Chapter 770: Chapter 484: The Monarch and Minister Inspected by Surprise
The ministers murmured their agreements, acknowledging the logic.
Yuann Li suddenly turned to look at his old rival sitting opposite him, appearing frail and on the brink of the grave:
"Prime Minister Li, don’t you have anything to say?"
Li Yanfu, who had remained silent since entering the hall, opened his squinting eyelids and smiled:
"I agree with what Mr. Yuan and Grandmaster have said, let’s proceed as planned."
With the three top ministers speaking out, things proceeded much more smoothly thereafter.
The tasks were simply assigned to address the unrest in various places within the city in order to stabilize the larger situation.
Shortly after, the court meeting concluded and the ministers departed.
Yuann Li and Grandmaster Dong were the last to leave; the former looked at the empty side hall, stood up and said:
"Even though the ministers verbally agreed, many of them are already panicking in their hearts."
Grandmaster Dong sighed, weariness showing through: "How could I not know?"
When morale scatters, it’s difficult to lead the team. This principle holds true throughout history.
All they could do was to do their best to maintain it.
"Li Yanfu has been unusually well-behaved lately."
Yuann Li suddenly spoke, as sunlight streamed in from outside the hall, his slender silhouette slanting across the smooth floor tiles.
Grandmaster Dong, hair and beard all white, glanced at him:
"At today’s court meeting, those who were speaking against us were likely secretly arranged by him."
Yuann Li’s gaze was deep as he looked outside the hall: "I’m not referring to these minor tricks in the court."
Grandmaster Dong’s heart skipped a beat: "You mean, he might..."
Yuann Li shook his head and smiled:
"Perhaps I’m overthinking it. Given Li Yanfu’s character, he is probably still pondering how to place his bets to maximize benefits. If the throne indeed changes hands, he would consider how to ensure a stable transition.
No, perhaps the Li family of Huai River has already placed bets on different Vassal Kings at the same time."
Grandmaster Dong squinted his eyes, staring at him:
"And what about you? Do you, Yuann Li, believe that His Majesty can return to stabilize the situation?"
Yuann Li gave a faint smile, stepped towards the outside, and did not answer.
Grandmaster Dong watched him leave, leaving the hall empty but for himself. The Emperor’s Master of the current dynasty stayed silent for a long time, then closed his eyes.
Yuann Li reminded himself to beware of Li Yanfu.
Yet... could Yuann Li and the Pure Stream Party behind him really be trusted?
...
...
Li Yanfu exited the Imperial Palace, and with the help of attendants, got into a carriage to return to the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
Throughout the journey, he kept his eyes closed, pretending to nap and conserving strength.
Since the beginning of spring this year, Li Yanfu’s health had been poor, with old ailments flaring up frequently. Though he was considerably younger than Dong Xuan, his spirit was deteriorating year by year.
At least, that was how he appeared in front of others.
After returning to the mansion, Li Yanfu, assisted by attendants, loosened his clothes, removed his court attire, and changed into his favorite loose red robe before heading to his study to read government documents.
"Master, it’s time for your ginseng soup."
The door of the study was pushed open, and a woman in her thirties, with a respectful expression, entered with ginseng soup.
She placed it on the desk in the study.
Li Yanfu put down the book, looked up at her briefly, nodded, and began sipping the soup with a spoon.
This woman was one of the Prime Minister’s concubines. Since the death of Li Yanfu’s wife many years ago, he had rarely taken other concubines, and this third concubine used to be one of his "students."
She never competed for favor, remained low-key and obedient, and despite her lack of standing, was deeply favored by the aging Li Yanfu. Even the Young Master avoided acting presumptuously before this unassertive concubine.
"Is there anything else?" Li Yanfu asked as he drank the ginseng soup.
The concubine, whose nickname was "Yue," softly replied: "Ying Long has arrived."
"Let him in."
"Alright."
Yue exited, and shortly afterward, the study door opened.
The nearly forty-year-old Young Master, Li Yinglong, whose appearance was quite gloomy, led an attendant into the room:
"Father, someone from the family has come."
With those words, the man, who was dressed as a servant but in fact was a servant of the Li family’s Huai River clan, kneeled down:
"I have come on orders from the clan to deliver a message to the Prime Minister."
The Li family of Huai River was the aristocratic family backing Li Yanfu.
"Speak."
"Yes, the family sent a message saying that Prince Jing and Prince Mu have both entered Huai River and will soon arrive in the Capital. They implore the Prime Minister to consider the family’s honor and safety... If you can control the court and stabilize the Capital, you can set a price when the princes arrive, ensuring another hundred years of prosperity for the Li family..."
In the study, the Prime Minister and his son quietly listened to the servant’s message.
"Got it. You may go." Li Yanfu, without expression, waved his hand.
The servant kowtowed again, rose, and left the room.
"Father, we must act. The current situation is critical. If we wait for the princes’ armies to enter the capital, it will be too late."
Li Yinglong appeared somewhat agitated, "Apart from the family, the people below have also become restless recently. If you don’t nod, I’m afraid..."
Li Yanfu coldly looked at him: "Is it you who is restless?"
Cold sweat appeared on Li Yinglong’s forehead, and he became inarticulate, but at this moment, he suddenly gritted his teeth and gathered his courage:
"Father! This past year, the Empress has repeatedly targeted us. The people below are truly disheartened, and though we endure again and again, the Empress’s forces only grow. Now that she is missing, she seems like she won’t return.
Even if she does return, without her Heavenly Human cultivation, how much chance does she have?
The sky of Yu Country is certain to change, and with the princes present, our Li family may not become emperors, but aiming to become ministers is certainly promising...
If you don’t act, others will. Among those with high positions in the city, who can guarantee that they don’t harbor the same intentions? We must act quickly, or it will be too late!"