Lately, Zhu Jie had become increasingly unpredictable, dealing with several officials with a single decree. The court grew even more treacherous and murky, and officials who once harbored private ambitions now kept them carefully hidden, focusing entirely on self-preservation. After all, the current Emperor was entirely unreasonable and could easily drag down a high-ranking official with a mere flick of his wrist.
Crying to heaven and earth would save none of them.
Seeing Yang Jingyuan's expression grow gloomier day by day, Yang Yizhi knew the situation was dire, and he no longer bickered with his father. For one thing, having become a father himself, he now understood that helpless feeling; a single word from above meant running your legs off, and trying to balance family and career was absolute fantasy. Perhaps if he could clone himself, he might manage it, but judging by the current state of affairs, he wouldn't have a moment of peace for the next decade. He worked in the Ministry of Rites, a place that cared most about rules; making even the slightest error meant getting chewed out, and a tongue-lashing was the mildest consequence. For another, even he could feel the recent turmoil in the court. Almost every day, someone cried out at the top of their lungs, "Spare my life, Your Majesty!"—screaming until their voices shattered, yet without exception, the Emperor refused to spare them even a passing glance. As Minister of Personnel, his father was responsible for the appo…
Chapter 517