novelAbuy Chapter 59 The Calm Before the Storm
Chapter 59 The Calm Before the Storm
Yang Yan calmly withdrew his hand: "My second uncle was just concerned about his nephew, asking if I wanted to go to Lingnan to eat lychees. I said I wanted to go, and he even praised me for having ambitions beyond my hometown."
"Eat...eat lychees?" Yang Yong was stunned, clearly not quite understanding. "We're in dire need of help, why is he saying this?"
"Perhaps it was just my second uncle's refined taste."
Yang Yan didn't explain much, but gently nudged Yang Yong's back: "Father, let's go quickly, it will be troublesome if we miss the appointed time. I heard the master of ceremonies calling out names. Remember what I said for today's court meeting—no matter what happens, only bring your ears, not your mouth."
Although Yang Yong was full of doubts, seeing his son's calm and composed appearance, he felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.
He nodded, forced himself to straighten his clothes, and adopted the imposing manner of a crown prince before walking toward the ranks of officials.
Yang Yan's steps were steady, but his mind was racing.
Yang Guang has practically laid his cards on the table for him today.
The second uncle's words just now were loaded with barbs—"I heard that the Emperor greatly admires your military strategy and insight," and "We discussed matters at night a few days ago."
What does this tell us?
This shows that Yang Guang knew the content of the essay he presented in the examination!
I know he participated in the military secret meeting that night, which was attended by only a very few core ministers such as Yang Jian, Gao Jiong, and Yang Su!
Yang Yan felt a chill creep up his spine.
It should be noted that the meeting that night was top secret.
In his later years, Yang Jian became extremely suspicious and was very vigilant about such core secrets.
Apart from the few prime ministers present, only a few old eunuchs who served him closely knew about it.
How could Yang Guang know so much?
He must have had trusted confidants by Yang Jian's side!
who is it?
Yang Su?
No, although Yang Su colluded with Yang Guang, he was an old fox. If such a top secret were leaked and Yang Jian found out, it would be a capital offense. He would not easily risk sending a message for such a matter.
So...
A terrible thought arose in Yang Yan's mind and grew wildly like a poisonous weed.
Could it be... Yang Yue?
That Inner Court official who walks the inner court, usually cautious and seemingly invisible?
If it were him, then the defensive line around Yang Jian would be practically non-existent for Yang Guang!
"Not only that..."
Yang Yan paused slightly, the soles of his shoes scraping against the bluestone slabs with a harsh sound.
He suddenly realized that if Yang Guang knew everything about his every move, then...
Was that "horse-riding assassination" on the way back from the exam hall his doing?
Was it Yang Guang who killed him after discovering his resistance to the arrangements?
Wait, that's not right either. Why would the original owner, that cowardly and desperate young man, suddenly risk the death penalty for deceiving the emperor to participate in the imperial examination?
Given the original owner's personality, that was something he wouldn't dare to do even if he had ten times the courage.
Unless... someone induced him?
Someone whispered in that desperate boy's ear, brainwashed him, and made him believe that becoming famous in the exam hall was his only way out, pushing him to his death.
This does seem to fit Yang Guang's style!
If that's the case, then Yang Guang's plans were earlier and more profound than he had imagined!
Why arrange an assassination attempt after the exam has already been taken?
Yang Yan frowned, his gaze sharp as a knife.
What is it about him, a powerless and illegitimate eldest grandson, that makes him so scheming?
Is it simply because he is the crown prince's son?
To nip it in the bud?
No, that reason is not sufficient.
For an ambitious man like Yang Guang, the second tactic was far too rudimentary!
"Thump—thump—thump—"
Suddenly, three deep bell tolls pierced the tranquility of the imperial city—this was the prelude to the Sui Dynasty's court assembly; the three tolls signaled to all officials to remain silent.
It pierced through the thin layer of morning mist in Daxing City and shattered the chaotic thoughts in Yang Yan's mind.
