4: Chapter 4 The Emperor Emeritus's Edict Shocks the Entire Court!

Dragon Imperial Hall.

A blanket of silence.

Li Xuan lay on the dragon couch, having a plan in mind.

Marrying Consort Xiao Yu.

This matter was settled.

This wasn't just a novice mission.

This was the first nail he would drive to pry open the political situation of the Great Xia Divine Dynasty.

A consort with a Phoenix Fate was the best stepping stone to starting the great cause of "Many Children, Many Blessings."

A descendant of a loyal official was the strongest banner for him to gather people's hearts and oppose Wei Yong's faction of treacherous officials.

Killing two birds with one stone.

A massive profit.

The trouble now was how to bring a deposed consort from the Cold Palace into his own bedchamber in an open and aboveboard manner.

He couldn't exactly rush into the Cold Palace to snatch someone with his eighty-year-old face, could he?

That scene was something Li Xuan didn't even dare to dwell on.

His persona would crumble in a heartbeat.

From an otherworldly expert to a "shameless old lecher."

Moreover, if he did that, that old fox Wei Yong would surely blow his top.

"So, I still have to let my dear grandson take action."

Li Xuan had a plan; with a shift in thought, he locked onto the direction of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

His nominal grandson, the current Great Xia Emperor Li Zhan, probably hadn't regained his composure yet.

Just as well.

Time to give him another lesson.

To teach him what imperial strategy is.

Li Xuan closed his eyes.

The "Everlasting Immortal Body" brought not only infinite life force but also a mysterious resonance within the Bloodline.

He and Li Zhan shared the same blood.

This was a natural thread.

"Imperial Bloodline, heed my command, Edict!"

A wisp of Divine Thought, guided by the unseen pull of the Bloodline, pierced straight toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

...Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The young Emperor Li Zhan couldn't sit still.

He had dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs, pacing back and forth in the great hall alone, his expression panicked and at a loss.

The scene outside Dragon Imperial Hall today had been too much of a shock to his mind.

The Prime Minister Wei Yong, who held power over the court and dared to force a confrontation in person, had stayed in the Retired Emperor's bedchamber for less than the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn.

And yet he had fled, scared out of his wits.

That soul-shaken appearance—where was the usual composure of someone who strategizes from within a tent?

Imperial Grandfather... what exactly happened to him?

A final burst of lucidity before death?

Or is it that Imperial Grandfather is actually a peerless expert hidden very deeply?

Li Zhan was more inclined to believe the latter.

Otherwise, how could that majesty that chilled him to the bone be explained?

This thought made him shudder.

He was both shocked and delighted.

Delighted because the Great Xia imperial family actually had such a powerful trump card; he, a Puppet emperor, finally had a backer.

Shocked because just how many secrets was this imperial grandfather of his hiding?

"Imperial Grandfather..."

As he was lost in thought, a majestic and cold voice rang out directly in his mind.

"It is I."

"Ah!"

Li Zhan was startled and began to tremble all over.

He looked around in a panic; he was all alone in the empty hall, not even a ghost in sight.

"Who? Who is speaking?"

His voice was shaking.

The voice rang out again, devoid of any emotion:

"What are you panicking for? It is I."

"You?"

Li Zhan was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened in shock!

This self-address, this voice... "Im... Imperial Grandfather?!"

He cried out, utterly terrified.

This... this was the secret method of voice transmission that only legendary masters of the Martial Dao could use!

Imperial Grandfather really isn't dead!

And he's actually an unfathomable powerhouse!

Li Zhan's heart shook violently; after the shock came uncontrollable ecstasy and adoration.

He no longer had the slightest doubt; his knees buckled, and he fell to the floor with a thud, kowtowing heavily toward Dragon Imperial Hall.

"Your grandson, Li Zhan, greets Imperial Grandfather! May I ask how Imperial Grandfather's health is?"

"I am fine."

Li Xuan's voice was flat. "Have your most trusted eunuch write two decrees."

Li Zhan was taken aback and quickly replied:

"Yes! Please give your instructions, Imperial Grandfather!"

"First, tell the civil and military officials that I am merely old and weak and need to rest; no one is allowed to disturb me at Dragon Imperial Hall again."

"Your grandson obeys your command!"

Li Zhan understood instantly.

"Second," Li Xuan's voice paused, "restore Consort Xiao's rank as Noble Consort and send her to Dragon Imperial Hall tonight... to attend to me."

"Wha... What?!"

Li Zhan snapped his head up, eyes wide.

Restore Consort Xiao Yu's rank?

And send her to Dragon Imperial Hall to attend to him?

She is a deposed criminal consort!

And... attend to him?

Attend to whom?

Could it be... to you, Imperial Grandfather?

Li Zhan's mind went blank.

This completely overturned his understanding.

This move is way too wild!

"Do you have an objection?"

Li Xuan's voice turned colder.

"No, no, no! Your grandson wouldn't dare!"

That chill made Li Zhan shudder, and he instantly snapped back to his senses.

How could he dare to have an objection? Imperial Grandfather's word was law; never mind letting a deposed consort attend to him, even if he were told to set fire to the Prime Ministers Estate tonight, he would have to do it immediately!

"Your grandson will see to it immediately!"

Li Zhan kowtowed once more, and not daring to delay, he scrambled up and shouted toward the outside of the hall:

"Someone! Wang Dehai, get in here!"

...The next day, the morning court session.

In the Golden Throne Hall, all was silent.

