Parents are busy farming

Some of the ministers frowned tightly, their eyes widened as big as copper bells, as if they could not believe what they saw before them.

Other ministers could only grit their teeth in secret, blaming themselves with resentment for not being able to guess the emperor's true intentions earlier.

After all, this deal is really a good deal. Unfortunately, even if they want to take action now, it is too late, because to outsiders, it seems that they are willing to pay the money purely for the reward.

At this moment, their hearts must be filled with regret and fear, and they might even be thinking: "The emperor's mind is really too deep and unpredictable. Who could have thought that things would develop to this point? Why didn't they consider the consequences at the time? Now they are really regretting it!"

If I am unwilling to pay the money now, I am afraid the consequences will be disastrous; but if I really take it out, I will feel really heartbroken, it will be like a dumb person eating bitter herbs - I can't express my pain in words!

Some of the braver ministers would steal a glance at the emperor sitting on the dragon throne from time to time, trying to catch a glimmer of hope from the subtle changes in his expression.

Unfortunately, the emperor always had a gloomy face and an unfathomable expression, making it impossible to guess his true thoughts.

Faced with such a situation, the ministers felt more and more anxious and uneasy, as if their hearts were hanging in the air, swaying up and down.

When the matter was temporarily settled, the emperor turned his head slightly and cast a meaningful look at Eunuch Huang who was standing beside him.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the palace was as solemn and depressing as if it was shrouded by thick dark clouds, making it hard to breathe.

The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, the symbol of supreme power. His expression was solemn and dignified, his eyes were as deep as the sea and unpredictable, making it difficult to discern his true meaning.

Eunuch Huang stood respectfully on one side, his body slightly leaning forward, his slightly hunched back seeming to bear invisible pressure.

He was seen with his hands folded in front of him, his head slightly lowered, always maintaining a humble attitude, quietly waiting for the emperor's order.

Finally, the emperor opened his lips and uttered a low but penetrating voice: "Pass on the order."

Just two simple words, but like a sudden thunder, created a wave in this silent space.

Eunuch Huang heard the voice and responded hurriedly: "Yes, Your Majesty."

The people to be rewarded in this imperial decree were several princes under the former emperor.

Back then, the retired emperor did not grant these princes any titles or ranks when he was alive. This must have been left for the situation today, for the current emperor to personally confer titles on them to demonstrate the emperor's great grace.

At this moment, the princes had been waiting anxiously for two days. Everyone felt like a heavy rock was pressing on his heart, and he was very nervous.

They knew very well that it was difficult to predict whether this reward would bring welfare or disaster.

However, even though the emperor had some grudges against his brothers, under the current circumstances, he had no choice but to confer the title of prince on them one by one.

After all, a country cannot be without a leader for a day, and the political situation must be stable to ensure long-term peace and stability.

So, Eunuch Huang opened the bright yellow imperial edict, took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and shouted with all his strength: "Deliver the edict!"

In an instant, all the court officials in the court heard the news and knelt on the ground in fear and trepidation, ready to receive the imperial edict.

For a moment, apart from Eunuch Huang's loud voice, no other sound could be heard in the entire hall.

Eunuch Huang solemnly unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict and read aloud in his shrill and high-pitched voice: "By the will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims..."

This solemn and majestic voice echoed for a long time in the magnificent palace like a huge bell. Every word seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight, weighing heavily on the hearts of everyone present.

At this moment, all the princes held their breath and concentrated, their hearts beating violently as the imperial edict was read out.

All I could hear was Eunuch Huang continuing to read out loud: "Appoint the Third Prince as Prince Jing, grant him a mansion and a thousand acres of fertile land to show the emperor's great favor!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a look of surprise emerged on the Third Prince's face, but he quickly restrained it and knelt down respectfully to kowtow and express his gratitude.

Then, Eunuch Huang read out, "Appoint the Fifth Prince as the Prince of Ning, allow him to expand his original residence, and reward him with a number of gold, silver, jewels, and countless silks and satins. I hope he can work diligently on government affairs and live up to the expectations of the emperor!"

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince was delighted and kowtowed quickly to thank the Lord for his grace.

Finally, Eunuch Huang read out: "The Sixth Prince is named King Kang, and is granted a hundred elite guards to protect him!"

The Sixth Prince kowtowed quickly to express his gratitude, with a barely perceptible hint of pride flashing in his eyes.

……

After the imperial edict was read, all the princes were rewarded, except the second prince.

Several princes stood up.

At this moment, although they appeared to be respectful to each other on the surface, they each had very different thoughts in their hearts.

This matter had actually already been expected by many court officials, so no one thought there was anything inappropriate or surprising about it.

The atmosphere in the court was extremely solemn, but at the same time, it also revealed an eerie calmness that made people feel creepy.

The ministers had different expressions. Some looked serious, as if they were facing a major decision of life and death; while others were very indifferent, as if everything happening before them had nothing to do with them and was completely a matter of course.

At this moment, no one would take the initiative to mention the second prince.

Although the image of the Second Prince did appear in Ye Zifen's mind, after a brief thought, he still felt that now was not the best time to bring up this character again.

Ye Zifen couldn't help but frown slightly, and the image of the second prince in her memory began to gradually become clear.

The second prince was once a young man full of vigor and ambition!

However, with the passage of time, he has now been forgotten in some unknown corner.

Ye Zifen sighed softly and muttered to herself in her heart: "Perhaps this is the cruel nature of palace struggles. Once you lose your power and status, it will be like a fleeting cloud of smoke, disappearing without a trace in an instant."

However, he soon realized that he could not continue to indulge in such sentimental emotions. After all, the current situation did not allow him to be distracted in the slightest.

Suddenly, a line from an ancient poem - "I still think of Xiang Yu, who refused to cross the Yangtze River to the east" came to Ye Zifen's mind and kept circling in her mind.