Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 638: Chapter 316: Imperial Examination_2

At this moment, Sun Kui kindly reminded the emperor, "Your Majesty, there is still some time before the morning court session."

The emperor stopped in his tracks, turned around and gave Sun Kui a peculiar look, "Can’t I attend court earlier?"

Attend court earlier?!!

Sun Kui was utterly shocked. He instinctively cast his gaze out the window, wanting to see if the sun had risen from the west today?

The emperor saw Sun Kui’s ghostly expression and angrily lifted his foot to kick him.

"What is that expression on your face?"

Sun Kui snapped back to his senses, looking at the emperor with worried eyes.

"Your Majesty, are you alright? Should we summon the Imperial Physician to take a look at you?" The emperor actually wants to attend court early; he must be ill, and quite seriously at that. Could it be a fever?

"Ouch!" Sun Kui received another kick from the emperor.

"Where do I look sick?"

"Your Majesty, you actually want to attend court early. This... you’ve never gone to court early all these years, especially not on the first day of the New Year." Sun Kui was deeply worried, "Every year at this time, your spirit isn’t very good, and you’re very reluctant to attend court. You... are a bit unusual."

The emperor put his hands on his hips, "I am in a good mood today, can’t I go to court early?" After speaking, he kicked Sun Kui again, "Get up quickly."

Sun Kui hurriedly stood up, his face full of anxiety as he followed behind the emperor, "Your Majesty, why don’t we have the Imperial Physician check your pulse after the court session? After all, during the New Year, the Imperial Physician hasn’t given you a pulse check for peace."

The emperor turned around, glared sinisterly at Sun Kui, "If you say one more word, I’ll send you to meet your great-grandmother immediately."

Scared, Sun Kui shut his mouth at once, presenting a very compliant appearance.

The emperor hummed a little tune, walking briskly towards the main hall of Chengguang Hall.

Following behind, Sun Kui felt increasingly that today’s emperor was not normal. This was not the emperor he knew. Although the emperor seldom skipped court in recent years, it didn’t mean he liked attending court. On the contrary, the emperor hated attending court. Every day before the court session, the emperor would grumble, complaining about being the emperor. Such eagerness to attend court today, and arriving early no less, had never happened before.

What exactly is wrong with the emperor today?

Walking behind the emperor, Sun Kui didn’t forget to check if the sun had risen from the east today.

Eh, there was no sun today; the sky was overcast.

Indeed, today’s emperor was abnormal!

The ministers had just entered Chengguang Hall and hadn’t even stood properly when they heard Sun Kui’s voice from outside the hall.

The emperor has arrived!

The ministers were first extremely surprised and then hastily stood at attention. Just as they did, the emperor strode in. The ministers hurriedly knelt to pay respects, "Long live the emperor, long live the emperor!"

Uncharacteristically dignified, the emperor sat on the dragon throne and lightly waved his hand, "Please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor examined the ministers standing below and said jokingly, "It seems you all had a good New Year, I see many have become quite plump."

The visibly plump ministers blushed with embarrassment. During the New Year, they had indulged in rich foods, and without deliberate control, they had inadvertently gained weight.

"The meals during your New Year were good, I am pleased."

Unsure if the emperor was genuinely happy or feigning it, the ministers were frightened and knelt together, pleading, "We are guilty, we seek Your Majesty’s forgiveness."

"I’m not blaming you, why are you pleading guilt?" The emperor gestured for the kneeling ministers to rise, "Please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Quivering with fear, the ministers stood up.

"Gaining weight is a good thing, but I don’t wish to see you all coming to court with rotund bellies." The idea alone made the emperor wince.

After hearing this, the ministers’ hearts tensed, and they quickly said, "We dare not." Having gained quite a bit of weight during the festive season, the ministers were now sweating bullets. From today on, they vowed to eat less to slim down quickly.

"Today, on this first morning court of the New Year, I have two announcements to make."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince, Prince Dai, and others immediately became anxious.

Could it be that Father intends to really have the fourth one investigate and recommend talents?

Prince Chu remained outwardly calm, but couldn’t help feeling a bit tense inside.

The emperor stood up and walked to the front.

"The first thing, I announce the cancellation of recruitment and recommendation."

What?

The entire court of ministers thought they had misheard, each one wearing a look of disbelief.

What did the emperor just say?