Chapter 480

The twilight, like silk soaked in ink, slowly covered the glazed tiles deep in the imperial palace.

Bright lamps were lit on the gilded coiled dragon pillars, and two figures walked slowly along the corridor, one after the other.

The armor of the guards on duty gave off a cold light like green scales in the lamplight, reflecting on the Crown Prince's somewhat nervous face.

He had walked this road to the Yangxin Hall hundreds of times, but only this time, every step he took, his heart was full of anxiety!

For more than two consecutive months, no grand court meeting had been held, and the Crown Prince had not seen the Emperor for more than two consecutive months.

He was naturally aware of the changes within the imperial palace.

However, he did not make any unusual moves.

During this period, he stayed honestly in the Eastern Palace, did not summon ministers, and did not send anyone to the palace to inquire about news, as if he were completely unaware of the changes happening in the palace.

Just tonight, the Crown Prince was suddenly summoned by the Emperor!

And he also learned that Grand Secretary Ye Zean and Grand Marshal of the Military Commission Wenrenzheng were also summoned.

The Emperor had not appeared for so long, and suddenly summoned the Crown Prince, the Grand Secretary, and the Grand Marshal in the middle of the night; anyone would be unable to help but think too much!

A moment later, the Crown Prince arrived at the Yangxin Hall and stepped out of it.

A scent of medicine hit his face, which could not be completely covered even though sandalwood had been burning in the hall.

Directly in front was a bright yellow curtain, behind which was the Emperor's dragon bed, and the figure lying on it could be vaguely seen.

The eunuch before the throne, Feng Cheng, stood guard beside the curtain.

Imperial Preceptor Yunshu, who should have been in seclusion healing his wounds, was also present, sitting on a chair on the left, closing his eyes to rest.

Walking into the hall and seeing this scene, the Crown Prince's heart jumped, his hands clenched into fists, and his ten fingers dug deeply into his flesh.

He stepped forward and bowed:

"Your son greets the Imperial Father!"

The figure behind the curtain did not speak, and Feng Cheng, who was standing on the side, said:

"Please wait a moment, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince nodded, walked towards Yunshu on the side, and sat down beside him.

Soon, footsteps came from outside the hall.

The Crown Prince turned to look, and saw the burly Wenrenzheng walking into the Yangxin Hall with a blank expression.

Although this 'God of War' had already restrained his aura, his entry into the hall alone made the Crown Prince feel that the entire hall was filled, as if a great mountain had been squeezed in!

Wenrenzheng first bowed to the Emperor on the dragon bed, and then sat down opposite Yunshu.

After another while, Ye Zean walked into the hall, unable to hide his fatigue.

During this period, the New Heaven Society case led to many officials being imprisoned, but the court still appeared calm, and all government affairs were carried out in an orderly manner.

This was all thanks to this Grand Secretary.

After Ye Zean arrived, Feng Cheng still stood quietly in place, as if he were still waiting for someone.

"Who else are we waiting for?"

The Crown Prince's thoughts raced.

After another few minutes, a relatively light footstep came from outside the hall.

The Crown Prince turned to look, and saw a gold robe come into view.

"Li Fei?"

The Crown Prince was stunned.

Li Fei was also stunned when he saw these people in the hall.

He had applied to see the Emperor on the day he returned to the capital, but the Emperor had not summoned him into the palace.

It wasn't until tonight that he suddenly received news that the Emperor wanted to summon him.

As a result, walking into the Yangxin Hall, he saw the Crown Prince, the Imperial Preceptor, the Grand Secretary, and the Grand Marshal of the Military Commission at the same time!

This lineup immediately made Li Fei realize that things were not simple.

"Could it be..."

Looking at the figure lying on the bed behind the curtain, Li Fei couldn't help but feel a tightness in his heart:

"Your subject greets Your Majesty."

With his sensory ability, let alone through a curtain, even through a wall, he could clearly perceive the situation behind the wall.

