Chapter 18: Finally Made It
In an instant, the court officials were thrown into utter chaos, countless questions bursting from their lips.
Yet the venerable master offered no answer, instead fixing his gaze steadily upon the Empress Dowager, as if waiting for her to come to a realization on her own.
Observing this, Ning Chen, who had been masquerading as a naïve bystander, couldn’t help but curl the corner of his mouth slightly.
For he understood this was the brilliance of Master Kong!
How does one deceive a naturally suspicious person?
The best method is to pose questions, then subtly guide them to think it through themselves.
Because, compared to having answers fed to them directly, a suspicious person like the Empress Dowager would trust conclusions drawn from her own reasoning far more!
Though he grasped the master’s intention, deep inside, Ning Chen couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety.
He quietly glanced at the Empress Dowager, waiting for her to come to a clear decision.
If she failed to see through or refused to fall into the trap,
then all their prior schemes would be for naught, and his life would not extend beyond tomorrow!
The Empress Dowager said nothing, standing there dazed, her delicate brows knitted tightly, clearly lost in profound thought.
Perhaps sensing the turmoil in her expression, the once noisy birthday banquet fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone feared making a sound that might provoke her wrath; the atmosphere thickened unbearably.
All eyes were fixed on her, awaiting her final decree, not daring to breathe.
For all could see that Master Kong’s suggestion was genuinely for her benefit!
Yet it went against her original will!
More importantly, her decision regarding the dethronement of the puppet young emperor Ning Chen would affect not only his fate but also countless others behind the scenes.
Beside them, young Anzi’s palms were sweaty with tension; he furtively glanced at the Empress Dowager and then at Ning Chen.
Even Fan Dayou swallowed nervously.
A long while passed — truly a very long time.
Suddenly, the Empress Dowager turned her head toward Ning Chen, her gaze dark and chilling.
But soon, that darkness faded, replaced by a look of profound complexity.
She drew a deep breath, swept her eyes over everyone present, then with resolute firmness clenched her teeth and shouted:
“Hear the decree!”
The crowd quickly prostrated themselves, eager to hear what the Empress Dowager would announce next.
With a sweep of her sleeve, she returned imperiously to her phoenix throne, eyes scanning the assembly — deliberately skipping Ning Chen.
“My son Ning Chen’s filial piety is commendable, as clear as the sun and moon!”
“I am greatly pleased with the birthday celebrations and am truly delighted!”
“His disaster relief efforts are unparalleled merit, proving his innate goodness and exceptional talent!”
“From this day forth, as long as my son remains sincere in repentance and steadfast in his conduct, I hereby forgive the eleven hundred seventy-two offenses he committed and grant him another chance!”
At this, she looked at Ning Chen with a complex expression, speaking each word with weight:
“Effective immediately, I revoke the imperial edict of deposition and swear publicly — never to depose him again!”
“Moreover, I shall wholeheartedly support him to become a wise and enlightened ruler!”
Her voice rang out like a great bell, echoing through every corner of the banquet hall.
A roar of astonishment swept through the gathering.
At that moment, the ministers were dumbfounded!
None had expected the Empress Dowager truly to make such a decision — to issue such an edict!
Especially Pan Yu, commander of the imperial guard.
He stood stupefied, face full of question marks, eyes blazing with resentment.
Why?
Why would the Empress Dowager agree to Master Kong’s suggestion?
Her plan’s first step was on the verge of realization!
She could have firmly rejected the master’s advice!
The useless young emperor could have been deposed and vanished forever...
Meanwhile, Fan Dayou was frozen in place as well.
He had come to argue passionately, to make a stand, but now that the outcome was as he wished, his mind was riddled with doubt.
Had the Empress Dowager truly been swayed by Master Kong’s words?
Had she changed her heart?
Unlike everyone else, Master Kong looked on the Empress Dowager with satisfaction, an expression of a teacher seeing a pupil who could be taught, yet he never once glanced at Ning Chen.
No one noticed that in a corner, young Anzi’s eyes were already moist, his heart quietly cheering with joy.
It was done!
Finally done!
Those words “revoke the edict of deposition” were spoken aloud before all!
Others might think merely rescinding the edict was trivial, but only he understood that this was the young emperor’s first critical step.
Only he knew how, without power or troops, the puppet emperor had been treading on thin ice, carefully planning, disguising, risking his life for this moment.
