IBTSOMEH

Chapter 78: Summer Escape

Soon after Gu Hui Yan finished speaking, as expected, within a few days, in the morning court the Emperor proposed to go to the outside palace to escape the heat this summer, instead of staying in the Forbidden City.

In the Forbidden City, the hierarchy was strict and the palace walls were heavy. Courtiers must be cautious when they go to court every day, this was a constraint on both the Emperor and the court. If they get out the palace, not only was it much easier to discuss things, but also not far away from the Royal Hunting Grounds, which offered the best of both worlds, political affairs and entertainment.

But it's a pity that the Emperor's kindness was not recognized by his courtiers, especially the official group headed by First Assistant Zhang, strongly opposed to the Emperor leaving the imperial palace and going outside the capital. Zhang Xiao Lian had been the First Assistant and the Emperor's teacher for many years. Everyone was used to Zhang Xiao Lian making decisions for the Emperor, everyone thought that this time will be the same as before. Even if the Emperor this young man was anxious to have fun, as long as First Assistant Zhang disagree and the Emperor being stubborn, in the end could only listen to First Assistant's opinion.

But the matter of going to the outside palace was particularly troublesome. The Emperor showed a cold face during morning court, and the noon meeting afterward were canceled off. For many years, in order to assist and teach the young Emperor, the cabinet also double as instructor for the Emperor. Every day after the morning court finished, they would be summoned by the Emperor to Qianqing Palace to give lecture for His Majesty. This practice was constructed by Zhang Xiao Lian, and now the Emperor has cancelled the cabinet lecture for the first time, which was undoubtedly a clear statement to everyone in the capital that he was dissatisfied with Zhang Xiao Lian's practice.

Very childish behavior, but the meaning behind it was huge and terrifying.

Later, Yan Wang came forward to deal with it and agreed for the Emperor to go to the outside palace to escape the heat, but the following army must be strict. In front of everyone's eyes he also went to Zhang's Mansion, and personally acted as a lobbyist for the First Assistant and the Emperor. Zhang Xiao Lian really didn't have plan to usurp the throne. He just had a clear and independent set of ideas about what the Emperor should do and how the court should function. He drew a perfect template for the Emperor, and asked the Emperor to follow this model and grow into the image of wise monarch in his mind.

But how was it possible. The Emperor was asked to be a virtuous and upright monarch since he was a child, and he himself was prepared, but if he said a few words to the little palace maids around him, he would be reprimanded by the First Assistant for not acting like Shang Zhou and Zhou You (tn: wise emperor of the past), and to get closer to a certain palace eunuch. He would be told that he should be close to the virtuous minister. Even when the Emperor indulged in calligraphy and after copied a few characters, he would be sternly lectured by Zhang Xiao Lian, shouldn't let trifling destroy the will.

In particular, everyone felt that the Emperor was still a child, and in the end would always listen to First Assistant Zhang's words, which made the Emperor's rebellious heart became even more serious. Among the civil and military forces of the dynasty, probably only Yan Wang who did not regard the Emperor as a child. The Emperor said it several times, but Gu Hui Yan often used honorific words such as "Your Majesty" to him. Although felt a bit estranged, Gu Hui Yan always kept his duty as a minister and satisfied the Emperor's self-esteem.

When Gu Hui Yan personally came forward, Zhang Xiao Lian still need to give the Emperor some face. However, even if he relented, he refused to show that he agreed with this matter, rather said he was ill and declined to accompany to the outside palace.