Final Chance (Part Five)
Snow was falling heavily, and there was a carriage covered in a light-blue tarp parked outside the prime minister’s manor.
Yin Yan removed his gold and purple hat, leaving just a hairpin. His purplish-red government uniform had also been swapped out for a plain cotton robe.
People relied on clothes the same way that horses relied on saddles. Now that Yin Yan was dressed so plainly, he looked no different from the other old men in the city. Who could possibly imagine that such a Yin Yan had previously been the prestigious prime minister?
Yin Shuo and Yin JiYao sent him off. The steady son was able to contain himself, but the daughter was already hoarse from crying.
“Father, can you really not wait until spring arrives before leaving? It’s so cold outside, and the ground is still frozen. How can eldest brother and I feel at ease with knowing that you have returned to the old home in the Min province alone?”
Yin Shuo also said: “Although it is the old home, our Yin family has been serving as court officials for many generations. The old home would have been abandoned for a long time. If father leaves in such a rush, I fear that the old home would not have the time to tidy up properly.”
Yin Yan waved his hand, telling them that there was no need to continue.
“I must leave quickly. His Majesty favors Marquis Gu’s Manor a great deal, and Gu ShuBai nearly died. I only resigned to apologize for my crime, but there are quite a few senior officials in court who have resentments toward me and are very dissatisfied. If I don’t quickly leave and anger His Majesty, it would not be good for the two of you.”
He raised his head and looked around. A cold snowflake snuck under his collar and landed on his neck, causing him to shiver.
However, he slowly began to laugh.
“His Majesty’s anger will only be reduced by hearing that it was such a cold day and that it was snowing so heavily. Do you two understand?”
The siblings silently nodded.
Yin Yan had always been strict. Who knew that he was thinking about the two of them at such a critical moment.
Yin Shuo said: “Father, don’t worry. When I establish myself in court and things calm down, I will definitely arrange for father to be brought back from the Min province.”
Yin Yan looked at him warmly. This son of his had always made him proud, and there was nothing that would make him feel uneasy.
The one that made him feel uneasy was Yin JiYao.
“For your mother’s grave, father has already ordered for someone to erect a nameless monument. In the future, there won’t be any need to worry about being unable to find it after a heavy snowfall. But her identity must remain hidden from all outsiders. You must not let it slip. Do you understand?”
Her mother’s grave would be unnamed, and there was no spirit tablet at home. Not even her name could be discovered by outsiders.
Having a nameless grave was also good, for it was better than nothing.
Hot tears welled up in Yin JiYao’s eyes, “Many thanks, father. Daughter understands. Daughter definitely will not let anyone else know.”
Yin Yan nodded his head then turned to Yin Shuo, “You need to take good care of JiYao. When father is not at the manor, you two will need to rely on each other. Father will only be able to feel at ease if you two siblings are united.”
Yin Shuo bowed and replied: “Father, do not worry. Son will definitely take good care of JiYao and calm the situation in court. I definitely will not allow father’s departure be in vain!”
The heavy snow continued to fall, and the carriage slowly departed, leaving a thin trail in the snow.
In Yin Yan’s life, this was the first time that he had been in such a small carriage.
He shrank down inside the carriage and slowly closed his eyes. He was squeezed into the carriage with his clothes and rations.
Behind the carriage, Yin Shuo and Yin JiYao were kneeling to send him off, only standing up after a long time.
…
“Your Majesty has made a decree. The son of former prime minister Yin Yan, Yin Shuo, is to succeed the position of prime minister. You will assist Us and lead the court. All officials must work together to fulfill their duties, and negligence will not be tolerated. That’s all!”
The spot of prime minister was granted, and the officials were all shocked.
They initially thought that they would be able to see what His Majesty thought of the eldest prince and the second prince through this decree. Who knew that His Majesty would not choose anyone that had been recommended.
Instead, he chose to grant the position to Yin Shuo directly.
