Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 195 - 163: Talkative

"Prince Kong’s youngest daughter committed suicide?" The Fourth Prince asked in shock, "When did this happen?"

"I heard she hanged herself last night, and it was only discovered at dawn today."

"She hanged herself in the Bodhi Temple."

"Was it really hanging, not murder?"

"Did not His Majesty annul her engagement to Prince Dai? Why would she still hang herself?"

"The specific situation is unclear, but it seems it really wasn’t murder."

"Don’t you know? Ever since her secret ordination was discovered, her reputation has been ruined."

"Recently, Prince Dai pleaded for her family, which made her reputation even worse."

"Everyone mocks her for not knowing what’s good for her. If it were me, I couldn’t stand it either."

"She was originally a well-known talented woman in the capital, and because of this, her reputation was ruined, making suicide understandable."

"I heard that when her family was imprisoned, she wanted to commit suicide, but at that time, she certainly dared not."

"I guess she waited for the matter to blow over before hanging herself."

"She probably felt too ashamed to live in this world."

"Alas, what a pity."

"If only she had accepted the engagement honestly from the start."

"A beauty like her has perished, what a real pity."

The Fourth Prince listened to his colleagues’ discussions for a while before returning to his seat.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister sat opposite the Fourth Prince, transcribing historical records while discussing the matter of Prince Kong’s youngest daughter’s hanging.

"Your Highness, do you think Prince Kong’s youngest daughter really hanged herself?" the Minister of the Ministry of Rites asked.

The Fourth Prince intuitively felt Prince Kong’s youngest daughter did not hang herself, but it was just his feeling.

"It’s hard to say."

The Junior Minister had a different view from his brother: "I think it’s not strange she hanged herself, given her ruined reputation. Reputation is really important for a daughter."

"She has already entered monastic life, what still concerns her reputation?" The Minister of the Ministry of Rites had a suspicion but dared not speak it here. "It can’t be hanging."

The Fourth Prince said, "The forensic examiner should be able to determine whether it was indeed hanging."

Upon learning of his youngest daughter’s hanging, Prince Kong, with his wife and son, went to the Bodhi Temple and did not attend today’s morning court.

During the morning court, ministers did not report this matter to the Emperor, as they were not clear on the details.

The main discussion in today’s morning court was about the spring plowing conditions in various regions.

Every year during the spring plowing, government offices from various regions must report their local spring plowing situations to the court, such as conditions of the plowed land, seedlings, and oxen.

Spring plowing concerns this year’s grain harvest, and the Emperor places great importance on it.

From the reports sent by government offices, most areas were conducting spring plowing smoothly, with only a few places facing difficulties.

These few areas lacked water. Since last September, these areas had hardly received any rain, and until now, not a drop has fallen. If it doesn’t rain soon, spring plowing in these places might fail.

Whether spring plowing can proceed smoothly depends on God.

If God doesn’t send rain, local officials have no solutions.

Fortunately, their harvest last year was decent. If spring plowing cannot proceed smoothly this year due to drought, they still have food.

After discussing spring plowing conditions across different regions, the Emperor ordered Sun Kui to declare the court dismissed.

After the court session ended, the Emperor instructed Prince Dai and the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice to proceed to the Bodhi Temple to investigate the hanging of Prince Kong’s youngest daughter thoroughly.

After assigning this task, the Emperor discussed matters of Yangzhou with Prime Minister He.

Last night, the Emperor received a secret letter from Grandmaster Liu. In it, he wrote that everything was proceeding according to plan.

The Emperor was primarily discussing with Prime Minister He whom to dispatch to Yangzhou for appointments next.

This time, the Emperor intended to clean up the Yangzhou government thoroughly. Based on Grandmaster Liu’s report, only a few officials in Yangzhou could continue to be employed.

Given Yangzhou’s important geographical position, the new appointments must be made with caution.

New officials for Yangzhou cannot all be transferred from the capital, as doing so would halve the capital’s officials.

Prime Minister He’s suggestion was to transfer some officials from other places to Yangzhou.

Officials lacking in other places can be chosen from recommended personnel or selected from outstanding students in the Imperial College. Alternatively, they can be selected from local academies.

After finishing the discussion about officials to be appointed to Yangzhou, Prime Minister He bid farewell to the Imperial Academy, returning to Lanyuan Pavilion to work.

The Emperor sighed, "There’s a lack of talent."

For the past dozen years, Great Zhou has established academies across the land, with no entry barriers; as long as one is talented, they can study. Although many excellent students have been cultivated, only half of them can become officials. Thus, the court constantly lacks talent.

