The Kremlin is surrounded by many low wooden houses, lush gardens, and wide streets. After the rain, they've turned into a dirty muddy mess.
Carriages rolled over the muddy ground, leaving obvious creases. The coachman, holding the reins, swayed and bumped along the road, muttering complaints about the terrible conditions.
At this moment, the carriages of Grinsky and Belsky, two powerful family lords, were traveling side by side. The massacre of the Andrei Shuisky family had a huge impact on them. Although both sides were trying their best to suppress their inner turmoil, they couldn't hide their joy. At the same time, a sense of unease was also growing deep within them.
The thirteen-year-old Tsar had easily eliminated Grand Duke Shuisky, uprooting the entire family. The young Tsar was gradually awakening; having tasted the sweetness of power, he was unlikely to be subject to the combined control of the powerful nobles anymore.
Belisky saw that barricades had been erected far from the Kremlin, and a group of attendants had set up a checkpoint, forcing the two grand dukes' carriages to a stop.
"I'm sorry, Grand Dukes,"
the guard said apologetically, "tonight you can only disembark here and enter the palace on foot. Moreover, no attendants are allowed to follow you. Due to recent events, the Tsar has strengthened the security of the Kremlin, and I hope the grand dukes can understand."
Although the two grand dukes looked somewhat displeased, the guard had already made his point, and with no other choice, Grinsky and Belisky could only follow his instructions, stepping into the Kremlin in their fur and brocade-adorned boots.
Belsky walked to Grinsky's left and whispered, "Tonight, the Kremlin's guards and manpower seem much more extravagant than usual. Even the barricades are stretched all the way to the palace gates. Even when Vasily III was dying, there wasn't such a large-scale security operation. What is the young Tsar planning?"
"Guards are not allowed to accompany him; the Grand Duke must enter on foot. The Tsar is probably frightened by his own bold actions. After all, Shuysky still has quite a few supporters in Moscow. If things get serious, the young Tsar might fear that these people will fight to the death and take drastic measures."
"Heh heh."
Grinsky chuckled, his voice low and menacing. "I actually hope his cronies have some backbone and pull off some amazing feat. Then Moscow will have a new Tsar, and with that senile Yuri on the throne, the whole country will be ours to control."
They had uttered these treasonous remarks many times behind the Tsar's back, but this time, Belsky felt a sense of unease. He whispered, "Actually, I'm still a little worried."
Grinsky said impatiently, "Worried about what? How old is the Tsar? How could he possibly come up with such a meticulous plan? I bet Tuchkov is behind all this, instigating the Tsar and catching Shuysky off guard. Once we get Tuchkov off the throne, the young Tsar is no match for us. If he dares to resist, we can take care of him anytime."
The two walked across the deserted square, unaware that behind a window in the Grand Duke's palace, a pair of cold eyes were observing the two men chatting and laughing.
A banquet was being prepared in the St. George Hall to welcome the Grand Dukes. This was a feast for flies, drawn by the stench of corrupt power.
The door behind him opened, and Tuchkov entered. Looking at Ivan IV standing by the window, he cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, everything is ready. We await the start of the banquet."
"Once the banquet begins, raise the Kremlin's security to the highest level. The guests have already arrived."
Ivan IV turned to Tuchkov and said, "Tonight will definitely be a night of surprises and no joy. I will make it clear to them that the Tsar's power is sacred and inviolable."
With that, Ivan IV turned and went downstairs.
Belsky and Grinsky had just arrived at St. George's Hall when they were informed by attendants that the Tsar had prepared a banquet and was awaiting their arrival. The two grand dukes exchanged a glance; though they didn't say anything outwardly, they harbored some doubts. However, they ultimately followed the attendants to the dining room where the Tsar would receive the grand dukes.
Passing through the gilded doors, they were greeted by a magnificent drawing room, bathed in a soft glow under the glittering crystal chandeliers.
Grinsky noticed that the servants had only now begun to set the table in an orderly fashion before hastily leaving, indicating that the Tsar's banquet was being prepared very hastily. He didn't say anything outwardly, but a sense of unease had already formed in his heart.
Every powerful grand duke at the table exchanged knowing glances, realizing this was a game of re-contested power, and the frontrunners—Grinsky and Belsky, both present—were the most formidable contenders.
A hint of envy lingered in their gazes. The Tsar had effortlessly seized power from the Shuysky family, and everything he had done was merely paving the way for their families' future dominance.
With the greatest obstacle gone, their power could finally be redistributed.
Grinsky picked up his glass, filled it with Hungarian wine, and prepared to toast Belsky before the Tsar arrived.
In their eyes, the Tsar was ultimately insignificant.
Just as Belsky was about to raise his glass, the tightly closed gilded doors opened. The chatting grand dukes all stopped what they were doing, and Grinsky and Belsky turned simultaneously.
Ivan IV, facing the intense gazes of the powerful grand dukes, strode into the drawing room. His face was devoid of cowardice, fear, and dread, replaced by a cold, resolute expression, like an ice sculpture carved by a chisel in winter.
Belisky's eyes widened. Behind Ivan IV followed a resentful Shuysky, his hands cuffed, as two guards escorted him before the grand dukes.
Under the glittering crystal chandeliers, the iron plates at his waist gleamed coldly.
The other nobles present exchanged glances, unsure of what the young Tsar intended to do.
"Your Majesty,"
Grand Duke Grinsky rose, hesitatingly asking, "What are you doing?"
Ivan IV glanced at Grinsky, calmly replying, "Grand Duke Grinsky, did I grant you permission to speak?"