Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
“Wait a minute.” Baili Jia Jue’s voice was unrushed as he commanded Shadow behind him, “Go and get a hand warmer.”
Shadow nodded respectfully, returning almost instantly after he left to acquire one.
Helian Wei Wei felt very warm, as a warm object was tucked into her left hand while her right hand was held by Baili Jia Jue.
However, the stares from the surrounding onlookers were too glaring. It seemed that everyone was staring at them.
Baili Jia Jue’s seemed expressionless, but the covert smile on his face made him look even more handsome than before.
Eunuch Sun beside them let out a sigh of relief. The others might not understand, but he knew it very clearly.
Even though His Highness was indifferent throughout the journey…
Due to recent events, both the Retired Emperor and him were worried that His Highness would deviate into the demonic path. However, it seemed that the Third Prince was still the same. Other than his indifferent temperament and his unwillingness to speak, he was still quite gentle with the Third Princess Consort.
The Retired Emperor understood his grandson’s meaning as well. He cursed secretly in his heart. Brat! Then, he beckoned Little Seven over and they sat on the upper seat together.
In front of every minister, there would be a small wooden table that had been set up early in the morning, while the palace maids and eunuchs were standing ready at the side to pour the wine and served the food. The entire vicinity was bustling with noise and excitement.
However, the more lively it was, some people’s minds would become busier.
After Baili Jia Jue sat down with Helian Wei Wei in his embrace, he used his long, fair fingers to peel a fried chestnut and placed it in her bowl. As he was using a white handkerchief to wipe his hands, two ministers in the front row of the Great Hall stood up.
They were the patriarchs of their families, who went to pray together with the Retired Emperor. Everyone was absolutely brimming with joy.
“Although I’m not in the Capital, I highly revere Your Highness’ valiant for seizing control of the Xuanyuan Kingdom capital effortlessly. Within a day, their King sent his appeal letter to the Retired Emperor and gave up the southern area of the Xuanyuan Kingdom in front of the messenger. This has never happened before! Your Highness’ brilliant astuteness was simply unparalleled.”
“Yes, Old Li and I were stunned when we heard it. As the saying goes, most of the heroes are the youths. Just look at the Third Prince, our War Dragon Dynasty’s status in the Divine Mainland won’t be the same anymore!”
“An old saying goes, a nation could not be governed by nobody. The late Emperor is dead now. Since Old Wu and I are ministers to three generations of emperors, we want to recommend the Third Prince as the Emperor in front of the ministers! I think no one would oppose if we hand the War Dragon Dynasty to a prince with great mind and ability. ”
Of course, nobody would oppose after experiencing such a series of incidents.
Even the Fifth Prince’s people had sworn loyalty to Baili Jia Jue, let alone the ministers who were on Baili Jia Jue’s side since the beginning.
Furthermore, Baili Jia Jue was the crown prince. Now that the Emperor was gone, it was legal and natural for him to succeed to the throne.
All the ministers stood up and offered obeisance in the Great Hall. Resounding support echoed from them.
The Retired Emperor was happy when he heard that. Since he did not have much time left, inheriting the throne to his grandson would fulfill his last wish.
Before his return to the palace, a few ministers had already mentioned this vaguely.
However, he thought that they would discuss it again a few days later.
Unexpectedly, they voiced out their support today.
“My beloved subjects, please rise.” The Retired Emperor grinned happily. Although he was slightly doubtful, the joy had dispelled all suspicions. He turned around and said to Eunuch Sun, “The enthronement has always been an extremely important event in the nation’s foundation. You and Lord Li should carefully pick an auspicious day for it.”
“Yes,” Eunuch Sun lowered his head and answered, his face beaming with ecstasy.
The ministers realized that the enthronement was set in stone upon hearing this, so they laughed even more gleefully. Except for the ministers from the two families, everyone had returned to their seats and started giving a toast to each other.
Especially, those ministers who were on Baili Jia Jue’s side from the beginning.
They were different from the people under the other princes.
They obviously knew that who was the wise emperor, Baili Jia Jue had a calm mind and was simply concealing his strength.
Essentially, he was worlds apart from those princes who were only interested in pursuing their personal gains.
They acted with great care for the past years, as they needed to be moderate and could not behave too obviously in the Great Hall, even if they were loyal to the Third Prince.
They were worried that the Emperor would be jealous of His Highness and refuse to give him any opportunities.
Ever since young, both the Emperor and the Empress had been treating the Third Prince extremely unfairly.
