The Demon Lords

Chapter 791 174 National Letter_1

The next morning, a young eunuch arrived at the Prince's residence to deliver His Majesty's oral decree, summoning him to the palace.

Ji Chengjue didn't rush to the palace at the crack of dawn. Instead, he slept his fill, then leisurely enjoyed two bowls of meat congee personally cooked by the young lady from the He family. Only then, thoroughly content, did he board the carriage driven by Master Zhang and set off towards the Imperial Palace.

It wasn't that he was being presumptuous; it was purely because he didn't attend the morning court assembly. Going early would just mean waiting idly in the palace. He would have to wait until his old man finished with the assembly and came over. Since waiting was inevitable, it was naturally more comfortable to wait at home.

As for the crucial matter of attitude before the Emperor, between them, father and son, there was truly no need for excessive, false pleasantries any longer.

He was sitting in the Imperial Study, having had a couple of cups of tea, when footsteps were heard outside.

Ji Chengjue put down his teacup and immediately rose.

Then, the Yan Emperor entered the Imperial Study. He glanced at Ji Chengjue, who was standing in the corner, then, without a word, stretched out his arms. Wei Zhonghe personally stepped forward to help the Yan Emperor remove his dragon robe.

After the dragon robe was removed and fresh tea served, Wei Zhonghe, understanding the unspoken cue, exited the Imperial Study and stood waiting by the doorway.

Ever since that old master in the palace passed away on Tianhu Mountain, Eunuch Wei had effectively been at the helm of Yan's Spy Bureau, both in name and in reality.

Some things might not smell fishy to others, but if he couldn't pick up on them, then he truly wouldn't have the face to continue in this position.

Most importantly, when you task these officials who passed the imperial examinations with matters, you can't just kill them to silence them afterwards. Investigating the mastermind behind the scenes—the difficulty, truly, isn't great.

But Wei Zhonghe had only probed lightly and stopped after detecting the Sixth Prince's shadow.

Without the Yan Emperor's Imperial Edict, it was inconvenient for him to continue digging deeper.

Standing at the door, Eunuch Wei couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He had always been accustomed to seeing His Majesty being harsh with the Sixth Prince, but now it seemed this Sixth Prince was by no means an easy character to deal with. You might think you had clipped his wings, but he could always give you another 'surprise.'

This kind of maneuvering and presence made Eunuch Wei involuntarily recall when he first entered the Royal Mansion to serve the current Emperor. His Majesty was young then, too, but his way of doing things already exuded an air of 'having everything under control.'

The difference was, His Majesty had always been outstanding. Although the late Emperor engaged in all sorts of absurdities, seeking divinities and inquiring about the Dao, he never wavered or was ambiguous regarding the matter of appointing an heir.

Eunuch Wei subconsciously narrowed his eyes, his face still adorned with a smile as benign as a Maitreya Buddha.

As a servant, one could only ponder such treasonous matters in one's heart; the affairs of the Royal Family were not for him to interfere with.

「In the Imperial Study」

The Yan Emperor sat down.

Ji Chengjue advanced and bowed, "Your son greets you, Father."

"No need."

"Thank you, Father."

"The Ministry of Revenue's affairs, tell me about them?"

"Replying to Father, your son had originally planned to request an audience at the palace tomorrow."

As he spoke, Ji Chengjue retrieved a thick memorandum from within his robes. He didn't call for Wei Zhonghe to enter but personally delivered it to the Yan Emperor's imperial desk.

"Father, this contains the insights your son has gained from observing the Ministry of Revenue these past few days. It also includes thirteen policies your son proposes for reforming Great Yan's financial, grain, and commerce administration. Please review it, Father."

The Yan Emperor placed his hand on the memorandum, patting it lightly. He had asked about the Ministry of Revenue's affairs, and his son had also replied regarding the Ministry of Revenue's affairs. As for the so-called former Minister of Revenue, Hsu Guanghuai, he was apparently no longer considered part of the Ministry of Revenue at this moment. No, he wasn't even considered a person anymore.

The Yan Emperor, somewhat fatigued, reached up and rubbed his temples. He had a great many matters to attend to each day, so sometimes, when he wanted to engage in a battle of wits with this son of his, he often found himself lacking the energy for it.

Actually, he knew in his heart it wasn't that he was too tired, but rather that this son of his was truly no ordinary individual.

"I will review it later."

"Yes, Father."

"What's your view on the alliance with Chu State?" the Yan Emperor asked.

Ji Chengjue remained silent.

The Yan Emperor waited, assuming his son was contemplating. After all, this was a major affair; one could not, and dared not, answer lightly. An emperor would often test his princes, and the princes were obliged to answer with due solemnity.

But after taking two sips of tea, the Yan Emperor noticed his son was still just standing there, his expression placid, not one of deep thought.

"Speak," the Yan Emperor urged again.

Ji Chengjue bowed his head and said, "Replying to Father, your son... your son has already finished his report."

"Finished your report?"

"Yes, Father."

The Yan Emperor sighed. Then, he adjusted his posture, leaning towards the right side of his chair, and pointed at Ji Chengjue.

He said, "You are becoming increasingly presumptuous."

This was a warning.

But these words, upon reaching Ji Chengjue's ears, couldn't help but remind him of that saying from the fellow surnamed Zheng about 'wanting to have it both ways while still playing the saint.'

He wants to use me, and yet he wants to suppress me. Quite the dilemma, isn't it?

I know what you truly care about. You don't care for family, nor for kin. What you care about is only your empire.

After all these years of being constantly cut down and beaten back, Ji Chengjue had already figured out a set of countermeasures.

I am your son. Your bottom line regarding your son is that you can abuse me as you please, but it's best not to kill me.

This is your 'fatherly love,' as steadfast as a mountain.

Because I can help you manage the finances and provisions, enabling you to fulfill your long-cherished dream of unifying Zhuxia, that is why I can stand here, before you.