Chapter 187: The Groveling Court

Yanjing, Eastern Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Nurturing the Heart.

The cold wind of deep autumn howled across the eaves, stirring up a carpet of wilted yellow ginkgo leaves. Inside, an earth dragon burned, yet it could not drive away the oppressive, chilling atmosphere.

Oblique sunlight filtered through the lattice windows, drawing several shafts that illuminated the floating dust. On the imperial throne, the ten‑year‑old Emperor Pu Jun appeared especially frail. The oversized dragon robe made him look even more childish; his small face was frozen pale, and his eyes timidly surveyed the ministers below.

"Li An Da," the young emperor tugged the sleeve of the senior eunuch beside him and asked softly, "Uncle, why are you so angry today? What are those people in Western clothes outside here for?"

"Your Majesty," Li An Da bowed and whispered, "It is state business. Please remain seated and at ease."

At a slightly lower seat beside the throne, Prince Regent Yelü Hua, clad in a black python robe, wore a face as grim as iron. His fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest, producing a faint click‑click, adding to the austere atmosphere.

"Xu Zhongtang," Prince Qing lowered his voice to Xu Shichang. The imperial clan prince, over sixty, wore a worried expression, "I hear the unrest in Shen City is out of control. That rebel Lin Yu dares to burn the foreigners' consulate and slaughter their merchants—truly audacious!"

Xu Shichang sighed, his brows furrowed, "Prince Qing, this matter is no trivial affair. Envoys from Yingjili, France, and the Eastern Empire have arrived together, all taking a hard line. The foreigners are truly angry this time; it may not be easy to pacify them."

"How should the court respond?" Prince Qing asked again, "If the foreigners demand troops..."

"Cough!" Yelü Hua snorted coldly, cutting off their murmurs, "Everyone, snap to attention! When the foreign envoys arrive, we must know exactly what to say and what not to say!"

His gaze swept the crowd like a blade: "Anyone who tarnishes the court's face, don't blame me for being unkind!"

The hall fell silent. Several military affairs ministers and imperial clan princes bowed their heads, daring not to meet the eyes of the de facto Prince Regent.

The young emperor drew his neck back, instinctively slipping deeper into the dragon throne. Though young, he also felt the hall's heavy atmosphere.

"Report!" a young eunuch hurried in, "Envoys from Yingjili, France, and the Eastern Empire request an audience!"

Yelü Hua rose, straightening his python robe: "Allow them in."

He glanced at the young emperor: "Your Majesty, remember, no matter what they say, you only need to nod. The rest is up to me."

Pu Jun timidly nodded. Sunlight fell on his dragon robe, the gold‑threaded dragon pattern glimmering dimly, as if the dynasty's majesty were fading away.

"Sir Bao Te Na, the envoy of Yingjili; envoys of France, the German Nation, the Eastern Nation, and the United States have arrived—"

The eunuch's thin announcing voice echoed through the hall. The doors swung wide, cold wind poured in, stirring the yellow leaves on the floor.

The five envoys strode in with heads held high. Leading them, Sir Bao Te Na wore a crisp black tailcoat, his chest adorned with medals. The other four envoys were likewise in diplomatic attire, their leather shoes clicking crisply on the golden bricks. Their dress starkly contrasted with the Qing officials' feathered caps and embroidered horse‑coat uniforms.

Bao Te Na stepped into the hall, gave the young emperor on the throne a slight nod, then turned directly to Yelü Hua. His face showed no respect, his tone cold and firm:

"Your Highness Prince Regent! We have come today on behalf of our five governments to lodge the severest protest and urgent demands regarding the heinous crimes committed by your Shen City official Lin Yu against our citizens!"

He took a finely bound multilingual note from his attendant and, with a snap!, placed it on the desk before Yelü Hua. The sound rang sharply in the silent hall.

"This is barbaric!" the French envoy De La Wa Er immediately added, "Lin Yu allowed his subordinates, in broad daylight, to assault and murder our law‑abiding merchants and expatriates from multiple nations! Such atrocities are unheard of in the civilized world!"

"It is sheer lawlessness!" the Eastern Empire envoy Shan Tian exclaimed, almost pointing at Yelü Hua's nose, "Our Eastern Empire's consulate in Shen City was burned by rioters! Thousands of expatriates were killed! This grievance, unless the mastermind Lin Yu is severely punished, our empire will never relent!"

The Qing officials were so intimidated by the fierce scene that they could barely breathe. Prince Qing bowed his head, constantly wiping his sweat. Xu Shichang's face turned pale, his hands trembling slightly. Other ministers bowed their heads, fearing to meet the angry gazes of the foreigners.

The young emperor, frightened, curled further into the dragon throne and instinctively looked at Yelü Hua. Yet the Prince Regent's face revealed no emotion, his fingers still lightly tapping the armrest.

"Esteemed gentlemen," Yelü Hua finally spoke, his voice calm, "This matter is indeed serious. The court will conduct a thorough investigation and give you an answer."

"An answer?" Bao Te Na sneered, "Your Highness Prince Regent, I fear a simple answer will not suffice. Please review our note. Our demands: First, immediately strip Lin Yu of all positions and arrest him; Second, compensate each nation for losses, amounts detailed in the note; Third…"

His voice echoed through the hall, each word like a heavy hammer striking the crumbling dynasty.

Yelü Hua inhaled deeply; the gloom on his face vanished, replaced by an exceedingly humble, even obsequious smile.

"Oh dear," he hurried to his feet, repeatedly bowing low to Sir Bao Te Na and the others, "Esteemed envoys, please calm your anger! On behalf of the Da Qian Court, I express our deepest regret and profound apologies for the misfortune in Shen City!"

His tone brimmed with indignation: "That traitor Lin Yu has gone too far! He betrayed the court's trust, provoked border conflicts, slaughtered allied peoples—crimes beyond pardon! Upon learning this, I am beyond furious!"

"Attendants!" he shouted toward the hall doors, "Quickly seat the honored envoys! Bring the tea!"

Several young eunuchs promptly brought teak chairs, while others hurried in with delicate tea cups.

Yelü Hua personally poured tea for Sir Bao Te Na, his face beaming, "Esteemed envoys, thank you for traveling so far. This is tribute tea; please enjoy."

Bao Te Na stared coldly at his performance, unmoved: "Your Highness Prince Regent, we are not here for tea. How do you consider the demands in the note?"

"Well..." Yelü Hua showed a troubled expression, "Esteemed envoys, Shen City lies in the southeast; Lin Yu commands heavy forces and is unruly. The court will need time to deploy before we can apprehend him!"

He sighed: "Please, esteemed envoys, understand and grant the court some time. I assure you, we will dispatch investigators promptly, ensure Lin Yu is brought to justice, and give each nation a satisfactory answer!"

Seeing the envoys' faces remain grim, he quickly added: "As for compensation, it is negotiable, negotiable! I will spare no effort to meet each nation's demands!"

The Qing officials in the hall watched the scene; some shook their heads silently, others sighed quietly. This de facto Prince Regent now resembled a groveling merchant, utterly without dignity before the foreign envoys.

Yet they also understood that Yelü Hua's 'sincere efforts' were merely stalling. Lin Yu's power was no longer something the court could easily sway. These flattering words were just a dignified stepping‑stone for an unavoidable reality.

Though still a child, the young emperor sensed something. He watched his usually imposing imperial uncle now bowing so meekly before foreigners, unsure what to think.