Frost for a Thousand Years

"Lord Song, please forgive me."

On the left and right sides below the grand platform are steps leading up to it. At the end of each step, there is a temporary space constructed with a canopy and screen. Before ascending, all officials must pass through this space and undergo a full-body check by eunuchs, similar to a security checkpoint.

Song Shi'an raised his hands and calmly welcomed the inspection.

This procedure was always followed before entering the palace to meet the emperor. Such strictness applied even to grand outdoor ceremonies like this, in the emperor's presence.

This is the beauty of imperial power—absolute supremacy, how could it not make people succumb to its allure?

After a thorough and meticulous security check from head to toe, inside and out, Song Shi'an passed through.

"Your Excellency," the eunuch said somewhat embarrassedly, "If it's Lady Xinyue, a palace matron will come to check."

"This matter concerns the safety of the ceremony, so please be sure to conduct a thorough body search," Song Shi'an said with a slight smile.

"Your Excellency is too kind; this is merely a routine matter," the eunuch quickly replied with a smile.

Song Shi'an didn't speak, but nodded slightly and left.

After he left, the father-in-law whispered to a nanny, "Check carefully, don't overlook anything."

"Yes, father-in-law."

And just like that, Xinyue walked in.

There were only two elderly and high-ranking palace maids inside.

Upon seeing the other party, the head nanny smiled and requested, "Lady Xinyue, please take off your clothes."

At this moment, Song Shi'an was waiting at the bottom of the steps.

Compared to herself, Xin Yue took more than twice as long before slowly emerging.

The two of them climbed the long steps together.

"She made me take off all my clothes, completely naked," Xinyue whispered to him.

"You're not feeling too good about it," Song Shi'an said.

“Feelings are secondary,” Xin Yue said. “The main thing is this matter.”

How could a woman of no rank be allowed to appear at this banquet?
This is a state banquet.

Is it really just because of so-called merit?
There is only one answer.

The Crown Prince was wary of Song Shi'an.

Because he knew that the practice of raising assassins was a real thing.

After experiencing many events, Song Shi'an's most capable assistant is this woman who is easily overlooked, and for whom some have even paid the ultimate price.

She could suddenly pull out a bamboo knife from her leg, waist, or chest.

Why be so wary, even keeping this woman under control here?

Something big is definitely going to happen.

It's not as simple as the prince described.

Anyone with a basic understanding of history, or even those who know nothing at all, knows the story of "Zhao Kuangyin releasing his military power over a cup of wine".

But in reality, this is simply a charming moment in journalism.

While this story cannot be called fabricated, it is far removed from true history.

On the surface, the "releasing military power over a cup of wine" incident refers to Zhao Kuangyin cleverly relieving those military generals of their military power by saying a few words at a banquet.

But the truth is, this is the MVP settlement screen.

The plan was to first sideline the military generals, making all the necessary preparations, and then bring up the issue at a banquet, thus establishing it as a fait accompli both morally and legally, without stripping any generals of their military power.

Therefore, a casual remark from the emperor does not have the power to "release military power over a cup of wine".

The Song faction and the Wei Wusheng faction still exist, and neither has been weakened in the slightest.

Therefore, there is definitely a reason why the Crown Prince might use this at today's banquet, without the Emperor's knowledge.

That's the most ruthless move.

"Don't worry, today we'll only have a verbal battle, not a physical one."

After Song Shi'an went on stage, he reached out his hand to Xin Yue and comforted her in a voice that only she could hear.

Of course, this is not just a consolation.

The land reclamation project was indeed successfully completed, a feat of terrifying magnitude. Even if there were evidence of collusion and rebellion, it would be impossible to arrest Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng at this banquet, let alone convict them.

"Ah."

Xin Yue reached out and took the other person's hand. And just like that, she was helped up to the high platform of the banquet.

The officials from Sheng'an were all high-ranking officials of the fourth rank or above, making them all dignitaries who could participate in grand ceremonies and banquets. In contrast, the only official of the third rank in Huai County's agricultural settlements was Song Shi'an. Therefore, among the county officials, only Song Shi'an, Ji Zhi, and Jia Guihao were qualified.

Wei Wusheng's army was stationed in various locations, so there was basically no one present.

If they were to actually turn the main hall into a "democratic life meeting" of criticism and self-criticism, it would mean that they would have no support whatsoever.

"Fu Jun."

