Chapter 16 Grand Court Assembly

Chapter 16: The Grand Imperial Audience

Fang Fengshi never did get an answer from Xiao Yan as to why gold and silver ingots were being added to the New Year's gifts, even after he had eaten and drunk his fill.

Once they'd had their fun and games, it was now time for the two of them to get down to serious business.

Their trip out of the palace wasn't for leisure; they had uncovered new clues about the "soul sand."

Within the palace walls, with so many people and prying eyes, information was bound to have gaps. This place was their safe house. The largest private dining room on the third floor was reserved exclusively for Xiao Yan, and all the staff in the building had been carefully vetted, making it much safer.

Moreover, the two of them were famously known as notorious playboys and partners-in-crime. If they didn't leave the palace to carouse outside, it would actually contradict the image they deliberately cultivated for everyone.

At this moment, Fang Fengshi shed his previously frivolous demeanor, his expression turning serious.

He took a secret letter from his belt and handed it to Xiao Yan.

The letter was small, its contents brief—just a single short sentence.

"Zhang Songyun has also been in contact with soul sand."

Zhang Songyun served in the Ministry of Revenue, currently holding the position of Vice Minister.

The man captured at the previous palace banquet, Ni Lishen, also served in the Ministry of Revenue, and happened to be the Minister of Revenue.

Xiao Yan gave a cold laugh. Both senior officials of the Ministry of Revenue had been in contact with soul sand. It seemed the Ministry of Revenue and Beixiang indeed had deep ties.

If one were to ask how the Ministry of Revenue and Beixiang could be linked, it could only be through trade between the two sides.

Since Old General Fang pacified Beixiang, there had been no more wars between them. Instead, they began trading with each other.

Beixiang brought their abundant livestock and furs here, while Dajing transported its cloth and porcelain to Beixiang.

The department overseeing this bilateral trade was the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhang Songyun wasn't as slick as Ni Lishen; he appeared to be a simple, honest man. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover.

Fang Fengshi asked, "Ni Lishen, who was captured last time, still hasn't revealed his connection to the soul sand or named the mastermind behind it. So, what do you plan to do with this Zhang Songyun?"

Last time, Ni Lishen was captured under the pretext of his servants being dishonest. What trap would they set for Zhang Songyun this time?

But this time, Xiao Yan wasn't planning to go that route. He had a different approach in mind.

"After Ni Lishen was captured, the position of Minister of Revenue has remained vacant. Do you think Zhang Songyun wants it?"

Fang Fengshi was confused. "What are you trying to do? Not only not arrest him, but promote him instead?"

Xiao Yan pushed the small secret letter toward his friend and said, "Zhang Songyun knew the soul sand was dangerous but still made contact. This shows he isn't as honest as he appears on the surface."

"He has ambition."

Sometimes ambition can propel a person forward, but sometimes it can also become a person's fatal flaw.

"He was always overshadowed by Ni Lishen before. Now that there's a chance to become Minister, he's bound to be tempted."

Fang Fengshi still didn't understand. "So?"

"So, that's his thinking. But the person above him might not necessarily agree. They just lost a key player; they should be seeking stability now, not in a hurry to fill that position with someone else."

"Oh, drive a wedge between them!" Fang Fengshi suddenly understood. "You want to create conflict between Zhang Songyun and that mastermind to crack the case!"

Xiao Yan nodded.

After all, to make a group fall apart, internal conflict is often more effective than external conflict.

And the opportunity for Zhang Songyun to be reasonably promoted without raising anyone's suspicion was right at hand.

＊

Jiang Wang looked at Xiao Yan's edict and irritably ruffled his hair.

He could have had several days off at home. Why did there have to be this Grand Imperial Audience!

The Grand Imperial Audience was a large-scale court audience and celebration held in the imperial palace three days before New Year's Day, which all civil and military officials had to attend.

As a Court Diarist responsible for recording the emperor's every word and action, he certainly couldn't miss such an important occasion.

