A Family of Hopeless Romantics, Except for the Evil Little Junior Brother-Chapter 247: Master, Master

Ten days later.

The enthronement ceremony.

Snow was falling heavily.

Civil and military officials stood on both sides.

The black armor of the Golden-armored Guards looked even colder in the snow, and the dragon banner embroidered with golden dragons flapped in the freezing wind.

The Chief Eunuch, Wei Wuyuan, held the Imperial Seal as he stood below the steps. At this moment, this artifact of state authority shimmered with a golden glow in the morning light.

As if symbolizing the future of the empire.

The Minister of Rites remained silent.

By custom, he should now declare that the auspicious time had arrived.

However, not just the Minister of Rites—

Even the many ritual officers behind him held their breath and stared at the new sovereign.

Zhao Lu turned and looked at the officials. Led by the Grand Chancellor, about half of them were kneeling on the jade steps.

But more officials remained motionless.

The Minister of Rites unrolled a bright yellow imperial edict and proclaimed the late Emperor’s will.

Passing the throne to his daughter Zhao Lu was already known by the entire court.

Listening to her father’s final words, Zhao Lu glanced deeply at her mother.

The Empress gave her a slight nod.

But Zhao Lu did not follow the plan and announce her refusal of the succession in front of all the officials.

Instead, she took a step up the jade steps.

The fourth prince, standing beside the Empress, saw this and whispered,

“Mother, this... this isn’t what we agreed on. Did she change her mind and actually want to be Emperor?”

The Empress raised an eyebrow and gave a subtle signal.

The Vice Supervisor of the Astronomical Bureau, who had been prepared in advance, stepped forward and knelt in the snow.

In a deep voice, he declared, “The azure phoenix cries blood, Venus crosses the sky—this is an omen of a hen crowing at dawn!”

(Hen crowing at dawn: a metaphor for women usurping power and disrupting order)

Zhao Lu ignored him and took another step up.

She looked at the Minister of Rites. “Where is Our crown?”

The twelve-tassel imperial crown that should belong to the Emperor had been replaced with a nine-tassel one used by princesses.

Faced with Zhao Lu’s question,

The Minister of Rites knelt in the snow, silent.

Suddenly, a censor stood up and shouted, “When has a princess ever ruled in the history of Daxia?!”

Then he launched into a tirade. When the guards came to take him away,

He suddenly broke free and smashed into a pillar beside him, using his blood to prove his loyalty.

The morning sun pierced the clouds, and the blood splattered on the pure white snow looked especially glaring and crimson.

The Empress calmly sipped her tea and slightly raised her eyes.

Her gaze met Zhao Lu’s across the sea of officials.

Soon, more ministers stepped forward.

One said the omens were unclear, and the enthronement now could bring misfortune.

Another claimed there were still natural disasters among the people and hardships in their lives;the priority should be solving livelihood issues.

They cited precedents—there had never been a woman on the throne.

“Your Highness the Empress!”

“You are the mistress of the six palaces, the model for all women—we hope Your Highness will make the decision.”

“We follow only the Empress!”

Some officials shouted.

Throughout it all, the Empress said nothing.

“Grand Chancellor.”

Some officials whispered.

The Grand Chancellor hunched over and slightly shook his head.

Faced with the rising chorus of objections, some officials even began to speak rudely.

Zhao Lu’s face flushed slightly, fists clenched.

Years spent by her senior brother’s side had taught her to observe and reflect before acting.

So now, she did nothing rash.

The Empress’s lips curved into a barely noticeable smile.

The child had matured a lot, but she was still too green.

Just having the ability to maintain composure wasn’t enough.

She raised her hand slightly, and someone helped her up.

“This Palace…”

She opened her mouth slightly, when suddenly, she seemed to sense something.

Her lowered gaze snapped open, and she looked up sharply.

Not just her—Wei Wuyuan, who held the Imperial Seal, trembled slightly.

A hint of surprise flashed across his usually calm face as he looked up.

At this moment, the many Golden-armored Guards standing watch—

Their weapons trembled slightly in their hands. Then, as one, they all looked up.

Their faces were full of vigilance and tension, eyes sharp and fixed on the sky, muscles taut, ready to respond to the imminent danger.

Even the officials in court robes and black hats moved at the same time.

Their murmured conversations ceased instantly.

