Chapter 73: Ruler of the World

Chapter 455: The Crazy White Lotus SectChapter 73: Sovereign of the World

Under the roll call of the Jinyiwei, the officials of Beijing felt a bit out of sorts.

The Jinyiwei are simply too brutal. If you don't agree to something they like, they'll beat you up immediately. Some people get lucky and only receive a single beating, while others, well, their entire family gets a thrashing.

At first, some officials stubbornly resisted, claiming to share the fate of Wen and opposing the prince's tyranny in their eyes. But after a beating and witnessing the real ruthlessness of the Jinyiwei (elite guard), they all became docile.

After several messages were sent from Grand Scholar Wang Tenghuan's residence, several high-ranking officials also fell silent.

The first snowfall of the year in this city began amidst the hustle and bustle, only to end in a tranquil silence.

Night fell silent, and everyone waited patiently, anticipating the dawn.

That night, countless people couldn't sleep and stayed awake. They lay down with the falling snow until the time of the rooster's first crow. Then they quickly got up, put on their ceremonial robes, and left their homes silently under the watchful eyes of the Jinyiwei guards stationed at the doors. They all headed towards the palace.

Outside the palace gates, civil and military officials gathered silently, each standing in their designated ranks. They stood motionless amidst the dark snow-covered night.

Heavy snow fell, blanketing the officials' hats and robes, but no one dared to brush it off. They shivered in the cold, yet they didn't dare to complain.

Just because Sān Bǎo led the Jinyiwei to keep a constant eye on them, anyone who showed any unusual movement or sound would be immediately recorded. No one knew if their small actions could become 'disrespectful' evidence in the eyes of the Crown Prince, so they had to endure it.

It wasn't until the hour of Yin, around five o'clock in the morning, that three drums were struck on the midday gate and a horn sounded.

A low and resonant horn sounded, echoing across half the city. The ancient capital, steeped in a thousand years of imperial energy, seemed to awaken from its slumber in the darkness.

The grand Meridian Gate, which had been closed for over a year, creaked open slowly. Palace maids and eunuchs had already cleared the accumulated snow from the road. Civil and military officials lined up in order and passed through the Meridian Gate, all the way to the Heaven's Peace Gate. Emperor, at the Golden Water Bridge, stood still.

At this moment, dawn faintly flickered on the horizon. Officials of the Honglu Temple stood before the Taihe Palace, cracking whips nine times and proclaiming in a loud voice, "Ascending...the court!"

The civil officials, led by Zhao Xuanji, walked on the left, and the military generals, led by Su Zhen'ting, walked on the right, in two rows, silently onto the Jinshui Bridge and into the Taihe Hall.

The middle path is ethereal and untrodden, no one dares to ascend. Since ancient times, it has been the exclusive path of emperors. Anyone who trespasses will be punished with the extermination of their nine clans.

Across the middle imperial path, Zhao Xuanji and Su Zhen Ting exchanged a glance.

With a gentle smile, Zhao Xuanji bowed and said: "General Su hasn't been to court for over ten years. Now that he has left the General's Mansion, he must be seeking fame and fortune."

Su Zhen-ting said calmly, "In a time of great peace and prosperity, horses return to the mountains and swords are kept in storage. It is needless for us martial artists to exist. However, if the imperial court requires it, if the Emperor or the Crown Prince needs anything, these valiant warriors can mount their steeds and wield their blades, slaying all corrupt officials."

His face turned cold, Zhao Xuanji coldly snorted, "General Su is indeed loyal and courageous, but don't make the wrong choice at the end and ruin General Shen's accumulated wisdom and prestige over a lifetime."

At this moment, a shout of "His Royal Highness has arrived" interrupted the verbal sparring between the two.

Li Chen wore a crimson robe embroidered with nine chapters of fire, mountains, dragons, auspicious insects, and ceremonial objects. This was the Nine Chapters Robe, the highest rank of attire in the Qin Empire besides the Twelve Chapters worn by the emperor. He fastened a jade sceptre nine and a half inches long at his waist, and two sets of jade pendants hung on either side, including henge, yu, jade flower, ju, chongya, huang, and raindrop ornaments. They hung from his waist.

Dressed in the royal robes of a prince, Li Chen's noble status was brought to life. Coupled with his naturally handsome features, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and an air of confidence that reached the heavens, he walked majestically, exuding the aura of a ruler surveying his kingdom."You won't like it," Gong Huiyu said faintly."Why"Li Chen lay on the eaves with his hands supporting his head, propped up his legs, and looked at the starry sky. He smiled and said, "Which man doesn't...