"Indeed..."
The Imperial Guards acknowledged the command.
All the court officials fell silent.
Ruan Pu opened his mouth as if to say sothing, but in the end, he remained speechless.
Two streams of tears trickled down from Yuan Yue’s eyes.
Having lived a life of luxury, and being young at that, when had he ever witnessed such a spectacle?
Anxiety, fear, everything settled at this mont. To his own surprise, he burst into tears of joy.
The Dragon Throne was strewn with skeletons; who knows how many had t a tragic end. He had thought he could risk it all, but when faced with death, he realized the instinct to survive.
Imprisonnt, then, seed a minor punishnt—as long as he lived...
"Thank you, my liege..."
Yuan Yue was led away.
His steps dragged on the green stone floor, producing a dreary and intimidating sound, slowly taking him away from the Dragon Throne, which was now just a step away...
Within Zhenghe Hall, no one spoke.
Nobody even bothered to ask further how Yuan Yue had convinced those Palace Attendants to open the windows or how it led to His Majesty catching a severe chill and thus losing his life...
Because none of that was important.
Whether Yuan Yue did it or not, whatever the truth was, it didn’t matter.
Here lay the most paramount power in the realm.
Yet it’s the most unreasonable place in the whole world...
It’s about authority, military power, and who can turn black into white.
All the court officials present were shrewd, each of them well-versed in history. Ancient and modern changes of emperors all followed similar patterns, let alone in these chaotic tis...
Pei Jue pacified the Western Regions, stabilized the Northern Borders, recovered Yecheng, eliminated the warlords’ separatist rule, conquered Bingzhou, secured Xinyi—his military achievents were significant, and power was in his hands.
But...
Clearly, he could not and should not replace the Jin Dynasty to declare himself Emperor.
Under the paramountcy of the Aristocratic Families, it would be impossible to silence the endless criticism, and bound to invite a myriad of objections. Even if he ascended to the supre seat, he would undoubtedly face greater turbulence...
That was certainly not his aim.
What he wanted was...
To assert dominance.
To suppress.
To probe...
To eliminate opposition, and establish absolute authority...
Step by step, he trampled upon the bottom line of the Jin Royal Family.
He supported the New Party against the Old Party, shaking the foundation of the Aristocratic Families.
He valued talent over birthright, promoting individuals of humble lineage and Commoner Clans with the objective of dismantling aristocratic politics...
Today, he punished a Princely Heir according to his whims, and no one dared to utter a word.
Tomorrow, should he find a reason to execute a Prince, no one would oppose.
So...
To him, this Imperial Court will no longer have the word "no".
At that ti, when his desires are unfettered and changing the dynastic cycle is like shaping a channel for running water, no stains or grievances would be left behind.
In Zhenghe Hall, silence prevailed.
Everyone deeply believed they understood Pei Jue’s thoughts—
Yet, they didn’t know what he would do next.
Ruan Pu was both angry and resentful.
Angry that Yuan Yue was impulsive, and resentful of Pei Jue’s cunning and ruthlessness.
But at this point, with the plan ruined and the play continuing, even if it ant fighting a losing battle, they still had to struggle. They couldn’t let Pei Jue lead them by the nose, watching helplessly as the legacy of their ancestors was destroyed, and watching the commoner clans under Pei Jue’s patronage grow stronger day by day, until one day they would lord over the Aristocratic Families...
Ruan Pu and a few of his cohorts exchanged glances, cleared their throats, and said with clasped hands: "It is my lack of consideration, not realizing the Crown Prince of Zhuangxian made such an oversight. Fortunately, the Prince’s discerning eye prevented the matter from worsening."
Then, looking up at Pei Jue, he continued righteously:
"Since the Crown Prince of Zhuangxian is incompetent, we have no choice but to seek soone else with rit..."
"No need to search," Pei Jue interrupted him indifferently, "I think King Zhuangxian is quite capable."
The court officials were taken aback.
Even those who thought they had fully grasped Pei Jue’s intentions were caught off guard, including Ruan Pu himself. For a good mont, they all forgot to react, rely staring blankly at Pei Jue, wondering if they had misheard.
Pei Jue said: "With Yecheng reclaid, King Zhuangxian led the battle at the front, showing both courage and wisdom, evident of his strategy. To have the honor of a royal uncle succeeding the throne will stabilize the realm."
It was not a suggestion.
And it certainly wasn’t open for discussion.
But it was a notification.
Ruan Pu’s cheeks burned hot.
Prince of Zhuangxian was the full blood brother of the Grand Princess; if he were to ascend the throne, it would be like a beautiful vista of willows and blossoming flowers for the Old Party, bringing them all great joy.
