Morning court was a grueling chore.
Although the audience was set for the hour of the Hare, unwritten protocol required officials to arrive at the palace successively during the hour of the Tiger to wait quietly.
Fortunately, most of the ministers attending court to see the Emperor possessed cultivation, and the imperial court had constructed multiple audience chambers within the Imperial City for officials to rest according to their rank.
The hour of the Hare drew near; a full moon hung in the sky, and the morning light had yet to break.
While most common folk still slept soundly, within the barbican outside the Meridian Gate, more than half of the court's high ministers had already assembled.
Astride the palace walls, burly Imperial Guards stood with hands resting on their sabers. Below the walls, high court dignitaries clad in robes of various colors stood in orderly rows according to seniority and rank.
No one whispered; the vast barbican was as silent as a city of the dead.
According to ancestral Great Yan law, once inside the palace, supervising censors stood aside to inspect the officials' deportment and etiquette.
Several hundred officials standing at the pinnacle of Great Yan's power waited quietly for the eunuchs of the Bell and Drum Office—one of the four inner court directorates—to strike the morning court bell at the end of the Tiger hour.
Suddenly,
*Dong—Dong—Dong—*
Three long tolls of the morning bell rang out.
With the chimes, the rumbling thunder of gates opening echoed throughout the barbican.
According to court protocol, the Meridian Gate was not opened for the assembly of officials; they entered through the left and right flanking gates.
Civil officials entered from the left, while military officers entered from the right.
Yet even though the archways of the flanking gates stood wide open, the civil and military officials standing ahead remained motionless in their places.
No one moved, nor did anyone speak, as if waiting for something.
Amidst the dead silence,
*Clip-clop, clip-clop...*
The sound of hooves striking the flagstones accompanied the slow rumble of carriage wheels from behind the barbican. Through the silence of the gathered officials, a carriage slowly rolled to the very front.
The carriage was carved with a black dragon so lifelike it seemed poised to take flight, especially those draconic eyes.
And with the arrival of the black dragon carriage, the tightly shut central Meridian Gate suddenly let out a deafening boom.
A dozen breaths later, the colossal central Meridian Gate opened completely, and the black steed came to a halt right before it.
The immense Meridian Gate opened for him alone.
With the hooves halted and the carriage door swung open, a middle-aged man clad in a black dragon robe slowly stepped down. His steps were light, yet each one seemed to tread directly upon the hearts of the gathered officials.
He stood alone before the assembly, beneath the Meridian Gate.
Xu Yinhe raised his eyes to gaze far toward Fengtian Hall. Giving an inscrutable sigh, he strode inside.
Watching that retreating figure, some high officials closed their eyes in silence, some betrayed disgust in their gazes, while others' eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
As the middle-aged man's figure vanished completely into the shadows of the central Meridian Gate, a melodious, effeminate cry rang out atop the palace wall:
"All officials—enter court!"
As the voice faded, the civil and military officials entered in an orderly procession following Great Yan court protocol.
Generals entered first, followed by attendants and inner officials, then dukes, marquises, prince consorts, and earls, then the five chief military commissions and the six ministries, followed in turn by miscellaneous officials stationed in the capital.
As they marched, the erstwhile silence was broken by discreet voice transmissions:
"Imperial Son-in-Law Qin, in past morning courts, Chancellor Xu entered through the left flanking gate alongside the civil officials. Why open the Meridian Gate for him today?"
"In the Northern Border war, hundreds of thousands of Barbarians were wiped out, and this Chancellor Xu takes top credit. His Majesty cannot leave him unrewarded."
"He was already granted an imperial carriage, the privilege to enter court without scurrying, to be addressed without his personal name, and the Nine Bestowments. Now he even receives the etiquette of the Son of Heaven—how else could he be rewarded? Is he truly to be enfeoffed as Great Yan's first prince of a different surname?"
"Opening the Meridian Gate for him today surely holds His Majesty's deeper meaning."
"Hmph. A dog who appears a pillar of state, but is in truth a national traitor."
"Censor Liu, watch your tongue! Chancellor Xu's cultivation is fathomless; he might well detect our transmissions."
"And what if he does? Men of our cloth die where duty calls!"