Although a minister should not comment on the imperial family, the Emperor’s methods were too obvious.
If the Retired Emperor did not shield him, the Third Prince might not survive into adulthood.
Since the day when they tested the Third Prince’s martial Qi, the Emperor’s jealousy toward him was hidden within every movement that he made daily.
In any family, the one who had gained this kind of honor would be praised and flattered.
However, it was different in the Royal Family.
Although the War Dragon Dynasty focussed on martial arts and the Third Prince obtained the title of the crown prince as the apparent heir to the throne, people in the imperial palace had always been envious of genius individuals.
They were almost driven to despair when the huge fire occurred. As they could only helplessly watch a wise emperor fall into ruin, they were very sorry and regretful.
Unexpectedly, the Third Prince slowly reached adulthood.
Not only did he not weaken his presence, but he also became the most mysterious prince of the War Dragon Dynasty.
In no time at all, all the six ministries gradually fell into his grasp. Even the officials, soldiers, and kings of the neighboring countries feared his existence.
Now, his effort had ultimately paid off. His Highness was finally going to ascend the throne, how could they be unhappy?
However, the two other ministers did not share this mentality.
They suggested Baili Jia Jue to quickly inherit the throne, so that their daughters could marry him to help maintain their families’ influences.
The current situation was clear as day. Even if they did not support the Third Prince as the emperor, he would inevitably inherit the throne.
Hence, they mentioned it first so that the Third Prince would believe that he owed them a favor. Therefore, it would be easier for them to talk about the selection of consorts.
The two ministers had planned these perfectly. They exchanged a glance, before one of them said, “The palace has not been peaceful all this time. I think that there should be some joyous events to usher in some good luck.”
“It’s reasonable.” Another minister spoke while looking at Helian Wei Wei, “In my opinion, the palace lacks a lively atmosphere. After all, the Princess Consort has been married to Your Highness for quite some time. Since Your Highness is busy every day, I think it’s time to look for a considerate lady to ease your burden.”
Helian Wei Wei was still eating the chestnut that Baili Jia Jue peeled, so she could not find a suitable opportunity to tell His Highness that she was pregnant. Yet, these people were more anxious about her pregnancy than her.
Heh, they’re really, really silly.
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
The two ministers echoed and supported each other’s opinions. The hidden meaning behind their words was crystal-clear, hinting at the lack of news of pregnancy from Helian Wei Wei.
The others were stunned when they heard it. After all, many of the ministers had become loyal worshippers of Helian Wei Wei.
With the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs as the leader, they had specially allowed some people to enter the palace occasionally and listen to Helian Wei Wei’s advice on their cases.
Now that they heard some people hurling disguised mockery at Helian Wei Wei, they too become secretly anxious.
After all, the matter of having sons and heirs in royal families was a very important issue since ancient times…
Lord Li noticed that the atmosphere had quietened, so he asked Helian Wei Wei smilingly on purpose, “Princess Consort, what do you think?” This suggestion would surely be rejected if they had asked the Third Prince directly. If they asked indirectly like this, she definitely could not refuse them in front of the ministers. Otherwise, she would seem a narrow-minded woman. Thus, it would provide them with even more excuses to request His Highness to marry imperial concubines.
Helian Wei Wei looked at him and was about to talk.
Suddenly, she was stopped by a wooden chopstick flying toward him in the air.
The martial Qi imbued in the chopstick pierced through the Lord Li’s hat on his head. The resulting impact made Lord Li fumble two steps backward at once.
As if Lord Li was stunned by the sudden attack, the smile at the corner of his mouth remained hanging, as his lips instantly turned ashen pale. When he stroked his long, straggled hair, he realized that he was inches away from immediate death.
If it were not for his official hat protecting him, the wooden chopstick would have penetrated his brain.
When Lord Li had recovered, every fiber of muscle in his body trembled violently.
Everyone looked at the attacker, Baili Jia Jue. However, he merely smiled indifferently while playing with another chopstick in his hand, asking, “Lord Li, you know that I’ve sent troops to attack the capital of Xuanyuan Kingdom, right? Then, do you know why am I doing this?”
As he spoke, he set another wooden stick upright elegantly, but his eyes were murderously cold.
Whoosh!
Another swishing noise was heard!
Lord Li’s left leg was instantly punctured!
“Ahhh!”
His painful yell reverberated through the entire palace hall.
Lord Li had lost his tongue. He collapsed on the ground of the Great Hall, hugging his left leg that was in intense pain while rolling frantically around.
