Quick Transmigration: After Fake Death, All the Protagonists I Flirted With Went Crazy

Chapter 186 Ingratitude and Deceit (21)

Shen Shenwei's voice came from outside the door, "Your Majesty, it's time for the morning court session."

Bu Shaoluan, whose thoughts were wandering, was brought back to his senses by this voice.

"come in."

The well-trained maidservant entered the hall with her head bowed and tidied up the boy.

Bu Shaoluan's mind was filled with thoughts of Shen Xuntang, and he looked forward to seeing Shen Xuntang in court.

But the person who could argue with me yesterday is now on sick leave.

Bu Shaoluan looked at the front of the court, the seat closest to the dragon throne. In the past, a tall and handsome young man always stood there, but today it was empty.

That's really annoying.

The young man twirled his fingers, his handsome face hidden behind the twelve tassels carrying a hint of gloom.

Meanwhile, the group below, now free from Shen Xuntang's control, had erupted into a chaotic argument.

Two minor officials from the royalists and the Shen faction argued back and forth like shrewish women in the marketplace, each hurling insults at the other.

If it weren't for some consideration for the dignity of a scholar, he probably would have already started hitting him.

The arguments were nothing more than who got caught going to a brothel, or whose kids got into a street fight—things that seemed insignificant in the context of partisan disputes.

Despite the heated arguments among the people below, the young emperor sitting at the head of the table remained completely unresponsive.

He was even spacing out.

At that moment, Grand Secretary Feng, who was standing at the very front, could tell at a glance that the young man was lost in thought, and he must have felt somewhat dissatisfied.

Although he couldn't see the boy's expression clearly, his lack of interest told him that he couldn't let these trivial matters test the boy any longer.

"Your Majesty, with the new emperor on the throne, the regional princes wish to come to the capital for an audience. It is time to make arrangements."

As soon as Grand Secretary Feng spoke, the two sides who had been arguing loudly immediately fell silent.

Compared to the matter of the vassal kings paying homage, their little matter is nothing.

The quiet of the court brought Bu Shaoluan back to his senses. He turned his gaze away from the empty seat and looked at Grand Secretary Feng.

"Then, in Grand Secretary Feng's opinion, what should be done?"

The boy's clear voice carried a hint of nonchalance, as if he were asking a casual question.

But this made Grand Secretary Feng's heart tighten.

The boy's tone was casual, yet carried a hint of pressure.

He suddenly couldn't quite understand the boy in front of him.

The person chosen by Shen Xuntang should, in theory, be an easy puppet to control.

There have always been rumors in the palace that the tenth prince is a pushover.

Before Shen Xuntang took her out of the Cold Palace, she was someone everyone could bully, someone anyone in the palace could step on.

After being taken out of the Cold Palace by Shen Xuntang, she became even more obedient to him.

Although Shen Xuntang sent him to school, his grades were never particularly outstanding.

Even their achievements in martial arts were in a similar situation.

To put it nicely, it's called being moderate; to put it bluntly, it's just being terrible.

Especially considering that the other princes received a formal education from a young age, the difference was obvious.

What a waste that Shen Xuntang specially found Chen Qing to be his personal tutor.

Every time Chen Qing came out of the palace, his face was ashen.

Everyone says they're really angry with the Tenth Prince, that piece of trash.

In the two weeks since his ascension to the throne, Bu Shaoluan has acted like a puppet emperor, always consulting Shen Xuntang's opinion before making any decision.

Only after receiving Shen Xuntang's approval did he dare to issue the order.

They really do look harmless.

But today, things seem quite different.

Grand Secretary Feng's mind stirred slightly.

Perhaps we can find some breakthroughs by looking at this new emperor.

If they can't touch that fox Shen Xuntang, can't they at least control the little emperor?

Thinking of this, Grand Secretary Feng bowed even lower, "If Your Majesty trusts this old minister, you may entrust this matter to me."

