boyutpedia Chapter 1855 Inviting People to the Palace
Chapter 1855 Inviting People to the Palace
All the officials entered the palace.
Today, most people know that it was unlikely that the emperor would attend court.
The Emperor hasn't woken up yet; today's morning court session might be even more lively.
Some people have also heard rumors about the Fifth Princess, but the matter is too serious, and only a small number of people have heard them, and they are not very sure yet.
Upon entering the hall, the dragon throne remained empty, and the crown prince was nowhere to be seen.
The officials remained silent for a while, but some couldn't hold back any longer.
"Lord Wu, have you heard?"
"what?"
"I heard that the Fifth Princess is a boy."
"This is too absurd; I don't really believe it."
Someone whispered to the person next to him, "Lord Liu, you usually have a good relationship with Physician Tan, but have you heard how the Emperor's health is?"
Lord Liu said, "Imperial Physician Tan did not leave the palace yesterday."
"Hiss, could it be...?"
Someone overheard the whispers around them and couldn't help but shush, signaling them to be quiet.
But nobody listened to him; some even rolled their eyes at him. Something terrible was about to happen to the court, and they weren't even allowed to speak up?
As for the ministers who had already entered the center of the storm, the members of the various factions exchanged knowing glances.
Those who remain silent are often the ones who know the inside story.
Prime Minister Shen stood there, his expression indifferent, but no one dared to approach him and ask him anything.
Grand Secretary Shu also came today. This time when he attended court, everyone noticed that he looked healthier and more radiant.
Previously, when Grand Secretary Shu claimed to be ill and stopped attending court, effectively retiring from the government, everyone thought he would grow old and listless. However, he now appears several years younger and looks full of energy.
It seems that recuperating has been very effective.
"Grand Secretary Shu, after court, how about we go together to see the Emperor? I heard you brought a pill to present to him?"
"Indeed," Elder Shu nodded.
"I wonder if Elder Shu has also taken this kind of elixir? You look so well now, what kind of medicine is it?"
"You've probably heard that we have a nephew in our clan who studied under the Valley of Whispering Wind. Recently, the Valley Master of Whispering Wind acquired some rare and exotic herbs, and thus developed this elixir. My nephew, being filial, sent two pills to me..."
As Grand Secretary Shu spoke, there was a hint of arrogance and superiority in his tone and expression.
"I have indeed taken one pill, and I wish to offer another one to His Majesty."
As he finished speaking, the official beside him was about to ask a few more questions when they heard a commotion outside the hall, followed by someone shouting.
"Grand Secretary Meng has arrived."
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.
If it was said that Grand Secretary Shu didn't attend court often before because of his poor health, and he had asked the Emperor for permission, then Grand Secretary Meng's infrequent attendance was due to the late Emperor Emeritus's personal instruction.
The Emperor Emeritus said that Grand Secretary Meng had done his utmost for the Great Zhou in the first half of his life, and was even writing a history book about the Great Zhou in private, which was very time-consuming. He should be given some leisure time.
After all, Grand Secretary Meng is older than Grand Secretary Shu.
Moreover, Grand Secretary Meng not only served as the tutor of the retired emperor for several years, but also taught the young emperor.
They still frequently receive and correct the Crown Prince's essays, so they're quite busy.
Another point is that, in terms of seniority, Grand Secretary Meng was a distant relative and elder of the Empress Dowager. Even the Empress Dowager treated Grand Secretary Meng with great respect.
Grand Secretary Meng usually doesn't attend court, but when he does, his influence is almost the same as that of the Prince of Jin.
However, when Prince Jin arrived, he caused a ruckus, but when Grand Secretary Meng arrived, everyone dared not cause too much trouble.
Even the retired emperor had to show him respect, and the Prince of Jin had been reprimanded by him many times. Who would dare to offend him?
Now that Grand Secretary Meng has arrived, the whispers in the hall immediately ceased.
When Grand Secretary Shu turned around, he saw Grand Secretary Meng striding towards him, and his eyes turned slightly cold.
He then looked at Prime Minister Shen and found that Prime Minister Shen had his head lowered and eyes downcast, as if he were in a meditative state.
Old Shen is getting better and better at pretending.
As soon as Grand Secretary Meng arrived, the Crown Prince also arrived.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
Everyone's heart skipped a beat, sensing that things were about to get turbulent.
The Crown Prince strode toward Grand Secretary Meng, bowed, and said, "Grand Secretary Meng."
"In the main hall, Your Highness the Crown Prince cannot bow to an old minister in return." Grand Secretary Meng took a step back, his movements calm and dignified, and also bowed to the Crown Prince.
The crown prince nodded and turned to walk into the hall.
Grand Secretary Shu subconsciously raised his head and straightened his chest, waiting for the Crown Prince to also bow and greet him.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince walked right past him without even glancing at him.
Grand Secretary Shu suddenly felt a surge of anger rush to his head, and he was about to die of rage.
Lord Chen saw this scene and, with a sly grin, quietly took two steps toward Lin Rong. Just as he was about to speak, Lin Rong glanced at him, took a big step forward, and distanced himself from him.
The disdain was so obvious.
Lord Chen: "..."
Fine, fine, Lin Rong, you're so arrogant, so impressive. We're no longer companions who followed Miss Lu together.
Lin Rong was too lazy to pay attention to Lord Chen.
He needs to be extremely focused today.
The crown prince took a step and, under the watchful eyes of the officials, ascended the steps and walked towards the dragon throne.
Many people were on tenterhooks, not daring to blink, and some even couldn't stop their palms from sweating.
Is His Highness the Crown Prince about to sit on that dragon throne?
Seeing that the Crown Prince was only one step away from the dragon throne, a minister from Prime Minister Shen's faction couldn't help but blurt out in a tense voice.
"Your Highness, this is not appropriate..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Crown Prince stopped, stood there, slowly turned around, glanced at the officials, and then looked at the minister who had spoken.
He merely lifted his eyes slightly.
There was an air of arrogance about it that made them too lazy to even respond.
This action made it clear to everyone that the Crown Prince only wanted to stand there and had no intention of sitting down.
This makes the minister seem too impatient and impulsive, somewhat like a clown.
Besides, the people above haven't even spoken yet, so how could it be his turn?
The old minister's face turned red.
He was certain that the Crown Prince had done it on purpose, slowing his pace so much and heading straight for the dragon throne, hoping to lure out someone like him.
Prime Minister Shen also looked up.
Eunuch Qin stepped forward and stood aside, announcing loudly, "His Majesty is unwell, and His Highness the Crown Prince is here. Gentlemen, if you have something to say, please speak; otherwise, the court is adjourned."
Prime Minister Shen and the others all looked at Eunuch Qin.
They sensed something was wrong.
Eunuch Qin is a servant of the Emperor. The Emperor is unconscious, and Eunuch Qin should be serving him. Why is he in the palace? And his demeanor seems to suggest he's on the Crown Prince's side?
They had clearly agreed that the Emperor would not be able to attend court today, and that it was a matter of mutual consultation. But now, with Eunuch Qin's words, it's as if the Crown Prince has temporarily taken charge of state affairs.
“Your Highness,” Prime Minister Shen said slowly, “then let’s invite them directly to the palace.”