son, don't mess around

The heavy snow fell all night and only gradually stopped at dawn.

Before dawn, the world was a blanket of white, illuminating the darkness of the night.

The capital city, which had been asleep all night, gradually awoke.

The shopkeepers in the streets and alleys got up one after another, and the quiet streets became more lively and noisy.

As night fell, sedan chairs and carriages appeared on the streets, converging on the city center.

Beneath the imperial city walls, before dawn, many officials and ministers had already gathered for court. They huddled together in twos and threes, whispering and chatting amongst themselves.

The weather was extremely cold. Although the heavy snow had gradually stopped, the biting north wind was still howling at every minister waiting outside the palace gates.

These high-ranking officials, who were regarded as superior by the common people, had no choice but to endure the bone-chilling cold and wait obediently outside the palace gates.

For most ministers and officials, this was already a common occurrence. Therefore, many officials prepared hot water kettles in advance and wore thick cotton-padded clothes to ward off the cold.

As time passed, the sky gradually brightened, and the light slowly illuminated the area outside the imperial city. Looking around, all that could be seen was a thick layer of snow, about seven or eight inches high.

The overcast sky made all the waiting officials and ministers feel somewhat irritable and uneasy.

Even more perceptive officials noticed that something was amiss with the atmosphere today.

The palace gates, which should have opened at Chenshi (7-9 AM), remained closed for some reason today. Furthermore, the imperial guards outside the gates seemed to be a different group; they were all unfamiliar faces.

On days when court sessions were held, the imperial guards responsible for the proceedings were nowhere to be seen. Moreover, the guards outside the palace gates seemed unusually tight today.

The fact that the palace gates had not yet been opened caused many people to have doubts.

"What's going on? Why aren't the palace gates open yet?"

"What happened?"

"Ask other people."

"..."

The officials around them whispered among themselves, discussing the matter amongst themselves, a sense of unease rising within them.

However, when the other officials saw the white-haired Prime Minister Zhao standing at the front of the crowd, resting with his eyes closed and a calm expression, many of them felt relieved.

Even Zhao Xiang didn't react, so it probably wasn't anything serious.

In the court today, many officials have clearly come to regard Chancellor Zhao as their backbone. His Majesty has long since entrusted all power and responsibilities in the court to Chancellor Zhao. To put it bluntly, Chancellor Zhao's current position in the court is even higher than His Majesty's.

Since even Prime Minister Zhao didn't react, they naturally didn't need to worry too much.

With this in mind, many people felt relieved.

At this moment, the palace gates, which had been tightly closed, finally opened slowly.

"My Lords, please."

A commander of the Imperial Guards stood outside the palace gate and spoke calmly.

Seeing this, the ministers and officials outside the palace gates gradually calmed down and began to enter the palace one after another.

Among the crowd, many people noticed that the atmosphere was a bit strange today, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it or think about it too much.

Some people tried to ask, "Commander, has something happened in the palace?"

The commander of the Imperial Guards replied expressionlessly and without any emotion, "This subordinate does not know."

Unable to obtain any information, the officials had no choice but to give up and then lined up to enter the palace.

As dawn broke, these officials entered the palace one after another and went to the front hall to attend the morning court session.

After all the officials had entered the palace, the commander of the Imperial Guards standing outside the palace gates glanced back at the palace with a deep look in his eyes. Then, he waved his hand and said in a cold and decisive tone, "Close the palace gates."

As soon as he finished speaking, the imperial guards stepped forward and slowly closed the palace gate.

The commander of the Imperial Guards had a deep gaze as he coldly surveyed the surroundings: "Our duty today is to guard the palace gates. Without His Majesty's decree, no one is allowed to enter or leave. No one is permitted."

"Anyone who dares to force their way in, no matter who they are, will be killed on the spot!"

"Yes!"

"..."

The front hall of the imperial palace.

As ministers and officials entered the palace, they gradually went into the front hall. Before long, the front hall became lively.

Compared to the biting cold outside the palace, the front hall was much warmer. Many ministers who had been shivering from the cold finally had time to stretch their limbs and warm themselves up.

In a corner of the crowd, Liang Yongkang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, felt that something was amiss today.

He looked around, observing the situation inside the hall. Many of the officials had smiles on their faces. As usual, the hall was guarded by imperial guards.

Although nothing seemed out of the ordinary, Liang Yongkang's intuition told him that something big was about to happen today.

