Free Web NovelChapter 87: Ancient Era / 9.8 : Veiled threats
Kuang came down from the carriage and entered his daughter’s palace. When he entered the hall he saw her surrounded by handmaiden comforting her. He ordered:
"Leave."
All the handmaidens immediately left and Xinjie stood up.
She wiped her tears and forced a smile.
"Father what can I do for you?"
Kuang walked to her and asked:
"Do you have to cry just because Eden moved into the imperial palace?"
Xinjie looked at him wide-eyed and asked incredulously:
"What?"
Kuang realized that his daughter had no idea. Xinjie burst into tears and hugged her father. Kuang held her, he tapped her back and said:
"It doesn’t matter he’ll be gone soon anyway."
Between sobs Xinjie said:
"Father you should’ve heard the emperor the night we had dinner... Eden was there and he only had eyes for him... He even let him call him Gege... He said that he would get him everything he needs when Eden said that he would like to have a laboratory to make potions and elixirs then he..."
Before Xinjie could finish Kuang pulled back and asked:
"What do you mean?" ƒreewebɳovel.com
Xinjie wiped her tears and said:
"That brat Shenyan asked Eden what he would do when he is no longer a minister and a teacher. He answered that he’d want to work in a laboratory. I asked him if he is the one who healed Weilong and he confirmed."
Kuang’s eyes light up and he asked:
"Did you ask who was his teacher?"
"I did he is an autodidact."
Kuang caressed his chin thoughtfully. It would’ve been better if he had a teacher then he wouldn’t have to use Eden to get that elixir that cured Weilong. He’ll try to get it and if he can’t he’ll get rid of him during the first night of the spring festival. The most important for him is to make sure his future grandson becomes the next emperor and that his son is the great general.
He already has the support of all the ministers so it should go smoothly as soon as the Suns and that brat Shenyan die. He’s glad that he was at least able to count on Jingxuan. Although he shouldn’t be surprised that Xinjie failed. He always knew that Eden and Shenyan’s closeness was something that would turn against them.
He heard that Shenyan is the one who asked the emperor for Eden to stay. As usual, the emperor agreed so, of course, he would oblige if Eden said he needs a laboratory. He’s just glad that Eden and Weilong are fools, they think that everyone is fair and that the world is a beautiful place. It will be their undoing. He knows that if he asks for an elixir Eden will give it to him then he’ll use his own elixir on him. Kuang smiled maliciously.
Eden entered the court and walked to the emperor. He respectfully bowed and looked up. He smiled and said:
"Your majesty."
Yecheng’s heartbeat quickened when he saw the beautiful smile on Eden’s face. He felt bothered before when Eden would call him your majesty, it made him feel cold but at this moment, he only felt warmth. He smiled and Eden went to take his seat.
Jingxuan narrowed his eyes at them. Eden listened and made comments from time to time. As usual, he bent his ear when the clown Jingxuan spoke.
"I decided to promote Shian Zihang for his hard work as the vanguard general."
Weilong looked at Jingxuan furiously. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Does he think he’s a fool and that he doesn’t know what he is doing? Over the years he’s put all his allies in a high position to take him down from the inside. He never cared because the only person he trusts anyway is Caishen and as long as they can do the job he’s fine.
No matter how many people he has in they’ll never be able to convince all the soldiers to turn their back on him. But Shian Zihang as the third in charge will never happen, he is useless and has no experience. He needs people who know what they are doing in charge.
The entire court looked at Eden when he laughed.
"Minister of war you want to make the person in charge of the transportation of grains the leader of the troops in defense of the borders?"
Even if all the ministers already said they would have Jingxuan’s back they felt uncomfortable hearing that.
It’s clear that Shian Zihang has no experience and only a fool would think he would thrive in his new title as the third-ranked general. If something were to happen to Weilong and Caishen he would be in charge of the whole army when all he’s been in charge of before is grains. That’s insane but they have a deal with Jingxuan and they can’t break it.
Jingxuan looked at Eden arrogantly and said:
"I didn’t make this choice haphazardly, I believe he can do it."
When Eden laughed again he started to become irritated.
Weilong said:
"Shian Zihang isn’t getting this promotion, if anything he deserves to be demoted. He can’t even take care of grains properly so do you really think I’m going to leave him in charge of protecting the villagers who live near the borders?"
JIngxuan lifted his chin and said proudly:
"It wasn’t a question great general as the minister of war I can promote whoever I choose so Shian Zihang is the new vanguard general."
