The prince is hard to serve

At this time, Yan Wenzhi's performance made Emperor Yan, who was sitting on the dragon chair, very dissatisfied.

Frowning, Emperor Yan looked at him coldly, and asked coldly: "What kind of expression do you have, but you are dissatisfied with me?"

With his ears open, Yan Wenzhi was taken aback when he heard Emperor Yan's questioning, and then suddenly came back to his senses. He remembered that he hadn't saluted yet, and expressed his dissatisfaction with Yan Wenhao bluntly on his face. The father misunderstood, and there were big drops of cold sweat on his forehead. He hurriedly took a step outside, plopped down on his knees, opened his eyes wide, and said in panic, "I don't dare."

Raising his hand to wipe the cold sweat on his forehead, Yan Wenzhi's expression moved slightly, he paused for a moment, and explained: "My son is just worried because the court meeting is approaching, and the journey is too hasty, so after entering the palace, there is a short time , I forgot to restrain my expression, and forgot to salute."

Hearing this, Emperor Yan looked at him for a while, the stern expression between his brows remained, and he said indifferently, "Why are you in such a hurry that you are late for the court meeting?" His tone could not conceal his displeasure.

Kneeling at the bottom of the steps, Yan Wenzhi lowered his head, hesitated for a while, and with a little grievance in his tone, he replied in a low voice: "My son just went to bed at four o'clock because he copied the 'Policy Theory' overnight yesterday, and he woke up a bit today. late."

The second half of what Yan Wenzhi said is true, but the first half is false.

It is true that he got up late, but the reason was not because of the copying of 'policy' as he himself said, but because yesterday, after Luo Yu left, he heard Fu Zhou report to him again——

At that time, Fu Zhou trembled and told him carefully that in the afternoon, Emperor Yan issued an imperial edict to Yan Wenhao, which stated that Yan Wenhao was the presiding judge of Li Zezhang's case, and Xu Yan Wenhao returned to the court.

For this reason, Yan Wenzhi was so angry that he didn't even eat the dinner, so he locked himself in the room and threw jade treasures all over the floor.But even so, he was still full of anger and couldn't vent it. He didn't fall asleep all night until the fourth watch.

But these obviously cannot be said outright, let alone let Emperor Yan know.

After listening to Yan Wenzhi's explanation, Emperor Yan did not loosen his eyebrows, but his expression became more and more displeased. He snorted coldly, his voice became more severe, and he also hated iron for being weak: "The royal family is the model for the world, and your actions You will be seen by the common people, the court meeting is a big event, even if you have not slept all night, but as a prince, how can you not even be able to be punctual because of such a trivial matter?!"

Yan Wenzhi's face turned pale after being trained by Emperor Yan, but he hated Yan Wenhao more and more in his heart. With a bitter expression on his face, he hurriedly kowtowed to admit his mistake and said: "My son is at fault, please punish him."

Looking at him, Emperor Yan had an ugly expression, and he remained silent without saying a word.

After a long time, he shook his head, sighed, and said: "Forget it, I'm sorry you are a first-time offender. After you come down to court, you will kneel outside the hall for an hour, and you will be confined for another seven days. That's all."

Already disappointed in this son in his heart, he was not even in the mood to continue training him, Emperor Yan waved his hand, signaling him to stand up now, "Okay, you get up first."

"……Yes."

Responding seriously, Yan Wenzhi clenched his hands into fists, bowed his head and knelt on the ground, his expression hidden under his forehead was completely distorted.

After returning to his standing position, Yan Wenzhi's face was gloomy, without saying a word, his eyes kept falling on his feet.

The ministers are already accustomed to the scene in front of them, and they are no strangers to it. Every time Yan Wenzhi goes to court, he will always be reprimanded by Emperor Yan twice, but the punishment of Emperor Yan today made them all reveal a Thoughtful look.

This punishment does not seem to be heavy, but in fact, it is much more serious than a single confinement or punishment. Everyone knows that Emperor Yan always pays attention to face, so no matter how dissatisfied he is, he will not Make the punishment of making the prince kneel outside the palace.

