Chapter 38.1
Numerous high-ranking officials and nobles gathered in front the Great Witch Temple, in groups of twos and threes.
They rushed over early in the morning, bathed and cleansed their bodies in the wing room, changed into the white coarse linen robes that were needed for the Qingsi, tied a straight red belt around their waists, wore hideous ghost masks, put on cloth shoes, and followed the witch to wait at the entrance of the Great Witch Temple together.
Not far away, the huge ten thousand year old tree was bathed in the sun, and its root fibers and golden-red fruits that hung above were dancing in the wind, adding a touch of color to this vast area where the basic tones were mainly gray and black.
“For what reason was His Majesty delayed in coming?”
After waiting for a long time, someone inevitably asked in a low voice.
Not only Emperor Yuan, but even Yuan Jia, his close servant, did not show up. He merely sent someone to pass the message, saying that it was an urgent matter that needed to be dealt with urgently, and asked everyone to wait.
After speaking, the Prime Minister Pei Qianxue, was unexpectedly summoned over as well, leaving the courtiers who didn’t know the truth to continue standing here bored, guessing what urgent matter happened.
“It should be the news from the Weishan Army. The two countries of Wei and Yu are not at peace these days.”
In recent years, the Great Abyss have maintained a magnificent momentum, connecting multiple countries.
The battle at Hangu Pass last year was the result of the alliance of many countries against Yuan. It’s just that at that time, all countries had their own thoughts. Although there were 500,000 troops integrated together, the minds of the people among them were not united. Each troop had missions that each troop had received in private, causing the hearts of the people to not come together at all. That’s why they were defeated by the three thousand Xuan Cavalries led by the Third Prince of Great Yuan, supplemented by vigorous lobbying techniques.
However, after the battle at Hangu Pass, the death of the Third Prince seemed to have stimulated this huge empire.
It accelerated the speed of its cavalry expedition, diplomacy also seemed to bring fury, and captured two countries in just one year.
Coincidentally, these two countries had also participated in the Hangu Pass Alliance, and the two that were more jumpy.
After receiving the message, Yu Country immediately panicked.
Although they didn’t send troops, they made use of the way as it was convenient, which inevitably led to Emperor Yuan’s resentment, a person who avenged grievances.
Therefore Yu Country made a decisive decision and sent envoys to send over a batch of beauties and treasures. In private, they also got in touch with the other remaining Wei Country, and wanted to follow the example of the previous dynasty when two countries joined forces to jointly fight against a third country and form a practice of maintaining and stabilizing the situation.
Great Yuan was not inanimate either, but at this moment they had just defeated Nanliang, and there was still a lot of work to be dealt with after the war. At present, it was at the end of the year and there were many things to tend to thus they turned a blind eye. (TL: Nanliang=South Liang)
The practice of contentment with the status quo and not planning in advance on how to deal with possible future situations was already done by the Great Yuan long ago when the many countries were still in power. Now, since only two countries remained, and the whole world knew about the Great Yuan’s ambitions, therefore naturally there was no need to conceal it.
This was also the Great Yuan’s confidence.
“There is indeed a possibility of war, but now that the end of the year is approaching, troops from all over the country have been withdrawn. I haven’t seen the King of Beining bringing the troops back, he must be planning to set off again after the New Year.”
“That, I don’t know. His Majesty summoned so many people over, it can’t be to test that one just now.” Someone whispered, “Let’s not talk about whether it is that one, as we all know, although the Third Prince in Great Yuan He is a hero, but he is indeed not favored…and besides, after the battle at Hangu Pass……”
He didn’t say what happened next, however the others knew it well.
Previously, he was not taken seriously, granted he won a battle, so what? Naturally, it’s what to do or what should be done. On the contrary, it may also be simply because of the excessive honor and prestige that only lead to the increase of one’s disgust.
Anyhow, that one was brought by Prime Minister Pei. A small number of the rational courtiers on the sidelines couldn’t say whether they believed it or not. After all, they still thought that even if Prime Minister Pei was a key figure of the Three Princes’ party, he should not push a counterfeit to deceive Emperor Yuan.
Emperor Yuan was now in his prime, the family who deceived him before had all been implicated till its ninth generation, who wouldn’t take it seriously.
Sure enough, after standing for a while, the sound of announcement came from afar.
“His Majesty arrives—”
The courtiers immediately kept silent, with a look of full concentration, as they bowed their heads honestly.
Emperor Yuan changed his dragon robe and came wearing a white robe of coarse clothing and a mask. The place he passed by was dead silent.
His mask was different from other people’s masks. It was majestic and ferocious, with still dried up blood stains on the edges. It was said to be an old antique left over from the ancient witch ancestors when they led the ancestors of Great Yuan to fight. Just looking at it would make anyone dizzy for a while. There was also a strange bell of witch music in the ear, which made people dared not to peep.
“Ministers don’t need to be too polite.”
Emperor Yuan lightly said.
Seeing Pei Qianxue following him, recalling their previous guesses, everyone immediately understood.
The two of them didn’t say anything, and Emperor Yuan walked to the Great Witch Temple but didn’t have the intention of going in either. Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back and looked back slightly.
Emperor Yuan remained silent, and others naturally wouldn’t uninterestingly ask why they hadn’t started yet.
Therefore, everyone had to continue to stand here in silence and wait.
On the side, Zong Chengsi, who was accompanying Zong Hongjiu, frowned slightly.
Both Zong Yuanwu and Zong Yongliu stood together with their own party members, forming two distinct lines, and not interfering with one another.
Not to mention that Zong Chengsi’s subordinates were simply two or three big and small shrimps, even if he was really conceited, he, who was still implementing the idea of dormancy, would also be unlikely to stand next to his followers and make a target of himself.
But fortunately, he could take this opportunity to win over Zong Hongjiu.
Just now, Zong Hongjiu ran out of the wing room with a frightened expression on his face, and was immediately seen by him.
Taking advantage of Zong Yongliu arguing with Zong Yuanwu, Zong Chengsi hurried over to inquire first-hand information.
Faced with this fourth imperial brother who had always been close to him, Zong Hongjiu still had lingering fears, “It’s that counterfeit just now, Father Emperor got so very angry.”
Counterfeit?
Zong Chengsi scoffed at this.
Since he has now met the emperor, he has no doubt that Zong Luo will be able to recover his identity. Even if he is no longer favored, the father emperor still will not fail to recognize his son.
But what “got so very angry”……..is it because of this? When facing Zong Hongjiu, who was widely recognized as the most favored, he felt a bit strange.
Zong Chengsi pretended to be casual and asked, “You have said everything, but it is just a counterfeit, why did the Father Emperor lose his temper for the counterfeit? I am afraid there is another reason for his anger.”
Zong Hongjiu’s expression froze.
He couldn’t help but think of the secret conversation he overheard when he sneaked into the Zhang Palace that day.
Although he was punished by Emperor Yuan later, Zong Hongjiu suddenly figured out the key point. He felt that he……might have overheard a terrible secret.
But this secret, Zong Hongjiu felt that he should not reveal it for the time being.
Not to mention that the third imperial brother has long been dead, it is also no use saying these things, second, he thinks this is a very important piece of information concerning the seizing of the crown prince position. For him to seek refuge from other imperial brothers in the future, as long as he exaggerates or distorts the truth, it will be a powerful bargaining chip for him.
