Chapter 1 The Dawn Breaks

Daylight arrived.

The grand court assembly differed from the usual morning court. Officials weren't required to wait at the palace gates before dawn. Instead, they were scheduled for the late morning, and because of the palace banquet the previous day, it was humanely pushed back an hour.

Therefore, many officials chose to first go to their offices, deal with pending matters, and then, estimating the time was right, they adjusted their official robes and headed to the assembly.

In truth, only a small fraction of people were firmly committed to one side.

After all, supporting the winning side had high rewards, but also high risks.

Many preferred to play it safe. As for advancement, not everyone had a strong desire for it. No matter the time or place, wherever a group reached a certain size, there would always be those content to coast along.

This was why the core of the Sixth Prince's faction mostly consisted of newly promoted officials in recent years. They had little seniority and even less accumulated influence. Those ahead could take it easy, but they generally didn't want to.

Moreover, if the Crown Prince ascended smoothly, everything would proceed according to plan, so what opportunities would there be?

If the old radishes weren't pulled out, how could these new radishes move into better positions?

It was better to bet on the Sixth Prince!

Furthermore, due to his earlier arrangements, the Sixth Prince was already the benefactor of a large number of officials who had entered the bureaucracy through the imperial examinations, so their allegiance to him was justifiable.

Of course, the Crown Prince also had considerable power. Although it didn't seem as strong as the Sixth Prince's faction and was often pushed into a corner, if His Majesty hadn't personally intervened to maintain balance several times, the Eastern Palace might have long been unstable. But in reality, there was a large "silent majority" in the court.

They wouldn't rally for the Crown Prince, nor would they charge ahead for him. They would save even on the customary gifts for festivals. They didn't even have a strong drive to climb the ranks. But they hoped to maintain the status quo, a stable court. So, if forced to choose a side, they would still be willing to stand with the Crown Prince.

"Heh, very interesting. It's almost divided into right and left wings."

Riding on his Pixiu, Marquis Zheng ate the rou jia mo (Chinese hamburger) made by Si Niang in the morning while listening to the information Sun Ying had gathered these past few days, and made a teasing remark.

The Crown Prince was benevolent and advocated recuperation.

The Sixth Prince was ambitious and resembled the Yan Emperor in his younger days.

Their positions were very opposed, and their political directions were also very opposed.

"The Marquis's evaluation is apt. They are like two wings of the same Kun Peng (mythical bird) that is Great Yan. They complement each other, yet are opposed to each other, and cannot be separated. Wonderful, wonderful."

A clever person, even if they hadn't heard this kind of new term evaluation, could immediately understand it based on the context and continue to elaborate:

"This is also why this subordinate believes His Majesty has been wavering. He seems to be weighing which direction Great Yan should take in the future."

"This is the downside of having too many sons, who are also too excellent," Marquis Zheng shook his head. "A full man does not know the hunger of a starving one."

"Indeed."

Last night, Xue San returned and brought a message from Ji Laoliu for him.

He said that the medicine he had left in the carriage last time was for conceiving children, and it was very effective. Zheng Fan could use it.

Hearing this message, Marquis Zheng cursed:

"Beast!"

...

Arriving at the palace gate, Sun Ying stayed behind and didn't enter.

Zheng Fan, riding the Pixiu, entered the palace with a city defense captain personally leading the way, sitting on the Pixiu's back.

"A change of guard?"

Being from the military, Marquis Zheng noticed the different faces and equipment with a glance.

The original guards of the imperial city seemed strict but focused more on majesty. After all, the chances of the empire's true core being attacked were still the lowest. The so-called imperial bodyguards were similar to his own Flying Fish Guard, with appearance being the top priority to reflect the imperial dignity.

However, because Zheng Fan was afraid of death, his personal guards were all chosen from fierce soldiers in the army.

The captain guiding him didn't dare to answer the Marquis of Western Peace's question.

How could affairs of palace defense be spoken of so casually?

Couldn't you ask in a quieter voice, secretly ask me?

However, there was no need to wait for an answer.

Because Zheng Fan saw the Fourth Prince standing ahead.

The Fourth Prince was in military attire, standing on the imperial path, looking neither majestic nor spirited, but like someone who had just lost their mother.

"Heh... pfft... cough..."

Marquis Zheng couldn't help but laugh, then looked up at the sky, as if only then realizing that today's clouds seemed particularly noisy.

The Fourth Prince raised his hand, and the soldiers behind him also raised their weapons.

"Please dismount, Marquis of Western Peace."