They all looked up at the sky.

Looking up, they saw several black figures hovering in midair under the blazing sun.

Upon closer inspection, these figures descended from the heavens.

The clouds beneath them sank rapidly under the pressure.

One figure descended first—

It was Sect Leader Lingxu of Mount Shushan, followed by a rather inconspicuous person.

Li Xuanxiao stood behind his master, cautious and seemingly insignificant…

Then seven more figures landed one after another.

Each one radiated immense power.

Eight powerhouses in the Tribulation Stage had arrived in the capital at the same time.

Everyone present was stunned.

“Ha-ha-ha!!”

Lingxu stroked his beard. “Luer, your Master’s not late, right?”

Li Xuanxiao whispered beside him, “Master, Master, you should greet the Empress first.”

Lingxu nodded, glanced around, and then walked toward the Empress.

“I’m late. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Then he turned and cupped his fists at the crowd. “Everyone, eat and drink well.”

Li Xuanxiao, ever the flunky, hurried after him in small steps.

“Master, Master, we’re here to witness Little Junior Sister Zhao Lu’s enthronement, not to attend a banquet. Mind your manners.”

Lingxu shot a dissatisfied glance at his disciple—so naggy.

It’s like he was the Sect Leader instead. Did he think Lingxu didn’t know basic decorum?

Lingxu casually greeted some familiar faces, then sat down nonchalantly under everyone’s shocked gaze.

The seven Tribulation Stage powerhouses took their seats behind Lingxu in order.

Lingxu let out a breath. “Sorry for the interruption. Please, continue.”

Zhao Lu, standing on the jade steps, stared blankly at the scene.

Li Xuanxiao quietly made a hand gesture at her.

Zhao Lu came back to her senses and glanced at her mother’s darkened expression.

She took another step up the jade steps.

The Vice Supervisor glanced at the eight Shushan Tribulation powerhouses beside him and hesitated.

Then he quietly stood up, returned to the ranks, and pretended nothing had happened.

He didn’t say anything more about omens either.

Those who had just been cursing and demanding the Empress take charge also quietly retreated.

“Mmm, it’s snowing really hard today…”

“Isn’t it though.”

“........”

The invisible pressure from eight Tribulation Stage powerhouses was simply overwhelming.

Who would believe Mount Shushan was just here to observe?

Each one of them was like a human-shaped weapon, and now eight of them had just landed here.

It was impossible not to speculate.

Wei Wuyuan stepped beside the Empress. “Your Highness, Mount Shushan usually stays out of worldly affairs. What’s going on?”

The Empress cast a sidelong glance at Lingxu.

She saw Lingxu with arms crossed and one leg casually crossed over the other.

Beside him, his flunky Li Xuanxiao was massaging his shoulders. “Master, Master, I heard the Emperor’s crown should have twelve tassels. Why is Junior Sister still wearing the nine-tassel crown for princesses?”

“Exactly!”

Lingxu suddenly raised his voice and asked the Empress,

“Hey… weren’t there supposed to be twelve? Why are there only nine now?”

He was clearly causing trouble on purpose.

The Empress was silent for a moment and looked at the Minister of Rites.

The Minister of Rites couldn’t help but shiver, his hair standing on end. He explained,

“Th-the time was too tight. We couldn’t prepare it in time.”

“Oh~”

Lingxu looked enlightened.

Li Xuanxiao chimed in, “Master, Master, why are only half the officials kneeling? The rest are standing.”

“Good question!” Lingxu asked again.

“Master, Master, there’s blood over there. Did someone die earlier? Why would someone die during the enthronement?”

“Master, Master, doesn’t that over there look kind of off…”

“Master, Master, now that Little Junior Sister is Emperor, is she still a disciple of Mount Shushan?”

“Master, Master, you always doted on Junior Sister the most. Now that she’s the Emperor, are you going to give a speech later?”

“What speech? I already prepared your script.”

“Oh right, Master, Master, we didn’t bring any gifts today~”

“Don’t worry, Master. I have a plan. Now that the Daxia Emperor just passed away and the National Fortune is greatly weakened,

There’s unrest everywhere. I heard there are several powerful demons and factions scheming behind the scenes.

Master, you could show off a little, shock the realm into submission.”

“Master, Master….”

The Empress’s mouth twitched slightly.

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om