Imperial Palace.
The Supre Emperor was seated on a prayer mat in the Warm Pavilion, playing chess with Pri Minister Xun.
In one hand, he held a chess piece; in the other, he fingered a string of Buddha Beads.
Today, he wasn’t dressed in the Dragon Robe, but in simple monk’s robes as if still residing in a temple.
After placing a black stone, he said to Pri Minister Xun, "I spent several years in the temple and grew accustod to revering Buddha. If you hadn’t returned to court in ti, I might still be there, accompanying the dim lamp and ancient statues."
Pri Minister Xun put his chess piece back into the container, crawled to the side on his knees, and bowed deeply. "This minister is late in saving Your Majesty! Please punish !"
The Supre Emperor reached out to lift him. "What are you doing, Xun Aiqing? You’ve endured arduous campaigns for seven years, achieving imnse rit. I wouldn’t think of punishing you—I should be rewarding you! Stand up quickly!"
Pri Minister Xun didn’t move. "It is the duty of a minister to share Your Majesty’s burdens. I dare not claim any credit!"
The Supre Emperor said, "Oh, your rits are widely known—by the citizens, courtiers, even the Emperor himself—and even the ancestors in the afterlife would rember your accomplishnts."
Pri Minister Xun pressed himself lower to the ground. "This minister is deeply ashad!"
The Supre Emperor exerted himself to help him up. "Co, continue the chess ga with ; don’t spoil my mood."
"Yes."
Pri Minister Xun sat back on the prayer mat.
"It’s your move."
The Supre Emperor reminded.
Pri Minister Xun picked up a black stone between his fingers and placed it in the upper-left corner of the board.
The Supre Emperor shook his head. "If you keep letting win, I’ll be upset."
Pri Minister Xun replied sincerely, "Your Majesty’s chess skills are unparalleled; I am utterly inferior."
The Supre Emperor chuckled. "You lot—you always avoid winning against . Why not learn from the Miao King? If he can’t win, he flips the board; otherwise, he retracts his moves shalessly."
Pri Minister Xun didn’t respond. After the Supre Emperor placed another stone, Xun carefully dropped one as well.
The Supre Emperor shifted topics. "I’ve heard about Xun Yu’s incident. You need not worry about it. I’ve sent soone to the Ministry of Justice to deliver my decree: Xun Yu and your nephew will both be released. You’ll be able to see them once you return to the mansion."
Pri Minister Xun’s expression changed. "Your Majesty!"
The Supre Emperor raised a hand, stopping him from speaking further. "You don’t need to say anything. I am also a father; I understand you. I’ve neglected the proper guidance of my children due to national affairs. Apart from King Chu, none of them have brought peace of mind."
Eunuch Fu cast a discreet glance at Pri Minister Xun.
Pri Minister Xun’s expression revealed only shock and regret—nothing more.
The Supre Emperor continued, "In comparison, Xun Yu is already quite outstanding. Isn’t it just so... insignificant habits unfit to be discussed publicly?"
Pri Minister Xun furrowed his brows. "Your Majesty, there may be so misunderstanding in this matter..."
The Supre Emperor interrupted him. "There’s no need to be tense in front of . You are the pillar of Great Zhou, and I won’t let you feel disheartened. I’ve pardoned Xun Yu of the cri of misconduct during the hunting festival."
"Pardon? That scoundrel’s vile actions have utterly disgraced the court! And you intend to pardon him? Supre Emperor, have you lost your mind?"
The Miao King burst in, hands on hips and ranting furiously at the Supre Emperor.
Eunuch Fu cleared his throat. "Miao King, show respect to the Supre Emperor!"
"This humble minister thinks the Miao King is right!"
Imperial Censor Wang walked into the Warm Pavilion behind the Miao King, bowed to the Supre Emperor, and said, "Supre Emperor, please revoke your decree!"
The Supre Emperor, looking baffled, asked, "Wang Aiqing, are you finished delivering your reprimand?"
Imperial Censor Wang stood upright. "Finished."
The Miao King’s earnest way of admitting fault was much better than stubborn, arguntative officials. Thus, Imperial Censor Wang managed to complete the reprimand in just a quarter of an hour.
"Supre Emperor, please revoke your decree!"
"What if I don’t revoke it?"
"Then you’re a foolish monarch!"
"Imperial Censor Wang!"
