The Duke of Chengguo's response, once laden with the hopes of many and the fears of many as well,
now left everyone indifferent, for the matter had already reached its conclusion.
The emperor's face was likewise devoid of expression.
The hall momentarily felt as if it were frozen in time.
"Perhaps at that time, the ailment hadn't surfaced." Fortunately, the official who had made the suggestion had not forgotten his role and quickly spoke up.
"I have already asked Miss Jun to take a look," the Duke of Chengguo said.
"Miss Jun is a doctor, not a witch," the official sneered and replied, "If Prince Huai were truly ill, would we not know to summon a physician?"
The Duke of Chengguo chuckled lightly.
"That is but one aspect," he said. "I believe that if we are to exorcise any evil spirit, it would be better to come to the Imperial City rather than go to the Imperial Mausoleum."
He turned his gaze to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, as the son of the Heavenly Emperor and sovereign of the nine-five position, all evil spirits must retreat in fear."
Having praised the emperor in such terms, how could the emperor claim to fear any evil spirit violating his divine aura? Would that not suggest that His Majesty was unworthy of his celestial title? The official found himself unsure of what to say next.
"Of course, it does not necessarily need to be brought to Your Majesty here in the Imperial City," the Duke of Chengguo continued. "It could also be a case of fighting fire with fire; evil spirits fear murderous energy as well. The soldiers I command are battle-hardened and carry an intense killing aura. It might be better to select a few of them to station at Prince Huai's mansion as a ward."
In the grand hall, only the Duke of Chengguo and the official exchanged words, while all the other officials, including Huang Cheng, stood aside like lifeless statues of earth and stone, lending an eerie quality to the atmosphere.
Thankfully, the emperor broke the silence.
"Very well, let it be as the Duke of Chengguo has said," he declared.
Often, the emperor did not make decisions directly but instead solicited the opinions of his ministers. Today, however, his resolution was swift and unambiguous.
The emperor is angry, Huang Cheng mused, clicking his tongue in his mind. He is so furious that he doesn't even care to put on an act.
"Is there anything else?" the emperor promptly inquired.
With that, the topic had shifted, and the Duke of Chengguo and the official were caught off guard, unable to voice the thanks they had prepared to say. They quickly bowed and withdrew in a somewhat embarrassed haste.
At this point, someone needed to diffuse the situation, for if left unresolved, the emperor might storm out of court, his robes flung in fury. For the emperor to leave in such a manner would shame not only the Duke of Chengguo but also the emperor himself.
The Duke of Chengguo's reputation mattered little to Huang Cheng, but maintaining the emperor's dignity was paramount.
He had come prepared for this contingency, having already arranged for a few aged officials to take the floor to express their gratitude for retirement, flattering the emperor with pleasant words to lift his spirits. Huang Cheng prepared to exchange a glance with those officials when a voice suddenly cut through the hall.
Gratitude was being expressed loudly as a group stepped forward.
These old officials had some sense after all, Huang Cheng thought as he turned to look, but his expression darkened immediately.
The ones stepping forward were not the old officials, but seven or eight young ones, with Ning Yunzhao at their head.
"We thank Your Majesty for your generosity in assigning additional manpower. The 'Records of Qingdu' have now been successfully completed." Ning Yunzhao spoke in a clear voice, kneeling to kowtow as he finished. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, may Your Majesty rejoice."
The rest of the group also kneeled and expressed their thanks with great fervor.
Among them were not only those who had worked on the manuscript but also those who, having been transferred to the Hanlin Imperial Academy due to the project, seized the moment to heap grateful words upon the emperor.
Perhaps it was in keeping with Ning Yunzhao's earlier words about the sincerity of youth, but their flattery was so barefaced that it made many senior officials present shake their heads in dismay, lamenting the decline of the younger generation.
Even the emperor could not help but smile at their words.
"Enough, enough. Doing your appointed duties well is the best reward you can give me," he said. The heavy expression in his eyes finally lightened.
Only then did the retired officials Huang Cheng had prepared get their chance to step forward and express their gratitude. However, at this point, no words, however pleasing, could compare to the youthful enthusiasm that had come before.
