Chapter Seventy-Eight: Shocking Upheaval in the Imperial Court

When King Jiangyuan heard Feng Yewu’s question, he slowly lifted his head, his eyes filled with exhaustion.

“Your Majesty, I only wish to wait until three days after my son is laid to rest before making any decisions.”

With these words, King Jiangyuan turned and walked away, his departing figure the very image of an old general at the twilight of his years.

Soon after, the steward entered and led Feng Yewu and her companions to their lodgings.

On the way, Lu Jue asked the steward, feigning casual curiosity.

“Steward, was the young heir’s body recovered after he was killed?”

The steward glanced at the handsome and courteous Lu Jue, taking an immediate liking to him, and nodded in reply.

“Thanks to the deputy general, who risked his life to bring back the young heir’s body, we were spared the anguish of having no remains to bury.”

Lu Jue pressed further.

“Did you see the young heir’s wounds yourself?”

“I did. His body was covered with sword wounds—an utterly tragic sight.”

The steward’s expression turned sorrowful, as though lost in memory.

When Feng Yewu and her companions returned to their room, Lu Jue sat heavily at the table, his face grim and deep in thought.

“What have you discovered?” Feng Yewu read his expression and asked.

Lu Jue took a deep breath, stood, and began to reason with Feng Yewu as he paced.

“I grew up in the Northern Garrison General’s manor, so I know a little of the Tidi tribe. They dwell in the far north, with scarce resources and a dire shortage of weapons. Even many of their generals fight on the battlefield with nothing but their own flesh and blood. Yet the young heir of King Jiangyuan was covered in sword wounds…”

Feng Yewu recalled the Tidi tribesmen she had seen at the music house—their bodies as tough as iron, unused to wielding swords or knives.

Zheng Tianlan, watching the two of them ponder, shook his head and laughed, offering his own explanation.

“What’s so strange about that? The Tidi people are incredibly strong. Ordinary swords and blades can’t withstand their strength, so their fists are far more useful.”

At these words, a sudden realization dawned on Feng Yewu and Lu Jue. They exchanged a glance, understanding passing silently between them.

This was certainly not the work of the Tidi tribe.

Meanwhile, in the capital, the morning court had entered its third day.

Wu Muxue once again announced that Feng Yewu’s illness had not yet abated, and dismissed the court.

But none of the ministers moved a muscle.

Wei Nanxi’s eyes narrowed, thinking to himself, “At last, it begins.”

“King Pingyi arrives!”

With this loud announcement, King Pingyi entered the grand hall, his expression calm and collected.

Wu Muxue’s lovely features stiffened at his arrival, and she questioned him in a cold voice.

“King Pingyi, His Majesty is unwell today and the court has been dismissed. Why do you come at this hour?”

King Pingyi smiled faintly at her, and with a look of caution, he praised her.

“Minister Wu truly is a heroine among women, a worthy daughter of great ministers. I once heard of Minister Wu’s father besting his peers in debate, and now I see the reputation is well deserved.”

Wu Muxue frowned at the arrogance on King Pingyi’s face and replied in a deep voice.

“If King Pingyi wishes only to exchange pleasantries, perhaps we can do so after court. For now, everyone else may leave.”

But even after her words, the ministers remained unmoved.

Seeing this, Wei Nanxi barked out harshly.

“Minister Wu speaks with His Majesty’s authority. Do you all intend to defy the imperial command and rebel?”

“It seems the rebels are you three!” King Pingyi’s expression changed instantly. He glared at the three before the throne and accused them loudly.

“We here are all pillars of the nation, dedicating our lives to its welfare—most of us in our later years. Why do we not fall ill, while you claim His Majesty is stricken with a cold? Now you, Wu Muxue, bear word of His Majesty’s will—why should we believe it?”

His outburst immediately stirred the assembly into heated debate, with many officials voicing their support.

Seeing his words take effect, King Pingyi’s lips curled into a sly smile as he pressed his accusation further.

“You three have always been of questionable background, and now you stand together—have you perhaps seized His Majesty and seek to usurp the throne?”

His accusation landed like a stone in a still pond, sending ripples of outrage through the assembled officials. They erupted into angry denunciations.

Wu Muxue and Wei Nanxi naturally saw through King Pingyi’s scheme.

But Sun Changxi, who was always somewhat slow-witted, was so incensed by the slander that his face turned red, and he retorted loudly.

“As loyal ministers, we uphold the laws and virtues of the land. How can we allow your slander to go unchallenged?”

Yet against King Pingyi’s loud accusations, Sun Changxi’s words seemed feeble and unconvincing.

“How laughable—traitors speaking of virtue and duty!” King Pingyi laughed loudly and pressed closer, confident in his victory.

Below the dais, the officials surged forward, following King Pingyi as they prepared to march toward the inner palace.

Seeing the situation spinning out of control, Sun Changxi hurried to block their way, shouting,

“Don’t come any closer! If you do, I’ll be forced to act!”

But in moments, he was dragged into the crowd and trampled underfoot.

King Pingyi stood his ground, watching the frenzied officials with disdain before turning a provocative gaze upon Wu Muxue and Wei Nanxi.

Clearly, he believed everything was within his grasp.

But neither Wu Muxue nor Wei Nanxi showed any sign of panic. Instead, they smiled serenely at King Pingyi, letting the officials surge past them toward the inner palace.

Suddenly, the swift sound of swords being drawn sliced through the commotion, and silence fell upon the hall.

Then, all the officials knelt in unison and cried out,

“Long live His Majesty! May the Emperor live ten thousand years!”

King Pingyi’s mocking expression froze, disbelief flooding his eyes as he turned toward the direction of their obeisance.

There, the grand imperial palanquin adorned with phoenixes stood before the officials, with the solemn-faced Eunuch Mingde at its side. Palace guards surrounded them, swords drawn.

A hoarse voice came from within the palanquin.

“Cough, cough… King Pingyi, you seem very concerned for my health.”

At the sound, King Pingyi immediately fell to his knees and prostrated himself.

Eunuch Mingde, upon hearing Feng Yewu cough, hurriedly handed a handkerchief into the palanquin. All eyes watched as a pale hand emerged to accept it.

Clearing his throat, Eunuch Mingde announced to the kneeling officials,

“By His Majesty’s command: the cold has not yet passed, and His Majesty’s voice is weak. For now, Minister Wu will preside over court, with Minister Wei Nanxi of the Supreme Court and Minister Sun Changxi of the Ministry of Justice assisting. Any who disrupt the court will be executed without mercy. Thus is His Majesty’s will!”

Wu Muxue and Wei Nanxi responded in clear voices.

“We receive the imperial command!”

At that moment, Sun Changxi, bearing the marks of many trampling feet, scrambled into the hall and quickly knelt.

“Your servant… accepts the command!”

“That’s enough. Dismissed. His Majesty needs his rest,” Eunuch Mingde said coldly, leading the palanquin away toward the imperial quarters.

Only after the palanquin had disappeared into the distance did the officials rise and hurriedly disperse in embarrassment.

Wei Nanxi also stood, walked over to the conflicted King Pingyi, and sneered,

“King Pingyi, we are all but humble subjects. Such loyalty as you have shown today—His Majesty surely took note.”

With this, Wei Nanxi laughed heartily and strode away.