In the court hall, hundreds of officials stood in formation.

Yun Chu wore a dark purple Empress Dowager’s official robe, its long train dragging on the ground as she walked step by step from outside the great hall.

The civil and military officials parted down the middle, respectfully welcoming the Empress Dowager into the hall to attend court.

A young eunuch had already placed a soft chair behind the young Emperor’s dragon throne, separated from the dragon throne by a curtain of gold, jade, and pearls.

Yun Chu ascended the steps, stood beside the dragon throne, and looked at the assembled officials. “His Majesty is young, unruly, and willful. For the prosperous peace of our Great Jin Dynasty, this dowager has no choice but to come to the court hall. Fortunately, you ministers are understanding. This is a blessing for Great Jin. Once His Majesty begins ruling personally, this dowager will immediately return to the palace to live out her remaining years.”

Standing at the head position, Chu Rui looked at Yun Chu.

From his position, he needed to raise his head to see her.

She was clearly only in her early twenties, but wearing this Empress Dowager’s attire, the Empress Dowager’s headdress, with heavy makeup on her face, she appeared at least ten years older without reason. She also appeared more imposing and authoritative, worthy of the Empress Dowager identity.

The eunuch beside her lifted the pearl curtain. She walked behind it and sat in the chair. The pearl curtain fell, half-concealing her figure.

Only then did the court session officially begin.

Various officials came forward one by one to report on major matters concerning people’s livelihood…

From beginning to end, Yun Chu didn’t say a word. Attending court for the first time, naturally she should listen and observe more. By quietly observing, she could discover many details she had never noticed before—for instance, which ministers belonged to the same faction, which ministers were stubborn, which only cared about their own small sphere of influence, which privately formed cliques for personal gain…

Sitting in the highest position, one could indeed see everything clearly.

Although she didn’t speak, Chu Hongyu would occasionally steal glances at her, acting according to her eye signals.

Near noon, the court session ended.

Chu Rui looked up at Yun Chu emerging from behind the pearl curtain, leading the young Emperor out through the door on the right.

His eyes were filled with gloom as he strode toward several ministers who were talking.

These ministers, led by Grand Secretary Li, the Chief Minister, were all pure scholar-officials from the Cabinet and Hanlin Academy—also the toughest bone to crack in court.

Since ancient times, scholars have been proud and aloof, disdaining to form cliques for personal gain, disdaining to band together in factions, disdaining the temptation of gold and silver… They held pens in their hands and the nation in their hearts. United, they were a tremendous force.

Previously, he had expended great effort to win over Marquis Boyuan, who worked in the Cabinet.

He never expected that Marquis Boyuan was actually a woman, which ruined all his plans.

It was also to stabilize this group of people that he had deliberately added Grand Secretary Li’s name to the list of Regent Ministers.

“Grand Secretary Li, Minister Qian, Minister Wei…” Chu Rui approached and bowed with cupped hands. “I wonder what you gentlemen think of today’s morning court?”

“Prince Regent,” Grand Secretary Li returned the bow. “Several matters at morning court have not yet been finalized. Are these the matters the Prince Regent is referring to?”

Chu Rui shook his head. “With the Empress Dowager ruling from behind the curtain, the Yun family grows powerful. I’m worried that one day, there will be interference from maternal relatives…”

“This…” Minister Wei hesitated before saying, “Although there is such a possibility, the Empress Dowager ruling from behind the curtain is currently the best method. Once His Majesty grows up and takes back power, everything will be resolved.”

Grand Secretary Li said calmly, “Indeed so.”

On one side was the Prince Regent controlling the government.

On the other was the increasingly powerful Yun family maternal relatives.

Only if both sides were evenly matched could they maintain a delicate stable relationship.

Chu Rui said nothing more.

The people in court gradually dispersed.

Yun Chu stayed at Yangxin Hall to dine with Chu Hongyu—mainly because it was close to the Imperial Study. After finishing the meal and resting briefly, he would need to go to the Imperial Study for lessons.

