Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1104: Public Opinion
Imperial Palace, outside Sima Gate.

All the civil and military officials waiting for the court meeting were waiting here for orders and preparing to enter the palace.

A man who was about thirty-six or thirty-seven years old, wearing a Jinxian crown and dressed in black civil official robes, came to Wang Yun respectfully with a red board in his hand.

"Meet uncle."

Wang Yun frowned slightly and said, "How many times have I told you that when we are not at home, we should address each other by our official titles. How can you be allowed to call me a relative outside the palace gate during a court meeting?"

The man quickly corrected: "Nephew...Oh no, I will follow your instructions."

"Yeah." Wang Yun nodded slightly, looking straight ahead, standing straight. His court robes were spotless, obviously having been ironed before going out.

The man continued, "I was promoted to the governor of Hongnong by the Grand Tutor. I will never forget your kindness."

This man was Wang Yun's cousin, named Ma Heng, with the courtesy name Qingping. Seven years ago, he was recommended by the Wang family of Taiyuan as a scholar and was able to serve as an official. Half a month ago, after the former prefect of Hongnong died of illness, Wang Yun recommended him to succeed him.

Wang Yun still had a serious expression and said calmly: "I am promoting talents for the country. This is the emperor's great grace. You should serve the court. What merit have I made?"

Ma Heng nodded repeatedly, then stood closer and said softly: "At the court meeting later, I will do my best to follow the plan and ensure..."

"Hmm?" Wang Yun gave him a stern look, stopping him from continuing. Ma Heng knew he was talking too much, so he immediately shut up and stood aside respectfully.

Wang Yun's eyes were half open and half closed, and a cunning look flashed across his obscure gaze.

"After years of planning, today is the day of success. Your Highness, please do not blame me for being cruel. It is your own fault that you are young and ignorant, and acted on impulse, and fell into my trap..."

At this time, the heavy Sima door slowly opened, and the ministers immediately perked up.

Gong Saner waved his whisk and walked out of the palace. Just as all the ministers were waiting for him to say "all ministers enter the palace", they heard him clear his throat and then shout.

"Your Majesty is ill today, so the court will be suspended for two days. You officials do not need to wait."

After saying this, he turned around and was about to leave. The astonished ministers hurriedly surrounded him.

"Attendant Gong, why did His Majesty suddenly fall ill?"

"Yes, Your Majesty has always been in good health. What's wrong with you? Have you consulted a royal physician?"

"Your Majesty has been on the throne for many years and has never missed a day of court. How could such a minor illness have caused such a serious illness?"

"Now the Sun bandits in the south are ready to make a move. The Silk Road has just opened, and everything is in turmoil. The pirates in the east and the southern barbarians in Shu are all looking like they are causing chaos. How can Your Majesty just ignore state affairs?"

Gong Saner glanced at them and smiled slightly: "I am just an eunuch. I don't understand the affairs of the court, let alone make rash comments. But your Majesty fainted when he was sleeping in the new concubine's palace last night. Although it is not serious, the imperial physician said it was caused by overwork. I am just here to convey the emperor's order. If you ministers want to find out the truth, you may as well ask for permission to enter the palace and ask the emperor in person."

After leaving these words, Gong Saner turned around and went back behind the palace gate without caring about the reactions of the ministers.

A group of ministers quickly surrounded Wang Yun.

"Grandmaster, what does your majesty mean? Has he noticed something?"

"Yes, we have been preparing for a long time, and we can't let it go to waste."

Wang Yun also frowned, thinking about it in his mind, but couldn't understand the emperor's intention.

The emperor must have known about Liu Zheng leaving the palace and killing someone last night. Could the suspension of court for two days be a delaying tactic?
Wang Yun shook his head, unable to figure out the reason, but he had to appear calm in front of the ministers who followed his lead.

"Don't worry, everyone. Since His Majesty is ill, we will all do our duties and come back to court in two days. Go back now."

After saying this, he also left quickly.

Seeing this, all the ministers looked at each other in bewilderment and finally had to disperse.

Lu Zhi, Cui Lie and others who were not far away looked at the commotion here with mocking expressions on their faces.

"Lord Lu, how do you think His Majesty will respond this time? I am confused."

Lu Zhi twisted his graying beard and said with a smile, "Taifu, why do you have to worry about this? Your Majesty has given orders, and we just need to follow them. The emperor is wise and decisive, and he has a brilliant plan."

Zhong Yao, who was standing by, joked, "Mr. Lu seems to be calm and composed at the moment. I don't know who was the one who, upon receiving a joint letter from hundreds of private schools and great scholars from all over the country, was so shocked, angry, and anxious that he smashed the teapot he had just swindled from his nephew Huangfu."

Lu Zhi's face was embarrassed. "Yuan Chang has always been known as a loyal and honest elder. How come he has become so venomous today? He even has a bit of Man Chong's meaning. It seems that the Minister of Justice is really not a good place to be."

Cai Yong laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, Lord Lu, Lord Zhong, wouldn't it be unbecoming to quarrel in front of the palace gate? Yesterday I wrote a new book, and I have nothing else to do. I would like you to come over to my house to read it and comment on it. What do you think?"

"Okay. Bo Ji's calligraphy has been approved by His Majesty and is the best in the world. How can we miss it? Let's go together..."

In the south city of Luoyang, the Miao family were guests in Zhu Ye's mansion after all. Moreover, the gap between their identities was too great, which made the family feel restrained everywhere. So they left the mansion and went to the street market where they used to set up stalls, to look for old friends and relax.

"Lao Miao..."

