diskusbooks Chapter 155: Women’s Love for the Country (8)
Chapter 155: Women’s Love for the Country (8)
After three months of lying in state, the late emperor was buried in the imperial mausoleum. Today was the first grand court meeting after Murong Cheng officially ascended the throne.
Liu Shu was a general of high rank appointed by the late emperor himself. Now that she had returned to the capital, it was natural for her to attend the court.
As the sun rose, Liu Shu, dressed in a blue official robe, stood in the front row among a group of elderly white-bearded men in the magnificent Golden Throne Hall, standing out particularly.
There has never been a woman serving as an official in Ye Dynasty since its founding. Liu Shu is the first woman to stand in this hall. Looking at Liu Shu's figure, everyone has different feelings.
Before, Liu Shu was at the border and did not appear in the hall, so everyone subconsciously ignored it.
Now Liu Shu suddenly appeared in the hall, just like a sheep suddenly straying into a pack of gray wolves, and many people felt a little uncomfortable.
However, on the surface, everyone seemed to be very well-mannered. Except for a few stubborn and old-fashioned censors who glared at Liu Shu with unpleasant expressions, nothing could be seen on other people's faces.
The Duke of Zhenguo even stroked his beard and greeted Liu Shu with a smile, as if he didn't care at all about Pei Xuan and Madam Pei humiliating her.
Don't hit someone who smiles at you. Liu Shu nodded to the Duke of Zhenguo.
In official circles, people don’t care about face, only interests. You may fight to the death today, but become as close as a family tomorrow.
Liu Shu also knew that the reason why the Duke of Zhenguo was so calm was not because he was so open-minded, but because he knew that Liu Shu would not be able to stay in the court for long. When His Majesty got married, Liu Shu would sooner or later enter His Majesty's harem.
The Duke of Zhenguo's good attitude actually meant that he did not take Liu Shu seriously.
Others had almost the same idea as the Duke of Zhenguo.
So it was rare that Liu Shu, as a woman, stood in the court and no one made things difficult for her.
Liu Shu was not afraid of the eyes of the crowd and stood calmly in her position.
She knew what these people were thinking.
But they will be disappointed, because she will not only appear here, but also sit on it.
I just hope they can accept it as well as they do now.
When the time came, Murong Cheng came out from the side hall wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, walked to the dragon throne and sat down.
The eunuch standing next to the dragon throne shouted loudly.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
"Long live my emperor! Long live!"
Liu Shu followed the crowd and knelt down to pay her respects.
This was the first grand court meeting after Murong Cheng ascended the throne.
Not much discussion was given to serious matters. The focus was mainly on some arrangements made by Murong Cheng regarding some matters concerning the previous emperor after he ascended the throne.
Liu Shu had been in charge of the imperial court before, and she quickly realized that, on the surface, everyone was discussing the arrangements for those who had been with the previous emperor, but in reality, it was a test of Murong Cheng by the court officials.
To put it bluntly, these people just wanted to see whether Murong Cheng was easy to control.
The imperial decree to confer the title of queen on Murong Cheng was still effective. At least the Duke of Zhenguo and the forces behind him still supported him. In the end, Murong Cheng had a slight upper hand.
This court meeting itself was a test between the emperor and his ministers, and it was adjourned in less than an hour.
Liu Shu just watched quietly, without saying a word, remaining silent the whole time.
After the court was dismissed, Liu Shu had just stepped out of the hall when a eunuch called her with a smile.
"General Liu, His Majesty has summoned you to the Imperial Study to discuss matters."
The Duke of Zhenguo looked at Liu Shu leaving with the eunuch beside His Majesty, and smiled imperceptibly.
An imperial censor over there saw Liu Shu leaving, a disdainful smile appeared on his face, and he stroked his beard and commented righteously.
"Since ancient times, men have been in charge of the outside world and women are in charge of the inside world. A mere woman actually stood in the court. It's really like a rooster crowing at dawn. It's so rude."
Someone advised, "Alas, everyone knows the relationship between General Liu and His Majesty. Censor Hu, there is no need to worry. After His Majesty's wedding, the court will naturally return to normal."
Dali's Junior Secretary Xiao Hanfeng was walking behind. Hearing these people belittling Liu Shu, he couldn't help but frown and said something with some displeasure.
"Sir Hu, when the border city was in danger, you should have been sent to guard the border. Sir Hu is so eloquent, I think as long as you open your mouth, you will definitely make the Hu people surrender without a fight, lay down their weapons and submit to our dynasty from now on."
When Censor Hu heard these sarcastic words, his face suddenly turned red. He turned around angrily to see who was so blind as to speak to him in such a sarcastic way.
But when he turned around, he met Xiao Hanfeng's icy face. He swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth, shook his sleeves, and walked away dejectedly.
Everyone in the court knew that Xiao Hanfeng was a killing god, and his mouth was as poisonous as arsenic.
He once scolded an imperial censor in the court until he vomited blood, and became famous from then on.
But he is the eldest princess's son, powerful, sharp-tongued and stubborn.
You can’t mess with people like this! You can’t mess with them!
Xiao Hanfeng looked at Censor Hu's fleeing back and snorted coldly.
When the border was in crisis, the court was still arguing over the appointment of a crown prince. No one wanted to go to the border, and in the end a woman had to be left outside. How dare you say this here today?
Why do they look down on General Liu? So what if General Liu is a woman? She is countless times better than those of them who do nothing but gossip and nag everywhere.
Humph, shameless gossip!
Liu Shu came to the imperial study. The eunuch stood at the door. He waved his whisk and gestured for her to come in, but did not follow her in.
Liu Shu stepped into the hall, and with a creaking sound, the door was slowly closed behind her.
"Ah Shu."
Liu Shu looked up and saw Murong Cheng had already walked to her side, his dark eyes full of affection.
She lowered her eyelids and clasped her hands together, ready to salute.
"Your humble servant pays respect to His Majesty"
His knees were slightly bent, and Murong Cheng supported him with his arms.
"Ah Shu, there are no outsiders here. There is no need for such courtesy between you and me."
Liu Shu stood up, took a step back, broke free from his hand, and looked at her calmly.
"The present is different from the past. Your Majesty is no longer the Seventh Prince. Etiquette cannot be abolished."
Looking at Liu Shu's calm eyes, Murong Cheng suddenly clenched his fists and felt a little flustered.
"Ah Shu, are you angry with me?"
Liu Shu didn't say anything, just looked at him coldly.
It is said that power is the best tonic for men, and this is true.
In the past, Murong Cheng was not favored by the previous emperor. After Concubine De had her own child, she deliberately suppressed him. Having seen the ups and downs of the harem, Murong Cheng developed an indifferent and serious personality.
Today, Murong Cheng is wearing a dragon robe and looks majestic. He is no longer as self-abased and cold as before.
The person is still the same person, but the temperament has changed a lot.
"Ah Shu, I know I'm sorry for you, but I also have my own difficulties. I have no foundation in the court. If I want to take power, I must win over some people to support me.
Ah Shu, believe me, I only have you in my heart. When I take control of the power, I will definitely give you what you want. "Murong Cheng looked at Liu Shu seriously and promised.