Young Master Shen guessed that attending the imperial court today would not be smooth.
He also knew that Yao Jian definitely didn't want him to have an easy time.
He had also considered that Yao Jian might let his subordinates make things difficult for him.
But he truly hadn't expected that, right after meeting, Yao Jian would personally step forward and directly pin a big accusation on him.
It was like casting a powerful spell right from the start!
Young Master Shen was genuinely stunned by Yao Jian's words.
Please, you're the Chancellor Yao, the head of all officials!
For something like this, just let your lackeys handle it.
Why bother coming out yourself?
It's beneath you!
It's truly beneath you!
After a brief moment of distraction, Young Master Shen finally looked Yao Jian up and down, then said excitedly, "You're Chancellor Yao? Oh my, I've heard so much about you, and today I finally get to see you in person!"
Young Master Shen seemed to want to shake hands with Yao Jian, but considering that these 'natives' didn't understand the handshake custom, he could only circle around Yao Jian, observing him with curiosity.
He looked as if he had just seen a wild giant panda.
Facing Young Master Shen's rude behavior, Yao Jian's expression subtly changed.
"How dare you!"
Without Yao Jian even needing to speak, an official who noticed his expression already acted as his mouthpiece, "Bold Young Master Shen, how dare you be disrespectful to Chancellor Yao?"
"Stop it!"
Young Master Shen looked up at that official, "If this is considered being disrespectful to Chancellor Yao, then the things the common people say are tantamount to cursing Chancellor Yao's ancestors for eighteen generations…"
After a brief warm-up, Young Master Shen finally started to unleash his full attack.
Hearing Young Master Shen's words, the surrounding officials were all astonished, looking at Young Master Shen in disbelief.
To say 'curse Chancellor Yao's ancestors for eighteen generations' right in front of Yao Jian?
Tsk tsk!
What nerve!
He probably hasn't figured out who Chancellor Yao is, has he?
Who gave him such audacity!
Being publicly insulted by Young Master Shen, even someone as seasoned as Yao Jian couldn't help but let his expression fall.
"You brat, how dare you insult the current Prime Minister?"
At this moment, another official stepped forward and angrily rebuked Young Master Shen.
This person seemed very angry, his spittle almost spraying onto Young Master Shen's face.
"May I ask, who are you?"
Young Master Shen dug his ear, looking the official in the vermilion robe up and down, secretly slandering him in his heart.
You're so eager to jump out, is Yao Jian your father?
"This official is Yao Yu, the Left Vice Minister of Works!"
The official replied coldly.
"…"
Young Master Shen was speechless.
Look at what's happening!
Yao Jian really was his father!
"So it's Lord Yao, Lord Yao, please don't misunderstand!"
Young Master Shen quickly shook his head, "This junior certainly didn't insult Chancellor Yao! It's those common people who don't know Chancellor Yao's hard work and great achievements, complaining all day and speaking ill of Chancellor Yao. This junior is merely reporting to Chancellor Yao! Oh, and Lord Yao, this junior also heard that Prince Ji raised an army to rebel with the slogan 'Clear the Emperor's side, punish Yao Jian,' saying that Chancellor Yao is a treacherous minister, and even that he wants to dismember Chancellor Yao…"
Listening to Young Master Shen's words, Yao Yu's face grew even uglier, and the onlookers were even more astonished.
Some officials who were at odds with Yao Jian, however, had smiles on their faces, looking like they were enjoying a good show.
What a clever young man!
What a brilliant move, feigning madness!
Yao Jian looked at Young Master Shen with cold eyes, wanting to lash out, but didn't know how to.
Young Master Shen was here to attend the imperial court by imperial decree, so he naturally couldn't publicly beat Young Master Shen.
But if he were to engage in a war of words with such an unknown nobody as Young Master Shen, regardless of winning or losing, he would be at a disadvantage.
However, if he were to forcibly swallow this insult, he would also lose all face before the hundred officials.
Suddenly, Yao Jian realized he had done something foolish.
Or rather, he had underestimated Young Master Shen!
He had originally thought that, given his status, even if he publicly rebuked Young Master Shen, Young Master Shen could only meekly listen.
But he hadn't expected that he had only said one sentence, and Young Master Shen had spent half the day indirectly scolding him!
