[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-46":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wanli, the Enlightened Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2321868,4542,"Chapter 46: Killing to Test the Blade, White Rainbow Pierces the Sky","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-46",46,"\u003Cp>An hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng walked out of the Huangji Palace with a complex expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This conversation was his first deep exchange with the young emperor, and also the first time he regarded the emperor as a fellow strategist and political ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After witnessing the emperor’s words and actions firsthand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng finally understood why Gao Yi had been utterly bewitched by this sage monarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sage monarch truly was spirited and heroic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just Gao Yi—even he could not help but be moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… being moved did not mean he believed the emperor’s lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had weathered the imperial bureaucracy for decades; he was long past the age of bowing his head at mere emotional stirring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was said mattered little; what mattered was what leverage the emperor would offer to persuade him to jointly resolve this court crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the emperor showed none of the naïveté expected of his age, and immediately made generous concessions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He offered up the positions of Grand Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, Minister of Revenue, Minister of Justice, and Imperial Tutor as if they were free gifts—far exceeding Zhang Juzheng’s expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was a price—on the matter of Gao Ar, the two held starkly opposing views.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor implied he intended to execute Gao Ar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stance was utterly unacceptable to Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To publicly execute the sitting Grand Secretary would be too shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doing so might affirm the emperor’s authority, but it would plunge the court into fresh turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Zhang Juzheng suspected this was a ploy to coerce him, he could not refrain from advising against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the emperor’s resolve firm, Zhang Juzheng could only concede to secure Gao Ar’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the emperor had been waiting for him or simply decided on the spot, he actually intended to reorganize the Capital Garrison!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to say whether this was a mutual win or a compromise, but after prolonged negotiation, the two finally reached an accord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng’s pledge was to appoint Gu Huan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor made no promise not to kill Gao Ar, only that he would give Gao Ar a chance—to see whether Gao Ar was truly devoted to the state or harbored rebellious intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the emperor’s so-called “chance,” Zhang Juzheng sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no chance—it was a scheme to squeeze the last drop of utility from Gao Ar’s old bones, while forcing him to bow and thank the emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, if Gao Ar wished to avoid the stigma of treason, he would have no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To sell a man and make him thank you for it—was the emperor secretly studying the annals of Emperor Wen of Han?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng felt regret for the emperor’s lack of benevolence, yet could not suppress a rising admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid this conflicted state of mind, Zhang Juzheng went to the Ministry of Rites to find Lu Diaoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Minister of Rites, despite Gao Ar’s overtures, had remained steadfastly loyal to him—his trust now deepened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stood by the pond outside the Ministry of Rites, hands clasped behind their backs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng spoke bluntly: “He Qing, according to protocol, His Majesty will preside at Xuanzhimen tomorrow, and the ministers will perform the rites of condolence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At that time, you must step forward and petition His Majesty to issue a general pardon and bestow rewards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A general pardon and imperial rewards—pardoning the realm and granting titles to imperial relatives—were best handled by the Ministry of Rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang blinked in surprise. Zhang Juzheng usually spoke of “the emperor” incessantly—why was he now calling him “His Majesty”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Zhang Juzheng curiously: “What’s changed about the pardon and rewards?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pardon and rewards had already been finalized; Xuanzhimen was merely a formality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if Zhang Juzheng said this, it could not be so simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His Majesty intends to grant hereditary titles to the meritorious nobles and bestow gifts upon all officials.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng spoke, then turned to Lu Diaoyang, his eyes filled with approval: “He Qing, you are the one the court looks to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang repeated, puzzled: “The one the court looks to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng nodded and smiled: “You are to enter the Grand Secretariat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang: “Ah… ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng’s gaze was unreadable: “Don’t be nervous. Not just you—all meritorious officials will be rewarded, with the Grand Coordinator receiving the greatest honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night sky hung low, covering thousands of lanterns in Beijing, each concealing hidden agendas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, though not the brightest, the most conspicuous were the lanterns before Gao Ar’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They illuminated a constant stream of guests, secret exchanges beneath tables, and Gao Ar’s current blaze of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath this single lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong strode out boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This former attendant of the Prince of Yu, once Chief of the Directorate of Ceremonial, was now riding high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had he shaken off the shadow of Feng Bao’s suppression, but supreme power now lay within his grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two most powerful men in court—the Empress Dowager and the Grand Secretary—were both his patrons!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to this, more and more eunuchs in the inner court flocked to flatter him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even some court officials began sending him covert signals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such floral splendor was truly the height of life!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once His Majesty offers the imperial titles to the Two Palaces during the Heaven Sacrifice, Empress Chen will openly leave Ciqing Palace to issue commands—and Chen Hong will be among the most powerful men in the Great Ming!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, he will surpass even his former glory as Chief of the Directorate of Ceremonial!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Depot! The Imperial Stable Supervision! The Imperial Treasury! All will be his for the taking!