“Mother, why didn’t you allow me to propose sending troops to attack Dongling Kingdom during today’s court session?” Chu Hongyu took a sip of soup, put down his chopsticks, straightened his back, and asked. “Father has been missing for nearly three months now. I’m truly worried.”

Yun Chu said, “Great Jin and Dongling Kingdom are separated by the sea. As long as troops are stationed to guard the coastline, the people of Dongling Kingdom cannot invade. If war can be avoided, naturally we prefer not to go to war—this is what most people in court think. As for your father… they believe if someone is dead, they’re dead. There’s no need to send troops to do something meaningless.”

The emperor two generations ago loved expanding territory and actively launched many military campaigns, causing Great Jin’s internal resources to be depleted.

After the late Emperor ascended the throne, Great Jin mainly focused on recovery and recuperation. The late Emperor’s priority was maintaining what existed. By holding onto the national territory, he was considered a qualified emperor.

Therefore, most people in court were not warmongers.

In her previous life, Dongling Kingdom repeatedly harassed Great Jin. Great Jin only issued warnings but didn’t really do anything, which emboldened the people of Dongling Kingdom’s ambitions.

After Dongling Kingdom accumulated enough strength, Great Jin became meat on Dongling Kingdom’s chopping block. Coastal cities suffered invasion, flames of war spread everywhere, countless common people were displaced… And by that time, a mere one or two hundred thousand troops had no way to expel Dongling Kingdom…

She advocated taking the opportunity to subjugate Dongling Kingdom.

Not only to avenge Chu Yi, but more importantly, to avoid the tragic bloody battles in the future.

If this battle wasn’t fought now, later generations would have to fight it, and pay an even greater price.

But proposing to send troops now would absolutely not receive support.

An opportunity was needed.

The mother and son chatted about court matters for a while, then each went about their own business.

Chu Hongyu had risen too early in the morning and needed to nap briefly before going to the Imperial Study to read.

Yun Chu returned to Kunning Palace, shut herself in the study, spread out rice paper, and densely wrote many people’s names, also drawing various kinds of lines…

The next day at morning court.

Yun Ze brought a white-haired elderly man onto the great hall.

“It’s Old Master Ouyang!”

“Heavens! Minister Yun actually succeeded in persuading Master Ouyang to come out of retirement.”

“Master Ouyang is so advanced in years—can he really be Imperial Tutor? Will he faint in court…”

“Which bastard said I’ll faint?” Ouyang Ye bristled with anger. “I’m just old, not sick!”

The one called a bastard was a minister in his fifties who was terribly embarrassed but didn’t dare refute anything.

Fortunately, court officially began at this moment.

“This subject greets His Majesty and the Empress Dowager!” Ouyang Ye was the first to step forward. “Minister Yun invited this old man to come out of retirement to teach His Majesty, and also invited this old man to participate in court sessions. Shouldn’t this old man be given some official position?”

All the civil and military officials: “…”

This was the first time seeing someone so brazenly request an official position.

Chu Hongyu was troubled and turned back to ask, “What does the Empress Dowager think?”

Yun Chu’s voice came from behind the pearl curtain. “Master Ouyang was formerly Grand Tutor. Returning to court, his official rank naturally cannot be lower than Grand Tutor.”

Chu Hongyu was still troubled. “But above Grand Tutor, there are no official positions.”

Grand Tutor Xu gave a bitter laugh.

Master Ouyang returning to court—this matter was aimed at him.

He occupied the Imperial Tutor position but didn’t teach His Majesty the art of rulership. The Empress Dowager had probably long wanted to replace him.

Very well. Only by staying far from this court’s vortex could his clan members be truly safe.

Besides, he was also getting old. It was time to return home and retire.

Leaving at this time, the Prince Regent couldn’t find fault either.

With this thought, Grand Tutor Xu stepped forward. “Recently, this subject’s health has been deteriorating day by day. I truly lack the strength to assist His Majesty. Please allow this old subject to resign from office!”