Xia Jingshi’s gaze was fixed on the gradually brightening sky outside the window, his body swaying slightly with the jostling of the carriage, his heart wavering with the movement of his body. He had announced Feng Xiyang’s death. The next day, Feng Suige refused his offer to send troops to escort them back to Su Sha, insisting on accompanying Yi Xiao back to the Holy City with him—he wanted to see the outcome with his own eyes, Feng Suige had said, emphasizing that this was also Yi Xiao’s wish.
The Holy Emperor and five Yulin soldiers were tightly bound, and placed in two separate carriages in the middle of the entire procession. Xiyang’s coffin was taken back to Lu City by Xiao Weiran for temporary storage. In truth, he knew clearly that the so-called verification of the authenticity of the imperial edict was merely a measure to silence the masses. Even if the edict was fake, this turmoil could only be stopped by his ascension to the throne. He would inevitably be criticized by ministers who opposed him, perhaps even accused of rebellion by the world, but he didn’t care about these things because there were too many people he needed to protect.
However, if the edict was real, he almost didn’t know how to face everything—the poisoned Emperor, the brutalized Empress, and that murderer. And the knot in the depths of his heart.
In others’ eyes, he was a formidable man who commanded the wind and clouds, but only he knew that for so many years, he had been a coward, humbly curled up in a corner, watching helplessly as others, intentionally or unintentionally, slowly destroyed his world.
He could almost foresee what would happen during the confrontation in the court. He dared not imagine everyone’s reactions after learning the truth, including Yi Xiao’s—though he knew Yi Xiao wouldn’t, he couldn’t help but overthink, fearing to see sympathy in Yi Xiao’s eyes…
“Your Highness,” came the low report of the Biaoji commander amid the clatter of hooves by the window, “The ministers have been waiting outside the city for a long time. Should we…”
“Have them all wait in the outer court,” he pulled back his wandering thoughts, his slightly confused eyes quickly regaining their usual clarity. “Everyone who should be present, not one can be missing!”
There was no time to think too much, and he could no longer avoid it.
This was likely the most chaotic court assembly since the founding of the Jinxiu Dynasty. The ministers were divided into two camps. Most military leaders stood on Xia Jingshi’s side, while almost all civil officials, except for the old Prime Minister’s faction, adamantly insisted that the imperial edict was forged. Before everyone had arrived, the court was already engaged in a heated debate, as chaotic as a marketplace.
Suddenly, the sound of the golden bell rang out. The ministers, who had been arguing heatedly, immediately fell silent, composing themselves and holding their breath in anticipation.
Hearing footsteps, the ceremonial official at the door habitually opened his mouth to announce the arrivals, but upon seeing the group ascending the steps, his voice changed in shock, “His Majesty the Holy Emperor arrives, His Highness the Prince of Zhennan arrives, Her Highness Princess Xingping arrives… Prince Feng of Su Sha arrives…”
A commotion immediately arose in the court. Many courtiers looked at each other in astonishment. An elderly civil official stepped forward, his voice quavering as he protested shrilly, “Today’s matters have nothing to do with Su Sha, and they concern Jinxiu’s secrets. Why are Su Sha people being allowed in?” A chorus of agreeing voices immediately rose around him.
The clamor ceased abruptly as the first person crossed the threshold. Everyone widened their eyes in disbelief, watching Xia Jingshi walk in without pause, followed by Feng Suige carefully supporting Yi Xiao, then the disheveled and pale Holy Emperor. The last to enter were the dust-covered commanders of the Biaoji and Yulin camps. After entering, instead of hurrying to their places, they turned and slowly closed the golden doors of the hall.
Given the circumstances, the Holy Emperor did not walk towards the imperial throne, but merely stood in the middle of the hall, coldly rubbing his wrists that had just been freed from restraints. In an instant, he was surrounded by a group of old ministers. Some repeatedly called for palace servants to bring chairs, while others, even more extremely, fell at his feet with tears flowing, repenting for their failure to protect him and lamenting the suffering he had endured.
