Chapter 218: Qingchen Becomes King

Chapter 218: Chapter 218: Qingchen Becomes King

As expected, during the morning court session, Chu Xiong issued an imperial decree, appointing Chu Qingchen as the King of Qing, making him a member of the Imperial Family, and granting him a mansion in the Capital City.

As the decree was announced, all the ministers in the court were stunned into silence.

“Your Majesty, this move is improper and absolutely should not be made!” The first to step out and object was Grand Tutor Xu.

“Oh? Grand Tutor, tell Us why it’s improper?” Chu Xiong squinted at Grand Tutor Xu. He hadn’t expected the Grand Tutor to be the first to oppose him; he had thought it would be Old Seventh, given that another prince would mean more competition for power.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, this is akin to leading a wolf into our own house!” Grand Tutor Xu’s eyes were full of entreaty, hoping Chu Xiong would heed his words.

How could the Emperor ennoble a rebel, someone who fought against the legitimate imperial family, as a prince? What sort of logic is this? Has the Emperor gone mad? Bringing such a person to the Capital City is clearly inviting a wolf into our home! Will the imperial throne itself be handed over so easily in the future?

“Leading a wolf into Our house? What wolf? What can he possibly do right before Our eyes?” Chu Xiong looked at Chu Yan with icy eyes. His meaning was clear:

Can’t you all see? There’s one right here. Even if his poison is cured, what then?

Chu Yan lowered his head, utterly speechless at his imperial brother’s actions.

What on earth is he doing? Well, let him do as he pleases. He is the sovereign, and I am his subject; the weak cannot overcome the strong. He’ll only be content once the Daqian Dynasty changes hands.

The ministers in the court were truly exasperated. How could Chu Yan compare to Qingchen? Qingchen had soldiers and resources; what did Chu Yan possess?

“Lord Gu, what are your thoughts?” Chu Xiong asked Gu Xicheng, who had his head lowered. Gu Xicheng had been remarkably low-profile recently; Chu Xiong had almost overlooked him, the Senior Grand Secretary. In the past, he and Grand Tutor Xu had been the most outspoken in court. Why was he silent on such a significant matter today?

Gu Xicheng, who had been called upon, stepped forward and responded, “This servant has no objections.”

Gu Xicheng knew the Emperor’s temperament all too well.

One just has to agree with whatever he says. He isn’t even worried about his own Chu imperial dynasty, so what’s the point of me worrying? It’s useless. I’ve been wanting to resign and go with my wife to find our daughter. The snow hasn’t fully melted yet; otherwise, we’d have left already.

Chu Xiong nodded in satisfaction and looked at the assembled ministers. “Does anyone else have any objections? If not, the Ministry of Personnel will immediately dispatch someone to Nanhu County to proclaim the decree.”

Seeing Grand Tutor Xu rebuffed, Gu Xicheng in agreement, and even Great General Jiang remaining silent, the other ministers said nothing. What could they say?

And so, the imperial decree ennobling a new king was sent out from the Capital City.

「News of the court’s decision reached Qingchen and Xiao Yunjing the next day.」

Qingchen was naturally ecstatic. He immediately began preparations to receive the decree and travel to the Capital City. Simultaneously, he secretly ordered his forces to disperse, leaving less than half his troops in Nanhu County. Most of these remaining soldiers were old, weak, injured, or disabled; he had no intention of handing his elite troops over to the Emperor.

Upon learning this, Xiao Yunjing also made his arrangements. Once Qingchen entered the Capital, it would take less than a year for Chu Xiong to be finished. Qingchen would then ascend the throne, and that would be the time for their own formal confrontation.

When Gu Qingli heard Xiao Yunjing speak of this, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Qingchen has some impressive methods. A rebel has actually managed to transform himself into a prince.”

Xiao Yunjing smiled. “He has always been someone who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. We have at most a year to prepare. Li’er, do you want to stay here, or return to Qinghe Village?”

