Chapter 843: The Two Great Princes (6/10, please subscribe)

This is the current Majesty's art of governance.

The Four Great Families oversee four great departments, checking one another, yet all serving the imperial clan.

Once, two members of the Four Great Families had thought to join hands, form an alliance, expand their power, and scheme for something dangerous.

The result was the imperial clan striking with a bloodbath — apart from a few fish that slipped through the net, the older generation was nearly annihilated; only the younger generation was propped up by the imperial clan to grow anew.

And the You Family was one of those Four Great Families once blood-washed by the imperial clan.

Therefore, among the Four Great Families, before the imperial clan, the You Family is in truth the one with the shallowest roots.

The marriage alliance with the Seventh Prince is both the Majesty's bestowed marriage and the imperial clan's balancing act.

After that kind of incident, the imperial clan and the Four Great Families began occasionally forming marriage ties, maintaining close relations, rather than the former attitude of leaving things entirely to fend for themselves.

The twists and turns within this — even You Da Mao could not explain them clearly.

Green Division Red Clothes — that is You Da Mao's official post.

The one who had just spoken up to plead for You Sisi was, surprisingly, none other than him.

By seniority, You Da Mao and You Sisi are of the same generation, but by age he is a full twelve years older than You Sisi — old enough to be her uncle.

Having watched You Sisi grow up since childhood, he ultimately softened, and anxiously stepped forward for You Sisi.

But what he got in return was only the Majesty's cold gaze, and his father — clad in Silver armor — quietly giving his sleeve a sharp tug.

"You Da Mao, do you think I have not given the You Family a chance?"

The Majesty's calm tone pressed down like a great mountain, making cold sweat pour from You Da Mao.

And what was spoken of was not You Sisi, but… the You Family!

This escalation in meaning made every person in the Green Division line freeze; each face grew stern, heads bowed in silence.

His father — whose official rank reached as high as Green Division Silver Clothes — who had been tugging his clothes, also froze in place, his whole body trembling at high frequency; after holding rigid for quite a while, he slowly loosened his grip.

That motion made You Da Mao's heart lurch with a great surge of dread.

Because this was his father's move of sacrificing the small to preserve the great — back then, Mother had been…

His face gradually turning ashen, You Da Mao's heart was in turmoil, when he heard someone suddenly speak up.

"Father Emperor, the You Family's young lady is unwilling to marry — why must you force it? A melon twisted by force is not sweet."

Everyone followed the sound and looked — the one who had spoken was, surprisingly, none other than the current Great Prince, Qing Qianyang!

The Majesty's originally calm expression also gradually softened by a few degrees.

"Qianyang, how have I educated you since childhood? A ruler's word is no jest!"

"Father Emperor, you have also taught that forcing others is not the act of a gentleman."

"A ruler is not a gentleman — a ruler is imperial authority!"

"Water can carry a boat, yet also capsize it; imperial authority too is not a castle in the air."

At this point in the morning court, the Majesty smiled for the first time.

"Qianyang, your lessons have been well done — but this matter is already decided; you need not raise it again."

Though the Majesty had clearly shown a smile, Qing Qianyang suddenly stiffened all over, offered no further rebuttal, lowered his head and said: "Yes."

Fang Yue furrowed his brow.

He had wanted to speak earlier; it was only because the Great Prince had whispered beside him that everything should be left to him to handle that he had held his tongue.

Now that the Great Prince had flopped, he could no longer stay silent.

"I disagree!"

"I disagree!"

Two voices rang out almost at the same time.

The former was spoken by Fang Yue; the latter was spoken by the Seventh Prince, who had just walked in through the door.

"The Seventh Prince?"

"How could he possibly disagree?"

"Exactly — who in Jingcheng doesn't know how devoted he is to You Sisi!"

Such thoughts churned in everyone's hearts, yet no one dared make a sound.

Only the Majesty, squinting, looked down upon those below.

"Qi Ming, what do you mean?"

"Father Emperor, I wish to call off the marriage."

Seventh Prince…

You Sisi's eyes went wide, her heart moved.

"Call off the marriage? Did you not hear what I just said?"

"Father Emperor, neither I nor You Sisi have any wish to wed — let this matter be dropped…"

"Dropped?"

The Majesty stroked his chin: "Qi Ming, have you misunderstood something? My wanting you to wed — what does it have to do with your wishes?"

The Seventh Prince's body stiffened; he glanced at You Sisi, then hurriedly raised his head and said urgently: "But…"

"Enough! Among my several princes, you are the one I am most disappointed in. I had thought that after you married the You Family's daughter, you would change — yet you don't even have this much backbone! Step back. I do not wish to see you again today."

"…Yes."

The Seventh Prince clenched his fists, did not dare look at You Sisi even once, and withdrew with his head lowered.

Two princes had spoken up to plead in succession, only to meet with the same result — this was something no one had expected.

The Majesty, it seemed, had grown even more obstinate.

This thought flashed through many hearts, yet no one dared show it.

The Majesty of the past had, for a time, been hailed as a wise ruler.