Zheng Fan nodded and dismounted the Pixiu.

The Fourth Prince stepped aside, signaling the Marquis of Western Peace to continue inside.

Rigid and inflexible, truly a selfless and impartial model.

The Fourth Prince had figured it out. He might be afraid and cowardly, but there were some things he had to do.

At least, the Ji family's generation of offspring, even the Sixth Prince, who was close to being a demon in intelligence, was being manipulated by their father without any temper. Not to mention him.

He wouldn't fight for the throne, nor would he compete for it. Today, he would be a selfless and impartial gatekeeper.

Not taking sides, just doing his job well, and standing guard.

As for the rest, may the best man win.

If he did all this and still couldn't escape the vortex in the end, then it was truly heaven wanting him to die. No, it was his father insisting on dragging his son down with him out of loneliness.

Fine, so be it, you old thing!

Next, as other officials entered, the Fourth Prince stared at everyone with a cold expression, checking everyone's attire to see if they were carrying anything suspicious.

Some minor officials, unsure of which way the wind was blowing, saw the Fourth Prince suddenly guarding the palace and thought a major event was about to happen. They weren't qualified to join the Crown Prince's faction or the Sixth Prince's faction, so they deliberately offered flattery at this moment.

In history, it wasn't uncommon for emperors to pass the throne to a prince no one expected in their final years, right?

Then, the Fourth Prince said coldly to the censor beside him:

"This one, this one, and this one, are being disrespectful before the palace."

The censor bowed and said:

"This official has noted it."

Marquis Zheng was already walking up the steps at this moment.

He stopped, turned around, and looked back.

There were rows of soldiers and rows of officials, symbols of this empire's operation, entering in an orderly manner.

Suddenly, a vague and indescribable feeling rose in his heart.

Like a sentimental person looking at a bamboo forest in autumn.

It was cloudy today, and the sky was somewhat gloomy, which suited his mood.

He shook his head, smiled, and Marquis Zheng entered the main hall.

Sigh,

he had to find his place again.

Marquis Zheng had a headache. He hadn't attended court many times, and he wasn't familiar with some of the etiquette and rules. Fortunately, he had indeed earned a high enough rank outside before returning.

At last night's banquet, a noble whose father was a military marquis had enthusiastically greeted Marquis Zheng.

Marquis Zheng couldn't remember his name at all, so he grabbed his arm and responded very enthusiastically.

Asking how his mother was, how his children were.

Fortunately, he kept a clear head and didn't ask how his father was. If a hereditary noble's father was still alive, would it be his turn to attend court?

This person silently led Zheng Fan to the front of the right-hand row before leaving and walking back to his own position.

Marquis Zheng chuckled inwardly, having been shown to his position.

Damn, anyone who could stand here and attend court, even if they relied on being born into the right family, wasn't simple.

That person had clearly seen his awkwardness and deliberately led the way.

Zheng Fan deliberately leaned forward to take a closer look at that person. Someone so good at navigating social situations was worth remembering.

At this moment, most of the ministers had entered the hall and were chatting quietly with each other.

But Zheng Fan could clearly sense that some people were distracted. Within this hall, the two factions vying for the throne, one preparing to attack and the other probably knowing they were about to be attacked, were both bracing themselves.

The storm was coming.

Good, today would definitely be particularly exciting.

The censor on patrol and a red-robed eunuch stepped forward, doing a final check.

Everyone knew it was about to begin and immediately stopped whispering and stood still.

Finally, the center of the most powerful empire in the East showed its majesty and sacredness.

At this moment, Zhao Jiulang, the Crown Prince, and the Sixth Prince also entered.

Only then did Zheng Fan realize that he had arrived too early.

As a heavyweight, he should have entered at this moment. Alas, he had been careless, careless.

Zhao Jiulang stood on the left, with Ji Laoliu below him. Although he was a prince, Ji Laoliu was the Minister of Revenue, in name only, so it was reasonable for him to stand there.

The Crown Prince stood on the platform between the dragon throne and the ministers, truly second to none and above all others.

At this moment, many officials noticed Zheng Fan's side. They had already noticed that there was some space next to the Marquis of Western Peace.

Wei Zhonghe's long cry broke the atmosphere.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

All the ministers knelt down, even the Crown Prince.

"Long live His Majesty, long live, long long live!"

Shortly after, a familiar and majestic voice came from above:

"Rise, my beloved subjects."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone stood up, and then, collectively, they cast their affectionate and concerned gazes at the supreme ruler on the dragon throne.

His Majesty sat on the dragon throne, sitting upright.