——The eunuchs and maids outside the palace come and go, and there are guards patrolling, they will watch and talk about it.

Everyone knew in their hearts that the reason for doing this was that Emperor Yan was extremely dissatisfied with Yan Wenzhi and was about to shave him off in his heart...

Thinking of this, the eyes of the ministers flashed, and they all had their own thoughts in their hearts.

Those ministers who were firmly standing in Yan Wenzhi's camp were all very anxious when they saw this scene. They all consciously looked at Mu Guogong, hoping that he would come out and say a word to Yan Wenzhi. Please.

If Emperor Yan withdraws his order, there is still a chance.

Aware of their gazes, Mu Guogong's face was still sinking, unmoved at all, he stroked his beard one after another, frowned tightly, stood upright, motionless.

Seeing this, they turned their gazes to Jiang Xi's direction again.

Jiang Xi has always been decisive in dealing with affairs, but also bold and careful. For so many years as Minister of Criminal Affairs, there have been few unjust cases, and each case has been handled very well. Therefore, although Jiang Xi had already revealed his side early on, Emperor Yan I still appreciate Jiang Xi very much.

This is a kind of emperor's satisfaction with his virtuous ministers, nothing else.

But at this moment, Jiang Xi only frowned, and stood there with his head bowed. He saw the scene in front of him, but remained calm and didn't say a word.

Regarding Yan Wenzhi's various performances, he was also very disappointed in his heart, and could no longer think of any thoughts.

As long as Yan Wenzhi is a little self-motivated, has a little talent, can review the current situation, at least behave better in front of Emperor Yan, he will not be like this.However, in him now, there is only emotion and entanglement left in his heart.

For so many years, he has devoted himself to assisting Yan Wenzhi, but at this moment, seeing that Yan Wenzhi is not enlightened at all, he is still irritable and violent, like a dou who cannot be supported, a person who has been suppressed in his heart for a long time The thought, finally jumped out again.

Since he was a child, he determined to be a generation of virtuous ministers. He asked himself, he has been an official for twenty years, and what he has done is worthy of the common people. I can't stop asking myself——

If in the future, Yan Wenzhi really becomes the prince, or even the highest-ranking person, will he really become a virtuous emperor instead of a generation of stupid ones when he is under one man and above ten thousand?

This question has been circling in his mind, and he can't get rid of it no matter what, but in fact, he already has a definite answer in his heart, but he still dare not face it, and he doesn't want to admit it.

He could never forget how Concubine Liang begged him bitterly that day.

His indifferent eyes swept over every minister in the hall one by one, and Yan Wenhao took all their expressions into his eyes, especially when he saw the extremely complicated expression on Jiang Xi's face, he hooked the corners of his lips and laughed.

"Second brother..."

After poking Yan Wenhao's arm, Yan Wenjin blinked at him, then pouted in Yan Wenzhi's direction, gloating: "It seems that Father is completely disappointed in him."

"Hush." ​​After glancing at him and giving him a quiet look, Yan Wenhao said silently, "Don't talk too much."

Now that Emperor Yan is in a fit of anger, if he finds out about Yan Wenjin's little actions, he will probably turn his anger on him.

With a flat mouth, Yan Wenjin said "oh", he also knew that his second brother was thinking of himself, so he stood up obediently, raised his big head, and stared at his shoe upper for several times .

Simply, their small actions did not attract the attention of Emperor Yan, because after reprimanding Yan Wenzhi, Zou Shan, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, came out and mentioned to Emperor Yan that the post of Minister of the Ministry of Rites was still missing.

It has been three days since Li Zezhang was imprisoned, and the Ministry of Rites has piled up a large number of documents, all of which need to be signed and approved by the Minister himself. If he does not decide on a replacement candidate earlier, I am afraid that too many documents will pile up and cause confusion.

After receiving Yan Wenyuan's eye signal, Right Prime Minister Yan Ming nodded slightly. He stood in line, bowed, and used Zou Shan's topic to mention Li Zezhang's case again.