It was only that the years were unfeeling, and in the end they had turned His Majesty into the very image he had once despised the most.

"And you—you are Ye Baiyi?"

His Majesty's gaze fell upon Fang Yue.

More than a few hearts had already begun to gloat.

Two princes, defying His Majesty.

Relying on the bond of father and son, even if His Majesty was displeased, he would not truly do anything to them.

But this Ye Baiyi was a different matter.

After all, what sort of thing was a White Clothes? A White Clothes of the Qing Si—a mere rank for ordinary martial artists, and a commoner without any background to boot—how dare he make a racket here in Wen Wu Da Dian?

If this wasn't courting death, what was it!

In the eyes of the entire court, the Fang Yue of this moment was already a dead man.

You Sisi nervously tightened her grip on Fang Yue's hand, stepping slightly forward, faintly trying to shield Fang Yue behind her.

"Don't be afraid, I'll be fine."

Having softly reassured You Sisi with a word, Fang Yue drew a deep breath and raised his head to look upon the lofty figure of the present-day His Majesty.

At that moment, he felt the pressure—the oppressive might of the highest authority in Qing Guo!

Steadying himself, Fang Yue slowly spoke.

"Fang Yue of Gu Yue Cun, Yese Liming, answering the imperial summons, I pay my respects to His Majesty!"

Fang Yue was no longer a complete hothead.

Although earlier, upon seeing You Sisi, he had somewhat lost his reason, at this moment his mind was already turning.

To clash head-on with the present-day His Majesty would be utterly hopeless.

The only method he could think of was to first weather the crisis before him, and then flee Jingcheng with You Sisi.

But to do so, he would have to, within three days, resolve the trouble in Jingcheng, find An Dong'er, rescue Captain Wu, and then escape together.

With things arranged thus, the time would be far too tight.

"Ye Baiyi, do you know why I have summoned you into the palace?"

"I do not."

"Yese Liming, a commoner born of Gu Yue Cun, repelled a great host of anomalies in Gu Yue Cun and preserved the broken village. In Qingsi County, he took the initiative to draw away a massive swarm of anomalies, offering himself as bait to the strange, and saved the lives of countless citizens of the Qing Si. Thereafter he caused a great uproar in Chunuan City, exposing the Phoenix Organization's base and tearing it out root and branch. Such dazzling feats of arms, accomplished in barely more than two months—truly a marvel of a man."

As if reading from a dossier, His Majesty slowly recounted Fang Yue's record of service.

Such a record of merit, were it to fall upon anyone else, would it not be a great deed worthy of promotion and wealth?

But they did not know that, with only these few brief words, one could not grasp the tremendous risks Fang Yue had had to bear when facing those crises.

Now these merits were nothing more than what he deserved!

"On the basis of these merits, the Qing Si's assessment, and my own judgment, I hereby make an exception and promote you to the rank of Red Clothes of the Qing Si. Are you willing?"

Red Clothes of the Qing Si?!

The faces of the crowd changed.

Red Clothes, as a rule, required a martial Dao expert of the Human Realm to be fit for the post.

And in Jingcheng, this position was all the harder to climb to.

Even with the corresponding strength, if the Red Clothes post had no vacancy, or if one was not a member of a certain faction, the corresponding background could easily see one brushed aside.

Too many wolves for too little meat—since Qing Guo's development to this day, in many cases the senior posts of the four great departments had already been controlled from within by the four great clans, and outsiders seldom managed to squeeze in.

But now that His Majesty had spoken, any unspoken rules had to yield.

"Red Clothes of the Qing Si? I thank His Majesty for the grace. I am willing to take up this post!"

Fang Yue hesitated for a moment, but did not refuse.

He had many things to do in Jingcheng, and with the rank of Red Clothes, many matters would become far more convenient.

"Very well, Ye Hongyi, I shall ask you—what is your relationship with Han Bai?"

Han Bai?!

Fang Yue was instantly stunned; he had not expected to hear Lord Han's name from His Majesty's lips.

With a thousand thoughts churning within, he said in a low voice: "Lord Han is my master."

"So he is a disciple of Han Bai—no wonder his talent is so monstrous."

His Majesty showed a faint smile, as if recalling something from long ago, then suddenly, as if remembering something, his expression stiffened slightly, and he said in a low voice: "How is he now?"

"Master… has passed on."

At the time, Bai Xiaoya had almost simultaneously slain Lord Han and You Sisi—a scene Fang Yue would never forget as long as he lived.

"Dead, is he…"

His Majesty was suddenly somewhat dazed and listless, but quickly reined in his emotions.

"Enough, the past is past, no need to dwell on it. Out of regard for your master's name, I shall not pursue today's matter of your defying me. But the wedding date of You Sisi shall proceed as agreed—do you still have any objections?"

He let him off?

His Majesty actually let this boy off??

The hearts of the crowd were filled with astonishment.

This was the very first commoner to defy His Majesty in open court and still walk away unscathed!

Who on earth was this Han Bai? Why would His Majesty show such leniency?