But hadn't the previous emperor canceled this to avoid extravagance and waste? Why was Xiao Yan reinstating it? Is the new emperor trying to make his mark?

Jiang Wang, caught between accepting his lot and being furious, chose to be furiously resigned.

Grumbling and cursing, he told Changle to find his court robes and prepare for the Grand Imperial Audience.

However, he had heard that emperors usually distributed New Year's gifts at the end of the Grand Imperial Audience. He didn't know if that was true.

Although Xiao Yan wasn't a "usual emperor," Jiang Wang's heart was still filled with a little anticipation.

On New Year's Day, the palace gate was a hive of activity.

Carriages came and went in an endless stream, even blocking the entire street.

But it didn't affect Jiang Wang too much because he didn't have a carriage, so naturally, traffic jams weren't an issue for him...

Jiang Wang consoled himself: walking has its benefits too; just consider it exercise. But in reality, only he knew the envy in his heart.

By the time he had finally digested those sour feelings and walked to Chonghe Hall, the scene before him struck him with awe.

Imperial guards in splendid military attire stood on both sides of the imperial path, extending along the steps all the way to the entrance of the hall.

Even before the Grand Imperial Audience began, the banquet music had already started. Hundreds of bells and chimes, large and small, sounded together—some low and mellow, others high-pitched and crisp. Drums and music joined in at the right moments, adding a layer of solemnity and gravity.

The music was melodious, the imperial guards were solemn, and the entire Chonghe Hall was enveloped in a sacred atmosphere.

Jiang Wang was stunned. By the time he recovered, all the other ministers had already arrived. Only he remained standing there, looking out of place.

At this point, he couldn't care less. He broke into a small, undignified run. He reached the hall and hid behind a pillar, panting heavily.

Good thing he made it. Being late on such an occasion would indeed be a huge embarrassment. Even without Xiao Yan saying anything, he himself felt he couldn't afford to lose that face.

Jiang Wang picked up his pen and notebook and waited to the side. Just as his breathing steadied, a flash of bright yellow appeared at the far end of the imperial path.

The imperial carriage was slowly proceeding along the imperial path, and the figure on it was Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan sat with his back straight, expression serious, looking straight ahead.

Amidst the solemn music, Xiao Yan descended from the carriage, entered the hall, ascended the high platform, and sat upright on the gold-lacquered, dragon-carved throne.

Jiang Wang couldn't help but take a few extra glances. This Xiao Yan was very different from usual.

His sharp eyebrows and bright eyes suited the imperial yellow, symbolizing power, perfectly. There was none of his previous unreliability; instead, he exuded a strong sense of security.

A hush fell over the hall. Under the command of Chief Eunuch Cen Maoshi, the civil and military officials began the ritual of "three kneelings and nine prostrations."

The synchronized movements of the officials added an air of impeccable solemnity to this grand court assembly.

Yet, the man on the dragon throne actually took advantage of the moment when all the ministers were kneeling and kowtowing to lazily let out a yawn in plain sight of the entire assembly.

In such a grand and solemn occasion, Jiang Wang was so nervous he feared writing a single character wrong, while Xiao Yan actually had the leisure to yawn.

Sure enough, Jiang Wang rolled his eyes. He knew the sense of security he had glimpsed from Xiao Yan earlier was just an illusion. This unreliable version of him was the real one.

But the next second, Jiang Wang felt a piercing stare upon him, coming from his left front.

It was Xiao Yan.

Brushing off the goosebumps rising on his skin, and fearing that Xiao Yan might get displeased and dock his salary again, Jiang Wang quickly flashed him an ingratiating smile, barely managing to slip through.

Fine, fine. Who knows where Xiao Yan's attention really is.

He'd only shown a hint of irritation, and even that got noticed?!

Jiang Wang collected his thoughts, stopped messing around, and began earnestly fulfilling his role as Court Diarist, recording the agenda of the grand court assembly.

After the three kneelings and nine prostrations, the assembled officials presented their congratulatory memorials, and the various procedures proceeded in order.

