flstandardbreds Chapter 1001 Golden Bells and Jade Drums: The Emperor and His Ministers Hold the Morning Court
Chapter 1001 Golden Bells and Jade Drums: The Emperor and His Ministers Hold the Morning Court
Xiao Jingyu looked at the Duke of Anguo and his son, "Duke, Lord Fu, let's go to court first!"
Duke Anguo, Fu Peng, and his two sons nodded, and the four of them entered the palace gate together, heading straight for the Golden Palace...
Judging by the time, they don't have time to go to the imperial chambers for tea and a short rest today!
On the way to the Golden Palace, the group briefly exchanged information about what Sui Feng had just reported.
"That Prince Yi... finally made his move!"
He indeed killed his wife, his parents-in-law, and his...sister-in-law without considering the consequences!
They indeed silenced those people!
Duke Anguo, Fu Peng, said in a deep voice.
"yes!
However… to be honest, this person is in a difficult position, caught between a rock and a hard place!
Master Fu Yinglan smiled contemptuously and said, "Under the current circumstances, it is difficult for this person to choose whether to silence him or not last night, but he has to make a choice!"
Moreover, no matter what choice he makes... there will be risks and troubles in the end!
Silencing them is as obvious as a bald man's lice.
There's no need to guess; almost everyone can immediately guess... he must be the one who killed to silence them!
If he doesn't silence them, what if these people from the Vice Minister's office, out of anger and resentment, seek revenge during the subsequent interrogation? What more could they possibly say...?
This person is also riddled with troubles they can't shake off!
After weighing the options, this person chose to silence them... a choice made out of necessity, and an outcome that was entirely expected!
"My dear cousin... is ruthless, but also a gambler with blind self-confidence!"
He's gambling... gambling that my father, out of consideration for the late Crown Prince, won't easily kill him, or even touch him!
He bet that my father wouldn't dare to bear the infamy of being ungrateful, murdering the son of his benefactor, and severing the only bloodline of his benefactor!
His confidence probably stems partly from his mother, the former Crown Princess Zhou!
Little did you know, my father had already come to terms with this favor!
Just as Yue'er said, first of all, the one who was kind to my father was the former crown prince, not him, the son of the former crown prince;
Furthermore, it is not difficult to distinguish between personal gratitude and the weight of family, country, and the world.
Moreover, personal acts of repaying kindness should not come at the expense of national interests and the well-being of the people!
Besides, the son of my benefactor is now a shameless traitor who betrays the country and brings disaster to the people. Keeping such a benefactor's son around is just asking for trouble!
Knowing full well that he is a menace, yet not taking action against him for the time being, is merely using him as bait.
Let him gloat for a few more days. Once he's caught all the fish, turtles, shrimps, and crabs he wants to catch, and cleaned them up one by one, then this bait... can be removed from the hook!"
The three members of the Duke of Anguo's family nodded in agreement after hearing Xiao Jingyu's words.
Before they could say anything more, the golden bells and jade drums rang out!
Upon hearing the sounds of golden bells and jade drums, the court officials filed out of the office and met Duke Anguo and his two sons, along with Xiao Jingyu, on the path leading to the Golden Palace.
"Your subject greets Your Highness Prince Yu!"
The officials bowed to Xiao Jingyu.
"Gentlemen, you may dispense with formalities!"
Xiao Jingyu raised his hand in greeting.
"We, your humble servants, greet Your Excellency the Duke!"
Greetings, Lords Fu!
The court officials then paid their respects to the Duke of Anguo and his son.
"Greetings, esteemed sirs!"
The Duke of Anguo and his son returned the gifts.
After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, they walked together toward the Golden Palace.
Among the group of ministers who emerged from the court, Xia Qinian, the Vice Minister of Rites, was prominently featured.
Xiao Jingyu's gaze seemed to casually sweep across Xia Qinian's face...
Xiao Jingyu merely glanced at Xia Qinian casually, yet Xia Qinian felt a sudden unease in his heart for no apparent reason!
Perhaps this is a sign of having a guilty conscience!
Xia Qinian's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly before quickly looking away, and he tried to avoid making eye contact with Xiao Jingyu again after that.
Xia Qinian's unsteady gaze could not possibly escape Xiao Jingyu's notice.
Xiao Jingyu's eyes swept across the faces of the court officials before looking away.
On the surface, the Second Assistant Minister Jiang Ciche, Jiang Ciche's eldest son-in-law Deng Chu, Marquis of Dongping Guo Yuan, and several others all seem to be normal.
Presumably... they are unaware that Vice Grand Secretary Zhang Jinyan was secretly interrogated yesterday!
Zhang Jinyan has already confessed everything he needed to—the names of all these people appeared in his confession!
Furthermore, they may not yet know that the offspring they thought they had sent far away are still in this capital city, but have fallen into the hands of the East Venezuelan delegation and become hostages threatening them!
What awaits them after this is undoubtedly betraying their country and becoming its dogs, ultimately leading to their utter ruin!
I wonder if they will feel flustered and breathless when they hear the news of the deaths of their accomplice, former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan, and his wife and children?
Will we feel a sense of shared sorrow for the fallen?
When the golden bells and jade drums sounded again, Emperor Hongde ascended the dragon throne;
The officials, both civil and military, lined up to enter the court. After paying their respects to Emperor Hongde, the civil and military officials stood on either side.
The officials, whether intentionally or unintentionally, glanced at the seat next to Prince Yu, Xiao Jingyu…
Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi, should be standing there, but right now...