Chapter 546: Obtaining the Key

Chapter 546: The Key Obtained

It seems that imperial power is more important to them than I am, Yuanchao let out a self-deprecating laugh.

He parted his lips, but his throat felt raw and stinging, as if clogged with grit.

It was a long moment before he finally spoke to Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor, "Alright, since this is what you expect of me, I'm willing to take part in the enthronement ceremony."

Think of this as my last way of repaying you for raising me.

Yuanchao kept that last thought to himself, repeating it inwardly to hide how hurt he felt.

Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor were thrilled, breaking into pleased smiles.

"Chao'er, I'm so glad you've come to your senses. I'll have someone escort you to change right away."

"Once our Chao'er dons the four-clawed python robe, he'll surely be the most handsome and impressive Crown Prince. When you walk out, you'll absolutely dazzle them all."

As Empress Dowager Yuan finished, the National Preceptor quickly added, "Exactly—Chao'er has your looks and my brains, refined and sharp. He's far superior to that Chu Yi."

Ji Yuntang: "..."

Hearing this, she was completely dumbfounded.

It was one thing for them to praise Yuanchao, but why drag Hua Feixue into it just to put her down?

Hua Feixue was bewitching and seductive, yet carried an air of nobility and grace. She looked like she'd stepped out of a painting—beautiful in a way that blurred gender lines, striking and mesmerizing.

It was nothing like Yuanchao's brooding, melancholic vibe.

After seeing this, Ji Yuntang left Cining Palace at once.

She went to find Xie Liuzheng and Hua Feixue.

Today, both were wearing human skin masks. Unlike last time, when they'd posed as brother and sister-in-law, Xie Liuzheng and Hua Feixue were now posing as Shen Xiangming's personal bodyguards.

Both wore black men's robes with swords at their waists.

When they caught Ji Yuntang's scissors hand signal, Xie Liuzheng and Hua Feixue understood immediately.

It was their prearranged signal—the key to rescuing Emperor Chu was already in her hands!

Now they just had to wait for Yuan Jiuan to show up and buy them some time.

Yuan Jiuan was dressed in a purple robe with cloud patterns today. His features were sharp and refined, his frame tall, and his eyes looked especially soft in the sunlight. He seemed relaxed yet distant.

When the ministers around saw him, they stepped forward one by one to greet him, and Yuan Jiuan nodded to each of them in acknowledgment.

Before long, Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor came out one after the other.

Empress Dowager Yuan was draped in luxurious robes, her head glittering with jewels, radiating elegance and nobility.

The National Preceptor, in an orange-yellow Taoist robe and holding a horsetail whisk, stood off to the side like a guardian deity beside the Empress Dowager.

The moment the two appeared, the area went dead silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The ministers' looks at Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor were tinged with unease.

They didn't dare stare or make a sound, quickly kneeling to pay their respects.

"Your subjects pay respects to the Empress Dowager. May she enjoy peace and good fortune."

Everyone knelt except the National Preceptor and Yuan Jiuan.

Everyone knew Yuan Jiuan had been granted the privilege by the founding emperor to skip kneeling before the royal family.

But the National Preceptor was different. Even if he was a revered master from Mount Taibai, he was still a subject, not a ruler.

Since ancient times, there's been a clear line between ruler and subject—and as a subject, he should follow proper etiquette.

But in the ministers' memory, the National Preceptor had never once knelt before the Empress Dowager.

And every time, he'd stand to Empress Dowager Yuan's left or sit just below her.

This created the illusion that when the ministers bowed to the Empress Dowager, they were also bowing to him.

Those who'd seen the photos silently wondered how they'd never noticed how close the Empress Dowager and the National Preceptor were.

Ever since seeing those photos, every move the Empress Dowager and the National Preceptor made seemed magnified in their eyes.

Everyone kept their heads down, afraid to make a sound, terrified the Empress Dowager might catch their expressions and have their heads chopped off in a rage.

Yet Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor were completely oblivious to anything being wrong.

She even thought the ministers had suddenly gotten so stiff because Yuan Jiuan was there.

Empress Dowager Yuan raised a hand and said softly, "All my beloved ministers, please rise!"

"Yes, we thank the Empress Dowager."

As everyone stood up, Empress Dowager Yuan spoke, "Emperor Chu is gravely ill, and the Crown Prince just died. The Chu clan has no male heir left. I know holding the enthronement ceremony now is rushed, but the kingdom can't go a single day without a ruler."

"I've already discussed this with my ministers and decided to pick an outstanding young talent from the five great families—Yuan, Liu, Qi, Zhou, and Xu—to be named Crown Prince and take the throne immediately."

She paused here, gazing affectionately at the National Preceptor.

"As for this candidate, the National Preceptor has already selected him through divination and celestial inquiry. He is the young master of the Yuan family's collateral branch—Yuanchao."

"Those who achieve great things must first endure great trials. Although Yuanchao is in poor health, his destiny is that of a Son of Heaven seen only once in a century, naturally bearing the aura of a dragon. This position of Crown Prince is destined for him."

"I believe that under the leadership of the new emperor, everyone can rise in rank, gain wealth, and reach the pinnacle of success."

No one dared to speak. In the past, they might have offered a few flattering words.

But now, having learned of the ambiguous relationship between Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor, the halo they once held had shattered.

The Yuan family had many children in both the main and collateral branches, and there were quite a few notable young men in the collateral branch.

But this Yuanchao—they had never even heard of him, let alone known what he looked like.

If he truly possessed the destiny of a Son of Heaven and was so outstanding, would he have remained unknown in the capital for so many years?

The ministers felt utterly exasperated, believing that Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor were essentially dragging their intelligence through the dirt.

"Clap, clap, clap!" At that moment, Yuan Jiuan suddenly stood up and applauded.

"The Empress Dowager speaks wonderfully. In all my years, I have never seen what a once-in-a-century Son of Heaven looks like!"

"For the Empress Dowager and the National Preceptor to select such a person as Crown Prince from the vast sea of humanity, I am certain he must possess extraordinary qualities."

"Please, Empress Dowager, summon the new Crown Prince at once so that I and all the ministers may see him."

Upon hearing these words, Empress Dowager Yuan felt somewhat uneasy.

She sensed that Yuan Jiuan was deliberately needling her.

But the time was nearly up, with less than a quarter of an hour remaining before the investiture ceremony began.

With this in mind, Empress Dowager Yuan ordered a servant to fetch Yuanchao.

Following Empress Dowager Yuan's instructions, Yuanchao changed into a four-clawed dragon robe reserved for the Crown Prince, adorned with a seven-treasure belt at his waist, the hem embroidered with cloud patterns in gold thread, and a four-clawed dragon design on the garment.

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