"Yоur rоуаl uncle is deаd!" Тhe Emрeror соuld nо lоngеr сontain his аnger. "His affairs are nоt fоr yоu to соmmеnt оn!"
"I don't bеliеvе it, I dоn't bеlievе it!" Upon heаring thе Emрeror's words, thе Crown Рrince's tеаrs wеllеd uр unсоntrollablу. Нe thrеw оut thе words, "I dоn't beliеvе it!" and turned tо run оut. Thе Empress glаnced at thе Еmрerоr, a faint traсе оf teаrs sееminglу glistеning in hеr eуеs. "Your Мajеsty, somеtimes I trulу dо nоt know whаt уоu аre thinking." Without waiting tо see the Empеror's exрression, shе follоwеd the Сrown Prince and left.
After they had departed, the Emperor slowly raised his head. In the eyes of this ruler, who rarely showed joy or anger on his face, there was a faint sorrow. With a wave of his hand, he swept all the memorials off the desk. The eunuchs nearby dared not even breathe loudly. The Emperor and Xuan Qing Prince were as close as brothers, and now that Xuan Qing Prince had passed away from illness, it was only natural for the Emperor to be overwhelmed with grief.
The Crown Prince ran out of the imperial study and stopped in the garden before the pavilion. Compared to a year ago, he had grown considerably taller, and the slightly naive childishness on his face had faded. Sons of the imperial family always matured much earlier than children of the same age. He had tried hard to become more mature and steady, but when he heard the news of Xuan Qing Prince's death from illness, this child, who had been striving to maintain the image of the Crown Prince, could not help but cry.
He thought of that royal uncle who always wore a cold expression. Although he was stern and rarely smiled, at least when he asked to play with him, he would not flatly refuse like his father. Though he appeared strict, he was actually a very gentle person. Teaching him archery and horsemanship, he made the young Crown Prince feel the warmth of family affection more than his father ever did. Who said there was no family love within the royal family? At least Fu Yunxi was someone the Crown Prince considered family. Now that Fu Yunxi was gone forever, and he had not even been able to see his royal uncle one last time, how could he not be heartbroken?
"Imperial brother, there is no need to be so sad." A voice suddenly sounded from behind. The Crown Prince turned around to see the Seventh Prince walking over with a piercing smile. "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are part of human nature. No matter how much you grieve, royal uncle will not come back to life."
The Crown Prince gritted his teeth and stared at him. He knew a little about the hostile relationship between the Seventh Prince and his royal uncle. Although he did not know the specifics, at least he understood one thing: the death of his royal uncle was a good thing for the Seventh Prince.
Seeing the Crown Prince remain silent, the Seventh Prince smiled even more arrogantly. "No one can predict the affairs of this world. Perhaps, although you are sad now, before long, you might even see royal uncle again."
The Crown Prince felt as if struck by lightning, staring at the Seventh Prince in disbelief. The Seventh Prince gave a malicious grin, turned, and walked away, leaving the Crown Prince standing there in a daze. For some reason, the Seventh Prince's words gave him a strong sense of unease. It seemed as if something major was about to happen in the imperial palace.
After Fu Yunxi's death, the military power under Xuan Qing Prince's command was naturally consolidated into the Emperor's hands. Such a large military force was something the Emperor did not trust to hand over to others. The army was temporarily left idle. If it were not for the Western Rong launching a large-scale attack on the Great Dynasty two days later, no one would have realized the significance of this matter.
In the Hall of Golden Chimes."Your Majesty! The Western Rong have advanced to the capital!" The scout reported, his expression one of utter panic. Although the Great Dynasty and the Western Rong had been locked in a stalemate for many years, this was the first time they had fought their way right to the city gates. Panic spread instantly, and the people in the capital all feared for their lives. Moreover, the Western Rong were exceptionally brutal; wherever they went, they burned, killed, looted, and committed every atrocity imaginable. In no time, the land was filled with lamentations, and the people suffered greatly.
The civil and military officials stood silently without uttering a word. The Emperor was furious: "I will say it once more—who is willing to lead the troops into battle?" This was truly strange. In such a vast palace, with so many generals, not a single one was willing to lead the army into battle. Cheng Lei had inexplicably disappeared, and no one could find him. The newly appointed generals dared not go to the front lines, while the older ones excused themselves, claiming they were too old and frail to bear such a heavy responsibility. The loyal generals leading the troops at the front were struggling to hold back the flood of Western Rong soldiers. With no support from behind, they were truly caught in a dilemma.
Neither the civil officials nor the military generals spoke up. The Western Rong had come with overwhelming force, likely having made thorough preparations. The severity of this war was evident. After all, there was only one Xuan Qing Prince, who had repelled the Western Rong at the age of thirteen. Anyone else would be marching to their death. In a world where everyone looks out for themselves, no one was willing to be the first to step forward.
With no one answering, the Emperor, seated high on his throne, suddenly sneered: "Good! Good! Good!"
After uttering three "goods" in succession, the Emperor abruptly stood up and swept his gaze over the assembled officials below: "These are the pillars of the state I have nurtured! These are the fine ministers I have raised!" He trembled with anger, his hands unsteady. Before he could even process the grief of losing his brother, the Western Rong launched a massive attack, and now, not a single person was willing to volunteer for battle. For the first time in his life, the lofty Emperor felt the loneliness of being utterly isolated. Yet, the attitude of his officials was undeniably peculiar.
"Your Majesty need not be anxious," a calm voice suddenly rang out. The Empress Dowager slowly emerged from the inner hall, followed by the Seventh Prince, clad in golden robes.
The Seventh Prince approached the Emperor but did not kneel, merely bowing slightly: "Your son is willing to lead the troops into battle against the Western Rong soldiers."
The hall fell into dead silence. The Emperor stood quietly in place, his gaze fixed on the golden dragon poised for flight on the hem of the Seventh Prince's robe. "You wish to lead the troops into battle?" His voice betrayed no emotion.
The Seventh Prince replied, "Yes, I request Your Majesty to bestow the Military Seal."
Requesting the Military Seal.
It was merely a bronze token, yet it could command thousands of troops. Throughout history, countless people had fought tooth and nail for military power—it was a valuable thing, but also one that could stir up trouble. In the Great Dynasty, the Military Seal in Fu Yunxi's hands was more than just a token; it represented boundless authority. Possessing this seal was equivalent to controlling all the armies of the Great Dynasty. Every general had to bow to it, and in some ways, even the Emperor's authority paled in comparison.
"Your Majesty, since the Seventh Prince is willing to take the field, I believe you should grant him the Military Seal," the Empress Dowager said leisurely, her sharp eyes appearing particularly imposing today.
"I forbid it," the Emperor declared.The Seventh Prince's expression remained unchanged as he merely said, "Now that the Western Rong are pressing close to the Great Dynasty, and no one dares to step forward to fight, I am willing to don armor and lead the troops, yet Your Majesty forbids it. But if we do not fight, the nation will fall—this is something I cannot accept." His voice carried a veiled threat: "I ask Your Majesty to grant me the Military Seal!"
"You dare threaten me!" The Emperor erupted in fury.
The civil and military officials remained silent, their gazes fixed on the Empress Dowager.
The Great Dynasty was about to undergo a drastic change. Long ago, it seemed someone had predicted this. Now that it was truly happening, only the faint scent of incense in the grand hall bore witness to this scene of forcing the emperor's hand.
"The Military Seal is not on my person," the Emperor sneered. "What can you do about it?"
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