Once inside, proceeding northward along the avenues lined with Imperial Guards and passing through a series of elaborate rituals, the officials once again saw that figure standing solitary in the darkness before Fengtian Hall.
As the first rays of dawn washed over the earth,
Before the magnificent Fengtian Hall, all was solemn and majestic.
Great Yan's Prime Minister stood at the center, the Deputy Prime Minister stood at the head of the civil officials to the left, and the Grand General stood at the head of the military officers to the right.
To the left and right of the terrace steps stood the musicians of the Bell and Drum Office. Imperial Guard commanders in full armor lined the palace stairs and doorways, while junior commanders gripped their sabers on either side of the imperial walkway and behind the civil and military officials.
After a moment of silence, the Bell and Drum Office ensemble played ancient court music, and an official of the Court of State Ceremonial called out in a resonant cadence:
"Take your ranks!"
At the call,
The Prime Minister took the lead, ascending the imperial walkway. The high civil and military dignitaries climbed the flanking staircases into the hall, while those lacking sufficient rank remained waiting in the courtyard outside.
Upon entering, the hall was vast and open, curls of incense drifting upward, the cinnabar pillars and ceiling grave and imposing.
The exalted Golden Dragon Throne sat empty above. Below the dais stood a low table carved with a coiled serpent, behind which sat a young man with a face as gentle and warm as jade, clad in a serpent robe.
It was none other than Crown Prince Li Yucheng, regent of the realm.
Upon seeing the middle-aged man enter first, Li Yucheng immediately rose from the cushion behind his low table, bowed respectfully, and offered a warm smile:
"Teacher."
Xu Yinhe glanced at him with an impassive expression, nodding slightly in reply:
"Your Highness."
With that, he did not look at the Crown Prince again, but turned his gaze to the screen behind the Golden Dragon Throne.
After watching it for a breath, he retracted his gaze, lowering his eyes to rest his mind.
Following the brief courtesies, Li Yucheng sat back down upon the cushion behind his low table before the assembly of officials entered.
As the dignitaries entered and filed into orderly ranks on either side, the chief palace eunuch standing to one side called out in his rhythmic, effeminate voice:
"Officials, pay your respects!"
Rustle—
Xu Yinhe stood motionless in place, while the officials behind him bowed low.
Because the Crown Prince was acting as regent, ancestral Great Yan law did not require officials to kowtow; a deep bow was sufficient.
Once the salutations were complete, the chief eunuch's shrill voice sounded once more:
"Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, are there any ministers entering the capital to offer thanks, or departing the capital to request leave today?"
An elderly man standing to the side in the peacock-embroidered robe of the lower third rank stepped forward and bowed:
"None for today."
Hearing this,
The chief eunuch's voice rang out again:
"To deliberate urgent military matters and border affairs, do any ministers have memorials to present?"
Court deliberations followed a strict sequence: first, receiving officials entering or leaving the capital; next, urgent reports from the border armies; and only then, general government business.
As his words fell, after a moment of silence in the vast hall—
*Cough.*
*Cough.*
*Cough.*
Three soft coughs sounded almost simultaneously.
According to unwritten Great Yan court convention, every official cleared their throat with a light cough before presenting business, preventing two people from stepping forward at once and creating confusion or awkwardness.
Since three had spoken at once, it fell to the chief eunuch to mediate.
The serpent-robed eunuch standing beside the hall glanced at the three officials, a sharp glint showing in his slightly cloudy eyes.
Two from the Crown Prince's faction, one from the Second Prince's.
He glanced instinctively at Chancellor Xu standing in the very center of the court, but the man merely stood there with lowered eyes, giving no hint or signal.
After a brief silence,
The chief eunuch spoke up:
"Vice Minister Qing, what is your memorial?"
From the civil officials' side, a middle-aged man wearing the robes of a Vice Minister of Rites stepped to the left and bowed:
"Your Highness, the war on the Northern Border is nearing its end. His Second Highness has already established his own official residence and retinue in the capital. Remaining embedded in the army for long violates ancestral protocol; I fear he should be recalled to the capital immediately."
