The Golden Sparrow Country, Quejing, Imperial Palace Celestial Saint City, Jinluan Great Hall.
The Civil Servants stood to the left, the Military Officers to the right, and the Eunuchs in their own row. The dragon throne in the center of the hall was empty, with the Empress Dowager ruling from behind a curtain in the rear.
It was still ti for morning court.
However, the atmosphere in the court was anything but solemn. The assembled officials were chattering amongst themselves. So muttered about military affairs at the border, so gossiped about household trifles, so were busy flattering each other, and one was even hawking watches!
Behind the pearl curtain, the Empress Dowager sighed.
"Our ancestors founded this empire, and the dynasty has endured for three hundred years. But now, the ruler is no true ruler and the ministers are no true ministers. This hallowed court has beco like a teahouse or a restaurant. Look at those ministers—which of them still abides by the rules? The country is on the brink of collapse. If I were to pass away, how could I face the late Emperor? How could I face our ancestors...?"
This Empress Dowager was from the powerful Liang Clan and was the Emperor’s birth mother, respectfully addressed as Empress Dowager Liang. She was over eighty years old this year and in poor health. Her sighs made her seem even more ancient.
An old Eunuch beside her bowed and said, "This is all because of the Aliens who descended from the heavens. What can we do about it?"
"Sigh... is there still no news of Da Yu’Er?"
The Eunuch replied, "None! However, Yan Bingzhang did say that the one who abducted the princess was none other than the Lord of Huaguo Mountain, Sun Wukong. So, it shouldn’t be a major problem!"
"That Sun Wukong... he’s too impatient. I already promised to arrange Yu’Er’s marriage to him and haven’t gone back on my word. Why couldn’t he wait just a little while? Why did he have to abduct her? So brutish and rude... My poor, pampered granddaughter. Her days ahead will surely be difficult. Sigh..."
The Empress Dowager heaved a long sigh and added, "Send so Imperial Censors to Huaguo Mountain to reprimand that Sun Wukong! And what about Xiaoyu’Er? Why didn’t she co today?"
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Xiaoliang State Preceptor left Quejing the day before yesterday and went to Huayang Mountain!"
"Sigh. I thought that child had heaven-sent talent and could restore order to the Court and stabilize the empire. I never imagined she’d be another unreliable girl!"
"The Xiaoliang State Preceptor is not the Princess Xiaoyu of the past. She is also an Alien, as the Empress Dowager should know."
"I know, I know! I am well aware! What of the war in the Western Domain? Has the Celestial Net Army made any move?"
"They are neither advancing nor retreating. This old servant believes that in a few more days, a Celestial Net Envoy should arrive in the capital to negotiate for peace. At that ti, I fear ceding territory and paying reparations will be unavoidable..."
"Sigh... I am truly weary." Empress Dowager Liang waved her hand weakly. "Go ask those disloyal and treacherous things down there if they have anything to report. If not, dismiss the court!"
"Yes!"
The old Eunuch bowed in assent, stepped out from behind the curtain, and announced in a high-pitched voice, "Report if you have business, retire if you have none!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd in the hall imdiately broke into a commotion as if a eting had been adjourned, and everyone began to disperse on their own.
Among them, the Inspector Imperial Censor of the Imperial Censorate, Zhao Wenliang, even climbed onto an official’s chair, held up a watch, and shouted, "My lords, I have only 50 watches left! First co, first served, highest bidder wins!"
But at that mont, a clamor arose from outside the great hall. Then, Wang Yi, Li Longyu, and eight Martial Saint Fengyu Cultivators rode in on Jade Jiaolongs, bursting directly into Jinluan Great Hall. Forbidden Army guards followed behind them, but no one dared to stop them, nor could anyone stop them.
Inside the great hall, the civil and military officials who had been about to leave imdiately retreated to the sides in a panic.
Atop the Jade Jiaolong’s back, Wang Yi scanned Jinluan Great Hall, his gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials before briefly eting the eyes of Zhao Wenliang, who was standing stunned on his official’s chair, watch still in hand.
’This Court is truly bizarre,’ he thought.
’A minister hawking watches during morning court? How the hell has this country not collapsed yet?’
Wang Yi also spotted a few Adventurer Players wearing official robes, who clearly held positions in the Court.
"Bizarre, bizarre, truly bizarre!"
Wang Yi muttered under his breath.
However, the old Eunuch in front of the pearl curtain had a grim expression. He shouted, "Who goes there? To barge into Jinluan Great Hall! Guards, seize them!"
"Longyu pays her respects to the Empress Dowager!" Li Longyu spoke up. "And I greet all the lords present!"
She was currently dressed in camouflage, with an external bulletproof vest, a gray-black beret on her head, fingerless leather gloves, and leather boots. She cradled a submachine gun in her arms and had a dozen magazines slung on her back.
This "Number One Beauty Under Heaven" was now fully ard, cutting a dashing and heroic figure.
She had scrounged up this outfit from the Chaos Warehouse’s courtyard with Wang Bushi and Jelena. It was hard to tell if it was originally n’s or won’s clothing, but in any case, it fit Li Longyu perfectly and looked great on her.
"Princess Longyu!"
"So it’s Princess Longyu who has returned!"
"You scared ! I thought so villain had charged in to kill us!"
"Zhao Wenliang pays his respects to Lord Sun Wukong..."
The court remained in chaos.
Empress Dowager Liang lifted the pearl curtain, looked up at Li Longyu, and asked, "Yu’Er, are you staging a rebellion?"
"Of course not!" Li Longyu gave a sweet smile. "Empress Dowager, my lords, please do not be alard. I have co with my husband rely to collect so of my dowry. My husband is also here to help the Court resolve its urgent crisis."
Hearing this, Wang Yi thought to himself, ’This wife of mine is pretty great. She even rembered to collect her dowry. That hadn’t even occurred to .’
At this, Wang Yi wasted no more ti. He said, "Let introduce myself. I am the Lord of Huaguo Mountain. Princess Longyu has married into my Huaguo Mountain, and I have co to help you all quell the war. Who here is familiar with the Western Domain and the Celestial Net Country? Step forward and speak."
The great hall fell silent. For a long mont, no one responded. Wang Yi’s gaze flickered to Zhao Wenliang. The eyes of Lord Zhao darted about, and he imdiately said, "This humble official is passably familiar!"
"Then you’re coming with !"
Wang Yi nodded. One of the Martial Saint Fengyu Cultivators imdiately stepped forward, lifted Zhao Wenliang, and placed him on the Jade Jiaolong.
"Insolence! How dare you abduct a court official in Jinluan Hall!"
The old Eunuch in front of the curtain let out a sharp cry, leaped into the air, and thrust his palm toward that Martial Saint Fengyu Cultivator.
User Comments
0 comments from readers