When Ji Zhi, the prefectural magistrate, met Song Shi'an, he immediately bowed to him and was very enthusiastic.

On the one hand, it was because Song Shi'an was his superior, and on the other hand, his status was not commensurate with those officials in the court, and he only had this one acquaintance.

However, after he greeted him enthusiastically, Song Shi'an ignored him completely.

They ignored the body and went to their seats.

"..." Ji Zhi was stunned on the spot, then his heart raced with nervousness as he frantically reviewed the events in his mind.

what happened?
Why are you ignoring me?

Did I do something wrong?

I didn't betray my own people or have any ambiguous relationships with the princelings.

"Lord Ji, your seat is over here, please." A eunuch greeted him and extended his hand.

"Alright." Ji Zhi bowed to the eunuch and then sat down in a seat on the very edge.

Given his rank, being able to participate in such a high-level game is already a great privilege, so naturally there's no problem at all.

However, after he sat down, he saw Song Shi'an being greeted by everyone and he even smiled in response.

what does this mean?

Does he care about anyone but me...?

"My lord, this is your seat."

A eunuch approached Song Shi'an and quickly led him to a seat.

Upon seeing that the seat reserved for him was the first one on the right, below the royal family, which was also the head of the civil officials, Song Shi'an humbly said, "Is it really appropriate for me to sit here?"

"Your Excellency, you are in charge of the land reclamation, and the land reclamation ceremony is today's important event," the eunuch said with a smile. "This was personally requested by His Highness the Crown Prince, so you are truly worthy of sitting here."

After he finished speaking, the other officials also chimed in.

"Shi An, you and the Sixth Prince completed this land reclamation project, so today is a big day for you."

"Yes, without you, what would we eat?"

"Don't be modest, please take a seat."

It is true that the aristocratic families previously disliked Song Shi'an.

But now she's truly fawning over him.

After all, those who understand the times are wise; that's the way to survive.

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Song Shi'an accepted the offer quite easily, without having to decline it three times.

"Lady Xinyue, please."

Then, the eunuch had Xinyue sit down in a separate spot.

Although he was ranked second among civil officials, everyone knew that he was essentially an accessory to Song Shi'an.

On the banquet stage, people continued to arrive.

Qualified officials have all taken up their posts one after another.

Whether they were civil or military officials, the first thing they did upon arrival was to offer their congratulations to Song Shi'an.

Just like congratulating a groom, they were filled with auspicious words and enthusiasm.

They had no idea what explosive things were about to happen. This also shows that the Emperor and the Crown Prince had done an excellent job of keeping things secret.

Everyone felt that all of this was perfectly natural.

Of course, they are all here, and perhaps they don't know what's happening outside.

Song Shi'an also lacked sources of information, but he was able to learn about the outside world by observing changes in the people around him.

Now that martial law has been declared in the capital, there's no reason why the troops outside shouldn't be taken over. Having gone to such lengths, the Crown Prince would absolutely not allow the risks to materialize.

He guessed that Zhao Yi would definitely not be there.

Sure enough, almost all the military officers had arrived, but Zhao Yi was still nowhere to be seen.

Wait, what about East China University of Political Science and Law?

He was one of the Nine Ministers, and one of only two noble family heads who came with the Duke of Li. Logically, he should have been in the second position among the military generals, but that position had already been taken, and he was nowhere to be seen.

Could it be that he's not here either?

Why isn't he here?
He is a blatant member of the Prince of Jin's faction.

Suddenly, Song Shi'an had an idea, a very bold idea—the Crown Prince wanted to take advantage of this wave to forcibly convert the Prince of Jin's faction as well.

Just like when he led his men to stage a mutiny in Langya and defended Shuofeng, he was about to submit a memorial to Wang Dalong requesting a reward.

The Crown Prince also wanted to force Hua Zheng to become his man without his consent.

A forced relationship won't be sweet, but the prince will force things.

As his fingers tapped softly on the table, Song Shi'an felt a growing unease.

It wasn't that they had no idea what was about to happen, but rather that they sensed this court infighting might be even more decisive than they had imagined.

The crown prince may have already made arrangements with the emperor.

However, the crown prince probably didn't know what his father was planning to do either.

Xin Yue, standing to the side, cared about something completely different.

There is a seat directly opposite Song Shi'an that clearly belongs to someone.

