The room instantly burst into an uproar.
"What? Northerners at the Annual Hunt?"
"Your Imperial Majesty!"
"Your Imperial Majesty, please think twice."
The Annual Hunt was a yearly event where the emperor and members of the court hunt for game on horseback in the forest on the outskirts of the capital. The deep love that the court officials had for the event was common knowledge. Some ministers would even undergo special training during the months leading up to the hunt. To Ye An, it just seemed like the only reason the court officials enjoyed the event was because it was the only occasion in which it was acceptable for them to point their arrows at each other in the guise of hunting. She herself was never allowed to attend the event until this year and Ye An didn't mind one bit.
As regent, the Empress Mother attended the Annual Hunt in Ye An's place for the past twenty-two years with General Shao as her representative for the actual hunting event. This year would be the first time in decades that an actual emperor led the hunt. In the ministers' conservative eyes, having such an auspicious event marred by the presence of those barbaric Northerners was unfathomable.
"That is a decision that I have made and will not change. We will extend an invitation to them as a token of friendship to keep the peace between both countries and that is that." Ye An announced decisively.
"Are we clear?" Ye An pushed.
The murmurs of discontent in the crowd slowly dissipated before the ministers replied in unison. "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."
*******
At the Empress Mother's residence, the court maids who were carrying the Empress Mother's lunch were approached by a low-ranking eunuch. He passed a small piece of parchment that was tied using a thread to them.
"Make sure she reads this." The eunuch spoke quietly.
One of the court maids took the piece of parchment and clasped it in her hand, nodding wordlessly before continuing the journey to the Empress Mother's chambers.
As the rest of the court maids laid out the Empress Mother's meal, the court maid who had the piece of parchment went up to the Empress Mother and passed it to her. "Your Majesty."
"What is this?"
"I was told to pass this to you." The court maid said meekly.
There was only one person who would be sending her a message at this time of the day. "Alright. You may leave." The Empress Mother told the court maid as she took the parchment from her. "All of you too." She directed the last part to the rest of the court maids.
When she was finally alone, the Empress Mother untied the small piece of parchment. Her eyes bulged with every word that she read.
YOU ARE READING
THE NIGHT EMPEROR: 夜安王 【The Night Emperor Book 1】| ✔️
Historical Fiction☑ COMPLETED "There are enough bad things in life, hold on to whatever it is that gives you joy." For the past 22 years, the Empress Mother has held onto the Dragon Throne that was rightfully Ye An's. Now, Ye An has finally ascended to the throne. Bu...