As a veteran official, and having come from the Ministry of Rites in his youth, it is understandable that Grand Secretary Feng is now in charge of these matters without an empress.

Upon hearing this, Bu Shaoluan looked at the old man below who was over fifty years old and laughed out loud.

"You flatter me, Grand Secretary Feng. Such a significant matter naturally requires discussion with the Grand Secretary."

With just one sentence, Grand Secretary Feng lost face.

With just one sentence, he incurred Shen Xuntang's hatred.

He maintained his persona as a puppet emperor while also demonstrating his loyalty to the official in charge of the imperial seal who was not currently in court.

See how well-behaved I am?

I didn't let them get involved in these things while you were away.

A fleeting hint of resentment flashed in Grand Secretary Feng's lowered eyes.

Even if he was unwilling in his heart, his voice remained unchanged.

"I will obey His Majesty's will."

Bu Shaoluan sat high above, looking down at the different expressions of the two groups below. He gently stroked the jade pendant at his waist, a playful smile on his lips.

Shen's party members were all smiles, while the royalists looked utterly defeated.

That's really quite interesting.

That Grand Secretary Feng was truly patient; he had already pretended to be nonchalant and returned to his seat.

Having not seen the person he wanted to see today, Bu Shaoluan was somewhat unwilling to argue with these people, each with their own ulterior motives.

You should hurry down from court and go to Ruotang Courtyard to see Shen Xuntang.

The thought of that pale face on her beautiful face yesterday made Bu Shaoluan feel a little irritated.

Shen Shenwei, who was serving by his side, sensed the boy's impatience.

He flicked his whisk and said, "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"

No one responded.

***

Sitting in the sedan chair, Bu Shaoluan unconsciously tapped the armrest, thinking about all sorts of Shen Xuntang.

But I have never seen Shen Xuntang so ill that he can't get out of bed.

Since he can't even attend court, Shen Xuntang, who always wants to do everything himself, must be seriously ill.

I wonder if he summoned the imperial physician?

Bu Shaoluan became increasingly agitated the more he thought about it.

He felt that the palanquin was indeed a bit slow.

Why are the roads in this palace so long?

A teenager in a bad mood finds everything disagreeable.

Even the fact that a few extra chrysanthemums bloomed at the palace gates made him frown.

Shen Shenwei followed the boy, sensing his oppressive aura, and silently minimized his own presence.

After finally arriving at the entrance of Ruotang Courtyard, the usually open gate was now tightly shut.

He had some doubts, but didn't think much of it.

He tried to push the door open, but was stopped by the guards at the door.

Bu Shaoluan looked up.

They were people from the Eastern Depot.

The man, already quick to anger, was stopped like this and immediately retorted sarcastically, "What, now that Ruotang Courtyard is no longer my domain?"

The two guards bowed their heads and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, it's not that we don't want you to come in, it's just that the Grand Master is not here at the moment."

Therefore, Ruotang Courtyard is not a place where people can be easily allowed to enter.

They couldn't afford to lose anything.

Bu Shaoluan was taken aback upon hearing this. "Not here? Wasn't the Master of the Palm sick?"

The two men replied respectfully, "The Grand Secretary is ill. He finished dealing with the memorials yesterday at noon and went to bed to rest. He developed a high fever last night. This morning, the steward from the Shen family came to the palace and took the Grand Secretary away."

Upon hearing this, the young man looked up at the plaque of Ruotang Courtyard in front of him. His hands, hidden under the wide sleeves of his imperial robe, clenched into fists, then relaxed again.

Yes, Shen Xuntang also has a place to stay outside the palace, so he doesn't necessarily have to stay in this dull palace.

He could have left if he wanted to.

Even I couldn't stop him.

The thought that the young man might leave made Bu Shaoluan's eyes flicker, his gaze filled with a deep twilight.

It seems that the best course of action is to ensure that Shen Xuntang cannot escape.