I believe that His Majesty will definitely have a healthy dragon constitution!”
The people saw that they could not get any useful information from Bai Shangshu, so they looked towards Minister Zuo who was standing there. Recently, many things in the court had been dealt with by the Minister Zuo, and although many people were not convinced, so what?
Illusory Mo Che wore a blue robe with red lips and white teeth. His exquisite appearance seemed as though it was carved from fine jade. Although his appearance was not as handsome as an ordinary man’s, it was still calm and composed, carrying along the elegance and bearing of a court, as if it was natural for people to overlook his age and appearance, as if they would overlook the disharmony of the magnificent hall, as if they would overlook his different court uniform.
Looking at the crowd’s gaze, Huan Mo Che thought of today’s matters and was somewhat happy. That pair of peach blossom eyes carried a trace of a true smile, and the warm voice carried a warmth unique to the crown prince. “The emperor has made his decision, let us do our duty as subjects!”
“The crown prince has arrived!” Eunuch Xu’s voice rang out. However, the voice that rang out was not that of the king, but rather that of the crown prince, who had almost never been to the imperial court.
Shang Wuxin followed Eunuch Xu into the main hall, wearing a wide-sleeved white robe. His pair of eyes were as calm as water, sparkling like a gem. His butterfly-like eyelashes were raised at a perfect angle. Her white and smooth forehead, two eyebrows like distant mountains Mo Di, a straight nose, thin chin, exquisite to the point that people feel that everything is the love of heaven! As Prince Shang walked, he saw a beautiful scene. It was a beautiful face, but it was suppressed by the proud and aloof atmosphere. It was a strange contrast, and it was especially shocking.
The crowd saw that the crown prince was not standing on top of the imperial court. Instead, he was following Eunuch Xu up the steps. Eunuch Xu placed a large golden chair carved with a python under the Dragon Throne.
“What does the crown prince mean by this?” An official said in dissatisfaction. The Emperor had not abdicated, yet the Crown Prince was already acting so arrogantly. Although the Crown Prince was not sitting on a dragon throne, the chair he was seated on was only placed on one. The meaning was obvious.
Shang didn’t even have the heart to look at the official. After all, he was one of the Duke of Qing’s henchmen. At this moment, the Duke of Qing was standing there without avoiding the gazes of the crown prince. However, he was astonished in his heart that a child like the crown prince would look at him with such deterrence, causing him to be unable to look him straight in the eye.
Duke Qing looked at Eunuch Xu, who was standing next to the Crown Prince. “Eunuch Xu?” “The Crown Prince feels that he can take the throne’s place now!” As he spoke, the officials from the Duke of Qing’s faction stepped forward to punish the Crown Prince, while the Crown Prince was led by the Minister of the Left. They remained silent.
Eunuch Xu shook his dust off his body as he took out the imperial edict, his voice filled with rooster pride. In recent days, the Crown Prince had been in charge of all matters concerning the court, and he was in charge of all matters concerning the court. If anyone disobeys, behead them! ”
Everyone was caught off guard by the sudden decree, and even the Duke of Qing was somewhat surprised. The Emperor had long ago escaped his control, but he had never been able to find a good way to kill the Emperor. Now, a crown prince even more difficult to deal with than the King of Shang had appeared, the Duke of Qing looked at the crown prince, who sat on the python chair, appearing even skinnier and more petite.
“I do not know if there is anything else that ministers should be confused about, but I am willing to explain it to the ministers!” The higher he stood, the more clear he became as he observed the different expressions on the faces of the ministers below.
None of the officials had any objections. Shang Wuxin naturally saw the Illusory Mo Che standing at the very front of the crowd. He looked different in his blue brocade robe, but in his eyes. He didn’t look like a courtier looking at him with contempt or respect, only faint encouragement and pride. This made Shang’s heart skip a beat.
“The Imperial Examinations will be taking place in a few days’ time. I wonder how the Crown Prince is planning it?” Bai Shangshu stood up and saw that no one was talking. Actually, every year, the Imperial Examinations were about the same. Asking him this question was just to give the crown prince a chance.
Only then did Shang Wuxin remember that the triennial Imperial Examinations were about to begin. Most of them were just the sons and daughters of officials. The Imperial Examinations were just a formality, but Shang had no interest in the future as it was a time to hire people, and to nurture one’s trusted aides in the imperial court was of utmost importance.
“In this Imperial Examinations, all the examiners’ matters will be managed by President Bai!”
“This old official obeys the decree!”
“The Minister of the Left and the Fourth Prince will be in charge of this martial arts exam!”
“This official obeys the decree!”
Everyone was puzzled by the crown prince’s decision. They could understand that if Minister Bai and Minister Zuo were to be responsible for the examination, the fourth prince would be involved in it. After all, the one who could compete with the crown prince in the imperial court right now was the fourth prince.
“For this Imperial Examinations, all those who committed embezzlement will be beheaded!” Shang Wuxin suddenly stood up, “Anyone can enter the Imperial Examinations this year, as long as they are innocent! There’s no need for those so-called letters of recommendation! ”
The Imperial Examinations required the recommendation of an official to enter the Imperial Examinations for even the most ordinary of people. The amount of silver that was paid as bribes was countless, and most importantly, the number of capable people who had lost the imperial court due to the mistake of money.
