Chapter 1943: The Predicted Court Session! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
King Song turned to Wang Chong and said, ”Anything involving the Sage Emperor and Eunuch Gao is no minor matter. This was why I had the Crown Prince seal off this news. It is best if as few people know about it as possible.”
”Regardless of the truth, once the Sage Emperor attends court, everything will become apparent!”
Li Heng and the others quickly departed, leaving Wang Chong alone with his thoughts.
”Xu Keyi, get in touch with Bian Lingcheng and have him find Eunuch Gao's location as soon as possible!”
Everyone knew about Wang Chong's connection to the Eastern Palace, and after the rebellion, almost the entire court knew that Wang Chong and Yang Zhao were sworn brothers.
But not many people had realized his connection to Bian Lingcheng, General of the Palace Gates.
Eunuch Gao, Li Jingzhong, Bian Lingcheng, and the socializer Yang Zhao were his four information sources in the palace, and all of them possessed large amounts of authority.
There was no piece of information in the palace that could escape the notice of all four of them at once.
If Eunuch Gao had gone missing and none of the other three could find out where he was, then it was probably impossible to find Eunuch Gao.
”Yes!”
Xu Keyi quickly turned and left.
……
Several days went by in the blink of an eye, and the news that the Sage Emperor was returning to court came much faster than anyone had expected. Before Bian Lingcheng had found Eunuch Gao, Wang Chong received word that the morning court session was being called.
”Prepare my court robes!”
Upon receiving the news early in the morning, Wang Chong immediately prepared to attend.
While Wang Chong had already withdrawn from the court, his list of illustrious titles and the Imperial Dragon Bracelet endowed him with the right to attend court whenever he desired.
Putting on his robe embroidered with clouds and golden threads, and donning his golden crown, he boarded his bronze carriage and headed for the palace.
When Wang Chong arrived at Taihe Palace, the place was already packed with ministers.
The news that the Emperor was attending the court session had sent great waves through courtly society, and almost all the officials had come, even those old officials who had retired to their homes.
The major officials were carrying out whispered conversations with each other while the imperial censors were rubbing their palms. They had been waiting ages for this day.
Wang Chong stood next to King Song with just as much anticipation. As King Song had said, when the Sage Emperor appeared, everything would become apparent.
”The Sage Emperor has arrived!”
A whip cracked, and everyone turned to see palace maids, eunuchs, and guards file out from a side palace.
Behind them was that familiar and revered figure adorned in dragon robes.
The entire hall fell silent as an invisible energy swept over the area.
Even after all the recent incidents, the Sage Emperor was still the True Dragon, Son of Heaven, possessing a supreme status in everyone's hearts.
While everyone was focused on the Sage Emperor, Wang Chong spotted a figure in the back and trembled.
”Eunuch Gao!” Wang Chong softly called out, his eyes twitching.
Several days ago, Wang Chong, King Song, and Li Heng had been wondering where Eunuch Gao had gone and talking about how to find him, with Wang Chong even getting in touch with Bian Lingcheng. They had all believed that they would need some time until they could find him.
Wang Chong had never imagined that the 'missing' Eunuch Gao would reappear in this fashion.
Wang Chong glanced at King Song and saw that King Song's eyes were wide open in shock.
Eunuch Gao was wearing his silken robe as he followed behind the Sage Emperor, his expression as it usually was.
But upon closer inspection, Wang Chong realized that Eunuch Gao had lost his ruddy complexion. His face was slightly pale, and he had also lost weight. Those smiling eyes of his had become murky and dispirited.
Wang Chong's brow creased, a dark cloud of worry flitting across his face.
”May the Emperor live ten thousand years!”
The officials bowed as they resoundingly cried out, bringing Wang Chong back to his senses.
A eunuch waved a horsetail whisk and stepped forward. ”Honored officials, if there are any concerns, please present a memorial. Otherwise, you may withdraw!” This was not Eunuch Gao, but a eunuch in his thirties that Wang Chong had no impression of.
”Your Majesty, this subject has a memorial. For dynasty after dynasty, the sovereign has always attended court to handle government affairs. This is the duty of a sovereign! Your Majesty has not attended court for more than seven days in a row and has issued no decree. This is simply unprecedented and is unacceptable!”
”This old subject must censure Your Majesty. Profligate and licentious behavior and the selection of talented young women affects the entire realm and its people. These are the actions of an incapable sovereign!”
”This lowly subject must censure Your Majesty over the construction of a new palace! The sovereign is the center of the realm's Dragon Qi, and all the realm imitates them, their every action watched by the people. Your Majesty, construction of a new palace is to revive attitudes of extravagance and arrogance, no good thing for the empire. Moreover, the Imperial City already has all the palaces one could desire. What need is there to construct a Peace Pavilion? Your Majesty, please withdraw the decree!”
”This lowly subject must censure…”