"Your Majesty, Li Zezhang has been imprisoned in Dali Temple for three days. This case is of great importance. The longer it drags on, I'm afraid there will be other changes..." He meant something, but it was vague, and he didn't touch Emperor Yan. Inverse scale.

"Well, I have decreed yesterday that this case will be handed over to the second prince to preside over the trial."

Tilting his head slightly, Emperor Yan looked at Yan Wenhao, was silent for a while, and asked: "Wen Hao, I allow you to choose the person who will assist in the trial of the case in the Ministry of Criminal Justice and Marble. Let me ask you, can you think about it?" Who do you want to assist you in supervising the case?"

"My son has already been selected." Yan Wenhao said with a serious expression. He took out a list from his sleeve and presented it to Emperor Yan respectfully.

After receiving the list from Fuxi, Emperor Yan looked down and saw that none of them belonged to Yan Wenzhi or Yan Wenyuan, he couldn't help raising his eyebrows, he was very satisfied, but on the surface, he still didn't move Sensual, asked in a deep voice: "These people...why did you choose them?"

Although none of these officials is a person who stands in the camp and relies on the prince, their official ranks are all very low, and the highest rank is only the fourth rank.

Thinking of yesterday afternoon, when Fuxi told him about Yan Wenhao's leaving the palace, he pursed his lips, tapped the back of the chair with his fingers, and looked at Yan Wenhao with thoughtful eyes.

"Reporting to Father, after receiving the imperial edict, I was at a loss." With a bit of bitterness in his tone, Yan Wenhao lowered his eyes and continued: "I have been seriously ill for many years, and I have lived in Lingxiao Pavilion for a long time. I have never been involved in any government affairs. , the officials could not recognize a few people, so after hesitating for a long time, the servant left the palace in person to ask Master Mu for advice, and finally settled on them."

After thinking for a while, Yan Wenhao said firmly: "I think that although their official ranks are low, they are all serious and responsible people with delicate thoughts. Their help is enough to handle this case well."

Yesterday, in the study of Mu Mansion, after Mu Jiyan wrote the list to Yan Wenhao, he already guessed that Emperor Yan would ask why Yan Wenhao chose these officials, so he told Yan Wenhao at that time, just tell the truth.

He is Mu Ziling's biological father. In name, he is Yan Wenhao's father-in-law, but he is still the left minister of the court. His status is there, and Yan Wenhao has never been involved in political affairs for many years. It is understandable to ask him for advice. Doesn't elicit much reaction.

What's more, Yan Wenhao did leave the palace yesterday and went to the Mu Mansion. The capital is full of eyeliners. His every move is watched by others, and Emperor Yan is no exception. The suspicion of the emperor and the vigilance of those who have a heart, but if they are so generous, admit that they don't understand, need to ask others for advice, and explain the reasons, it will make them feel more at ease.

Sure enough, after his words fell, the suspicion in Emperor Yan's eyes slowly faded, and a gratified smile appeared instead.

After hearing Yan Wenhao's words, Yan Wenzhi couldn't help but sneered, Yan Wenyuan also looked away, with a mocking smile on the corner of his mouth, and the vigilance between his brows slowly disappeared. .

Seeing the expressions of the two brothers beside her, Yan Wenjin rolled her eyes, curled her lips in disdain, and hummed twice, secretly laughing at their self-righteousness, hoping that they would fall as badly as possible.

Hmph, let them bully Second Brother, let them look down on Second Brother!

Regarding Yan Wenhao's honest attitude, Emperor Yan lost all doubts in his heart. He nodded with a smile, very satisfied: "It is a good thing to understand my shortcomings, dare to admit them, and have the courage to ask others for advice."

After finishing speaking, he turned his eyes to Mu Jiyan again, his eyes were a bit complicated, he pondered for a while, and said lightly: "That's fine, Mu Aiqing has a lot of knowledge, in the future, I will teach Wen Hao a lot. .”

Mu Jiyan's expression remained unchanged, he took a step out, bowed respectfully to Emperor Yan, and said solemnly: "I obey."