Chapter 249 - Entering the Fray

Fan Shaolin’s words seemed to freeze the air for a moment, leaving the gathered officials unable to continue socializing.

As an awkward silence descended at the palace gates, a loud sound shattered the tension—the palace gates opened.

A low

hum

accompanied the slow opening of the gates.

Fan Shaolin took Su Yi by the hand and led him to the front, saying, "Su Yi, today you will stand with me."

Su Yi quickly waved his hand in protest. "I wouldn’t dare, sir. That would be inappropriate."

"It’s fine," Fan Shaolin replied before turning to an elderly man behind him and asking, "Would it be alright if Su Yi stood behind me today?"

Following Fan Shaolin’s gaze, Su Yi realized the man Fan Shaolin was addressing was Grand Mentor Meng Xi.

Meng Xi was the Grand Mentor of the current dynasty. He had once tutored the Crown Prince and was promoted to Grand Mentor after the current Emperor ascended the throne.

In Su Yi’s memory, he was an elderly man who always appeared affable, with a perpetual smile and a demeanor of kindness. However, Su Yi knew that anyone who had navigated the court so smoothly to reach such a high position could not possibly be as simple as they seemed.

Su Yi usually stood behind Grand Mentor Meng during court sessions. Today, Fan Shaolin's insistence on having Su Yi stand beside him disrupted the usual order which ended up forcing Grand Mentor Meng to stand behind Su Yi instead.

Grand Mentor Meng smiled warmly, cupped his hands, and said, "Since Senior Fan has spoken, there’s no issue. Today, I’ll stand behind Su Yi—it’ll give me a chance to doze off. Just make sure to block me from sight a little."

Su Yi gave a wry smile, thinking to himself how smooth and tactful the old man was. Out loud, he said, "Then I must beg forgiveness for my transgression, Grand Mentor Meng."

Since Fan Shaolin spoke, the other officials dared not voice their objections despite their disapproval. Seeing that the palace gates were now fully open, they quickly lined up in order, making the final adjustments to their attire.

"Attention!" A sharp voice pierced through the morning mist, echoing from the solemn palace halls. "The officials may enter court!"

Nearly a hundred court officials moved forward slowly, not a single one speaking. They all kept their heads bowed, counting their steps as they followed those ahead, creating an atmosphere of solemnity.

Su Yi closely followed Fan Shaolin into the grand hall. As he raised his head, he caught sight of Eunuch Yue standing beside the dragon throne. Eunuch Yue, clad in a crane robe and holding a horsetail whisk, wore a stern expression. When he noticed Su Yi looking at him, he gave a subtle nod without betraying any emotion.

Once the officials had taken their places and waited a moment, a young eunuch emerged from behind a screen and announced in a sharp voice, "The Emperor is arriving." The words had barely left the eunuch's mouth when Chen Xun appeared, supported by two young eunuchs.

The officials bowed in unison. Su Yi, stealing a glance upward, saw Chen Xun still rubbing his eyes. The young Emperor looked like he was still half-asleep.

It had been some time since the passing of Chen Kaiming. Chen Xun had gradually emerged from his grief and was now striving to adapt to his new role and responsibilities.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"If there are matters to address, speak...

Hahh

... If not, if not, court is dismissed," Chen Xun said and yawned again, waving his hand dismissively.

Several audible scoffs arose from the hall below, and then a Ministry of Rites official stepped forward, speaking loudly, "Your Majesty! As the supreme sovereign, you are expected to embody dignity and authority, yet Your Majesty appears slothful and devoid of such majesty today. This is completely unbefitting of your station!"

Chen Xun, sitting on the dragon throne, was momentarily stunned. He quickly adjusted himself to sit up straighter.

Su Yi turned to glance back at the official. The man seemed to be named Sun Pu, a newly promoted assistant minister brought to court today by Gu Yanwen. It was his first time attending a court session.

Realizing this, Su Yi immediately understood. With such a statement, Sun Pu would surely earn a favorable impression among the officials in the future. No wonder he was willing to play the bold upstart.

