novelraw Chapter 1299 - 484: Palace Schemes Are No Match for Rebellion (Part 21)
Chapter 1299 - 484: Palace Schemes Are No Match for Rebellion (Part 21)
Foolish!
Utterly foolish!
As soon as the news that Emperor Yongcheng wanted to hold a "talent selection" spread, it evoked such thoughts among the court officials.
Feng Shou felt an even deeper sense of helplessness.
He truly wanted to run to the Imperial Mausoleum and pour out his grievances to the late Emperor: My dear, it’s not that I don’t want to support your son, but he is simply too headstrong, I can’t help him!
Yet, Feng Shou still cherished the late Emperor’s appreciation and their bond forged in seizing the world together.
Knowing full well that his efforts to dissuade would attract the Emperor’s displeasure, or even resentment, Feng Shou still forced himself to enter the palace.
This time, Feng Shou didn’t use any official rhetoric; instead, he laid bare the dangers of choosing a consort, explaining them in full detail.
He practically dissected these principles and fed them to Emperor Yongcheng bit by bit.
He summoned all his patience, alternating between sweet words and bitter warnings, as if unloading a cart after cart.
The result... the gloom on Emperor Yongcheng’s face deepened, and he was on the verge of exploding.
Seeing the little Emperor sitting high on the throne, sensing the chilling aura emanating from him inside out, Feng Shou suddenly felt a sense of relief.
It was as if a heavy stone lodged in his heart was gradually being lifted.
Just before Emperor Yongcheng could explode completely, Feng Shou halted his lengthy discourse.
"Your Majesty, I hope you reconsider!"
Not just the reform of salt administration, but the "talent selection" should not be rushed.
"Imperial Secretary Feng, I have heard you, you may leave!"
Emperor Yongcheng ground out the words through gritted teeth.
Feng Shou: ...Well, he doesn’t even want to call me "Master Feng."
He asked me to "leave," treating me like a mere servant.
Feng Shou, although always mindful of the late Emperor’s dying wishes and cherishing the teacher-student bond with the young Emperor.
But, deep down, he was proud.
In those days, he even dared to rebel against his own family, and some so-called close kin met their end before his eyes, yet he remained unmoved.
His heart was as hard as iron, clear in distinguishing right from wrong, he was not the kind of inflexible, stubborn fool.
Emperor Yongcheng had truly disappointed Feng Shou.
"Yes! I will obey, Your Majesty!"
Feng Shou solemnly bowed to Emperor Yongcheng and then slowly withdrew from the main hall.
Although thin and aging, his posture was straight, and every movement exuded the demeanor of a noble family.
The scarlet court robe he wore exuded the style of a scholar’s long robe with wide sleeves.
As he watched Feng Shou’s departing figure, Emperor Yongcheng was suddenly seized by an inexplicable unease.
As if something was gradually slipping away from him.
As for Feng Shou, he exited the Ganlu Palace and slowly strolled out of the Imperial Palace along the palace path.
When he passed by a certain palace, he couldn’t help but stop and gaze.
This was the residence of Empress Dowager He, who, after retiring, reportedly started some "Bowen Academy" with a few female assistants and female Ministers.
It was said that they aimed to organize the royal library and offered lavish rewards for private collections.
Additionally, Empress Dowager He recruited children from noble families and homes with military merit, skilled in reading, into the Bowen Academy.
They read, transcribed the library’s collections, studied, and compiled rituals from various dynasties, seemingly occupied with endless tasks.
The great leaders in the court were already worried that Empress Dowager He wasn’t content with relinquishing power and feared she might vie with the Emperor or powerful ministers for control.
Now seeing that Empress Dowager He had not continued to interfere in court politics but instead created a "new government office."
Although Bowen Academy seemed to wield some authority, it was newly established.
It didn’t conflict with the established spheres of influence of the court members.
Moreover, to speak candidly, with an additional "Yamen," it provided the nobles and noble families another official post to grant their children "official positions."
Yes, official positions!
Even the subordinates of Bowen Academy constituted a legitimate government office!
There was a Director, scholars, a Book Officer, an Official Registrar... their ranks might not be high, but they were esteemed for their prestige.
The subordinates of Bowen Academy greatly appealed to the noble families.
Even families with military merit wanted to send their children, skilled only in martial arts, to Bowen Academy for some cultural refinement, perhaps even acquiring some literary aura.
Therefore, although there was some criticism within the court regarding Bowen Academy established by Empress Dowager He, the Three Great Ministers and the leaders of the Political Affairs Hall did not overly oppose it.
And the first Director selected by Empress Dowager He was none other than the sixth uncle of Wang Shijiu, that is, the youngest son of Wang Yuan.
This Wang Liulang was considered a renowned scholar in the capital.
He was born into a top-tier noble family, both learned and skilled, yet was indifferent to officialdom.
In his youth, he traveled the world alone with a sword, calling it a "Studying Trip," but essentially roaming the world.