Weilong yelled:
"Are you out of your mind?"
All the ministers gasped. This is the first time they’ve seen Weilong get angry. he would always stay silent no matter what decision Jingxuan would take. To think he lost his mind in front of the emperor. Though they understand, his family has been great general for years and the title was passed on so it means a lot to him.
Jingxuan looked at him furiously and said:
"Even if you disagree with my choice speak correctly great general I didn’t disrespect you."
Jingxuan looked at Eden when he said:
"Haven’t you?"
Everyone seemed confused.
He explained:
"Shian Zihan comes from a noble family but they made their wealth in trade yet as soon as he entered the army he became assistant general. As the minister of war, you know that there are three ways to gain a commander position, inheritance, passing the military exam, or working your way through the ranks. He is from a merchant family so the first one is out. He didn’t pass the military exam to become a vanguard general or he would have been nothing more than a simple soldier since everyone knows he would’ve failed so the second way is out too. Now it only leaves the third way. Zihang is 24 so I doubt he worked through the ranks. Most soldiers in commander positions are in their thirties after having worked hard for a decade. Unless Zihang signed when he was 14 the third way is out too. Your insistence that he still gets promoted isn’t it disrespectful to the great general when this is his army, the one he almost gave his life to more than once?"
Jingxuan didn’t know what to answer. Of course, Zihang would fail if he passed the military exam but their family is allies and they owe them. He’s managed to fill all the commending posts with his people. The only one left is vanguard general but it’s also the most important. If something were to happen to Caishen he would automatically become vice commander. He knows this is key to turning the soldiers against Weilong since they spend more time with the vice general than the great general.
He’ll just put it to a vote he knows that all the ministers have is back. He smirked and said:
"Fine then let’s just put it to a vote."
Eden said expressionlessly:
"If that is what you want."
Jingxuan sneered, how stupid is he? He doesn’t understand how he became the youngest official...
"Those in..."
Eden cut him and said:
"You know I thought you and I would agree on this matter."
Jingxuan asked curiously:
"Why?"
All the ministers have his back so who cares if they vote now or in two minutes.
Eden said thoughtfully:
"Because or duty are similars except that you’re in charge of the promotions and demotions of the military and I’m in charge of promotion and demotions of officials."
Eden looked at the ministers and said with a ruthless smile:
"Actually it is different. Contrary to you I’m in charge of merit ratings, promotions, demotions of officials, as well as granting honorific titles and I don’t need to put it to a vote if someone disagrees with my choice. What I say goes."
All the minister’s faces fell. They’re not fools this is clearly a threat, they worked too hard to get where they are today they can’t let Eden take that away just because they went against his father. They felt a chill when they saw his bloodthirsty smile. Jingxuan looked at the ministers and felt a shift. He felt his heart beating faster, he told his father he would get it done today he can’t fail him.
Yecheng leaned back on his throne looking at the show with a smile. He would’ve overruled Jingxuan after the vote but he knew Eden wouldn’t let it happen.
Eden’s smile became sweet again and he said:
"Those in favor of Shian Zihang becoming vanguard general say aye."
"Aye."
Jingxuan looked around furiously, all the ministers were avoiding his eyes.
He became angrier than he’s ever been when Eden said:
"Those in favor of Shian Zihang passing the military exam to know if he deserves to be assistant general or demoted say aye."
The entire court became loud as every minister said aye.
Jingxuan stood up and said indignantly:
"The vote was only to see if he would get a promotion not if he should remain assistant general."
Eden smirked.
"Based on the great general’s words it seemed like Zihang is overwhelmed as the assistant general so I believe it would be best to give him a better-suited title if that’s the case. But don’t worry if he does better he might get a promotion."
Eden looked at his father and asked:
"Do you agree great general?"
Weilong smiled at Eden and then looked at Jingxuan.
"I agree."
Jingxuan sat back down his red eyes on him. Weilong was pleased to see his arrogant smile gone. He looked at Eden and nodded. Eden smiled, he doesn’t have to thank him it’s his father he’ll always have his back.
Plus he had to put the ministers in place, they better do what he says or they’ll pay. Since he and his father wouldn’t say anything despite all the terrible things the Miaos would do all the ministers took their side. Eden had their fate as officials in his hands but he was always fair and those cowards used that against him. But he learned his lesson and everything they give him now he’ll give back a thousand folds.
