Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 41 Court Meeting
"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

After the discussion, the Duke of Li rose and bowed to the Emperor.

Then, he turned to leave.

Suddenly, the emperor called out to him with a serious expression: "Zihui."

"His Majesty."

The Duke of Li stopped in his tracks.

After the two looked at each other for a long time, the emperor shook his head: "No, it's alright."

Afterwards, the Duke of Li withdrew from Xuanyu Hall.

The emperor remained behind, a hint of unease appearing in his solemn expression.

Once again, looking at the back of his hand, examining it closely, he slowly said, "Chen Bao, tell me, should I appoint the Prince of Jin or the Prince of Wu?"

"Your Majesty! This servant dared not speak so presumptuously! Please forgive me!"

Immediately, Chen Bao prostrated himself before the emperor in terror.

Looking at him, the emperor smiled bitterly and sighed, "In this world, there is no one I can confide in."

Chen Bao remained lying down, trembling and afraid to raise his head.

After a long silence, the emperor said, "Draft an edict for me. Tomorrow, appoint Wei Wusheng as the General of the Five Offices and have him participate in the court assembly the day after tomorrow."

"As ordered."

.........

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Wei Wusheng is appointed General of the Five Offices and will participate in tomorrow's court assembly."

A brief imperial edict, unlike any other before, was proclaimed from Chen Bao's mouth.

Feeling both terrified and incredibly excited, Wei Wusheng composed himself and bowed deeply, saying, "Your subject receives the decree."

Then, the imperial edict ended up in Wei Wusheng's hands.

"Congratulations, Sixth Prince."

After announcing the decree, Chen Bao's solemn expression changed, and he smiled and said...

"Eunuch Chen."

Wei Wusheng stepped forward, walked up to him, took his hand with one hand, and said with particular respect, "Could you tell me what this decree means?"

This imperial edict is very strange.

First of all, the content is outrageously short.

There was only the most basic format, no reason for the appointment, no praise for his achievements, and not even a mention of where he was to be appointed or what military commander he was assigned to.

There was no ceremony.

There is no tiger tally.

He has this identity but no substance.

Of course, the imperial edict came from the emperor, and that was everything. He must be the General of the Five Offices of the Great Yu, possessing the highest legal authority.

But it was too abrupt.

"Your Highness is too kind. The imperial edict has already made things very clear," Chen Bao said with a smile.

"What does the imperial edict mean beyond that?" Wei Wusheng asked tentatively.

The other party was not asking for a bribe.

Although most eunuchs are greedy, there is a rule that they can accept rewards, but they cannot actively hint at accepting bribes from princes and princesses.

Those who belong to the royal family must be treated with the utmost respect.

Therefore, whether or not the emperor's intentions are revealed depends entirely on the mood of this "second-in-command".

Looking at Wei Wusheng, Chen Bao, bowing slightly, whispered, "Perhaps Your Highness will find out what it means at tomorrow's court assembly?"

After saying this, Chen Bao bowed to Wei Wusheng and said, "Then this old servant will take his leave."

After watching him leave, Wei Wusheng, holding the imperial edict in his hand, fell into deep thought.

I'll find out at tomorrow's court assembly?
Before I took office, my father had never consulted with me at all.

No, in the past twenty years, my father has not spoken a single word to me.

The sudden appointment seemed to be a prelude to my participation in tomorrow's court assembly.

According to Eunuch Chen, does this mean that the Emperor hopes I will make a good impression at tomorrow's court assembly?

Your Majesty, is there something you need me to do?
Could this be related to yesterday's military report?

With these thoughts in mind, Wei Wusheng returned to his He Ning Palace and kept pondering the imperial edict.

Meanwhile, Xinyue returned to the palace.

Facing him, she said with great shame, "Your Highness... I was unable to speak with Song Shi'an."