How disgusting

, Su Yi thought. He noticed that Chen Xun's expression now carried a hint of embarrassment. Su Yi’s face darkened. Climbing upward by trampling on the Emperor’s dignity was no different from bullying a child in his eyes. Chen Xun was still very young after all.

After Sun Pu finished speaking, another elder official from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward and sternly said, "Your Majesty should emulate the late Emperor—reflect on yourself thrice daily, diligently attend to state affairs, and concern yourself with the nation’s well-being.

"Yet now, Your Majesty slouches on the throne, devoid of imperial majesty. If the late Emperor’s spirit is watching from the heavens, he surely would not wish to see you like this!"

At these words, Su Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Looking up, he saw that Chen Xun’s face had turned crimson, his fists clenched tightly, and his entire body trembling.

The phrase

late Emperor

was one Su Yi rarely mentioned before Chen Xun, fearing it would stir his emotions. Looking at the young emperor on the throne, Su Yi couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion. After all, the Emperor was only a fourteen-year-old boy.

At this age, children in ordinary families might be playing with friends, studying at school, or herding cattle in the hills. However, this young man was already burdened with the weight of an entire nation.

In the eyes of the common people, the Emperor lived a life of luxury and grandeur. How many understood the immense weight of this role? The ruler's burden was the heaviest of all to carry a nation on shoulders still so tender.

Seeing the young emperor on the verge of tears, Eunuch Yue could no longer hold back. "Impudent!" he shouted sharply, pointing his horsetail whisk at the elder official. "Li Qingtang! Who gave you the audacity to utter such insolent words?"

The elder official, Li Qingtang, stiffened his neck and declared, "I speak with a clear conscience!"

"What do you know?" Eunuch Yue, now furious, stamped his foot. "His Majesty was reviewing memorials until midnight last night—what do you know of it?"

Li Qingtang was momentarily stunned but then tried to retort, "The late Emperor once..—"

Seeing that the situation was escalating beyond control, Su Yi quickly stepped forward, cutting off Li Qingtang. "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

Chen Xun’s eyes lit up, and he hastily gestured for Su Yi to continue. "Tutor, please speak."

Clearing his throat, Su Yi spoke solemnly, "A report from the frontlines has arrived: the Northern Qiang general, Yelü Zhige, has led his army to besiege Liangzhou Prefecture. Minister Qi is already within the city, leading our dynasty’s forces in its defense."

Chen Xun noticed that Su Yi didn't finish his report and prompted him to elaborate. "By this you mean to say?"

The atmosphere in the hall became noticeably tense. Su Yi could feel numerous gazes roving over his back. He carefully said, "I believe that this battle is of utmost importance. Minister Qi, a high-ranking minister and a scholar by background, is held in high esteem and cannot afford to make any missteps.

"Therefore, a military general should be dispatched to take command of the front. As for Minister Qi... with the heavy burden of court affairs, it would be best for him to return to the capital to oversee matters from the rear."

A commotion erupted in the hall, as though a kettle had boiled over. Voices came from all sides, coming together to form a cacophony of opinions.

"Silence! Silence!" Eunuch Yue shouted hoarsely from above, trying to restore order.

"Your Majesty!" A vice minister stepped forward. Su Yi glanced at him, recognizing him as a member of the Qi faction. "This must not happen!"

Chen Xun carefully swallowed a mouthful of saliva. He was aware of what Su Yi and Yue Dou had been planning recently. As a member of the imperial family, he knew this was something that had to be done. From the current situation, he could guess what was happening.

After all this careful strategizing, Su Yi was finally making his move on the chessboard.

"And why not?" Chen Xun asked, feigning ignorance.

The vice minister replied loudly, "Changing commanders during a battle is a cardinal mistake! Since this battle is so critical, how can we take such a risk?"

Another official from the Qi faction stepped forward, and spoke with a hint of derision. "Since the founding of our dynasty, it has always been the practice for scholars to oversee military matters while generals execute orders. How can we break this tradition at such a time?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the military officers nearby darkened visibly.