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Having tidied up his appearance, Wen Jin entered the palace in a sedan chair.
He arrived slightly later than the others, alighting from the chair at the palace gate and walking inside. Other officials had already gathered in the side hall, looking surprised as Wen Jin entered.
“Is the Prime Minister feeling better?”
“During your absence, many events occurred outside, putting the Emperor in a foul mood.” Several cabinet ministers approached Wen Jin, speaking in hushed tones. “Have you heard about the recent events outside, Prime Minister?”
“I have heard some news,” Wen Jin replied with a light smile, concealing his true emotions. “I was unwell the other day and unable to come to share the Emperor’s worries. Now that I am feeling better, I hurried to attend court.”
“Ah,” one of the cabinet ministers sighed softly, “Princess Chang has been too audacious lately, challenging imperial authority and laws. The Emperor must be at his wit’s end.”
Another minister furrowed his brow, “The Princess is like a lone star of calamity, with a stubborn and eccentric temperament. Her behavior is capricious, and unfortunately, the late Emperor granted her the privilege to command the Qilin Guards… The Emperor may find it challenging to hold her accountable for her actions.”
“But isn’t the Prince Regent still around?”
“The Prince Regent? Do you think the Regent is willing to get involved now?”
As Wen Jin listened to the ministers’ discussions, his lips maintained a perfect curve, concealing his true thoughts.
Just then, a high-pitched announcement from the eunuchs outside rang out, “The Emperor is here!”
The ministers adjusted their official attire and walked out of the side hall. As the young Emperor took his seat on the dragon throne, they all knelt down in unison, paying their respects, “We pay our respects to the Emperor, long live the Emperor!”
“Rise, my ministers,” Yan Cang’s expression was stern, showing signs of concern, as his gaze fell upon Wen Jin, “Is Minister Wen feeling better?”
“I am well now, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern,” Wen Jin replied respectfully.
Yan Chen nodded, “It’s good to hear that you are well.”
Wei Changhai bellowed, “Report any urgent matters now. If there are none, the audience is dismissed—”
“Your Majesty!” An urgent report echoed from outside, the voice filled with fear and urgency, “Something terrible has happened! Something terrible!”
The ministers turned their heads towards the entrance, their expressions tense.
Yan Chen’s face also darkened. What could have happened now?
“Your Majesty.” A palace guard hurried into the hall, holding something covered in white cloth with both hands, “Your Majesty!”
“What do you have there?”
The guard uncovered the white cloth, causing all the officials in the hall to gasp in shock and involuntarily step back, “What is this?”
“A hand?”
“Whose hand?”
“Your Majesty…” The guard, pale-faced, stammered, “This was delivered to the palace gates for me to present to Your Majesty. It’s… it’s said to be the hand of the heir of the Xiao family…”
What?
The Emperor’s vision blurred, feeling a wave of dizziness.
“The hand of the Xiao family heir?” someone among the officials exclaimed, “Wasn’t Young Master Xiao sent to the Princess Chang’s residence?”
“Could it be the Princess…?”
“Report—”
Another person hurried into the hall and knelt down to report, “Your Majesty, last night before the city gates closed, approximately five hundred Qilin Guards escorted a carriage and forcefully broke out of the city. As soon as the gates opened this morning, the Princess, accompanied by her Qilin Guards, left the city. Princess Chang had an imperial order in hand, and the city defense forces dared not obstruct her. Your Majesty, please give your command.”
What?
The courtiers were in an uproar.
“She’s absolutely audacious!” Yan Chen slammed his hand on the table, trembling with anger. “Is Yan Qing planning a rebellion?!”
“Princess Chang has left the city?”
“Deploying troops without royal decree is treason. What is Princess Chang planning? The late Emperor’s body is barely cold, and she dares to act so treacherously?”
“Is this arm truly Xiao Jinghan’s?” A minister in the hall, looking at the half arm on the tray, couldn’t help but question, “The Xiao family and Princess Chang have no grievances. There’s no reason for the Princess to be so ruthless.”
“Yes, Young Master Xiao only visited a brothel once. It’s not enough to warrant such a cruel act.”
Yan Chen stared fixedly at the severed arm, feeling a chill creeping up from his feet, sending shivers down his spine.
No grievances?
