After returning to the palace, the Tianyou Emperor worked through the night to handle the accumulated government affairs. He only rested for two hours before rising early at mao hour (5-7 am) the next day to prepare for court.
He successfully rose from the dragon bed, slipped on the dragon boots, and donned the dragon robe… The Tianyou Emperor let out a long sigh of relief.
At this moment, that child Xiao Qi was probably still sleeping.
Fortunately, he had issued an oral decree in advance, considering the Seventh Prince's fatigue from travel and allowing him a full day of rest before attending the Imperial Study tomorrow.
Otherwise, after days of arduous travel and working through the night only to be forcibly reverted in time, the Tianyou Emperor would have truly gone mad!
After finishing his ablutions, the shadow guard handling the assassin matter hurried back. Feng Zongguan immediately waved his hand, signaling the attending palace maids and eunuchs to withdraw.
When everyone had dispersed, the Tianyou Emperor leaned back on the soft couch, rubbing his temples as he asked wearily, "Well?"
The shadow guard knelt on one knee and reported, "They originally planned to strike after leaving Huaizhou territory, but since the Seventh Prince delayed his departure, they took the risk."
The Tianyou Emperor sneered: That child's luck is quite good.
The shadow guard continued, "According to their confession, ambushes were set up all along the route to Tianquan Temple, with the target being the Seventh Prince's life."
Absurd!
If the Jiayi Army wanted to oppose the court, shouldn't they have captured Xiao Qi to threaten him?
Why go to such lengths for an unfavored prince?
Half a month ago, Li Meiren said Xiao Qi was pushed into the lotus pond?
The Tianyou Emperor pondered the key points, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table twice before instructing Feng Lu, "Go inform Bai Jiu to investigate the circumstances of the Seventh Prince's fall into the water more thoroughly!"
Feng Lu nodded and hurried off.
After Feng Lu departed, he instructed the still-kneeling shadow guard, "Assign two people to follow the Seventh Prince at all times. They don't need to get too close—just report what he does each day."
The shadow guard accepted the order and quickly disappeared from the spot.
The Tianyou Emperor closed his eyes for a brief rest, then resolutely stood up and walked out of Sweet Spring Palace.
Feng Zongguan jogged to keep up, assisting the emperor onto the imperial palanquin. The palanquin moved steadily forward, with palace staff clearing the way wherever it passed.
At mao hour three quarters (6:45 am), the Tianyou Emperor appeared punctually on the dragon throne in Zichen Hall. The court ministers knelt in unison, shouting "Long live the emperor" three times.
The Tianyou Emperor waved his hand, even his voice betraying exhaustion, "Rise, my ministers…"
Feng Zongguan stepped forward two paces and announced loudly, "Those with matters to report may speak; if none, court is dismissed!"
The civil and military officials began reporting the accumulated government affairs of recent days—some presenting memorials, others impeaching officials.
The Tianyou Emperor propped his head up, listening attentively.
Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion…
Half an hour slipped by quietly. Just as court was about to conclude, Chancellor Jiang suddenly brought up military reform.
Duke Wen exploded instantly, glaring furiously at Chancellor Jiang as he cursed, "Jiang Baili, are you trying to reform the military or reform me? If you want my military authority, just say it directly! Why beat around the bush!"
The Western Path nobles aligned with Duke Wen all glared at him with hostility.
Chancellor Jiang responded indifferently, "Duke Wen, the integration of Yujing's original troops with the Xitu Iron Cavalry is inevitable, making military reform imperative. This official is considering the stability of Great Chu's realm and has no intention of targeting anyone!"
"No intention of targeting me?" Duke Wen spat at him, "The troops under my command fought their way out of the Western Path with me! How dare you think you can mix the blood-sweating steeds of the grasslands with the plow horses of the Han people based solely on your word, Chancellor Jiang!"
The military general behind him chimed in: "Exactly! How can the eagles of the Western Path mingle among a flock of chicks!"