“Crown Prince, this is not appropriate!” An official stepped forward, “How could those commoners so easily pass the imperial examinations? This is unheard-of. Crown Prince, please reconsider, and don’t blindly give orders!”
“The questions for this Imperial Examinations will be written by President Bai and the Minister of the Left at the same time. If anyone is found out, I don’t mind changing the blood of the court!” Shang Wuxin’s voice was soft, murmuring softly. Her enchanting voice was like the manna pearl that could captivate the soul, yet it made many ministers tremble in fear.
It was unknown how much silver had been restrained during the annual imperial examinations. Now, when the officials heard the decision of the crown prince, many people felt heartache. The official then continued, “Crown Prince, although the crown prince is in charge, the crown prince can’t do such a thing. How can other countries think about Shang Yue like this?”
“If you don’t like what I’m about to do, then take off his black gauze hat and take off his official uniform!” These courtiers were really noisy, and his orders were already ringing in his ears. If not for the fear that he would cause panic by killing too many people, Shang would not have minded directly killing these disobedient people.
After the next assembly, the Duke of Qing walked by Shang’s side, his voice full of vigor, “The Crown Prince is indeed a good man, but I’m not sure if he will have any luck!”
“I don’t know about luck, but I do have some tricks up my sleeve. I just don’t know if the Duke of Qing can withstand my methods!” With a loud laugh, Shang Wuxin quickly walked forward with Huan Mo Che, their eyes filled with excitement and laughter. They couldn’t wait any longer, let’s do it, isn’t this more fun?
“I’m afraid Mo Che is going to have a hard time following this!” Shang did not know that he had reformed the Imperial Examinations this time, and the questions that followed soon followed. She had no interest in the rest of the matters, so she could only work hard to solve them.
Huanmo Che was originally immersed in the sudden reform of the imperial examinations, but he did not expect the crown prince to have this kind of thought. He was excited in his heart, but at the same time, he was filled with admiration, feeling that there was nothing to be proud of compared to the crown prince.
“It’s not hard work!” As Huan Mo Che spoke, he saw the person coming from the opposite side. The smile on his face instantly became extremely bright. Seeing this, Shang unintentionally felt that it was too fake.
The one walking towards them was the second princess, Shang Xiange, dressed in a light purple skirt, with only a simple jade hairpin in her hair. Her clean face was naturally healthy and rosy, and her black hair was obediently draped over her delicate shoulders.
“Royal brother is in the next dynasty, and royal sister hasn’t congratulated him yet?” The Second Princess Shang Liangge said with a smile, looking just like a good older sister. However, in the eyes of Shang Wuxin and Huan Mo Che, they felt that something was amiss. For a man who was almost violated by his younger brother to appear so safe and sound, this was not normal at all.
Shang unintentionally saw that the two of them looked somewhat similar, but their facial features were not as exquisite and beautiful as Shang Wuxin’s, and their temperament was very different as well. Shang Wuxin’s entire body was as cold as stagnant water, and Shang Xiange seemed to be very naive and proud, but the inner part of her body had gone black to the bone.
“Thank you, Imperial Sis, for your concern. However, I feel that Imperial Sis should concern herself with the Duke of Qing!” Shang Wuxin said with a frown.
The woman gently caressed Shang’s shoulder with a red nail, throwing a charming electric eye at Shang Wuxin, “Grandfather is very good, but the crown prince doesn’t know from now on. This princess is very worried!”
The folding fan knocked down Shang Xiange’s hand, but even though she retreated very quickly, her fingers were still badly beaten. Shang Xiange looked at his already swollen hands and saw that Huan Mo Che had actually taken Shang Xin by the waist and pulled him away. Such an ambiguous action was not something that a monarch and official should do.
“Lord Left Premier doesn’t know how to show mercy to women!” Suddenly, his voice became sharp, “This princess is the most favored princess in the palace. How dare you, a Left Premier, be so rude, don’t you want your head anymore?” In just a split-second, Shang Xiange had changed from a sinister woman to a domineering, naive princess.
Shang was not in the mood to watch the transformation take place. He raised his head and saw the Fourth Prince walking towards him. A bloody look flashed across his eyes.
“Crown Prince, Minister Zuo!” The fourth prince, Shang An Cang, saluted slightly before facing Shang Xiange, who was standing there like a shrew. “Sister!” No matter if it was his expression or his attitude, he couldn’t find any fault with it. No matter who it was, they felt that this man was a person who lived a peaceful life in the fields.
Shang Wuxin nodded his head, but Huan Mo Che responded with a bow, “From today onwards, I will be working with the Fourth Prince, I hope that he will take care of me!”
“Lord Left Premier is too polite. The Minister of the Left is the first prince, so this prince cannot compare to him in both knowledge and experience. This prince asks the Minister of the Left to take care of him!” Shang An Cang humbly said.
After a few pleasantries, Shang Wuxin and Huan Mo Che left. Shang Xiange looked at the two’s back with interest. Broken sleeves?
On the other hand, Shang An Cang’s face was full of thought. He felt that the relationship between the Minister of the Left and the Crown Prince was very unusual, but he also felt that it was impossible.
The two of them stood there, their minds racing, each thinking in their own hearts.