Chapter 1274: Fierce Debate! (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

King Song glanced at Wang Chong, a ripple of emotion in his eyes.

”Your intuition isn't bad. I sent people to Jiangnan to investigate and learned that He Qingrong's mother doesn't have any sort of serious illness. She just has a minor cold, and together with her longing to see her son and the persuasions of some of the people in her village, this cold turned into a serious illness.”

Wang Chong creased his brow upon hearing this. This matter was far more complicated than he had imagined. If He Qingrong's mother missed her son, He Qingrong was completely capable of requesting a vacation to see his parents, whether for two months or even more. It was clear that someone was making use of this matter.

Clunk!

At this time, the carriage suddenly stopped, finally arriving in front of the Taihe Gate. Beyond it was the Taihe Palace. Wang Chong and King Song both came back to their senses. Adjusting their expressions, they walked out of the carriage together.

”Let's go inside first! When the time comes, we'll act according to the situation. No matter what, we have to recommend another official to supervise the irrigation project while also allowing He Qingrong to go home and see his parents!” King Song said.

Wang Chong grunted in affirmation and nodded. What King Song had said was exactly what he had in mind.

Taihe Palace loomed high in the sky, and the pair ascended the long stairs of white jade toward it.

Within Taihe Palace, all the officials had gathered.

Buzz!

As Wang Chong and King Song entered the hall together, there was a buzzing within as countless eyes turned to stare at the red-robed King of Foreign Lands.

”It's him!”

”Something is going to happen today!”

The eyes gazing at the stern Wang Chong were brimming with apprehension. Although Wang Chong had started as a general, the events around the 'dissolving of the prefectural armies' and Zhang Chaoshu had taught everyone just how formidable Wang Chong was. Although he had not attended court in some time, he still wielded enormous influence.

”The King of Foreign Lands!”

Beacon General Jiang Yunrang and the other generals were overjoyed to see Wang Chong.

”Mm.”

Wang Chong nodded, greeting these generals, and then his eyes quickly turned elsewhere.

Wang Chong swiftly noticed King Qi standing next to a coiling dragon pillar, his arms crossed. When Wang Chong looked over at him, King Qi was also looking at Wang Chong. Suddenly, King Qi's lips curled into a cold smile while a hint of smugness appeared in his eyes.

A cloud of worry appeared on Wang Chong's brow. But before Wang Chong could start any trouble, King Qi turned away and looked toward the hall's raised platform. He half-closed his eyes and pretended that he was too lazy to worry about Wang Chong.

”Hmph!”

Wang Chong also put him aside and turned his eyes elsewhere. The structure of the civil and military officials in the court had not changed. Ever since King Song had been made co-regent, he had rejected many of the proposals made by the civil officials targeting the generals.

However, as his eyes passed over the unfamiliar officials the Confucian Sect had installed in the court, though those faces remained emotionless, Wang Chong felt like they were somehow different from how they were before. But he also could not rule out that he was just seeing things.

His gaze continued onward toward the spacious sandalwood chair on the upper right, where he spotted yet another familiar figure.

Ever since he had almost fallen unconscious from the rage of being rebuked by Wang Chong, the Grand Preceptor had been absent from the Imperial Court. But today, he had reappeared once more. He sat on his chair, which had its back to Wang Chong. He appeared to be taking a nap, clearly pretending to ignore Wang Chong.

Buzz!

Wang Chong's brow rose upon seeing the Grand Preceptor's back. The Grand Preceptor was extremely proud, and after being utterly humiliated by Wang Chong, he had been too ashamed to appear in court. Unless there was something special happening, he would have never appeared to occupy the same hall as Wang Chong.

Is it for He Qingrong? Wang Chong quietly said to himself. But Wang Chong felt, deep inside, that this matter was not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

Wang Chong suppressed the unease in his heart and turned his gaze to Bright Minister He Qingrong, and then he looked to the left, where the leader of the officials, Prime Minister Li Linfu, stood. At this moment, he heard a high-pitched voice in his ear.

”The First Prince has arrived!”