The Emperor always thought this recommendation method wasn’t very effective, but since he couldn’t think of a better way, he had to continue using it.

"Your Majesty, as more people become educated, there will be more talented individuals."

"Let’s hope so."

In terms of talent cultivation, the court has truly made considerable efforts. Not to mention funding various academies significantly every year to help students from poor backgrounds.

Sun Kui looked at the Emperor, momentarily unsure whether to remind him.

The Emperor noticed Sun Kui’s hesitant look and lightly raised an eyebrow, saying, "Speak if you have something to say."

After some hesitation, Sun Kui decided to remind the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, today is the Eighth Prince’s birthday."

The Emperor thought it was something significant, but it turned out to be this matter. He responded blandly, "As usual."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You don’t need to report such matters to me in the future," the Emperor said indifferently. "Just handle it according to protocol."

Detecting the displeasure in the Emperor’s tone, Sun Kui hurriedly apologized, "This servant deserves to die!"

The Emperor waved his hand, signaling Sun Kui to withdraw.

Sun Kui respectfully retreated.

Sun Doudou saw that his master came out looking slightly pale, quickly approached to ask with concern, "Master, what happened? Were you reprimanded by the Emperor?"

Sun Kui took a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and face.

"I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn," he said, giving himself a light slap on the cheek.

Sun Doudou was startled by his master’s actions and quickly asked, "Master, what did you say?"

"Isn’t today the Eighth Prince’s birthday? I just reminded His Majesty, not expecting to upset him," Sun Kui said, recalling the Emperor’s indifferent and displeased tone, feeling a chill in his heart. "I thought perhaps, given how the Eighth Prince was gravely injured previously saving the Crown Prince, His Majesty might reward him more on his birthday, but..."

"Master, you know the Emperor doesn’t favor the Eighth Prince, why mention it?"

"It was only because the Eighth Prince saved the Crown Prince before..." Sun Kui whispered, "I didn’t expect the Emperor not to regard the matter... I meddled."

"Master, you better not mention the Eighth Prince’s affairs before the Emperor in the future."

"I won’t, I’ll never mention it again." Regretting his earlier words, Sun Kui instructed, "Just follow the usual protocols, pick a gift for the Eighth Prince, and send it to Xingde Palace."

"Alright, I’ll go pick it now."

Sun Doudou acted quickly and soon selected a gift.

"Master, how do you think this gift is?"

Sun Kui glanced at it, saying, "Isn’t this the inkstone the Emperor used previously?" This inkstone was a tribute item, but it had one corner chipped when inadvertently dropped on the floor some days ago, so Sun Kui had kept it aside.

"Yes, this is perfect to give the Eighth Prince as a gift." Sun Doudou laughed, "An inkstone used by the Emperor, given to the Eighth Prince, should make him happy."

"Alright, then you can send it." Though one corner was chipped, it was still mostly intact.

Sun Doudou took the chipped inkstone to Xingde Palace.

Although the Eighth Prince was not favored by the Emperor, Sun Doudou always paid proper respects when meeting him, never showing the slightest disrespect.

Sun Doudou first respectfully saluted the Eighth Prince, then wished him a happy birthday, and presented the gift, saying it was an inkstone commonly used by the Emperor.

The Eighth Prince said once he recovered from his injury, he would personally thank the Emperor. He also thanked Sun Doudou.

Yu Hai received the embroidered box, then saw off Sun Doudou and gave him a money pouch.

Sun Doudou accepted the money pouch gratefully.

Yu Hai returned indoors and saw the Eighth Prince opening the embroidered box, revealing an inkstone.

"Place it on the study desk."

"Yes, Your Highness." When Yu Hai took the inkstone, he found one corner chipped and exclaimed, "Why is it damaged?" ƒreewebɳovel.com

In fact, it wasn’t fully broken, just the top corner was slightly chipped, not affecting its use. Sun Kui felt that since a corner was chipped, it wasn’t suitable for the Emperor’s use anymore.

"It’s not really broken," the Eighth Prince calmly said, "It can still be used."

"But..." Even if usable, it’s still chipped. Despite the Emperor not liking His Highness, there was no need to send a damaged inkstone to him.

"This was Father Emperor’s regular inkstone, a chipped corner is nothing."

Seeing the Eighth Prince seemingly unconcerned, Yu Hai felt a pang of heartache, sharing in his master’s silent grievance.

"Your Highness..."

The Eighth Prince interrupted Yu Hai, "I think it’s fine, place it on my study desk."

Reluctantly, Yu Hai complied, placing the inkstone on the Eighth Prince’s study desk as instructed.

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