Bright red blood gushed from Lord Li’s knee, causing the other minister’s face to blanch in terror. He swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and gulped terrifyingly.
Baili Jia Jue simply took a white handkerchief next to him and wiped his hands, before continuing, “It’s because they kept forcing me to marry concubines.”
“Your, Your Highness! The ministers are merely thinking for the greater good of the War Dragon Dynasty,” the officials explained desperately and glanced at the Retired Emperor. As if he had gained some courage, he added, “Moreover, even if Your Highness doesn’t agree with it, you don’t need to hurt people? After all, we are ministers who had supported the Retired Emperor through thick and thin. Haven’t Your Highness thought how bitterly disappointed the others would be if they see you treating Lao Li and me like this?”
When the Retired Emperor heard the last sentence, he furrowed his eyebrows even more tightly.
The minister seized the opportunity and continued, “If it weren’t the lack of good news from Third Princess Consort, Lao Li and I would not mention the concubine selection. However, this imperial palace is really inhumane. Is it wrong for us to be concerned about Your Highness?”
“Concerned about me?” Baili Jia Jie sneered menacingly, his face was dripping with sarcasm.
Upon hearing that, the official stopped crying out his grievance at Baili Jia and talked to the Retired Emperor instead, saying, “Retired Emperor, please save us. His Highness’ personality is dreadful, killing anyone as his wish. If we’ve known this, we’d rather go back and farm at home!” As he spoke, he let out a sigh of relief, uttering, “Dangerous beauty, she’s really a dangerous beauty!”
He mentioned the words ‘dangerous beauty’ to allude to Helian Wei Wei as he wanted to shift the blame to Helian Wei Wei.
The minister clearly understood that it would be impossible for the Retired Emperor to punish the Third Prince. However, Helian Wei Wei was different. They had been married for so long but she was still not pregnant. It was considered a sin in ancient times. As Baili Jia Jue did not intend to marry any concubine, her sin was even greater.
If the Third Prince was strongly opposed to this, the ordinary civilians and his peers would claim that His Highness was doing this for Helian Wei Wei.
The minister believed that the Retired Emperor surely understood this. The greatest taboo for a ruler was to show favor on one woman.
Even if Third Prince did not want to marry a concubine, he could not do anything to them.
As the minister had calculated the outcome perfectly, he naturally felt very confident.
However, something unexpected to him happened just as he finished speaking. His daughter was brought in by the shadow guards of the imperial palace. Her hair was unkempt, her clothes were disheveled, and her entire body was covered in a peculiar odor. She was blindfolded by a black cloth and there was a coarse waistband at her waist. A servant from her home was brought in with her.
When the minister saw this scene, he realized that it was the end for him.
His daughter was fine in everything but she was unsettled. She always lost her reservation whenever she saw a handsome man.
Due to her promiscuity, he had dismissed many people, but he did not expect that she had not changed her ugly habit.
She was released and before she could see her surroundings, her eyes met her father’s face. Instantly, she became agitated and pulled the servant beside her over, trying to use him as a shield to hide. At the same time, she said, “Daddy, I won’t do it anymore. This is my last, this really is my last time. I won’t do this again after I’ve entered the palace!”
If she had remained silent, the situation would still be salvageable. However, her speaking up was tantamount to admitting to everything.
When the minister heard her, his head felt dizzy and his face felt burningly hot, slowly asphyxiating him.
Baili Jia Jue spoke elegantly and casually, “This is one of the concubines that Lord Wu wants me to marry. I know that she’s your only daughter and you always favor her. You also hope that she could lead a happy life in the future. It would be best if she could marry someone high-ranking. However, how dare you choose a woman who made immoral love with her servant to be my concubine? I’ve rejected your suggestion but you tried to rile me up by mentioning ‘dangerous beauty’! Hah, do you think you have the right to do so?”
“I, I…” the minister stammered nervously as his lips quivered in fear. His overconfidence had vanished, while his previously arrogant and relentless attitude changed completely. He kneeled on the ground and endlessly plead for mercy, crying, “Your Highness, I had simply lost my marbles. I beg Your Highness for your mercy, please overlook this since I’ve made great contributions to the country! Please give me mercy!”
The ministers immediately realized what was happening. It was obvious that there was something wrong with Lady Wu’s behavior and Lord Wu had known about this. It was her daughter, after all. It was impossible for him to be in the dark about it.
However, Lord Wu wanted to pawn his unchaste daughter to the palace for glory, wealth, and status…
