Chapter 54

At dawn, Eunuch Xiao Zhuo saw that the time was about right, so he gently knocked on the door and then led the serving palace staff inside. His Highness the Prince of Rui slept soundly and was a heavy sleeper, so waking him up this early in the morning was truly a chore. Fortunately, His Highness the Prince of Rui was magnanimous and never took his anger out on the palace staff, so it was still manageable.

Just as the lamps were lit, Eunuch Xiao Zhuo and the palace staff were all taken aback for a moment. They saw His Highness the Prince of Rui sitting on the arhat bed, his expression impassive. Hearing the sound, he looked at them coldly. Eunuch Xiao Zhuo and the palace staff immediately bowed and offered greetings. Eunuch Xiao Zhuo didn't even dare to breathe too loudly, his mind racing, 'Did I offend His Highness somewhere, or did something make him unhappy?'

In the past, he hadn't thought much of it, but looking now, he could only say that His Highness the Prince of Rui was indeed the Emperor's full-blooded brother. This cold, unsmiling expression was practically cast from the same mold as the Emperor's.

Ji Weiqiu hadn't slept all night. When he saw Xiao Zhuo bowing, he came back to his senses and said, "Rise."

Eunuch Xiao Zhuo finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that Ji Weiqiu was still in his inner clothes with only an outer robe draped over them, he said, "This servant will help you dress."

Ji Weiqiu stood up, holding his arms out for Xiao Zhuo to serve him, while saying, "In a moment, take my handwritten order, leave the palace, and go to the Prince of Rui's Manor. Tell Xingbo to come see me."

Eunuch Xiao Zhuo obediently acknowledged the order, but he was somewhat surprised. 'His Highness has been living in Qingning Hall for two or three months and has never ordered anyone to leave the palace on an errand. What's happening today? However, being assigned a task by His Highness must mean I hold a certain weight in his heart.'

According to his disposition, he would have wanted to inquire about the matter—not for any other reason, but if he could also handle it, wouldn't he be held in even higher regard by His Highness?

After fastening the last jade pendant on his belt, Ji Weiqiu walked out of the hall. The sky outside was still dark. In the past, Ji Weiqiu always walked with Ji Su, sometimes even making Ji Su wait for him, but today, he had left so much earlier. The palace staff saw that he had no intention of waiting for Ji Su and hurriedly came forward with lanterns to light the way, leading Ji Weiqiu towards Taihe Hall.

Upon arriving at Taihe Hall, the palace staff, as usual, set up a table and chair for Ji Weiqiu, inviting him to have breakfast. Ji Weiqiu didn't refuse and began to eat slowly. The palace staff were very tactful, mostly serving bite-sized pastries so as not to stain his court robes.

Prime Minister Gu entered, and the court officials who had already arrived all bowed. Prime Minister Gu was a bit surprised to see that Ji Weiqiu had already arrived, but he still greeted him with a smile, "This subject pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Rui."

Ji Weiqiu gave a slight nod. He really wasn't in the mood, so this was considered a fulfillment of the etiquette. Prime Minister Gu was somewhat surprised and wondered, 'Who provoked this Prince? Why is he pulling such a long face so early in the morning?'—Usually, Ji Weiqiu was also expressionless during court sessions, with a cold face as if someone owed him eight million taels of silver, but Prime Minister Gu could still distinguish between being sleepy and being in a bad mood.

His Highness the Prince of Rui lives in the palace. 'Did he have a dispute with the Empress Dowager? Or perhaps the Emperor?'

Prime Minister Gu smiled faintly and did not ask.

A short while later, Zhou Ruhui also arrived. He was born with an expressionless face, and having spent years on the border, his murderous aura made many ministers tremble with fear. In addition, civil and military officials had to avoid showing familiarity, so the crowd of officials just nodded in acknowledgment and left it at that.

Zhou Ruhui's gaze shifted slightly, and he saw Ji Weiqiu. Seeing that he seemed focused on his breakfast, he stood still and did not approach to offer greetings.

All the smart people knew that the Prince of Rui was likely displeased, and it was best not to approach and ask for trouble. Although he was usually very easy to get along with, polite and courteous in his dealings with others, this man held the conspicuous position of a Grand Secretary and was the only Prince of the imperial family. If he truly lost his temper, he would be difficult to deal with. Whether one was in the right or wrong, they would have to suffer in silence.

