Ji Feihua appeared in the Hall of Heavenly Harmony, dressed in purple-red Palace Robes.
The civil and military officials exchanged bewildered looks. Under Great Kang's established laws, eunuchs were forbidden to attend court and participate in deliberations. Arrogant and domineering though Ji Feihua was, he had never appeared at a court assembly before. Why had he broken precedent today? What was he plotting?
Zhou Ruiyuan's gaze sharpened. Ji Feihua's appearance at this moment could hardly be a coincidence. Was he deliberately using this opportunity to test the officials' limits? With the power Ji Feihua now wielded, even Zhou Ruiyuan, the Left Chancellor, dared not confront him in public, let alone the other officials. Each silently weighed his own standing, yet none stepped forward to rebuke Ji Feihua for appearing where he did not belong.
Ji Feihua stopped inside the Hall of Heavenly Harmony and said respectfully, "Your humble servant bows before Your Majesty. May you live ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years!" He bent his knees and knelt.
Long Yelin already hated him to the marrow, but Ji Feihua's power forced him to swallow his anger. Suppressing his fury, he said pleasantly, "Rise, my minister!"
Ji Feihua rose at once.
Long Yelin asked, "Minister Ji, what urgent business must you report during the court assembly?" He was reminding Ji Feihua that this was where the emperor and his officials discussed affairs of state. A mere eunuch had no place here.
Ji Feihua said, "Your Majesty! Had this not been a matter of utmost urgency, I would never have dared interrupt your deliberations with the ministers. I have just received a secret report from the north. The matter is too grave for any delay, so I broke with established practice to seek an audience. I beg Your Majesty's