Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 473 The Phoenix Soars
The night is rich.

Inside the Zichen Palace, heavy curtains hung down in layers, making the room airtight and even the candlelight seemed dim.

Emperor Chongzhao lay on his dragon bed, breathing heavily.

He had been restless since last night, unable to close his eyes as he listened to the intermittent sounds of wedding drums drifting in from outside.

Wang Chengxi served him tirelessly, his eyes bloodshot and dark circles under his eyes.

“Old man…” The emperor suddenly lifted his eyelids and laughed in a hoarse voice.

"How many years have you been by my side?"

Wang Chengxi quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, this old servant entered the Prince's residence at the age of sixteen and has been following Your Majesty ever since. Counting the days, it has been exactly twenty-nine years now."

"Twenty-nine years..." Emperor Chongzhao murmured, then smiled faintly, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes, as if he were remembering the past.

"Back then, I was still Prince Ji, young and impetuous, wanting to compete for everything. You were just a clumsy eunuch... I remember on your very first day serving in the study, you broke my most beloved Duan inkstone... I was so frightened... trembling... kneeling on the ground, not daring to lift my head..."

Wang Chengxi choked up and said, "Your Majesty has such a good memory. Even after all these years, you still remember these things... At that time, this old servant was young and stupid. It was all thanks to Your Majesty's kindness that I was not only spared punishment but also promoted to serve by your side... I will never forget Your Majesty's kindness for the rest of my life..."

Emperor Chongzhao slowly twitched the corners of his mouth, as if he wanted to laugh, but this triggered a cough, and his voice became even lower and quieter.

"Throughout my life, I've always dreamed of being a wise and benevolent ruler, diligent in governing, securing the country, and protecting my Li dynasty... but in the end, I've been betrayed and abandoned by everyone... Now, in the end, you're the only one left by my side. Old man, thank you for your hard work."

Wang Chengxi felt a lump in his throat, and tears almost welled up in his eyes.

He hurriedly wiped his eyes with his sleeve, forcing back his grief, "Your Majesty, please don't say that... This old servant will always stay with you and serve you... Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, blessed with boundless fortune... As long as you take your medicine and rest properly, you will surely get better..."

Emperor Chongzhao took a difficult breath and shook his head weakly.

"I... am unwilling... The Crown Prince is disobedient and unfilial... The Li family's empire... is about to be destroyed in his hands..."

Wang Chengxi was deeply saddened. After hesitating for a long time, he choked back tears and advised, "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to say something unpleasant, although His Highness the Crown Prince's methods are somewhat harsh, he is diligent in his duties and kind to the people. He is capable of protecting the country... Your Majesty should try to relax, take care of your health, and stop thinking about those troubling matters..."

Emperor Chongzhao's expression changed upon hearing this, and he coughed, saying, "You...you old fool, are you on his side or on my side...you also think...I'm old...useless, don't you?"

Wang Chengxi knelt down with a thud.

"This old servant's heart has always been with Your Majesty! This old servant only hopes that Your Majesty is well..."

Emperor Chongzhao snorted, staring intently at Wang Chengxi, his eyes turning incredibly sinister.

"Then wait a moment... I'll summon the Crown Prince... you kill him for me, how about that?"

Wang Chengxi was stunned, and the color drained from his face instantly.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable. His Highness the Crown Prince is Your Majesty's own flesh and blood..."

"Shut up!" Emperor Chongzhao was so agitated that he tried to sit up, but he fell back down weakly, causing him to cough.

"Even you side with that rebellious son, willing to betray me?"

"This old servant wouldn't dare! This old servant only..."

Wang Chengxi wanted to argue something, but suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

A sharp dagger pierced his back without warning.

The blade was so sharp that it pierced straight through his chest.

The pain came unexpectedly. He widened his eyes and turned around with difficulty, only to see his godson, Wang Jin, standing behind him with a cold face and no trace of his usual respect in his eyes.

"You... Wang Jin... why..."

Fearing he wasn't dead, Wang Jin delivered another fatal blow.

When the dagger was pulled out, the blood splattered all over his face, but he didn't care and casually wiped it off with his sleeve.

“Godfather, I will always remember your kindness in nurturing and guiding me.”

Wang Jin's voice was calm and cold.

“But your son is loyal to His Majesty, the emperor of Great Liang. Your adoptive father should not have always sided with the crown prince and gone against His Majesty’s wishes—you brought this upon yourself.”

