“Young Master Mu! Wake up! It’s time for morning court!”
A group of maids and servants rushed in and hauled the groggy Mu Qingbai out of bed.
In just a few moves, they had stuffed him into a dark cyan official robe.
“Aiyo! Easy!”
As the maid put the xiezhi ceremonial cap on him, she pulled his hair roots, jolting him fully awake with pain.
“Young Master Mu, time to go!”
Old Huang picked up the wooden tablet from the desk, shoved it into his hands, then dragged him out the door and pushed him into the carriage.
“Young Master Mu, the court is not like the countryside. Mind your words and actions.”
Old Huang couldn’t help but offer the reminder.
Mu Qingbai said, “Relax, I know what I’m doing.”
Old Huang: …You better really know.
The carriage rolled all the way to the gates of the imperial city.
From here on, carriages were not allowed.
By the time Mu Qingbai arrived, many officials’ carriages were already neatly parked on the side.
He got down and told the coachman, “Head back, no need to wait.”
Over the past few days at the Bai Manor, palace eunuchs had already come to teach Mu Qingbai the court procedures and etiquette.
He followed the crowd toward court assembly.
Whispers could be heard among the officials.
They were clearly discussing the unfamiliar new face—Mu Qingbai.
“Who’s that?”
“Just a last-place graduate.”
“I heard he was just released from prison a few days ago.”
“Only reason he made the list is because this dynasty’s imperial exam was honest. The examiner misgraded his paper. Barely scraped onto the list.”
“Barely made it, and he still got appointed? And to the Censorate, no less? Must’ve latched onto some high-ranking patron, eh?”
“Heh, who knows?”
Such gossip buzzed all around.
Even the censors in the procession looked at him with disdain and deliberately distanced themselves.
The main hall for court assembly was named the Hall of Great Celebration.
The hall was vast, but not large enough for mere eighth-rank officials.
Mu Qingbai had already stopped outside the hall doors.
Thanks to the intricate acoustics of the architecture, the voices of the nobles and ministers inside were still clearly audible outside.
Inside the grand hall…
Yin Yunlan sat high upon her throne, glancing toward the entrance—but she couldn’t see Mu Qingbai.
“Those with matters to report, speak. Those without, court is dismissed.”
The front few officials remained still, but murmurs stirred among the civil officials further back.
Yin Yunlan furrowed her brows, sensing something was amiss.
A lean elder stepped forward, held his jade tablet, and bowed.
“Your Majesty, this subject has a memorial to present.”
Yin Yunlan narrowed her eyes, a little surprised. “Zheng Wanchuan, what is it?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, ever since Your Majesty’s ascension, natural disasters have continued. Floods spread, plagues ravage, famine and death everywhere, cries of suffering unending, the people in rage!”
Zheng Wanchuan paused, then suddenly knelt.
“This is due to the ruler’s lack of benevolence, the Heavens are displeased! We humbly beg Your Majesty to issue an edict of self-reproach, to calm the public anger!”
As soon as his voice fell…
The civil ministers, as if pre-arranged, all knelt in unison.
“We beseech Your Majesty to issue an edict of self-reproach, to calm the people’s wrath and appease Heaven!”
A moment of silence followed.
The military generals glared angrily at the civil officials.
But they lacked eloquence, their faces flushed and necks bulging, unable to find the words to refute.
Yin Yunlan’s expression turned visibly cold.
She understood that ascending the throne as a woman was unprecedented, bound to draw criticism and attack.
But she didn’t expect that following Mu Qingbai’s criticism, the wave of attacks would come so quickly.
To ask a sovereign to issue an edict of self-reproach…
Was to have her publicly admit that the disasters of recent years were her fault.
Such an act would cost her considerable public support.
Losing the people’s support—for an emperor—was a grave matter!
And this was just the first move by the civil faction and noble clans.
Yin Yunlan looked toward the few high-ranking officials standing silently at the front.
