CHAPTER 463: CHAPTER 463: CHAOS

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Ge cautiously entered Zhaohai Palace, bowed his head, and reported, "Minister Zheng and Mr. Zheng are kneeling outside the hall, requesting an audience with Your Majesty."

"I will not see them."

Emperor Taihe’s face was extremely grim, forcing out a few words, "I won’t see anyone today."

Eunuch Ge retreated out.

Emperor Taihe had been strictly taught since childhood to maintain the dignity and decorum of the Imperial Family at all times. Now, he no longer had the mood or energy to sit upright. He was almost half-lying, half-sitting on the Dragon Throne, his head resting against the back of the chair, his eyes empty and lifeless.

So tired!

So absurd!

Ever since the Left General was impeached and escorted to the Capital City, events had unfolded one after another, one linked to the next. What it all implied, how could he, the Emperor, not understand?

The Zheng Family could no longer restrain themselves and acted against the Wang Family. Prime Minister Wang’s countermeasures were evidently superior.

Now, the Left General had been dismissed from his position. Wang Yi was detained in the Ministry of Justice Prison awaiting trial and sentencing. Several eunuchs had died in the palace, and the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Empress Dowager Li were at daggers drawn, with the Zheng Family and Li Family tearing each other apart. Duke An had been betrayed and impeached by his subordinates. It seemed the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng would soon hear the news and come...

"Father, I now realize that back then, you were not incompetent, but rather had no choice." Emperor Taihe murmured to himself, "I have sat on the Dragon Throne and now know how it truly feels."

When he was the Crown Prince, he often considered his father too weak, always listening to Prime Minister Wang, and being led by the nose by the Grand Empress Dowager.

Now that it’s his turn to be the Emperor, he finally understands how difficult it is to manage the palace and govern the court. Everyone has their own interests, everyone has their own stance, and the relationships are intricate. A single misstep, and he’ll be deceived by the courtiers, deceived by those around him.

Sitting on the Dragon Throne means being destined to be isolated and a loner. Because one dares not truly trust anyone. The closer they are to him, the more they want to influence him, to seize power and affect court politics.

It’s truly exhausting!

Emperor Taihe closed his eyes, sighing silently, his mind descending into chaos.

After an unknown period, Eunuch Ge came again to report, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived."

"Tell Mother that I want to be left alone." Emperor Taihe said tiredly without opening his eyes.

Empress Dowager Li, concerned for her son, even if she were eager to know the details and the Emperor’s stance, would relent and leave. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, however, did not possess such patience.

Eunuch Ge couldn’t stop her, nor did he dare, and could only hustle ahead inside: "Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager is here."

Emperor Taihe still didn’t open his eyes: "I know, you may leave."

Looking at the Emperor in this state, Eunuch Ge felt uneasy.

The courtiers bullied the young emperor, and while the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was genuinely affectionate and protective of the Emperor, her intentions to control and manipulate him were also evident.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng entered with a face full of anger, but upon seeing Emperor Taihe’s darkened face and closed eyes, much of her fury dissipated instantly.

"Song’er, what is wrong with you?" The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, in her anxiety, called out the Emperor’s childhood name, hurrying over and reaching out to touch Emperor Taihe’s forehead.

Emperor Taihe opened his eyes weakly and gave the Grand Empress Dowager a bitter smile, "Grandmother, your grandson is too incompetent and useless. The court is in such chaos, and I am at my wit’s end, being led by the nose by the courtiers."

"Unfortunately, I only have an ignorant younger brother. If only I had a shrewd, capable brother, I’d truly want to abdicate to him."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was startled: "What nonsense! The matter of the throne’s inheritance is of utmost importance; such careless words should never be spoken."

Emperor Taihe was silent for a moment, then spoke softly: "I am not speaking recklessly. For the past two years, I have asked myself to be diligent, sitting on this Dragon Throne in constant fear, exhausting my mind daily on governmental affairs. But the more I do, the more chaotic the court becomes."

"Natural disasters in the North are followed by wars, the South is wealthy but occupied by the noble families. As this Emperor, I cannot even control the Capital City, and while the courtiers are outwardly respectful, in their hearts they do not regard me seriously."

"When Father was alive, at least the court had a semblance of stability. Now, even that façade has been torn away. Courtiers form factions and indulge in private interests, accusing each other, border generals are replaced, a Governor of a State was impeached, the harem is in turmoil, and the Minister of War is also being impeached."

"I truly don’t know what to do to stabilize the court. I clearly want to govern the land well, yet I can only watch as Da Liang descends further into chaos."

Emperor Taihe’s voice gradually grew hoarse, his eyes redder.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng listened in shock, initially intending to plead for Duke An, but these words now were impossible to utter. Calming and reassuring Emperor Taihe was more urgent.

"Natural disasters and wars cannot be blamed on you. These are the unjust calamities decreed by heaven upon the people of Da Liang." The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng wrapped her arm around Emperor Taihe: "As for the matters of the court, it has always been like this. The courtiers’ squabbles are still for your trust and favor as the Emperor."

"You can promote whoever you please. Use whoever you wish. If someone makes a mistake, feel free to punish and deal with them. As the Emperor, you don’t need to do much; what’s essential is discerning people and using them well."

Easier said than done, for the heart is hidden behind the belly, and the mask on faces is layered; how can one see through it?

He wanted to employ people, but he also needed trustworthy talents by his side.

Emperor Taihe fell silent once more.

After a long while, he finally spoke: "Grandmother, I understand your intentions. This time, it won’t do. I have punished Zuo Feng severely and am about to interrogate Wang Yi, so I cannot easily spare Duke An."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s brows furrowed: "This cannot be the same. Zuo Feng and Wang Yi are courtiers, but Duke An is my own nephew, your own cousin, he is family..."

"Duke An’s surname is Zheng, he is one of the Zheng Family." Emperor Taihe suddenly interrupted the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "My surname is Jiang, my own family is only the Jiang Family."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was momentarily speechless, a flare of anger flashing in her eyes.

Emperor Taihe lifted his head, meeting the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s gaze: "Grandmother has married into the Royal Family for decades, even though Father passed away early, there are still two grandsons and a granddaughter. In the future, I will care for and respect you. After all, the Zheng Family is still an in-law family, and you should exercise caution to avoid being exploited."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s anger flared up immediately: "Does the Emperor think I’m senile, unable to distinguish inside from outside? I intend to use the Zheng family’s father and son to serve, to work for the Emperor, not to be their tools!"

"That Imperial Censor Jiang belongs to Prime Minister Wang. Vice Minister Hong, at some point, was also bought by Prime Minister Wang, conspiring with Imperial Censor Jiang to impeach Duke An together. If the Emperor severely punishes Duke An, it would please Prime Minister Wang greatly..."

Emperor Taihe felt a splitting headache, his temples throbbing.

He wanted to speak, but suddenly his vision darkened and he fainted. Just at the moment of unconsciousness, he heard a sharp scream by his ear: "Come quickly, save the Emperor!"