The Duke of Lu frowned and reminded disapprovingly: "Duke Wen, you should watch your words! Now that the Central Plains and Western Path are unified, how can there be talk of noble steeds and nags, eagles and chicks? Such remarks—are you looking down on us Han ministers or insulting His Majesty?"
"Duke Lu, what business is this of yours?" Duke Wen had always looked down on the Duke of Lu, and when berating him showed no mercy: "Stop dragging His Majesty into this! I'm arguing with Jiang Baili—what does this have to do with a treacherous minister who betrayed his ancestors and opened the city gates to the enemy?"
The Duke of Lu was formerly a Hanlin Academician of the previous dynasty and also the maternal grandfather of the Third Prince. When the three princes attacked the imperial palace and the previous emperor hanged himself, he voluntarily opened the palace gates and presented the previous emperor's head to the Tianyou Emperor.
Everyone addressed him respectfully as "Duke," yet everyone looked down on him.
The Duke of Lu's face flushed crimson as he pointed at Duke Wen, stammering "you… you…" repeatedly before angrily retorting: "What enemy? I welcomed His Majesty! His Majesty is the son of Princess Roushan and carries the bloodline of the previous dynasty—how can this be called betraying our ancestors?"
Duke Wen's scathing remarks had implicated all former ministers of the previous dynasty.
Everyone's expressions turned grim.
They all began arguing fiercely with Duke Wen's faction.
This had almost become a regular feature of every court session. The Tianyou Emperor, feeling a headache coming on, shouted: "Enough!"
The great hall instantly fell silent.
The Tianyou Emperor glared coldly at Duke Wen and rebuked: "Cease your constant use of 'old man' this and 'old man' that! You now hold high office—you should cultivate proper speech!"
Duke Wen showed no sign of restraint, loudly protesting: "Your Majesty, this is how I spoke during military campaigns, and no one ever found fault! I'm just a rough old soldier—I can't cultivate any refined, scholarly speech!"
The Tianyou Emperor frowned: "The past is the past, the present is the present! In times of peace, we must observe ritual propriety!"
Duke Wen, overcome with anger, adopted a challenging tone: "Does Your Majesty want me to observe ritual propriety, or can you simply not tolerate us old ministers from the Western Path? Speaking of ritual propriety—was it according to ritual propriety when Your Majesty sent away the Seventh Prince only to recall him, and arbitrarily promoted a Han beauty for no reason?"
These words sent shockwaves through the entire court. The Western Path generals behind Duke Wen were terrified, some hurriedly reaching out to pull him back.
This was sheer madness!
The Tianyou Emperor's temples bulged with rage.
Since ascending the throne, he had implemented Han-style reforms. Yet this Duke Wen stubbornly maintained the rough customs of the Western Path, creating opposition in court. He constantly touted the superiority of Western Path bloodlines, as if afraid these old ministers wouldn't rebel against him.
Remembering their bond as ruler and subject, the Emperor had repeatedly tolerated him. But now he dared to publicly question the Emperor's decisions in court.
The Tianyou Emperor could bear it no longer. He whispered a few words to Feng Zongguan.
Feng Zongguan looked quite surprised but quickly left the Zichen Hall from behind the dragon throne. He then ordered someone to deliver a chest of calligraphy copies to the Jingfu Pavilion at the fastest possible speed, instructing that it must be delivered to the Seventh Prince.
After completing this task, he returned to the side of the dragon throne just in time to hear the Tianyou Emperor coldly ask: "Is Duke Wen questioning Us?"
The officials dared not even breathe loudly.
Though intimidated by the Emperor's aura, Duke Wen ultimately couldn't accept defeat completely. Lowering his voice, he said: "This subject wouldn't dare. It's just that Your Majesty shows too much favoritism toward Han ministers—this subject feels wronged…"
"Wronged?" The Tianyou Emperor sneered coldly, "I think you're just asking for a beating!" If not for his intention to maintain balance, with Duke Wen's arrogant and contemptuous demeanor, he would have been ambushed countless times.
Now, the Tianyou Emperor wanted to teach him a harsh lesson.
He thought it, and he acted on it.