To think they had nothing to do with this would be utterly impossible!
A deep sorrow welled in her heart. What good was being emperor, when one was still all alone?
In this moment, there wasn’t even a single voice willing to stand with her.
Seeing the Empress remain silent, Zheng Wanchuan cleared his throat and shouted again:
“We humbly kneel before Your Majesty—for the sake of the people, for the grand future of the realm!”
Yin Yunlan clenched her fists until they turned blue.
A fine excuse—for the people, for the greater good.
These hypocrites had crafted an argument that was flawless.
If she refused, she would be turning her back on the people!
“You all…” she said coldly, eyes sharp as blades. “You also believe I must issue an edict of self-reproach?”
She looked toward the officials who had not yet knelt.
Minister of Rites, Lu Tinggui, hesitated, then stepped forward and bowed.
“Your Majesty, I believe the Chief Astronomer’s argument is not without merit.”
“Lu Tinggui, I asked whether you believe I must issue an edict of self-reproach?”
Yin Yunlan trembled with rage. Well, well! Treacherous ministers!
So if she didn’t issue the edict, she would be heartless to the people?
Zheng Wanchuan cleared his throat again, straightened his back and said loudly, “We plead—”
But just then, a clear and spirited voice rang out from outside the hall.
“Censorate Inspector, presenting a memorial!”
Zheng Wanchuan’s face froze.
All the officials inside turned to look toward the entrance.
Zheng Wanchuan, both shamed and furious, roared, “Insolence! Who dares shout before the hall!”
Mu Qingbai stepped forward holding his tablet, standing at the doorway.
“Censorate Inspector Mu Qingbai, presents an impeachment memorial!”
Zheng Wanchuan’s beard bristled with anger. “A mere low-ranking censor! Disrespectful beyond measure! Disgracing the court—should be punished!”
“And you are?” Mu Qingbai asked politely.
Zheng Wanchuan raised his chin proudly. “Blind fool! I am the Chief Astronomer of the Bureau of Astronomy—charged with observing celestial signs, predicting national fortune, and discerning omens! I guide the Emperor by the will of Heaven!”
Mu Qingbai nodded and smiled. “Got it. So… a fortune teller.”
“You—!” Zheng Wanchuan’s fury exploded. “You lowly censor! What are you!”
Mu Qingbai calmly walked into the hall, stood right before Zheng Wanchuan, then suddenly raised his arm—
And slapped him hard.
Smack!
The force made Zheng Wanchuan see stars.
Mu Qingbai smiled, “Great Master, did your star-gazing tell you you’d suffer this misfortune today?”
Pfft…
Several military generals couldn’t help but laugh—only to hurriedly suppress it once they remembered they were in court.
Even Yin Yunlan couldn’t help but praise him in her heart.
—Well struck!
“You dare strike someone in the imperial hall?! Your Majesty! This man—”
“Your Majesty!! As a loyal subject, I speak for the throne! He has offended the sovereign, committed treason, and should be executed by law!”
Mu Qingbai preempted him with a flurry of accusations, terrifying Zheng Wanchuan into speechlessness, drenched in cold sweat.
“L-Lies! Utter nonsense!”
Mu Qingbai sneered and scanned the room.
“Since ancient times, there have only been innocent ministers—not guilty emperors! Forcing a ruler to issue a self-blame edict? Fine! But if the sovereign bears guilt, then the ministers must die!”
“Do you all…”
“Dare die?!”
His voice echoed beneath the beams of the grand hall.
That single question drained the color from every kneeling minister’s face.
The hall fell into silence.
“I am a Censorate Inspector. My duty is to oversee all officials and protect the state. The Censorate is the Emperor’s eyes and ears for discerning truth!”
“And you, a mere Chief Astronomer, dare interrupt my memorial? Are you trying to blind and deafen the Emperor—so that traitorous ministers like you can wreak havoc on the court and poison the empire?”