Chapter 975

The next day, even if Jin Chen hadn't rested well, he still had to get up and attend court.

At court, Wen Zhiheng sat side by side just behind the dragon throne, and for the first time he was so absent‑minded, listening to the discussions in the hall.

He turned his gaze, looking through the hollow lattice screen that separated them to see Jin Chen; usually they would share a tacit understanding with a glance, but today he kept glancing over, and Jin Chen never looked back.

Wen Zhiheng clenched his fingers, doing his best not to show anything unusual in front of all those officials.

"Your Majesty, yesterday at noon a courier galloped back; the troops sent to find General Ningde have made contact with him, and the general has reached the relay station and will be able to return to the capital soon."

Wen Zhiheng's eyes lit up a little, and he instinctively turned to look again, his heart feeling both sour and complicated.

That shouldn't happen so quickly; even if contact had been made, the Western Regions might not necessarily release the person.

Ah Chen had been keeping an eye on this matter, forcing the Western Regions imperial family to let him go.

Wen's father, the Vice Minister of the Secretariat, also blamed Jin Chen, his old face nearly tearing up, thinking his eldest son truly wouldn't come back.

Thank goodness, thank goodness……

Wen's father lifted his head, glanced at Wen Zhiheng, smiled, and nodded.

Another official offered advice.

"Your Majesty, the flood and plague in New Peace Prefecture have grown increasingly severe, spreading extremely fast; all five counties there have suffered, and the prefecture office has submitted a memorial requesting imperial aid."

Wen Zhiheng was especially concerned about this matter, and finally spoke his first words of the day.

"The plague began with the heavy snow, started at the winter solstice, and must be resolved as soon as possible before winter sets in."

Jin Chen's expression on the dragon throne shifted slightly as he sat up straighter, saying, "If that's the case, who will volunteer to be the regional inspector, taking imperial physicians and troops to relieve the disaster?"

Saying this, his cold, sharp gaze fell on the dazed Jin Xiaomo, his thin lips curling slightly: "Prince Xiao, are you willing to go on behalf of the court?"

Jin Xiaomo was suddenly called, snapped back to attention, looked up, and upon seeing Jin Chen's face, the bloody scene of the little cat from last night flashed vividly before his eyes.

He could not hide the killing intent that flashed in his eyes.

Jin Chen lowered his head to look at him and said, "What, Prince Xiao, you're not willing?"

"Although you haven't married yet, you have always been a model for the other princes; I think you couldn't be better."

This illness leaves him no room to refuse.

Some officials in Jin Xiaomo's faction tried to plead for leniency, but Jin Chen keenly noticed, and his icy gaze swept over everyone present.

"Whoever has objections, let them go."

Now nobody dared to speak at all.

You should know that New Peace Prefecture is now no different from hell on earth, with the plague rampant and floods unceasing; whether one can return alive from there is another matter entirely.

It seems the emperor has indeed come to see Prince Xiao as a thorn in his side.

"Your servant receives the order."

Jin Xiaomo almost bit his teeth apart, reluctantly bowing to receive the order.

Now that the little cat is dead, the Western Regions envoy still in the capital might think of other ways to sneak into the palace.

To avoid getting dragged into trouble, leaving the capital now is actually a good option.

Thinking this, Jin Xiaomo's grim expression eased a little; upon entering, he had not even considered how to relieve the disaster or help the people.

Perhaps seeing his thoughts, Jin Chen glanced again at the Grand Tutor and gestured with his chin.

The latter bowed respectfully.

"If there is business, present it; if not, withdraw from court—" Yan Fu'an shouted.

Jin Chen rose, instinctively reaching to take his hand, but as he lifted it he put it down again, glanced at Wen Zhiheng who seemed to be thinking something, then awkwardly flicked his sleeve and left first.

Wen Zhiheng watched helplessly as Jin Chen drifted farther away, his fingers trembling slightly as he lowered them, pretending nothing was wrong and following behind.

