The substitute prince: Reported the emperor's brother at the beginning

These words were full of flattery and ridicule. In the final analysis, he was still extremely jealous of the Sixth Brother. However, it was impossible for him to go to Hushan Pass. That place was suffering. The key point was that even if he went there, his father would not give him hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers and sufficient money and food for him to squander.

After waiting for a long time, the eunuch's voice finally came: "Your Majesty has arrived."

The old emperor was wearing a noble dragon robe and was followed by a group of palace maids and eunuchs.

He walked up to the platform majestically and just stabilized himself.

A group of men and women below knelt down and shouted, "Long live the emperor!"

"Stand up." Emperor Wu said calmly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The crowd below all stood up one after another.

This time was different from usual court events. The royal family came with their wives and family members, bringing gifts to pay New Year's greetings.

Logically speaking, the queen should also come out at this time.

But when it came to Emperor Wu himself, he glanced around indifferently and even deliberately glanced twice at the expressionless Old Six.

Then he said leisurely: "The Queen is not feeling well and is recuperating in the palace. Today, she will not accept your New Year greetings."

Ning Yi was confused. Is Dongfang Qing not feeling well?

It's such an important day, it only happens once a year, and the Queen usually doesn't show up, so why doesn't she show up today?

Then the other sons brought their daughters-in-law to pay New Year's greetings.

Even the eldest prince, who only knew how to study poetry, actually brought several sons to pay New Year's greetings together.

Ning Yi also knelt down with the two princesses to wish them a happy new year: "Your Majesty, I congratulate you. May you be blessed with good health and happiness in the new year. May you lead us to make the Great Wu Kingdom more prosperous."

What Ning Yi said was quite auspicious.

Emperor Wu nodded slightly, which was considered as acceptance.

Then came several princesses and their princes-in-law, who offered their blessings in various ways.

The officials behind, led by the Prime Minister, congratulated Emperor Wu on his long life.

After all the procedures were completed, Emperor Wu began to arrange a banquet.

Ning Yi and his two wives sat down and looked at the few pitiful side dishes on the table with a frown.

This is not a banquet, it's simply a hassle.

It's winter now and it's very cold in this hall. It's better to go home and reunite with your family for the New Year.

However, there are many rules in the Dawu Kingdom. On this last day, one must come to pay New Year's greetings to the emperor.

However, they all had to give face to Emperor Wu and kept praising the food.

Originally, Ning Yi planned to get through tonight and return to Hushan Pass in a few days.

But there are still people who take the initiative to stand up and find fault.

For example, a mouthpiece stood up and shouted: "Your Majesty, a new year naturally means a new atmosphere."

"Last year, our Great Wu Kingdom suffered many disasters, but with Your Majesty here, we finally got through it safely."

Let me start by saying that last year was filled with disasters, but it was because of Your Majesty that we are now so peaceful.

Then, changing the subject, the talker said, "But outside Hushan Pass, there are still large areas of land that have not been recovered."

"This has been difficult for the people of the entire Wu Kingdom to accept."

Zui Pao looked at Ning Yi who was sitting and drinking: "The Sixth Prince is the commander of Hushan Pass."

"You have hundreds of thousands of soldiers at your disposal. Shouldn't you tell us when you can help the Wu Kingdom recover its lost territory?"

These words immediately drew everyone's attention to the Sixth Prince.

Even the Martial Emperor on the stage looked over.

Some ministers had mocking looks in their eyes, some lowered their heads and remained silent, and some were whispering to each other.

Ning Yi ignored him and continued drinking his own.

But Zui Pao pressed on, "Sixth Prince, is it difficult to answer your humble servant's question? Or are you not prepared to reclaim the lost territory?"

"And aren't your hundreds of thousands of troops meant to deal with the barbarians?"

These words are quite hurtful, and the meaning is very clear. You are not here to deal with the barbarians. You have hundreds of thousands of soldiers in your hands. What do you want to do? Who do you want to deal with?

Yang Ziqin, who was standing by, pulled Ning Yi, who was only focused on drinking, with great concern.

Being questioned publicly by an official in this court, I naturally cannot just sit back and watch.

Ning Yi put down his wine glass and looked around. Many officials seemed to be watching the fun.

The Prime Minister still sat in his chair calmly without even glancing over here.

Ning Yi finally bowed to the Emperor Wu and said, "Father, I congratulate you and wish you a peaceful and prosperous country."

Emperor Wu said nothing and continued to look at him.

The talker suddenly raised his voice again: "Sixth Prince, your humble servant is asking you a question. Didn't you hear me? Or are you afraid to answer?"

The sound echoed in the hall.

Ning Yi finally lowered his face and looked at him: "Are you asking this prince?"

"Of course..." The talkative minister snorted coldly: "Your humble servant just..."

Ning Yi suddenly interrupted him: "Who are you?"

"Your humble servant..." The talkative minister was stunned and was about to answer.

Ning Yi interrupted again: "What is your position and identity?"

"But..."

Ning Yi stood up and said coldly: "What day is today?"

"Today is the day to celebrate the New Year for my father. I am celebrating for my father, and you dare to interrupt me. What do you mean? Are you dissatisfied with my New Year's greetings, or with my father?"

"That's not what I meant." Zui Pao was anxious.

If you dare to say anything nonsense at this time, the person above will be severely punished.

"Then what do you mean?" Ning Yi roared, throwing the teacup in his hand at him. "How dare you spoil such an important festival? Do you want to bring bad omens to the Great Wu Kingdom in the new year?"

The badmouthing minister suddenly turned pale and looked at the second prince anxiously.

This was instigated by the Second Prince. Now that something has happened and I can't handle it myself, Master, you can't just ignore it.

The second prince had an ugly expression on his face. He glared at him fiercely, cursing him as a waste in his heart. He was frightened by the words of the sixth prince.

He winked at another talker.

The talkative man stood up and said, "Sixth Prince, there's no need to make things so difficult for him."

"This Censor Zhang is also worried about the country and state affairs."

This talkative man stepped forward and lightly said something, brushing aside Censor Zhang's question. He then immediately asked, "Sixth Prince, now you must tell me when we can recover our lost territory, right?"

"What is your identity?" Ning Yi said calmly, "What qualifications do you have to ask?"

The Han Censor immediately turned grim and said, "Sixth Prince, as Censors, we naturally have to ask, and we represent the entire court..."

"Are you qualified to represent the court?" Ning Yi rolled his eyes. "Ask all the adults present, who asked you to represent? Point it out."

This was just a way of arguing, which made Censor Han feel aggrieved.

Some of the other ministers couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Censor Zhang immediately said, "Sixth Prince, as Censors, we naturally want to inquire about military and national affairs. Are you not hoping to recover the lost territory and instead maintain your own military might?"

This is such a hateful thing to say, and it was said in front of everyone.

Ning Yi looked coldly at the embarrassed censor who had been hit by his wine glass: "Are you worried about the Great Wu Kingdom?"

"Of course." Censor Zhang said proudly, "Ever since I entered the court, I've been worried about the country every day..."

"Alright." Ning Yi interrupted him directly: "Since you are worried about the country, then in two days, you will report to Hushan Pass with this prince. If there is another war next time, this prince will arrange for you to personally bear the sword and charge into battle for the Great Wu Kingdom."