abcnovels
Chapter 255
Chapter 255
The court officials were arranged in order.0
This was the normal procedure.0
They were ranked by level.0
Generally, one's position corresponded to one's rank.0
But occasionally there were one or two shameless individuals who didn't follow the rules and moved around.0
If you moved backward, no one would mind.0
But if you pushed forward, it would be considered improper.0
When Meng Qingshe pushed forward, no one said anything.0
Meng Qingshe's rank was quite high.0
Usually, he didn't like to move forward, but he actually could if he wanted to.0
But what was the deal with the young newcomer he was pulling along?0
He also had the nerve to push forward.0
He didn't understand any court etiquette at all.0
Inspector He, who usually had no one within six zhang (about 20 meters) of him, found the distance shortened as everyone gradually drew closer.0
Inspector He noticed the strange expressions on people's faces.0
He turned around and saw the person being pulled forward by Meng Qingshe, quickly approaching him.0
Meng Qingshe, true to his name (which means "green snake"), walked in a serpentine pattern, grasping Commander Jiang and weaving left and right.3
He squeezed his way up.0
The usually stern-faced Inspector He's expression almost cracked.0
Meng Qingshe's protective attitude was quite unnecessary.0
Commander Jiang really didn't need his protection.0
Between the two of them, he definitely wasn't the one who needed protection.0
Inspector He didn't move closer.0
He had an image to maintain.0
He hadn't even brought his own nephew.0
Inspector He's nephew, He Chen, was also in the crowd.0
Just now, when Meng Qingshe was leading Mr. Jiang through, he had bumped into him.0
He was about to greet them, but General Meng had already pushed forward with his companion.0
As a workplace newcomer who understood the rules, even though he had connections, he couldn't move around freely.0
Although he had heard his uncle mention Mr. Jiang,0
He didn't expect to see him again in the imperial court.0
He himself no longer felt young due to preparing for the imperial examinations.0
His hair was falling out in handfuls, and his hairline had receded quite a bit.0
If it weren't for his official hat, he felt his high forehead would be exposed, making his face look longer.0
Yet Mr. Jiang's appearance remained unchanged.0
In fact, he looked even more radiant in his official robes.0
Years ago when they met, he had seemed somewhat poor and down on his luck.0
After so many years, not only had he not aged,0
He had become even more beautiful and confident.0
He seemed to have grown into his looks.0
Time had uniquely bypassed him.0
Back then, he had regretted that Mr. Jiang, despite his evident knowledge and talent in conversation, could only remain unknown in a small village.0
He had lamented that Jiang Feng, with his outstanding appearance, had no way to advance.0
Now they met again, both in the imperial court.0
He himself had gained his position through diligent study and passing the examinations.0
Mr. Jiang, surprisingly, had arrived through rebellion and subsequent amnesty.0
Life was both lamentable and unpredictable.0
However, Mr. Jiang seemed unchanged.0
Just now, he had given him an apologetic look.0
The vicissitudes of fate.0
With General Meng's protection, Mr. Jiang should not be bullied.0
The court was indeed too complicated; even as a newcomer with Inspector He as his uncle, he was exhausted and worked very hard.0
Thinking that Shao Xia had also returned, he had originally planned to visit him after court today.0
Meanwhile, Meng Qingshe led Jiang Changtian forward.0
Accidentally, unable to stop in time, they even passed Inspector He.0
However, Meng Qingshe eventually halted.0
He pulled his in-law back a few steps, retreating behind Inspector He.0
"Old He is quite petty, we'd better not stand in front of him. Standing here is fine. Any further forward and there'd be few people left, increasing the chances of being questioned by the Emperor," Meng Qingshe said in a low voice, like a typical poor student.3
His quiet voice was just loud enough for everyone around, including Inspector He himself, to hear...0
Jiang Changtian once again marveled that his in-law was fortunate to have such a good father.0
Inspector He didn't even twitch an eyebrow.0
In his heart, he sighed that Meng Qingshe was lucky to have such a good son.0
The officials, scheming and plotting, arranged themselves in line.0
The ceremonial eunuch threw several glances their way.0
Meng Qingshe finally noticed it was directed at him and reluctantly moved away from his in-law to stand beside him, no longer whispering.0
At last, another sound rang out.0
The eunuch called in a stretched voice: "The Emperor arrives."0
All officials knelt and called out: "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live for ten thousand years."0
The Emperor sat down and waved his hand: "My beloved officials, rise."0
It was just like the start of a class.0
In class, everyone stands when the teacher arrives.0
At court, everyone kneels when the Emperor arrives.0
The teacher says, "Please be seated."0
The Emperor says, "Please rise."0
The difference is, in class you pay money, at court the Emperor pays you.3
For the Emperor, today's court session was no different from those of the past few years.0
