Chapter 259: Chapter 197: The Emperor Pardons, the People Dissent, Scholars, Students, and Great Scholars All Remonstrate at the Imperial City

Soon, three days passed.

With the conclusion of the Grotto Heaven, news of the deaths of Prince Jin and King Chu quickly spread throughout the Imperial Capital City.

The Princes and Princesses of the various dynasties and the foreign Cultivators who had survived the Grotto Heaven all returned to their own countries. They recounted everything they had experienced—the terrifying days, the extreme evil of the Demon Race’s Qiongqi, the horror of the Great Demons, and how many Cultivators were slain. Their tales stirred up heated discussions across the nations of the Central Plains World, instilling a deep fear of the Demon Race.

After all, few of the smaller nations saw their own delegations return.

At the same time, another major piece of news quickly spread through the Imperial Capital: Prince Huai’an, Lu Mingyuan, had been pardoned, the announcement made public by the Drumming Institute.

Many people now knew that the former number one rake of the Capital City was to be released without charge.

The moment this news broke, the Capital City and the major academies erupted.

They all believed that Lu Mingyuan had let the Demoness of the Demon Country escape, which led to her now ascending the throne as Empress and bringing about calamitous retaliation. The Holy Nether Army was pressing in, watching greedily from beyond the Great Wall, while the people on the border lived in constant fear, on edge day and night.

Regardless of the reason—whether he was forced or framed—it was an unforgivable act!

Of course, most people didn’t care about the truth. They believed whatever they heard. If others said Lu Mingyuan was no good, then he was no good.

Some people simply couldn’t stand Lu Mingyuan. Why should this profligate with a tarnished reputation get a pardon?

So, they joined the chorus of condemnation.

In no time, petitions as numerous as ox hairs piled up on the desks of the Advisory Platform Bureau.

The Cabinet also received numerous memorials from officials reporting immense public resentment. These "people" were mostly from the Noble Families, Scholarly Families, and the relatives of many deceased soldiers.

Back then, Emperor Yong’an had spent ten years marshaling his forces, pouring countless efforts and the nation’s full strength into gathering an army of eight hundred thousand, touted as a million strong. Only then did he defeat the Great Netherworld and capture the Demoness alive.

In that war, to annihilate the effective forces of the Demon Country, Great Yan also lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The families of these elite troops held a very high status in Great Yan.

In the span of three days, the Cabinet was also questioned thirteen times by various Great Scholars from Great Yan’s major academies.

However, the outcome was not changed in the slightest by the overwhelming condemnation.

The Advisory Platform Chief Official, Adviser Qi Xingyan, stated that the matter had been decided by the Holy Emperor and approved by the Cabinet. It was not baseless; there was indeed a miscarriage of justice. The Drumming Institute had passed the initial review, and at this stage, no petitions criticizing the political decree would be accepted.

Furthermore, those who exaggerated the truth or spread malicious rumors would be severely punished by the Advisory Platform Bureau.

Apparently, the scholars of the Capital City had not expected the Advisory Platform Bureau’s stance to be so firm.

However, how could they believe Qi Xingyan’s nonsense?

Over the course of many dynasties, the Advisory Platform Bureau had developed, and in Great Yan, it had gained a new major power: the right to petition and question.

As long as a decree had not yet been issued from the Imperial Palace, if half the officials of the Advisory Platform Bureau voted in favor and the Adviser gave final approval, they had the right to make suggestions and raise inquiries. This was a significant power, similar to the Ministry of the Imperial Secretariat, but without the right to veto.

As the Adviser, Qi Xingyan knew full well the gravity of Lu Mingyuan’s crime, yet he chose to shield him. His stance was self-evident.

The Great Scholars of the various academies knew what Qi Xingyan was planning.

’He wants his son-in-law to leave the palace so he can be eligible to contend for the Emperor’s Throne!’

Ever since the Advisory Platform Bureau issued its response, Qi Xingyan’s reputation had taken a sharp nosedive.

Unworthy of being a Great Scholar!

Shielding his son-in-law!

Colluding with filth!

