N-A-A Chapter 463
Chapter 463
"The Grand Secretary wants to resign?"
Yan Zheng raised an eyebrow as he scanned the thousand-character resignation letter.
Cao Yang said with a straight face, "Your Majesty, I am old. The affairs of the Grand Secretariat are too heavy, and I truly lack the strength to continue. Moreover, I am, after all, a former court official from the previous dynasty. Your Majesty, in promoting new policies and eliminating outdated practices, should appoint a new generation of talent. I have heard that with the return of the Prince Regent to the capital, several renowned sages have emerged from seclusion. Add to that the brilliant young talents selected in this year's imperial examinations, our court is overflowing with capable men. It will not miss one old man like me."
Yan Zheng pretended to hesitate: "But if the Grand Secretary resigns, what about the Grand Secretariat..."
"For now, Su Tingyun is temporarily in charge, but he is too much of a gentleman. He can serve as a deputy but cannot hold the seal. I believe that when Pei Yu returns to the capital after famine relief, he should be appointed to the Grand Secretariat. Then select one person from the aristocratic families to form a three-person council to manage affairs together."
Yan Zheng immediately understood his intent.
Su Tingyun had no backing and could only serve as a lonely minister; sending Pei Yu out and then bringing him into the Grand Secretariat would boost morale; choosing one from the noble families would balance power, ensuring stability in the Grand Secretariat.
Though his mind was clear as a mirror, Yan Zheng put on a troubled expression: "But I promised Pei Yu that he would take the position of Minister of War..."
Cao Yang saw through the emperor's feigned ignorance and gritted his teeth: "Your Majesty! Do we lack military generals in our court? The Prince of Qin, the Mei father and son, Xie Zhizhou, and even your Sixth Imperial Brother... Even if you avoid using the Prince of Qin due to concerns about the previous dynasty, there are still plenty of others who can fill the position of Minister of War!"
Yan Zheng pretended to be silent, and Cao Yang finally laid his cards on the table: "To be honest, Your Majesty, I believe the position of Grand Secretary will soon belong to Bo Qing. And the title of Grand General will, in time, surely go to Wen Jing! Please, Your Majesty, consider my years of diligent and wholehearted service and let me go. If this continues, my own son won't even recognize me anymore!"
When these last words fell, a hint of a smile finally appeared on the emperor's lips: "Uncle-in-law, you've finally told the truth?"
The moment the term "uncle-in-law" was used, Cao Yang knew it was settled. He sighed helplessly: "Your Majesty, I handle official business for eight hours a day. After you left, I practically slept in the Grand Secretariat. My wife says that our son Xu'er can call his mother and grandmother, but still won't call me 'Father.' I owe them too much. I beg Your Majesty for your blessing!"
Cao Xu was Cao Yang's son.
Yan Zheng knew how hard he had been working and said, "I approve!"
Cao Yang felt a huge relief, but before he could fully exhale, the emperor continued: "But my uncle-in-law is a capable man and a true chancellor. I truly hate to let him go like this. So, while you may resign as Grand Secretary, you cannot refuse the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince!"
Cao Yang's alarm bells rang loudly, but before he could plead, Yin Shun smiled and congratulated him: "Congratulations, Grand Tutor Cao! Young Masters Wen Jing and Xue both love your lectures dearly. The two young princes will surely enjoy them as well. Grand Tutor, why not quickly thank His Majesty?"
Cao Yang's mind buzzed in chaos. He never imagined the emperor would be so relentless!
But the Grand Tutor's post was far easier than the Grand Secretary's. At least he would have time to spend with Jing'er and their child...
He grimaced and bowed: "Your old servant... thanks Your Majesty!" Fat lot of good it did him!
Meanwhile, outside the palace gates.
"Lady Yan of the Second Branch, the two young masters, and the young mistress, it's not that I don't want to accommodate you, but without an imperial edict, I dare not let you enter."
The palace gatekeeper smiled apologetically. Xue Shi said angrily, "Impossible! A royal banquet—do you know what a royal banquet means? The Third Branch has committed a great crime and isn't invited, fine. But we of the Second Branch are the emperor's only relatives—how could we not be invited either?"
