Vol 10 Chapter 8 (1/2)

Chapter 8

VOLUME 10 CHAPTER 8: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE CALM AFTER THE BATTLE OF FAN CITY (8)

Meng De POV

(The troops are coming back! The troops are coming back!)

Court was now in session and we had not gotten through many items on our agenda before I could hear the ministers and officials gossiping away. I do not know what they are discussing or how this news had spread but they really like to talk about things that are about to but have not yet taken place. Their voices are not loud but the palace hall is not small and the echoes are loud and greatly irritated me as I read out the items to the little boy who was sitting in front of me.

(I heard they lost badly.)

(Only 10% of the troops survived, it seems.)

I ignored them but their gossip was endless and continued on and on which was truly vexing. By now, I could tell what they were talking about and stopped talking as I turned back to look at them. I really do not care what they talk about in their private discussions but Court is in session and they are being very disruptive.

(I wonder what they were doing to have lost this badly.)

(They had so many troops that they could have just taken the city if they charged out at the enemy.)

(Un…)

Even after I stopped for a while, their gossip continued with no end, further infuriating me. Everyone had already heard this news a few days ago yet why are they still discussing it as if they just heard it today? I do have to admit here that part of the reason for my irritation is because of the loss yet I cannot possibly try to silence them publicly as this would be far too rude and improper.

(Kuh…)

Ben Chu, who sat beside me, was very unhappy as well and was muttering under her breath as she frowned. I looked at her and saw that she was staring at the floor with a very dark expression.

“Ben Chu, it’s fine. Calm down.” I said as I patted her thighs.

“Un…” Ben Chu grunted as she balled her fists. Her expression did not change in the least but it looks like I have put a lid on her anger for now. That is for the best as no one wants to start a fight in Court after all.

And just as I was feeling relieved, light footsteps came from outside the palace hall.

“Report!! I have an urgent letter!”

Ben Chu and I did not turn when the yell came but we were in the minority as everyone else did so.

“Hu,” I sighed and got up as I swung my sleeve, “Enter.”

A man in long, white robes answered and came running in. Before he came before me, the entire Court seemed to explode in gossip. I looked at them and saw them discussing various things like my generals or Ben Chu’s generals with their neighbours as though they were concerned patriots. Some of them noticed my gaze and would promptly shut up but most of them did not even look at me.

I took 2-3 steps back and stood beside Ben Chu as I whispered, “Please watch yourself, Ben Chu.”

To be honest, I might be even more infuriated and unstable than her right now. I really do not understand why they have to send a letter to me every time they go through a Pa.s.s when everyone knew about this already. The past few days, letters have been coming in everyday to report that Li Dian and Cao Ren had pa.s.sed through so-and-so Pa.s.s from the Pa.s.s generals and not Li Dian and Cao Ren who only sent 1 letter which reached me the day before yesterday.

“Imperial Chancellor.” He greeted me as he came closer. He looked haggard and was drenched in sweat as he reached behind and searched through his rucksack for a long while as I waited awkwardly with my hand outstretched towards him.

I already knew what the contents of the letter was but it was still an ordeal