Chapter 984: Chapter 543: Granted Marquis Title, Granted Ten Thousand Households
The first time attending the imperial assembly was quite refreshing.
The entire Golden Throne Hall was paved with black jade, with spiritual wood as the foundation. At a glance, it was resplendent and magnificent, exuding an indescribable aura of nobility.
At the forefront was a golden dragon throne, carved with dragons and phoenixes, vivid and lifelike.
Around it were golden wooden pillars, similarly engraved with various divine beasts, including True Dragons, Heavenly Phoenixes, Qilins, White Deer, and Immortal Cranes. Upon entering, a subtle pressure enveloped the entire hall.
The lower one’s cultivation, the less perceptible it was, while those with higher cultivation were more acutely aware of its formidable nature.
Perhaps this was the dignity of the royal family, exerting pressure on high-cultivation martial artists.
Civil and military officials entered in procession, one after another.
The left side was occupied by military generals or officials from the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, all of whom were military officers.
The right side consisted of officials from the six ministries, all civil officials.
The delineation between the two sides was pronounced.
Among the military officers, Great Governor Gu Tianqiong and Grand Marshal Li Kuangxiu stood at the front, feigning sleep, with eyes half-closed, silent but exuding an aura of keeping strangers at bay.
The four Divine Envoys of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau had arrived, and several major generals from the Capital also came for an audience.
This was quite an unusual scene; such top officials usually did not need to all be present, as they could rotate on duty. Otherwise, the combined presence of all noble civil and military officials would overwhelm the Golden Throne Hall.
For Chen Yuan, the last time a gathering was this complete was during the ancestral rituals in the grand hall.
It was the same on the civil officials’ side, led by several elder statesmen with gray hair and beards, whose demeanor was extraordinary. They were prominent ministers of the court, Grand Secretaries, and the like, all second rank civil officials.
Overseeing state affairs.
Behind them were the officials of the Six Ministries, all of whom were officers of the third rank, equal to the four Divine Envoys.
Chen Yuan’s status was not insignificant; as a fourth rank official, he stood relatively near the front. His appearance, unfamiliar to many, attracted considerable attention.
Countless gazes fixed upon him.
There was admiration, curiosity, envy, and also those who ignored him.
To most of them, Chen Yuan was both unfamiliar and familiar—unfamiliar because of his looks, familiar due to his reputation.
Who in the present Divine Capital didn’t know the name ‘Chen Green Envoy’?
Many guessed the reason for his presence today.
To be conferred with a marquisate!
This matter had already been spreading like wildfire in the Capital, known by many.
They were all well-informed individuals, how could they not know?
Facing the constant scrutiny, Chen Yuan disregarded it and, imitating the several officials ahead, feigned sleep, waiting for Jingtai to begin the court session.
Before long, a eunuch in red robes entered from a side door, proclaiming in a voice that quacked like a duck:
“His Majesty is arriving!”
With these words, the atmosphere in the Golden Throne Hall instantly became heavy, all officials quieted, eyes fixed forward, even those feigning sleep opened their eyes.
Jingtai’s figure gradually appeared, moving slowly, neither fast nor slow, rather evenly, filling hearts with an overwhelming solemnity.
Behind Jingtai were three Princes.
Eldest Prince Sima Qian walked at the forefront, Second Prince Sima You in the middle, and Fourth Prince Sima Ke at the rear, his expression serene.
Jingtai stepped up the dragon throne one step at a time, turned around and slowly sat down.
“We offer our respects to His Majesty!”
“We offer our respects to His Majesty!”
“We offer our respects to His Majesty!”
The synchronized voices echoed through the Golden Throne Hall, the leading court officials bending forward with fists clasped, while the rear officials knelt to show reverence.
“All ministers, rise.”
Jingtai’s voice was dignified and weighty.
The officials at the back rose gradually, bringing a stillness to the hall’s atmosphere.
“Ministers, present your reports.”
The elderly eunuch spoke again.
Thereupon, each official took a step sideways, leaned forward, and began presenting their reports.
There were reports on the Capital’s affairs, border pacification, and matters from other provinces.
The princes beside Jingtai regarded Chen Yuan with complex expressions.
Sima Qian and Sima You were puzzled as to why Chen Yuan, previously relentless, had reconciled with Sima Ke, and not only that, publicly stood by him.
This led to Sima Ke’s power rising rapidly.
Previously, they had dismissed their fourth brother, believing him hopeless for the Crown Prince position, only for him to suddenly intervene, causing them immense frustration.
Why?
Why indeed?!
Chen Yuan, an official soaring in prominence, publicly endorsing, had a huge impact, capable of offsetting their former advantage.
They had even sent emissaries with invitations or personally prepared visits, but Chen Yuan’s demeanor had drastically changed, predominantly declining politely.
Compared to them, Sima Ke felt truly content.
His mother’s gifts were not in vain!
Chen Yuan indeed had credibility, beginning to create momentum for him.
And this was just the beginning. He believed after Chen Yuan’s marquis conferment today, his influence would grow, truly placing him on the same level as his two brothers.
Many officials, previously hesitant, were now beginning to make moves, aiming to join his faction—it was merely a matter of time.
Before this, he intended to align closely with Chen Yuan, even more intimately.
Once Chen Yuan entered the Immortal Cave, then they would indeed be tied together.
Even during court assembly, a faint smile lingered on his lips.
Agitating Sima Qian and Sima You greatly.
There were many reports from various regions, taking about an hour to conclude, with Jingtai’s gaze periodically shifting below, lingering longest upon Chen Yuan.