The civil and military officials in court were at this moment urgently hoping His Majesty would just scold them harshly until they were skinless and fleshless. But they waited for quite a while, and Meng Fu didn’t open her mouth.
Why wasn’t His Majesty scolding them anymore? Their hearts felt like they had been smeared with oil, suspended in midair, neither up nor down, extremely uncomfortable.
They weren’t masochists, but they clearly understood that if His Majesty didn’t vent his anger now, he would definitely torment them in other ways later.
Some of them were starting to regret putting on a performance in front of His Majesty — His Majesty must have seen through them long ago.
These ducks who had been quacking all morning were now each as quiet as chickens, and if they could, they didn’t even want to make the sound of breathing. A few officials had argued so fiercely earlier that they damaged their throats. They wanted to cough but didn’t dare; their faces turned completely red from holding it in. Some were even worse — their legs were trembling.
Meng Fu didn’t know that her silence was what made them look like they had lost their parents. She was only thinking that if she tormented these ministers into falling ill on her very first day holding court, it would be a great sin.
As for Lord Wei Jun’an, standing in front, his expression was even more unsightly. It looked like if there was even the slightest stir, he would collapse.
Was it really this serious?
Meng Fu couldn’t understand why these officials were showing such pitiful expressions. But she couldn’t let someone actually collapse in the court, so she said to Gao Xi at her side: “My dear subjects have quarreled for half a day, not an easy task. Gao Xi, bring a cup of hot tea for the various lords, to moisten their throats.”
As Meng Fu’s words fell, the Xuanzheng Hall remained silent as a grave. But in the hearts of the ministers, the little devils were all gasping in unison.
Three years. It had been three years since the Emperor ascended the throne, and this was the first time they had tea to drink during morning court!
But why was His Majesty offering them tea? “Moisten the throat” — such words could only fool some simple children whose brains had turned to water or who’d been clamped by a door. If something’s out of the ordinary, there must be something wrong. They had caused such a ruckus this morning — was His Majesty annoyed and had put poison in the tea?
This guess was a bit outrageous, but their Emperor wasn’t incapable of such a thing.
Could it be that this morning court really was a one-way trip?
Many officials had the same thought. Their previously flushed faces instantly turned pale, and if not for their colleagues supporting them, some would have already collapsed onto the floor.
Meng Fu, seeing this, became even more worried. Could these ministers be falling ill at the same time? She added, “Gao Xi, call for the imperial physicians as well.”
Once the officials heard that even the imperial physicians were to be summoned, they panicked even more. Clearly, there must be something wrong with the tea!
About a quarter-hour later, the eunuchs came in from outside carrying the tea. The overly suspicious officials felt that it must have taken so long because something had been done to the tea. Could His Majesty truly have gone mad to this degree?
Everyone picked up their teacups and looked around. Even though they saw a few colleagues, already having accepted death, drink the tea in one gulp and still stand fine afterward, the timid ones — or those who had been particularly loud earlier — still didn’t dare to take a sip. What if His Majesty had only poisoned their cups? Or perhaps it wasn’t poison that would act immediately?
Meng Fu noticed that most officials below the court seemed to be considering their status and were holding the teacups without drinking. Their faces seemed even worse. She really feared something might happen in the Xuanzheng Hall and asked, “Why do my dear subjects not drink?”
Seeing the ministers in such poor condition, she deliberately withdrew the stern expression she had worn all morning and spoke with a much gentler tone. However, those ministers with more suspicious minds felt a jolt in their hearts. Their Majesty had never spoken so gently before. To their ears, this was like a death summons — as if His Majesty was giving them a final ultimatum, warning them not to fail to appreciate kindness.
The hands holding the tea trembled slightly.
Meng Fu added again: “My dear subjects, after drinking your tea, give some thought to whether you still have anything to report today.”
She was thinking that if there was nothing else, then court should be almost over.
But what the officials heard was another layer of meaning: His Majesty wanted them to report… in the underworld?
Performance evaluation was important, yes, but a life — there’s only one of those.
