Chapter 388: Chapter 106: The Decree of King You
The wind started.
A cool breeze carrying a trace of bleakness swept into the Qianyang Palace, bringing normal wind to this unusual season.
Although the effect of the Emperor’s imperial decree had dissipated, the seasons around the Divine Capital were still off track. Now, as this autumn breeze blew, it made everyone in the hall feel once again a harbinger—a harbinger of change.
Above the luminous screen, the figure seated in a wheelchair was covered by a radiant light, where the golden bleakness merged with the light of the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron.
"Jiang Li has obtained the acknowledgment of the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron and can be the Master of the Jiang Family."
Tianxuan, looking at the scene on the screen, slowly said, "According to the laws of our dynasty, the Master of Jiang Family should be granted the title of Prince and also hold the position of Minister of Works, with the authority to establish his own office. What do you all think?"
The position of Minister of Works, one of the Three Dukes, holds a rank of ten thousand stones, a golden seal and a purple ribbon, and the authority to appoint positions such as Cao Yuan, Changshi, Sima, Chief Clerk, Chamberlain, and Assistant among others, typically bestowed upon senior officials.
The title of Prince signifies that the Jiang Family also has the power to rule over Jiangshan Mountain. In Great Zhou, if a prince is incapable of succeeding to the throne, one of the princes is chosen to ascend to the Purple Extreme.
As for the other privileges such as carrying swords into the court, entering the court without haste, and being exempt from announcing names during salutations, these are fundamental rights and need no further explanation.
It can be said that in the royal court the Jiang Family ranks first among princes, and first among all noble families. The position of Master of Jiang Family is second only to the Emperor and above all other members of the Royal Family.
If Jiang Li really became the Master of the Jiang Family, he could directly attend meetings in the Qianyang Palace and become the youngest person present, but with the highest status. Because the Emperor has already been excluded...
As soon as Tianxuan spoke these words, a brief silence fell over the Qianyang Palace. Then, an elder who earlier praised the Eldest Prince stood up first and said, "My grandson has been injured, and I beg your forgiveness for my anxious heart, but I must leave now."
This was Meng Jun, the Family Head of the Meng Family, one of the Three Dukes as Sima, in charge of military affairs, and the foremost supporter of the Eldest Prince.
As he spoke, he bowed to the main seat and then turned to leave.
"A child cannot bear such a heavy responsibility."
The second to object was Zong Zheng, the top opponent of the Jiang Family, who snorted coldly and also left his seat.
Seeing this, King You in the main seat also spoke, "This is not an order that can be issued without the Emperor’s august presence; let us wait for the Emperor to awaken before making any decisions."
Saying this, he too stood up and left with a faint trace of Yin Qi.
With King You’s departure, it effectively declared the meeting over, and the others also left one after another. In a blink, only two women remained in the Qianyang Palace.
"There is no consensus yet again," Ji Lingguang remarked, seemingly unsurprised by this outcome.
With the Emperor unable to govern and the princes acting as regents, such indecision was normal for Great Zhou—it was unheard of. If a decision had been made straightforwardly, it would mean that one faction had overwhelming superiority and there would be no need for a regent; a new succession could be announced.
"No worries, when chaos arises, the crisis will force things to settle quickly," Tianxuan said calmly.
External pressure would unite those within; otherwise, even without the disputes among princes, there would be endless pulling from all sides, making it hard to set a tone. Ultimately, it lacked an individual capable of making decisive judgments.
In the past, this person was the Emperor. Now, with the Emperor gone, inefficiency was inevitably occurring.
"With the resolutions you proposed, even when chaos arises, they are unlikely to be settled."
Ji Lingguang leaned back, supporting her face, "The Clan Elders are also quite dissatisfied with you, thinking you favor outsiders. If I didn’t know your character, I would have thought the person to be married off wasn’t Qing Yue but you instead."
As she spoke, Ji Lingguang covertly observed Tianxuan.
Tianxuan’s gaze, however, became slightly sharp.
Uninformed onlookers might think this was merely light teasing, but Tianxuan knew this woman was testing her.
"This Consort is aiming to stabilize the dynasty’s foundation," Tianxuan stated calmly, "The alliance between the two families through the Sacrifice to Heaven is the foundation of Great Zhou. Now, the relationship with the Jiang Family cannot revert to how it was before, so raising another support is necessary to steer through future crises. This Consort fosters Jiang Li not solely out of a mentor-disciple relationship but also out of public duty."
Her words were calm, imbued with a dignified air that was convincing.