Over the years, Liang Yongkang has relied on his intuition to avoid numerous near-death experiences. In particular, last year, he was fortunate enough not to participate in the Third Prince's factional struggles and escaped being purged.

Even more fortunately, he was originally just a minor official in the imperial court, not very prominent. As a person from a poor family who had been farmers for three generations, and who had finally passed the imperial examination and entered the court as an official, barring any unforeseen circumstances, his achievements in this life would have been limited to this.

But fate intervened and smiled upon him.

Former Vice Minister of Rites Gao Boyan became involved in the Third Prince's rebellion, and his entire family was imprisoned. While in prison, Gao Boyan and his son attempted to escape the capital, but were mysteriously murdered on their own estate…

No one knows the reason behind it. Why Gao Boyan escaped from prison and who killed him are no longer important and no one cares.

Importantly, after Gao Boyan's death, the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel became vacant. Liang Yongkang, who had no background in the court but was diligent and hardworking, was fortunate enough to gain the emperor's favor and take up this position.

Without this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with his abilities, he probably would never have been able to attain this position in his entire life.

But now, he has taken up the position of Vice Minister of Rites. Although he doesn't wield much power within the Six Ministries, he is, after all, one of them.

For him, this was already a glorious achievement.

This was truly a wonderful surprise. Liang Yongkang was overjoyed and wept with gratitude towards His Majesty.

At the same time, Liang Yongkang was also glad that his intuition had prevented him from getting involved in the Third Prince's factional struggle. Therefore, during the morning court session today, Liang Yongkang's intuition told him that something was amiss.

But I can't quite put my finger on it!
He felt an indescribable oppressive atmosphere permeating the main hall. Thinking of this, Liang Yongkang couldn't help but look at Zhao Xiang, who was at the very front of the crowd.

Without a doubt, Liang Yongkang is now a staunch and loyal minister who wholeheartedly supports His Majesty. Therefore, he is well aware that Chancellor Zhao, as a pillar of the state, is also His Majesty's most trusted minister.

But in Liang Yongkang's sight, Prime Minister Zhao remained completely still. The white-haired Prime Minister Zhao stood at the forefront of the officials, his eyes closed in meditation, unresponsive to the surrounding noise.

Inside the main hall, the officials, who had been waiting for His Majesty to appear, soon began to stir again.

"Why hasn't Your Majesty come yet?"

"It's getting late, isn't it? We'd usually be here by this time."

"Is His Majesty going to miss the morning court session again today?"

"..."

Inside the main hall, as time passed, the murmurs grew louder. Many officials realized once again that today was indeed far too unusual.

The court assembly was much later than usual, and now His Majesty was not here, nor was there any news. Many officials were uneasy, and some went to inquire with Chancellor Zhao.

However, Zhao Xiang, who should have maintained order in the court at this time, turned a deaf ear to this and let the court become more and more chaotic, like a noisy market.

The ministers, especially those in charge of the six ministries, all frowned, wondering what was going on.

Then, the door to the main hall was suddenly and slowly closed. The unexpected commotion made all the officials inside turn around.

"What's going on? Why are you closing the door?!"

"what's the situation?!"

Before the eyes of the officials, the doors of the main hall were slammed shut by the imperial guards outside.

"boom!"

A dull thud seemed to shut everything out.

Feelings of repression, unease, tension, and fear spread instantly.

What's the matter?

what happened?

Many officials' expressions changed drastically, and their unease reached its peak.

Sure enough there is a problem!
Just as the crowd was in an uproar, a figure silently appeared in everyone's sight in front of the main hall.

He was dressed in luxurious brocade robes and exuded an imposing air. He appeared to be around forty years old, with a weathered yet profound face, and his entire being radiated an indescribable aura.

He appeared silently in front of the main hall, looking at all the officials inside.

"Li Yunjing? It's you?!"

"You're not dead? No... how did you get here?!"

"How is this going?!"

Someone in the crowd recognized him.

Li Yunjing?
When this name, familiar yet unfamiliar to many, is mentioned, many people feel a bit disoriented.

There were many unfamiliar faces in the court, and the name was indeed somewhat unfamiliar to them. However, quite a few veteran officials were also taken aback when they heard the name.

For some, a familiar, long-forgotten face gradually emerges in their mind. And that face gradually matches the face in front of them.

Recalling the rumors circulating in the capital during this period, the officials present were immediately in an uproar.

"Li Yunjing? Prince Jing? The prince who disappeared more than ten years ago?"

"The late emperor's younger brother? The Prince Jing who once made great contributions to the dynasty? He's not dead?!"