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He will even represent Empress Chen in coordinating with the outer court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could further persuade Empress Chen to let him control the emperor…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Chen Hong could truly walk with his head held high!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory of Feng Bao’s punch in the Directorate of Ceremonial still burned in his mind—he would wait a few more days, then kill this traitor himself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he thought this, Chen Hong passed through a dim alley—and suddenly, his heart tightened without cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years of covert struggle triggered his instinctive alertness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun around at once, ready to order his two accompanying eunuchs to retreat from the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he turned, he saw a horrifying sight—two shadowy figures stood behind his attendants, clamping their mouths shut and knocking them down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong’s first impulse was to shout and bolt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could move, darkness crashed over him—he collapsed to the ground, slowly losing consciousness, seeing only several embroidered uniform guards’ shoes trampling in the puddle before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Battalion Commander, impressive skill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Keqian crouched down and delivered a final knife-hand strike to Chen Hong, praising him as he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang brother, don’t mock me,” Chen Mingyan replied with a wry smile, then turned to the matter at hand: “What do we do with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He addressed Jiang as “brother,” trying to forge closeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, a Battalion Commander behind them stepped forward: “Commandant Jiang, Battalion Commander Chen, I’m the best at interrogation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Keqian and Chen Mingyan exchanged strange glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former glanced at the latter and asked: “Battalion Commander Chen, are you going to interrogate him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mingyan hesitated: “Probably… we can’t interrogate him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Keqian nodded and turned to the Battalion Commander: “Did you hear? Battalion Commander Chen says don’t interrogate—drown him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Battalion Commander bowed deeply and replied, “Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately crouched, pulled out a stack of coarse cloth, pressed it over Chen Hong’s face, then poured a bottle of wine straight into his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hong seemed to be stirring toward consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Battalion Commander’s face twisted in cruelty as he pressed down hard, ignoring Chen Hong’s frantic clawing and kicking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he grew still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After each confirmed the death, the men dragged the body to the riverbank and kicked it into the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A senior eunuch thus died mysteriously—allegedly drunk and accidentally falling into the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao had just left Cining Palace when Zhang Jing called out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He regarded Zhang Jing, Zhang Hong’s adopted son, with suspicion and confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jing, however, was deeply respectful: “Chief Feng, His Majesty requests your presence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this title, Feng Bao’s eyes flickered with malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attendant eunuch immediately rebuked: “You, a man without rank or station, dare address the Old Ancestor by his official title?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though rebuked and stared at coldly by Feng Bao, Zhang Jing did not flinch—he maintained full propriety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned closer and whispered: “His Majesty says it’s about Gao Ar…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Ar was now dominant, pushing him into a corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Depot was lost; the Directorate of Ceremonial had gone silent—he had been severed of both arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could no longer treat the emperor as he once had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even begun to consider whether he should now cling to the emperor’s leg and ally with Zhang Juzheng to confront Gao Ar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the Emperor has summoned him in private—could it be that he’s come to the same conclusion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, he nodded and ordered Zhang Jing: “Lead the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jing walked ahead with reverent caution, occasionally recounting the Emperor’s private resentments toward Gao Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao assumed the Emperor intended to use him, forcing Zhang Hong to adopt this method to show there was no hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group soon arrived at Qianqing Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong was already waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them arrive, he hurried forward to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reminded: “Master Feng, His Majesty only requested to see you alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao had visited Qianqing Palace many times—this was indeed protocol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not argue, nodded, left his two eunuchs outside, then followed Zhang Hong into Qianqing Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Feng Bao’s back disappeared inside, Zhang Jing gave a signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men nearby received the message and acted at once, knocking Feng Bao’s two attendants unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jing stepped closer and kicked them twice, furious: “Old Ancestor! Dog-footed Old Ancestor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he waved his hand: “Drag them away and bury them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Feng Bao walked further inside, he suddenly heard strange noises in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong spoke up at once: “Master Feng, His Majesty is waiting inside. I’ll see you no further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao was pulled back to the present and set aside his earlier unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thanked him, then turned and entered the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his power had waned, he still held the position of Director of the Office of Eunuch Supervision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor likely valued this title precisely—before the great matter of confronting Gao Gong, they were naturally allies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao pondered his attitude for the coming moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After losing control of the Eastern Depot and being suppressed by Gao Gong, he knew full well he had missed his final chance to seize power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gao Gong prevailed, Feng Bao might lose his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if Gao Gong failed, Feng Bao could never return to his former glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Feng Bao sighed—he must align himself with the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from resisting Gao Gong, it was because the young Emperor was far too precocious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only if the Empress Dowager and the civil court both silently refused to let the Emperor rule could they suppress him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now Empress Chen supported Gao Gong, while Empress Li trusted the young Emperor more and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao had no room left to maneuver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once decided, Feng Bao rubbed his face, forcing himself to appear even more submissive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he stepped through the palace door, he would begin a long, flattering speech to declare his loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could move, two men in flying-fish robes seized him and threw him to the ground!