Chapter 440 Pressure

Chapter 440: Pressure

Lin Zhufeng set down his teacup, the motion slow, the porcelain cup landing on the table with a soft, crisp click.

He smoothed his sleeves, raised his eyes, and looked at Chen Zhengqi.

"Oh..."

He drew out the final syllable, his tone flat, revealing nothing of his emotions.

"Then what does Lord Chen mean by this?"

Chen Zhengqi's gaze met his.

The candlelight flickered between them, casting his face in shifting light and shadow.

The smile at the corner of Chen Zhengqi's mouth deepened by a fraction.

"This realm and its shrines are no trifling matter. We should establish the worthy, not merely the eldest. In this official's view, the Second Prince, Zhou Hao—"

As he spoke the name, his tone changed, softening considerably.

"Has been remarkably gifted since childhood—could recite at three and write at five.

At the age of ten, when His Majesty examined the princes on their studies, the Second Prince answered fluently, quoting the classics and citing precedents, earning repeated nods of approval from His Majesty, who remarked that the boy took after him."

He paused, glancing up at the several elder ministers.

Chen Zhengqi withdrew his gaze and continued.

"The Second Prince is also measured in his conduct, composed in demeanor. In court deliberations, he never speaks rashly, but when he does, he hits the mark."

His voice grew louder, tinged with genuine admiration.

"Such bearing, such breadth of mind—how could any ordinary person have it?"

He took another step forward, drawing closer to Lin Zhufeng.

"Then there is his virtue—"

He paused, his tone tinged with emotion.

"The Second Prince is deeply filial, known throughout the realm. When His Majesty was unwell, the Second Prince paid his respects daily, never neglecting morning or evening.

Two years ago, when His Majesty caught a chill, he kept watch by the bedside all night, refusing to leave despite everyone's urging.

When the imperial physician said His Majesty needed quiet rest, he held his breath and kept silent, kneeling outside the curtain for a full two hours."

He looked at Lin Zhufeng.

"Grand Tutor, tell me—at such a young age, to show such filial devotion, when he grows up, would he not be the image of a benevolent ruler?"

Lin Zhufeng looked up and glanced at Chen Zhengqi, a gentle smile on his face. "Lord Chen speaks the truth."

"The Second Prince is indeed filial and virtuous."

At this, Chen Zhengqi's eyes lit up slightly, and he unconsciously took half a step forward, the smile on his face deepening.

"I'm gratified that the Grand Tutor says so."

He turned and called out to the hall: "Someone, bring brush and ink!"

As his words fell, a eunuch answered from outside the door, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps receding.

Chen Zhengqi turned back to look at Lin Zhufeng. "The Grand Tutor is a model for all ministers. It is most fitting that the Grand Tutor draft this edict."

He gestured to the roll of yellow silk spread on the imperial desk. "Grand Tutor, if you please."

Lin Zhufeng sat there in silence. He just lowered his head, staring at the cold teacup.

Chen Zhengqi waited a moment, and when he saw Lin Zhufeng wasn't speaking, his expression darkened.

"Grand Tutor Lin?"

Only then did Lin Zhufeng seem to come back to himself. He looked up, glanced at Chen Zhengqi, then lowered his head again, reaching out to pick up the teacup.

The tea had gone cold, not a wisp of steam left. He just held it, then sighed softly.

"Lord Chen." His voice was soft, so soft it seemed he was talking to himself.

"This old minister has been thinking for a long while, thinking about how to answer Lord Chen."

He paused. "After much thought, this old minister feels that some things must be made clear."

He set the teacup down slowly, the porcelain cup landing on the wooden table with a soft, crisp click.

"Though this old minister was fortunate to earn the late Emperor's favor, receiving imperial grace and entering the Grand Secretariat..."

He spoke each word slowly and deliberately.

"But a minister, after all, is just a minister. A minister's duty is to assist His Majesty, share His burdens, and carry out his affairs."

"Not to make decisions for His Majesty, not to draw conclusions for him, and certainly not—" He paused, his gaze fixed directly on Chen Zhengqi.

"—to choose the heir to the throne for His Majesty."

Those last four words fell into the silent hall like a stone into a deep pool, sending up a splash.

Chen Zhengqi's face changed slightly.

Lin Zhufeng didn't look at him, just letting his gaze settle on the blank roll of yellow silk.

"The Crown Prince of Great Zhou was appointed by His Majesty. The words on that edict were written by this old minister at His Majesty's command.

And the imperial seal on that edict—this old minister watched with his own eyes as His Majesty stamped it."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear in everyone's ears.