Before Duke Wen could react, the Tianyou Emperor grabbed the jade lion he had been toying with and smashed it down.
In the past, he had endured great restraint out of consideration for the bond between ruler and subject, as well as Duke Wen's control of the Xitu Iron Cavalry and the forces behind him.
Yet Duke Wen dared to speak insolently precisely when the Emperor was irritable and weary. If he didn't give Duke Wen a thrashing today, the Emperor felt his pent-up frustration would never ease.
The jade lion struck Duke Wen squarely on the forehead. With a miserable cry, Duke Wen clutched his head and collapsed to the ground.
The officials behind him recoiled in fear, scattering collectively. Terrified by the Tianyou Emperor's fierce expression, none dared step forward to assist.
Your Majesty… Your Majesty must have gone mad.
The Tianyou Emperor smashed Duke Wen eight times back and forth, finally feeling his resentment alleviate.
By the ninth time, time rewound once again, and Duke Wen stood there unharmed, spouting his usual arrogance.
This time, the Tianyou Emperor could listen with calm composure. He merely raised his hand slightly, causing Duke Wen at the front to panic and instinctively cover his forehead while stumbling back two steps.
This movement startled the military officials behind him, who also retreated two steps. In the chaos, they trampled over one another like dominoes, collapsing together in a heap.
The loud commotion frightened the civil officials on the right side.
The Tianyou Emperor lowered his hand, glanced indifferently at Duke Wen, and asked with feigned concern, "What troubles you, Duke Wen?"
Seeing his colleagues sprawled awkwardly behind him, Duke Wen's arrogance instantly deflated. "N-nothing, Your Majesty! I merely had a sudden headache!"
The Tianyou Emperor hummed noncommittally, "Since you have a headache, return home and rest properly. By my decree, Duke Wen is granted several days of leave. The affairs of the City Defense Camp shall be temporarily handled with the Ministry of War's assistance."
Wasn't this just a roundabout way of stripping his military authority?
"Your Majesty!" Duke Wen protested discontentedly.
The Tianyou Emperor watched him silently.
Duke Wen gradually fell silent under the Emperor's terrifying gaze, swallowing his anger as the court session concluded. After dismissing the court, the Tianyou Emperor felt thoroughly pleased. He instructed Feng Zongguan behind him, "Send my usual morning meal to Jingfu Pavilion, as a reward for the Seventh Prince." Today, he realized that time reversal wasn't entirely bad. For instance, with rebels—knowing the future allowed him to capture them early. As for the arrogant Duke Wen, whenever he felt displeased, he could just beat him a few more times.
After all, time could always rewind.
The National Preceptor had said the child's destiny aligned with his. Now, it seemed there was some truth to that.
This ability to reverse time, if used wisely, could indeed turn into an advantage.
Feng Zongguan clearly didn't understand his good mood: Didn't His Majesty just reward the Seventh Prince yesterday? Why another reward now?
It seemed the Seventh Prince was about to rise in favor.
Feng Zongguan swiftly carried out the Tianyou Emperor's order and arrived at Jingfu Pavilion.
Upon hearing of his arrival again, Zhao Yan inside Jingfu Pavilion was so frightened he considered using Revert to a previous save. But then he heard Chen Xiang exclaim excitedly, "Seventh Prince, His Majesty has bestowed so many delicious foods upon you! Come quickly and see!"
Zhao Yan was astonished: Weren't the previous three rewards all large chests of calligraphy copies?
Half in doubt, he followed Chen Xiang out. Feng Zongguan bowed respectfully upon seeing him and said with a smile, "Your Highness, the Seventh Prince, His Majesty specifically instructed this servant to deliver this. His Majesty also said that from now on, you are permitted to ride the sedan chair to the Imperial Study. The eunuchs and the sedan chair will be assigned to your palace shortly."
The palace attendants carrying food boxes filed in one after another, and soon, the entire table was laden with delicacies.
Zhao Yan stared at the table full of exquisite dishes, feeling deeply perplexed: Why is my cheap Father Emperor becoming stranger and stranger?