The civil and military officials who had been whispering and testing each other at the entrance of the main hall fell into a deathly silence the moment the bell rang.
They quickly straightened their clothes and, according to their rank and position, silently and swiftly lined up to enter the hall like pre-programmed puppets.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The high-pitched, shrill voice of the head of the Inner Palace echoed in the spacious Daxing Hall, carrying a chilling, penetrating power.
Immediately following was the heavy scraping sound of armor plates, the sound of the imperial guards clearing the way.
Yang Yan followed behind his father, Yang Yong, and entered the main hall with his head bowed. He slightly raised his eyes, his peripheral vision sweeping over the high and mighty Danbi steps.
A figure in black robes emerged slowly, surrounded by close advisors such as the Attendant-in-Ordinary and the Grand Secretary.
That was Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian.
Today, he wears a crown that reaches the heavens, a crimson robe, and a gold and jade belt. Although his temples are now streaked with gray and his back is no longer as upright as it was in his prime, he stands there like an insurmountable mountain.
The imperial aura that had emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and had been steeped in decades of power struggles, was now released without reservation. He was a completely different person from the slightly weary old man that Yang Yan had seen in the study that night.
"bye--"
Led by Crown Prince Yang Yong, everyone on the imperial throne, whether they were officials in green robes and silver hairpins, nobles in purple robes and jade belts, or even members of the imperial family like Yang Yan, bowed and made a deep bow in unison.
"prosper--"
Everyone returned to their positions, but before they could catch their breath, the second chant of the ceremony followed: "Bowing again—"
People bent down deeply once again.
"prosper--"
After this elaborate and solemn ceremony was completed, everyone stood solemnly with their tablets in hand once more.
Throughout the entire process, there was not a single discordant sound, nor the deafening shouts of "Long live!" typical of movies and television dramas.
The immense sense of solemnity did not come from the sound, but rather from the silent pressure of the hundreds of people acting in unison.
This silence is more awe-inspiring than any roar.
Yang Jian slowly sat down on the throne: "Crown Prince, and all ministers, rise. What is the matter to be reported today?"
The officials rose and lined up on both sides.
Beneath the imperial steps, civil officials stand to the east and military officials to the west.
Yang Yan stood in the imperial clan's ranks, in a rather prominent position.
Because he was the eldest grandson of the emperor, even though he was born out of wedlock, as long as he had the title of "eldest" and had not been deposed, his position was above all the officials, second only to a few princes.
At this moment, he appeared to be looking down at his nose and contemplating his own thoughts, but in reality, he was subtly observing the enormous chess game out of the corner of his eye.
On the left is a group of civil officials led by Gao Jiong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Most of these people came from the old noble families of Guanzhong or the Shandong gentry. They stood solemnly with their hands at their sides, like sturdy pine trees in the wind and rain.
Gao Jiong had a gaunt face and slightly closed eyes, as if he were an old monk in meditation. But as long as this "pillar of the Sui Dynasty" stood there, he was the greatest source of confidence for the princelings.
He observed the situation in the court without making a sound.
On the right are military generals and newly promoted powerful ministers, led by Yang Su, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
These men were all burly and had sharp eyes. Especially the newly rich who were eager for military merit.
Their eyes were fixed intently on the throne, their gazes carrying a hint of resentment and anxiety—a yearning for war and a greed for titles.
Meanwhile, Yang Guang, the kind second uncle who had just shown him "great care" at the palace gate, was now standing at the head of the princes' procession.
He smiled, his expression was respectful, and his gaze was gentle as he looked at the ground, as if the vicious wolf that had bared its fangs at the palace gate was not him at all.
This extreme contrast made the alarm bells ring even louder in Yang Yan's mind.
"This is no imperial court; it's more like a gladiatorial arena."
Yang Yan secretly gasped, his palms slightly sweaty.
A few cold lines in the history book: "Depose Crown Prince Yong and establish Prince Guang of Jin."
In reality, it's a heart-stopping experience where every step you take is fraught with danger.