Chapter 132
Xia Jingshi's gaze remained fixed on the gradually brightening sky outside the window, his body swaying slightly with the jolting of the carriage. His heart wavered just as unsteadily as his physical form.
He had been the one to announce Feng Xiyang's death. The next day, Feng Suige refused his offer to send troops to escort them back to Vermilion Sand Country, insisting on taking Yixiao and returning with him to the Holy City—he wanted to witness the outcome with his own eyes, Feng Suige had said, emphasizing that this was also Yixiao's wish.
The Holy Emperor and five Imperial Guards were tightly bound and placed in two separate carriages at the center of the procession. Xiyang's coffin had been temporarily stored in Lucheng under Xiao Weiran's care—though Xia Jingshi knew full well that the so-called verification of the Imperial Edict's authenticity was merely a formality to silence public dissent. Even if the edict was forged, this turmoil could only be quelled by his ascension to the throne. He would inevitably face criticism from opposing ministers and be labeled a rebel by the masses, but he cared not, for there were too many people he needed to protect.
Yet, if the edict proved genuine, he scarcely knew how to confront it all—his father, poisoned; his mother, brutally murdered; and the perpetrator behind it all.
And then there was that knot in his heart.
To others, he was a formidable and unyielding hero. But only he knew the truth: for so many years, he had been nothing but a coward, cowering meekly in the corner, watching helplessly as others, whether intentionally or not, slowly dismantled his world.
He could almost foresee what would transpire during the court confrontation. He dared not imagine how everyone would react upon learning the truth—including Yixiao. Logically, he knew Yixiao wouldn't... yet he couldn't stop his mind from wandering. What he feared most was seeing pity in Yixiao's eyes...
"Your Highness," came the deep report of the Piao Cavalry commander outside the window, accompanied by the rhythmic clatter of hooves. "The court officials have been waiting outside the city for some time. Should we—"
"Have them all assemble in the outer court," Xia Jingshi interrupted, pulling his wandering thoughts back. The momentary haze in his eyes cleared instantly, replaced by their usual sharpness. "Every single person who needs to be present must attend."
There was no more time for hesitation. No more room for escape.
This would likely be the most chaotic court session since the founding of the Brocade Dynasty. The ministers had clearly split into two factions. Most military officials stood firmly with Xia Jingshi, while the civil officials—apart from the Old Prime Minister's faction—almost unanimously insisted the Imperial Edict was a forgery. Before all attendees had even arrived, the court had already erupted into heated debate, as chaotic as a marketplace.
Suddenly, the resonant toll of a golden bell silenced the arguing ministers. They straightened their robes and caps, holding their breaths in anticipation.
Hearing footsteps, the herald at the entrance instinctively opened his mouth to announce the arrivals—only for his voice to crack in shock when he saw the group ascending the steps. "His Majesty the Holy Emperor arrives! His Highness the King Who Pacifies the South arrives! Her Highness the Princess Xingping arrives! The Phoenix Prince of Vermilion Sand Country arrives...!"
A stir rippled through the court. Many ministers exchanged bewildered glances. One elderly civil official trembled as he stepped forward, shrilly protesting, "Today's matters concern Brocade's state secrets and have nothing to do with Vermilion Sand Country! Why have these outsiders been permitted entry?!" A chorus of agreement rose around him.The clamor ceased abruptly as the first person stepped across the threshold. Everyone widened their eyes in disbelief as Xia Jingshi strode in without pause, followed by Feng Suige carefully supporting Yixiao, then the disheveled and pallid Holy Emperor, and finally the dust-covered commanders of the Piao Cavalry and Imperial Forest Guard camps. Upon entering, the two commanders didn’t rush to their positions but instead turned to slowly close the grand hall’s doors.
Given the circumstances, the Holy Emperor didn’t ascend the throne but stood in the center of the hall, coldly rubbing his wrists, freshly freed from restraints. In an instant, he was surrounded by the elderly ministers. Some urgently called for palace attendants to fetch a seat, while others, weeping and wailing, prostrated at his feet, lamenting their failure to protect him and the suffering he had endured.
