Yuanheng Hall.
The place where the morning court session was held.
For some time, the Emperor of Dazhen had claimed to be ill, and the morning sessions had been presided over by Wei Zhongxiang and a group of palace eunuchs.
Today, however, a large number of court officials gathered before the main hall, quietly awaiting the start of the proceedings.
In the Dazhen Dynasty, only officials of the sixth rank or higher were eligible to attend the morning court. They stood in two rows: civil officials on the left, and military officials on the right.
The civil officials were led by the Three Excellencies, while the military officials were headed by the Grand General.
The officials exchanged polite greetings with one another.
It was not until Zhang Juyang, the Chancellor, arrived that the officials swarmed toward him, offering enthusiastic greetings and fawning over him.
After all, he was the father of Consort Zhang!
His status in the court was illustrious, and countless dignitaries had worn down his doorstep trying to curry favor with him.
Zhang Juyang, looking aloof, waved his hand to signal the attendants to open the hall doors, then gestured for the officials to enter and take their places.
At the center of the hall stood the nine-tiered dais, symbolizing imperial majesty, with five golden dragons carved into each step to signify the status of the Emperor.
Atop the dais sat the throne, crafted from solid gold, the emblem of supreme power.
The throne was empty at the moment, making the entire Yuanheng Hall feel exceptionally desolate.
Since the Emperor of Dazhen had fallen severely ill, the capital had been in turmoil. Even the vassal kings from various regions were stirring, as if they were all waiting for news of the Emperor’s death.
It was only a few days ago that news emerged from the palace that the Emperor of Dazhen had recovered, leaving the courtiers bewildered.
The Emperor of Dazhen was incompetent, debauched, and his health had been deteriorating by the day—this was plain for all to see.
Yet, after only a month, someone claimed His Majesty had suddenly recovered and was full of vigor. Who would believe that?
During this time, the eunuchs had controlled the state affairs, and the Emperor of Dazhen had never once appeared, leading many to suspect that something had changed within the inner palace.
It was not until yesterday’s announcement that His Majesty would hold a morning court today that the officials arrived at Yuanheng Hall early, determined to see for themselves if the Emperor of Dazhen had truly recovered.
***
In a side chamber of Yuanheng Hall.
With the assistance of a few eunuchs, Zhao Zheng donned the imperial robe embroidered with golden dragon motifs. A crown, draped with large pearls and gemstones, rested upon his head.
Cao Zhengchun stood by, solemn and grave. Once the eunuchs dressing the Emperor had withdrawn, he spoke slowly.
"No matter what the officials petition for today, simply give a brief response. Do not say too much, lest you expose yourself! Do you understand?"
Zhao Zheng did not even spare Cao Zhengchun a glance as he prepared to head toward the main hall.
Cao Zhengchun’s face hardened, and he hissed, "I will not report your unauthorized recruitment of eunuchs to His Majesty. I expect you to keep to yourself and stop adding unnecessary trouble."
Zhao Zheng scoffed. In his heart, he knew the Emperor of Dazhen would not kill him so easily.
The Emperor of Dazhen had his own calculations, and Zhao Zheng was no commoner to be easily intimidated by the likes of Cao Zhengchun.
Once he sat firmly on that throne today, who was truly the Emperor would be for him to decide!
Zhao Zheng looked back at the eunuch Gao Li in the distance and said in a low voice, "Little Gao, follow me to the court!"
Gao Li was flattered and quickly followed behind Zhao Zheng, trembling with nervousness.
Cao Zhengchun was left speechless, wanting to say more but holding back.
The moment he saw the corpse of Little Guizi last night, he sensed that the body double before him was not as simple as he appeared.
But now, the die was cast; it was too late!
Wei Zhongxiang and his faction of eunuchs arrived late. Seeing Zhao Zheng, they immediately groveled and fawned over him.
Zhao Zheng knew full well the dirty business Wei Zhongxiang and his cohorts had been conducting in collusion with the Empress, yet he maintained a welcoming smile.
"Lord Wei, you have finally arrived. I have been waiting for you for some time."
Wei Zhongxiang looked at Zhao Zheng, his heart pounding, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"Your Majesty, this old servant deserves to die for delaying the morning session! Your Majesty looks like a celestial being descended to earth today!"
The other eunuchs followed suit, surrounding Zhao Zheng with flattery and pushing Gao Li several feet away.
Gao Li kept his distance from Wei Zhongxiang and the others, fearful that they might discern his true identity.
"The auspicious hour has arrived! The Emperor enters the court!"
Following the cry of the attendant, Zhao Zheng, flanked by Wei Zhongxiang and his eunuchs, walked slowly into the main hall.
Seeing the imposing Emperor ascend to the throne, the officials in Yuanheng Hall knelt in unison.
Zhao Zheng looked out.
The court officials were prostrate, their voices like a roaring tide!
"We offer our salutations to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor, may you live for ten thousand years!"
The sound, like a crashing wave, resonated against the dome of the hall, echoing repeatedly in the vast space.
This majestic ritual actually left Zhao Zheng momentarily mesmerized, unable to pull himself away.
Was this the feeling of being revered by thousands?
As long as he sat on that throne, he would command the power of the world!
Zhao Zheng flicked his imperial robes with a sharp snap and sat down on the throne with a solemn expression, gazing down at the officials below.
"Rise, my ministers!"
Standing at the foot of the dais, Cao Zhengchun had been worried that Zhao Zheng would reveal his flaws during the session.
Who could have imagined!
When he saw Zhao Zheng take his seat on the throne, the imperial aura radiating from him was even more overwhelming than what the actual Emperor of Dazhen had ever projected!
Cao Zhengchun stared at Zhao Zheng in shock, his breath hitching.
Even before the Emperor of Dazhen had fallen ill, he had not possessed such an imposing imperial presence.
How could this body double, who was nothing more than a rustic peasant, possess such an aura?
It was not just Cao Zhengchun who was incredulous; even the prostrate officials were startled.
Was the Emperor not supposed to be severely ill? Why was his presence so steady and profound?
Filled with confusion and doubt, the officials slowly rose, gazing up at the Son of Heaven on the throne.
The extraordinary bearing of Zhao Zheng left the court in awe!
His Majesty looked nothing like a man newly recovered from a serious illness; he seemed as if he had never been sick at all, always in perfect health.
Just as everyone was lost in a daze, Wei Zhongxiang hurriedly cleared his throat and shouted, "Speak if you have a petition; retire if you do not!"
Wei Zhongxiang was desperate to end the session quickly to avoid any fire falling on his own head.
If the incident involving the assassination attempt on His Majesty last night were brought to the court, the situation would surely spiral out of control.
Grand General Qian Yong, dressed in his official robes, noticed the officials looking around and took a step forward, holding his ivory tablet.
"Your Majesty, I have a petition!"
As he spoke, Qian Yong scrutinized Zhao Zheng, hoping to catch a glimmer of frailty.
The result, however, was a deep disappointment.
To him, Zhao Zheng looked vibrant and full of life, showing no signs of lethargy or weakness.
Sitting on the throne, Zhao Zheng said with majesty, "State your petition!"
In this elevated position, the vast hall acted like a giant resonator.
Zhao Zheng’s voice carried from the dome, filling the entire hall and ringing in the ears of the officials.
Clear!
Deep!
Solemn!
It left the ministers in the court utterly stunned!
Rumors in the palace had long held that the Emperor was on his deathbed. Even if he had recovered, could he possibly regain such a powerful, resonant voice in so short a time?