Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The youth's eyes sparkled even more.

A mix of apprehension and longing in his gaze almost materialized in that moment.

No one had ever looked at the Emperor with such eyes.

Ying Changchuan should have felt offended, but...

"Take it—"

Before Jiang Yuxun could react, Ying Changchuan suddenly lifted his hand and lightly tossed the long sword over.

The blade cut through the air, emitting a clear, resonant "zing".

Jiang Yuxun: !!!

Is it really okay to just throw it like that?!

Instinctively, the youth stepped forward to catch it in his embrace.

Only after securing it did he realize the Zhou Sword was actually blunt.

No wonder Ying Changchuan dared to throw it.

Under the bright lights, a carved glass dragon seemed to come alive, winding along the sword.

Jiang Yuxun carefully stroked the blade—still quivering from the recent toss.

"Imperial—"

Only when he held it did he notice, on the back of the sword, apart from the inlaid turquoise Big Dipper, there was also the inscription "Imperial"!

Seeing this sword was like witnessing the Emperor himself.

Contemplating its significance, the sword in Jiang Yuxun's hands felt heavier.

To touch the Zhou Sword was beyond his expectations.

Jiang Yuxun quickly indulged his fascination, then reluctantly and carefully placed the sword back in its original spot.

Finally, with utter satisfaction, he said to Ying Changchuan, "Your Majesty, I have seen enough."

That's all it took to satisfy you?

Ying Changchuan looked at Jiang Yuxun, slightly surprised.

He met the youth's eyes, now even brighter than before.

—Jiang Yuxun's joys always seemed extraordinarily simple.

-

The original owner of the body had learned a bit of martial arts in childhood, but after years of neglect, picking it up again was not an easy task.

Despite coveting the various rare weapons in the Zangrui Hall, Jiang Yuxun eventually chose only a basic lightweight sword to carry with him.

The young man had been out all day and had yet to report today's political affairs.

After leaving the Zangrui Hall, Ying Changchuan casually asked Jiang Yuxun, "Did you receive any reports today?"

The youth thought for a moment and replied, "These past few days, apart from matters of disaster relief, most of the messages I received were letters inquiring about Your Majesty's well-being, and today was no different."

The night was thick, and Jiang Yuxun couldn't see the expression of the person beside him, only hearing him ask, "Oh? Does my minister think they are genuinely concerned about my well-being?"

In another's place, one would certainly flatter the Emperor at this moment.

But Jiang Yuxun answered earnestly, “Certainly not. To my knowledge, many wish the rumors were true.”

The young man was not speaking without basis.

The previous dynasty’s governance was chaotic, marked by extravagance from top to bottom.

How could those accustomed to such a lifestyle adapt to the present days?

From the historical reaction of the court officials after Ying Changchuan's demise, it was clear that indeed many had been longing for his death.

Ying Changchuan seemed unsurprised, “And what about you, my dear official?”

Jiang Yuxun paused, speaking with some difficulty, “Your Majesty certainly has numerous issues… but in my opinion, they do not warrant such a punishment.”

Help, I’m judging the Emperor himself!

Inside Xianyou Palace, all was silent except for the intermittent chirping of cicadas.

After a long silence, the usually reserved Ying Changchuan couldn't help but ask, “Are you always this forthright?”

Of course not...

I don’t have nine lives; how could I withstand such turmoil?

"I am only this forthright in Your Majesty’s presence," Jiang Yuxun spoke candidly.

Ying Changchuan raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise, "It seems I am fortunate then."

Jiang Yuxun: ...

Under the night sky, the young man gripped his newly acquired sword, wishing he could hand it over to Ying Changchuan.

Tired, he thought, just end it swiftly.

-

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the court met every ten days.

The last court session was cancelled by Ying Changchuan due to the flood disaster.

This time, the officials finally gathered as usual, waiting early in the open space outside the gates of Xianyou Palace.

Holding their tablets and dressed in uniform official attire, they presented a spectacular sight from a distance.

Although the gates of Xianyou Palace were wide open, by the hour of Mao, no one had yet informed the court officials to enter.

The court attire, worn regardless of season, was ornate and elaborate.

With summer approaching, sweat stains soon appeared on the slightly heavy official robes.

Restlessness gradually started to stir among the crowd.

"Will today's court session still be held?"

"His Majesty has not issued an order to cancel it, so it should be."

"But that's not certain..."

At this moment, Jiang Yuxun, following protocol, waited with the civil and military officials for the summons.

As they conversed, some began to turn their gazes towards him.

"Minister Jiang, do you know what's going on with today's court session?"

Lu Jingyuan, the Chief Minister of the Nine Ministers, known as the "Fengchang," was the first to inquire.

Several high-ranking officials chimed in, "Indeed, you're often at the Emperor's side. Surely you know more than us?"

Though they said this, in their hearts, they already had an answer—they believed the Emperor must be too injured to appear!

Jiang Yuxun bowed to Lu Jingyuan and said, "Respected minister, perhaps His Majesty has been delayed by some matter. Please wait a little longer..."

"His Majesty always prioritizes state affairs. What could be more important than the court session?" Lu Jingyuan clearly disagreed, his tone becoming increasingly aggressive.

Finally, he voiced the question everyone wanted to ask but dared not to —

"Could the rumors be true? Is His Majesty truly unwell?"

This caused an uproar at the palace gates.

The courtiers flocked to the scene, surrounding Jiang Yuxun.

"What exactly is the condition of His Majesty now?"

"…Will the court session still be held?"

The youth patiently explained each query, but his voice was drowned out in the sea of skepticism.

Zhuang Yue, who was pushed to the side, was about to speak up for Jiang Yuxun when an aged voice from not far away intervened, silencing what he was about to say.