"Why? Why is he ignoring you?" Wei Wusheng asked curiously. "..." Thinking of what happened last night, even the usually cold and aloof Xinyue became a little anxious. "I pretended to drop my purse, and he came up to return it to me. I took the opportunity to express my gratitude and asked his name, and he actually said his name was something like Wang Shuishan?"

"Hahaha." Wei Wusheng was amused and waved his hand, saying, "Never mind, let's just say it proves that he is a gentleman who returns lost property."

"Then Your Highness, are you no longer going to look for him?" Xin Yue asked.

"He'll be reported to the Ministry of Personnel in a few days, and I expect he'll be appointed as the county magistrate. We'll see then if we can catch a glimpse of him."

At this point, Wei Wusheng became interested and asked, "By the way, what does he look like?"

"He was eight feet tall, neither strong nor thin, and his appearance... should be handsome."

Are there any other characteristics?

"Continue," Wei Wusheng pressed.

"It's not that I'm prejudiced, but I feel he's the kind of person who likes to tease others and has a very deep and calculating nature."

"That's just prejudice you developed from being teased, haha."

"..."

Xin Yue didn't know what to say, so she lowered her head and, after a moment of silence, said, "Your Highness, you seem to be in a rather pleasant mood?"

"Yes, His Majesty has appointed me as the General of the Five Offices."

Upon hearing this, Xinyue was greatly shocked.

Because everyone knows that the sixth prince is practically a pawn to be discarded.

Of the seven princes currently alive, the youngest, who is only nine years old, has already been granted the title of king, except for the sixth prince.

Moreover, he held no official position.

This is a truth that everyone in the world knows perfectly well—the emperor disliked the sixth prince.

Xin Yue couldn't help but feel a little worried.

Wei Wusheng, on the other hand, was filled with anticipation: "Father, has he seen me?"

.........

Court meeting.

After the officials entered the palace through the side passage, they reached the long steps of the Taiyuan Hall.

Ascending the long steps, one enters the palace for the court assembly.

Song Jing, who was walking behind and had not yet ascended the steps, quickly stepped forward and caught up with an elderly man of about seventy years old, who was of the second rank.

The old man stopped, spoke to the person next to him, let them go first, and then stood with Song Jing.

Cui Ting, Right Assistant Minister of the Imperial Household Department, is a second-rank official.

"Father-in-law," Song Jing greeted him.

Cui Ting held his hand, then asked with a smile, "Aji, did Ce'er pass the imperial examination?"

Song Jing said somewhat apologetically, "The essay topic was off-topic, but I still managed to pass the exam."

“It’s alright, Ce’er is only fifteen. He can take the imperial examination again next year and try to become a Jinshi,” Cui Ting said.

"That's what my son thinks too, so I plan to arrange for him to go to the Imperial Academy to focus on preparing for the exam."

"Good, good."

Cui Ting nodded in approval, his face kind and gentle.

However, after talking about his own grandson, Cui Ting's face gradually became serious, and he asked, "Then Song Shi'an, is that your idea?"

"Father, are you referring to the matter of Sun Situ's birthday?"

"What else is there? The whole city knows."

"That kid is unruly; he never consulted me at all..."

Thinking of this, Song Jing was so angry that his teeth itched: "In fact, he hasn't even returned home yet!"

"Call him home immediately."

Cui Ting raised his finger and earnestly instructed, "No more trouble is allowed. In a few days, when he reports for duty, send him to Chong County. I have a friend who is the prefect of Ning County and can protect him."

“I will definitely tell him.”

Song Jing nodded and said earnestly.

“There’s no turning back now,” Cui Ting concluded. “Since he was able to pass the provincial examination with top honors, he must have some real talent. If he’s willing to step forward, then let him step forward.”

There wasn't much to say here, but the two had already reached an understanding.

At the same time, a group of officials behind him, led by Minister Sun, also walked towards the steps, chatting and laughing.

Even after seeing the two of them, his attitude remained casual.

After giving him a cold look, Song Jing and Cui Ting flicked their sleeves and turned around to help him up the stairs.

(End of this chapter)