The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the Somersault Cloud, Old Zhu was so envious he cried!

At first, all the civil and military officials stood obediently and dared not utter a sound.

But as time went on, His Majesty failed to attend court, and everyone began to feel uneasy.

After all, in the eyes of the officials, Zhu Yuanzhang was not a good person. If he didn't come to court today, who knows what he was up to behind the scenes.

So all the officials looked at Hu Weiyong at the front of the procession, hoping that this Prime Minister Hu could answer their questions.

"Lord Hu, why hasn't His Majesty come to court yet? We've been standing here for over an hour."

"Yes, Your Majesty has never been late before, why are you so late today?"

"Could it be that something has happened in the palace? Please, Lord Hu, enlighten us!"

Follow-up questions from colleagues

Hu Weiyong was completely stumped by the question.

He really wanted to say, "I know just as much as you all, and you all come to ask me. So who am I supposed to ask?"

However, these words were not quite in line with his status.

Especially recently, Li Shanchang was forced to resign and return to his hometown by Zhu Yuanzhang, and Hu Weiyong inherited his entire political legacy.

Although he is currently only a Right Chancellor, he is already showing a tendency to replace the Left Chancellor and become the head of all officials in the court.

So, he first glanced at Prime Minister Wang beside him without making a sound, and seeing that he also looked uneasy, he felt relieved.

Immediately afterwards, Hu Weiyong stepped forward and reassured everyone, saying, "Please be patient, everyone. His Majesty's lateness must have its reasons. Please do not speculate or spread rumors. Just wait patiently!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another person said, "His Majesty has never been late before. His unusual behavior today suggests that he may be unwell."

Upon hearing this, Hu Weiyong's face immediately darkened, and he sternly rebuked, "Stop talking nonsense! His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven, protected by the destiny of the Ming Dynasty. How could he fall ill for no reason!"

"If I hear you spouting nonsense again, I'll rip your tongue out!"

The man turned pale with fright, his body trembling, and he repeatedly defended himself, saying, "This humble official misspoke. I had no intention of speculating about His Majesty's presence. That's not what I meant..."

However, Hu Weiyong merely gave a heavy snort and didn't even glance at him.

Several colleagues who usually had a good relationship with him also quietly distanced themselves from him, acting as if they didn't know him.

Although everyone secretly wished that Zhu Yuanzhang would die and be reincarnated as soon as possible, you couldn't say what you really thought, especially not in the imperial court.

You have absolutely no political awareness. Who would dare to associate with you in the future?

After this incident, no one dared to speak out of turn. They all returned to their positions and stood obediently, waiting patiently for His Majesty to begin court.

Another hour passed.

His Majesty still hasn't come.

Everyone's legs ached and felt weak from standing, and their stomachs were growling with hunger.

Because the imperial court meetings were quite serious

Officials would usually skip breakfast before attending the morning court session.

At this time in the past, the morning meeting would have already ended.

The officials all rode home in their sedan chairs and enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

But today, His Majesty has been late.

No one informed them whether the morning court session would still be held.

Making them wait here indefinitely is just torture!

Everyone wanted to curse him out in their hearts.

That damned Zhu Yuanzhang would always find new ways to torment these pampered scholars.

"Lord Hu, how much longer must we wait?"

"Yeah, is the court assembly even going to take place or not?"

"Lord Hu, please say something."

Hearing his colleagues' complaints, Hu Weiyong knew that if he continued to wait like this, even he would be unable to appease everyone.

So he turned to the crowd and said, "Please wait a moment, I'll go and find out some information for you!"

After speaking, Hu Weiyong left the ranks of officials and found the chief eunuch on duty at the Fengtian Hall to inquire about the reason.

The eunuchs dared not be negligent upon seeing Hu Weiyong, after all, he was the head of all officials, so they quickly bowed and paid their respects.

Hu Weiyong returned the greeting, then raised his head and asked in a low voice, "Eunuch Wang, His Majesty has been late in coming to court today. What is the reason? The officials are all restless. If this is delayed any longer, it may cause rumors to spread."

Eunuch Wang first looked around, and after confirming that no one was around, he said in a low voice, "Prime Minister Hu, there is no need to worry. His Majesty stayed overnight at Kunning Palace last night and has not yet woken up."

Hu Weiyong's expression suddenly froze upon hearing this.

He had considered many reasons, but this was the one he had never thought of!

Once it was confirmed that Eunuch Wang was not deceiving him,

Hu Weiyong immediately felt relieved and even wanted to laugh.

"Thank you for informing me, Eunuch Wang. I will go and appease everyone immediately."

Hu Weiyong then returned to the group.

As soon as he returned, everyone surrounded him and asked him questions.

"How is it, Lord Hu? Any news?"

Hu Weiyong remained calm and composed, saying, "Everyone need not worry. The reason His Majesty did not come is because he stayed overnight in the inner palace and is still asleep."

These words immediately caused an uproar among the crowd, who had been living in fear and anxiety for half a day.

It was all because His Majesty overslept.

Which imperial concubine is this?

They're incredibly powerful; they even managed to subdue Old Zhu!

After the news spread, everyone felt a little relieved.

But a group of people suddenly had a bright look in their eyes, and they were all eager to get started.

Brothers, we've got a job!

They were the imperial censors who advised the emperor and impeached officials in the court.

Normally, the Emperor's absence wouldn't concern them, but if you say it's because he stayed overnight in the inner palace, then it's related to them.

"The Ming Dynasty has only been established for a few years, and the Emperor has already begun to indulge in pleasure, even neglecting to attend court assemblies. How can the country prosper if this continues? I will risk my life to remonstrate with him!"

"That's right. If His Majesty dares to be late today, he'll dare not come tomorrow. We, as officials who speak out, must remind His Majesty!"

"Throughout history, every ruler who has become obsessed with beautiful women and indulged in the harem has been a harbinger of the downfall of his kingdom. We will resolutely oppose this!"

A group of imperial censors were shouting and making wild accusations, saying things that could get them beheaded.

But the officials around them all seemed to take it all in stride.

After all, if you're going to say it's outrageous,

Who can compare to those censors?

Others feared execution, but they alone longed to be beheaded by the emperor.

With a single stroke of the Emperor's sword, they can achieve eternal fame and be remembered for generations to come!

This guy is practically a bloodthirsty scholar!

Just as the censors were in high spirits,

Hu Weiyong spoke, and his words were like a bucket of cold water poured on everyone, instantly extinguishing their spirits.

"If I told you that His Majesty stayed overnight in Kunning Palace, would you still risk your lives to remonstrate?"

The room fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

At this moment, someone asked timidly, "Why is everyone suddenly silent? Who lives in Kunning Palace?"

A colleague standing nearby yelled, "Are you an idiot? Only the Empress can live in Kunning Palace!"

Then look at those censors, they all look like wilted eggplants, their faces full of embarrassment as they lower their heads and pick at their shoes with their toes.

They are not afraid of death, but not being afraid of death and not seeking death are two different things!

Moreover, the Empress had been kind to them.

In the past, when they offended Zhu Yuanzhang, they would go to the Empress to plead for mercy, and perhaps she could save them.

But if you offend the Empress, and you do so in the morning, a group of bandits will break into your house in the afternoon and start killing anyone they see.

When the authorities arrived, they determined that they had all committed suicide!