Yan Chengwu quietly tugged at his mother, thinking they should just give up. Feng Ying said softly, "Mother, calm down. This official must be mistaken. Once we enter the palace and see His Majesty, everything will become clear."
As she spoke, she tried to walk forward. The gatekeeper dared not touch her, but two female officials appeared from nowhere, blocking the palace gate firmly on both sides.
Feng Ying's face flushed with shame and anger. Xue Shi frowned, pulling her aside: "Your idea isn't working either! We can't even get through the palace gate, so how can we secure titles and salaries for Chengwu and Chengyong?"
Her thinking was simple: since the current emperor was determined not to give them official posts, granting noble titles and salaries would do.
Look at the empress's family—titles like Madam and Princess were being showered upon them. Surely the Yan family couldn't be left with nothing?
Feng Ying was about to speak when the sound of horse hooves came from nearby.
A vermilion-wheeled carriage slowly stopped, and a strikingly handsome man stepped out. Feng Ying instinctively clutched her embroidered handkerchief, but he didn't even glance her way. Instead, he turned and carefully helped another person out.
"A-Yin, be careful."
Chu Ruoyin, dressed in a light lotus-colored palace skirt, smiled with her eyes. She naturally placed her hand in his.
Feng Ying couldn't help but call out, "Ninth Brother!"
Murong Jin's back stiffened. Without looking back, he helped the woman down from the carriage. The gatekeeper hurried forward: "The Prince of Qin and the Princess of Huayin have arrived? Please, come in. Lord Chu, the Elder, and Princess Hualan and the others arrived an incense stick ago."
Chu Ruoyin nodded slightly, thanking him for the reminder.
Murong Jin held her hand and walked straight inside, treating everything around them as if it didn't exist.
Feng Ying clenched her handkerchief so hard it twisted out of shape. That should have been her man—why?
She unconsciously stepped forward to chase after them. Xue Shi suddenly understood everything and grabbed her, slapping her hard: "Slut!"
Feng Ying realized too late that her husband and mother-in-law were right there and tried to explain, but Xue Shi's slaps came down like a storm: "So that's it! No wonder you suddenly changed your tune, begging me to bring you to the palace, claiming it was to beg for titles for Chengwu and Chengyong. But you had your old twisted heart set on seducing the Prince of Qin, didn't you? You cheap slut! Just wait until I get you home—I'll deal with you then!"
Dragging Feng Ying by the ear, Xue Shi stormed off, leaving only her miserable wails echoing in the air.
The gatekeeper and others shook their heads silently. Compared to the Chus, who were so well-mannered and reasonable, the Yan family was simply beneath contempt. No wonder the emperor wouldn't let them enter.
Inside the Palace of Gathering Essence.
Chu Ruoyan and Chu Jing played with the children for a while before having them taken away to be fed. "By the way, Aunt, where is Lady Cao? Is she unwell?"
The entire Cao family had been invited to this banquet, including Cao San, Cao Si, and their wives and children. But the family's cornerstone was missing, hence her concern.
Chu Jing patted her hand reassuringly: "Don't worry. Mother is still full of energy. The reason she didn't come..."
As if recalling something amusing, she chuckled to herself, "A missionary came from the Western Regions, bringing a new way to play Mahjong. Mother became completely obsessed. Half a month ago, she made an appointment with some ladies from marquis households to go study it at a country estate. She hasn't returned yet. She said, 'Diligence is the master of success, and play is the bane—begging His Majesty and Her Majesty's forgiveness, I won't be returning for this year's banquet!'"
Chu Ruoyan's mouth twitched.
Was that really how the saying was meant to be used?
Still, if the old lady was in good spirits and had the energy to enjoy herself, that was a good thing. So she merely ordered one seat removed and said nothing more.
Just then, Chu Huaishan arrived.
She immediately went up to greet him, noticing that her adoptive father’s complexion was much more radiant. With his left hand holding Lady Jiang the Younger and his right hand clasping Rou Min, he asked with a beaming smile, “Yan’er, I heard you’ve given me two little grandsons? Where are they? Let me see them quickly!”
