A group of people knelt in the hall, each giving increasingly absurd and ridiculous reasons. Especially when Zhou Xiqiong mentioned the two words "Ye Shengchen," the Emperor felt like he had heard a fantasy tale. He had a throbbing headache, and his head felt like it was about to explode. His brows furrowed tightly as he exclaimed, "Ye Shengchen?! Wasn't he supposed to have disappeared from the Jianghu several years ago? How could he suddenly reappear?!"

Zhou Xiqiong also found the situation strange and said in a solemn tone, "He wore a mask, and I couldn't see his face clearly. If it weren't for a momentary exposure of his martial skills during the fight, I'm afraid I wouldn't have recognized him. I have no idea what has happened in these years, but Ye Shengchen has secretly joined the Yan Kingdom and is now serving Ji Fan."

Zhao Su seemed to have guessed something but remained silent.

Yin Pojia, who now regarded Zhou Xiqiong as a traitor, said, "Ye Shengchen has been missing for decades, how could he suddenly reappear? You and he are both of the same rank; you should have been evenly matched. How did you end up heavily injured and defeated?!"

He was not of the same rank, and there might have been a considerable disparity in their martial skills among the various sects. To others, losing a couple of moves might not be significant, but for a skilled martial artist, losing half a move could be fatal.

Zhou Xiqiong had been defeated by Ye Shengchen twice, and she was already feeling uneasy. Upon hearing Yin Pojia's sarcastic remarks, she directly used her palm to strike him several meters away without touching him. There was a dull thud as Yin Pojia's back slammed into a coiled dragon golden pillar. He paled and coughed up blood.

Everyone was shocked by what they witnessed.

Zhou Xiqiong coldly brushed her sleeves and said, "Yin Pojia, if you don't believe it, you can go to the Northern Mountain and try to capture him. Ye Shengchen's martial skills have improved over the past few years, and one move from him could end your life. I've never been one to tolerate nonsense; you should refrain from making baseless accusations in front of His Majesty. You seem to be the one who fears stability and peace in the kingdom!"

After saying this, she looked at the Emperor with a frosty gaze and directly bowed to him, saying, "I take my leave!"

Xuanyuan Qing, who had not yet revealed his true abilities, was Zhou's secret weapon in the Zhou Kingdom. Even if she was disrespectful in the court, no one dared to blame her. On the contrary, the Emperor had to comfort her kindly, saying, "Zhou Xiqiong, you are seriously injured. Go find a physician and don't accompany me in the next few days."

Zhou Xiqiong thanked the Emperor and turned to leave.

Yin Pojia, in a disheveled state, got up from the ground, realizing that he had lost both his personal dignity and his public image. Seeing that the Emperor's expression remained unchanged, he immediately knelt and apologized, saying, "I apologize for my lack of decorum in the court, Your Majesty. However, the matter of the Yan Crown Prince's departure from the capital is not simple. Your Majesty must thoroughly investigate it. Nalan Chun has always been close to the Crown Prince, and with Princess Yanian, these three individuals are clearly colluding in the shadows. If they are not punished, it will be difficult to quell the rumors!"

Zhao Su thought that Rong Xuan's guess was accurate, as Yin Pojia had indeed seized upon this matter to make his case. She raised her hand to bow to the Emperor and said, "Father, I swear that I have had no contact with Ji Fan, and I have not colluded with him. It is truly absurd."

After a pause, she used Rong Xuan's teachings to question Yin Pojia, "You are now pointing fingers at His Majesty's own son, daughter, and nephew, accusing them of treason and calling for severe punishment. According to the Zhou Law, the punishment for treason is to execute nine generations of the perpetrator's family. Are you suggesting that you should also put Father in prison and execute him? Father's family has four generations, Mother's family has three, and Wife's family has two. You keep accusing Prince Nalan Chun as a traitor, but I've heard that you, General Yin..."

–"Your family also has daughters married into the Nalan family, so there are familial ties and relationships. General Yin is truly impartial and deserves admiration."

Noble families have these intricacies, with intertwined relationships, and each family can find several relatives through marriage.

Yin Pojia's face turned pale, and he was at a loss for words.

Princess Yongning also glared at him and said, "Princess Yannian is His Highness's younger sister, and Prince Nalan Chun is His Highness's cousin. They are close relatives, and blood is thicker than water. They are a family. They are not close to you, an outsider, are they?!"

They argued below, causing a headache for those who listened. Emperor Zhou directly swept away the memorials on the table, angrily reprimanding, "That's enough! All of you, be silent!"

