Chapter 20.1

The next day was another Grand Court Assembly.

The thought of honoring the emperor made Jiang Suizhou deeply conflicted. After a hasty meal early in the morning, he went out.

To his surprise, just as he crossed the Zhengyang Gate, he bumped into someone head-on.

“What a coincidence, Your Highness Jing.” The man originally forced himself to smile, but because he was too ugly, he looked vicious. Moreover, he couldn’t hide the revulsion and malice in his eyes.

Jiang Suizhou took a quick look at him.

He was wearing the official uniform of a fourth-rank military official. He was around 30 or 40 years old, tall, and especially dark, with unkempt hair and beard. His round eyes trained on him were quite like Zhong Kui’s1.

Jiang Suizhou took a quick glance at his court tablet.

Ministry of War, Ji Hongcheng.

Ah, so it was him.

The Lord Ji in front of him was so ugly that it was recorded in history books. Records written about him in the history of Jing claimed that he was “ugly.” Now, it seemed that…it was no exaggeration.

In ancient times, the preliminary round of imperial examinations also took into account the exam candidates’ appearance. If this Sir wanted to enter the imperial examinations to be an official, he naturally wouldn’t pass the examination even if it took his whole life. He only became an official by relying on his military background. He was promoted by Lou Yue, the famous general of the Southern Jing.

This man’s entire life passed through Jiang Suizhou’s mind at railway speed.

His superior, Lou Yue, was an old friend of Huo Wujiu’s father. When the Northern Liang army rose, the Emperor and the Empress dreaded him to the point where they did not even dare to let him fight with the Liang army. From this, it showed that Lou Yue and Huo Wujiu’s father had a deep friendship. So, he believed that Ji Hongcheng’s scowl directed at him was also partly because of Huo Wujiu.

Therefore, Jiang Suizhou coldly glanced at him. He did not speak, only walked around him.

He found Ji Hongcheng following him.

“I have heard that Your Highness is of good character. Now that I have seen you, it is indeed the case,” Ji Hongcheng remarked.

Jiang Suizhou didn’t bother to turn his head.

He heard Ji Hongcheng add, “After all, it’s only when you browbeat the weak and the disabled in the harem that you show the true qualities of a gentleman, right?”

Anger coated his tone, and one could tell that he had held back for some time. This man probably had been holding a grudge against him since the last assembly and specifically waylaid him here today to tell him off.

This man was rather bold among the ranks, brave but lacked wisdom and tact. Now it seemed that this was indeed the case.

Fortunately, Jiang Suizhou was not the original owner and did not dare to do anything to Huo Wujiu. If the person who heard his words was the original owner, Huo Wujiu’s situation in King Jing’s mansion would probably only worsen.

Jiang Suizhou turned his head back and gave him a faint look.

Ji Hongcheng was staring at him with copper-bell like round eyes, seemingly waiting for Jiang Suizhou to retort so he could pick a ferocious fight with him.

Jiang Suizhou smiled gently.

“I’ve troubled Lord Ji,” he said. “This king’s harem, naturally, is at my own disposal. Whether I want to kill, flay or defile someone, it’s none of your business —— wouldn’t you agree?”

——

The sight of Ji Hongcheng’s face turning red with anger, him standing in place and unable to make a sound, improved Jiang Suizhou’s mood. He turned around and walked away.

He knew that Ji Hongcheng had good intentions and was worried about Huo Wujiu, but he didn’t mind railing against him and teaching him a lesson so that Ji Hongcheng wouldn’t do such a disservice next time.

He walked all the way to the Guangyuan Hall.

When the hour arrived, drums were beaten. Then came the eunuch’s singing cry.

Solemn silence and reverence settled outside the door. The ministers in the hall stood grandly, but the hall remained quiet, and no one appeared in sight for a long time.

The Emperor didn’t show up.

Jiang Suizhou could not help but look around, but saw that the surrounding ministers appeared used to it. They quietly stood and waited.

Jiang Suizhou followed suit and waited.

This waiting actually lasted for a short half an hour, until the sun was high up in the sky. Jiang Suizhou’s vision was a little blurry when the emperor entered leisurely.

“All of you arrived here so early, huh?” His Majesty slumped crookedly on the throne, yawning while lazily saying.

Jiang Suizhou scrutinized him and noticed that his eyes were dark, and his complexion was blue. He looked worn out. At a glance, it was due to overindulgence and excessive fornication.

The courtiers did not dare to say anything.

His Majesty then said, “Is there anything important today, Uncle?”

He directly addressed Pang Shao.

In the front row, Pang Shao smiled in response, and then opened his mouth to present memorials. In fact, he already made decisions regarding the big and small matters of the court. Every time he mentioned something, His Majesty just nodded and then had people follow Pang Shao’s arrangements.

His Majesty didn’t even ask in detail how much funds the Ministry of Revenue had to allocate in some of the issues he asked money for. He just instructed the minister of the Ministry of Revenue to allocate the money.

Jiang Suizhou frowned while listening. He wrote down the general matters and lamented that Southern Jing’s extermination was really deserved.

Once Pang Shao finished presenting some memorials, a sparse line of courtiers also presented memorials. His Majesty heedlessly listened to them and then directly asked Pang Shao what to do. In the end, the issues presented by these ministers were handled according to Pang Shao’s suggestions.

Footnote:

1 Zhong Kui – a deity in Chinese mythology, traditionally regarded as a vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings.

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