TLT:TB-HGDL Arc 3 Chapter 168: Scheming Lord, Cooperate a Bit (55)
Arc 3 Chapter 168: Scheming Lord, Cooperate a Bit (55)
"Attend the court!"
The shrill voice of a eunuch echoed as the rooster crowed and the young emperor clumsily sat on the dragon throne.
Weichi Che's eyes fixed on the empty space behind the emerald beaded curtains, was seething with anger.
It seemed that some people had grown tired of living, thinking that sitting in this position for a while meant they were in control of the world.
"All ministers with matters to report, those without, leave the court!"
Several senior officials raised their plaques ready to report various incidents from their regions but they shrank back when they saw Weichi Che's piercingcold gaze.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report." Weichi Che said lounging back lazily on a chair nearly as large as the dragon throne with one hand propped against a bag.
The young emperor avoided his gaze, hesitating.
His mother had instructed him not to agree to anything Weichi Che proposed regardless of the circumstances. But Weichi Che was fierce and in front of civil and military officials, he would publicly chastise the emperor without any consideration for his dignity.
How could the young emperor go against his wishes?
If he didn't fulfill his mother's orders he would be punished. She had said he couldn't eat for a day and must kneel for several hours.
The young emperor clenched his mouth tightly his expression full of conflict. Ultimately, he hesitated and said "General Weichi, please proceed."
"Father-in-law!"
"However, Mother said..."
"Your Majesty, I am requesting you right now!" Weichi Che's voice suddenly turned icy and he rose abruptly, taking imposing steps toward the dragon throne.
"General Weichi..." The young emperor shrank back on the throne trembling, avoiding eye contact with the man exuding a murderous aura. "I grant permission for you to marry the eldest daughter of Marquis of An Yong..."
"Good." Weichi Che concealed his aura, then turned to the civil and military officials. "Since there are no further matters to discuss today you may adjourn."
"Yes!"
The officials didn't wait for the young emperor to give his order and quickly knelt down expressing their submission.
Weichi Che ignored everyone present and walked out of the hall.
Just as everyone thought they could breathe a sigh of relief, Weichi Che unexpectedly stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked at the young emperor with a smile that wasn't really a smile.
"In the future, women from outside the harem should not appear in the palace."
"What?"
People exclaimed shocked by his statement.
"But the palace outside the harem is so large. If there are no palace maids, who will manage it?"
"The emperor is still young there's no need for so many imperial consorts. Dismiss them and it can save a considerable amount from the treasury." Weichi Che said with a resolute tone that brooked no argument.
The reasons he stated also made it difficult for the officials to counter.
The previous emperor had been weak, constantly invaded by foreign enemies and had no choice but to make tributes for peace.
Even though Weichi Che had protected the borders, the country's treasury had been further depleted due to years of warfare.
In recent years the Empress Dowager's extravagant lifestyle in the harem had only made things worse.
The officials nodded in agreement feeling that Weichi Che wasn't entirely a treacherous minister as there were some merits to his ideas.
However what he said next left everyone wanting to denounce his absurdity.
"My wife said that she dislikes me looking at other women so it's best for the women in the palace not to appear in front of me. If they provoke my wife and make her angry, I'm afraid I might do something improper in the court."
Comments
Post a Comment