Wang Chengxi slowly collapsed to the ground, staring incredulously at his godson whom he had raised and promoted, then turned to look at Emperor Chongzhao, who was coldly observing from the bed, and opened his mouth as if to speak...

In the end, he could only squeeze out a broken sentence.

"Your Majesty..."

They met in their youth and spent twenty-nine years together, from the prince's residence to the imperial palace. What he believed to be the bond between ruler and subject, the loyalty between master and servant, could not withstand the power of the emperor and his ambition.

Blood gushed from the old eunuch's mouth, staining the fabric of his clothes, and he finally died.

Emperor Chongzhao, witnessing this scene, suddenly burst into tears, murmuring, "Old man, you go first... On the road to the Yellow Springs... go slowly... don't blame me..."

She choked up again as she spoke, "Remember to be born into a good family..."

Wang Jin knelt down heavily, his voice respectful yet obsequious.

"Your Majesty, my adoptive father was foolish and could not distinguish between loyalty and treachery. He almost ruined Your Majesty's important affairs and deserved to die. Please, Your Majesty, take care of your health and bear the consequences of your grief."

Wang Jin was originally the Junior Supervisor of the Inner Palace, just one step away from becoming the Chief Eunuch, the pinnacle of power.

Emperor Chongzhao seemed to see through his thoughts. He narrowed his eyes and stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and shakily took out a bright yellow edict from a hidden compartment under the bed and handed it to him.

"Clean this place up...go out through the secret passage...and give this...to Prince Duan. Tell him...to purge the court of corrupt officials, to rectify the government...the Li family's empire depends entirely on his restoration..."

"Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Wang Jin bowed, accepted the imperial edict with both hands, and a fanatical light flashed in his eyes.

He knew his chance to rise to prominence had arrived.

A slight clicking sound came from behind the screen, and a hidden door slid open silently through the seemingly perfectly sealed wall.

Wang Jin's figure disappeared into it.

The hidden door closed, and the hall returned to deathly silence.

Emperor Chongzhao gazed at the bright yellow canopy above his head, his eyes slowly welling up with tears.
-
Prince Duan's Mansion.

The study was brightly lit by candlelight, and the atmosphere was so somber that it was hard to breathe.

Li Huan had already changed into a set of gleaming silver armor, the armor plates cold and gleaming under the candlelight.

He was surrounded by trusted generals of the Right Wing Guard, personal guards of the Prince's Palace, remnants of the Xiao clan, and their trained assassins, each holding a weapon and with a solemn expression.

"Gentlemen, the time has come—"

Li Huan held aloft the newly acquired bright yellow imperial edict, his voice resounding and powerful. "My father has decreed that the court be cleansed of corrupt officials and the order restored! Li Zhao is disobedient and unfilial, imprisoning his father and disrupting the order of the court; his crimes are unforgivable!"

Even without an imperial edict, he would have taken action today.

Although the father and son did not discuss it, they tacitly chose to launch their attack on the day of Li Zhao's wedding.

With the Crown Prince's palace hosting a joyous occasion, the ceremonies are numerous and complex, and the guards will inevitably be lax, presenting a golden opportunity.

He had been lying low for many years, ready to unleash his potential, just waiting for the right opportunity.

For him, his father's edict was not only icing on the cake, but also a legitimate reason to raise an army.

Li Huan handed the imperial edict to his deputy general, his voice growing increasingly cold and stern.

"Pass down the order: the Right Guard will follow me into the palace through the secret passage and head straight for the Zichen Hall to rescue the Emperor. The rest of you will take control of the various gates to block reinforcements and act on my orders."

"Yes!" the crowd replied in unison, lowering their voices.

Li Huan's gaze swept across every face present. With a flick of his wrist, the sword at his waist was suddenly drawn.

A flash of cold light streaked past, too fast to see clearly.

The next instant, it pierced Wang Jin's chest with pinpoint accuracy.

Wang Jin's fawning and excited expression froze instantly, turning into utter astonishment and pain.

"Your Highness...why..."

He looked down in disbelief at the sword embedded in his chest, then looked up at Li Huan's cold, merciless face. He slowly collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide open, filled with resentment...

Even as he breathed his last, he couldn't understand why he had ended up like this after making such a great contribution.

Li Huan expressionlessly withdrew his sword, not even glancing at the spreading crimson, and stepped over the corpse, his tone even more somber than before.

“Those who break faith and betray trust are not worthy to be my companions.”