The Supre Emperor overturned the chessboard and began arguing vehently with Imperial Censor Wang.
Pri Minister Xun’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The two n argued until their faces turned red and veins stood out on their necks—until the Supre Emperor, enraged, expelled them all from the imperial palace.
The Miao King stayed behind to finagle a midnight al.
Inside the carriage returning to the Xun mansion, Xun Qi was present as well.
He had already learned about the incident from a spy and now wore an increasingly grim expression. "Foster Father, the Supre Emperor pardoning Third Brother appears to be a reward but is actually a punishnt!"
Xun Yu and Wei Mingxuan had been locked up in the Ministry of Justice for several days. The mansion hadn’t redeed them yet because they were investigating evidence to prove they had been deliberately frad. Doing so would clear their nas.
Using the word "pardon," however, the Supre Emperor publicly declared that Xun Yu had indeed committed a misdeed, though he was being spared due to his father’s ritorious service.
This not only cented Xun Yu’s guilt but also tarnished the Pri Minister’s reputation.
And, as luck would have it, Imperial Censor Wang was present.
By tomorrow morning, the court would be flooded with petitions to impeach Foster Father.
"The Supre Emperor is truly no simple figure. If only we had listened to Lu Yuan back then and killed him!"
As Xun Qi spoke, a sudden realization struck him, and he lifted his head abruptly!
Before Foster Father set out West, he had already prepared his Capital City arrangents. If the Crown Prince fell out of favor, the plan was to support another Prince’s ascent.
Foster Father asked Lu Yuan for advice on dealing with the Supre Emperor.
Lu Yuan had suggested assassination to eliminate any future problems.
At the ti, their forces hadn’t been strong enough. If the assassination failed, they could face utter ruin.
Foster Father had deed Lu Yuan reckless and suspected Lu Yuan wanted to bring down the Xun Family alongside the Supre Emperor.
Foster Father had seen through Lu Yuan’s ambition and unrest.
Thus, Foster Father had Lu Yuan personally oversee the Supre Emperor’s confinent.
Now, recalling it all, Xun Qi wondered: Could Lu Yuan have deliberately revealed just enough vulnerability to provoke Foster Father’s distrust, thereby sparing the Supre Emperor’s life?
If that were true, Lu Yuan was terrifying.
Seven years ago, he had calculated everything.
The arrow Foster Father shot seven years ago had now returned as a boorang, piercing him deeply.
Xun Qi clenched his fists. "Foster Father..."
Pri Minister Xun rubbed the Jade Ring on his left hand. "Tell Chen Long: between Lu Yuan and the Shang Family bloodline, only one can live."
-
Late into the night, another rainstorm swept over Capital City.
A lone rider and a hunting eagle raced through the storm.
ng Qianqian gripped the reins firmly, rain the size of beans hitting her icy face.
"The Shang Family’s last bloodline..."
ng Qianqian gritted her teeth. "Xun Xiangguo, you are truly despicable!"
With a loud cry from the hunting eagle, it dove toward the southeast.
In an endless field, a purple figure and a black figure were engaged in a fierce battle in the pouring rain.
Swords clashed with sabers; every strike was lethal.
ng Qianqian tightened her reins and dismounted with a leap. "Stop!"
The two figures hesitated briefly, but only for a mont. The Azure Dragon Sword and Brocade Spring Saber continued their relentless assault on each other!
ng Qianqian’s fingers twitched, and she shot out two silver needles.
Both fighters caught the needles, then launched them toward each other, only to evade simultaneously.
ng Qianqian frowned slightly, her figure darting forward to land between them.
Lu Yuan’s Brocade Spring Saber was already unleashed and could not be stopped.
At the critical mont, he struck his right shoulder with his palm, dislocating his arm.
His ridians suddenly reversed; his core seared with pain. He dropped to one knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Chen Long grabbed ng Qianqian, pulling her behind him and sending her flying ten feet away with his Inner Strength.
Simultaneously, he gripped the Azure Dragon Sword with his other hand and thrust it directly toward Lu Yuan’s forehead.
Lu Yuan, with his ridians shattered and powerless, whispered faintly, "ng Xiaojiu, close your eyes..."
"Brother! Stop!"
ng Qianqian shouted loudly to stop Chen Long. "I am Little Nine! Shang Xiaojiu!"
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