Watching the ministers’ theatrics, Xia Jingshi merely smiled mockingly. After ordering attendants to bring a cushioned chair for Yixiao, he finally raised his eyes to the assembled officials. “Today’s matter is of grave importance. The Phoenix Prince of Vermilion Sand Country is here because of Princess Xiyang…”
The elderly minister who had protested earlier clearly remained unconvinced. After suppressing his anger, he stepped forward and declared loudly, “This old servant has heard of the tragic demise of the King Who Pacifies the South’s consort in Brocade, but it has no bearing on today’s discussion. Therefore, I propose that the Imperial Son of Vermilion Sand Country retire to the outer city to await further summons. Although Princess Xingping is from Brocade, having married into Vermilion Sand, she should accompany the prince…” Feng Suige couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “No bearing? If not for today’s assembly, your Emperor would already be minced meat by my hand!”
The court erupted into chaos. Even many military generals who supported Xia Jingshi frowned. Yixiao patted Feng Suige’s hand and stood before Xia Jingshi could speak. “The Holy Emperor kidnapped me and the consort, attempting to harm His Highness. The consort died protecting him—and you still claim this has nothing to do with Vermilion Sand?”
Silence fell.
“She’s lying,” the Holy Emperor’s voice suddenly rang out. “It was Xia Jingshi who colluded with Vermilion Sand, plotting against Brocade…” Before he could finish, a blur of motion flashed before his eyes. Amidst gasps, Fu Yixiao rushed forward and struck him hard across the face, sending him staggering back several steps before he steadied himself. “Even the heavens cannot tolerate your shamelessness,” Yixiao flicked her hand dismissively, eyeing him with disdain. “Let’s see what other vile words you dare spew today!”
“Treason! Treason!” The elderly minister trembled with rage. “A mere lowborn dares to strike the sovereign—were it not for His Majesty’s grace, you’d still be a lowly captain! How dare you set foot in this hall…!” “He is no sovereign of mine,” Yixiao retorted coldly before letting Feng Suige help her back into the cushioned chair.
Amid the commotion, a Piao Cavalry soldier knocked and entered, swiftly approaching Xia Jingshi. After a bow, he whispered a few words and withdrew. Once the doors closed again, Xia Jingshi spoke solemnly, “The Guardian General and the Prime Minister have gone to summon the Empress Dowager. They will arrive shortly.” He lifted his gaze, sweeping a frosty look over the crowd before settling on Shang Yun, the Piao Cavalry commander. “For now, your bickering doesn’t matter. But when the time comes for serious discussion, I will tolerate no interruptions—Commander Shang, if anyone grows weary of life, oblige them.”The prolonged house arrest had left the Empress Dowager noticeably thinner, her demeanor lacking its former sharpness and showing signs of aging. Yet her eyes had grown even more profound. Escorted into the throne hall by two elder ministers and over a dozen Imperial Guards, she fixed Xia Jingshi with a venomous glare for a long moment before shifting her gaze to the Holy Emperor. Seeing his haggard appearance, her heart ached, and she softly called out, "Your Majesty..." Hearing her gentle address, the Holy Emperor not only ignored her but shot her a resentful look before turning his head away in disdain.
The Old General and the Old Prime Minister stepped forward together to pay their respects to Xia Jingshi. Before Xia Jingshi could offer assistance, the Old Prime Minister tremblingly withdrew from his robe the draft edict bearing the Late Emperor's vermilion endorsement and presented it to Xia Jingshi. "Your Highness, this old minister is incompetent, forcing Your Highness to endure humiliation for so many years. Today, Your Highness must avenge both the Emperor and Consort Xuan..."
Before Xia Jingshi could take it, the Empress Dowager let out a derisive laugh. "Do you truly intend to keep fighting me? Don't you realize you’ve already lost, no matter what?" Xia Jingshi's hand paused mid-air briefly before he finally took the document. "Since we’ve come this far, there’s no need for further words. Do you have anything to say about this edict?"
Standing proudly in the center of the hall, the Empress Dowager fixed him with a gaze as sharp as countless poisoned needles. "Even if it were real, what could you do? Could you inherit the throne? Do you even have the right to!?" Xia Jingshi's face paled slightly, but he replied firmly, "I do!"
"You do? Hahahaha..." The Empress Dowager threw her head back in laughter, the sound sending a shiver down Yixiao's spine while Feng Suige wore a puzzled expression.
After laughing for a while, she suddenly stopped and spat out through clenched teeth, "On what grounds? A eunuch like you?"
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