Chapter 2649 - 2647: Tyrannical and Ignorant Emperor

Chapter 2649: Chapter 2647: Tyrannical and Ignorant Emperor

Su Yuanjing was red-faced with anger at the Head of the Astronomical Bureau. He pulled out the longsword from the wall and raised it to the Head’s neck.

He shouted furiously, "Since ancient times, warriors die in battle, scholars die in remonstrance. You, as the Head, for selfish reasons, flatter and deceive the Emperor. This clear heaven and earth is ruined by you petty men."

The Head went limp with fear and fell to the ground, begging for mercy.

Su Yuanjing commanded him, "I will take you to the Imperial Court to meet the Emperor now, and you will report honestly. If anything happens, I will bear the responsibility."

The Head knelt on the ground, tears flowing, "Grand Commandant, please spare me! Today, Your Majesty is in a good mood, celebrating at a feast in the harem. If you bring me to upset the Emperor, His wrath will be unavoidable. Though it may not harm you, it will certainly harm me! There are 130 lives in my family, and all would be doomed. If the Grand Commandant wishes to kill me, do it. My death for the preservation of my family is worth it."

"You..."

Su Yuanjing trembled with the sword, "Good, good, I didn’t expect you to be such a filial child and wise father. If you won’t say it, I will. You are afraid of death, but I am not."

He ordered servants to prepare a sedan chair and immediately went to the palace to request an audience.

The Head was so frightened that as soon as Su Yuanjing left, he hurriedly went to the Prime Minister’s Mansion to seek Cai Jing’s help.

If Su Yuanjing spoke in the palace, it would be a capital offense of deceiving the Emperor.

In the imperial harem, Huizong was hosting a feast to celebrate the auspicious sign of two suns.

The palace attendants were so hot, they put on the summer clothes they had just put away and brought ice from the cellar to make chilled mung bean porridge.

The sun in the sky showed no sign of setting.

Lin Yuerong, already bestowed as Empress, was holding her daughter’s hand and, heavily pregnant, attended the feast.

She was eight months pregnant, and the child in her womb was about to be born.

Her daughter Zhao Yuji was three years and more, born smart and sensible, dignified and charming, embodying a princess’s grace at a young age.

After they arrived, under the servants’ assistance, they sat at the main seat.

Zhao Yuji gazed at the sun in the sky, her face worried, "Spring sows a grain of millet, autumn harvests a thousand seeds. How can the people survive this inversion of summer and autumn, two suns in the sky?"

Lin Yuerong was slightly surprised, not expecting her daughter to have such thoughts at such a young age.

Zhao Yuji clutched her arm and pleaded, "Mother Empress, you are the mother of the nation. Can you propose to Father Emperor later to pray to Heaven for blessings upon the citizens, and to exempt the taxes for those afflicted today?"

Lin Yuerong held her earnestly, "Yuji, haven’t I told you many times? The harem must not meddle in politics, we should focus on our own matters and not disturb your father, okay?"

Zhao Yuji pouted, "But when Father Emperor does something wrong, can’t we say anything either?"

Lin Yuerong’s face fell, "Your father is Heaven’s chosen son, how could he do wrong? Who taught you to say these things?"

Zhao Yuji answered, "Master said, Father is the Human Emperor; with that one word ’human’, he can err. Since ancient times, those tyrants weren’t they also Heaven’s chosen, didn’t they also make mistakes?"

"Nonsense!"

Lin Yuerong, in her haste, gave her a tap on her little head, "Who are you calling a tyrant? If you dare say such sacrilegious words again, be careful or I’ll make you kneel in the ancestral temple for punishment!"

Zhao Yuji’s eyes filled with tears, she quietly sat aside, pouting and silent.

Lin Yuerong thought for a moment, planning to personally talk to Zhao Yuji’s master after the banquet, or find another master for her.

Soon, the concubines arrived one after another, Yingying smiled and greeted the Empress, each taking their seats.

Someone said to Lin Yuerong, "Empress, did you hear? Your Majesty is in great spirits, saying the two suns in the sky are a celestial omen. He specially hosted this feast and reportedly changed the era name to Chongyang!"

A concubine flatteringly said, "His Majesty is wise, diligently managing affairs all these years, never once negligent. This is the fortune of the subjects, and we are fortunate as his concubines."

"Indeed. His Majesty’s heart moved Heaven, hence the rise of double suns, signaling His Majesty is as radiant as the dual suns, invincible."

Other concubines followed with flattery.

Lin Yuerong nodded with a smile, but sighed inwardly.

She didn’t expect the concubines here were less insightful than a three-year-old child.

The appearance of two suns is not an omen of fortune, but a disaster.

She grew up in an impoverished family outside the palace, knowing the hardship of the common people’s lives.

The change of weather and seasons spells disaster for many crops.

But now the Emperor delights in grandiosity, she knows to feign ignorance.

If she wasn’t cautious in this palace, everywhere yielding, how would she occupy this Empress seat?

The palace maids bustled back and forth, serving dish after dish of prepared food and wine.

After a while, a eunuch loudly announced, "The Emperor has arrived!"

The concubines, led by the Empress, stood up and knelt in the room.

"Rise!"

Huizong entered, happily gesturing for them to rise, and sat beside the Empress.

The concubines thanked him and took their seats.

The Empress offered a bowl of chilled porridge to Huizong, saying, "Official Families, I’ve just had this chilled mung bean soup prepared, have some to cool off!"

"The Empress is considerate!"

Huizong laughed, raised the bowl, and said to the concubines, "Today’s a family feast, no need to be formal."

He clapped his hands and called for music and dance for amusement.

Soon, a eunuch entered and announced that Wang Fu and Li Bangyan had matters to report.

Huizong cheerfully invited them in and seated them beside.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan approached, first offering compliments to Huizong, then reported a matter of joy, "Your Majesty, great joy!"

Huizong raised his eyebrows with a smile, "Oh, where does the joy come from?"

Wang Fu replied, "It is unknown to Your Majesty that the criminal King of Western Xia and his son are escorting his daughter to the capital. Soon, she will meet with Your Majesty."

"Truly a joyful matter!"

Huizong laughed and instructed, "This time, with the two suns shining brightly, and the King of Western Xia’s daughter entering the capital, it’s like dual happiness. You must handle this affair well, ensuring all reception efforts are perfect."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, it is within our duty!"

The two bowed solemnly.

Wang Fu cautiously asked, "This time, the King of Western Xia defied the imperial order, deliberately raised troops in rebellion, should he not be punished?"

Li Bangyan added, "Indeed, Your Majesty. If all dukes under Heaven were like him, what of the Great Song’s dignity? What of Your Majesty’s honor?"

Huizong waved his hand, "This matter has already been discussed with Minister Su and the Imperial Uncle. This time, the Duke of Qi, Duke of Yan, and Duke of Lu jointly vouched for King of Western Xia. I have decided to pardon the crimes of the father and son. The barbarian lands do not follow the teachings of the king’s way. Through this incident, I believe the King of Western Xia will be more compliant."

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan exchanged disappointed glances but did not spoil Huizong’s mood on the spot.

They toasted with Huizong, and then a eunuch entered, declaring Minister Su had matters to discuss.

Huizong joyfully said, "See, today is truly bustling, let him come in and speak!"