Xiao Huaishi scanned the room, his gaze lingering on each minister's face. "Silence!" he said. "Anyone who makes another sound may leave now and need not attend the morning court in the future. The morning court is for discussing state affairs, not a marketplace for you to chatter. You are all well - versed in the etiquette of an official. This time, I'll spare you the punishment out of consideration that you are all my loyal subjects. But if there's a next time, all of you will be punished."
After he finished speaking, the ministers all hung their heads, too afraid to utter a word. They were truly afraid of incurring the emperor's wrath. Seeing that his words had the desired effect, Xiao Huaishi pointed at the sallow - faced minister and said, "The matters of the refugees and the fund - raising for disaster relief will be your responsibility. I hope you won't let me down. And in a month, we'll be hosting the princess of the Western Yue State. I hope all the ministers can attend the banquet on time. You may bring your families."
Hearing this unexpected news from the emperor, the ministers broke into an uproar, whispering to one another.
A somewhat bolder minister stepped forward, bowed slightly, and asked, "Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask what the purpose of the princess of the Western Yue State's visit to our country is?"
"She's here for a marriage alliance, of course," Xiao Huaishi said nonchalantly. He flicked his sleeve, adjusted his sitting posture, and looked at the ministers with an air of royalty.
The minister seemed to have more questions, but seeing the emperor's imposing manner, the words got stuck in his throat. After getting Xiao Huaishi's answer, he returned to his position.
"You've all seen the severity of the disaster in our country. The Western Yue State's purpose for the marriage alliance is simply to ensure a temporary peace between our two countries during this period. After all, I've long heard about the civil unrest in the Western Yue State. Do any of you ministers have any other opinions?" Xiao Huaishi's cold eyes swept across the ministers below, and his tone brooked no doubt.
So the ministers didn't dare to speak and could only choose to lower their heads in silence.
"Since none of you have any objections, that's that. Those who have matters to report may speak; otherwise, the court is adjourned." Xiao Huaishi rubbed his temples, feeling a bit tired.
Some people wanted to ask the emperor whether he had decided which prince the princess of the Western Yue State would be betrothed to, or perhaps... if the emperor intended to take her into his harem.
Everyone looked shocked or puzzled, except for Shen Yi, who remained calm, as if he had already known about this.
Seeing Xiao Huaishi's imposing manner, the ministers left the palace one by one. After leaving, they got together in groups and started discussing what had happened that day.
"Do you think that sallow - faced guy has won the emperor's favor? Do you think I should curry favor with him and give him some gifts?"
"Forget it. I think we'd better wait and see. Who knows what this emperor, who always has a half - smile on his face, is thinking? And who knows whether it's a good or bad thing for him to be assigned so many tasks."
The sallow - faced minister walked straight as a bamboo, seemingly not hearing their words.
At this time, Xu Kaiyuan walked up to Si Nan and asked, "What's your take on today's events, nephew?"
Si Nan immediately bowed and replied, "I dare not overstep. I have no special opinion. I only know that it's enough to do what the emperor has assigned, which is my duty."
Xu Kaiyuan stepped even closer, almost shoulder - to - shoulder with Si Nan, and said, "I know your master's ambition. You don't need to hide it from me. Although I don't have as great an ambition as you, my purpose is the same as yours. I can help you. It just depends on whether your master is willing to cooperate."
After saying that, he greeted the nearby officials with a half - smile and took his leave.
Si Nan was a bit nervous for a moment but quickly regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "How can I trust you? Besides, you could have defected to the Fourth Prince. Why did you approach me?"
Xu Kaiyuan grabbed Si Nan's sleeve and said, "The emperor is getting older and more suspicious. If I were to openly side with the Fourth Prince at this moment, do you think it would be good for me or for the Fourth Prince?"
Si Nan nodded. Xu Kaiyuan was right. The emperor's temper had become increasingly unpredictable recently. Si Nan, who had been by the Fourth Prince's side, had also felt it. Currently, the emperor's health was gradually deteriorating, but he had not yet appointed a crown prince, which made everyone a bit anxious.
Xu Kaiyuan looked around and found that no one was nearby to overhear their conversation. Then he continued, "I can prove my sincerity by getting you more troops recently. I can help you achieve your ambition and gain more favor from the Fourth Prince. I can give the Fourth Prince a helping hand. I just want to protect my family and live in peace."
Si Nan looked at Xu Kaiyuan suspiciously and asked, "But your two daughters are in the palace now. How can I trust that you want to cooperate with me and help me, rather than being sent by the emperor to scheme against me? After all, it seems that you have a closer relationship with the emperor. If this were to harm the Fourth Prince, I would be held accountable."
Xu Kaiyuan stroked his slightly white beard and said, "Young man, things are never as simple as they seem on the surface. I sent my daughters into the palace to protect them and to disguise myself. Moreover, I'm not afraid to tell you that I have a way to get them out."
Si Nan was a bit shocked. He thought that Xu Kaiyuan was indeed capable, but he still continued to think carefully.
Xu Kaiyuan could only continue, "Although I can't tell you why I'm helping you, you just need to know that I do have the same purpose as you. Do you think I'm trying to scheme against you by providing you with troops? If I really wanted to harm you, I would have told the emperor long ago. My family has been military generals for generations, and our roots run deep. It would be easy for me to bring you down. I don't need to use the schemes you're thinking of. Instead, if you seize this opportunity, it's yours; if you don't, it's gone. It will be hard to get another one in the future."
Si Nan was a decisive man. He immediately said, "Okay, I agree to cooperate with you. But how should we contact each other? We can't always contact each other so openly. Two people like us who hold military power are likely to arouse the emperor's suspicion."
Xu Kaiyuan nodded and said, "That's easy. I'll send someone to contact you. You just wait patiently, disguise yourself well, and make your preparations."
After saying that, he left as if he had never talked to Si Nan. Si Nan also walked forward as if he hadn't seen Xu Kaiyuan. However, a huge net was slowly being spread in the capital. Everyone was a fish in this net, but no one knew who was the one casting the net...