The palace maids and eunuchs who were serving in the hall were frightened and immediately knelt, not daring to raise their heads.

Emperor Zhou could not afford to argue with idiots like Yan Fengchen and Zhao Yannian, and he certainly could not argue with his only younger sister. His cold gaze fell on Zhao Su, who was seated below him on the fifth-level cloud platform, creating an insurmountable gap that severed any remaining family bond.

"Prince, you have made grave mistakes, and out of filial piety, I have been lenient. Thus, I have not imposed severe punishment but only ordered you to remain confined in the palace to reflect on your actions, day and night. However, from observing your recent behavior, your stubbornness and refusal to change, and your influence on your younger siblings, how can you set an example for the subjects? How can you carry on the hundred-year legacy of our ancestors and spread the teachings of Great Zhou throughout the realm?"

Emperor Zhou paused at this point, closed his eyes in silence, pondering something. After a long while, he spoke again, as if making a decision, "Prince, from today, you will move out of the Eastern Palace to a residence outside the palace to reflect on your actions. You will not be allowed to leave without my express permission. Princess, your fiefdom will be withheld for six months, and you will also return to your residence to reflect. Both of you may withdraw."

After saying this, Emperor Zhou did not want to see their reactions. He rose directly and left, his departing figure somewhat disheveled.

Princess Yongning turned pale upon hearing this, and she could hardly maintain her kneeling position. What did it mean by "how can you set an example for the subjects" and "you will move out of the Eastern Palace to a residence outside the palace to reflect on your actions, you will not be allowed to leave without my express permission"?

Did the Emperor want to... depose the Crown Prince?!!

Princess Yongning subconsciously looked at Zhao Su, panic evident in her expression, but Zhao Su remained extraordinarily calm, as if she had anticipated this outcome.

Zhao Su straightened her back, raised her head as high as she could, and knelt before the empty Dragon Throne. She extended her hand in a gesture of respect and bowed, saying, "I... thank Father for your grace..."

She did not rise but maintained her bowed posture, silently clenching her fingertips and repeatedly said, word by word, "I..."

Her voice suddenly rose, like cold iron striking the ground, shattering a few blue bricks, and with it, the millennia-old constraints of this dynasty began to show cracks. "I thank Father for your grace!"

Her forehead touched the ground heavily, and her voice echoed throughout the hall, becoming unforgettable. Just outside, a flock of birds spread their wings and broke through the sky, and the grand scenery of the palace walls and the heavenly palace appeared to diminish.

In just a few days, news of the Crown Prince's escape with troops back to his homeland, Yan, spread throughout the capital. At the same time, there was an imperial edict issued by Emperor Zhou, which led to discussions both within and outside the court. The officials and the common people did not know about Zhao Su's identity as the Emperor's daughter; they only knew that the Crown Prince had always been diligent and benevolent, treating the people like his children. His sudden deposition caused an uproar.

Several elderly courtiers knelt outside the hall, pleading with Emperor Zhou to reconsider his decision. However, Emperor Zhou remained unmoved and instead began supporting the other princes, showing his determination to depose the Crown Prince. He had never intended to keep Zhao Su, and this incident was just the trigger for his decision, which others could not fully comprehend.

Ji Fan returned to Yan, and Zhao Su was deposed. These two events not only affected the relationship between the two countries but also had far-reaching implications for the entire realm. The decline of the court, the rise of a new monarch, and the beginning of a period of turmoil and conflict in the realm were all set in motion.

In the years that followed, whenever Rong Xuan thought back to this period, he couldn't help but sigh deeply. Although he mostly stayed within the inner court to avoid the limelight, he could still sense the undercurrents outside.

Autumn turned into winter, and unknowingly, five months had passed. The climate in Zhou was mild, with little snowfall, so as winter approached, only the biting cold wind and the rustling of falling leaves remained.

Rong Xuan's mother's eye condition had improved significantly, but the medication needed to continue. Under the eaves of the long corridor, Rong Xuan was sitting on the steps, grinding herbs. His movements were steady and unhurried, as it had become a habit, but he often found himself lost in thought. His gaze was fixed on the distance, waiting for a certain person's message.

Yan Fengchen sneaked up with a hunched back, planning to startle Rong Xuan, but before he could take three steps, Rong Xuan unexpectedly spoke without raising his head, "Why don't you go and accompany the Princess instead of coming here all the time?"

Yan Fengchen paused at the words, realizing that he couldn't scare Rong Xuan. He clung to one of the pillars in the corridor, spun around, and somersaulted to appear right in front of Rong Xuan, saying, "His Highness ordered me to protect you, so I naturally need to visit you frequently to report on my duty, or how would I explain it to him."

