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World's First Traitor System (247)
🕑 Added 2024-07-29 17:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 247 - Death Knell
Outside the imperial palace in the Great Ming capital, Hu Zongxian knelt. For a day and a night, he waited, but Emperor Jiajing didn’t summon him.
Crown Prince Wanli was gravely injured and on the verge of death. He had been rushed to the Imperial Hospital. Once his condition stabilized, he was transferred to the Directorate of Astronomy and handed over to the Imperial Astrologer, Lan Daoxing.
Whether the Crown Prince lived or died, Hu Zongxian didn’t know.
But he did know that the crushing defeat at Yunzhou, coupled with the Prince's promise to cede the city, was a humiliation the Great Ming had never endured since its founding. Emperor Jiajing was surely furious!
Yet, the Prince had made the promise, and immediately launching a retaliatory attack was impossible. The Emperor would likely cool his anger for a few years, seeking a suitable excuse, a justification for war, before sending troops to reclaim Yunzhou.
Suddenly, a eunuch appeared with a yellow silk scroll clutched in his hands. Behind him followed an entourage of imperial guards and ceremonial attendants. They stopped before Hu Zongxian.
He took a deep breath, repeating a phrase he had long memorized to calm his heart: "Imperial favor can be as harsh as thunder or as gentle as dew. Both are blessings."
But for some reason, Fan Li’s mischievous smile flashed in his mind. The image vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by Fan Li’s earnest invitation:
Brother Ruzhen, I sincerely invite you to join me. Let us work together to achieve great things.
His tone had been so genuine!
His expression so sincere!
It had almost seemed possible, if Hu Zongxian had agreed, that Fan Li might have returned Yunzhou City!
“An imperial edict. Hu Zongxian, receive the decree.”
"This criminal, Hu Zongxian, Grand Coordinator of the Northern Territories, respectfully awaits His Majesty’s command."
Hu Zongxian was already kneeling. He lowered his head further, demonstrating his loyalty and respect for Emperor Jiajing.
The eunuch unfurled the scroll, glancing at Hu Zongxian from the corner of his eye. His gaze was cold, as if he were looking at a dead man.
"Hu Zongxian, you were but a minor official, elevated to a position of authority through my grace. How could you not repay my kindness by serving the people and upholding the dignity of the empire? You have long resided in Yunzhou, neglecting your duties, allowing your troops to grow weak and undisciplined, resulting in a crushing defeat, the loss of countless soldiers. Now, the Crown Prince is gravely injured, Yunzhou City has fallen to the enemy, and our army is shattered. Yet, you have not taken your own life. Instead, you have come before me, attempting to deceive me with your lies and excuses. Are you any different from a beast?"
"Seize Hu Zongxian and hand him over to the Ministry of Justice for trial and punishment. By imperial command."
The eunuch finished reading the edict and gestured to the imperial guards. “Take him away!”
…
Fan Li led his army back to the Great Chu capital. Upon hearing of the victory at Yunzhou and Fan Li's triumphant return, Xiang Chong immediately feigned illness and cancelled all court sessions.
All military, political, and civilian affairs of the Great Chu were now conducted at the Fan residence, specifically in the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion.
Fan Li seemed to be deliberately antagonizing Xiang Chong. He ordered the gates of the residence to be opened, allowing officials to freely enter and exit, conducting their business in the pavilion’s courtyard.
He even went a step further in humiliating Xiang Chong. It was public knowledge that the Emperor had recently declared Sage Ruler Han Yue, a member of the Brahma Sound Pure Land, to be his adoptive mother.
Fan Li, upon his return, invited Han Yue to stay at the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion, accompanying him as he attended to official matters.
The problem was, Han Yue had no understanding of politics. The only tasks she could perform were pouring tea, preparing ink, and serving Fan Li.
“Han Yue, I’m thirsty. Please brew me a pot of Rain Before tea.”
“Alright, just a moment.”