The civil and military officials stood in rows, each as quiet as a clam, heads bowed, counting the patterns on their shoes.

The news of Prime Minister Wei Yong "going mad" in front of Dragon Imperial Hall yesterday had already spread like wildfire through their circles.

Everyone could smell something unusual in the air.

Wei Yong had also come today.

He stood at the very front of the officials, his face grim.

He had already regained his composure; although yesterday's events still left him with lingering fears, he felt more that the old geezer Li Xuan had used some sort of sorcery, or that he had simply been seeing things.

Could someone with one foot in the grave really turn the world upside down?

He was certain that this was the young Emperor Li Zhan making trouble behind the scenes, trying to use the opportunity to knock him down a peg!

Today, he would show this kid who didn't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth exactly who called the shots in this Great Xia Divine Dynasty!

"His Majesty has arrived—!"

The shrill voice of a eunuch broke the silence, and Li Zhan, clad in dragon robes, emerged from the rear hall and stepped up to the dragon throne.

Today's Li Zhan was different from before.

His back was ramrod straight; his face was still youthful, but the cowardice in his eyes was gone, replaced by a kind of unyielding grit that people couldn't see through.

Wei Yong watched this and sneered inwardly.

Putting on an act, a fox borrowing the tiger's majesty!

Do you really think that with that old geezer backing you, you can stand on your own?

"If there is business, present your memorials; if not, the court is dismissed!"

The Seal-holding Eunuch Wang Dehai shouted at the top of his lungs.

As soon as he finished speaking, he took a step forward, snapped open an imperial decree, and read it aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Retired Emperor's health is robust, though he has caught a slight chill. From this day forth, he shall rest at Dragon Imperial Hall. No one may enter without a summons. Thus is the decree!"

Buzz!

The moment the decree was issued, the entire court was in an uproar.

The Retired Emperor isn't dead?

Just a slight cold?

How is that possible!

Didn't the imperial physicians say yesterday to prepare for the funeral?

Wei Yong's eyelid twitched, and his fist clenched tightly within his sleeve.

The old thing really is still hanging on by a thread!

But before everyone could digest the news, Wang Dehai cleared his throat and produced a second imperial decree.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The deposed Consort Xiao, of virtuous character and refined conduct, suffered a grave injustice due to the framing of treacherous people. My heart is deeply moved with pity. Today, I specially issue a decree to restore her rank as Noble Consort, and tonight..."

Wang Dehai paused here deliberately to build suspense, keeping everyone on edge before continuing in a peculiar tone:

"...and tonight, she shall move to Dragon Imperial Hall to attend to the Retired Emperor, to comfort him in the hardships of his solitary cultivation. Thus is the decree!"

Boom!!!

The second imperial decree caused a massive uproar in the Golden Throne Hall!

The entire hall instantly fell into a dead silence.

Everyone was so stunned by this decree that they stood frozen, unable to speak for a long time.

Restore the rank of the deposed Consort Xiao Yu?

And make her attend to the Retired Emperor?!

To comfort the Retired Emperor in the hardships of his solitary cultivation?

Heavens!

What shocking words are these!

The Retired Emperor is eighty years old; can his... body still handle it?

Absurd!

This is simply the biggest joke in the world!

Countless gazes—shocked, disdainful, or merely curious—fell simultaneously upon Li Zhan on the dragon throne.

Everyone felt that this must be a terrible idea thought up by this young emperor who had lost his mind.

"Utterly preposterous!"

A thunderous shout broke the silence.

Prime Minister Wei Yong's expression changed abruptly.

He jumped out from the ranks, his beard trembling, and pointed directly at Li Zhan, questioning him sternly:

"Your Majesty! Do you know what you are doing?!"

"Consort Xiao is the daughter of the traitor Xiao Hong! As the descendant of a criminal official, she should have been beheaded; it was only by Your Majesty's grace that she was allowed to linger in the Cold Palace! Now, not only do you not punish her, but you want to restore her rank as Noble Consort. How will the people of the world view the laws of our Great Xia? What will the loyal subjects and brave generals who fought to the death for the country think?!"

His words were spoken with such righteousness, as if he were the sole loyal official acting for the sake of the country and its people.

Many of Wei Yong's lackeys immediately jumped out to follow suit.

"The Prime Minister is right! Doing this violates ancestral rules and disheartens the people of the world!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider! That Consort Xiao is an ominous person; defiling the inner palace like this might damage the fortune of our Great Xia!"

Even more people aimed their barbs at the matter of attending to the Retired Emperor.

"Letting a criminal consort serve the Retired Emperor? This... this is great disrespect to the Retired Emperor! If the Retired Emperor is startled and his health is harmed, can Your Majesty bear the responsibility for such a sin?!"

A group of people were spitting as they spoke, all their arrows pointed at Li Zhan.

That soul-crushing pressure once again swept toward the young emperor on the dragon throne.

In the past, Li Zhan probably would have been scared out of his wits and retracted the order on the spot.

But today, he just sat quietly on the dragon throne.

Looking expressionlessly at the excited and hypocritical faces below.

He knew that Imperial Grandfather was watching from behind.

Just then, Wei Yong took a step forward, his threat unconcealed in his words.

"Your Majesty! This old official advises you one last time!"

"For the sake of our Great Xia's dignity, for the reputation of the imperial family, and even more for the safety of the Retired Emperor, I ask Your Majesty... to immediately retract the order!"

His voice echoed through the Golden Throne Hall, every word clear and powerful.

The atmosphere in the hall was tense to the extreme.