Why not just yield to His Majesty then?
No, no, if they gave in so easily this time, wouldn’t that mean letting His Majesty run wild however he pleased in the future?
Meng Fu saw their faces grow even paler and said: “If you’re feeling unwell, the imperial physicians are outside — my dear subjects may go out and seek a consultation.”
But if they left, would they be able to come back?
They hung their heads low, using the corners of their eyes to glance at their colleagues. They truly didn’t dare drink the tea, and also truly didn’t want to oppose His Majesty anymore. If there had to be an evaluation, then so be it — that was better than losing their lives.
Many officials were just about to yield to His Majesty when Wei Jun’an turned his head and glared at them, and with that glare, forced them back down.
Meng Fu recognized this Elder Lord Wei — many years ago, when her father was still Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor, this elder would often come to the Meng residence to chat with her father. Among all the unfamiliar faces, seeing someone relatively familiar, Meng Fu even felt a bit of warmth, and her tone grew noticeably more gentle. She asked Wei Jun’an: “Why does Lord Wei not drink? Could it be this tea does not suit your taste? Gao Xi, bring Lord Wei another cup of tea.”
When Wei Jun’an heard this, his hand trembled, and he almost flung the teacup out of his grip. His Majesty’s tone — it was truly terrifying.
His Majesty must be furious and really wanted his life.
At that moment, Wei Jun’an was truly afraid — this emperor was even more deranged than he had imagined.
He could disregard the lives of his colleagues, but he could not truly throw away his own life.
He gave in, he cowered — so be it, let him be the grandson. Better that than to die here in the Xuanzheng Hall for nothing.
Sigh, turns out the grandson… was me.
He took a deep breath, set the teacup back on the tray, raised his head, and righteously declared: “Your Majesty, this minister still has a matter to report. Yesterday this humble subject went home and gave it serious thought. What Your Majesty said about performance evaluations is indeed necessary. Not only can it effectively curb the unhealthy trends of loafing officials across court and country, but it can also clean up governance, urge officials to be diligent and thrifty, and make real contributions.”
The officials were a bit surprised that this Lord Wei would be the first to surrender to the emperor. But His Majesty this morning was just too terrifying — Lord Wei doing so wasn’t exactly unreasonable. Meng Fu only replied mildly, “Is that so?” — it was hard to tell if she was pleased or angry.
She actually had no idea what he meant when he talked about kaoji (考绩, performance evaluation), but it sounded pretty good.
Wei Jun’an quickly added: “Yes, Your Majesty. It’s just that implementing this kaoji will be rather complex, involving a vast number of officials. Please allow this humble subject to have the Secretariat draft a plan for Your Majesty to review.”
Since it was the former emperor himself who proposed it, he must have really wanted to push it forward. Meng Fu asked, “How many days until it’s ready?”
“A month…” Seeing that Meng Fu still wore that very kind expression in court, Wei Jun’an quickly changed his tone, “It won’t take that long — it should be ready in half a month.”
“Half a month?” Meng Fu heard that it was this troublesome and thought, wasn’t half a month too rushed?
Wei Jun’an clenched his teeth and said, “If we hurry, it can be done in three days.”
So it turned out she had underestimated these officials’ efficiency. And yet Meng Fu often heard them complain that the previous emperor scolded them for being slow — it seemed His Majesty’s standards were indeed very high.
She nodded and said, “That will do.”
Once they heard her say “that will do,” the officials below court let out a collective breath like survivors of a catastrophe. But today’s grand performance was completely in vain — they had run around all morning, and His Majesty hadn’t said a thing, yet they had already surrendered. Not only had they given in, but they’d even cut off their own escape route.
This move of His Majesty’s was simply too vicious.
“Then, dear subjects, do drink your tea,” Meng Fu said.
The officials were dumbfounded.
We still have to drink the tea!?
In order to avoid drinking that cup of tea, Wei Jun’an quickly resumed explaining in detail the benefits of kaoji to Meng Fu. Seeing that even the Grand Secretary had spoken, the other officials of the Secretariat also had no choice but to voice agreement.
