8: Chapter 8 The Imperial Court

Having personally spoken the words of abdication, Emperor Xuande felt a complex mixture of emotions in his heart.

There was loss.

There was resentment.

But more than anything, perhaps it was a sense of relief.

He had carried the heavy burden of this empire for over a decade, watching as the Imperial Dynasty slowly withered away before his eyes, unable to change its course despite his best efforts.

He was too tired, and he was too much of a failure!

Wang Chen watched the instantly aged Emperor Xuande, yet his heart remained untroubled by any ripples of emotion.

The imperial family was inherently cold-blooded, and there was little father-son affection between them; he hadn't come today to reminisce about old times.

"In that case, I thank Imperial Father."

After Wang Chen stood up, he first gave a slight nod to Emperor Xuande; regardless of everything, the man was the father of this body.

As long as his own interests were not involved, Wang Chen didn't mind showing the man the respect he was due.

"I have disturbed you tonight; Imperial Father should rest early! As for the major affairs of the court, leave them to this son from now on."

Having finished speaking,

Wang Chen gave the other man no chance to react, turning to leave the Imperial Study directly with Ge Nie and Ji Gang.

...

Time passed in a flash.

As the first light of dawn appeared, the golden bell chimed.

Within the majestic and solemn Golden Throne Hall, the center of power for the Tianxuan Dynasty, the civil and military officials were lined up on both sides according to their rank, standing in solemn silence.

However, the atmosphere inside the Golden Throne Hall today was somewhat unusual.

Because it was still early,

many ministers were conversing in low voices, though their eyes frequently darted toward the front of the hall.

Because in that area,

aside from the First Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince—who were specifically permitted by the Emperor to participate in court and learn about governance—the other princes rarely made an appearance.

But today,

except for the Second Prince, almost every prince who could come had actually arrived!

This was the first time such a situation had occurred.

First Prince Wang Zhan stood at the very front of the line; his face looked somewhat pale and his eyes were vacant and drifting, lacking their usual spirit.

The most eye-catching were the Third Prince and the Ninth Prince, who were currently being supported by two young eunuchs; their legs seemed unable to support their weight, and their faces were as white as paper.

The Fourth Prince, the Sixth Prince, the Seventh Prince... the expression of almost every prince present was exceptionally complex.

Some were terrified, some silent, some forcing themselves to stay calm, but not a single one was whispering like they used to; the atmosphere could be described as bizarre to the extreme.

"Why have all the Highnesses come today?"

"What happened to the Third and Ninth Highnesses? This is a bit too much lack of restraint..."

"Sigh... they are still too young. When they reach our age, they will know the feeling of looking at... and weeping in vain!"

"Indeed, fortunately my will was firm back then, and I wasn't harmed by feminine beauty!"

"Bah... you shameless old man, was that a firm will? You were just damn poor!!"

"Aiya, let's not judge each other. If it weren't for poverty, who wouldn't love feminine beauty..."

"Look, the First Prince's complexion isn't good either. Was he also overexerted last night?"

"That's a given!"

"Strange, why didn't the Second Prince come?"

Some officials who were in the dark were full of confusion at the scene before them.

However, those veteran officials who had long weathered the political arena and possessed sharp instincts—such as the Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet and the Ministers of the Six Boards—had already sensed this extraordinary atmosphere.

The princes were gathered, and every single one of them had a strange expression!

Combined with the vague rumors they had received last night about the residences of several princes being rather unsettled,

these old foxes were almost certain that something earth-shattering must have happened last night!

It was feared that the heavens of the Imperial City were truly about to change.

And that change was happening today!

"His Majesty arrives...!"

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, the unique shrill voice of the eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonies suddenly rang out.

The hundred officials immediately composed themselves, bowing their heads.

However,

when the sound of footsteps came from the side hall and everyone peeked upward, they were all stunned.

Because the person walking out was not the Emperor Xuande they were familiar with.

Instead, it was...

The Fifth Prince... Wang Chen!!!

Wang Chen was seen wearing a black robe embroidered with a gold python and a Jade Dragon Belt around his waist; this attire directly shocked everyone inside the Golden Throne Hall.

Because whether it was the gold-embroidered python robe or the Jade Dragon Belt, those were the standard attire for the Heir Apparent; no one but the Heir Apparent could wear them. This was the rule!

Yet Wang Chen paid no heed to the crowd.

With a calm face and steady steps, he walked straight to the foot of the imperial steps, in front of the hundred officials.

The most noble position that originally belonged only to the "Crown Prince" or a "Prince Regent".

Behind him followed two attendants whose auras were as deep as the sea; in particular, one of them, a swordsman in green robes, stood there as if he were a peerless divine weapon that had not yet been unsheathed.

He caused the air in the entire Golden Throne Hall to carry a faint sense of sharpness, pressing down so hard that some officials with lower cultivation could hardly breathe.

"This... why is the Fifth Highness here? What is he wearing?"

"Where is His Majesty?"

"Who are those two? What terrifying auras!"

"The position the Fifth Highness is standing in..."

...

In just an instant,

exclamations and whispers spread through the Golden Throne Hall like a tide.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Wang Chen and his rule-breaking attire; their faces were filled with shock and confusion.

One must know,

in this strictly regulated imperial court, the Fifth Prince Wang Chen's behavior was undoubtedly poking a hole in the heavens!

However,

just as many people wanted to speak up and question Wang Chen, the curtain of the side hall was lifted again.

Immediately following,

the familiar sound of footsteps rang out once more.

Under everyone's gaze,

Emperor Xuande, dressed in a Bright Yellow Dragon Robe and wearing the Imperial Crown, was slowly walking out, supported by his personal head eunuch, Eunuch Gui.

Although Eunuch Gui's face was pale and his steps were somewhat unsteady, the hand supporting the Emperor was exceptionally stable.

And Emperor Xuande?

His face was haggard, the bags under his eyes were heavy, and his eyes lacked their former spirit; even his hair had begun to turn gray, as if all his vitality had been drained away overnight.

At this moment,

the people in the Golden Throne Hall simply could not believe their eyes.

Who the hell is this?

They hadn't seen him for just one day,

how did their Majesty turn into this state?

Could it be that his wife ran off with someone?

That shouldn't be right...

Emperor Xuande ignored everyone's stares.

Though he was incredibly haggard, the imperial majesty on him remained, barely supporting him as he walked to the imperial throne.

However,

when his gaze swept downward, especially when he saw Wang Chen dressed in the heir apparent's python robe and standing calmly at the very front, his body couldn't help but stiffen for a moment.

But he had been emperor for over a decade after all, and he still possessed self-control.

In just an instant, he regained his composure and finally sat down slowly on that Nine-Dragon Gold-Lacquered Throne, the symbol of supreme power.

After sitting down, he did not scan the ministers as usual, but instead slightly closed his eyes.

He seemed to be gathering strength, or perhaps escaping from something.

At this moment,

the entire Golden Throne Hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone held their breath, waiting quietly, their confusion reaching a peak.

The Fifth Prince's transgressive attire, the Emperor's abnormal state...

All of this,

seemed to point toward a possibility that one dared not think too deeply about...