Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 438: Dismissal of the Regent

Today's morning court session was destined to be turbulent.

The current Regent had abducted Prince Yan, had his mansion surrounded by the Empress Dowager, suffered defeat, and fled, disappearing without a trace.

This incident caused an uproar in the court.

The Regent had long controlled state affairs, promoting many members of the Feng and Lin families, which had long bred discontent.

Now, as the vast majority of court officials, led by Chief Li, were preparing to jointly petition for the Regent's dismissal, they learned that the Regent had vanished.

With the Regent himself absent, the matter naturally proceeded more smoothly.

"Prince Yan is not even two years old, yet the Regent abducted him to use as a pawn against the Empress Dowager—his intentions are condemnable!"

"The Regent's duty is to assist the young Emperor and help govern the country. Yet during Cheng Wang's rebellion, the Regent accomplished nothing and is unworthy of his title."

"I propose the dismissal of the Regent!"

"I second the motion!"

Countless officials stepped forward in the court.

Chu Hongyu raised his hand: "Then it shall be as you all propose. The Regent is dismissed. Specific matters will be discussed later. Court is adjourned!"

After speaking, he rose from the Dragon Throne and hurriedly left the hall.

He quickly removed his Dragon Robe and changed into ordinary eunuch attire.

His mother had not returned all last night and was absent from the morning court—she must have encountered serious trouble.

He had once vowed to make his mother the most honored woman in the world, but in doing so, she had also become the busiest, constantly handling various affairs for him. As Emperor, he felt utterly useless.

But even more useless was his father, who had gone who-knows-where and still hadn't returned after all this time.

Just as he finished changing, a servant reported: "Your Majesty, Old Master Ouyang and the study attendants are waiting in the Imperial Study."

He sighed and had no choice but to go see Ouyang Ye first.

Seeing his attire, Ouyang Ye paused: "Your Majesty, this is...?"

The eight study attendants seated in the classroom instantly grew excited. Seeing the Emperor sneaking out of the palace, they knew something major was afoot.

"Teacher, I have urgent business to attend to outside the palace," Chu Hongyu said. "I request your understanding.Ouyang Ye stroked his beard: "Your Majesty, I have no reason to stop you from leaving the palace." However, since you've asked me, I shall pose a question. If you answer correctly, you may depart."

Though anxious, Chu Hongyu restrained his impatience: "Please proceed, Teacher."

"Your Majesty is traveling by carriage when three children playing ahead on the road become too engrossed to hear the hoofbeats. By the time you wish to stop the carriage, it's too late," Ouyang Ye said unhurriedly. "You could divert the carriage to another path, but a road worker is repairing that alternate route. Should you change course or continue forward?"

Chu Hongyu rested his chin in his hand.

If the carriage continued, the three children would certainly die.

If the carriage diverted, the road worker would also face certain death.

The children nearby chattered in discussion.

"Three lives on one side, one life on the other—of course you divert!"

"But those three children were playing on the main road—they made the mistake. Why should an innocent road worker bear the consequences?"

"Exactly! Whoever makes the mistake should face the results."

"But those are three lives! They're young and don't know better. They shouldn't die for such a small mistake."

"..."

Ouyang Ye watched Chu Hongyu calmly, waiting for his response.In his view, there was no single correct answer to this question, but the response could reveal a person's character.

Chu Hongyu paced back and forth.

If he were an ordinary person, he would let the carriage proceed straight ahead—whoever made the mistake should bear the consequences.

But now, as the Emperor, every individual was his subject.

He had the responsibility and duty to protect every commoner.

"If I were on that carriage, I would kill the horse," Chu Hongyu stated after careful consideration. "The road workers don't deserve to die, and the child who made the mistake shouldn't die either."

Ouyang Ye nodded. "But if you kill the horse, the carriage will go out of control, and you might die."

"To die protecting my subjects is the fate of a ruler," Chu Hongyu said calmly. "If such a day ever comes in reality, I would step forward without hesitation."

"No, Your Majesty!" Lin Dongdong hurriedly interjected. "If there's ever a need to step forward, let me do it for you."

Chen San pushed him aside. "The Regent has been dismissed, your father will soon fall from power, and you won't remain as an attendant anymore. From now on, I'll be the Emperor's First Attendant. Leave the stepping forward to me!"

"Me too! Me too!"

A group of attendants crowded around.

"Good, very good!" Ouyang Ye said with satisfaction. "Your Majesty, didn't you want to leave the palace? It's still early, you should go now."

Chu Hongyu immediately headed out. After several steps, he noticed that Lin Dongdong, who usually clung to him the most, hadn't followed. Turning back, he asked, "What are you doing?"

Lin Dongdong's face fell. "Am I... am I no longer allowed to be Your Majesty's attendant?"

"Nonsense," Chu Hongyu frowned. "Hurry up, keep up."

Lin Dongdong's face immediately brightened with a smile.

Thank goodness.

The Emperor hadn't rejected him.

A group of children, dressed in eunuch's attire, successfully left the palace just as they had many times before.

At that moment, in the eastern suburbs of the capital, Yun Chu stood before the Orphanage she had previously dedicated herself to building, accompanied by her people.

This was a building she had constructed with tens of thousands of taels of silver back when she was still Lady Xie, hoping to accumulate merit for her two children. It served as a shelter for homeless children.

Initially, there were only about a hundred children, but as their numbers grew, the Orphanage had been continuously expanded.

After she became the Crown Princess, many merchants, seeking to curry favor with her, actively donated money and grain to the Orphanage. Gradually, these donations were enough to cover all the daily needs of the Orphanage. Now, the number of children there was close to a thousand.

What should have been a lively place was now shrouded in gloom.

After Chu Rui escaped through the secret passage, he was met by hidden guards and then took control of the Orphanage.

"Yun Chu," Chu Rui said slowly, seated on a soft couch at the entrance of the Orphanage. "This place is one of the reasons you, as the Empress Dowager, have won the people's hearts. If I destroy it, it should pain you, shouldn't it?"

Yun Chu remained silent, her expression stern.

But with her eyes, she signaled the people behind her to surround the Orphanage.

"If you're unwilling to let your son Chu Hongyu fall into my hands, then these children here will have to suffer instead."

After saying this, Chu Rui coughed painfully.

He had endured considerable suffering the day before, with sword wounds beneath both collarbones and a stab wound to his thigh from Yun Chu that left him unable to stand.

His body was already frail, and he had lost twenty years of his lifespan due to the gu poison. Now, after such severe punishment, he felt his life was nearing its end.How did it come to this?

He looked at the woman standing at the forefront not far away and slowly said, "Yun Chu, how about this—if you agree to one thing I ask, I will release these innocent children."