Novel Full Chapter 934 - 53: Duke Anyang, You Really Owe Fourth Brother Your Thanks_2
Chapter 934: Chapter 53: Duke Anyang, You Really Owe Fourth Brother Your Thanks_2
Prince Dai and Prince Jing stared daggers at the departing back of Prince Chu: What is Prince Chu up to?
Prince Wei leisurely walked behind them, keeping a distance. However, he heard everything they had just said.
The Fourth Prince called the Third back, knowing exactly what kind of playing pieces he was dealing with. Even if the Fourth Prince didn’t bring up this matter, he would try to help Duke Anyang and bring the Third back to the capital.
Keeping the Third in Jiaozhou was not a good idea. Duke Anyang Mansion should not be underestimated; it’s better to eliminate the Third and Duke Anyang Mansion sooner rather than later to avoid future troubles. Moreover, that brute of a Third can’t be dealt with while he’s in Jiaozhou. Only when he returns to the capital can they "openly and justly" eliminate him.
The conversation between Prince Jing and Prince Chu caused quite a stir among the ministers.
The doors of Zichen Hall had not yet opened, and the ministers went to the side hall to drink tea and rest.
Because of the earlier events, the side hall was silent. The ministers bowed their heads to drink tea without a word, but their ears were perked up, and their eyes kept glancing around.
Prince Chu, as usual, kept a cold face and elegantly drank his tea.
Prince Dai sat next to Prince Chu, and after taking a sip of tea, started to ridicule Prince Chu. Prince Jing chimed in from the side.
"Duke Anyang, perhaps in a few days Father Emperor will issue a decree for Third Brother to return from Jiaozhou, and you should thank Fourth Brother properly," Prince Jing said meaningfully, "Fourth Brother pleaded with Father Emperor on behalf of Third Brother. Father Emperor, who has always cherished and respected Fourth Brother, might very well agree with him."
Even though Duke Anyang was suspicious of Prince Chu’s intentions in speaking well for Prince Zheng, he knew Prince Chu could not be acting out of goodwill.
"Prince Jing, whether Prince Zheng returns to the capital or not is the Emperor’s decision." Duke Anyang wouldn’t fall for Prince Jing’s trick.
"Duke Anyang, you alone cannot persuade Father Emperor to call Third Brother back to the capital; only Fourth Brother has the capability to get Father Emperor to agree," Prince Jing teased, "Once Third Brother returns, shouldn’t you give a good dose of gratitude to Fourth Brother?"
Prince Dai snorted coldly: "Father Emperor regards Fourth with importance, and to some extent, he listens to what Fourth says; there’s a chance he might really call Third back."
Prince Chu pretended not to hear Prince Jing and Prince Dai’s words and continued slowly sipping his tea.
Speaking of tea, he couldn’t help but think of his tenth younger brother in Lingnan. Previously, his tenth brother had written to say that Lingnan had many fine teas, and he would make a good Lingnan tea to send to him in time.
Prince Chu was eagerly anticipating the new tea Zhao Yao would make each year.
Duke Anyang kept silent, as if whether Prince Zheng returned to the capital had nothing to do with him.
Prince Wei sat aside, drinking tea and watching the spectacle.
The other ministers were also quietly watching the show.
Unfortunately, Prince Chu didn’t play along, allowing Prince Dai and Prince Jing to chatter on.
A moment later, Sun Doudou entered the side hall and respectfully invited the ministers to proceed to the main hall. When he saw Marquis Wuping, he was slightly surprised in his heart. His master had indeed predicted it correctly; Marquis Wuping and others really did resume their court duties today.
The ministers lined up in order, quietly waiting for the Emperor.
Soon, the Emperor entered, and the ministers immediately knelt and saluted: "Your subjects greet Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live, long live."
The Emperor sat down on the dragon throne and gestured to the ministers kneeling below: "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor noticed Marquis Wuping and his group back in court but acted as if he didn’t see them.
The ministers first presented formal affairs to the Emperor, though they weren’t major issues.
Recently, besides the implementation of three new policies, including land taxation based on population, another important matter was the start of the new year’s imperial examination.
This year’s examination would include the county exam, the provincial exam, and the palace exam.
Last month, the county exam started in each district of the capital. The results of the county exam had already been announced recently. The provincial exam had also commenced during this period.
The Ministry of Rites reported some of the nationwide county exam results to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, in this year’s county exam, only Lingnan had no participants." In previous years, Lingnan had at least some people participating in the imperial examination, but this year, not a single person took the county exam.
"Prince Han sent a memorial to apologize for this matter, explaining that it’s not a grievance against the court, nor dissatisfaction with him as Prince Han, but that Lingnan truly has no one capable of taking the imperial examination this year," the Emperor said indifferently, "Ignore Lingnan."