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao was stunned with terror!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his mouth to cry for help—but a wad of hemp cloth was shoved inside, silencing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two large hands gripped his arms, left and right, lifting his entire body like a dead dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Feng Bao see the two men clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were Embroidered Uniform Guard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this be!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the Embroidered Uniform Guard attack me, the Director of the Office of Eunuch Supervision, inside Qianqing Palace!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Zhu Xizhong also defected to Gao Gong? Were they planning to seize both him and the Emperor right here!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or had Empress Chen already taken control of Qianqing Palace, raised the Emperor, and waited to rule as regent!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm… mmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao struggled violently, muffled cries escaping his bound mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the two Embroidered Uniform Guard threw him to the floor and pressed their feet on his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the man has been brought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s eyes widened in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly realized what had happened to him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trampled and immobilized, he struggled to lift his head, desperate to confirm his suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a slender lower body stepped before him and slowly crouched down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The face staring back at Feng Bao was unmistakably the Emperor’s!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao snapped his eyes shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood why Zhu Xizhong had recommended Li Jin to strip him of the Eastern Depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought it was the Empress’s father bribing Zhu Xizhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was… the Emperor! He had quietly seized control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun was about to order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to remove the cloth from Feng Bao’s mouth, to humiliate him in this posture of victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But suddenly, he lost all interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t truly here to seize power—killing a eunuch brought no triumph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only if he someday achieved something great would he have the right to speak words of sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he swallowed his anger at Feng Bao’s servile arrogance, his contempt for Feng Bao’s deception of Empress Li, his condemnation of Feng Bao’s collusion with the civil court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What came out instead was one sentence: “Bestow upon Master Feng a red pill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the words left his lips,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao thrashed violently—the Emperor meant to kill him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already prepared to become a slave, swearing loyalty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he kill him? He was still useful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao moaned incoherently, begging for mercy, blinking desperately to show he would be the Emperor’s dog!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun glanced at Feng Bao with puzzlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled: “Master Feng, don’t threaten me—I’ll soothe my mother myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned away, refusing to look at him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Embroidered Uniform Guard shoved a red pill into Feng Bao’s mouth; soon, he ceased breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them closed Feng Bao’s unwilling eyes, then dragged his body away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao was not the focus of tonight’s events—indeed, he was merely an afterthought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun paid no mind to such incidental matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire attention was fixed on Ciqing Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour remained until midnight; he waited in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Embroidered Uniform Guard came and went, reporting the latest developments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From news that Chen Hong had been executed, to Li Jin confirming the Eastern Depot had been partially purged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From all palace halls remaining calm, to guards occasionally capturing eunuchs attempting to slip out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until, once again, Zhu Xixiao’s voice echoed in the hall: “Your Majesty, Chen Hong, Feng Bao, Chen Suan, and all their followers have been executed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All palace gates are locked; no one has escaped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The perimeter of Ciqing Palace has been fully cleared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had donned, for the first time, the python robe bestowed upon him by the late Emperor when he was appointed Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked solemn and deadly—a true Director of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun turned, expressionless, and nodded: “Let’s go. Follow me to Ciqing Palace to seek my mother’s edict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured to the edict already drafted on the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stepped out, walking straight toward the palace gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wide sleeves and long robe stirred the air as he walked, making the candles flicker dimly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xixiao knelt and responded, then raised his head slightly—he saw the Emperor’s shadow behind him, overlapping, flickering, shifting strangely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each step the Emperor took, it seemed as if something indescribable struggled to emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xixiao’s spirit wavered; he quickly looked away, dared not stare further, rose, seized the edict from the desk, and hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he stepped out of Wenhua Palace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xixiao suddenly looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the heavens, northeastward, a pale aura blazed like a white rainbow, brilliant and towering into the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the day Ji Si of the sixth month of Longqing Sixth Year, at night, a pale aura appeared in the northeast, bright as a white rainbow, lingering long before fading—*Veritable Records of the Ming Shenzong*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2797,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a0eb96152a76b567295df48455240bb0e469a5e27d292d9309e19c6fd9309d82","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-47","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-45",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]