The Sixth Prince's faction breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, the healthier and more resilient His Majesty was, the more time they had.

The Crown Prince's faction felt a bit bitter.

At this moment, the Yan Emperor's sonorous voice came:

"I have been recuperating in the rear garden for a long time, and I am indeed somewhat unfamiliar with government affairs. On this occasion of the grand court assembly, let everyone first talk about some of the important matters of each ministry;

so that I, and all the ministers, can have a general understanding."

The Emperor's aura was so strong.

Marquis Zheng pursed his lips. Today, the Emperor's condition didn't seem to be from drug use?

It was conceivable that the Crown Prince and Ji Laoliu would only be more concerned and worried about the Yan Emperor's health.

Fortunately, they should be... used to it;

used to their father always seeming to be on the verge of death, and then suddenly straightening up again.

Unfortunately, within this hall, besides His Majesty, plus Wei Zhonghe, who vaguely guessed something because he was a qi refiner, no one knew that this emperor, who looked full of energy and in good health at this moment, only had nine days left to live.

At this moment, the old Minister of Rites, who had been angered by the roast duck, oh no, by the King of Zhenbei, and was now attending court while ill, stepped forward. The Ministry of Personnel was the most powerful of the six ministries, but the Ministry of Rites was the most prestigious.

However, before the old man could speak, the Yan Emperor turned his gaze towards Zheng Fan.

There was indeed some space near Marquis Zheng.

Originally a spot for four people, it was occupied by Zheng Fan alone, and no one below dared to move forward to fill the gap.

The Yan Emperor asked in puzzlement:

"Where are the King of Zhenbei, the King of Jingnan, and Wujiang?"

Weren't they sent to fight the barbarians?

Marquis Zheng stepped forward and replied:

"Replying to Your Majesty, the King of Jingnan said he was too lazy to listen to tedious talk."

Meaning, he was too lazy to stand here and listen to nonsense.

The old Minister of Rites on the side suddenly felt like he had been shot with an arrow, and his illness worsened at that moment.

The whole hall was silent.

Then, a censor stepped forward:

"This official impeaches the King of Jingnan for being tyrannical!"

After that, other officials stepped forward:

"This official seconds it!"

"This official seconds it!"

This impeachment was somewhat formalistic.

Because the King of Jingnan was the kind of person who would do this.

The King of Jingnan was tyrannical;

oh no, it would be abnormal if the King of Jingnan wasn't tyrannical!

Let's not mention the incident with the stone lions and the imperial envoy; some time ago, the slogan "Cleanse the Emperor's court" was shouted outside the city.

Furthermore, the King of Jingnan had a reclusive personality, and even the servants arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs were returned. Now, he was quietly in his residence alone, which was perfectly normal, wasn't it?

Everyone knew that impeaching the King of Jingnan at this time was just a formality, but it had to be done, otherwise, there would be silence.

The Yan Emperor smiled and said:

"I understand."

"The general of the King of Zhenbei's residence, Qing Shuang, requests an audience outside the palace."

"Summon him."

Qing Shuang walked in, knelt down and saluted:

"This humble general greets Your Majesty, long live."

"Where is Liang Ting?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, the King said last night that he didn't enjoy the wine in the palace, so he drank with His Highness, the First Prince, in the evening, and then... the King and His Highness both got drunk and are still unconscious and unable to attend court."

The ministers present looked at each other in dismay. Good heavens, it was still the same flavor!

For that King who could grill lamb chops in the imperial study, being too drunk to attend the grand court assembly was perfectly normal.

You had to know, five years ago, everyone almost thought he was going to raise an army to rebel and attack Yanjing!

As for the First Prince, well, he could only be called unlucky to have such a neighbor.

At this time, another censor sighed and stepped forward:

"This official impeaches the King of Zhenbei for being tyrannical!"

"This official seconds it."

"This official seconds it."

Everyone went through another formality.

By the way, they also impeached the First Prince.

"Wei Zhonghe, send some hangover soup over later."

"This servant obeys."

This matter was dropped just like that.

This was within everyone's expectations.

Of course, many "clever people" believed that the two Kings of the North and South didn't attend the grand court assembly because they were too lazy to get involved in this final battle for the throne. With their status, it was unnecessary for them to make this trip, and it was better to simply seek peace and quiet at home.

Next, it was finally the old Minister of Rites' turn to speak.

Then, it was the other big shots of the various ministries. The Ministry of Revenue was not represented by Ji Chengjue, but by another official.

