458: Ministry of Rites shocked

At this moment, the Ministry of Rites yamen was a scene of bustling activity.

Minister Huang Renzhong was leading several Vice Ministers and Directors, surrounding a massive map, checking the procedural details of tomorrow's investiture ceremony word by word.

Everyone's face bore the exhaustion of staying up late for days on end, yet their eyes sparkled with excitement—to preside over an Empress's investiture ceremony was a great honor for officials of the Ministry of Rites.

The investiture of an Empress was a grand national ceremony, allowing for not even the slightest error.

From the rituals of sacrificing to heaven and informing the ancestors, to the order of the hundred officials' worship, and the seating arrangements for foreign envoys, every detail had been scrutinized dozens of times.

Just as everyone was tied up with work, a subordinate official's loud announcement came from outside:

“The State Preceptor has arrived!”

Huang Renzhong was startled. He quickly set down the scrolls in his hand and hurried out to meet him.

Seeing Mysterious Clarity Master's solemn expression, his heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition arose:

“State Preceptor, does Your Majesty have a new decree?”

For the State Preceptor to personally visit the Ministry of Rites at this hour was by no means an ordinary matter.

Mysterious Clarity Master's face was grim. He glanced at the busy officials in the hall and said in a deep voice:

“Minister Huang, a word in private.”

Huang Renzhong's heart tightened.

Seeing Mysterious Clarity Master's expression, he knew this matter was of no small importance.

He waved his hand to dismiss those nearby, leaving only two trusted Vice Ministers, and invited Mysterious Clarity Master into the inner chamber.

“State Preceptor, what exactly has happened?” Huang Renzhong asked in a low voice, his brow furrowing slightly.

Mysterious Clarity Master turned around, his gaze falling on Huang Renzhong's face, speaking each word with absolute clarity:

“His Majesty has decreed that the choice for the New Empress is to be changed immediately. The investiture of Xia Wei as Empress is abolished, and Noble Consort Liu, Liu Airu, is to be established as Empress instead. Tomorrow's ceremony will proceed as scheduled, but the protagonist must be changed to Noble Consort Liu.”

“What?!”

Huang Renzhong and the two Vice Ministers cried out in disbelief almost simultaneously, their faces written with shock.

Huang Renzhong was so startled that he took a step back, nearly tripping over the chair behind him, his voice changing pitch:

“State Preceptor! This absolutely cannot be! The investiture edict has already been proclaimed to the world, the envoys of all nations are already aware, the sacrificial offerings for heaven and ancestors are prepared, and the Empress's phoenix crown, ceremonial robes, golden scrolls, and imperial seals were all custom-made to Xia Wei's measurements!”

Huang Renzhong was sweating profusely with anxiety. He took a heavy breath and continued:

“Changing it now is more than just a joke! This... how is my Ministry of Rites supposed to explain this to the people of the world? Where is the dignity of the Imperial Family? Where is the prestige of the Tianqi Kingdom?!”

One of the Vice Ministers also said with a trembling voice:

“State Preceptor, regarding the Xia family... how should we explain this to Lord Xia Guanglin? The Xia family has exhausted nearly their entire fortune for this investiture, and their disciples and old friends are spread throughout the court and commonalty; they have long since spread the joyous news. This... this is simply a catastrophic disaster! If not handled properly, it will surely shake the court and cause widespread panic!”

Mysterious Clarity Master had already anticipated their reaction. His expression did not change in the slightest as he slowly raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

He took a gilded medallion from his sleeve. Carved upon it was a lifelike five-clawed golden Dragon; it was the Emperor's personal token.

He glanced at the three of them and said slowly:

“Everyone, please calm yourselves. His Majesty's imperial decree and documents will be delivered in a moment. His Majesty's move is due to an unavoidable hardship, and for the country and the people, it is a great good.”

“Hardship? Great good?”

Huang Renzhong's face was full of disbelief, looking as if he were about to cry.

He had been in charge of the Ministry of Rites for many years and had never seen such an absurd thing. To change the Empress the day before the ceremony—if this got out, the Tianqi Imperial Family would likely become the laughingstock of the world.

