Chapter 335: Palace Siege
In the Holy Kingdom, besides the Emperor, the only being capable of making all officials bow in unison was the ancient fossil-like old monster that had accompanied the kingdom since its inception—Li Shanyan.
The moment he appeared, many quick-witted officials had already made up their minds to respectfully bow:
“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty, the National Teacher, long live the Emperor!”
Once two or three began to bow, those still wavering gradually found clarity in their hearts.
Then one by one, seven or eight, most officials were kneeling in respect.
The only ones still standing were the Third Prince, Xu Yourong, and the Tianlang Wei behind them.
From the instant Li Shanyan made his entrance, Xu Yourong squinted and stared at him, completely motionless.
No one knew Li Shanyan better than he did. Although this Li Shanyan looked perfect in demeanor and appearance, there were subtle aspects that felt off to him.
He just couldn’t find a flaw, so he held his tongue.
Then the Third Prince, upon seeing Li Shanyan, had his pupils instantaneously constrict, exclaiming in a panic:
“No… it can’t be! You shouldn’t be here! They—they clearly said—”
“Oh? Who said that?” Li Shanyan smiled sweetly at the Third Prince. “Let this old man hear it?”
The Third Prince was left speechless.
He knew he couldn’t say anything.
Otherwise, he would lose his last escape route.
But he still vigorously shook his head: “Impossible. You must not be Li Shanyan! You’re an impersonator!”
“How can the Third Prince be so sure?”
Li Shanyan stroked his beard and chuckled: “Ever since I stepped down as National Teacher, I’ve been wandering freely across the seas, I may not even know where I’ll be tomorrow. How does the Third Prince know where I am?”
“I…” The Third Prince gritted his teeth.
He didn’t believe those people would lie to him, so he desperately stared at Li Shanyan, trying to find a hint.
However, this old man was identical to the one hiding behind the scenes, pulling all the strings in the Holy Kingdom.
But if it was really him…
In that moment, a long-hidden feeling surging from his heart forced the Third Prince to ask angrily:
“If it really is you… then tell me!”
He pointed dramatically at Huo Ningxue on the dragon throne, almost going mad: “Why did you choose her? Not me? What makes her better than this fool!”
Huo Ningxue remained indifferent, and the officials below went silent.
“Back then, this prince toiled to win over officials, cozying up to military power, spending years to gain an upper hand in the battle for the throne.”
“I sacrificed so much, almost reaching that position.”
“But you!”
“Because of your choice! You ruined everything for this prince!”
“I went from being above countless others to sipping poison in a cold, humble chamber overnight!”
The Third Prince nearly screamed in fury: “Tell me why! Why can’t it be me!”
“Why!!!”
With each cry, Li Shanyan simply watched him without expression.
After a long time, he finally let out a sigh.
“Third Prince… still doesn’t understand, huh?”
The Third Prince’s bloodshot eyes froze for a moment.
“If you still don’t understand, then even if I explain, it won’t matter.”
Li Shanyan continued slowly: “Moreover, I have already stepped down as National Teacher; now for the Holy Kingdom, I am just an outsider.”
“The transfer of imperial power has nothing to do with me.”
“I came today merely to be a spectator, to witness the future of the Holy Kingdom.”
“You all go ahead.”
Having said that, he walked to a less conspicuous seat and sat down.
He closed his eyes and pretended to doze off, as if truly uninterested in the happenings around him.
The Third Prince, initially enraged, gradually cooled down.
“…I don’t care if you are really Li Shanyan.”
He coldly stated: “Since I stand here today, I must take back everything I lost.”
“Tianlang Wei, obey orders!”
“Clear the officials!”
With a command, the Tianlang Wei behind him surged forth, instantly placing a glinting array of swords at the throats of all present officials.
Countless officials immediately lost their composure, crying and begging, some even losing control of themselves right there.
As for General Huang and several Tianlang Wei Crossing Tribulation Stage generals, they surged toward Huo Ming at the dragon throne.
“How dare you, generals?”
A delicate voice echoed, and with a gentle snap, Qin Xiuyuan’s slender fingers raised several generals as if they were being grasped by the throat.
“Hmph.”
But another cold snort erupted as Xu Yourong’s nasal breath dispersed Qin Xiuyuan’s magic technique, sending the generals retreating back to their spots.
However, while Xu Yourong acted, his gaze never left Li Shanyan in the corner.
Throughout the scene, Li Shanyan seemed utterly oblivious, leisurely sipping tea, even blowing on it since it was too hot.
…Strange.
Is he really not going to intervene?
Or is he actually a fake?
Xu Yourong kept pondering.
As Qin Xiuyuan shielded Huo Ningxue and her brother once again, the Third Prince sneered, saying: “Qin Gonggong, as the Grand Eunuch, you should only be responsible for the safety of the Emperor, prohibited from interfering in politics, right?”
“Then let me ask you.”
“Born of a non-royal line, your mother merely a common weaver, fortunate enough to gain the father’s favor and be named as a concubine, but received no affection in the palace. With such origins, how dare you claim the throne?”
“Moreover, everyone in the cold palace knew! Sister Ningxue is notoriously foolish, lacking talent and eloquence, mocked by other princes and princesses. How can the glorious Holy Kingdom let a dimwit ascend the throne?”
“Finally! Huo Ningxue, for her own feelings, colluded with Demon Cultivators, appointing her lover as a professor in the National Teacher’s Mansion, even daring to make him National Teacher. How can you, who consorts with foreign enemies, claim the throne?”
“Today, this prince will demand that the Emperor abdicate for the sake of the Holy Kingdom’s citizens!”
With this heartfelt speech, the Third Prince slowly raised his gaze, his sinister eyes glinting.
Almost simultaneously, the Tianlang Wei tightened their grips on their weapons, causing many officials to immediately weaken and kneel, crying out in unison:
“Please, Your Majesty, abdicate!”
“Please, Your Majesty, abdicate!”
In an instant, the entire court was left with the piercing glares of the Tianlang Wei soldiers and officials kneeling in a palace siege.
On the dragon throne, Huo Ningxue’s figure became remarkably frail.
Yet her gaze remained as steady as before.
The faint golden glow in her eyes showed no signs of emotional fluctuation, as if she simply expressionlessly held Huo Ming’s little hand next to her.
“Are you scared, Mingming?”
Huo Ming shook his head.
“That’s good.”
She gently shut her eyes.
What unexpectedly surfaced in her mind was Sang Zhe’s slightly nonchalant smile.
After a long silence, she opened her beautiful eyes and slowly began to speak:
“Brother.”
“What are you… to speak for the citizens of the Holy Kingdom?”
The Third Prince glanced coldly at her.
“What have I done wrong? I don’t mind hearing from the people.”
“And who are you to represent the citizens of the Holy Kingdom?” Huo Ningxue suddenly smirked scornfully.
“If you want to listen, you should just listen for yourself.”
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