Feng Guang smiled. “Yes, the Duke of Zhen has devoted his life to the defense of Dongyun. I never doubted his loyalty to the country. Who else can I trust, if not the Duke of Zhen?”
“Your Majesty, I am… I am a military officer,” Lan Qian replied. He had never been involved in matters of literature or statecraft, especially not things like handling court affairs or dealing with memorials.
The entire court fell into a tense silence, all eyes on Gu Yan, hoping that the Regent might step in and change the empress’s mind. But they were disappointed. Gu Yan remained silent and did not intend to speak.
Feng Guang giggled. “Isn’t it better that the Duke of Zhen is a military officer? When handling court affairs, if he sees any unsatisfactory memorials or hears of any officials forming factions, he can just cut through the nonsense and deal with it directly.”
At that moment, the ministers who had considered speaking up kept their heads down and didn’t dare speak.
“After all, losing a few officials isn’t a big deal with so many talents emerging from the imperial examinations each year. I can just promote a few more to fill the vacancies.” Feng Guang looked at Gu Yan. “Uncle Wang, what do you think?”
Gu Yan bowed his head. “Your Majesty is right.”
With that, the matter was settled without any further words from the court.
This empress… she is so unpredictable!
It was almost as if she could hear the ministers’ muttering, as she tilted her head and smiled. “Those of you with objections, keep trying. I’m still waiting for you to overthrow me.”
“I dare not!” The sound of ministers falling to their knees echoed through the hall.
“Alright, dismissed,” Feng Guang waved her sleeve and turned to leave the throne room.
Once the empress left, the ministers began discussing in earnest.
Lan Qian, having been handed a hot potato, walked over to Gu Yan. “Prince Modesty, as the empress’s teacher, do you understand her intentions?”
To be honest, he even suspected that this idea might have come from Gu Yan, waiting to trap him.
“I’m not sure what the empress is thinking, but since she’s made this decision, it shows her trust in the Duke of Zhen. With him, I believe the court will remain stable,” Gu Yan said with a slight smile. “I must take my leave now.”
Lan Qian watched Gu Yan walk away, feeling even more confused.
The news of the empress leading an expedition spread quickly. The people, who had long complained that the empress was ineffective, changed their tune, now saying that the empress had grown up and was finally dealing with serious matters. It was a blessing for the people.
Not long after, Su Xu, the ever-concerned young woman, calculated the empress’s expedition. But after finishing her divination, her expression grew grave, and she sighed that the empress’s journey was more likely to end in disaster than good fortune.
When this news reached the palace, Feng Guang was sitting in front of a stage, watching a performance. She didn’t mind the gossip and casually waved her hand, instructing someone to bring her writing materials. She then scribbled out three large characters in a messy hand — Gou Dan Xuan (literally, “Eggroll Pavilion”).
“Take this and have it made into a plaque. Give it to Miss Su Xu and tell her that her Su Ling Xuan is now renamed Gou Dan Xuan. Doesn’t the saying go that a child with a humble name will live a long life? Let’s take this as a sign to wish Miss Su Xu good fortune.”
The palace attendant, holding back laughter, took his leave.
Gu Yan, who had been watching the whole time, couldn’t help but smile. “Many people follow Miss Su Xu. Your Majesty, this move may stir up quite a bit of resentment among the common folk.”
“I rarely bestow calligraphy on others. This is my handwriting. Though the people are like my children, I will not tolerate disobedient ones. If anyone dares to complain, it’s clear they have ill intentions. I’ll have them arrested and executed.”
Gu Yan raised an eyebrow. “Your Majesty, you’re joking, of course.”
She often talked about executing people, but she had never actually given such an order.
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1