Yet Ruan Pu felt as if he had been fiercely slapped across the face by Pei Jue.
A slap that resonated thoroughly.
His dignity was swept away.
Pei Jue looked straight ahead, not glancing at him, and simply stated, "Let’s proceed this way. Going forward, all of you gentlen should work together, protect the palace, and safeguard the Dajin’s lands and altars."
All officials in unison, "Yes."
Pei Jue leaned on the armrest with his palm, slowly standing up.
"Dismissed."
Not waiting for a response from the crowd, he coldly made his way through the center of the great hall and decisively left. Just like when he arrived, he trampled all the rules underfoot.
After Pei Jue left, the previously cold and stern hall instantly beca lively.
A bunch of people surrounded Ao Zheng, urgently inquiring about Pei Jue’s intentions.
But what did Ao Zheng know?
He too was utterly bewildered...
When Pei Jue deposed Yuan Yue as the Princely Heir, his heart pounded, his blood seed to flow in reverse, and he felt himself inflate with anticipation, thinking the next words would shake heaven and earth, proclaiming that Dajin would no longer bear the Yuan surna...
But unexpectedly...
Pei Jue, in silence, elevated King Zhuangxian Yuan Yin.
He sighed, shook his head, and walked out.
On another side, several Old Party court officials followed Ruan Pu, equally disoriented, as if looking through fog or trying to make sense of an inscrutable situation...
"Prince of Yonghuai’s action truly baffles one."
"Could it be that we misinterpreted his intentions and misunderstood?"
Ruan Pu huffed heavily, "Overthinking. Removing the son to leave the father rely indicates that Prince of Zhuangxian is easy to manipulate due to his soft nature... It also stripped us of our power to assist in governance."
"This..."
The others were hesitant, but after so thought, they couldn’t help nodding.
Based on Pei Jue’s few comnts about Prince of Zhuangxian in the Zhenghe Hall, it was clear those were not his true sentints.
Everyone knows that during the battle to reclaim Yecheng, Prince of Zhuangxian joined the battlefield out of coercion. Moreover, while he held the title of Grand Marshal to quell the rebellion and carried the responsibility of commanding the army, he held neither the Tiger Tally nor the authority to deploy troops, virtually just for show.
Not just that, Prince of Zhuangxian was timid and fearful, spending his days hidden in the camp, which was far from being "brave and wise" as Pei Jue had described...
This was practically child’s play.
In the end, whether it’s Yuan Yue or Yuan Yin, there’s no difference in Pei Jue’s eyes; what Pei Jue desires is absolute authority...
The choice of the Emperor, who to decide.
It’s him, not Ruan Pu, nor the Grand Princess.
"What’s wrong with that?" the Grand Princess said with a smile upon receiving the news, as she was in the courtyard feeding her newly acquired parrot.
The parrot pecked at a small grain of millet, eating with relish.
The smile on the Grand Princess’s face did not change.
"It doesn’t matter who says it. What’s important is that my little brother will soon beco the Emperor of Dajin."
Ruan Pu’s brow furrowed deeply, "Your Highness, have you considered who the new Emperor will be controlled by after his accession?"
The Grand Princess held bird feed in her hands and turned to look at him with a soft smile, "What if Pei Jue had not supported Prince of Zhuangxian today? What then?"
Ruan Pu was montarily at a loss for words.
Given the atmosphere in the grand hall, let alone Pei Jue appointing whover he wished, if Pei Jue himself turned and sat on the Dragon Throne, it’s likely... apart from him, no one else would dare to utter a sound.
"Be content," the Grand Princess turned away, tossing the bird feed onto the cage rack, and spoke deliberately, "After all, this has bought us ti, given us a chance. Why not consider the long-term?"
Ruan Pu took a deep breath and bowed with clasped hands.
"What Your Highness says is most true."
The Grand Princess chuckled lightly and turned to look at him.
"Stay today."
Ruan Pu was silent, making eye contact with her.
For a long while, the Grand Princess sighed.
"You’re not so young anymore, cool down. Why so obstinate?"
Ruan Pu looked at her, "Your Highness says, for whose sake do I persist?"
The Grand Princess remained silent.
After a mont, she took out a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her lips, smiling faintly, "Pingyuan and Xingsu have returned from Andu. There’s a family banquet at the mansion, and perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve seen Aqing. Stay, talk with your daughter, have a heartfelt reunion."
As she spoke, she already moved closer, standing in front of Ruan Pu, looking into his eyes for a mont before walking past.
Ruan Pu turned his head, watching her back, and heaved a long sigh.
"I dare not disobey."
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