From a distance, someone in front recognized the Miao family and greeted them. Miao's father smiled happily and immediately took his family to greet them. Several vendors who were setting up stalls over there also came forward to greet them.

"Hey, Lao Miao, you haven't been here for some time. What's the matter? Have you made a fortune somewhere and forgotten about us old brothers? Hahaha..."

Father Miao smiled innocently and said, "Brother Qin, what are you talking about? How can I have such good fortune?"

Another person said, "Of course not. Everyone has heard that your daughter is deeply in love with the Crown Prince. Wow, such a blessing, others are envious."

"Yes, Lao Miao, why did you hide this from your brother? His Majesty is a wise ruler, and we have heard that the eldest prince is a young hero. Hey, your daughter is good-looking and has a very good temper. Look at her figure, hey, she is a seed that can give birth to a son. If she enters the palace and becomes the eldest prince's concubine, she will be rich and glorious, and enjoy endless enjoyment."

"That's right, don't forget to help our old brothers when the time comes."

The group of people were talking animatedly, and Miao Juan's face had already turned red with embarrassment. However, Miao's father felt warmed to the heart by what they said, and became somewhat complacent.

I am just an ordinary man. If I could really become a relative of the royal family, and a prince who is both talented in civil and military affairs, handsome, and kind-hearted, let alone becoming a concubine, even if I could just become a dowry maid, it would be a great honor for my ancestors.

But at this moment, a shrill voice came.

"Tsk... there really are such ungrateful people. Do you think a toad can eat swan flesh? You country folk want to get into the royal family. You really have no sense of shame."

This sound immediately aroused the dissatisfaction of the Miao family and several vendors present.

"Who? Which bastard is gossiping behind my back?" The middle-aged man called "Brother Qin" by Miao's father looked around angrily, trying to find the source of the voice.

"That's what I said. How dare you, a mere villager, speak disrespectfully to me?"

A young man dressed in a brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist, and carrying a long sword, walked out from the street corner more than ten steps away, and behind him were several men in similar attire.

As soon as Lao Qin saw the appearance and attire of these people, he knew that they must be from wealthy families. He was afraid that he could not afford to offend them, so he couldn't help but become a little timid.

Seeing his attitude, the other party became even more arrogant and walked forward while laughing.

"Hahahaha... A few ignorant villagers dare to talk nonsense here in broad daylight. It's really ridiculous. Haha..."

When Miao's father saw the other person's appearance, he couldn't help but feel a little scared, but Miao's mother immediately became furious and started cursing back without caring about the other person's identity.

"Bah! I thought it was just some random people farting here, but it turns out you are just a bunch of young thieves. Who do you think you are? I scolded my man and daughter myself, why do you scold me? If you dare to say another word, I will tear your stinky mouths apart!"

Those young men considered themselves to be well-mannered, and had never done such a thing as quarreling with a shrew in the street. After being scolded by Miao's mother, they were immediately furious.

"You...you shrew, how dare you..."

"I am a shrew, so what? I am a country woman, why should I be afraid of losing face? But you little thieves are all dressed up like dogs. How do you say that? Is there something in the ears of the female monkey? Or is there water in the brain?"

A young man jumped out and said, "What female monkey? She is a monkey in human clothing. You are an illiterate village woman, so don't talk nonsense here. We are all students of the Imperial College and come from famous families. You..."

Miao's mother rolled her eyes at the man and said, "Oh my... so what if you are the children of a famous family? You are wild monkeys with swill in your brains. You pretend to be so refined, but you don't say a word of human language. I have seen many scholars. They are elegant and handsome, and they speak eloquently. How can you be like them? Which famous family can raise children like you? I think this famous family is not as good as the blacksmith Ergou's family in our village."

"Hahaha..." Miao's mother's words caused many of the surrounding merchants to applaud and laugh.

Most of these merchants were acquainted with the Miao family. They were already dissatisfied with these rude young men. Now, Miao's mother's words made it difficult for them to resist. Naturally, everyone was happy to watch the fun and take the opportunity to teach these guys a lesson.

At this time, a person who had been standing at the back of the group of young people stood up.

He smiled and bowed to all directions, looking extremely elegant.

Then, this person faced the Miao family and said, "Excuse me, everyone. I am Pingyuan Ni Yuan. Just now, several of my classmates were angry and said something offensive. Ni Yuan apologizes to you on their behalf."

As soon as he introduced himself, several people around him exclaimed in surprise.

"Ni Yuan, it turned out to be him..."

Brother Qin pulled someone beside him and asked curiously, "Who is this guy? Do you know him?"

The merchant explained hurriedly, "Brother, don't you know? In the fifth dormitory of the Imperial College, there is a famous figure in the School of Classics, the second son of the Ni family in Pingyuan County. Since entering the Imperial College, not only has his grades been among the best year after year, but he is also very eloquent and has an eloquent tongue. He is said to have no rivals in the Imperial College."

Another person beside him said, "He is nothing. When it comes to eloquence, his elder brother Ni Heng is the best in the world. It is said that even Huangfu Han, who no one dared to offend in the Imperial College, was once silenced by his arguments."

"Hiss..." Brother Qin was also very shocked. "It turned out to be the younger brother of Ni Heng? Although we didn't have the chance to see the debate between him and Huangfu Han last year, we heard a lot about it. It was a sensation in the capital. This person is Ni Heng's younger brother and a child of a famous family. Why would he come out to make things difficult for Brother Miao and the others?"

The people around shook their heads.

"Alas, it seems that there are many people who are dissatisfied with what happened between Lao Miao and His Highness. Let's think of a way to help them leave Sili as soon as possible and make a living elsewhere."

Everyone nodded, thinking that this was the only way out.

(End of this chapter)