ASTRP -Chapter 20 Feng Jinge Handles the Court Like a Pro

“Had I known…”

Su Xiu was about to say something more, but Ning An pressed down on his hand.

Lowering his voice, Ning An said coldly, “There are many eyes in the palace. Watch your words.”

After speaking, Ning An turned to Feng Jinge. “Your Highness, please take care of your health.”

With that, he pulled Su Xiu aside.

Feng Jinge said nothing.

She stood before the palace hall. The palace lantern above stretched her shadow long behind her. Alone, her figure looked slender and desolate.

A chill seeped into her body.

At this moment, Feng Jinge couldn’t quite describe her feelings. They were complicated—like a breath stuck in her chest, leaving her uneasy and uncomfortable.

“Sigh!”

A deep bell tolled through the night.

Feng Jinge froze for a moment as footsteps sounded behind her.

She turned to look.

The young emperor, dressed in a golden dragon robe and wearing a crown, walked forward with steady steps, his hands clasped behind his back.

He carried a faint air of imperial authority.

“Royal Uncle.”

“Mm. Let’s go.”

From the emperor’s sleeping palace, Ming Palace, to the court hall, Taiji Hall, it took about the time of a cup of tea to walk.

Feng Jinge walked side by side with the young emperor, with Eunuch Chen following closely behind. Palace attendants holding lanterns lit the way both in front and behind.

When they arrived at Taiji Hall, they saw at a glance that the officials were already arranged in two lines, left and right, waiting below the steps outside the hall.

To enter the hall, Feng Jinge and the emperor had to walk through the path between the officials.

All the officials watched them intently.

That scene made Feng Jinge a little nervous.

Steady!

She had to stay steady!

The more it was like this, the more she needed to remain composed.

Feng Jinge quietly took a deep breath.

“His Majesty the Emperor and the Regent Prince have arrived!”

Eunuch Chen suddenly shouted.

The shout startled Feng Jinge so much that her heart skipped a beat.

At the same time—

All the officials turned, lifted their robes, and knelt.

“Your subject pays respects to His Majesty and the Regent Prince! Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long live!”

All officials prostrated themselves on the ground.

The sight stirred both excitement and nervousness within Feng Jinge.

Fortunately, Xiao Jinghan had the foresight to explain the entire court procedure to her beforehand.

Otherwise, faced with such a scene, she wouldn’t have known what to do.

Feng Jinge and the emperor did not stop walking.

They passed through the officials and ascended to the highest platform.

When they were only about ten steps away from the entrance of Taiji Hall, both stopped.

The lantern-bearing attendants quickly withdrew, and Eunuch Chen also stepped aside.

The two turned around, looking down at the officials kneeling below from above.

The young emperor spoke, “Rise, my ministers.”

Feng Jinge coldly uttered a single word, “Rise.”

All the officials responded in unison, “We thank Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live!”

The officials stood up.

Feng Jinge and the emperor turned and entered Taiji Hall.

Inside, the hall was resplendent—white jade flooring, golden pillars standing tall, with dragons and phoenixes carved upon them, vivid and lifelike.

Feng Jinge’s only thought: every inch of this place smelled like money.

At the center of the hall stood a high platform.

A pure gold dragon throne sat in the middle, and beside it was a gold grand chair.

The emperor took his seat on the dragon throne; Feng Jinge sat on the grand chair.

Once they were seated—

Eunuch Chen peeked in from outside, then shouted, “Court is in session! Officials, enter the hall!”

With that, the officials entered one by one, standing according to rank—the higher the rank, the closer to the front.

After entering, they knelt again to pay their respects.

“Your subject pays respects to His Majesty and the Regent Prince! Long live the Emperor! Long live!”

Their loud, unified voices echoed throughout Taiji Hall.

Feng Jinge felt a sudden jolt in her heart, a strange excitement rising within her.

She glanced at the young emperor beside her.

His face was expressionless, giving off an air of maturity beyond his years.

“Rise, my ministers.”

“Rise.”

The officials stood.

Eunuch Chen announced, “If there are matters to report, speak. If none, the court is dismissed.”

The morning court officially began.

All the officials lowered their heads. No one spoke.

Feng Jinge’s eyes flickered—no one had anything to report?

Did that mean they could just end court and go home?

“Your Majesty, Regent Prince, this humble minister has a matter to report.”

An elderly official with graying hair stepped forward.

Feng Jinge recognized him at a glance—Grand Tutor Yuan, whom she had seen the previous night.

“Now that His Majesty has ascended the throne, and all the princes have married and have heirs, is it not inappropriate for them to remain in the capital?”

As soon as Grand Tutor Yuan spoke, the expressions of the officials changed.

The emperor had been on the throne for months, with the Regent assisting in governance.

Yet ever since taking power, the Regent had executed many officials—but had never addressed the placement of the three princes.

No one expected Grand Tutor Yuan to bring it up now.

Feng Jinge: !!!

Was this old man serious? Starting with a bombshell right away?

Yes, it was true—when a new emperor ascends the throne, his brothers are to leave the capital for their fiefdoms.

But…

Xiao Jinghan never told her about this!!

And besides, she had no idea which lands of the Great Jin could be assigned as fiefdoms…

In short—she had no clue how to handle this.

But… she had to stall Grand Tutor Yuan for now.

Once she returned to the Regent Prince’s residence, she’d ask Xiao Jinghan!

The young emperor didn’t know how to answer and could only look to Feng Jinge for help.

Feng Jinge’s face remained cold and stern. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked down at the officials.

Just as she was about to speak, another elderly official stepped forward—

And immediately started blasting Grand Tutor Yuan.

“Grand Tutor, at your age, your memory seems to be failing!”

Feng Jinge: Well damn, straight to personal attacks.

But…

She liked it!

She looked at the official—

Another familiar face.

Imperial Uncle Pei?

After attacking Grand Tutor Yuan, Pei Guojiu continued:

“Among the princes the Grand Tutor mentioned, only Prince Chen is married and has an heir.”

“Prince Ning is engaged, but is waiting since his future consort has not yet come of age.”

“As for Prince Yu—he’s not even an adult yet, is he?”

As soon as Pei Guojiu spoke, other officials chimed in.

“Is it appropriate for unmarried or underage princes to leave the capital?”

Others supported Grand Tutor Yuan:

“When a new emperor ascends, it is state law for the princes to leave the capital.”

“Yes, but that applies only to those who are adults and have been granted titles.”

“Prince Chen and Prince Ning are already adults. They should leave.”

“Prince Ning is engaged—shouldn’t he stay until after marriage?”

The officials below began debating fiercely.

Given the situation, Feng Jinge didn’t need to speak.

She only needed to wait.

Wait for them to argue their way to a conclusion.

From what she gathered so far—Prince Chen leaving the capital was certain.

The main debate revolved around Prince Ning.

And also where Prince Chen’s fiefdom should be assigned.

The debate lasted for half an hour.

Toward the end, civil and military officials nearly came to blows right there in the hall.

If Feng Jinge hadn’t coldly intervened in time, a fight would have broken out.

The fists of the military officials were already inches from the faces of the civil officials.

In the end, a decision was reached—

Prince Chen would leave the capital.

Prince Ning would leave immediately after his marriage.