Except when he had just become Emperor, when he was more serious and hardworking, constantly thinking and engaging in battles of wit with his court officials.0
Now, after being Emperor for several decades, he was tired.0
Any job becomes tedious when done for a long time without room for promotion.0
For the court officials, it was different; every court session was unique.0
After all, each of them had room for advancement if they performed well.0
The eunuch routinely called out in a stretched voice: "Those with matters to report, step forward. If not, the court is dismissed." Meanwhile, he glared at General Meng.0
Even though the Emperor had arrived, the General's eyes were still restless, constantly exchanging glances with the handsome newcomer beside him.0
Alas.0
Who knows where this person came from.0
How could he be so handsome.0
The way he wore his official robes made everyone who saw him feel good.0
Coming to court only once every ten days, the officials naturally had matters to report.0
Whether big or small, they all needed to report something.0
Even if there was nothing, they had to find something to report, otherwise wouldn't it seem like they hadn't been working hard?0
One memorial after another was presented.0
Indeed, it was mainly the officials at the front who spoke.0
Most of those at the back were just background, only serving to fill the space.0
They couldn't even act as mood-setters because they weren't allowed to speak freely.0
The Emperor watched them rehash the same old topics, talking about the same problems over and over.0
To him, there was nothing new.0
In winter, they reported on which places had suffered disasters.0
Or they opposed something he wanted to build, even though he was using money from the Imperial Household Department, these people all wanted to have a say, to show they had status.0
Then there were the bold ones who weren't afraid of death, still suggesting that a Crown Prince should be appointed.0
This time, there was a slight difference in that two or three officials separately recommended the eldest prince as Crown Prince.0
In the Emperor's view,0
This was just them impatiently wanting him to die so the eldest prince could take the throne.0
It seems the eldest son had been very restless lately.0
Stirring up trouble was one thing,0
But to actually collude with court officials was crossing a major line.0
Not long after the Crown Prince's death anniversary, this unfilial, disloyal dog who had no brotherly love or respect for his parents.0
As the Emperor's expression turned displeased,0
Those officials who had made the recommendation began to tremble.0
Something was wrong.0
They hadn't originally planned to make the recommendation together.0
Such matters should be done separately.0
Doing it together was clearly putting pressure on the Emperor, telling him they were the eldest prince's faction.0
There must be one or two among them who were false supporters, doing this intentionally.0
But now, even if they had the words, they couldn't explain clearly. The Emperor wouldn't listen to their explanations.0
The true supporter of the eldest prince, Prime Minister Wang, lowered his head at this moment, thinking, it's over.0
The eldest prince was in danger, and so was he.0
On his first day at court,0
Jiang Changtian hadn't said a word.0
He just watched as the arrogant, untouchable Prime Minister Wang, who had been standing at the very front with his head held high, ignoring everyone's greetings,0
Now trembled, prostrating himself fully on the ground, his official robes stripped off on the spot.0
The eldest prince was also ordered to reflect on his actions behind closed doors and not cause any more trouble outside.0
After dealing with these matters,0
The Emperor finally felt his anger subside a bit.0
Seeing that the court was no longer in an uproar, but very quiet,0
He swept his gaze over the officials with satisfaction.0
Then he saw a man of celestial grace standing next to the dark, burly, square-faced Meng Qingshe.0
While others wore their official robes stiffly and nervously,0
His robes seemed as if they were specially designed and tailored for him - any longer would be too long, any shorter too short, any wider too loose, any narrower too tight.0
He stood there, his face like jade, his posture like a willow, his whole being like a clear spring in the mountains. Just looking at him made one's heart leap with joy, dispelling all gloom.3
How could there be such a person in the world, who at first glance felt so familiar?0
As if he had been seen before in a dream.0
Is this what they call love at first sight?3
The Emperor suddenly remembered what Wenxin had said this morning, that her sister had married that man because of his good looks.0
"His beauty is unparalleled, second to none in the world." (Note 1)0
......0
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(Note 1: This line comes from the Song Dynasty poet Guo Maoqian's "Ballad of the White Stone Youth":0
The White Stone Youth lives by the river.0
Led by the River Earl, followed by fish.0
Piled stones like jade, lined pines like emerald.0
The youth's beauty is unparalleled, second to none in the world.0
......0
This is also the content of a comment by reader <Cat Who Wants to Be Reborn and Time Travel> in the previous chapter. The reader is so cultured ?(???)?.)0