Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 923: Chapter 48: Letting Prince Zheng Return Ahead of Time

At the entrance of the Imperial Study, a group of ministers knelt. Their eyes were resolute, their expressions solemn, as if they were on the battlefield at that moment.

Sun Doudou saw Sun Kui walking out from the Imperial Study and quickly went up to him. Sun Kui stepped aside and stood with him.

Marquis Wuping and a group of ministers saw Sun Kui come out, and their eyes immediately lit up, but quickly the light in their eyes dimmed, because Sun Kui didn’t say anything to them.

Sun Doudou lowered his voice and asked Sun Kui, "Master, why did you come out?"

Sun Kui glanced at the ministers kneeling at the door, a trace of a mocking smile flashing in his eyes. He lifted his chin, gestured with his mouth towards Marquis Wuping and the others kneeling at the door, and said with a laugh, "The emperor asked me to monitor them."

"Ah?" Sun Doudou was shocked, "Didn’t the emperor ask you to come out and persuade them?"

"The emperor said they could kneel for as long as they wanted, even until the end of time."

Sun Doudou asked incredulously, "The emperor really doesn’t care?" These were powerful ministers, all with noble status. "Isn’t the emperor afraid they’ll get into trouble from kneeling?" These noblemen weren’t young. Kneeling for a short time might be fine, but if it went on too long, something would definitely happen.

"The emperor said that after they’ve been kneeling for a while and their faces show painful expressions, then we should offer them prayer mats and some tea. If any minister faints, they should be sent to the Imperial Hospital immediately." The emperor’s main concern was to be considerate.

"Ah?" Sun Doudou was astonished, "Is that really okay?"

"The emperor said that all the ministers have contributed to the Great Zhou and cannot genuinely allow them to faint at the door of the Imperial Study, so they must be well taken care of so that they can kneel comfortably."

Sun Doudou: "..." As expected of the emperor.

Sun Kui stared at the ministers kneeling at the door to see if any showed painful expressions.

"Master, isn’t the emperor afraid these ministers will collectively refuse court tomorrow?" Sun Doudou looked at these powerful ministers and sensed they were genuinely upset, and this time, they wouldn’t easily back down.

"Do you think the emperor would be afraid?" Sun Kui sneered, "The emperor would love for them to collectively refuse court and retire home, so he could promote other officials."

After hearing this, Sun Doudou gave a thumbs up.

In his heart, he marveled: The emperor’s plans are truly thorough.

"The emperor also said that letting the ministers get some sun would be good for their health." Sun Kui had just finished speaking when he suddenly remembered something and added, "Yes, the emperor said that exposure to the sun helps with calcium absorption. These ministers are getting old, and their legs and feet aren’t great, so this is an opportunity to let them get some sun and calcium. Maybe their legs will become more agile."

Sun Doudou remained silent for a moment before asking, "Master, is the emperor being sarcastic or genuinely caring about the ministers?"

Sun Kui cast a sidelong glance at Sun Doudou and said, "Of course, the emperor is genuinely concerned for the ministers and means well for them."

Listening to his master’s righteous words, Sun Doudou almost believed him.

"The emperor is truly considerate of the ministers." Master has learned the emperor’s tricks.

Sun Kui lightly tapped his disciple’s head with the horsetail whisk, "Hurry and get the prayer mats."

"I’ll go get them now."

Sun Doudou acted quickly, bringing a pile of prayer mats, ready to offer them thoughtfully to any minister who couldn’t bear kneeling any longer.

Sun Kui chatted with his disciple while keeping an eye on Marquis Wuping and the others.

It seemed that the ministers, after all, were getting on in years. After half an hour of kneeling, many couldn’t endure any longer. Quite a few showed painful expressions, but they gritted their teeth and persevered.

Sun Doudou noticed several ministers grimacing in pain and quietly asked Sun Kui, "Master, should we give them the prayer mats now?"

"The emperor said to let them kneel for at least an hour." Sun Kui replied, "Let’s wait a bit longer."

Sun Doudou thought, the emperor is indeed strict.

"I’ll go in and check if the emperor needs anything." Sun Kui turned and entered the Imperial Study, respectfully asking, "Your Majesty, would you like a cup of tea?"

The emperor looked up at Sun Kui with interest and asked, "How are the people outside?"

Sun Kui replied, "Quite a few ministers are already unable to bear it, but they’re still gritting their teeth and holding on."

"They can’t handle it after kneeling for so little time?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, they’ve been kneeling for an hour." Sun Kui asked, "Your Majesty, should we give the ministers the prayer mats now?"

"They’ve only been kneeling for an hour. Wait until they’ve knelt for two hours before giving them the mats." The emperor smiled with an ill-intentioned look. "Let them suffer a bit first, then remind me to go out and check on them. They are all meritorious servants of the Great Zhou. As the emperor, how can I ignore them? I must show my concern for them."