Chapter 282 - 232: Grand Court Assembly, Little Schemes

Chapter 282: Chapter 232: Grand Court Assembly, Little Schemes

A night passed. The snow had finally stopped, but the sky was still gloomy.

The snow on the ground was a good two feet thick, and the roads were deserted.

In weather like this, no one with grain for their next meal would venture outside.

Besides, the circumstances were highly unusual. Everyone had heard the sudden tolling of the Jingyang Bell and the sound of horses’ hooves that had galloped through the night.

Under such circumstances, no one dared risk coming out, even though the curfew had been lifted at dawn.

The main streets were thus deserted. Only a few winter crows flapped past, knocking snow from the eaves before vanishing on the wind.

But before the gates of the Imperial Palace, the situation was different.

Carriages and horses thronged the area, and all who arrived were major figures in the Imperial Capital—high-ranking officials from the Six Ministries, or princes and nobles.

But at this moment, these great men—who could make the city tremble with a single stomp of their foot—were huddled together, waiting anxiously.

"General Wang, why are the palace gates still not open?"

"Yes, what time is it? You have to give us a clear answer about His Majesty’s condition!"

Two white-haired elders of the imperial clan anxiously questioned a general standing guard at the palace gate.

The armored man shook his head helplessly. "It’s no use asking me, gentlemen. I don’t know the specifics of the situation inside, but don’t worry. I expect the gates will open shortly."

Despite his words, the two elders could not hide the worry etched on their faces.

The sudden tolling of the Jingyang Bell last night had been an ill omen. Now, with the court officials gathered but unable to even enter the palace, they were deeply troubled.

’Could it be that the Great Yan dynasty’s time is truly up?’

Given Xu Kai’s rank, he was naturally not at the front of the crowd, and he was happy to hide in the back.

If it weren’t for Wu Liangchen’s promise, he wouldn’t have wanted to come at all.

After all, while this court assembly was a grand affair, it was also fraught with risk.

Everyone present was well aware of this, but fortune favors the bold. Though the risks of this assembly were high, so too were the opportunities.

Ambitions stirred, especially when they noticed that none of the officials from the royalist faction were present.

So many positions were suddenly vacant. Add to that the high probability that the emperor was dead—and Yan Sheng had no heirs. A new emperor would have to be chosen from the imperial clan.

All of this spelled opportunity.

So, without any notice needing to be sent, attendance at this assembly was more complete than ever before.

The problem was, Xu Kai had no desire for promotion or titles, so he had no enthusiasm for any of this.

As he coldly observed the scene, an unwelcome voice piped up beside him.

"Well, well, Lord Xu. You’re here bright and early."

Xu Kai didn’t need to turn around to know who was speaking. Only one person was that grating.

"He Chang’an, why do I see you everywhere?" Xu Kai said, turning with a look of disgust.

A carriage had pulled up beside him. The curtain was then lifted, revealing a large, pancake-like face.

It was none other than He Chang’an, Xu Kai’s former classmate and current colleague.

He grinned, flashing his teeth. "If Lord Xu can brave the bitter cold and snow to be here, then I certainly can’t stay idle."

Xu Kai was utterly sick of him. The man was like a persistent ghost, always popping up out of nowhere.

Just as he was about to reply, the palace gates let out a CREAK and began to slowly swing open.

A stir went through the crowd. The imperial clan members and dignitaries at the front stopped their conversations, their faces tense as they looked up.

As the gates opened, the first thing to meet their eyes was a swath of deathly white.

Unlike the silver-white of the snow-covered landscape, this white was so jarring it made one’s breath catch in their throat.

Then, a paper funeral banner was hoisted up, nine enormous white paper spheres tied to it, swaying in the wind.

Nine for the Son of Heaven, seven for the Dukes.

This was a banner only seen when an emperor had died.

"Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing the banner, someone immediately collapsed to the ground, weeping.

A great swath of people immediately fell to their knees, bowing their heads and beginning to wail.

But how many were sincere and how many were faking it, no one could say.

Xu Kai, of course, also dismounted from his carriage and knelt in the snow.

He did not weep. He only felt a heavy knot of frustration tighten in his chest.

From his vantage point, he could see many of the dignitaries ahead who, despite kneeling, were still whispering among themselves, some even smiling.

’This Great Yan... it’s truly rotten to the core!’

He sighed to himself, suddenly feeling that Wu Liangchen had been right.

’The more of these useless, parasitic officials that die, the better. It would be best if none were left. Only then could the realm know peace.’

Xu Kai didn’t realize that, bit by bit, he had been profoundly influenced by Wu Liangchen.

His way of thinking, his very view of the world—all had changed drastically from before.

As he was lost in these thoughts, a sharp, piercing cry rang out from the distance.

"The Son of Heaven has fallen! The court shall pay their respects!"

At these words, the crowd surged forward, scrambling over one another to pour into the Imperial Palace.

Xu Kai, however, was in no rush. He ambled along slowly at the back.

He Chang’an shot him a surprised look and couldn’t help but whisper, "Old Xu, how are you so composed today? Did you hear something on the grapevine?"

"The grapevine? What grapevine? I haven’t heard a thing," Xu Kai said, shaking his head.

But the more he denied it, the more convinced He Chang’an became that he was privy to some inside information, and his face broke into a fawning smile.