But there was always someone who lacked such perception, or rather, couldn't be bothered to have it. Prime Minister Wang strode into the hall, saw Ji Weiqiu, and snorted coldly, saying, "Absurd."

The voice was not soft, and many court officials heard it, but they pretended not to. In the past, Ji Weiqiu might have heard it and just laughed it off, but today, he couldn't be bothered to tolerate him. He said faintly, "Prime Minister Wang, who are you talking about? Who is committing absurd acts here in Taihe Hall? How about this Prince expels him from the hall for you?"

Prime Minister Wang clasped one hand behind his back and said rather arrogantly, "Does the Prince not know who is being absurd?"

"I really don't." Ji Weiqiu scoffed and said, "Prime Minister Wang has been an official for many years and has developed a pair of fiery, golden eyes. Why don't you point him out for this Prince?"

Seeing this, the officials all held their breath in concentration. 'What's happening today? The morning court session hasn't even started, yet tensions are already high? What happened? Let's listen.'

Prime Minister Wang's expression turned cold. He clasped his hands towards the heavens in a distant gesture of respect and said, "Taihe Hall is a place for the Emperor and his court officials to discuss matters of state. It is incomparably solemn. For the Prince to dine here is disrespectful to the Emperor! It is disrespectful to the past ancestors of my Nanzhu!"

Ji Weiqiu actually laughed when he heard this. He crossed his legs, appearing completely at ease, clearly not taking it to heart at all. "According to Prime Minister Wang's logic, when Imperial Elder Brother grants a meal, or the Empress Dowager grants tea, is my Imperial Elder Brother also disrespecting the ancestors? Is the Empress Dowager disrespecting the ancestors?"

Prime Minister Wang said, "This subject would not dare! My Nanzhu has its own system of rites. Perhaps the Prince should dine in the rear hall?"

"Prime Minister Wang, you should probably stop saying 'my Nanzhu'. Those words are more fitting coming from this Prince. If the ancestors of my Nanzhu knew that this Prince was being criticized by a subordinate for eating in his own home, they would likely not rest peacefully in the netherworld. To think that the past ancestors of my Nanzhu, a line of capable men, could produce such a disappointing descendant as this Prince!" Ji Weiqiu chuckled lightly. "As for the system of rites? I'm afraid it doesn't count for much in Prime Minister Wang's heart. Prime Minister Wang sees this Prince, yet fails to bow. What system of rites is there to speak of?"

"Guards, Prime Minister Wang has committed a breach of etiquette. Considering his advanced age, bestow upon him five strikes of the cane," Ji Weiqiu said.

Ji Weiqiu didn't deny that he was just venting his anger, but he hadn't picked the wrong person. To be blunt, this was all that old codger's doing. If it weren't for him, he would still be free and unfettered outside the palace! How could he be trapped in the palace, forced to wake up at three in the morning every day, and how could any accident have happened?

As soon as these words were spoken, all the officials were stunned. A court beating? Did I hear that right?! The Prince of Rui wants to have Prime Minister Wang caned?! Zhou Ruhui and Prime Minister Gu were also caught off guard and couldn't help but look at Ji Weiqiu.

The imperial bodyguards immediately stepped forward.

"I am the Second Grand Secretary, I'd like to see who dares!" Prime Minister Wang shouted.

Ji Weiqiu let out a cold laugh. "Drag him out."

Just then, Eunuch Qingxi arrived. He had been on his way to Taihe Hall with the Emperor when he heard the palace staff report that His Highness the Prince of Rui might be displeased and had gone to Taihe Hall early. The Emperor had then instructed him to come ahead and see what was going on. Who would have thought he would walk in to hear His Highness ordering a court beating for Prime Minister Wang!

"Eunuch Qingxi."

"Eunuch Qingxi is here." The officials nodded one after another. This was the chief eunuch before the throne, always by the sovereign's side. Elsewhere, it might not be certain, but in Taihe Hall, this Eunuch Qingxi's every move could almost be seen as the Emperor's will.

Upon entering, Eunuch Qingxi bowed to Ji Weiqiu. Ji Weiqiu raised a hand for him to rise. In the few steps Eunuch Qingxi took upon entering, someone had already told him the gist of the matter. He thanked Ji Weiqiu and said to Prime Minister Wang with a smile, "Your Lordship, Prime Minister Wang, this is where you are in the wrong!"

