Free Web NovelChapter 1636: Chapter 74: The Court Session Ends, Second Under Heaven!
Inside the Taiji Hall.
Jiang Ning stood apart, quietly observing everything happening in the hall.
Before arriving at the Taiji Hall, he had thought he would become the focus of this court assembly, the center of attention among the ministers.
But at this moment, he realized that in the Taiji Hall, he, like the many civil and military ministers behind him, was merely an inconspicuous figure.
Just a backdrop for those engaging in verbal sparring ahead.
"Today’s matter..." Ji Xuan spoke again, calmly sweeping his gaze over the ministers, "was a decision made after consultation with the Holy Emperor, meant to inform the ministers, not to discuss with them."
Then he added, "As for the establishment of a Crown Prince, I have also discussed it with the Holy Emperor, and now is not the right time! So ministers, don’t bring it up again!"
"Prince Ji Xuan, so when will it be the right time?" asked General Shen Xiao, who had been silent for a long time.
"General Shen will understand in due time!" replied Ji Xuan.
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao sat in the Taishi Chair, saluted Ji Xuan from afar, and said no more.
"If there are no further objections, let’s adjourn!" Ji Xuan said, "From now on, I will conduct the court meetings, and I will also handle the memorials to the throne."
With Ji Xuan’s words, there were no further dissenting voices in the Taiji Hall.
A moment later.
The court assembly dispersed.
Su Qingying stood up and walked towards Jiang Ning.
"Let’s go!" she said lightly.
Outside, she restrained her deference towards Jiang Ning.
She knew that being overly respectful to Jiang Ning outside would harm, rather than help him.
Seeing Su Qingying’s floating gaze, Jiang Ning also nodded in acknowledgment.
Then, he walked side by side with Su Qingying, just as they had come, and they left in the same manner.
Crossing the grand entrance of the Taiji Hall.
Jiang Ning couldn’t help but smile wryly.
As the court assembly dispersed, he realized he had overestimated himself.
In today’s assembly, he wasn’t the main character.
Not only was he not the main character, but he was also just a backdrop, going through the motions in the Taiji Hall.
Throughout the assembly, Ji Xuan didn’t spare him a glance.
Even when it ended, Ji Xuan didn’t look at him.
None of the Princes tried to strike up a conversation with him, or attempt to win him over, or talk to him. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
At this moment, outside the Taiji Hall, the ministers led by Prime Minister Li were still kneeling, seemingly standing by their earlier statements.
Leaving the square outside the Taiji Hall, the figures of the ministers became increasingly sparse.
Some ministers were still kneeling in the Taiji Hall, while others quickly headed towards the Vermilion Bird Gate, rushing to return home, as if something awaited them there.
Some were walking leisurely behind, in groups of two or three, whispering quietly.
"Dongling Marquis, slow down!!" A hurried footstep came from behind, and a voice sounded in Jiang Ning’s ear.
At these words, Jiang Ning stopped and turned to look back.
The person approaching was a palace guard, a colleague who had escorted him from the Vermilion Bird Gate to the Taiji Hall earlier, wearing the same official uniform and holding the same sword.
Seeing Jiang Ning stop, the palace guard quickened his steps and came before Jiang Ning.
"Greetings to the State Preceptor! Greetings to the Marquis!" The palace guard saluted Jiang Ning and Su Qingying before straightening up.
"Marquis, the Eighth Prince asked this official to inform you to wait for a moment at the Vermilion Bird Gate; he will send the Seventeenth Princess to meet you there."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded.
"Go back and tell the Eighth Prince that I understand, and I will wait at the Vermilion Bird Gate."
Hearing this, the palace guard cupped his hands towards Jiang Ning in thanks, then turned and headed back towards the Taiji Hall.
Subsequently, Su Qingying watched Jiang Ning move towards the Vermilion Bird Gate and immediately followed.
Along the way, the Forbidden Army, clad in armor with spears in hand, had eyes as sharp as stars. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Their weapons gleamed coldly under the bright moonlight.
Su Qingying followed behind Jiang Ning in silence, saying nothing.
The journey was wordless, accompanied only by the brighter-than-usual moonlight enveloping them.
...
At the Vermilion Bird Gate.
One by one, the court ministers boarded their carriages and slowly departed the Imperial Palace.
Jiang Ning stood quietly waiting ten zhang away from the grand entrance.
In less than half a tea time.
"Greetings to the Seventeenth Princess!"
"Greetings to the Second Princess!"
"..."
There was some commotion in the direction of the Vermilion Bird Gate.
Jiang Ning turned to look.
He saw Ji Mingya, in a mature posture, and Ji Mingyue, in a youthful demeanor, appearing at the entrance.
Following his gaze, Ji Mingya and Ji Mingyue also looked over.
Seeing Jiang Ning, Ji Mingya gave a charming smile, seemingly seductive.
But Jiang Ning knew that was just how Ji Mingya looked; her fox-like face and peach-blossom eyes made her smile seem seductive.
"The Ji Clan’s genes are excellent!" Jiang Ning sighed inwardly, looking at the two women as lovely as blooming flowers.
Then, a hint of puzzlement flashed in his eyes.
Behind Ji Mingya and Ji Mingyue, he did not see Ji Minghao’s figure, which puzzled him for a moment.
Because the one who had just sent the palace guard to inform him was indeed the Eighth Prince, Ji Minghao.
He had thought Ji Minghao would take the opportunity of sending Ji Mingyue to exchange a few words with him.
After all, during his absence from the Royal Capital, his deeds had made his fame even more illustrious.
He couldn’t believe that the current Eighth Prince, Ji Minghao, would not know what he had accomplished in Guangning Prefecture.
That he would be unaware of his subjugation of the Carefree Marquis Jing Wuming and the Black Flood Dragon King Chen Canghai in Guangning Prefecture.
That he would not understand the significance those two represented for him.
In history, prince contests for succession and new emperor appointments have occurred throughout its 800-year record.
By studying the past, one comes to realize that those contests for succession and new emperor appointments are often greatly influenced by the steadfast support of a Second Grade Great Grandmaster.