But at this moment, the bright yellow curtain in front of him cut off all of Li Fei's perception, making him unable to perceive the situation behind it, and he didn't know what state the Emperor was in.

"Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince, greetings to the Imperial Preceptor, greetings to the Grand Secretary, greetings to the Grand Marshal."

Li Fei saluted the other four people in turn.

Only then did Feng Cheng make a move; he took out an imperial decree from his sleeve.

The four people sitting on the chairs saw this and stood up one after another, standing with Li Fei facing the bright yellow curtain, looking at Feng Cheng.

"Crown Prince, receive the decree!"

Feng Cheng said loudly.

The Crown Prince's body trembled slightly, and without any hesitation, he knelt down directly facing the bright yellow curtain.

He stared tightly at the coiled dragon embroidered on the curtain; the gold thread flickered in the candlelight, and the dragon's claws seemed to want to hook his throat!

"The Emperor is well, the Crown Prince is ordered to supervise the state from today, and all memorials and military affairs shall be decided jointly by the Eastern Palace and the Central Cabinet."

Feng Cheng finished reading the imperial decree.

It was a very simple sentence, but it hit the hall like a mountain, shaking people's hearts!

The Crown Prince is supervising the state!

In front of the Imperial Preceptor, the Grand Secretary, and the Grand Marshal of the Military Commission, the Emperor had someone read such an imperial decree; the weight and meaning of this need not be stated.

Li Fei also felt very shocked!

He didn't expect that the Emperor would suddenly summon him, only to let him witness such an imperial decree.

Such a major event as letting the Crown Prince supervise the state must be witnessed by high-ranking officials of the imperial court, otherwise the transition of power cannot be guaranteed, nor can it convince the civil and military officials of the whole court.

Imperial Preceptor Yunshu represents national destiny and orthodoxy, and also represents peak power.

Ye Zean represents the civil officials.

Wenrenzheng represents the military generals.

For the Crown Prince to supervise the state, the recognition of these three people is unquestionable.

The Emperor also additionally called Li Fei.

There is no doubt that this is the Emperor's importance and trust in Li Fei.

At the same time, it also gave him a huge 'political dividend'!

Once this witnessing tonight spreads, Li Fei's political status in the court will leap to be only below these three people: Yunshu, Ye Zean, and Wenrenzheng!

It is said that every emperor has his own courtiers.

With this witnessing tonight, Li Fei will become a minister entrusted with the Emperor's final wishes.

When the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, he will undoubtedly occupy an important position in the new dynasty!

Li Fei looked deeply at the figure behind the curtain.

He actually didn't think that much; what he felt more at this moment was a heavy entrustment!

Bang—

The Crown Prince's forehead hit the gilded floor tiles heavily, and the green jade ring scraped a harsh sound on the brick surface.

At this moment, it was as if ice water and boiling oil were poured into his chest at the same time, burning him so much that he almost wanted to scream!

"Your son... is terrified!"

The Crown Prince said with a trembling voice.

He is already thirty-nine years old this year, and he has been waiting in the position of the Eastern Palace for more than twenty years!

He has no talent for martial arts and cannot use implants to extend his life; with the lifespan of a mortal, how many more twenty years can he wait?

Now that he suddenly finds himself about to touch the peak of power, how can he still remain calm?

"Crown Prince..."

Behind the bright yellow curtain, the Emperor's voice sounded on the dragon bed.

This voice sounded very weak:

"National affairs... you must listen more to the opinions of the Grand Secretary and the Grand Marshal."

The Crown Prince straightened up, his eyes a little red: "Yes, your son understands! Imperial Father, your body..."

"Cough, cough, cough, cough!"

A violent cough interrupted the Crown Prince's words.

Then the Emperor's weak voice continued to sound:

"Imperial Preceptor."

"Your subject is here."

Yunshu said in a deep voice.

"This country, you will have to look after it more in the future."