“Let’s go back to Qinghe Village first, then perhaps we can find a place to live with the Baiyue Clan.” Qingchen knew her secret and would undoubtedly come looking for her. The Baiyue Clan resided in the mountains, protected by a natural barrier, which made her feel more secure. If an emergency arose, they could also descend into the sinkhole to seek refuge with the Snow Maiden Clan.

Xiao Yunjing nodded; his thoughts aligned perfectly with Li’er’s. He, too, felt that living with the Baiyue Clan would be the safest option.

In truth, it was far from it. The Baiyue Clan was the most dangerous place. Of course, they didn’t know this, and by the time they found out, it would be too late for regrets.

“Young Master, Miss, Young Master Jiang and Young Miss Jiang have arrived,” Wuqing reported at that moment.

“Oh? Let them in,” Gu Qingli said. She and Xiao Yunjing rose and walked from the bedroom to the living room.

Just as they emerged, they saw Wuqing leading a young man and a young woman inside.

Upon seeing Gu Qingli and Xiao Yunjing, the newcomers bowed. Jiang Li’an and Jiang Lile said in greeting, “Cousin, Cousin-in-law.”

“Li’an, Lile, please sit,” Gu Qingli said, glancing at the two.

Jiang Li’an wore a blue robe with a dark cyan cloak over it. He was about 1.7 meters tall and had a fairly handsome appearance. He carried himself in a proper, conventional manner, leaving a decent first impression.

Jiang Lile wore a pink jacket and skirt ensemble with a red cloak. She was about 1.6 meters tall, with a delicate, beautiful face, and her large, beautiful eyes were bright and expressive.

They were indeed a good-looking pair.

However, Jiang Lile’s eyes kept darting towards Xiao Yunjing.

Gu Qingli frowned and glanced at Xiao Yunjing, but he was looking down at her belly, paying no attention whatsoever to the siblings.

After Jiang Li’an and his sister were seated, Wuqing immediately served tea.

The siblings each took a sip, and their eyes lit up. This tea was incredibly delicious!

“Cousin, what kind of tea is this? It’s so good,” Jiang Lile asked Xiao Yunjing.

Xiao Yunjing replied indifferently, “I’m not sure. It’s your cousin-in-law’s.”

Only then did Jiang Lile shift her gaze to Gu Qingli, and a single glance left her stunned.

So beautiful! When she first came in, she hadn’t paid Gu Qingli much mind. In her perception, how good-looking could her cousin’s wife from the countryside be? She hadn’t expected her to be even more beautiful than herself. Since becoming pregnant, Gu Qingli’s face had slimmed slightly, further accentuating her delicate beauty—especially her skin, which was as smooth as a peeled egg. Jiang Lile, accustomed to the beauties of the Capital City, couldn’t help but marvel. Confident only moments before, she now felt inadequate. She had dressed up specially for today, and when Xiao Yunjing hadn’t spared her a glance, she’d felt wronged. Now she understood. Her cousin had such a beautiful wife, and she was pregnant. Thinking of the pregnancy, Jiang Lile felt less disheartened. If her cousin-in-law was pregnant, she couldn’t attend to her cousin… Perhaps this was her chance!

“Cousin-in-law, where did you buy these tea leaves? I’d like to buy some another day to take back for Grandfather. He particularly loves good tea,” Jiang Lile asked Gu Qingli with a beaming smile.

Hearing this, Jiang Li’an’s face darkened.

Isn’t she just asking for the tea leaves outright? What does she mean, ’buy’? How could they possibly take her to buy them? When did my sister become so grasping, asking for things like this?

He immediately cut his sister off, “Lile, don’t be rude!” Then, turning to Gu Qingli, he said, “Cousin-in-law, please don’t trouble yourself.”

Gu Qingli smiled and waved her hand. “It’s no trouble. These tea leaves aren’t sold outside; I came across them by chance. Since Grandfather enjoys them, I’ll have Yunjing prepare some to send to him.”

This was the truth. The tea came from her Space and was naturally delicious; moreover, it truly wasn’t available for sale elsewhere. Regularly drinking this tea had similar effects to drinking spiritual spring water: it strengthened the body and enhanced one’s beauty.

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