Just visited a brothel?
No, he knew very well that Yan Qing’s motive for dealing with Xiao Jinghan wasn’t about the brothel visit, it was because she had learned the truth about the late Emperor’s arranged marriage.
Thinking about the poison within him and the Empress Dowager, Yan Chen harbored deep resentment towards Yan Qing, wishing to tear her apart immediately, subject her to a slow and agonizing death.
“Guards! Immediately seal off the Princess Chang’s residence! Arrest all individuals in the Princess’s residence—”
“Your Majesty.” Wen Jin spoke calmly and composedly, his voice gentle and soothing but carrying a penetrating force, “I received early information that Princess Chang and her Qilin Guards have already left the imperial city in two separate groups, taking with them the sons of Imperial Censor Hu and Chief Secretary Ji, leaving only a few maids and household staff behind.”
“What? The sons of Chief Secretary Ji and Imperial Censor Hu have been taken as well?”
“The Princess, what does she intend to do?”
Wen Jin’s voice remained calm, “These maids and household staff have no vested interests or emotional ties with the Princess. Moreover, their lowly status renders them incapable of stopping her actions. Punishing them, Your Majesty, would serve no purpose.”
“The Prime Minister is correct,” Imperial Censor Hu quickly interjected, “Your Majesty must not resort to mass executions now. Killing those individuals would bring no benefits. If it angers Princess Chang, my son’s life may be in jeopardy.”
Chief Secretary Ji from the Ministry of Revenue hurriedly echoed, “Your Majesty, please reconsider.”
With his son still in the Princess’s hands, they must not provoke her.
Yan Chen trembled uncontrollably, his anger beyond words.
The civil and military officials exchanged glances, their expressions varied, yet all remained silent.
With the lessons learned from the sons of Chief Secretary Ji and Imperial Censor Hu, the other ministers dared not suggest harsh punishments for the Princess at this moment. If news of severe punishment reached the ears of the Lone Star of Calamity, what if she took their sons captive as slaves?
While being enslaved might be bearable, at least their bodies would remain intact. But what if… what if…
The officials’ eyes fell on the severed arm, chilling them to the core, regardless of whether it belonged to Xiao Jinghan.
The atmosphere in the court grew heavy, silence prevailing for a long time.
Never had a court session, in Yan Qing’s absence, been as stifling as it was today, leaving everyone hesitant to speak.
Yan Chen’s expression darkened, and after a while, he slowly sat back on the dragon throne.
“Wen Jin,” his gaze fixed on Wen Jin, his voice resonating with a deep sense of grave authority, “How do you propose we handle this matter?”
Wen Jin lowered his gaze, “Your Majesty, as a sovereign, has always been wise and generous, ruling with benevolence. Naturally, you would extend that same benevolence to your sister.”
The officials turned to look at him.
Benevolence?
Minister Wen, are you talking nonsense with your eyes wide open?
What was the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s stance towards the calamitous Princess, and what about the current Emperor’s temperament? They understand her far better than anyone, don’t they?
However, Prime Minister Wen has always had good relations in the court, and criticizing the Princess blindly at this moment serves no purpose.
The immediate priority is to pacify that Lone Star of Calamity.
The Secretary of Personnel spoke up, “Your Majesty, I believe Prime Minister Wen’s words are reasonable. Princess Chang’s behavior is wild and rebellious, difficult to control. Her infamy will surely be widespread in the future. Your Majesty, being the Emperor with a generous heart, capable of accommodating others, will surely earn the title of benevolence, receiving acclaim and praise throughout the realm.”
“Yes, Lord Li is right.”
“Long live our wise Emperor!”
Yan Chen felt a surge of pent-up frustration, unable to express it, clenching the armrest of the dragon throne tightly.
A wise Emperor.
A wise Emperor!
Does that mean he should turn a blind eye to Yan Qing’s actions?
Yan Qing’s infamy?
That Lone Star of Calamity didn’t care about infamy. If she continues to commit regicide and matricide in the future, should he just endure it?
The more Yan Chen thought about it, the angrier he became. He had expected the officials to criticize Yan Qing, so he could issue a warrant and send troops to arrest her.
He didn’t expect them to be so cowardly!
The Emperor rose, brushed his sleeves, and left, “The audience is dismissed!”