The crowd stood rooted to the spot, silent as if frozen in fear.

Li Huan paused, raised his voice, and spoke in a cold, iron-like tone.

"Today's matter is a matter of life and death. Success will bring you great honor and glory, while failure will result in the execution of your entire family. Are you all willing to follow me and gamble for wealth and honor?"

"Your Highness, I swear to follow you to the death, even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire!"

Li Huan nodded heavily and picked up the wine bowl that had been prepared on the table.

"drink!"

"drink--"

He tilted his head back and drank the strong liquor in his glass in one gulp, then smashed the bowl on the ground.

Porcelain shards flew everywhere, making a piercing sound.

"I will go first."

Li Huan pushed open the door and went out, only to see Xue Yuechen standing outside, having been listening for who knows how long.

She was supposed to attend the ceremony today, so she wore a light red palace dress with intertwined branches and a red gold hairpin in her hair, making her look more formal than usual.

But the light from the corridor illuminated her face, revealing only a deathly pale, bloodless complexion.

"What is the Princess Consort doing here?" Li Huan asked, his face darkening.

"Your Highness..." Xue Yuechen rushed forward, hugged his waist, her voice trembling.

"Today is the Crown Prince's wedding day. The palace is guarded everywhere. You can't cause trouble..."

Li Huan looked down at her, his gaze complex as he untied her arm, but his tone was not warm.

"Don't concern yourself with my affairs."

"Your Highness, I beg you, please stop fighting." Xue Yue pleaded tearfully, grabbing his arm. "Wouldn't it be better for us to live a peaceful life together? Why must Your Highness risk your life and the lives of your entire family for a woman who doesn't love you..."

"Enough!" Li Huan forcefully shook off her hand, his eyes icy cold. "Go back to your courtyard, take good care of Aning, and don't ask any other questions."

"Your Highness." Xue Yuechen staggered as she was thrown back, her heart aching as she watched his resolute departure. She sobbed, "Your Highness can't just think of yourself. If something happens to you... what will become of me and Aning... what will become of us, mother and daughter?"

Li Huan paused, his back stiffening.

He didn't turn around, but his voice softened.

"If I don't come back, go and seek refuge with Xue Liu. Out of sisterly affection, she will give you and your daughter a way to survive."

Having said that, he stopped looking at Xue Yuechen and strode out, the clanging of his armor sharp and resolute, gradually fading into the distance.

The guards followed closely behind and soon disappeared into the darkness before dawn.
-
The Crown Prince's wedding was a cause for celebration throughout the land.

Red carpets and brocade stretched from Chengtian Gate all the way to the East Palace. The pillars and palace walls were adorned with gilded "囍" (double happiness) characters. The palace servants who came and went were dressed in new clothes with red silk ribbons tied around their waists. Everyone had a smile on their face, and they were all beaming with joy.

The banquet began in the square in front of the palace, with a continuous stream of delicacies being served. Civil and military officials, relatives and nobles, and envoys from various countries arrived one after another, and the sounds of congratulations and greetings blended together.

Li Zhao was dressed in a black wedding gown, with gold-embroidered dragon patterns shimmering under the candlelight, which further accentuated his tall and handsome figure and dignified appearance.

People frequently came up to offer their congratulations.

He stood on the jade steps in front of the palace, his demeanor composed and his responses appropriate, already displaying the bearing of an emperor.

Empress Xie attended the ceremony in full regalia, sitting regally in the main seat with a polite smile, but her eyes betrayed her worry. She had just given birth and was already weak, yet she had forced herself to attend her son's grand ceremony while also worrying about the ailing emperor in the Zichen Palace. She was exhausted both physically and mentally.

Among the members of the royal family, Prince Chun, Yi Qian, arrived the earliest.

He moved closer to Li Zhao and patted Li Zhao's arm enthusiastically.

The two brothers had just exchanged a few pleasantries when Yuan Cang strode in and whispered a few words quickly in Li Zhao's ear.

Li Zhao's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and gave Prince Chun an apologetic smile.

"Please wait a moment, Your Majesty. I'll be right back."

Seeing that his expression was not right, Prince Chun did not dare to ask any more questions, and simply nodded and said, "Go quickly and come back quickly, don't miss the auspicious time."

　Li Zhao: Don't panic, don't panic, it's not a big problem...

　　Reader: I'm really worried for you, don't lose your wife.

　　(End of this chapter)