ASTRP -Chapter 48 Going to Court Again and Dealing with Memorials

During the dispute, the officials would inevitably bring up old matters, which could put the Grand Tutor who once instructed him in an unfavorable position.

So he would rather accept a worse fief than let his former teacher be harmed.

Sigh…

Such painstaking intentions!

Feng Jingge let out a soft sigh in her heart.

Below, the Grand Tutor coldly interrupted the Minister of Rites’ words.

“Xue Congwen, do you know why the title of Prince Chen is ‘Chen’?”

The Minister of Rites stiffened.

As the Minister of Rites, he naturally knew what the princely titles represented when imperial princes were granted fiefs.

When a prince was enfeoffed, the title usually corresponded to the name of the fief.

The Grand Tutor raised his voice slightly.

“Looking at your expression, it seems you understand its meaning. Since you oppose this, are you trying to rebel against the late emperor’s will?!”

The mention of the late emperor caused everyone’s expressions to change.

The Minister of Rites’ face turned pale as he dropped to his knees.

“Your Majesty, Regent Prince, this official only has Prince Chen’s best interests at heart and does not intend to defy the late emperor!”

The young emperor frowned deeply.

Unsure how to handle the situation, he silently looked toward his imperial uncle beside him.

Feng Jingge remained cold and stern, her brows carrying a faint chill.

Her icy gaze swept over the Grand Tutor and the Minister of Rites.

“I already have this matter of the fief in mind.”

As soon as she spoke, the officials below exchanged glances but none dared to speak.

“The Minister of Rites does have a point.”

The Minister of Rites was secretly pleased, while the Grand Tutor’s expression darkened.

Feng Jingge continued, “When the late emperor was alive, he favored Xiao Yan greatly. But I have never been fond of him. Giving him the rich land of Chenzhou as his fief is indeed somewhat displeasing…”

“Your Highness! This is improper—”

The Grand Tutor was shocked.

The officials began whispering among themselves.

“Grand Tutor, do not interrupt. I have my own decision.”

Feng Jingge said calmly.

“In my opinion, that boy is not worthy of an entire prefecture. It would be better to grant him Pei County instead!”

“!!!”

The court officials’ expressions changed drastically.

Pei County!

Though it was only a county, it was the place where the founding emperor first raised troops.

It was the ancestral birthplace of the Great Jin dynasty!

To bestow such a place upon Prince Chen—no, Prince Pei now—was of extraordinary significance!

Thus, the matter of the fief was settled by Feng Jingge, and the court fell into discussion, though none dared speak too loudly.

Unless someone from the imperial clan objected.

“Uncle Prince Xi, please help convey this to the imperial clan and change his title accordingly.”

Feng Jingge turned to the elders of the imperial clan. The leading elder was Prince Xi, the late emperor’s uncle.

“Alright.”

Prince Xi nodded.

No one else objected.

The matter of Prince Chen was resolved… no, now he was Prince Pei.

Feng Jingge then brought up another matter—selecting companions for the young emperor.

“Given His Majesty’s young age, I intend to select three attendants to study alongside him.”

“Attendants?”

The officials were briefly stunned and began discussing again.

The young emperor looked at his imperial uncle with curiosity and confusion.

“The attendants should be of similar age to His Majesty and chosen from the families of court officials. Those with suitable children may recommend them to the Grand Tutor.”

After finishing, Feng Jingge stood up.

“If there is nothing else, court is dismissed.”

At Eunuch Chen’s loud announcement, all officials knelt.

Feng Jingge and the young emperor left the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

As before, she intended to return home and sleep after court.

But just after taking a few steps, the young emperor’s voice came from behind.

“Imperial Uncle.”

She paused and turned around.

The young emperor looked up at her with round eyes.

“Are you not reviewing memorials today?”

Feng Jingge: ???

Again?

No one told her!

Sigh.

Since he asked… she would naturally do it.

She nodded coldly and headed straight to the imperial study.

The young emperor pouted, his gaze dimming slightly.

His imperial uncle… was still angry.

The uncle and nephew pair worked together efficiently.

The memorials were ordinary—no major issues.

Regarding Western Ling and Chen State joining forces, a report from the border arrived.

Just as Xiao Jinghan had said, the Western Ling emperor was seriously ill, and the royal court was in chaos and unable to spare attention for alliances.

If Chen State insisted on crossing the border, the Great Jin army would not mind breaking through their lands and expanding the empire’s territory.

Feng Jingge handed the report to the young emperor, who read it carefully.

“Imperial Uncle, I want to reply to General Xu.”

“Do as you wish. No need to ask me.”

“Yes.”

The young emperor then called Eunuch Chen to bring writing tools.

Feng Jingge flipped to the last memorial.

The moment she opened it, she saw dense writing.

Oh?

Don’t tell me there’s a big twist at the end?

She focused.

The first line felt familiar.

By the second line, she already knew who wrote it.

Feng Qianyong!

The same man who previously wrote a “travel diary memorial” after visiting a friend!

She glanced at the cover.

As expected, the name “Feng Qianyong” was written on it.

She decided to see what this genius had written this time.

Another travel report.

This time about Mingyue Tower—taking children to fly kites, ride small boats, and cruise the lake.

But halfway across the lake, a nearby boat suddenly exploded.

They hurriedly took the children back to shore in panic…

From this memorial, Feng Jingge deduced one thing:

Feng Qianyong had visited Mingyue Tower yesterday, and the exploding boat he described—was undoubtedly her and Ning An’s doing.

But…

These useless memorials were completely wasting her time.

Delaying her return home and sleep.

Not to mention all those greetings and “take care of your health” reports…

Her eyes darkened.

It was time to deal with these people.

Her lips pressed together as she thought.

Suddenly, inspiration struck.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

She selected all the useless memorials.

“Eunuch Chen.”

Eunuch Chen quickly stepped forward.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

Feng Jingge pointed at the stack.

“Keep these memorials aside. Bring them to the Hall of Supreme Harmony next time during court.”

Though confused, Eunuch Chen obeyed.

By the time everything was finished, it was already noon.

Feng Jingge planned to return to the prince’s residence for lunch and then sleep.

But just as she stood up, the young emperor spoke again.

“Imperial Uncle.”

She looked over.

The young emperor stared at her pitifully.

“Are you leaving again?”

“Yes.”

His eyes dimmed further as he lowered his head.

“Imperial Uncle… you haven’t had lunch with me in a long time.”