The man she longed for day and night, the man she wished she could eat his flesh and sleep on his skin.

Finally, he arrived.

The Crown Prince ascended the high platform and, with the crowd below, helped the Duke of Li towards this direction.

Upon seeing the Crown Prince, everyone stood up at the same time.

"Xinyue."

After Song Shi'an reminded her, Xin Yue also stood up in surprise.

Her anger towards this man was uncontrollable, but making such an expression in this situation would definitely cause trouble for Song Shi'an, and might even put him in danger.

He has such faith in himself, and I won't hold him back.

He had promised himself that she would have a chance to get revenge.

Therefore, not at this time.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

As everyone spoke in unison, the Crown Prince walked through the middle, a rather reserved and noble smile on his face, and slowly nodded.

"Duke, please." After being led to the front, he extended his hand.

"Thank you, Prince."

The Duke of Li sat in his seat, like a majestic mountain, and even in his old age, he still exuded a powerful sense of pressure.

Directly opposite him, Song Shi'an smiled and calmly met the gaze of the empire's most powerful military officer.

Their clashes have happened before.

At the Duke's Mansion.

Song Shi'an's statement, "By bringing down the Duke of Qin, the Duke of Li suffered considerable losses," escalated the conflict between the two to an irreconcilable point.

Therefore, this old man had no goodwill towards Song Shi'an.

However, at that moment, Song Shi'an raised an empty bottle towards him.

This action made even the usually serious Duke of Li unable to suppress a smile.

That kid is a true hero.

After the Crown Prince arrived, the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Zhongping, the Prince of Zhongshan, and the Prince of Changsha also arrived one after another.

The officials bowed to him, and he returned the courtesy, then walked to the seats of the princes on the left and right sides below the emperor and sat down.

The moment Wei Wusheng sat down, he looked at Song Shi'an and Xin Yue.

The two people also looked at him.

At this moment, the three of them formed a complete spiritual bond, making no attempt to conceal their mutual dependence.

The crown prince witnessed everything, and their affection amplified his unease and shame.

I'm sorry, but my magnanimity doesn't allow my subjects to have unconditional loyalty and love for my brothers.

And so, everyone except the emperor arrived in place.

Finally, with the help of Eunuch Xi, he ascended the high platform, his heavy feet and ailing body carrying him step by step toward the old emperor's seat.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects."

All the officials, including the crown prince, knelt down in worship.

The emperor walked to the throne and slowly sat down.

"Rise," said Eunuch Xi in a loud voice.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Everyone stood up and took their seats.

"The grand ceremony for the military settlement of farmland begins—"

.........

Outside the grand ceremony, in a room.

Shen Kang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, sat in his seat.

Before him was a man kneeling on one knee with his fists clenched.

"I called you here because I have a task for you," Shen Kang said.

"Please enlighten me, Mr. Shen," he said.

Then, Shen Kang tossed him a military report and said, "Take this military report to His Majesty during the banquet."

"Is it alright for me to attend such an important occasion as the land reclamation ceremony?" he asked somewhat nervously.

"A military report delivered by express courier takes precedence over everything else. Is this your first day as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?" Shen Kang asked.

"Yes, Chief Shen."

He quickly agreed, not daring to say another word. But after speaking, he asked curiously, "Then where did this military report come from, and how is it reported to His Majesty?"

When reporting to the emperor, one must clearly explain these matters.

"It came from Beiliang and was relayed back by the Embroidered Uniform Guard to His Majesty," Shen Kang said.

This left the Imperial Guard stunned. He asked nervously, "Boss...does this message really need to be reported at that time?"

The military report from Beiliang was presented openly at the grand ceremony; what was its purpose?

There is only one possibility: the emperor wanted him to make the news about Beiliang public at this time.

"Qin Kuo and Zhu Qing are plotting a rebellion with their troops, resisting the imperial court. The evidence is conclusive," Shen Kang said solemnly.

"..." The Imperial Guards were dumbfounded.

The Crown Prince had just said that as long as he had Song Shi'an's letter, he could save Qin Kuo and Zhu Qing's lives.

But as soon as the letter was sent out, and they went to relieve the Northern Liang military of their command, they were already labeled as rebels.

The statements are too contradictory.

"Boss." The Imperial Guard looked at Shen Kang tremblingly and asked, "Is this... His Highness's will?"

"This is His Majesty's will." (End of Chapter)