Only then did Meng Fu finally understand what kaoji actually was. For the common people across the land, it was a good thing—only the officials would have to suffer more. For Wei Jun’an to support this matter during court, it clearly showed that he was mindful of the people, compassionate toward all living beings, and unafraid to offend his colleagues. This Lord Wei truly was a loyal subject devoted to the ruler and country.
Having said so much, Meng Fu couldn’t stay silent. She said, “Lord Wei’s thoughts are thorough, and he empathizes with the people. One can say he is most attentive. Lord Wei has worked hard.”
Once these words fell, the eyeballs of the officials below court nearly popped out of their sockets.
Thoughts are thorough? Empathizes with the people? One can say he is most attentive? What were they hearing!? Was this really their cold, ruthless, face-changing-on-a-dime Emperor!? Huh!? Since when could the Emperor praise someone?
Surely the sun rose from the west today?
Since the Emperor’s ascension, they had never once heard her speak a word of praise.
Damn it, why Wei Jun’an? Why him?
Wasn’t it him who first told them not to respond to the Emperor’s proposal on kaoji?
In an instant, pairs upon pairs of envious and jealous eyes turned toward Wei Jun’an.
Wei Jun’an had felt miserable enough talking about kaoji earlier, but now, suddenly receiving His Majesty’s praise, he was momentarily overwhelmed with surprise and joy. His heart pounded wildly, the corners of his mouth lifted uncontrollably, and at the same time he felt a little guilty—what virtue or ability did he have to receive the Emperor’s commendation?
His Majesty actually praised him! Since ascending the throne, the Emperor had granted many rewards, but never spoken praise aloud. For him to be the one to receive such honor—what glory that was, enough to be recorded in the annals of history, a name that would endure for generations!
The more Wei Jun’an thought about it, the more excited he became. Even back when he ranked top of the imperial examination, it hadn’t felt like this. He couldn’t help puffing out his chest and said modestly, “Your Majesty overpraises me. This humble subject is merely doing what little he is capable of. Please rest assured, Your Majesty—this subject will definitely complete the task as soon as possible.”
The colleagues, seeing him like that, grew even more frustrated, and even forgot they were still holding unfinished tea. Damn it! Had they been played by Wei Jun’an? So infuriating! They really wanted to hear the Emperor praise them too. How could they get the Emperor to praise them? (T/N: Like toddlers)
Wei Jun’an, that old fox! He really couldn’t be trusted!
The matter of kaoji was easily resolved, and morning court ended in a harmonious atmosphere. After stepping out of the Xuanzheng Hall, Wei Jun’an had only taken a few steps when someone called from behind:
“Lord Wei, please wait.”
He stopped and turned around to see Gao Xi walking toward him. Wei Jun’an, full of spring breeze, asked cheerfully, “Does Eunuch Gao have any further instructions?”
Gao Xi said, “Just now His Majesty noticed your steps seemed unsteady and specially instructed this servant to escort Lord Wei out of the palace.”
It seemed the Emperor was very pleased with Wei Jun’an’s performance in court—one word of praise wasn’t enough; now even her personal eunuch was sent to accompany him out of the palace.
Wei Jun’an’s pride was practically impossible to conceal. He hadn’t felt this happy in years.
So, His Majesty could care for her officials like this too—especially such care, given to him alone. No other colleague received it.
How touching… Wei Jun’an felt like he might cry.
The officials of the Secretariat also felt honored by association. Their postures as they walked became noticeably straighter. But as for the other colleagues—upon hearing this, the looks they gave Wei Jun’an were as if they could shoot fire from their eyes. They only hated that they hadn’t been the first to suggest kaoji in court.
This must be a conspiracy between Wei Jun’an and the Secretariat!
Too sneaky!
Wei Jun’an, upon leaving, glanced at his colleagues. Seeing the murderous gleam in their eyes one by one, he shook his head and thought with a sigh:
Men really do look ugly when they’re jealous.
Hi, when would be the next update ?