Li Yucheng did not commit himself immediately. Looking down at the assembled officials, he pondered a moment:
"The Barbarian menace has yet to be fully quelled, and Second Brother and Third Brother are far away on the Northern Border, which is none too safe. What do you ministers think?"
At these words, whispers rippled through the court.
"Your Highness is benevolent. The journey to the Northern Border is indeed hazardous. Though the main Barbarian army is destroyed, many powerful experts of their clans are still roaming at large. His Second Highness and His Third Highness are of royal blood; lingering on the Northern Border invites unnecessary danger."
"His Second Highness's noble status may impede the commanders' judgment and delay military opportunities. It is truly appropriate to recall him."
"His Second Highness erecting a stele for the soldiers of Beifeng is a deed that will be remembered for centuries. He should be recalled to court to receive honors."
"His Second Highness..."
Although the original proposer had used ancestral rules as a pretext to recall Li Zhaoyuan, the court ministers instantly grasped the Crown Prince's cue and pivoted the discussion to the Second Prince's personal safety and his commendation for meritorious service.
Those capable of standing in this imperial court were all shrewd schemers.
They knew full well what the Second Prince sought from his expedition to the Northern Border.
Recalling him to the Imperial Capital first would nip what he wanted right in the bud.
As for commendations and rewards?
Grant him an empty title and shower him with gold and silver; that would suffice.
Hearing the virtually unanimous debate below the dais, Crown Prince Li Yucheng still did not declare his stance. Instead, he looked toward the graying middle-aged man standing alone in the court center and inquired respectfully:
"Teacher, how do you view this matter?"
He believed his teacher would side with him this time. After all, his Second Brother had just touched the man's reverse scale.
So long as his teacher stood with him, no one in the court would dare utter an objection.
Hearing the question, Xu Yinhe kept his hawk-like eyes calm, replying unhurriedly:
"In this matter, Your Highness and the ministers may deliberate as you see fit."
In the imperial struggle for succession, the Prime Minister's Manor did not participate, nor did it pick sides.
With the Chancellor's refusal to intervene, the members of the Second Prince's faction cast off all hesitation.
*Cough.*
Without waiting to be called on by the chief eunuch,
A middle-aged man in the robes of a Vice Minister of War took a step to the side and spoke:
"Your Highness, Liu believes that directly recalling His Second Highness at this juncture is inappropriate."
No sooner had his words landed than the Vice Minister of Rites who had spoken first retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm:
"Vice Minister Liu, what could be inappropriate? By ancestral rule, His Second Highness ought to be recalled. Moreover, if His Second Highness remains abroad and any mishap befalls his royal person, can you take responsibility?"
The Vice Minister of War glanced at him with a slight sneer:
"Vice Minister Qing, the Second Prince's journey to the Northern Border was personally decreed by His Majesty. Though His Highness acts as regent, recalling the Second Prince on a whim—are you trying to make His Highness defy the Emperor's own imperial edict?"
"..."
At those words, silence descended over the court.
Vice Minister Qing's expression darkened abruptly, his fists clenching beneath his sleeves.
What a massive accusation.
Let alone him, in this entire court, aside from the silent Chancellor Xu, probably no one dared wear such a hat.
Not even the Crown Prince could take that fall.
Li Yucheng had steered the topic from ancestral protocol to concern for his imperial brother's safety from the very start precisely out of concern that someone would exploit this angle.
Regent he might be, but his old man was not dead yet.
If an imperial edict clashed with the Crown Prince's orders, everyone knew well whose word carried ultimate authority.
After a brief silence,
Li Yucheng gave the Vice Minister of War a deep, meaningful look before smiling warmly, his voice gentle:
"Minister Liu speaks reasonably. Minister Qing is also merely concerned for the safety of Second Brother and Third Brother. Naturally, Imperial Father's orders cannot be contravened. We shall discuss this matter another day."
Seeing the Crown Prince settle the issue, the chief eunuch before the dais called out once again in a resonant cadence:
"General Huaiyuan, what memorial do you present?"
At the call,
From the military officers' side, a burly man wearing the uniform of an Imperial Guard commander stepped out to the left. After bowing, he lowered his head and spoke softly:
"Your Highness, His Second Highness sent a message across a thousand miles last night. Mourning the lives lost among the troops and grieving for the commoners of the Northern Border, he is willing to share the burdens of His Majesty and Your Highness."
