Chapter 287

Beside the dragon carriage,

Emperor Jing Sheng Di seized the horsewhip from the inner attendant and walked straight toward the carriage's driving position, showing no hint of pretense!

Jia Jing's eyelids twitched when Emperor Jing Sheng Di uttered "Da Han Empire's number one meritorious official."

Seeing the emperor intend to personally drive the carriage as his own coachman, his composed expression couldn't help but change slightly!

For the emperor to have a minister drive his carriage, one must be extremely bold to accept it calmly!

If he truly accepts, it is not mere arrogance and impoliteness, but a touch of overstepping and usurping the emperor.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di's favor toward him today is perhaps a bit excessive!

There was imperial music to welcome, officials bowed, the Feathered Forest troops hung their heads, and now he assumes the pose of the Son of Heaven driving a carriage.

Is this a test, or is the power of the "Dream‑Answering Virtuous Minister" truly that great?

Jia Jing, lacking time to think, hurried forward to block Emperor Jing Sheng Di, feigning panic as he clasped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty! There is a distinction between ruler and minister! I beg you! I have received Your Majesty's grace!"

"But you must also consider me; if you personally drive the carriage, won't I feel as if I'm sitting on a needle mat?"

"Moreover, this does not conform to court protocol!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di, seeing Jia Jing's sincere attitude, smiled with a hint of relief.

He was fully convinced in his heart that Jia Jing still possessed his original broad‑minded and cautious nature, unchanged by his northwestern merits!

However, the more humble Jia Jing was, the more determined Emperor Jing Sheng Di became to grant him the honors and rewards he deserved!

"Zhu Yunbiao!" Emperor Jing Sheng Di suddenly called out to his eldest son, Prince Zhu Yunbiao, from behind.

Zhu Yunbiao immediately stepped out from among the royal clan members and bowed, saying:

"Your son is present!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di, with a solemn expression, gazed at the dragon carriage drawn by six fine horses before him and ordered in a deep voice:

"Zi Jie has rendered meritorious service to the state! This triumphant return is a grand national event! You come forward and give him the horsewhip to drive the carriage!"

When Emperor Jing Sheng Di spoke those words, all the civil and military ministers present were greatly startled!

All the civil officials' faces turned as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

It was one thing to greet with imperial music and officials bowing, but now to have the crown prince hold the whip and drive the carriage—how could that be proper etiquette for a minister!

One must know that Zhu Yunbiao, being both legitimate and eldest, is the destined Crown Prince, the next emperor; how could he drive a carriage for a mere warrior!

It utterly overturns propriety and disgraces civilization!

However,

Now, in front of the great crowd and having just witnessed the triumphant army's might, even if the ministers were dissatisfied in their hearts, no one dared to utter a single "no"!

Zhu Yunbiao glanced at Emperor Jing Sheng Di, then at Jia Jing, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, his refined face showing pleasant expression as he said:

"Your son obeys the decree!"

Jia Jing's spirit jolted, his gaze turning complex as he looked at Emperor Jing Sheng Di and declined, saying:

"Your Majesty! How could I dare to trouble Prince Zhu Yunbiao…"

Before Jia Jing could finish, Emperor Jing Sheng Di cut him off, saying:

"No need for more words! You are Da Han Empire's meritorious official; what's wrong with him driving a carriage for you! Do not refuse further; this is an edict!"

When Emperor Jing Sheng Di finished speaking, he disregarded Jia Jing's thoughts and commanded the inner attendant to yank Jia Jing onto the dragon carriage.

Thereafter, with Zhu Yunbiao holding the whip and driving the carriage, Emperor Jing Sheng Di and Jia Jing rode the dragon carriage toward the city!

The civil and military officials marching behind, each with their own thoughts, watched this scene.

How deeply the Son of Heaven trusts the young Jia Jing!

Since ancient times, few ministers have enjoyed such exceptional favor as riding the dragon carriage together with a prince driving the carriage!

What made the ministers even more uncomfortable was that this incident could not be called Jia Jing's arrogance and rudeness.