Watching the ministers’ affected behavior, Xia Jingshi only smiled mockingly. After ordering palace attendants to bring a soft chair for Yi Xiao to sit on, he finally raised his eyes to look at the ministers, “Today’s matter is of great importance. Prince Feng of Su Sha was invited to the court because of Princess Xiyang…”
The elderly official who had protested earlier was quite dissatisfied. After holding back for a moment, he still stepped out from the crowd and protested loudly, “The death of the Prince of Zhennan’s wife in Jinxiu, this old minister has heard about, but it has nothing to do with today’s discussion. Therefore, this minister believes that the Prince of Su Sha should be asked to rest and wait in the outer city. Although Princess Xingping is from Jinxiu, because she has already married Su Sha, she should also accompany the Prince of Su Sha…”
Feng Suige couldn’t help but laugh coldly, “Nothing to do with it? If it weren’t for the thought of today’s court assembly, your emperor would have already been cut into mincemeat by me!”
The court immediately erupted into chaos. Even many military leaders who supported Xia Jingshi furrowed their brows. Yi Xiao patted Feng Suige’s hand and stood up before Xia Jingshi could speak, “The Holy Emperor held me and the Princess hostage, intending to harm His Highness. The Princess died protecting His Highness. Do you still say this has nothing to do with Su Sha?”
There was dead silence.
“She’s lying,” the Holy Emperor’s voice suddenly rang out, “It was Xia Jingshi who colluded with Su Sha, intending to harm Jinxiu…” Before he could finish, his vision blurred. Amid a chorus of shocked exclamations, Yi Xiao, who had rushed over, slapped him hard across the face. He staggered back several steps before steadying himself. “It’s because of your shamelessness that even heaven can’t tolerate you,” Yi Xiao shook her hand, looking at him with disdain, “I want to see what other disgusting words you can say today!”
“Rebellion! Rebellion!!” That elderly official trembled with anger, “A mere commoner dares to offend the imperial countenance—if it weren’t for His Majesty’s grace, you would still be a small commander. How dare you stand in this Golden Hall…”
“He is not my emperor,” Yi Xiao coldly dropped these words, then, supported by Feng Suige, sat back down in the soft chair.
Amidst the chaos, a Biaoji soldier entered after knocking, hurried to Xia Jingshi’s side, paid his respects, whispered a few words, and then retreated. As the door closed, Xia Jingshi spoke gravely, “The General Protector of the State and the Prime Minister have gone to invite the Empress Dowager. They will arrive shortly.” He raised his head, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone, finally settling on Shang Yun, the commander of the Biaoji camp. “It doesn’t matter if you argue now, but when we get to the main business later, I don’t want anyone to interrupt—Commander Shang, if anyone is tired of living, oblige them!”
Days of house arrest had made the Empress Dowager much thinner, her demeanor less sharp and showing more signs of age, but her eyes were even more profound. When she was escorted into the hall by two elderly ministers and dozens of imperial guards, she stared at Xia Jingshi venomously for a good while before shifting her gaze to the Holy Emperor. Seeing his haggard appearance, she couldn’t help but feel heartache and called out softly, “Your Majesty…” Hearing her gentle call, the Holy Emperor not only didn’t respond but glared at her resentfully and turned away, ignoring her.
The old general and the old prime minister stepped forward together to pay their respects to Xia Jingshi. Before Xia Jingshi could help them up, the old prime minister, trembling, pulled out the draft with the late emperor’s vermilion comments from his bosom and presented it to Xia Jingshi, “Your Highness, this old minister is incompetent, having let Your Highness endure for so many years. Today, Your Highness must avenge the Emperor and Empress Xuan…”
Before Xia Jingshi could take it, the Empress Dowager laughed derisively, “Do you want to fight with me to the end? Don’t you feel that you’ll lose no matter what?” Xia Jingshi’s hand paused in mid-air, but he still took the paper, “Since we’ve come this far, we can dispense with unnecessary words—regarding this edict, what do you have to say?”
Standing proudly in the hall, the Empress Dowager’s eyes, as if filled with countless poisoned needles, stared at him intensely, “Even if it’s real, what can you do? Can you inherit the throne? Do you have that qualification?!” Xia Jingshi’s face turned slightly pale, but he still said firmly, “I do!”
“You do? Hahaha…” The Empress Dowager immediately burst into laughter, her laughter so loud it made Yi Xiao shudder, and Feng Suige also showed a puzzled expression.
After laughing for a while, the Empress Dowager suddenly stopped, gritting her teeth as she spat out a few words, “Based on what? You, a eunuch?”