With these three labels pinned on him, many students left Shengjing Academy, ashamed to call themselves scholars of Shengjing Academy!

But such people were, after all, in the minority. To enter Shengjing Academy and study at the foot of the Emperor was the dream of countless scholars in the Central Plains World. Most students could only curse him a few times in private but did not dare to discuss the matter openly within the Academy.

This was because, aside from being the Adviser, Qi Xingyan was also the Mountain Master of Shengjing Academy. If the old man heard them slandering his son-in-law, there would surely be hell to pay—a lesson others had already learned the hard way.

Unlike Qi Xingyan’s direct response, the Cabinet had learned its lesson. Facing the overwhelming condemnation, it chose to play dead, feigning ignorance and refusing to get involved. They let the memorials pile up; most of them were just worthless filth anyway.

The reason no one in the Cabinet dared to take the lead in causing trouble came down to the presence of the Vice Chief Minister.

No one wanted to offend Wang He’fu.

The Wang He’fu of today had become Yuan Xuangang’s right-hand man.

These days, Yuan Xuangang rarely involved himself in the Cabinet’s affairs, only participating when it concerned major matters of state. All other trivial matters were left to Wang He’fu.

Many of the Cabinet Ministers believed in their hearts,

’Yuan Xuangang is making way for Wang He’fu.’

’In the near future, if the Holy Emperor passes away, this Chief Minister of thirty years might have to retire to the Confucian Temple.’

’As the saying goes, a new emperor brings his own court.’

’The next Chief Minister will be none other than Wang He’fu.’

Given the circumstances, how could they dare to offend him?

Their seniority was far from sufficient, and they were in no position to compete with Wang He’fu.

Wang He’fu had been an official in the provinces for over a decade and had served in the Imperial Court for more than twenty years. He was a cunning strategist, knowledgeable in military affairs, and eloquent in speech. He had stood firm in the Imperial Court and was now rising rapidly, his momentum at its peak. Few were willing to make an enemy of him.

With these two Great Buddhas in place, no matter how much chaos roiled the streets of the Capital City, the Great Yan Imperial Palace remained unshaken.

Little did they know that this very inaction would trigger an even greater eruption of discontent.

「Imperial City.」

"My lord, something terrible has happened!"

In the Wang Family Mansion, the old steward ran into the main hall to urgently report to Wang He’fu, who was in his study, engrossed in a book.

"What is it? Why are you in such a panic?"

Wang He’fu calmly asked, lifting his eyes slightly.

Without even a moment to catch his breath, the old steward gasped, "Many scholars and students, along with common people from the Imperial Capital, are all kneeling before the gates of the Imperial City, demanding the Holy Emperor retract the order of pardon!"

"What?"

Wang He’fu, dressed in bamboo-colored casual robes, sat up straight. He narrowed his eyes and rubbed the jade ring on his finger. He seemed to have expected this—surprised, but not shocked. He sighed and said,

"So, this day has come after all."

’When I learned my grandson had received the Holy Decree, I had a feeling there would be an outcry from the populace,’ he thought. ’It was inevitable that some would intentionally stir the pot, but the main cause was that Holy Decree from the Great Nether Empress, which incited this internal uprising in Great Yan.’

’She has truly mastered the art of manipulating people’s hearts.’

’And playing the same game is that Venerable Emperor, high and mighty on his throne.’

The world believed that he, Wang He’fu, was the candidate for the future Chief Minister.

Only he himself knew the truth.

He didn’t think he could secure the position of Chief Minister. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The reason was simple.

’My entry into the Cabinet back then was purely thanks to my grandson.’

’Now, the closer Lu Mingyuan gets to the Emperor’s Throne, the farther I move from the position of Chief Minister.’

’The cautionary tale of the Eldest Prince is still fresh.’

’A Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace and a Chief Minister of the Cabinet—both are extremely crucial positions. No Emperor would want to see himself being turned into a figurehead before he’s even dead.’

’Even if I am to be given great responsibility, it will only be after the Holy Emperor passes away.’

Wang He’fu’s mind was clear. He instructed the old steward, "Prepare the sedan chair. I’m going to the Cabinet."