"Your subject, will not shirk even if he dies!"

Yunshu revealed a strong emotional fluctuation for the first time.

"Li Fei."

The Emperor finally called Li Fei's name.

Li Fei immediately stepped forward: "Your subject is here!"

"One sword... can block a million troops."

The Emperor suddenly recited this poem that Li Fei had written for him to see:

"Cough, cough, cough, I am looking forward to it."

Li Fei gritted his teeth: "May Your Majesty be able to witness this day with your own eyes!"

"Cough, cough, cough, ha ha ha ha..."

On the dragon bed, the Emperor suddenly laughed.

After laughing, his voice weakened again:

"All withdraw... I am tired."

As the voice fell, Feng Cheng walked towards the Crown Prince with the imperial decree in both hands.

After the Crown Prince received the imperial decree, he asked the Crown Prince to wait a moment, then turned and walked back behind the curtain.

Immediately after, he came over holding the Imperial He He Yuxi in both hands.

The Crown Prince's breathing became heavy, and when he received the jade seal, his hands were shaking!

Soon, several people came out of the Yangxin Hall one after another.

Yunshu greeted the Crown Prince and went back to continue his seclusion to heal his wounds.

Ye Zean and Wenrenzheng also greeted the Crown Prince separately, neither of them said much, and left separately.

Finally, it was Li Fei.

From the moment the Crown Prince walked out of the Yangxin Hall, he had a look of sorrow on his face, and he took the initiative to say to Li Fei:

"We haven't seen each other for a long time. Come to the Eastern Palace tomorrow, and let's have a good talk."

Since Li Fei entered the cabinet and became the 16th-level Lanling Special Envoy, the two had not met in private again.

This was naturally to avoid suspicion.

But now that Li Fei is the 'minister entrusted with the Emperor's final wishes' personally chosen by the Emperor, the Crown Prince no longer needs to hesitate and can be close to Li Fei openly.

"Okay."

Li Fei nodded in agreement, looking like he was not in a good mood.

The Crown Prince looked at his expression and reached out to pat him on the shoulder.

After Li Fei also left, the Crown Prince looked down at the Imperial He He Yuxi in his hand.

The bottom seal was engraved with eight characters that were enough to make any man's heart sway:

"Receiving the mandate from heaven, may you live forever and prosper!"

The Crown Prince used both hands to grasp the jade seal in his hand tightly, finally no longer hiding his emotions, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

October 5th, 48th year of Hongguang.

After more than two months, the grand court meeting was held again.

All the civil and military officials gathered in the Zheng Lan Hall.

But after everyone arrived, the Emperor never appeared.

Then, the Crown Prince sitting in the front row slowly stood up and walked towards the Dan steps.

This immediately caused a commotion.

The First Imperial Prince and the Third Imperial Prince standing in the first row stared fixedly at the red python robe.

The Crown Prince deliberately slowed down, step by step, walked to the step below the dragon chair, and then turned to face the crowd.

He nodded to Feng Cheng standing on the lower right, and the other party immediately said loudly:

"Last night, His Majesty issued a decree ordering the Crown Prince to supervise the state!"

Whoosh—

The officials were in an uproar.

The First Imperial Prince's face changed drastically, and the Third Imperial Prince's face also turned gloomy, no longer as carefree as usual.

"Is there anyone to witness?!"

The First Imperial Prince ignored etiquette and shouted directly.

Feng Cheng nodded: "The Imperial Preceptor, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Marshal of the Military Commission, and the Marquis of Jingan, these four people were all present to witness it last night."

Yunshu was in seclusion and did not attend the court today.

However, Ye Zean and Wenrenzheng were both present, and neither of them spoke at this time, expressing their acquiescence to this matter.

With these two as witnesses and acquiescing to this matter, it was basically impossible for this matter to be fake.

There was another uproar in the hall.

In the ranks, Li Fei immediately felt many gazes looking at him.