He was only 21 years of age, which made him the youngest prime minister in Eastern Ling’s history. It was truly shocking.
But thinking about it carefully, he had already received training from His Majesty in court affairs, and Yin Yan was his father. When it came to a prime minister’s work, Yin Shuo could not be more familiar.
Moreover, this person was thorough in his work, and he was popular in court. He was not as harsh or demanding as Yin Yan, thus he was suited to the position of prime minister.
After court was dismissed, the eldest prince and the second prince had ugly looks on their faces.
It was fortunate that His Majesty did not choose one of the people that they had recommended or one that the other had recommended.
One of the officials moved to the eldest prince’s side and quietly consoled him, “Eldest prince, don’t worry. His Majesty had planned to have eldest young sir Yin succeed Prime Minister Yin’s position. It’s not that he did not want to hear your recommendation.”
The eldest prince faintly smiled but declined to respond.
The official did not understand.
The eldest prince also could not say anything.
Imperial Consort Xian had called him to QingHua Palace the day before and told him what His Majesty had told her.
Mother and son sat face to face in silence. It was as though there was heavy snow falling in their hearts.
It was ice-cold and blindingly white.
Ning YiZhao, it turned out that his name made it clear from the start that he never had a chance.
Even if he put in years of hard work and effort, he had no chance of changing His Majesty’s mind.
At this time, could it be that he would need to tell the officials who had supported him that His Majesty had already made up his mind and would be naming the second prince as crown prince?
Even if he did not say it, the officials would find out sooner or later.
Unless…
The eldest prince raised his head and looked over to the other side, and the second prince also looked at him, giving him an unhappy look and leaving with a flick of his sleeves.
That expression, could it be that he still did not know His Majesty’s plan?
That was also true. His Majesty had not yet announced it to the court. He had only revealed it to Imperial Consort Xian.
Recently, the court had been busy with the task of filling the prime minister’s position. It was natural that they needed to wait until the situation calmed down to bring up this matter.
He suddenly smiled.
Or perhaps, this would be his final chance
Final Chance (Part Five)
Snow was falling heavily, and there was a carriage covered in a light-blue tarp parked outside the prime minister’s manor.
Yin Yan removed his gold and purple hat, leaving just a hairpin. His purplish-red government uniform had also been swapped out for a plain cotton robe.
People relied on clothes the same way that horses relied on saddles. Now that Yin Yan was dressed so plainly, he looked no different from the other old men in the city. Who could possibly imagine that such a Yin Yan had previously been the prestigious prime minister?
Yin Shuo and Yin JiYao sent him off. The steady son was able to contain himself, but the daughter was already hoarse from crying.
“Father, can you really not wait until spring arrives before leaving? It’s so cold outside, and the ground is still frozen. How can eldest brother and I feel at ease with knowing that you have returned to the old home in the Min province alone?”
Yin Shuo also said: “Although it is the old home, our Yin family has been serving as court officials for many generations. The old home would have been abandoned for a long time. If father leaves in such a rush, I fear that the old home would not have the time to tidy up properly.”
Yin Yan waved his hand, telling them that there was no need to continue.
“I must leave quickly. His Majesty favors Marquis Gu’s Manor a great deal, and Gu ShuBai nearly died. I only resigned to apologize for my crime, but there are quite a few senior officials in court who have resentments toward me and are very dissatisfied. If I don’t quickly leave and anger His Majesty, it would not be good for the two of you.”
He raised his head and looked around. A cold snowflake snuck under his collar and landed on his neck, causing him to shiver.
However, he slowly began to laugh.
“His Majesty’s anger will only be reduced by hearing that it was such a cold day and that it was snowing so heavily. Do you two understand?”
The siblings silently nodded.
Yin Yan had always been strict. Who knew that he was thinking about the two of them at such a critical moment.
Yin Shuo said: “Father, don’t worry. When I establish myself in court and things calm down, I will definitely arrange for father to be brought back from the Min province.”