"His Majesty named the Crown Prince, so the Crown Prince is the heir. His Majesty hasn't spoken of deposing him, so he remains the heir.

This is the law of our ancestors, this is the rule of the court, this is—"

He paused, raising his eyes to look at Chen Zhengqi. "—the line no minister may cross."

Chen Zhengqi's gaze met his, their eyes meeting in the candlelight with a faint, sharp edge.

"Lord Chen has said much just now, and this old minister has heard it all. But this old minister wishes to ask Lord Chen one question—from what standing does Lord Chen say these things?"

Chen Zhengqi's brow furrowed slightly. Lin Zhufeng didn't wait for an answer and continued.

"Lord Chen, if you speak these words from the standpoint of a subject, then I must say to you, Lord Chen—you have overstepped your bounds."

Those two words fell upon the silent hall like a needle pricking every heart.

"For a subject to discuss the Crown Prince is great disrespect; for a subject to presumptuously debate the succession is usurpation; for a subject to summon officials in the dead of night and forge an imperial edict—"

He paused, his gaze fixed squarely on Chen Zhengqi. "That is treason."

Those two words struck the hall like a heavy hammer.

Chen Zhengqi stood there, his face ashen, his eyes like poisoned blades, glaring at Lin Zhufeng.

Lin Zhufeng did not flinch, merely returning his gaze with calm composure.

"Lord Chen, this old minister has lived for over sixty years and witnessed many things.

I have seen those who wielded power that overshadowed the court, those who thought they could do as they pleased, those who believed they could bend the world to their will."

His voice deepened, growing ever more forceful.

"But I have also seen what became of such men in the end."

He stared at Chen Zhengqi, each word deliberate.

"Those who abuse power will surely face its backlash. Those who overstep their station will surely meet a bad end. Those who covet the throne itself—"

He paused.

"—from ancient times to now, how many have come out unscathed?"

Zhang Gelao coughed softly beside him, a light cough, as if something were caught in his throat.

After coughing, he spoke slowly: "Grand Tutor Lin speaks truly. This old minister is of the same mind.

A subject is but a subject—do what a subject should do, say what a subject should say. Don't do what shouldn't be done, don't say what shouldn't be said."

He paused, raising his eyes to glance at Chen Zhengqi.

"Some things, if you do them, you'll lose your head."

Minister Wang took over, his tone still slow, as if chewing on something tasteless.

"This old minister has lived sixty-three years and seen many men lose their heads.

Some fell for greed, some for lust, some for power. But the ones who lost their heads the fastest were those who tried to make decisions for the emperor."

He sighed.

"This old minister still wishes to live a few more years, to see his grandson marry, to hold his great-grandkids. I won't do anything that'll cost me my head."

Reader Li nodded, his tone earnest.

"This old minister as well. I still have a few acres of poor land at home, a few shabby rooms, and a few good-for-nothing descendants. I don't want them to lose their heads along with me."

He raised his eyes and glanced at Chen Zhengqi.

"This old minister ventures to ask Lord Chen one question—what exactly are you trying to do? Are you seeking to hold the emperor hostage to control the court?"

Those seven words fell upon the silent hall like a stone dropped into a deep pool, sending ripples through the water.

Chen Zhengqi's expression shifted entirely.

He opened his mouth, as if to speak, but was interrupted by Zhang Gelao's voice.

Zhang Gelao took over slowly.

"To hold the emperor hostage to control the court—this old minister remembers that such words describe treasonous rebels.

I have lived a long life, and this is the first time I have heard such words spoken in the Hall of Literary Glory."

He paused, looking at Chen Zhengqi.

"Lord Chen, are you a treasonous rebel?"

Chen Zhengqi's hand pressed against the table, his knuckles white as chalk, his face a mask of barely contained rage.

Minister Wang sighed beside him, his tone tinged with melancholy.

"Lord Chen is just over forty, is he not? Still young. Some roads, once you go down the wrong one, you can't turn back."

Reader Li nodded.

"This old minister thinks the same. As for rebellion—succeed, and it is usurpation; fail, and it is the wiping out of your whole clan. This old minister doesn't have the guts to follow Lord Chen down that path."

And with that, he stopped talking.

The hall was dead silent, with only the faint sound of breathing. The candle flames flickered, casting the old ministers' shadows, tangled together.

Chen Zhengqi stood there, his face ashen, his chest rising and falling heavily, his gaze as if he wanted to tear someone apart.

Chen Zhengqi stared for a long while, then let out a quiet laugh.

"Good."

"Very good."

He took a step back.