Though it seemed simple, the process was fraught with uncertainty; a single misstep could mean no tomorrow.
Only those involved truly understood the bitter taste of this journey.
Moreover, His Majesty was only nine years old!
Nine years old!
At that age, others were still playing with mud.
Yet the young emperor was already “playing” with hearts and minds!
He believed that since the young emperor had succeeded in taking this first step, he would surely take countless more until he reached the pinnacle.
But when he quietly looked at Ning Chen with excitement, he found no trace of joy on the boy’s face.
Was His Majesty still pretending?
Or...
At that moment, the Empress Dowager suddenly rose, her face filled with maternal affection as she approached the young emperor, taking his small hand and leading him to Master Kong.
With a smile full of warmth, she said, “Master, I am grateful for your guidance today; I shall keep your teachings close. Yet, I have one small request — I wonder if you might grant it?”
Upon hearing this, Ning Chen frowned slightly, a sudden uneasy premonition rising within him.
He wondered: My dear mother, what trick do you intend to play now?
Master Kong was also momentarily taken aback, looking at the Empress Dowager with疑惑: “Your Majesty, what do you wish to command?”
Before the puzzled eyes of all present, the Empress Dowager lifted Ning Chen’s small hand, then took the master’s hand, placing the boy’s hand gently in the old man’s weathered palm, patting it lightly — the very image of a loving mother.
With sincere expression, she said, “You, honored as imperial tutor to two emperors, would you consent to come out of retirement once more, take my son as your pupil, and personally instruct him?”
This announcement drew murmurs of astonishment from all.
Why?
Not only had the Empress Dowager truly revoked the deposition edict, but she now wished to appoint Master Kong as tutor to that puppet young emperor?
Had she truly changed her nature?
Was she genuinely resolved to support young Emperor Ning Chen?
Master Kong frowned slightly, finally casting a glance at the still naive-looking Ning Chen, then sighed, “Empress Dowager, you know I have long been withdrawn from the world. Were it not for my concern that Your Majesty might stray from the right path, I would not have come here today.”
“Moreover, I have very high standards for taking pupils.”
He eyed Ning Chen again, shaking his head with a sigh: “Though the young emperor’s filial piety is admirable, in intelligence and character he falls far short of the Gaozu and the late emperor.”
“I truly do not wish to waste my time...”
At these words, Ning Chen suddenly raised an eyebrow, then immediately knelt, looking every bit the contrite child, pleading, “Mother, Master, I know I was wrong!”
“I should not have falsely claimed that the birthday disaster relief was my idea, nor should I have lied before all!”
“I only thought that if I performed well, Mother would be pleased, so I lied.”
“Master Kong, I beg you, take me as your pupil. I know I am slow, but if you refuse, Mother will surely be saddened and disappointed. I do not wish to see her unhappy...”
A perfect picture of filial affection!
Some women present were even moved to tears.
Yet only Master Kong and Ning Chen knew how vital this unspoken, unrehearsed double act was in the Empress Dowager’s performance.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager’s eyes glistened with emotion; she even choked up, saying, “My dear child, today I see how truly filial you are!”
She affectionately stroked Ning Chen’s head, then suddenly knelt before Master Kong, earnestly pleading, “Master, I implore you. Only you can help me guide my son properly, so he may become a worthy emperor...”
Master Kong hurried to help her to her feet, wearing a troubled expression.
“Enough, enough. I knew coming here today would only bring trouble. But for Your Majesty’s sake, I will agree.”
Seeing the Empress Dowager smile, Master Kong then spoke gravely: “However, I am only agreeing to give him a trial.”
“Whether he passes depends on his own merit.”
He looked at Ning Chen, then bowed to the Empress Dowager: “Your Majesty, allow me to test His Majesty alone. If he passes my test, I will accept him as my pupil; if not, I will not.”
The Empress Dowager scarcely hesitated, readily agreeing, seemingly unconcerned whether the young emperor would succeed.
Soon after the banquet concluded, Master Kong led Ning Chen to a secluded chamber.
Closing the door, Ning Chen knelt respectfully before the master, gratefully saying, “Thank you, Master, for saving me...”
Before he could finish, Master Kong cut him off sternly:
“Do not pretend before me!”
“If I can help you, I can also destroy you!”
Startled by these words, Ning Chen froze...