"..."
When his voice trailed off,
The civil and military officials fell utterly silent. Acquaintances exchanged glances, whispering via voice transmission.
Even Xu Yinhe, who had kept his eyes lowered in silence the entire time, glanced sideways at the speaker.
General Huaiyuan was one of the ten grand commanders of the Di'an City Imperial Guard.
The reason the court was in an uproar was this General Huaiyuan's identity.
The Great Yan Imperial Guard could practically be considered the Crown Prince faction's private preserve. The Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard was an advisor to the Crown Prince's manor, let alone the subordinate commanders.
And this Imperial Guard commander bearing the title of Huaiyuan was an ironclad Crown Prince loyalist.
In past morning courts, he had nearly come to blows right in the hall multiple times, ready to pummel the Second Prince's aides.
What did it mean for him to suddenly speak up and present a memorial on the Second Prince's behalf?
Defection?
Amidst the incense permeating the hall, many officials studied the Crown Prince's expression.
Yet unfortunately, no one could read a single clue from his face.
Li Yucheng still wore that bright, gentle smile. Looking calmly at Commander Jin, he tapped his fingers lightly on the desk and smiled amiably:
"Commander Jin, pray elaborate. How does Second Brother wish to ease Imperial Father's burdens?"
Commander Jin kept his eyes lowered, his voice steady and measured:
"His Second Highness bled alongside the troops at Beifeng City and inscribed eulogies on Beifeng's southern wall for the hundreds of thousands of heroic souls who fell. He wishes to follow Princess Wuyuan's example and lead an army north to wipe out the Barbarian remnants."
"..."
Hearing this, a flicker of realization crossed the gray-templed Xu Yinhe's eyes. He cast another meaningful glance at the Golden Dragon Throne atop the dais.
Unlike Chancellor Xu's realization, what Li Yucheng felt was bewilderment.
His finger tapping on the table froze. Li Yucheng's gentle, jade-like countenance remained outwardly unchanged, but his bright eyes narrowed slightly.
Military authority.
Not only had Li Zhaoyuan subverted one of his most trusted Imperial Guard commanders without anyone noticing, he even dared to submit a memorial openly demanding military command!
Before Li Yucheng could speak, officials of the Crown Prince faction sprang forward to serve as his mouthpiece:
"Hmph, does the Second Prince not understand ancestral law?"
"Having already opened his own manor and established his retinue, he dares demand military authority?!"
"His Second Highness seems to harbor the ambitions of Prince Zhou!"
Prince Zhou—a prince from several hundred years ago who had launched a coup in the capital with his personal retainers, attempting to murder his own imperial father.
These words were utterly malicious and condemning.
"Minister Wang, watch your words! Second Brother merely wishes to relieve Imperial Father of his burdens."
Li Yucheng rebuked the last speaker, then turned his gaze back to Commander Jin, asking gently:
"Commander Jin, does Second Brother wish for you to lead the troops of the Imperial Guard's Sixth Garrison north?"
Li Zhaoyuan did not cultivate military arrays; even if he acquired troops, he would need a general capable of commanding them.
Hearing this, Commander Jin bowed even lower and answered in a subdued tone:
"Your Highness, the Imperial Guard cannot be moved lightly. His Second Highness desires only the official formation of an army corps, with the soldiers to be recruited privately from among the populace."
Li Yucheng took a deep breath and gave a faint smile:
"And you, Commander Jin?"
Commander Jin raised his eyes to meet Li Yucheng's gaze, cupping his hands:
"This minister is willing to relieve His Majesty's burdens and march north."
Li Yucheng understood what his Second Brother was trying to do.
An official military commission and a general to lead the troops; as for funds and recruits, they would presumably be supplied by those sects.
Yet how could such an audacious proposal ever be approved?
Taking a deep breath,
Just as Li Yucheng was about to speak,
A high-pitched, resonant cry rang out from behind the screen of the Golden Dragon Throne:
"His Majesty the Emperor—arrives!"
Chapter 352