"Oh? What is it that has troubled His Imperial Brother so much? Let me have a look, then." Princess Qingyue took the memorial and read it from beginning to end, her brow furrowing instantly. After pondering for a moment, she looked at the Emperor and said, "Imperial Brother, this matter is truly bizarre. Nothing like this has ever happened in our Zhao Country, and I have not the slightest clue about it," she added with a look of shame.
"It is indeed bizarre, and I have no clue either. We can wait for the Grand Tutor and the Grand General to arrive, and then discuss it together. They are working at the Secretariat, which is not far from here; they should be arriving soon."
Just as he was speaking, Xiaoxizi was seen running through the main gate, dropping to his knees and shouting, "Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor and the Grand General have both arrived and are waiting outside for an audience."
"Quickly invite the Grand Tutor and the Grand General in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A moment later, two men walked through the main gate. One was dressed in official civil attire; his posture was slightly stooped, but he carried an air of refined elegance. His facial features were sharply defined, and his eyes revealed wisdom and majesty, with a profound gaze that seemed capable of penetrating everything. Though his hair and beard were completely white, it did not diminish his vigor in the least; instead, it lent him the otherworldly aura of an immortal. He was none other than the current Emperor's teacher, the Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent, and the Chief Councilor of the Secretariat, Shen Bi.
The other man was dressed in official military attire. His posture was upright and majestic, and his eyes betrayed steadfastness and resolution. He was Chen Xingbang, the Grand General who had weathered countless battles for Zhao Country, achieved glorious military exploits, and remained utterly loyal to the nation. An invisible aura of oppression emanated from him, inspiring involuntary awe. In charge of the Bureau of Military Affairs and commanding all military affairs of Zhao Country, Grand General Chen Xingbang was a minister of the highest rank.
The two men walked up to the dragon throne. One bowed deeply while the other dropped to one knee, cupped his fists, and announced, "We pay our respects to Your Majesty."
Emperor Zhengde hurried down from the dragon throne, personally helped both men to their feet, and said, "Grand Tutor, General Chen, didn't I say that such grand courtesies are unnecessary here? Please, sit quickly. Xiaoxizi, serve tea."
The Emperor was young, and it was these two loyal subjects who—to protect the orthodox lineage of the Wang Dynasty—had stood shoulder to shoulder with most of the civil and military officials of the imperial court to argue forcefully against the Empress Dowager, leaving her with no choice but to surrender imperial power and retire behind the scenes. After the Emperor took personal control of the government, he removed Lady Song's maternal relative from the position of Chief Councilor, appointed the Grand Tutor as Chief Councilor of the Secretariat, and made the Grand General the Chief Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. These two could truly be called the Emperor's left and right arms, and Emperor Zhengde felt heartfelt gratitude and respect toward them as his guiding ministers.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, but this is the law of the court, and the rites must not be discarded," the Grand Tutor Shen Bi said with a stern expression.
"Indeed, the rites must not be discarded," Grand General Chen Xingbang chimed in with equal solemnity.
"You two..." The Emperor shook his head helplessly. Following this, the two men paid their respects to the Princess before finally taking their seats. Princess Qingyue held Shen Bi in the utmost respect; back when she studied in the imperial schoolroom, Shen Bi had also been her teacher. Under his tutelage and influence, she had loved reading since childhood, which earned her the fine reputation of being learned and talented.
"Qingyue greets Teacher. You appear somewhat thinner than the last time we met; you must take care of your health," Princess Qingyue said, bowing to Shen Bi in the manner of a student.
"That's right, Grand Tutor. With state affairs so demanding, I hope you won't work yourself to exhaustion. I still hope the Grand Tutor will be here to witness the flourishing prosperity of Zhao Country with me."
"Heh, my health is fine. Many thanks to Your Majesty and the Princess for your concern. Did Your Majesty summon the Grand General and me here today because of the missing children in Anbei Prefecture?" Memorials from all the prefectures of Zhao Country were first sent to the Secretariat. After receiving them, the Secretariat would sort and classify them by subject and urgency, and then the three assisting chancellors of the Secretariat would discuss how to handle them—though naturally, the Chief Councilor's opinion took precedence—before dispatching them to the Six Ministries for execution. Major matters upon which the Secretariat could not reach a definitive conclusion were forwarded for the Emperor's personal perusal. Therefore, Shen Bi was already aware of the matter.
"Indeed it is this matter. The Secretariat could not make heads or tails of it, nor could we determine what was truly happening. Rather than rashly issuing orders to the Ministry of Punishments, we deferred it to His Imperial Majesty for a final decision." Shen Bi explained the situation and looked toward the Emperor.
"Oh? What kind of matter could possibly stump our Chief Councilor, known as the Wise Fox? Haha!" Chen Xingbang stroked his beard and laughed aloud, as if seeing Shen Bi thwarted was a great delight.
"You old scoundrel, thinking you can watch the show without getting dragged into it? Did you think this had nothing to do with you? I might just have to make you step up and handle it." Shen Bi shot him a sideways glance, so irritated he began stroking his beard furiously.
"General, have a look at the memorial first," Emperor Zhengde called out, "Xiaoxizi!"
Quick-witted as ever, Xiaoxizi immediately carried the memorial over and handed it to Grand General Chen Xingbang. Chen Xingbang straightened his expression, opened the memorial, and began to read. The Hall of State Affairs instantly fell silent.