Chu Ruoyan pouted. “Father, how can you be like this? You don’t even care about your daughter, only think about your little grandsons!”
Chu Ruolan, who had followed them in, also chimed in indignantly, “Exactly, exactly! Big sister, ever since Father returned to the capital, he’s only asked about the little princes. He hasn’t even inquired about mine and Dead Fish’s marriage!” She then twisted the arm of the person beside her, and Yan Zhao winced, immediately echoing her in agreement.
Chu Ruoyan smiled and greeted, “Sixth brother has come too.”
Yan Zhao nodded, glanced helplessly at the person beside him, and looked around. “Where is Third Brother, the Emperor? Why hasn’t he come over yet?”
“The Emperor is discussing affairs with the Chief Advisor; he should be a bit late,” Chu Ruoyan replied, then turned her gaze back to her father. “Father, the two little princes and Yu’er have been taken down for feeding. I’ll show them to you later. As for Rou Min…”
Her voice trailed off.
The blind young girl seemed frightened when she heard her name and quickly pressed closer to Chu Huaishan.
Chu Huaishan patted her head soothingly and said, “As you can see, after a trip to Mount Wutai, her condition has stabilized considerably, but her mind still isn’t whole—she’s like a child…”
Chu Ruoyan nodded, thinking to herself that this might still be the best possible outcome.
Chu Tingfeng helped Lin Yunshi over. Her belly was already visibly swollen.
Chu Ruoyan was surprised. “How many months?”
Lin Yunshi glanced at Chu Tingfeng and smiled shyly. “Over four months, almost five. I’ve been resting at home during the early stage. Tingfeng insisted I had to be completely stable before seeing anyone…”
Over four months, almost five? They’d certainly hidden it well!
The Chu family members cast a light look at Chu Tingfeng, who scratched his head in embarrassment.
Suddenly, a little head popped out, and a child huffed and puffed as he rushed toward Lin Yunshi. “Is it a little sister? It must be a little sister!”
Chu Ruoyan laughed, and Yan Zhao grabbed the child by the collar. “Wenjing, why aren’t you studying hard? How did you sneak out again?”
Yan Wenjing flailed his little hands. Seeing he couldn’t break free, he turned back pitifully. “Second Aunt! Sixth Uncle is bullying me again!”
Li Shi walked over and said with a smile, “Sixth brother, let Wenjing go. The tutor specially let him come home today to attend the family banquet.”
Only then did Yan Zhao release him, but the little fellow still tried to crowd around Lin Yunshi. Chu Ruoyan asked, “Sister-in-law, have you seen a doctor yet? Is it a boy or a girl?”
Lin Yunshi’s cheeks grew even redder. Chu Tingfeng helped her answer, “Thank you for your concern, Empress. We’ve consulted the imperial physician, and he said… it’s a male child.”
Yan Wenjing’s little face instantly fell.
Chu Ruoyan was amused. Were they really stuck in some monastery? Couldn’t this family produce a single daughter?
“What difference does it make whether it’s a son or daughter? Troublesome!”
An icy, domineering voice came from outside the hall. Everyone turned to see the Prince Regent, draped in a dark cloak, enter with the Princess Consort in plain palace attire, followed by Yun Lang in his red robes with white hair.
This family was strikingly handsome, with such extraordinary bearing that even many of the palace attendants couldn’t help staring. In particular, some young maids were completely captivated by Yun Lang’s mesmerising face.
“Father, Mother, Second Brother.” Chu Ruoyan went up to them. The three nodded in reply.
Chu Huaishan was the most excited. He shot up from his seat, his body trembling. “P-Prince Regent—”
He even had a portrait of this lord hanging in his study but never imagined he would one day meet him in person!
The Prince Regent gave a curt nod, though internally he was churning with irritation.
He hadn’t wanted to come, but his beloved Qing’er had coaxed and coerced him into it!
So he just wanted to get it over with. The Princess Consort had no choice but to step forward, knelt, and performed a great bow. “Thank you for taking in Miao Miao and nurturing her until she grew up!”
Chu Huaishan quickly returned the gesture. “Not at all, not at all! You’re too kind, Princess Consort. If it weren’t for the Prince Regent back then, where would the Chu family be? Our entire household is eternally grateful and would go through fire and water for you!”
