Chapter 1263: Argument (1)

Little Bear and Little Treasure had discussed privately countless times how to build Great Qi in the future, so they opened their mouths, ready to reply immediately. Unexpectedly, an old minister came out and said in a low voice, “Your Highness, there’s no need to say such major issues of principle as prioritizing the people. What we want is practicality. Since you mentioned before that you want to change the official system, tell us how you want to change it. What do you think we, as officials, should do to ensure that Great Qi doesn’t perish!”

Rong Xuan couldn’t stand them bullying a child, so he immediately said in his deep voice, “How dare you demand answers from a child a question that we can’t figure out even after decades of being officials?”

“Your Excellency Left Prime Minister’s words are incorrect. Even though we can’t come up with any suggestions, but we work diligently and never disregard the requests of His Majesty. However, the Prince slandered us as officials of a fallen country. I am bitterly disappointed!” The old official who stepped forward cried as he spoke. He directly lifted his robe and knelt on the ground. “Your Majesty, the Prince is only 14 or 15 years old, yet he dares to boast shamelessly and request for a change in the system. That’s fine. But when the other courtiers disagreed with him, he called us officials of a fallen country. I don’t dare to accept such slander!”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a commotion below.

Little Bear’s face flushed red as he retorted sarcastically, “If you’re still alive two to three hundred years later, you’ll naturally be officials of a fallen country.”

He only said that if they refused to change, Great Qi would fall in 200 to 300 years, and people like them who wouldn’t change for the sake of their own interests would become officials of a fallen country. When did he say that it was them?

The key is, would they still be alive by then?

“Your Highness, you’re quibbling. Aren’t ‘people like us’ us?”

Little Bear almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Seeing that they were becoming more and more off-topic, Yan Du couldn’t help but steer them back towards the original topic. “His Highness still hasn’t told us how he plans to change the official system?”

This time, even Qi Xiuyuan couldn’t help but glare at him for adding fuel to the fire at such a time. Didn’t he know that the fire was getting stronger and stronger? Originally, he could have flicked his sleeves and left the court after they quarreled like this, and things would have been over.

Alas, Yan Du brought everyone back to the topic. Fine, he couldn’t flick his sleeves and leave now.

Indeed, as soon as Yan Du spoke, the others’ attention was brought back to the topic. Hence, everyone stopped arguing and waited for Qi Haoran to answer. Everyone felt that he could give an answer.

In fact, Little Bear couldn’t answer either, but he wasn’t ashamed at all. He said directly, “I may not know how to change the official system, but my mother does!”

The courtiers immediately scoffed at this. This was even more nonsensical than Qi Wenjin himself knowing.

Qi Xiuyuan and Rong Xuan looked at each other. Others might not know, but how could they not know?

It was really possible that Ah Ling had taught Little Bear these.

Qi Xiuyuan originally wanted to think of a way to let this matter go, but who knew that the courtiers seemed to have grasped Little Bear’s shortcomings and were so excited that they refused to let go. They insisted that he tell everyone how the official system should be reformed.

Little Bear said confidently, “My mother hasn’t told me everything yet. After I go home and ask her, I’ll naturally be able to tell you.”

Of course, the courtiers did not believe him. If they let him go now, it was still unknown if they would be able to see him tomorrow. And even if he did show up tomorrow, they might not be able to bring up the topic again. Wouldn’t they have suffered the humiliation for nothing today?

Hence, no one was willing to let him go. There were even a few people who tried to persuade him. “Your Highness, just admit it honestly if you can’t think of anything. Why push the blame to your mother? That’s so unfilial. If King Rong comes back and finds out, he’ll get mad.”

There were also people who were not afraid of adding fuel to the fire and shouted, “Since Queen Consort Rong is the one who suggested it, why don’t you call her over and let her tell us in person?”

As soon as he said this, the courtiers behind him pulled him back and whispered, “Are you tired of living? It’s fine if you bully Qi Wenjin since he was in the wrong first. When King Rong comes back, he can only turn a blind eye and let this matter rest. Are you tired of living to drag Queen Consort Rong into this?”

When that official thought of how much King Rong doted on his wife, he instantly felt a chill in his heart and did not dare to say anything else.

However, the high and mighty Qi Xiuyuan had heard his words. After exchanging glances with Rong Xuan, he looked at Little Bear, who was standing in the middle and sticking to his stand, and his son, who had already run to Little Bear’s side to show his support. Qi Xiuyuan said decisively, “Since my beloved ministers have such a request, I will summon Queen Consort Rong to court.”

The Imperial Court fell silent again. Yan Du was also silent for a long time. In the end, he said, “Your Majesty, I’m afraid this is inappropriate. The women in the harem are not allowed to govern…”

“Queen Consort Rong isn’t a member of the harem.” Qi Xiuyuan waved his hand and said, “Moreover, she’s different from ordinary women. Everyone knows that she once followed King Rong to war and even made outstanding military achievements. Not to mention attending a court meeting, she can even be a female general.”

Rong Xuan continued with a smile, “It’s a pity that Great Qi doesn’t have a female official like Emperor Shizong’s era. Otherwise, Queen Consort Rong would have a place in the court.”

As soon as he said that, the ministers who were about to object were instantly speechless. That’s right. In the previous dynasty, during Emperor Shizong’s reign, there were women and men serving as officials in the same court. It didn’t seem like there was anything wrong with Queen Consort Rong only attending a court meeting to defend herself.

Seeing that no one else objected, Qi Xiuyuan immediately got someone to leave the palace to summon her. Then, he ordered someone to set up tables.

What was supposed to be a two-hour morning court assembly dragged way beyond that. Not only was the Emperor hungry, but the courtiers below were also famished.

They figured there was no way this morning court assembly would end before noon. In that case, they should eat something to relax and calm down while waiting for Queen Consort Rong’s arrival.

Qi Xiuyuan was a good Emperor who was considerate towards his subordinates. He would never admit that he was doing this to help his sister-in-law. He had to improve the mood of the ministers first so that they would show mercy towards her later.

The courtiers did not know what the Emperor was thinking. When they saw that the Emperor had granted them a seat and food, they immediately thanked him gratefully.

After standing for nearly two hours, everyone’s legs were sore. They had come out in a hurry in the morning and had not even eaten breakfast. Therefore, now that they could enjoy tea and snacks while sitting and chatting, they felt extremely blissful.

The moment Mu Yangling arrived outside the hall, she saw such a happy and harmonious scene. She blinked and glanced around the hall. She then saw Little Bear sitting at the side with Little Treasure. Seeing that he was burying his head in his food, she couldn’t help but frown. Didn’t the eunuch who came to pass the decree say that Little Bear was bullied badly?

Why did it not look like it at all?

Mu Yangling stood outside the door with her head lowered. The eunuch had already reported her arrival loudly. Qi Xiuyuan, who was in the hall, immediately chuckled and said, “Invite Queen Consort Rong in.”

The ministers who were still chatting and laughing in the hall were stunned. They felt that this wasn’t in accordance with protocol. Shouldn’t the guards immediately report loudly when Queen Consort Rong arrived at the front hall?

Why did they only announce her arrival after she passed the stairs and arrived in the main hall?

Moreover, it was announced by an eunuch?

Qi Xiuyuan did not care what they were thinking. The entire palace belonged to him, so he naturally had the final say in the rules. He only hoped that Ah Ling would be smart and not give the ministers time to react. Hopefully, she could take Little Bear and Little Treasure away as quickly as possible. Little Bear’s mouth was as foul as Haoran’s, causing trouble whenever he opened his mouth!

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