Chapter 133: Brotherly Love and Filial Respect

Court.
The court officials argued vigorously, causing the Emperor's face to turn pale and his eyes to have a dark blue hue. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
"Mr. Zhao, your words are biased and inappropriate! For years, Mo Lan has been provoking our country. This time they invaded on a large scale, and since our army has already won, why not seize this great opportunity and pursue them in victory, directly attacking the capital of Mo Lan and making their ruler submit to us?"
"Lord Xing's words are absolutely right. The harsh winter has arrived, and the retreat route of Molan has been blocked by snow. They are short of food and supplies, and the soldiers and horses are tired. It is indeed a great opportunity for a counterattack!"
"Hmph, the snow has blocked the road, but does it only block Molan's path? Has it not also blocked the roads within our territory of Dayan?"
"You brute! If you're afraid of hardship and difficulties, then what's the point of fighting? The court supports warriors like you, not just to feed you for nothing!"
"Sour-mouthed scholars! If it's for His Majesty and the great kingdom of Yan, I wouldn't hesitate to serve! But if it's to senselessly sacrifice myself for weaklings like you who only know how to talk about war on paper, then count me out!"
"You-you-you distort right and wrong, and spew blood from your mouth!"
"That's enough!" The emperor raised his eyebrows and reprimanded softly.
The civil and military officials all fell silent, and order was restored in the palace.
After a long pause, the newly appointed Left Prime Minister cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, there are many vacant positions in various regions, and the court is also understaffed..."
"I have my own plan for this matter."
"Yes." He replied, not daring to say more.
.
After leaving the palace, Yan Jixi walked slowly outside. The officials he encountered saluted him before continuing on their way, occasionally engaging in conversation with a few high-ranking officers.
Bowing respectfully to the last person he had spoken to, he stood up straight and lowered his gaze, thinking about something. Suddenly, he smiled.
Someone approached from behind.
"Are you feeling proud?"
He shook his head: "I don't understand what the elder brother is saying."
Yan Jiyuan looked at him coldly: "Don't think that these people are being nice to you now means anything. Once she comes back, they will immediately turn against you. She has been in the court much longer than you and me."
Princess Yan Jue, from a young age of eight, would listen to political discussions in the morning court. Many scholars from all over the country were sent to the royal court, and one in ten or two would be her classmates in the Imperial Academy, with most of them choosing to study under her.
“论资历论血统，谁都比不过，若非是个女儿身，还有我们什么事？”
晏纪熙笑得斯文有礼，疏离又客气：“皇兄说的话弟弟越发听不明白了，我从未想过与阿珏比，我们同为宗室子孙，自然一心为大晏，再无别的心思。”
"Huh, why am I even bothering to tell you these? It's not like you don't know how to put on a show?" Yan Jiyuan stared at him and said fiercely, "You better stay away from the Jin family, or don't blame me for not considering our family ties!"
“Little brother, remember it.” He lowered his eyebrows and smiled lightly, with a gentle look, without any threat or annoyance.
Yan Jiyuan said coldly, "It's best to remember forever."
He looked at this handsome face again, still somewhat unbelievable. Who could have imagined that such a gentle-looking person would have such cunning tactics under his skin.
"Ah Xi Ah Xi, I thought you were genuinely pure and righteous, truly worthy of being the Empress Dowager's grandson! I wonder if Ajue knows how many traps her beloved elder brother has set behind her back, just waiting for her to return and fall into them!"
Yan Jixi smirked: "Ajue is clever, even though she is in the northwest, she may not be unaware."
"Heh, that's true! Sometimes I really think that you two are blood siblings. Look at your siblings in Donggao, they're useless. Our dear Princess has achieved a great feat again. They were arguing so fiercely just now, I'm afraid they all have their own schemes and are just playing with us!" Yan Jiyuan sarcastically said.
As they walked and talked, they were getting closer to the palace gate when suddenly they saw a figure swaying in the distance.
Yan Jiyuan pointed at the figure and said, "Look at that, that person is also very clever. All of you are exceptionally intelligent, yet you all have the appearance of not caring about power. Why not go fight for the position and leave it to someone like me who is obsessed with power?"
Yan Jixi smiled faintly: "In seven days, my younger brother will have a grand wedding. My elder brother must come to have a drink."
Patting his shoulder casually, Yan Ji Yuan laughed and said, "Of course I should go."
.
Upon the return of the army that had quelled the bandits, the emperor summoned Yan Jue and a few others into the palace and expressed his condolences before bestowing great rewards.
He coughed lightly a few times and waved his hand for the attendants to leave.
Yan Jue took a few steps towards the exit, but then turned back and returned.
"What's wrong with the Emperor? Something seems off to me."
The Emperor's health was never considered good. In his youth, he had various hidden illnesses due to various reasons. In recent years, as he grew older, his mental state has declined slightly, but not to the extent of his current pale complexion and weak spirit.
"As you wish, you can inherit my position immediately," he said dismissively.
After carefully looking at his expression, Yan Jue frowned, "Poisoned?"
"Yes and no, it's none of your business, you can go down first."
She took a few more glances and then left with a serious expression.
The next day, as soon as she woke up, the princess's mansion received several imperial edicts. Several officials from the mansion were mentioned in front of the emperor, and this time they were also appointed to official positions in the northwest. Although their ranks were not high, it was strange that they were simultaneously conferred titles, and most of them were important positions in the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue.
"Your Highness, what does His Majesty mean by this?" Several officials gathered in Yan Yue's study, and one of them asked, puzzled and confused.
Yan Yue unfolded the golden decree and said, "Don't worry, being appointed as an official is never a bad thing."
"My subordinates also think it is a good thing. The Crown Prince of Dongling and the Crown Prince of Zhuang have been in friction in the court, with the Crown Prince of Dongling having a slight upper hand, while the Crown Prince of Ding is solely concerned with his own interests. This may not be a bad opportunity for us to seize power," Zongqi said.
Yan Jue rubbed against the imperial decree, feeling the texture in her fingertips, slightly lost in thought.
After a few minutes of discussion, they stopped talking when they realized she was silent, looking at her with confusion.
"You guys tell me, what is the most likely thing to happen if the Emperor were to pass away at this moment?"
A few people were stunned, but quickly reacted and said, "Princess, please be cautious with your words. Such treasonous remarks would be a grave offense if heard by others!"
She was taken aback and realized that she had blurted out what she was thinking. After realizing her mistake, she didn't feel much fear, and she asked again, "It doesn't matter, we are all family here, so I can speak freely in front of you. If that's the case, what do you think is most likely to happen?"
他们互相对视一眼，眼底带着三分感动，心中发暖，突然觉得底气十足。
能得珏公主一句情同自家人之言者，试问天下有几人？
One of them spoke up, saying, "If it were now, I'm afraid the Xue family would have opposition."
Yan Jue asked in response, "Opposition?"
"The power of the Eastern Tomb Prince's Mansion in the capital is cultivated by the Xue family. Those people are loyal to the Xue family. If His Majesty... they either use the emperor to command the vassals or usurp the throne, and Crown Prince Xi might not be able to stop them!"
"Justified."
"That may not be the case. I have learned that Prince Xi will be marrying the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhuguo in seven days."
Yanyue asked, "The Duke of Zhuguo, where the Commander of the Left Guards is stationed?"
“Exactly.”
After pondering for a while, she asked again, "And what about Yan Jihuai? Who did he marry?"
Yan Jihuai got married a long time ago, but he has always been low-key and does not appear in public.
The advisor thought for a moment and replied, "The Crown Prince Jihuai married a woman from a merchant family."