Chapter 2071 - Mess (3) (1/2)
Back then, Grand Elder Vata once more insisted that the Key should be given to their little prince. The Shruti Empire had always had male rulers, so why did it seem like Emperor Shruti was grooming an Empress?
Riling up public outrage, Grand Elder Vata almost had his way. The Shruti Empire was simply too conservative, even the most open minded of citizens couldn't imagine having an Empress rule them all. Through their history, Empresses had always been silent side pieces to the Emperor. But suddenly, a Princess had inherited both Indra's Faith Seed and their Key? It was unacceptable.
At the same time, while the tides were turning in their favor, Grand Elder Vata made a final push, believing that this was the instant of time his Vata Clan could flip the tables.
He insisted that if Emperor Shruti wanted to keep Saru as his heir, it was fine, but if that was the case, she would have to marry their little prince.
As expected, this matter garnered massive public support. The little prince was touted as a grand genius who was born under an auspicious sign no weaker than Saru herself. It was truly a Heavenly Union that would bring their Clan great prosperity. If they married and had children, it would no doubt usher in a new prosperous bloodline.
The Dharmic Protectors and the Dharma Incarnate Clans rarely, if ever, intermarried. This was an unspoken rule put in place such that the roles could be perfectly balanced.
The Dharmic Protectors would intermarry within the lesser noble clans, as would the Dharma Incarnate, but never amongst themselves. This allowed the divisions of power to be clear and sturdy, a system that had worked for many generations.
But, Grand Elder Vata actually wanted to break this precedent!
Not only had he gained public support, 80% of the noble Clans within the Palace walls took his side. They didn't believe that either side was in the wrong and simply felt that Grand Elder Vata's solution was the most apt.
On one hand, Saru kept her Faith Seed and the Key, while the true hidden ruler would be the little prince of the Vata Clan. Of course, they insisted that the little prince change his surname to Shruti, something that the Grand Elder happily obliged to.
However, the Grand Elder overplayed his hand.
After being pushed into a corner, Emperor Shruti laid down his pride and asked his brother-in-law for help. This was how the engagement between Saru and the Atlas Prince came about.
It was truly a master class move. How could the Vata Clan refuse a marriage alliance with a top 9 quadrant? Though their Empress was a member of the Atlas Clan, the connection was too weak. After all, in the eyes of the Shruti Empire, a woman wasn't worth much even if she was a beauty.
Of course, the fact that Saru and the Atlas Prince, Adonis, were cousins was something no one cared about.
To cultivators who cleansed themselves with the energy of the heavens, they often ignored blood relations as long as they weren't too close. A situation like the Raven Clan was a product of excessiveness.
Like this, the Vata Clan Grand Elder could only grit his teeth and fall into silence. He had taken one step too far and all his plans had come crashing down. If he pushed it any further, not only would he make the enmity between his Clan and the Shruti deeper, the public and the nobles might flip on him.
After these events, the Grand Elder took to teaching the little prince personally. In fact, the little prince had never stepped a single foot into the tower, almost as though in solidarity with his Clan and in protest to the 'unfairness' he was subjected to.
It was no wonder Emperor Shruti threw so many parties after Saru came back. Her grand performance was so eye catching that the Grand Elder could only take the severe slap to his face in silence.