But Ji Lingguang only believed half of it.
As for the other half, she was waiting to see it.
However, before she could continue her probing, she heard Tianxuan say, "If the Emperor truly regained the people’s hearts only after Heaven’s Punishment, then the death of the former Master of the Jiang Family is quite suspicious. It seems that a storm is on the horizon, but in reality, the storm has already arrived."
Ji Lingguang was taken aback upon hearing this, also sensing the underlying doubts, momentarily forgetting her initial probe.
"Furthermore, if I were you, I would pay more attention to the tender grass you are biting on. He is not simple, my niece," Tianxuan continued.
Ji Lingguang had just regained her senses when she heard this. She was taken aback and was about to get angry.
But Tianxuan had already noticed her loss of attention again.
Though it was intended to provoke her anger, she still hesitated. With Tianxuan’s years of struggle experience, there was definitely something unusual about this.
"It seems you are aware of his complexity," Tianxuan’s eyebrows slightly raised, "The divination I made back then must have been interfered with, leading to errors."
"Tianxuan!"
A furious shout came from within the Qianyang Palace.
***
On the other side, after leaving the palace, King You entered the void and instantly appeared in a dark and gloomy great hall.
"Summon Bull-headed Li Mi," King You ordered from his black throne.
A flash of ghost fire passed through the darkness of the great hall, then vanished.
Then, in less than half a moment, a brawny bull-headed man came into the hall and knelt, saying, "Li Mi pays his respects to King Yan."
King You did not tell him to rise. Looking at this Soul Hooker from the Yin Law Department, he asked, "You have had the most contact with Jiang Li in the Yin Law Department and handled the case of Shen Yuan of Jingzhao Prefecture. Tell me, have you found any connection between the two?"
Upon hearing this, the Bull-headed man immediately replied, "Reporting to King Yan, the death of Shen Yuan has been found to be the doing of the Lawless Freedom madman. The man’s soul was severed, a signature act of Lawless Freedom. Currently, there’s no clue about Jiang Li. However, there could be."
Towards the end, the Bull-headed man hinted with a trace of slyness, indicating that any clue could be found if King You desired it.
"I want real clues."
King You’s voice cooled slightly. What use were false clues to him? Fake clues could not turn into real ones, and Tianxuan would definitely be able to verify the truth.
"The people killed by Lawless Freedom all benefit Tianxuan’s coup. I suspect he is connected with Tianxuan. Jiang Li, being Tianxuan’s disciple, is deeply involved in the coup and has entered the Cave Heaven Blessed Land with Lawless Freedom, which likely means they have been in contact. Investigate using this lead."
Hearing this, the Bull-headed man’s face fell, sensing great trouble forthcoming.
Investigating Lawless Freedom was already perilous, and now paired with Jiang Li, known as a Killing Star, it doubled the danger, almost better to be killed instead.
"Reporting to King Yan, my abilities are inadequate, I fear I may fail your important trust," he said.
As he spoke, the Bull-headed man slammed his head onto the ground, producing a loud thud.
Fortunately, King You understood that one could not expect too much from a sixth-rank Soul Hooker. After hearing the Bull-headed man’s complaint, he said, "Cui Jue will protect you. Just focus on the investigation without worrying about your safety."
King You flicked his sleeve, "Go now."
The Bull-headed man on the floor had no choice but to obey the command and retreat.
After he left, a figure dressed in a crimson robe quietly appeared in the dark corner of the hall, bowed to King You, and said, "Is King Yan planning to use that bull-headed man as bait?"
As a fifth-rank Judge, he should be leading the investigation with the Bull-headed man running errands.
Resultantly, King You wanted the Bull-headed man to handle the case while the superior Judge covertly protected him, which undoubtedly was a great violation of the norm.
Although a superior is stronger than a subordinate, who has ever heard of a superior acting as a bodyguard for a subordinate?
Clearly, this was a ploy akin to fishing law enforcement.
"Lawless Freedom should be related to Jiang Li, and this is assuredly correct," King You nodded, "Cui Jue, go to the Qintian Bureau, ask the Supervisor to divine about Lawless Freedom, investigate covertly, and lead Bull-headed Li Mi towards Jiang Li."
"As you command," said Cui Jue.
With the Book of Life and Death in hand, and the lives of all in the Great Zhou, including the ghost cultivators like the Bull-headed man, recorded in it, Cui Jue would immediately know if Jiang Li killed the Bull-headed man.
At that time, there would be a story to tell.