Adding flowers to brocade can never match delivering coal in the snow.
The Grand Court ended on a relatively cheerful note. Most of the hundreds of officials dispersed, while only the higher-ranking and more important ministers accompanied the emperor to the rear Qingzheng Hall to address the true affairs of state.
Yet this time, the emperor did not summon the ministers as usual. Instead, he dismissed the eunuchs, and the main door to Qingzheng Hall was shut firmly behind him as he entered.
Once inside, the emperor's face bore not a trace of his earlier smile. He struck forward and kicked over the round stool before him.
"Composed in spirit, articulate in speech," he murmured.
These were precisely the words the Duke of Chengguo had used moments ago to describe Prince Huai.
"What? The boy is so exceptional—does that mean he'd make a fine crown prince?"
The emperor continued pacing the room like a cornered beast.
"Ungrateful wretch!"
"Even in death, he isn't forgotten!"
The emperor's anger grew as he spoke, devolving into mumbled curses spoken in the Shandong dialect. Not only would any listeners struggle to understand him, but there were no eunuchs present to overhear at this moment.
However, outside the door, the eunuch Yuan Bao caught the gist. He paused and gestured for the others to wait.
This was the customary time to present the emperor's morning meal.
"What are you doing? His Majesty is awaiting our service," said the lead Chief Eunuch, casting a displeased look at Yuan Bao.
"Better wait for now," Yuan Bao replied. "It's not convenient right now."
The Chief Eunuch grew even more displeased.
Since when do you get to instruct us, he thought sourly.
With a snort, he ignored Yuan Bao and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty," he called out in an ingratiating tone from outside the door, "Your breakfa—"
His words were cut short by the emperor's thunderous roar.
"Get out!"
The Chief Eunuch's face flushed deep red in embarrassment, and he retreated awkwardly.
Yuan Bao cast him a mocking glance.
"Has Lu Yunqi arrived?" came the emperor's voice from inside.
Yuan Bao immediately stepped forward and answered through the door, "Yes, Your Majesty."
This time, the lead Chief Eunuch made no effort to stop him.
"Summon Lord Lu at once," Yuan Bao declared, turning to leave briskly.
"Is that Yuan Bao?" the emperor's voice called again.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Yuan Bao answered.
Silence hung briefly within.
"No need to call him. You come in," the emperor commanded.
Triumph surged within Yuan Bao. See? As long as I'm here, even Lu Yunqi has to yield precedence.
He stepped forward and answered respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty," before entering under the jealous stares of his peers.
......…..
Meanwhile, the ministers waiting in the adjoining room grew restless and uneasy as time dragged on. Many began pacing back and forth.
"It seems His Majesty will not handle state matters today," someone remarked in a hushed tone.
"He must be furious," another whispered.
Their murmured discussions turned toward the Duke of Chengguo, who was standing with a group of military generals.
Everyone knew perfectly well the source of the emperor's anger.
But the Duke of Chengguo remained at ease, conversing softly with the generals as if oblivious to the tension in the room.
The sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor, and a small group of eunuchs entered to announce the emperor's decision for the day.
"Petitions may be submitted, but other matters will be deferred," the lead eunuch declared.
Upon hearing this, the ministers began preparing to leave. However, Huang Cheng pulled out a memorial. Those nearest to him were startled at the sight of it.
"My lord, this is not the right time," one official whispered urgently.
"Now is precisely the right time," Huang Cheng muttered in reply.
"But His Majesty is deeply angered by the Duke of Chengguo, and now you wish to petition for a reward for De Sheng Chang? That institution is a major supporter of the Duke—how could this possibly please His Majesty?" another official whispered, attempting to dissuade him.
"Whether he is pleased or not, we'll find out," Huang Cheng answered curtly, silencing further objections as he handed the document to a eunuch.
The eunuch departed, and the other officials took their leave as well. The day's events were significant, and everyone would be convening privately to discuss and devise coping strategies.
Yet Huang Cheng had not walked far when he was intercepted by a eunuch.
"Lord Huang, His Majesty summons you," the eunuch announced.