’With the Holy Emperor’s methods, it’s anyone’s guess how long he’ll let me remain as Vice Chief Minister.’

’Before that happens, I must first pave the way for my dear grandson.’

「At that very moment.」

Qi Muxue had just finished teaching at Shengjing Academy and was walking out when she saw numerous scholars and students heading out of the Imperial City toward the gates of the Imperial Palace.

A throng of people moved about, creating a clamor.

This was the first time she had ever seen the Imperial City so bustling on a day that wasn’t a festival.

Clutching her textbooks, Qi Muxue walked forward and soon saw rows upon rows of young scholars in Confucian Shirts kneeling at the Imperial City gates, joined by quite a few commoners.

Shouts rang out from the crowd:

"Why is the Advisory Platform Bureau doing nothing? I want to see Mr. Qi!"

"We implore the Holy Emperor to retract his decree!"

"The Cabinet Ministers should plead for the realm, not feign deafness and silence!"

Listening to these cries, Qi Muxue roughly guessed what was happening. She found a middle-aged woman with a white cloth wrapped around her head and asked,

"They are here to see the Cabinet. Why are you kneeling here?"

The middle-aged woman’s eyes were red as she replied, "My husband went to war for our country. He was appointed as an officer and was on his way to becoming a general, but he died unexpectedly on the battlefield. It should have been a great merit, worthy of a generous reward. But because of the Sixth Prince, not only has our pension been cut in half, but all his past achievements have been nullified. Now, my son has also been forcibly conscripted by the Court to fight the Demon Country’s invasion. And yet, Prince Huai’an is safe and sound. I beg the Court to give us justice!"

Hearing these words, Qi Muxue felt a bitter taste in her heart.

Originally, Great Yan could have claimed to have won a great victory.

But because the Demoness of the Demon Country escaped, the outcome could only be officially classified as a pyrrhic victory.

Now, with the Demon Country making a comeback, the situation had gone from bad to worse.

Given her identity, it was not her place to persuade them, much less to stop them.

She could only let out a deep sigh.

Ren Sheng advocated that "a person of lofty ideals and benevolence will not seek to live at the expense of benevolence, but will sacrifice their life to achieve it."

These young scholars were all embodying this principle.

This was why she felt so conflicted now. She had studied Confucianism her whole life, yet in the end, she had no firm convictions of her own. This was the reason her Cultivation had been unable to advance.

’Although the world has given me the title of the Imperial Capital’s number one talent,’ she thought, ’no one has ever said I’ve made any outstanding contributions. I’ve always felt that my reputation is undeserved.’

’Until I figure out which Great Dao I should follow...’

’I will never be able to break into the Middle Fifth Grade, and my path to enlightenment will be hopeless.’

Qi Muxue took one last look at the scholars and commoners kneeling before the Imperial City, then chose to leave.

...

Far away in the Cold Palace, Lu Mingyuan was unaware of the developments in the Imperial City.

After listening to Yun Qinghe that day, he had slowly come to realize that a much larger game of chess awaited him. And so, he had buried himself in quiet Cultivation, preparing for the impending crisis.

Under Zi Yun’s care, Lu Xiaohuang had already learned to speak and had no trouble walking.

Everyone adored the little one, treating her like their own daughter.

In the backyard, Lu Xiaohuang had become the new favorite, her status even higher than his. Qi Muxue and Huo Hongling would come to see her from time to time.

Suddenly, a voice from outside Qingzhu Hall echoed within Lu Mingyuan’s Primordial Consciousness:

"Scholar Chen Ke requests an audience with Your Highness!"

’Chen Ke?’

’Why would he come looking for me?’

’I haven’t seen him in a long time.’

Lu Mingyuan went to open the door himself. The great red wooden doors swung open, revealing Chen Ke, still dressed in his white robes. His spirit was as vibrant as ever, his features handsome and distinguished. After more than a year, he had matured, and an elegant, scholarly aura now overflowed from him.

But no matter how much he had changed, the look of determination in his eyes had remained the same from beginning to end.

...