After all, Jia Jing refused; it was Emperor Jing Sheng Di who issued the imperial decree, ordering the inner attendant to forcefully push him onto it!

Therefore,

This scene can only be a tale of harmonious ruler‑minister relations and the emperor's gracious treatment of his minister, not a case of self‑glorification or arrogance from relying on favor!

Prince Yi and several other princes of the retired emperor watched the dragon carriage recede, their faces inevitably turning gloomy.

They had come today intending to observe the scene of Emperor Jing Sheng Di and Jia Jing's mutual suspicion as ruler and minister,

and even hoped to find a chance to win over Jia Jing, to drive a wedge between the ruler and minister.

Who could have known that throughout the whole episode they only saw the two holding hands, a picture of ruler and minister as one, like fish in water!

Prince Yi, suppressing his inner displeasure, whispered:

"Just wait and see! This moment is different from that moment!"

"Jia Zi Jie wields excessive military authority, and his personal martial prowess is remarkable; I do not believe the current emperor can continue to trust him unchanged! The rift between ruler and minister is only a matter of time!"

Behind Prince Yi and the others, Prince Nan'an and Prince Zhongshun also wore expressions as still as water.

Prince Zhongshun has long been at odds with the Jia Mansion; seeing Jia Jing receive such favor from Emperor Jing Sheng Di naturally caused him worry!

Prince Nan'an was stung by Emperor Jing Sheng Di's recent remark calling Jia Jing "Da Han Empire's number one meritorious official"!

Having spent half his life on horseback, campaigning north and south, rising to the rank of Prince and Grand General, he always believed he was Da Han Empire's foremost martial hero.

Yet he had never been treated so favorably by Emperor Jing Sheng Di, let alone publicly called "Da Han Empire's number one meritorious official"!

Jia Zi Jie had served only three years in the army, barely twenty years old, yet was so trusted and dearly favored by Emperor Jing Sheng Di!

If he is Da Han Empire's number one meritorious official, then what am I?

Prince Zhongshun glanced at the uneasy Prince Nan'an, his eyes flickering, and smiled:

"Did you hear His Majesty's words just now? He called Jia Jing our Da Han Empire's number one meritorious official!"

"Jia Jing, a mere youngster with only three years of military service, what virtue or ability does he possess!"

If he is the first meritorious official, then what about you and me, and also all these dukes, marquises, and ministers in the whole court—what number should they be?

The Prince of Nan'an glanced at the Prince Zhongshun, saw his malicious intent at a glance, suppressed his displeasure, and said with a smile:

Jia Zi Jie has indeed achieved the feat of pacifying the state and defending the borders in the northwest this time! To call him the first meritorious official is not an exaggeration!

I'm fine myself; it's mainly you, my lord! I've heard that between you and the Duke Xianrong there seems to be some grudge!

I think you, my lord, should open up a bit, step back—the heavens and earth are vast!

Why not prepare some gifts these days, go to the Duke Jing's residence to make amends, then go to the Duke Xianrong's spirit tablet to kowtow, and put an end to this old grudge?

Prince Zhongshun: 'You...'

At this time on the official road, the dragon carriage proceeded slowly under the protection of countless Feather Forest Army and Imperial City Office.

Six imperial horses stepped with small hooves, their hoofbeats pattering on the blue stone slabs, neither hurried nor slow.

The Crown Prince Zhu Yunbiao sat on the coachman's seat, both hands holding the reins, his back ramrod straight, the lower hem of his blue python robe fluttering lightly in the wind.

He was clearly a rule‑abiding sort; at this moment his face showed a mix of excitement and curiosity,

But he forced himself not to turn back to look into the dragon carriage even once; he only kept his ears pricked, as if wanting to listen to the conversation between Jing Sheng Di and Jia Jing.

But the sound inside the carriage was too low, drowned out by the muffled rumble of wheels over the yellow earth, so nothing could be heard clearly.

Inside the dragon carriage,

The bright yellow curtains were half‑rolled, sunlight seeping through the gaps, painting long thin spots of light on Jing Sheng Di's robes.

The jade beads of the crown swayed gently before his forehead, emitting a fine, tinkling sound.