"All of you gentlemen are loyal ministers, upright ministers, ministers who dare to speak the truth. This Official admires you."

His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone turning cold. "However—"

"Grand Tutor Lin, this Official has taken note of every word you just spoke.

This Official would also like to ask the Grand Tutor—you say a subject can't make decisions for the emperor.

Then tell me, with the emperor unconscious, who runs the country? Who's in charge of the court? Who rules this land?"

He looked at Lin Zhufeng.

"You say, wait for the emperor to wake up? But... what if he never wakes up?"

His voice turned cold.

"You say, wait for the Crown Prince to take the throne—but what if he can't?!"

He stepped forward again.

"Grand Tutor, you're a smart man. You should know better than I do—the world isn't just black and white. Sometimes, there are things you just have to do."

His gaze fixed on Lin Zhufeng as he himself took a step back, standing with his hands behind his back.

"A gentleman should indeed stay true to what's right, but a gentleman should also know when to adapt to the times."

His voice softened, with a coaxing, almost patient tone.

"The Second Prince is benevolent—this is known throughout the realm. If he ever takes the throne, he won't forget what you've done for him today."

He raised his eyes, scanning those old faces. "But if not..."

He trailed off, just letting out a soft chuckle. "Then things might not go so well."

He stepped forward, his voice suddenly deepening. "I don't mind saying this outright."

"Right now, everyone inside and outside the palace is mine. Even the eunuchs out in front of Wenhua Hall are my men."

He spoke slowly, weighing each word. "The die is cast."

Those four words hit like a sledgehammer, slamming into everyone's chest.

The crowd's faces went dark all at once.

Then he turned and walked to the desk, bent down to pick up the yellow silk scroll from the floor. He unrolled it, flattened it, and set it right in the middle of the desk.

"I'll leave these here. You gentlemen better think this over carefully."

As he spoke, he reached out and lightly brushed off dust that wasn't there. "Tomorrow morning, I'll come to pick them up."

His voice went cold. "Gentlemen—don't disappoint me."

With that, he turned and headed for the exit.

His footsteps echoed through the empty hall—one after another, steady and slow.

Chen Zhengqi walked out of Wenhua Hall's main chamber, and the night wind hit him with a chill.

He took a deep breath, but the knot in his chest didn't loosen at all.

Those old bastards, he cursed under his breath, keeping his face calm as he walked on, hands behind his back.

Lanterns under the eaves swayed in the wind, stretching his shadow long and short by turns.

When he reached the side hall's entrance, he stopped short.

He heard something inside.

Through the thick door, it came faint and muffled—but it sure wasn't the sound of calm.

Chen Zhengqi knit his brows. "What's going on in there?"

A eunuch attendant hurried over, keeping his voice low. "Your Excellency, it's those censors—Wu Zhongzi, Zhang Chaochen, Liu Mingzhen... and a few other remonstrance officials, all locked in here."

Chen Zhengqi's frown deepened. He hadn't wanted to deal with these men in the first place.

Those censors were always running their mouths on a normal day. If he let them loose, who knew what trouble they'd stir up.

He'd planned to wait until everything was settled tomorrow, then let them go, give them a warning, or find some excuse to deal with them later.

But now—the noise from inside came again, clearer this time.

"—Treasonous dog! Traitor to the realm!"

Chen Zhengqi's face went dark. He took two steps forward and stopped at the side hall door.

The door was closed, but a sliver of dim candlelight bled through the crack, along with shouts growing clearer by the second.

"Chen Zhengqi! Get the hell out here!"

That was Wu Zhongzi's voice—hoarse, piercing, like a cracked gong, yet full of vigor.

"You heartless bastard! His Majesty treated you well, and you dare to rebel?!"

"Treasonous dog! Worthy of death by all!"

"Just wait! Wait to be chopped into a thousand pieces!"

The curses grew louder and filthier. Chen Zhengqi's face turned ashen, his hand pressing on the hilt of his sword.

The shouting from inside continued.

"Chen dog! You ungrateful beast! You'll die a miserable death!"

"Just wait to have your entire clan executed! Wait to be ground into meat paste!"

"Even your ancestors' graves will be dug up!"

The eunuch attendant turned pale with fright and hurried forward. "Your Excellency, don't lower yourself to their level. They're all mad dogs, biting at anyone—"

Chen Zhengqi ignored him. He reached out and shoved the door open.

The door creaked open, showing seven or eight men locked inside.

Some sat on the floor, some leaned on pillars, some stood. The dim light showed their haggard faces.

The second they saw Chen Zhengqi, their eyes lit up like starving wolves spotting prey.