Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 553 - Three Hundred and Fifty-Three: Murder

Chapter 553: Chapter Three Hundred and Fifty-Three: Murder

The ranks of civil and military officials stood in clear lines, and at that moment, silence befell the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with only the undulating and gentle voice echoing within.

As the reverberating sound faded away, one could hear a pin drop in the great hall.

However, more than reverence, behind this silence in the hall was actually astonishment and confusion.

His Majesty had not attended court for over a decade, and during these years, the court was turbulent, with fierce struggles ensuing.

The high-ranking officials of the five offices and six ministries, as well as the nobles and royal in-laws, had all experienced ups and downs. Apart from the few constant presences in court, many officials had not even seen the Emperor’s face.

Why was he suddenly holding court now?

But as curious as they were, the officials who were qualified to discuss matters in the hall were basically those who had mastered the skill of political savvy to the fullest.

While glimpsing only a part might not reveal the whole picture, they at least had an idea.

The Emperor’s sudden appearance in court after such a long time certainly held deep significance. First, they rendered the national salute to Minister Xu, then opened the Wumen Gate to welcome him, and finally, considering the advice General Huaiyuan just presented...

There were no discussions, nor were there whispers, but glances were exchanged.

Colleagues and allies looked into each other’s eyes, seeing meaningful deepness.

Some took pleasure in the misfortune of others, gazing down at the Crown Prince behind the short horned table.

Some were full of worries.

Some were indifferent to the situation, keeping themselves aloof.

Compared to the various expressions of the officials below, Li Yucheng, seated behind the horned table, was inscrutable, even showing a trace of joy in his eyes.

In the silent hall, Li Yucheng stood up from behind the desk, straightened his robe, then moved to the front of the ranks of the nobility to await the arrival of his imperial father.

Suddenly,

"Snap! Snap! Snap!"

Three sounds of the ceremonial whip came from behind the screen, signaling respect.

Rustling—

The Crown Prince led the way, with officials in the hall all kneeling down.

"Da...."

"Da...."

"Da...."

Red walls and green tiles, imposing pillars, white jade railings touching the ground.

In the muted hall, reverent and solemn, all officials kneeled in silence, no one spoke out, nor lifted their heads, only a set of slow footsteps echoed.

Eventually,

The footsteps stopped in front of the golden throne.

He didn’t follow the ceremonial procession of the Dayan ritual but stood alone in the hall,

Li Yaoxuan’s turbid and indifferent gaze swept over the ministers below, finally resting on the one standing in the Black Dragon Robe below.

"...."

Their gazes collided for an instant beneath the Hall of Supreme Harmony,

Li Yaoxuan’s eyes revealed a hint of amusement, his lips slightly curving:

"How is it, you don’t salute?"

Hearing this, Xu Yinhè lowered his gaze and did not respond but instead cupped a fist in the other hand as a gesture of respect.

Seeing this, Li Yaoxuan shook his head disinterestedly and leaned back to sit upon the golden throne.

As he sat, the slight cough of the censor inspecting attendance sounded.

"Our Emperor, may you live forever and ever!"

"Our Emperor, may you live forever and ever!"

The kneeling civil and military officials cried out in unison. When their voices reached the courtyard outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the many officials attending court and the Imperial Guards wielding swords all knelt and chanted.

The mountainous cheers for longevity echoed to the skies!

Leaning on the dragon throne, Li Yaoxuan looked down at the familiar yet strange scene below and found that he had almost forgotten what it felt like to sit upon this throne.

When was it that his hands, now covered in wrinkles, had last carefully caressed the unchanged carvings of the dragon throne?

Li Yaoxuan suddenly laughed, looking down at the middle-aged man standing below with a somewhat nostalgic gaze:

"Approaching dusk, I...suddenly miss the times when we stood together below in this hall, walking on thin ice, every step with trepidation."

"....."

Upon hearing the whispered message and slowly raising his eyes, Xu Yinhè looked at the once vigorous young man, now showing signs of late age, with a complex expression.

After a moment of silence,

Xu Yinhè sighed gently:

"Your servant misses it too."

Hearing the reply, Li Yaoxuan’s aged face broke into a smile:

"Miss it? If we were to do it over again, I would not let you gain so much influence."

Xu Yinhè shook his head, didn’t respond further, but reminded:

"Your Majesty, your presence in this court is undoubtedly not for reminiscing with your servant, but to preside over state affairs."

Li Yaoxuan’s hand, which had been stroking the dragon throne, paused slightly, his eyes clearing momentarily as he gave the other man a profound look, then stated loudly:

"All my noble officials, rise."

His voice was sonorous and strong, resonating throughout the palace, showing no signs of decline.

Rustling—

After the civil and military officials stood up, Li Yaoxuan glanced at the Crown Prince standing at the head of the nobles, speaking indifferently:

"Yucheng, you’ve worked hard these years while I confined myself to the palace."

Upon hearing this, Li Yucheng immediately stepped aside and bowed with impeccable propriety, replying:

"Father, it is my duty to share your worries."

Li Yaoxuan, leaning on the throne, looked down at his eldest son below with an ambiguous chuckle:

"Very good indeed."

With that, he raised a finger, pointing to the short horned table below the steps:

"Why stand? Take your seat."

"...."

Li Yucheng’s eyes faltered slightly, his voice hesitant:

"Father, you....."

Li Yaoxuan’s aged face broke into a smile:

"I am weary of state affairs, with no intention of dealing with them, just here to have a look. Carry on."

Having said this, Li Yaoxuan no longer paid attention to the hesitation in the Crown Prince’s eyes and asked the chief eunuch in charge of the palace:

"Ming You, what was the matter under discussion just before?"

The palace eunuch wearing the python robe promptly bowed:

"Answer to Your Majesty, General Huaiyuan was just offering counsel on behalf of the Second Prince to command troops."

"Oh?"

Li Yaoxuan’s drooping eyelids lifted slightly: "Does my royal son not know that after establishing his own mansion, he is forbidden to command troops? This... is a grave taboo."