When the crowd heard this, their hearts settled. As expected, the beating wouldn't happen. Look, he's here to smooth things over. They estimated he would chide both sides and be done with it—the Prince of Rui wanting to have Prime Minister Wang caned was, however you looked at it, outrageous.

Prime Minister Wang's expression relaxed slightly. He turned his head only to hear Eunuch Qingxi shout, "Guards, attend to His Lordship, Prime Minister Wang, for his court beating!"

The officials were all shocked, watching with stunned faces as the imperial bodyguards approached and seized Prime Minister Wang. Prime Minister Wang was also stunned, "You dare!"

Eunuch Qingxi still wore an apologetic smile, but the words he spoke were different: "Prime Minister, a subject is a subject, and a sovereign is a sovereign. Nanzhu governs the country with rites, and these rites absolutely cannot be lost. If you are not convinced, Prime Minister, you may plead your grievances to the Emperor later in court... Take him away!"

The next moment, Prime Minister Wang was forcibly dragged away. Eunuch Qingxi said respectfully to Ji Weiqiu, "Your Highness, please quell your anger."

Muffled sounds of striking came from outside the door. The officials were silent as cicadas in winter. Ji Weiqiu held his teacup; even though Prime Minister Wang was really being beaten, he didn't seem very happy. When Eunuch Qingxi saw this, he thought, 'As expected, he's still unhappy.' He thought it over and over and could only think of the matter from yesterday when the Emperor wanted to send His Highness to Huainan Prefecture—'Could he be unhappy about this? Didn't he already agree?'

'But His Highness is still young, after all. The last time he left Yanjing, he was severely poisoned and it took a long time to recuperate after returning. Now he has to leave Yanjing again, and this time it's to openly investigate corrupt officials. Perhaps he's scared? Is that why he doesn't want to leave the capital?'

With only five strikes of the cane, Prime Minister Wang was soon helped back in by the palace staff. His face was deathly pale, with cold sweat beading on his forehead. The court beating was naturally not too severe; he was the Second Grand Secretary, after all, so who would really dare to strike him heavy-handedly and cause serious injury? But for people like him, as long as the cane actually fell, his face had been thoroughly trampled underfoot.

Ji Weiqiu said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Prime Minister Wang, do you still not know your mistake?"

Prime Minister Wang pushed away the palace staff supporting him, clasped his hands and said, "This subject would not dare."

Ji Weiqiu nodded and turned his head to speak with Eunuch Qingxi, as if beating this Grand Secretary of the court was no different to him than swatting a grasshopper. Prime Minister Wang's face was ashen as he returned to his place in the ranks. Prime Minister Gu shook his head, sighed, and said to him, "Your Lordship, Prime Minister Wang, you have been wronged."

Prime Minister Wang said nothing. Prime Minister Gu and Prime Minister Liu both looked cheerful, as if nothing had happened—since the Prince of Rui entered the court, many people had been reminded to avoid offending him. Neither the Empress Dowager, far away in the deep palace, nor Your Majesty, close by on the throne, could bear to see anyone offend the Prince of Rui.

The Prince of Rui entered the Grand Secretariat, only handled some trivial memorials, and didn't participate much in other official business, looking like just a boy who had yet to shed his childishness—so what? Whether he entered the court or held power, he represented the face of the imperial family. Anyone who dared to make things difficult for him was trampling on the imperial family's dignity!

Not to mention someone like Prime Minister Wang who, relying on his own authority, went out of his way to cause trouble? The Prince of Rui usually didn't bother with him, but that didn't mean he couldn't. Look, isn't he settling the score today? He caught the mistake and ordered the beating without hesitation. Didn't you see that the imperial bodyguards had already entered the hall before Eunuch Qingxi arrived? Even if Qingxi hadn't come, Prime Minister Wang would not have escaped this beating today.

The most brilliant part was that the mistake Prime Minister Wang was caught for was a breach of etiquette. He indeed had not bowed; he had accused the Prince of Rui as soon as he entered. With everyone watching, how could he refute it? Would he tell the Emperor that the Prince of Rui didn't respect his age and wouldn't accept his lesson? That the Prince of Rui didn't tolerate him a little for the sake of his advanced age? If he really dared to say that, he would probably be condemned by all the officials.

What kind of person was he, to dare to pull rank based on seniority in front of the imperial family?

Regardless of how Prime Minister Wang might want to retaliate afterward, he was destined to suffer this public loss.

Three cracks of the whip sounded, and Ji Su entered the hall.