The Grand Tutor brought up the rear, together with the several senior officials who had been instructed to stay behind.

"Your Highness."

Yan Fu'an approached respectfully, first saluting Wen Zhiheng, then said: "His Majesty wishes to discuss matters with the officials in the Imperial Study; for today's morning meal, please take it yourself in the Hall of Resting Heart."

"Has His Majesty taken his morning meal?" Wen Zhiheng asked immediately.

"This… His Majesty is busy today and in a bad mood, so he probably can't eat."

Yan Fu'an noticed his sudden tension, bent over and proposed: "If the meal is sent by Your Highness, this servant believes His Majesty will surely be pleased."

Wen Zhiheng caught his meaning and said, "Thank you, Old Master Yan."

Inside the Imperial Study.

Jin Chen's plan for today is to strike first, giving the tyrant no opening.

He dismissed the servants, then said mysteriously: "Lately, some unclean things have appeared inside the palace."

The officials who thought they were going to discuss major state affairs:??

The Grand Tutor stroked his beard and asked, "What does His Majesty mean…?"

Jin Chen's expression grew very stern as he rose, hands braced on the table, and said, "Cat demons, and also monsters that look exactly like me!"

One sentence stirred up a thousand layers of thunder.

The Grand Tutor was so startled he almost pulled out his beard, and the several old fellows stared at each other.

Jin Chen knew they didn't believe, gave a light cough and turned his back, saying, "You also know that the young noble lord I favored recently was sent to the cold palace by me and then suddenly died last night precisely because I discovered he was a cat demon."

"Although the cat demon is now dead, monsters of the same appearance still run rampant in the palace; I fear that one day it will replace me, and you will not even know."

These words frightened the several ministers so much that they kept kneeling, and their old bones almost fell apart from fright.

"We are terrified."

Jin Chen was very pleased with their attitude and began to give them sweet dates.

"Several of the ministers have watched me grow up; compared to others, I naturally trust you more, so……"

He then glanced at the Grand Tutor and gave him a look.

The Grand Tutor was silently puzzled, quickly stroked his beard, then suddenly had a brainwave, declaring, "We will surely eliminate the demons for Your Majesty!"

The Minister shook his sleeves, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this old servant has known many capable people in his youth; you might as well leave this matter to me to handle."

Jin Chen: "Besides that, I also fear that one day that fiend will replace me; it would be better to set a secret signal, so that whenever I summon a few people, they must first exchange the signal with Yan Fu'an."

Having temporarily settled that shocking matter, the officials began to discuss the main issue.

Your Majesty, Prince Xiao has reached a suitable marriageable age; we should promptly arrange his marriage and grant him a fief to avoid complications.

Jin Chen thought, "Whether that person can return safely is uncertain; there's no need for him to worry."

"This matter is not urgent; we can discuss it later. Right now, the most important thing is the flood and plague."

The Assistant Secretary bowed low and said, "Prince Xiao has a wayward nature; ultimately he is only representing the imperial family in paying a visit, but we still need to select a governor—I am willing to go."

Cough cough cough...

Jin Chen nearly choked on the tea, quickly set down his cup, and immediately refused, saying, "The duty of governor should still be entrusted to a younger official—it would be safer."

You're joking—if you went, your son Huai Feng would have to come along too.

After some discussion, the officials finally selected a person of suitable rank and status, and had him summoned.

Jin Chen: "The plague burdens the people and harms the finances; exempt the disaster-stricken districts of Xin'an Prefecture from grain and tax, open the state treasury to supply food, and provide shelter."

Furthermore, send a troop of soldiers into the prefecture to maintain public order, prevent riots, and if any evil residence runs rampant, when necessary we can strike down the ringleader.

I, your servant, accept the order.

Everyone withdrew, and Jin Chen wearily pinched his brow, his expression drooping once more.

Your Majesty, the Empress personally sent over osmanthus soup; you haven't had breakfast yet—eat it while it's hot.

Yan Fu'an entered to report.