337 Out of the Blue (1/2)
Chapter 337: Out of the Blue
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
”That dragon throne in the palace is something that not everybody can get their hands on, this is especially so for you and I. The Empress has the loyalty of General Xiahou and in the cultivation world, she has Zhuge from the Imperial Center Administration. She also has the support of the prince and the Nation Master. Even the prime minister is on her side.”
”She has too many chips in her hands. She is worried that variables would appear, and that the Academy entering the human realm would lead to a cold wind brewing. She is worried that the wind would blow all her chips out of existence and affect who the dragon throne would belong to eventually. That is why she is so vigilant. This is a kind of fear that is buried in the hearts of many. Even if she might be able to remain calm, those who are loyal to her cannot. This is the reason for what had happened today.”
”And we have nothing. Hua Shanyue and the others are still young. It would take years until they are capable of taking over the place of generals Xu Shi and Xia Hou. The scholars from Chang'an had long entered the imperial court, but it'd take time for their voices to be heard. That is why I welcome the Academy into the human realm.”
”Once the Academy enters the human realm, should the Academy be attacked, no matter how much support the Empress has, as long as the Academy is willing to make their stand clear, the officials and the military, as well as the cultivators, have to remain silent.”
”How can we be certain of their stand?”
”Because the person from the Academy who is entering the human realm is Ning Que. And I know him.”
”Ning Que is calm and emotionless. He might not help us because of what had happened in the past, and he might not even interfere with the matter. But there are some things that he must interfere with. And even if he doesn't bother with it, Sangsang would.”
”Everyone in Chang'an thinks that Sangsang is just an ordinary maidservant. But what is interesting is that I have always know that that is not true. It is fortunate that I have always liked her, and she, liked me.”
”If I were to die on that day, Sangsang would care. Ning Que has got to care then. The Academy would have to make their stand clear then. Brother dearest, why would I die? Because death is what awaits us if we fail to get the throne.”
Lee Yu ended her narrative of a tale that had yet to happen. She picked up some tongs and arranged the pile of ash in the brazier. She raised her head and smiled at her brother before turning to head into the study.
In the study, Lee Yu wrote a letter to Crown Prince Chongming of the Yan Kingdom. The letter would be sent to him through Hua Shanyue of the Gushan Commandery directly to the palace in Capital Cheng of the Yan Kingdom. This has nothing to do with speed, but cautiousness.
In the letter, she mentioned what had happened in Chang'an recently and also casually mentioned her past dealings with the master and servant of Old Brush Pen Shop. Finally, she expressed her condolences for the disappearance of Prince Long Qing.
...
...
It was snowing in the palace in the capital of the Yan Kingdom, Capital Cheng. Crown Prince Chongming's gaze drifted to the dancing snowflakes outside while he clutched on to the letter tightly.
A certain official could not hide the joy on his face. He bowed deeply to Crown Prince Chongming and congratulated him. ”If Mr. Thirteen had really entered the human realm on behalf of the Academy, according to the relationship that the Princess had mentioned, the probability that the throne of the Tang empire would land in Prince Li Huiyuan's hands is high. Your Highness, your relationship with Princess Lee Yu is good, this is very helpful for your future governance of the Yan Kingdom.”
Crown Prince Chongming have gotten the underlying message that Princess Lee Yu had sent. He knew that the Princess was trying to boost his confidence. If Prince Long Qing was really dead, then he would be the only successor to the throne of Yan Kingdom. He would benefit the most from it and the future Emperor of Tang would support him.
There were many who knew that Prince Long Qing was felled by Ning Que from the Academy but nobody knew of where he was and whether he was dead or alive. He should thank Ning Que and celebrate the situation, but he did not express any joy when congratulated by his subordinates.
”Everyone in the world thought that I was fighting for the throne with Long Qing and that we hated each other. But you have all seemed to forget that we are, after all, brothers. We have once played together in this palace. Now that he is missing and no one knows whether he is dead or alive, do you really think that I can be happy about that?”
Crown Prince Chongming stared at the dancing snowflakes dazedly, and he began to cry out of the blue.
The official looked at the tears streaming down the Crown Prince's face and was shocked. He knelt down hurriedly and begged for forgiveness. However, he was still extremely joyful deep inside. He thought to himself, that His Highness, whom he served loyally, was really someone worth serving as he could still pretend to care about his brother at this moment, refusing to express how he really felt before the Emperor and everyone else.
...
...
The South Jin Kingdom was in the south. The climate was warm and it did not snow even in winter. The stone mountain that looked like a giant sword reflected the light of the winter sun. Every nook and cranny of the rocks could be made out clearly. The black and white old-styled pavilion at the foot of the hill exuded a prideful sword style.
Over the years, many have discovered that a cultivator's will, boldness, and Lucky Chance was necessary for them to travel further on the long path of cultivation. And one's boldness was usually how prideful and confident one was.