Jiang Wang's legs ached from standing. Finally, it was nearing the end, and the moment he had been most looking forward to arrived.

The reward ceremony.

He listened carefully from the side. Nearly ten ministers were promoted, among them one named Zhang Songyun, who was appointed as Minister of Revenue.

Jiang Wang couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

He wasn't acquainted with Zhang Songyun; he was just somewhat sensitive about the Ministry of Revenue. After all, he had been present at the last palace banquet when Ni Lishen was taken away by the imperial guards.

Now that the position of Minister of Revenue was vacant, it was only natural for Vice Minister Zhang to be promoted.

Seeing the beaming, radiant faces of those esteemed officials, Jiang Wang felt another wave of envy.

He knew he couldn't get promoted. Not to mention he had only recently assumed his current position, but given how Xiao Yan seemed to subtly target him, his official career was bound to be difficult...

Jiang Wang pursed his lips. If he couldn't get a promotion, surely he should at least receive a share of the rewards.

He watched eagerly as minister after minister stepped forward to receive their rewards. As the official ranks became lower, the rewards grew fewer.

Jiang Wang nervously licked his lips, afraid his name wouldn't be called.

"Jiang Wang—"

Cen Maoshi's shrill voice rang out. For the first time, Jiang Wang thought it sounded wonderful.

He stepped forward, expressed his gratitude, and received the wooden tray from Cen Maoshi's hands.

On the tray was a small wooden plaque inscribed with "ten bolts of silk, five jars of imperial wine, two crates of fruit"—these were to be collected from the rear hall later. Besides the plaque, there were twenty small gold and silver ingots placed beside it.

Jiang Wang had never seen so much money before. He couldn't suppress his smile. If he hadn't remembered he was still at the grand court assembly, he would have laughed out loud right then.

The moment he saw these rewards, he had already planned it all out: he would use these bolts of cloth to make a few new sets of clothes for Changle and himself; the imperial wine and fruit could be kept for a few days and consumed on New Year's Eve.

He gently stroked those little golden and silver lumps, utterly satisfied.

Although it wasn't as much as what the other esteemed officials received, Jiang Wang was already quite content.

At the end of the grand court assembly, Xiao Yan departed for the palace amidst the music.

Only after Xiao Yan's figure disappeared did the imperial guards standing outside swing their long whips, cracking them to signal silence and clear the grounds. The civil and military officials then left in an orderly manner.

The bustling palace complex returned to quiet, signifying the successful conclusion of the grand court assembly.

Xiao Yan stood on the city wall, watching the retreating figures of the ministers, and smiled meaningfully.

When Zhang Songyun received the edict appointing him as Minister, beneath his seemingly unperturbed expression, the corners of his mouth were barely restrained.

Xiao Yan knew he had made the right move with this chess piece.

Now he only needed to wait quietly. When they started fighting amongst themselves, he would be the fisherman reaping the benefits from the sidelines.

Whether it was about who had come into contact with the soul sand, or who the mastermind behind it all really was, he would be able to uproot it all.

Suddenly, a bouncing figure entered his line of sight. Xiao Yan focused his gaze and saw it was none other than Jiang Wang.

A smile spread through his originally cold eyes as he recalled Jiang Wang's demeanor during the grand court assembly.

Jiang Wang had held that tray, smiling so happily that his joy stood out starkly among the seasoned, worldly veterans who had long navigated the officialdom.

His eyes curved like crescent moons, bright but not ostentatious, clearly coming from the heart.

In that instant, Xiao Yan felt infected too, wanting to curl his lips and smile along with Jiang Wang.

However, a jarring voice sounded from beside him.

Fang Fengshi couldn't understand why his brother was standing on the city wall in the cold winter wind, smiling at who-knows-what, and asked curiously,

"What are you looking at?"

As the words left his mouth, he inexplicably felt this sentence sounded somewhat familiar...

Author's Note:

Fang Fengshi: I remember now! Xiao Yan was looking out like this from the Dragon Spring Tower before too! What on earth is he looking at... (munch munch)