“Han Yue, I’m too busy reviewing memorials to have lunch. Please bring me something to eat.”
“Would noodle soup be alright? I only know how to make that.”
Han Yue busied herself with menial tasks, oblivious to the implications of her actions. She even felt a sense of fulfillment she had never experienced before.
She had even forgotten a minor detail: Fan Li, having reached the Golden Core realm, could abstain from food. Why would he be hungry?
However, to the Great Chu officials who came to report to Fan Li, this scene conveyed a clear message:
What good was being the Emperor’s adoptive mother? She was still serving Duke Jin!
“I heard she’s a Great Vehicle realm cultivator!”
“I’ve heard that too. They say she’s the strongest female sword cultivator in the world.”
“Minister Zhang, do you think Sage Ruler Han Yue is closer to His Majesty, or to Duke Jin?”
“Minister Li, are you blind? Can’t you see for yourself?”
“Ah… Yes, yes, yes. I understand now. Thank you for reminding me, Minister Zhang!”
News reached the Great Chu imperial palace, leaving Xiang Chong trembling with anger and fear. He had been eagerly awaiting Han Yue’s return, hoping to convince her to assassinate Fan Li.
But now he heard that she was serving Fan Li?
Women were truly unreliable!
“Eunuch Chen, what should I do?!” Xiang Chong asked anxiously.
The old eunuch had no solution. He could only offer empty words of comfort, assuring the Emperor that his destiny was secure and good fortune would surely befall him.
Just then, a young palace servant arrived. “Sage Ruler Han Yue has returned to the palace!”
“That shameless woman dares to show her face?!” Xiang Chong blurted out.
He was about to launch into a tirade, but Eunuch Chen discreetly stepped on his foot, silencing him.
Xiang Chong quickly composed himself, forcing a smile.
“Mother… You’re back?”
“Yes.” Han Yue nodded.
“I’m just staying for the night. I’ll be returning to the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion tomorrow.”
Xiang Chong’s face froze. What kind of spell had Fan Li cast on this woman?!
“Mother… I heard you spent the entire day at the Fan residence? What happened?”
He shouldn’t have asked. His question only brought back fond memories for Han Yue.
Her cheeks flushed slightly. “Fan Li asked for my assistance in handling official matters. It’s surprisingly complex, all those taxes, agriculture, education, disaster relief, water management… There’s so much to consider! I can’t even remember it all.”
Xiang Chong stared at her, speechless. Before he could respond, Han Yue continued.
“Fortunately, Fan Li is incredibly capable. He truly excels at governing. The Great Chu owes its prosperity to him…”
Suddenly, Han Yue realized her mistake. Praising Fan Li, a treacherous official, in front of the Emperor? Would he be pleased?
“Your Majesty, I didn’t mean…”
Unfortunately, she wasn’t skilled at lying. She wanted to fabricate a believable excuse, but the words wouldn’t come out.
Xiang Chong’s face turned the color of a pig’s liver. Finally, he stammered, “It… It’s alright, Mother. Don’t worry about it.”
Han Yue smiled, relieved. He was surprisingly understanding.
“Alright, I’m tired. I’ll retire for the night. Your Majesty, you mentioned you were unwell. Please rest as well.”
Han Yue returned to her quarters. A maid was waiting for her.
“Any news from Elder Sister?” Han Yue asked with a smile.
Every Sage Ruler who traveled abroad was accompanied by a maid who served as a liaison between them and the Pure Land. It had been that way with Diao Chan in Chang’an. And it was the same with Han Yue now.
She had asked casually, assuming that her elder sister, having successfully founded the Great Ci Dynasty and attracting hundreds of thousands of new citizens, must be enjoying a smooth start to her reign.
The maid, however, shook her head. “The Empress has sent word, urging you to return to the capital immediately… to attend the funeral of the Sage Ruler of Fate…”
Han Yue’s mind reeled. Diao Chan was dead?!