Yao Yu looked at Young Master Shen with icy eyes, "How come this official hasn't heard that Prince Ji raised such a slogan? I think you are maliciously slandering the current Prime Minister!"
"No?"
Young Master Shen was slightly surprised, "Earlier, on my way to worship my parents, I was assassinated by Prince Ji's subordinates. We caught two people and interrogated them, and they said Prince Ji would raise an army with the slogan 'Clear the Emperor's side, punish Yao Jian'! Did they lie?"
Yao Yu snorted coldly, "Stop feigning madness here! You think…"
"Yao Yu!"
Yao Jian spoke, stopping his son, and said with a calm expression, "There's no need to argue with him! This old man conducts himself uprightly and sits properly, so why should I fear a brat's slander and defamation?"
Saying this, Yao Jian gave his son a look.
This child is sharp-tongued; for them, given their status, to engage in a war of words with him here would only invite ridicule!
Once the imperial court begins, he would have plenty of ways to severely punish this child!
Meeting his father's gaze, Yao Yu reluctantly closed his mouth, but shot Young Master Shen a cold glance.
At this moment, Second Prince Ye Qing and Fourth Prince Ye Zhen also arrived almost simultaneously.
Emperor Zhou did not have many descendants; Third Prince died young, so counting Fifth Prince, that little brat, there were only four sons.
After Fifth Prince, Emperor Zhou had no more children.
Young Master Shen guessed that Emperor Zhou must have been too overworked and exhausted his body during those years.
As the two arrived, the officials all stepped forward to greet them.
Chancellor Yao and his son also stopped bothering with a minor character like Young Master Shen and went forward to greet the two princes.
Young Master Shen merely followed the crowd in a bow, without going up to make himself known.
Just as Young Master Shen was feeling bored, Zhang Ci came before him, lowering his voice and chuckling, "Young Master Shen, your mouth is truly formidable! I'm impressed, truly impressed!"
"Not at all, not at all!"
Young Master Shen laughed it off, asking knowingly, "Lord Zhang, did Prince Ji truly not raise the slogan 'Clear the Emperor's side, punish Yao Jian'?"
"No."
Lord Zhang answered with certainty.
"Damn it, was I really fooled?"
Young Master Shen smacked his lips, pretending to ponder, "Or is it that those scoundrels came up with the slogan, but haven't had time to tell Prince Ji yet?"
Hearing this, Lord Zhang couldn't help but lower his gaze and smile, "That's enough, stop pretending."
"I'm really not pretending."
Young Master Shen smiled casually, then whispered, "It seems Chancellor Yao has a lot of opinions about me. I'm a jinx now, Lord Zhang, aren't you afraid of being troubled by Chancellor Yao afterwards for coming to speak with me?"
Lord Zhang was unconcerned, "I've always been at odds with him; I've even often impeached him in court, so what's this?"
He truly wasn't afraid of Chancellor Yao's difficulties.
Moreover, the Emperor specifically arranged for him to put on a show to scare Young Master Shen, which already indicates a lot!
This is certainly not a jinx!
He might even be a new noble!
"Clang…"
Just as the two were speaking, the palace eunuch struck the gong.
At the same time, the heavy palace gates were slowly opened.
It was already the hour of Mao!
Lord Zhang no longer spoke much with Young Master Shen, and with the other officials, according to their rank, strode into the palace.
Young Master Shen, being without official position, naturally walked at the very back.
The palace gate was still a long distance from the main hall where court was held.
After walking for more than two quarters of an hour, they finally arrived in front of the grand hall where the imperial court was to be held.
Upon reaching here, the officials stopped whispering and stood with bowed heads, waiting for the eunuch in front of the hall to speak.
"Imperial court, begin! All officials enter the hall!"
Finally, the eunuch in front of the hall called out with a long, drawn-out voice.
All the officials bowed slightly and lined up to enter the grand hall.
Soon, Emperor Zhou and Crown Prince entered the hall.
Emperor Zhou walked over and sat on the dragon throne, while Crown Prince Ye Shen stood on the steps below the dragon throne.
Ye Shen slightly turned his head to look at Emperor Zhou, but saw Emperor Zhou with his eyelids lowered, seemingly lost in thought…