Xing Zhilin: You…
It wasn't this prince.
With that, Xing Zhilin's gaze fell upon the white-clad figure behind Ming Li, his words catching in his throat.
Shui Xingbai's complexion was pale, and he remained silent. Despite his advanced age, this was the first time he had taken a life, and that life had belonged to a sovereign, at least until recently.
The feeling was exhilarating, to say the least.
He hadn't wanted to, but the master had insisted he do it, so he'd had no choice but to steel himself.
Indeed, it was always right to listen to the master.
Xing Zhilin was silent for a moment, glancing at Ming Li, then at Shui Xingbai. He suddenly let out a sigh that sounded as if he were immensely weary, then turned and walked away.
A faint sigh dissipated into the night.
Ming Li's gaze followed Xing Zhilin's departing back with a cool indifference. She then spoke to Shui Xingbai beside her, "No need to search further. National Preceptor, you should return first."
Shui Xingbai hesitated, his feet rooted to the spot. "Master, I should stay."
Ming Li: "Fine, then you stay and handle the aftermath. I'm going back to sleep." With that, Ming Li yawned.
Watching Ming Li disappear into the night, Shui Xingbai: "… Do you believe me if I say I was just being polite?"
…
The next day, news from the imperial palace swept through the capital, shaking it to its core.
Their Emperor, it was said, had died of exhaustion after staying up late to review memorials, penning a decree of abdication on his deathbed, passing the throne to the Yu Wang Fei.
Instantly, the capital was abuzz with speculation. Some whispered that the Yu Wang Fei had plotted a usurpation, a heinous act of rebellion. Others claimed the Emperor's death was a conspiracy, far from accidental, and that the Yu Wang himself had orchestrated it. Still others insisted Qin Zhanhan had been assassinated by an assassin sent by a rival nation, and…
The rumors were endless. The common folk, however, cared little for the Emperor's fate. After all, Qin Zhanhan hadn't accomplished much during his reign, and had allowed his officials to exploit the populace.
In the eyes of the people, any emperor would do, as long as they could ensure them a full belly.
While the common people had little to debate, the court officials were a different matter.
Regarding the Yu Wang Fei taking the throne, the officials aligned with Ming Li remained silent. However, other, less informed officials vociferously protested. When Ming Li unfurled a bright yellow decree of abdication, the dissenting ministers fell silent.
A pin drop could be heard in the court. After a long pause, a few officials stepped forward. "Since antiquity, there has never been a woman to ascend the throne," one declared. "If the Yu Wang Fei truly takes that position, how will the people of the world perceive it? Moreover, the Yu Wang Fei is but a mere woman; what can she accomplish? She knows nothing. If the临国 (Lin State) falls into her hands, it will be only a matter of time before…"
Ming Li, growing impatient, spoke to Lan Yi beside her, "Go and invite the National Preceptor."
Speak of the devil.
No sooner had Ming Li spoken than a eunuch's loud announcement was heard from outside the door: "The National Preceptor has arrived!"
All eyes turned towards the main hall's entrance. There, wearing a mask, clad in white, and exuding an ethereal aura, Shui Xingbai strode in, bathed in the morning sun. As he reached Ming Li's position, the officials bowed in unison.
Shui Xingbai looked at Ming Li. Seeing her nod, he began his eloquent persuasion, a flurry of words and actions that dazzled the senses. After a considerable time, the assembled ministers wore expressions of bewildered understanding and knelt on the ground, murmuring, "Your subjects are willing to assist the Wang Fei…"
At this moment, the eunuch at the hall's entrance announced again, "The Yu Wang Fei has arrived!"
ps: Good night, little darlings.