Yin Yan looked at him warmly. This son of his had always made him proud, and there was nothing that would make him feel uneasy.
The one that made him feel uneasy was Yin JiYao.
“For your mother’s grave, father has already ordered for someone to erect a nameless monument. In the future, there won’t be any need to worry about being unable to find it after a heavy snowfall. But her identity must remain hidden from all outsiders. You must not let it slip. Do you understand?”
Her mother’s grave would be unnamed, and there was no spirit tablet at home. Not even her name could be discovered by outsiders.
Having a nameless grave was also good, for it was better than nothing.
Hot tears welled up in Yin JiYao’s eyes, “Many thanks, father. Daughter understands. Daughter definitely will not let anyone else know.”
Yin Yan nodded his head then turned to Yin Shuo, “You need to take good care of JiYao. When father is not at the manor, you two will need to rely on each other. Father will only be able to feel at ease if you two siblings are united.”
Yin Shuo bowed and replied: “Father, do not worry. Son will definitely take good care of JiYao and calm the situation in court. I definitely will not allow father’s departure be in vain!”
The heavy snow continued to fall, and the carriage slowly departed, leaving a thin trail in the snow.
In Yin Yan’s life, this was the first time that he had been in such a small carriage.
He shrank down inside the carriage and slowly closed his eyes. He was squeezed into the carriage with his clothes and rations.
Behind the carriage, Yin Shuo and Yin JiYao were kneeling to send him off, only standing up after a long time.
…
“Your Majesty has made a decree. The son of former prime minister Yin Yan, Yin Shuo, is to succeed the position of prime minister. You will assist Us and lead the court. All officials must work together to fulfill their duties, and negligence will not be tolerated. That’s all!”
The spot of prime minister was granted, and the officials were all shocked.
They initially thought that they would be able to see what His Majesty thought of the eldest prince and the second prince through this decree. Who knew that His Majesty would not choose anyone that had been recommended.
Instead, he chose to grant the position to Yin Shuo directly.
He was only 21 years of age, which made him the youngest prime minister in Eastern Ling’s history. It was truly shocking.
But thinking about it carefully, he had already received training from His Majesty in court affairs, and Yin Yan was his father. When it came to a prime minister’s work, Yin Shuo could not be more familiar.
Moreover, this person was thorough in his work, and he was popular in court. He was not as harsh or demanding as Yin Yan, thus he was suited to the position of prime minister.
After court was dismissed, the eldest prince and the second prince had ugly looks on their faces.
It was fortunate that His Majesty did not choose one of the people that they had recommended or one that the other had recommended.
One of the officials moved to the eldest prince’s side and quietly consoled him, “Eldest prince, don’t worry. His Majesty had planned to have eldest young sir Yin succeed Prime Minister Yin’s position. It’s not that he did not want to hear your recommendation.”
The eldest prince faintly smiled but declined to respond.
The official did not understand.
The eldest prince also could not say anything.
Imperial Consort Xian had called him to QingHua Palace the day before and told him what His Majesty had told her.
Mother and son sat face to face in silence. It was as though there was heavy snow falling in their hearts.
It was ice-cold and blindingly white.
Ning YiZhao, it turned out that his name made it clear from the start that he never had a chance.
Even if he put in years of hard work and effort, he had no chance of changing His Majesty’s mind.
At this time, could it be that he would need to tell the officials who had supported him that His Majesty had already made up his mind and would be naming the second prince as crown prince?
Even if he did not say it, the officials would find out sooner or later.
Unless…
The eldest prince raised his head and looked over to the other side, and the second prince also looked at him, giving him an unhappy look and leaving with a flick of his sleeves.
That expression, could it be that he still did not know His Majesty’s plan?
That was also true. His Majesty had not yet announced it to the court. He had only revealed it to Imperial Consort Xian.
Recently, the court had been busy with the task of filling the prime minister’s position. It was natural that they needed to wait until the situation calmed down to bring up this matter.
He suddenly smiled.
Or perhaps, this would be his final chance