Other officials in charge of various departments also came out to roughly report, and finally, the Crown Prince reported on some matters during his regency, and then Zhao Jiulang, the prime minister, gave a concluding speech.

The process was lengthy.

But everyone was not impatient at all, because almost everyone present knew that something big would happen today.

Even Marquis Zheng, who had always disliked listening to reports, kept his spirits up.

He was thinking about which aspect Ji Laoliu would use to attack the Crown Prince.

Mistakes in governance?

The Crown Prince had no mistakes.

Don't look at this Crown Prince as if he were a punching bag, but he had real ability. During his regency, all aspects of the court were operating well.

Compared to the Sixth Prince, he was indeed somewhat lacking, but the problem was that he might have been hiding his sharpness all along, seeking only stability in the Eastern Palace position.

Zheng Fan also felt that it would be difficult to overthrow the Crown Prince in one fell swoop, even if there were flaws in his administration.

What about other aspects?

For example, burying a dragon robe under the Eastern Palace garden?

With the tyranny of the two Kings of the North and South as a precedent, it didn't seem like a big deal for the Crown Prince to collect a dragon robe, right?

Colluding with military generals?

If Ji Laoliu used this to attack the Crown Prince, it would be like being covered in filth himself and mocking others for being dirty.

Everyone in the court knew about his relationship with Ji Laoliu.

So, what would Ji Laoliu use to attack the Crown Prince?

Moreover, it had to be a fatal blow, because there wasn't enough time to slowly erode and fight.

Finally, Zhao Jiulang finished speaking.

The Yan Emperor, sitting on the dragon throne, didn't seem tired at all and still sat upright.

"I am very gratified, I am very gratified. All of you ministers have worked hard."

At this moment, everyone knowingly knelt down again:

"We are terrified."

"Rise, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zheng Fan was really curious, how did you guys practice to be so uniform?

"If there is anything else to report, then report it."

Wei Zhonghe took a half-step forward:

"If there is anything to report, speak up; if not, dismiss the court."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became heavy.

Everyone's heart skipped a beat.

It was coming, it was coming!

Sure enough, at this moment, the Grand Clan Elder of the Imperial Clan Court, Ji Changwang, the clan leader of the Ji family and the current Emperor's uncle, walked out.

"Your Majesty, this official has something to report."

"Granted."

"Your Majesty, this official found a member of the imperial bloodline among the people earlier this month."

The imperial bloodline included the Ji family clan.

The celestial bloodline specifically referred to the Yan Emperor's lineage.

"Oh?" The Yan Emperor let out a sound of puzzlement.

The Imperial Clan Court had the responsibility of managing the Ji clan under heaven, and it was imperative to maintain the celestial bloodline.

Ji Changwang continued:

"Your Majesty, it is a woman living with a young daughter in a farmstead in the capital area. The woman has a token to prove her daughter's identity."

At this moment, the Crown Prince standing above suddenly opened his eyes and looked down. He was not looking at the Grand Clan Elder who was speaking, but at his own younger brother, Ji Chengjue, standing among the officials!

At this moment, many of the ministers present had already guessed whose it was, taking it as a means of attack under the premise of conspiracy theory.

Then, there were only two princes in the hall.

Either the Crown Prince was attacking the Sixth Prince, or the Sixth Prince was attacking the Crown Prince.

There was no reason to take it out at this time to attack a prince who was not here.

Seeing the Crown Prince, who was standing above in a very conspicuous position second only to the Emperor, suddenly lose his composure, everyone knew what was going on.

The Grand Clan Elder continued:

"This daughter was born at full term on the third day of the sixth month of the third year of Yongping."

The third day of the sixth month of the third year of Yongping.

All the ministers began to calculate in their hearts. With the date of birth, they could deduce the approximate time of conception by calculating backwards.

Moreover, the Grand Clan Elder said that this daughter was born at full term.

Then, the ministers who had calculated it first suddenly changed their expressions.

Several core officials of the Crown Prince's faction looked at the Crown Prince above in disbelief, their own faces also ashen at the same time.

The woman conceived when the Empress had just passed away!

Not only was it during the mourning period, but the Empress was buried in the Yan Emperor's own imperial mausoleum after being in state in the palace for forty-nine days.

It was very likely that the woman conceived while the deceased Empress was still lying in state, which was... before her bones were cold!

This was truly outrageous and scandalous!

At this moment, a sentence that Ji Laoliu had Xue San bring back last night suddenly appeared in Marquis Zheng's mind:

Zheng Fan, this medicine is very effective, you can use it.