BXBX NOVEL Chapter 392: 339: This isn’t the first time it’s happened, are you still afraid of being laughed at?
Chapter 392: 339: This isn’t the first time it’s happened, are you still afraid of being laughed at?
Upon hearing Pei Xuanjing’s inquiry, Ye Daoyuan said solemnly.
Pei Xuanjing was puzzled, “Is there something that concerns you?”
The current conflict between the two sides has been clearly laid out and is irreconcilable, neither side can afford to back down.
In Pei Xuanjing’s view, Ye Daoyuan and his group should be prepared, or perhaps even have a fully formulated plan in place for their next move.
However, upon inquiring and hearing Ye Daoyuan’s response, Pei Xuanjing couldn’t help but wonder. After all this time, did they not even have a plan prepared for what comes next?
Seeing Pei Xuanjing’s puzzled expression, Ye Daoyuan felt a bit embarrassed, he said with a wry smile, “The current political situation at court is complex. Aside from the factions of His Majesty and empress Dowager, there is a group of people who have not yet made up their minds, so …”
Indeed, the political situation at court is considerably complex with more players than just the emperor’s faction and the dowager empress’s faction. There are others as well.
The influence those people exert on the court is not insignificant. If they choose to join any side, it could easily shift the balance of power, yet they haven’t made their choices yet.
Most of these individuals were those who had been handpicked and promoted by the late emperor. They are loyalists and hold high positions that neither the new emperor nor the dowager empress dare to move against them unless they are found guilty of some wrongdoing.
They are the ones who least want to see the current stalemate, unwilling to see the Heir Presumptive, who was recently crowned emperor, being deposed.
But they also do not want to see the emperor take action against the dowager empress right after his ascension to the throne, causing not only harm to the dowager empress, but also sullying his own reputation with the label of being undutiful.
Thus, they have been mediating between the two factions and painstakingly maintaining the current situation at the court.
“Heh heh.” Pei Xuanjing chuckled, understanding their predicament.
In the end, because of the existence of this third party, and their non-negligible influence, they are all unwilling to act prematurely, fearing that it might backfire and cause the third party to join the opposition.
“Now, do you understand my predicament?” Ye Daoyuan said to Pei Xuanjing, “After all, I am but a humble Superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, a loyal servant left by the late emperor.”
Although Ye Daoyuan is currently strongly supporting the emperor but he is clear about the awkwardness of his position.
His position as superintendent was conferred upon him by the late emperor following his nomination by the Taoist School. Thus, he qualifies to lead the Taoist School and represent it in the court.
But with the ascension of the new emperor, according to tradition, he should resign from the superintendency, and the Taoist School should nominate a new candidate for the emperor to appoint as the new Superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory.
Even in Ye Daoyuan’s own opinion, given Pei Xuanjing’s credentials, he would be the most suitable candidate to succeed him as superintendent. After all, he has the new emperor’s trust, and with his own backing from the Taoist School, there should be no problem.
Who could have expected that the new emperor, right after his ascension, would eagerly start sidelining the dowager empress’s supporters and appointing his own loyal subjects? These actions incited a fierce counterattack from the dowager empress and brought things to a stalemate. He, who should have vacated his position as superintendent, remained in his post.
He smiled and told Pei Xuanjing, “Actually, you are the most suitable for this position right now.”
Pei Xuanjing shook his head, “I have no interest in that position.”
If he belonged to this world, he might have been interested in the position of the superintendent, as it offered many privileges and access to much knowledge.
Unfortunately, everything in this world was only a part of Pei Xuanjing’s life, maybe important, but definitely not the entirety of his life.
He was only a visitor to this world, once he had done everything he wanted in this world; he wouldn’t have any sentiment attached to it.
Even on the off chance, Pei Xuanjing was in the Great Ming World, he was still considered the emperor’s teacher, holding the position of the national teacher, which was far more honorable than being a superintendent. But even then, Pei Xuanjing didn’t take those things too seriously.
What Pei Xuanjing desired was immortality, to become an immortal and live forever. That was his goal and pursuit.
“I understand.” Ye Daoyuan sighed with a sense of regret.
His earlier words were just a test, to see if he could persuade Pei Min to accept the position of superintendent.
But it’s a pity, Pei Min rejected him without hesitation.
Although it was as he expected, he still felt disappointed when he received the confirmation.
Several times before, Ye Daoyuan had speculated that Pei Min was unwilling to accept the position. Especially after listening to his resolute words about his single-minded pursuit of the Dao, he was even more certain.
However, being in this position he couldn’t resist trying until their refusal. Only then did he truly give up.
How would such a person with lofty ambitions of cultivation want to waste time in such a position?
Ye Daoyuan thought to himself.
Pei Xuanjing’s words interrupted Ye Daoyuan’s contemplation: “In fact, I think this issue isn’t as complicated as you believe.”
Ye Daoyuan snapped back to reality and looked at Pei Xuanjing, “Please enlighten me.”
A smile appeared at the corner of Pei Xuanjing’s mouth, but his following words shocked Ye Daoyuan.
“The current situation may seem confusing and difficult to handle, but fundamentally, it hinges on one person. If she stops interfering, all the trouble will vanish.”
Ye Daoyuan took a sharp intake of breath, his voice heavy, “You plan to take direct action against the dowager empress!”
He wasn’t a fool. Upon hearing Pei Xuanjing’s words, he instantly realized what he was suggesting.
Pei Xuanjing responded with a question, “Isn’t that why you invited me to come to the capital?”
Ye Daoyuan frowned slightly and explained, “Our plan was for defense, not for taking direct action. After all, her status is unique. She’s the emperor’s birth mother. If word got out …”
Pei Xuanjing scoffed, “So what if the word gets out? Is it the first time such a thing has happened in the Great Tang? Are they afraid of being laughed at?”
“You …” Ye Daoyuan was stunned. He found the man before him to be crazy for even saying such things.
Even though such incidents have happened in the Great Tang, they are still considered taboo. Nobody would casually or dare to mention them. If word about these comments got out, without considering his power, it would inevitably provoke the wrath of the royal family.
Pei Xuanjing was nonchalant about it and said, “Victory justifies all actions. If we are so concerned with collateral issues, we might as well avoid the struggle. Just hand over the kingdom.”