In terms of power, although he can be ranked in this court now, he definitely cannot be ranked in the top ten!

As a result, the Emperor issued a decree for the Crown Prince to supervise the state, and actually chose to let him witness it on the spot.

In the Central Cabinet, except for the Zhengfa Pavilion, the pavilion masters of the other five pavilions did not get this qualification!

This is too shocking, and also makes people too jealous!

On the Dan steps, the Crown Prince looked at the reactions of the people below with some intoxication, as if drinking strong wine.

He slowly took out the Imperial He He Yuxi from his sleeve and held it high with one hand.

Seeing this jade seal, the First Imperial Prince, who was still unconvinced, instantly turned pale.

This jade seal is not just a decoration; it is the central instrument for controlling national destiny!

Without the Emperor's consent, it is impossible for the Crown Prince to pick up this jade seal.

Even if a peak expert wants to forcibly control this jade seal, they will be countered by the national destiny!

With this jade seal, and having obtained the power to supervise the state, plus the recognition of the Grand Secretary and the Grand Marshal of the Military Commission.

It means that the Crown Prince can already directly mobilize national destiny!

At the same time, the other party is holding this jade seal in the imperial palace; although he cannot possess the powerful strength like the Emperor, he can also be comparable to a peak expert!

As the Crown Prince held the Imperial He He Yuxi high, Ye Zean and Wenrenzheng stood up from their seats almost at the same time.

The two took the lead in saluting the Crown Prince.

Immediately after, all the civil and military officials saluted the Crown Prince one after another.

The Crown Prince is supervising the state!

After the grand court meeting ended, the officials left the Zheng Lan Hall one after another.

"Congratulations, congratulations."

"Congratulations to the Marquis of Jingan."

"Marquis, you must come to the mansion for a talk when you are free!"

"Marquis, my daughter has admired you for a long time, I wonder if we can meet?"

"."

As soon as Li Fei walked out of the Zheng Lan Hall, he was surrounded by a group of ministers.

Everyone congratulated him one after another and issued invitations to him in person.

Some even directly introduced their daughters who were waiting to be married.

Li Fei is only twenty years old this year and is not yet married.

In the eyes of everyone, this is simply an excellent marriage partner!

The current Li Fei can already be regarded as a minister entrusted with the Emperor's final wishes.

Once married to him, it is equivalent to getting the 'new dynasty' admission ticket in advance, and it is a first-class seat!

Li Fei struggled to deal with these extremely enthusiastic ministers, feeling that it was more difficult than fighting in the wilderness.

It wasn't until the Crown Prince walked towards him that the ministers surrounding him left sensibly.

"Your Highness."

"Let's go, go to my Eastern Palace and sit for a while; you have never been there."

"Okay."

The two walked together.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

Inside the First Imperial Prince's mansion, a series of sounds of porcelain breaking continued to sound.

The First Imperial Prince, who returned from the imperial palace, smashed all kinds of porcelain in the study!

Facing this furious prince, the people below were all terrified, and no one dared to persuade him.

A moment later, the First Imperial Prince stopped this useless venting.

He strode to the desk, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed the dial hard.

Soon, the call was connected.

"Just last night, the Imperial Father ordered the Crown Prince to supervise the state. The people present to witness it included the Imperial Preceptor, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Marshal of the Military Commission, and Li Fei!"

"."

The other end of the phone was silent, only the sound of breathing came.

"At this morning's grand court meeting, the Crown Prince announced this in front of all the civil and military officials."

The First Imperial Prince continued, "Also, the Imperial Father has agreed to let Li Fei reinvestigate Shangguan Xiao's case, and the official document from the Inspection Pavilion has been issued!"

"."

The other end of the phone remained silent.

"Why, do you plan to sit and wait for death?"

The First Imperial Prince sneered.

". Your Highness."

A heavy voice came from the other end of the phone:

"Perhaps, it is time to accept fate."

(End of this chapter)