She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 1056 - 1054: The Courtโs Affairs Are Complicated
The emperorโs interest in the spinning machine has resulted in more frequent outings from the palace, five times in half a month, all to the Mechanical Workshop. ๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐๐น.๐๐จ๐บ
Upon learning that the emperor had once again left the palace for the Mechanical Workshop for the sixth time, Jinrong finally couldnโt hold back his agitation.
Whatโs this nonsense? He wants to be emperor, but he hasnโt planned to start this toil so early, has he!
He very much enjoys the current life, no threats, no sense of urgency. Moreover, without an empress in the harem, his Royal Mother lives leisurely; anyone who meets her must show a smile and be somewhat cautious.
His initial wish has already been fulfilled. As for other matters, since the realm will eventually be his, and his Imperial Fatherโs new policies align exactly with his own thoughts, he feels even less hurried.
Yet what does his Imperial Father mean by this? Running outside all day, not to mention whether it hinders governance, itโs also unsafe.
The chaos has just settled not long ago; many families were implicated and beheaded due to conspiracy cases. Who knows if there are still some with malicious intent lurking?
If it is found out that the emperor frequently leaves the palace in plain clothes, and it catches someoneโs eye, causing trouble, what then?
Jinrong glanced at the pile of memorials on the desk, feeling quite a headache; being emperor truly is laborious work.
He sped up browsing the memorials, and the comments he wrote became more careless.
Even if he wants to ask the emperor about it, he must finish his current tasks. Although the emperor doesnโt do much himself, the tasks assigned to the Cabinet and him must be done without the slightest delay.
Every morning court session these days cycles through all the tasks assigned the previous day. If it is not completed or there are errors, he would face his Imperial Fatherโs stern criticism in front of all court officials.
Han Yanhui was also quite perplexed by the emperorโs current actions. Perhaps being betrayed and hit by his son might have had some impact, but far from being so disheartened that he lost interest in governance.
Though the emperor has not personally handled daily affairs, he has delegated them, and at the next morning court session, they are meticulously reviewed. The morning court time now takes almost an hour longer than before, just because of this.
Various thoughts turned in Han Yanhuiโs mind; he secretly speculated whether the emperor was training Prince Yu or testing the extent of Prince Yuโs ambitions. Perhaps the latter possibility could be more plausible.
By throwing court affairs to Prince Yu and the Cabinet, with the Cabinet Prime Minister being the grandfather of Prince Consort Wife, over time of Prince Yu holding power, his true character might reveal itself. In the emperorโs eyes, this might be an opportunity to test Prince Yuโs character.
This speculation made Han Yanhui uneasy, so he assigned matters to the other three officials and went to speak with Jinrong.
Jinrong had just completed processing all the memorials and was about to leave. Seeing Han Yanhui come in, he had to sit down again and serve tea.
Waiting for the attendant to finish serving tea and leave, Han Yanhui didnโt delay and directly asked: "What does His Highness think of the emperorโs recent behavior?"
Jinrong was planning to go to the Mechanical Workshop and was in a hurry to leave. He said, "Prime Minister Han, feel free to speak your mind. You need not have any reservations with me."
Han Yanhui nodded, leaned slightly across the table in Jinrongโs direction, and whispered: "Your Highness, is it possible, that His Majesty is testing you, allowing you to experience the taste of holding power and controlling the world, to probe your character and virtue?"
Jinrong was startled: "No need, right?"
He had always been straightforward with the emperor, never withholding anything. Regarding the throne and the future, he said what he thought, didnโt His Imperial Father trust him?
Han Yanhui unconsciously stroked his beard, face filled with worry: "Perhaps not in the past, yet now itโs different. Our current emperor, rare in his benevolence, was conspired against by two sons. Perhaps this timeโs loss would make him more suspicious."
Thinking this, Han Yanhui felt even more worried. A suspicious emperor is the hardest to serve; a trivial matter might provoke displeasure, leading to ministers being dismissed or even beheaded arbitrarily.
As a successor to the throne, one treads cautiously. Failing to do things well marks incompetence, dooming the legacy. Yet doing excellently is even grimmer, inviting the emperorโs suspicion, potentially threatening oneโs life.
His Highness Prince Yuโs current position, along with his resources and power, typifies the suspicion-inducing kind.
Jinrong thought for a moment, stood up, and said: "I will go to the Mechanical Workshop to see Imperial Father. He should have no other motives. If Imperial Father were suspicious, he wouldnโt go to the Mechanical Workshop. Itโs ultimately the business of Yuanfan and me, run by Ye Xinyan, all of whom are our allies."
By the time Jinrong arrived, the emperor was about to return to the palace, but his face still showed obvious reluctance.
Upon Zhang Cunhai announcing Jinrongโs arrival, the emperor was surprised: "What is he doing here?" Seeing Jinrong, the emperor showed no welcoming expression, "Are all the memorials reviewed? Are all your assignments completed?"
Ye Xinyan, Wong Qiao, and Steward Qiu were waiting nearby, prepared to send His Majesty the Emperor back to the palace.
As Jinrong entered, they hadnโt yet had time to withdraw. They heard the emperor reprimanding the prince. It was an awkward situation; whether to leave or stay, they could only shrink their necks and pretend to be dead.
Jinrong wore a bitter face, bent low, and replied: "Imperial Father, of course itโs done; if it werenโt, I wouldnโt have dared to come." His tone was full of grievance.
The emperorโs expression slightly softened, "Even if finished, you could always check for any mistakes. Court affairs are complex; why arenโt you more concerned with governing, while here instead?"
Yes, Your Majesty indeed knows court affairs are complex! Jinrong felt dissatisfied, glanced at Ye Xinyan and Wong Qiao both.
Ye Xinyan and the others were peeking at the father and son. Seeing Jinrong looking over... must he want them to step back? The three of them felt gratefully released, quickly bowing before retreating.
As she was about to exit, Ye Xinyan unwisely asked: "Um, Your Highness, would you like some tea served?" She asked, though inside she was fervently praying to all deities for no tea service, just conclude matters and leave.
The emperor, who hardly left early today, was thwarted by Jinrong here. Wouldnโt it be better to discuss back in their royal estate? Speaking within the palace is safer and more assured, without fear of eavesdropping by strangers.
The response came from the emperor: "Bring two cups; you can deliver it in yourself."
Ah... was it careless of her to ask? Because without permission from the two high authorities, not serving tea would leave the emperor and prince sitting awkwardly, talking without refreshments, an impossible scenario!
Overwhelmed with concerns, Ye Xinyan agreed briefly and exited.