The hearts of the crowd itched like a thousand ants crawling over them, desperate to know everything about Han Bai.

Information, within the court, was sometimes the key to victory!

"…"

Fang Yue said nothing, only silently gazing at His Majesty.

But His Majesty didn't mind, and instead said.

"There is one more matter. I've heard… that an immortal once appeared in the Heiqing Shanmai region and crossed paths with you. Is this true?"

The moment His Majesty finished speaking, the entire hall was shocked!

An immortal!

What a distant term it was—an existence that almost only existed in myths and legends!

Who would have thought that today this word would come from His Majesty's mouth, and moreover be directed at an obscure country bumpkin!

Since His Majesty had spoken, the matter was most likely true.

But an immortal… another immortal appearing in Qing Guo? This made everyone present somewhat fearful and uneasy.

"I did indeed meet an immortal, named Meiyu."

After some thought, Fang Yue didn't hide it and said directly.

Meiyu? Meiyu Xianzi?!

A rare flash of terror crossed His Majesty's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

"She—where did she go afterward? What was her purpose in coming to Qing Guo?"

This time, Fang Yue didn't speak. Instead, he spread his ten fingers flat: "Your Majesty, this question is worth ten days."

"Ten days? Ten days of lifespan? No matter, I—"

"No, ten days of the wedding period. I want You Sisi's wedding date postponed by ten days. I beg Your Majesty to grant this."

His Majesty smiled. Qing Guo was his; no one could defy his command.

Ten days—what could it change? Nothing at all.

"I grant it. No need for such trouble. I'll give you a few more days. The last day of the month happens to be New Year's Eve. On that day, the whole nation celebrates. Let You Sisi's wedding be held on that day."

"Thank Your Majesty!"

After a pause, Fang Yue said: "Meiyu Xianzi was merely passing through Qing Guo and had no intention of staying. Where she went afterward was… 【Jing Shan】!"

Jing Shan?!

How could it be Jing Shan? What was her purpose? And how did she get in…

His Majesty's expression shifted several times, his emotions surging, then he quickly composed himself. After a moment of silence, he rose and said.

"Summon Qing Si Jin Yi You Lao, Hong Bu Tian Shu Nian Lao, Lan Shan Zhi Lan Wu Lao, 【Purple Hall】 Zi Lao, to Tian Ting Dian to discuss matters. Everyone else, dismissed from court!"

"Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Everyone responded in unison, then filed out of court in order.

The Four Elders of the four great departments had not attended morning court for many years, considered semi-retired.

Their authority and status remained, but they no longer appeared at certain occasions, having retreated behind the scenes.

Yet everyone knew the true core was still the clan heads of the four great families—that mainstay.

His Majesty departed, the four great departments withdrew from court. In Wen Wu Da Dian, only the First Prince, the Seventh Prince, Fang Yue, and You Sisi remained.

The Seventh Prince looked at You Sisi tightly gripping Fang Yue's hand, his face showing awkwardness, and silently left.

"Seven—"

You Sisi called out once, then suddenly stopped, watching the Seventh Prince leave.

The First Prince, however, cupped his fists toward Fang Yue.

"Brother Ye has quite the nerve. I don't even dare speak to Father Emperor like that, yet you act as if nothing happened, bargaining with Father Emperor, doing business, and even walking away unscathed. Qianyang is impressed!"

"The First Prince is too kind. Without your full assistance in court, His Majesty wouldn't have let us off so easily."

"Hahahaha! I never realized Brother Ye was so glib-tongued before. Earlier I boldly claimed I'd wait at my residence for Brother Ye to visit and thank me—that was presumptuous of me. I couldn't really help Brother Ye with much."

"The First Prince's kindness, I keep in my heart. I will surely visit to thank you another day!"

"No need for another day. Come to my residence now and drink to your heart's content. To be honest, the moment I saw you, it was like meeting a brother, instant kinship! This friend, I've decided to make! This isn't the place to talk. Come straight back to my residence with me?"

Fang Yue hesitated, glanced at You Sisi. The latter simply gripped Fang Yue's hand tightly, her expression meaning she would follow whatever Fang Yue said.

"Then please lead the way, First Prince."

"Haha! Brother Ye is straightforward. Let's go!"

The First Prince walked ahead, Fang Yue and You Sisi behind.

Watching You Sisi blush, tilting her head to lean on his shoulder, Fang Yue's emotions surged within.

From life and death parting, to now a sudden resurrection, an unexpected reunion—everything was too sudden. Fang Yue was completely unprepared.

He had thought You Sisi was dead, thoroughly dead.

He never expected to see her alive again in the Imperial Palace.

Fang Yue had many things he wanted to say to You Sisi.

Many things he wanted to ask You Sisi.

But before he could speak, You Sisi suddenly took out a familiar dirty black handkerchief and a medicine box.

At Fang Yue's stunned expression, You Sisi's bright big eyes blinked.

"The handkerchief, you still kept it. The medicine, I also still kept it."

His stunned expression gradually softened. Fang Yue smiled gently. Everything seemed to need no words.

……

(End of this chapter)