"Prince Jing, you're back?!"

In an instant, the hall was filled with ripples as if a stone had been thrown into a still pond, leaving countless ministers and officials astonished and incredulous.

No one expected that Prince Jing, who had disappeared for more than a decade, was still alive.

What terrified many officials even more was... why did Prince Jing suddenly return?
Why is he here?

What is the purpose of Prince Jing's return at this time?

In an instant, the expressions of many officials changed.

"Prince Jing, why...why are you here?!"

As expected, an old minister immediately stepped forward from the crowd and raised a question.

"Where is His Majesty? Where is His Majesty now?!"

Many people know that Prince Jing and the late emperor once fought fiercely for the throne, resulting in a sensational struggle for succession, and the brothers almost came to blows.

The story ended with Prince Jing's whereabouts remaining unknown.

Many even suspected that Prince Jing had probably already died at the hands of the late emperor. But now that Prince Jing has appeared safe and sound, while dispelling many doubts, it also sends chills down people's spines.

Why did Prince Jing suddenly return to the capital and appear here at this critical juncture? What is his purpose?
Knowing that His Majesty is currently in poor health, could it be that Prince Jing is planning something...? Many people felt a chill run down their spines.

This intense feeling of unease intensified, especially when he saw that the doors around the main hall were closed.

Immediately, another minister stepped forward and rebuked him: "Prince Jing, what exactly are you trying to do? As a vassal king, you are not allowed to enter the capital without a valid reason. Are you perhaps plotting a rebellion by showing up here today?!"

The minister's accusation immediately drew echoes from other ministers.

Clearly, everyone was suspicious of Li Yunjing's motives.

His identity is far too sensitive at this critical juncture!
Faced with the doubts, Li Yunjing remained calm and composed, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the officials in the crowd.

"Everyone, please calm down and don't get too excited!"

Li Yunjing sighed, "More than a decade has passed since we last met, and I've lost so many old friends. Time really flies!"

"Please don't worry, everyone. My return this time is not what you think. I've only come back to help an old friend with a favor."

"I am here today to meet you all because there is something I would like to tell you."

In the crowd, the old minister who used to know Li Yunjing stared at Li Yunjing and sneered, "What business does Prince Jing have to discuss with us here?"

"This is a crucial location for imperial affairs. Does Prince Jing truly intend to rebel?!"

Faced with the accusations, Li Yunjing remained unperturbed, instead smiling and saying, "After all these years, Minister Wu, your temper is still as fiery as ever."

"I have come here today to announce something important, so please be patient."

Li Yunjing spoke calmly, his gaze meeting Zhao Xiang's in front of the crowd.

Zhao Xiang, who had been silent and resting with his eyes closed, slowly raised his head and met Li Yunjing's gaze. A barely perceptible exchange of glances followed, and Li Yunjing smiled calmly and waved his hand.

Just as everyone was puzzled, another figure walked out from the side and went straight to the front of the hall.

All eyes turned to him, and they quickly recognized the figure as... Steward Chen!

He has served His Majesty for decades, since His Majesty was still the Crown Prince. His Majesty trusts him implicitly, and it is no exaggeration to call him the most loyal eunuch by His Majesty's side.

If it weren't for the precedent set by Chen Zhao, and the strong dissuasion from the ministers, this Eunuch Chen would probably have become the second powerful eunuch in the court long ago.

At this moment, many people were still a little confused when they saw Eunuch Chen appear.

Only Liang Yongkang, who had been carefully observing everyone in the crowd, felt a sudden jolt of fear when his gaze fell on Manager Chen's face.

An ominous premonition welled up in his mind.

From the moment Prince Jing appeared, an ominous premonition began to permeate the air. Now, with Chief Steward Chen appearing, and his eyes fixed on Chief Steward Chen's bowed head and downcast gaze, the uneasy fear in his heart could no longer be suppressed… Something bad must be happening!
Liang Yongkang suppressed his emotions and stared intently at Chief Steward Chen in front of the hall.

Meanwhile, the other officials were also watching this scene with blank expressions.

Then, Steward Chen slowly took something out of his sleeve.

That was... an imperial edict?
Many people's eyes narrowed.

Immediately afterwards, Steward Chen's high-pitched yet hoarse voice rang out in the main hall.

Somber, carrying a deep sense of sorrow.

"My lords, His Majesty passed away last night in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, his soul departed for the heavens."

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has passed away!"

"..." (End of this chapter)