The Princess Consort shook her head and was about to speak when the Prince Regent abruptly asked, “So you raised Miao Miao?”
Chu Huaishan paused, then nodded. The Prince Regent turned his head to glance at Yun Lang, who was lazily leaning against a pillar, casually throwing flirtatious glances at the maids who were sneaking looks at him, turning many of their faces bright red.
“You’re very good at raising children. Take this one back and teach him properly as well,” the Prince Regent said mercilessly, startling Chu Huaishan, who hastily waved his hands.
Yun Lang heard this, and his smile died instantly. “Old Madman, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You want to get rid of me so you can have Mother all to yourself? No way!”
The Prince Regent’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Looking for a beating?”
“Who’s afraid of who? Go ahead, beat me to death if you can! Let’s see if Mother still pays you any attention!”
The father and son glared at each other, both red in the face. The Princess Consort held her head in pain. “Alright, if you keep this up, neither of you is coming back to Meishan with me!”
The Prince Regent immediately suppressed his ferocity, and Yun Lang withdrew his defiance, returning to a state of false peace.
The Chu and Cao families had never witnessed such a scene. They stared, dumbfounded, unable to say a word.
A cold sweat dripped down Chu Ruoyan’s forehead as she quickly asked, “Second Brother, where’s the old divine physician? Didn’t he come?”
Yun Lang said nonchalantly, “Old man? He just broke the High Priest’s limbs and is now setting his bones. Said he wanted to see how the western frontier people’s recovery compares to ours.”
Chu Ruoyan: “…”
Everyone: “…”
It figured— none of the Yun family members were normal. Compared to them, the Empress was a refreshing breath of fresh air!
Just then, the Prince of Qin entered with Chu Ruoyin, followed by Cao Yang, Meng Yang, Mei Hexuan, and others. They chatted for a while.
Soon, the Emperor arrived.
Everyone hailed him with long live and then took their seats.
Chu Ruoyan whispered, “Where did you go? Why are you so late?”
Yan Zhen held her hand beneath his sleeve and replied quietly, “I went to see Big Brother.”
Chu Ruoyan understood. It was a family banquet, after all—he had to inform the white moonlight in his heart. Just as she herself had earlier gone to the small Buddhist shrine to offer incense for Yun Zhao.
And so, the banquet began.
At first, unfamiliarity made the atmosphere awkward.
But after a few rounds of drinks, everyone loosened up, and all hesitations vanished. Murong Jin and Mei Hexuan toasted the Prince Regent repeatedly. Cao Yang and Chu Huaishan, old as they were, exited halfway through the banquet. As he left, Cao Yang muttered, “Your Majesty, spare this old minister… I’ll sell Xie Zhizhou to you…”
Chu Jing was mortified and hurried him away. Chu Ruoyan shot a glance at Yan Zhen and teased, “Look how you’ve scared Uncle!”
The Emperor chuckled. “Learned it from A-Yan!”
Chu Ruoyan gave him a playful glare. “Speaking of which, why didn’t Brother-in-Law come today?”
“Does A-Yan not know yet? He became a monk, right in your older cousin’s nunnery.”
“But nunneries only accept nuns, don’t they?”
“Exactly. So now all the venerable nuns are begging your older cousin to stop shaving anyone else’s head and just return to secular life…”
Chu Ruoyan was taken aback, then a smile touched her lips.
The banquet went on, cups clinking and laughter flowing.
The Emperor gazed at her profile, then leaned over. “A-Yan, do you remember what they said at the coronation ceremony?”
“What did they say?” The young woman had drunk some fruit nectar and was now slightly tipsy.
Yan Zheng lowered his head and gently nibbled on her earlobe. “They said that when the emperor and empress are of one heart, it shall last for ten thousand years.”
A tingling sensation shot from the spot he had bitten all the way to her brain. Chu Ruoyan instantly snapped awake and, smiling, poked his chest. “If we truly lasted ten thousand years, wouldn’t that make us an old monster?”
Yan Zheng’s expression turned serious. “I want to be with you for ten thousand years!”