"Why trouble him, Minister Lu? The Minister of the Imperial Presence is merely performing his duties impartially."

As the voice fell, everyone outside the palace gates turned and bowed respectfully, "We greet the Prime Minister—"

During the conversation, the Prime Minister, with his full head of silver hair and flowing beard, was finally helped tremblingly down from his carriage.

The Prime Minister was a high-ranking official from the former dynasty.

It was he who led the officials in enthroning Ying Changchuan as the Emperor.

Due to his advanced age and high esteem, the Emperor allowed him to wait in his carriage before court sessions, sparing him from standing at the palace gates in the harsh sun like the others.

"Please, rise," the Prime Minister approached and said with mild disapproval to Lu Jingyuan and others, "I understand your concern for His Majesty's wellbeing, but what use is there in crowding around the Minister of the Imperial Presence? Disperse quickly."

The officials exchanged glances and finally scattered.

Seeing this, the Prime Minister stroked his beard and turned to Jiang Yuxun, changing his tone, "The time for the court session has arrived; we cannot keep the officials waiting here indefinitely. Please, Minister of the Imperial Presence, go and inform them to enter the palace to see His Majesty."

The crowd echoed in agreement:

"The Prime Minister is indeed thoughtful."

"If His Majesty is indeed unwell, we, as his ministers, should express our concern."

Here it comes, the moment of truth!

Now that the Prime Minister has confirmed the news of Ying Changchuan's serious injury, he can't wait any longer!

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but feel excited.

Although Ying Changchuan hadn't explicitly named the mastermind behind the assassination attempt.

But a now-alert Jiang Yuxun had already guessed—the likely mastermind behind it all was this hypocritically benevolent Prime Minister right before him.

...Although the motive is unclear, historically, it was in this very year that he was charged with the assassination of the Emperor and ultimately executed.

The assassins that day were not only numerous and well-trained, but also had prior knowledge of the Emperor's movements, lying in wait along his path.

After much consideration, only the Prime Minister could have orchestrated this.

Seeing Jiang Yuxun stand his ground, Lu Jingyuan glanced at the Prime Minister and then boldly led a few courtiers towards the palace gate.

The imperial guards stationed nearby immediately blocked their path.

For a moment, the two sides faced off outside the temporary palace.

Jiang Yuxun stepped forward, standing at the palace gate, and asked him, "Minister Lu, are you attempting to forcefully enter Xianyou Palace?"

"Should we just wait here idly?"

The youth smiled, "Minister, don’t you think this scene resembles a coup?"

"You—" Lu Jingyuan's face turned unsightly at once.

Jiang Yuxun's words had hit a nerve.

As an extremely autocratic Emperor, Ying Changchuan might turn a blind eye to the incompetence of his courtiers, but he would never tolerate disloyalty.

However, due to his overly assertive methods, most people, even if they harbored such thoughts, dared only suppress them.

It was imperceptible in everyday interactions.

The Emperor intended not just to deal with the Prime Minister, but to expose and capture this entire group.

Ying Changchuan's feigned serious injury was a ruse to lure them out.

Just as expected!

Seeing Ying Changchuan "severely injured," the normally timid courtiers could no longer keep up their act.

"Minister Lu, don't waste your time talking to him. A mere Minister of the Imperial Presence, how could he stop us?"

"Exactly! Who knows if his blocking us is harboring ill intentions!"

"We have urgent matters to report to His Majesty, we can't delay any longer."

Influenced by the rumors, the imperial guards also began to hesitate.

Seeing this, Lu Jingyuan boldly lifted his robe, making a move to enter the palace.

Jiang Yuxun immediately raised his hand, blocking him: "Forcibly entering the palace is a grave crime."

Lu Jingyuan disdainfully said, "A mere subordinate official, what right do you have to stop me?"

"The Zhou Laws are strict, but they were established under the premise that Ying Changchuan was in power."

Now, with the Emperor's life hanging in the balance, who cares about law and order?

As he spoke, Lu Jingyuan didn’t pause his steps.

Following closely, a dozen more people joined him.

"Authority?" As everyone stepped onto the white jade stairs, the youth's voice suddenly came from behind them. He smiled at Lu Jingyuan, "As a Minister of the Imperial Presence, I indeed have no authority to stop Minister Lu."

Jiang Yuxun’s words suddenly sent a chill down Lu Jingyuan’s spine, along with an ominous premonition...

He paused his steps, slowly turning around.

At the same moment, Jiang Yuxun suddenly drew a long sword from his side.

Accompanied by the cold light, the unopened blade lightly touched Lu Jingyuan's neck.

His face instantly lost all color, frozen in place, unable to move.

Lu Jingyuan's eyes widened, trembling as he looked down at the sword.

—On the golden sword, the faint pattern of the Big Dipper and the inscription "Imperial" could be seen.

"This... this sword... how did it end up in Jiang Yuxun's hands!"

Upon seeing the object in the youth's hand, a hush fell over the crowd outside Xianyou Palace.

Even the Prime Minister subconsciously tightened his grip on his ivory tablet.

It's fine, it's fine...

This sword must have been given to Jiang Yuxun by the Emperor, knowing his own frail condition, to intimidate the courtiers.

Now that the Emperor himself is in peril, what's there to fear from a mere sword?

Everyone began to silently reassure themselves.

However, just then, the bronze bell inside Xianyou Palace rang out.

Accompanied by the bell's reverberations, an announcement reached everyone's ears: "His Majesty commands, summon the ministers to the court—"

Jiang Yuxun smiled, slowly sheathing his sword: "It seems the Emperor has finished his business."

He extended his hand towards Lu Jingyuan: "Minister Lu, please."

The Emperor, isn't he gravely injured...

How can he be summoning everyone to court at this time?

Author's note:

#Generous Ying Changchuan#