Mysterious Clarity Master lowered his voice, carrying a hint of mystery and unquestionable authority:

“Noble Consort Xia, Xia Wei, has been discovered by experts from a hidden Sect to possess an extremely rare 'Innate Spirit Body.' She is a cultivation genius rarely seen in a thousand years! This matter has been noticed and confirmed by City Lord Situ of the Northern Border. City Lord Situ said that if such talent were confined to the deep palace, it would be a waste of God's gifts. Furthermore, he fears her Physique might attract the greed of neighboring kingdoms, which would surely bring the flames of war to Tianqi and cause unnecessary disputes and persecution.”

Mysterious Clarity Master's gaze was as sharp as a blade as it swept over the three of them, and he continued:

“It so happens that City Lord Situ has arrived in the capital and also saw the extraordinary nature of Lady Xia Wei. He is willing to take her to a hidden Sect in the Northern Border to focus on the Dao. For the safety of Noble Consort Xia and the long-term peace of the Tianqi Kingdom, the King, though loath to part with her, can only endure the pain of loss to fulfill this immortal destiny.”

Pausing, and seeing the three of them hesitating to speak, Mysterious Clarity Master continued:

“As for Noble Consort Liu Airu, she has been in the palace for many years, is virtuous and refined, has a good reputation, and is deeply favored by His Majesty. Her father, Minister of Revenue Liu Wenshu, is a pillar of the state, holding the power over money and grain, and is utterly loyal. Establishing her as Empress is timely; it can settle the hearts of the court and commonalty and stabilize the foundation of the nation.”

This explanation was a mix of truth and lies, the hollow and the real.

It used Situ Jun and a fictional 'hidden Sect' as an irresistible external force, while portraying King Li Xuan as a wise ruler who considered the big picture and fulfilled the destiny of a subject's daughter. It also gave the Xia family a seemingly glorious way out, while finding a reasonable justification for quickly elevating Liu Airu—stabilizing the harem and rewarding a meritorious official.

Huang Renzhong and the two Vice Ministers listened, dumbfounded.

The amount of information was too vast, making it difficult for them to digest for a moment.

Xia Wei has cultivation talent?

She was chosen by a hidden Sect and the City Lord simultaneously?

His Majesty endured the pain of loss for the sake of the national fortune and his consort's future?

This... sounded bizarre, but also seemed... barely able to explain itself.

Especially when it involved that City Lord Situ, whom even the State Preceptor held in high esteem, any illogical occurrence seemed possible.

Huang Renzhong swallowed hard and asked with difficulty:

“This matter... is City Lord Situ also aware and in agreement?”

“It was City Lord Situ himself who suggested it to His Majesty, and His Majesty made the decision after careful consideration.”

Mysterious Clarity Master said decisively, pushing the primary 'credit' to Situ Jun, which both increased the persuasiveness and avoided Li Xuan bearing the blame alone.

Huang Renzhong fell silent.

Since it involved Situ Jun, he knew there was no room for reversal.

What the Ministry of Rites had to do was not to question His Majesty's decision, but how to cover up this shocking change as decently as possible, to make the ceremony a Perfection, and to leave the people of the world with nothing to say.

“Then... what about the Xia family?”

Huang Renzhong asked hesitantly; his biggest concern was still Xia Guanglin's attitude.

He had been an official in the same court as Xia Guanglin for many years. Though they occasionally had disputes, they were still colleagues. Now that the Xia family had fallen into such a situation, he couldn't help but feel some pity.

“As for the Xia family, I have already personally appeased them. His Majesty has also promised generous rewards, and Minister Xia has already agreed.”

Mysterious Clarity Master said calmly, his tone carrying a hint of unquestionable certainty as he continued:

“Your Ministry of Rites must immediately draft a new edict, announce it to the whole city, and urgently notify all relevant yamens and envoy residences to change the New Empress's name and related information. The ceremony's flow only needs minor adjustments. Hasten the preparation of Noble Consort Liu's auspicious robes and ceremonial seals. Everything must be ready before tomorrow's ceremony!”

Mysterious Clarity Master's instructions were clear and hit every vital point.

Clearly, he had already thought everything through thoroughly. His visit this time was merely to inform the Ministry of Rites, not to seek their opinion.