Rong Xuan, dressed in white, with an unchanged face, somehow made Yan Fengchen feel as if he were looking at Ji Fan: "He asked you to protect me, not to stalk me. If you keep making the Princess stay alone, be careful that she might divorce you."

Yan Fengchen, easily fooled, was taken aback by the words and scratched his head, not knowing what to say.

Seeing his reaction, Rong Xuan smiled and changed the subject, "Do you have any news from Yan?"

Yan Fengchen shook his head, "It's too far away, and news doesn't reach here. I've heard that the Yan Emperor has passed away, and the Crown Prince and the Third Prince are competing fiercely for the throne. Beyond that, I don't know."

Rong Xuan was momentarily stunned, and his movements while grinding the herbs became slightly more forceful. He had no spies and was unaware of the situation in Yan, but he had privately visited Zhao Su a few days ago and learned about Ji Fan's recent circumstances from her fragmented words.

"He has killed many people..."

"He could have laid out a more prudent plan, but he chose the most decisive path..."

"Love has corroded his heart, proving that these words are true, and even the heart of an emperor couldn't escape it..."

Zhao Su's final words were, "Rong Xuan, he probably really wants to ascend to the throne as soon as possible and bring you back to Yan. You're stronger than my mother, and as fellow emperors, you made the right bet, while she bet on the wrong fate."

Upon hearing these words, Rong Xuan remained silent for a long time. The person he had once wanted to protect had now returned to a perilous situation, where he could do nothing, even if she suffered humiliation and harm. "Powerless" was an understatement.

In the five months that had passed, the interface symbolizing Ji Fan's level of corruption had fluctuated, sometimes rising sharply, making Rong Xuan and the system's hearts race, and then quietly decreasing, allowing their hearts to settle back down.

The system was touched beyond words and said tearfully, 【Host, it's still you who's the best. Only you can understand Little Kong's feelings. Waaaah...】

Rong Xuan had been in this world for too long, to the point where he had almost forgotten that he came from another world. Only the presence of the system occasionally reminded him of it. Some things couldn't be discussed with others, so he could only confide in the system.

Rong Xuan always had a heavy heart, and he asked, "Do you think... Ji Fan can succeed?"

The system, with a puzzled expression, shook its head, 【I don't know, I'm a chicken.】

"......"

Rong Xuan: "Aren't you the system?"

System, confidently:【The system isn't all-powerful.】

Rong Xuan slowly exhaled, the veins on his forehead pulsating. His patience, which he had maintained for five months, was starting to show signs of frustration. "Can't you just comfort me a little? If it weren't for you bringing me to this world, I wouldn't have to deal with all these troubles!"

Without a doubt, he was on the verge of becoming crazy, either by erupting out of silence or turning insane within it.

The system, after circling around him, snorted,【If it weren't for Little Kong saving you, you would have been dead a long time ago! Little Kong's energy has been used to resurrect you guys! Heartless host!】

It still felt aggrieved and, like a little missile, rushed over to bump into Rong Xuan. This impact left Rong Xuan seeing stars, and he groaned in pain, clutching his head. It took him a while to regain his composure.

In his heart, Rong Xuan silently mourned for his fellow authors who had passed away. What had they done wrong to have this unfortunate child of a system targeting them? "There are so many authors in the world. Can you handle them all?"

Little Kong, upon hearing him bring up this matter, suddenly felt a bit sad. It fidgeted, made soft, whimpering sounds, and said,【Business hasn't been good lately. I can't find the next host, but the mission objectives set by the Interstellar Executive haven't been completed yet.】

Rong Xuan, hearing this, suddenly remembered one of his colleagues. Due to a sleep disorder, he slept all day, had poor memory, and it was said that he wouldn't live past the age of thirty-five because he would sleep to death. He wondered if it was true.

He beckoned to the system, "Come here."

The system, with a simple tone, flew over and asked,【What are you doing?】

"Of course, I'm recommending a host for you."

Rong Xuan lowered his voice and said something to the system that wasn't quite clear, but it involved a certain Jiang Weimian. "If he dies early, you can bind him. Saving a life is better than building a seven-tier stupa."

Rong Xuan felt he was quite benevolent.

After all, colleagues should help each other ^-^

Little Kong, not knowing exactly what was said, nodded repeatedly, getting more excited at the end. It hugged Rong Xuan and, with teary eyes, said,【Host, you're really kind. You people always recommend hosts for me. Our meeting was not in vain.】

Rong Xuan didn't say anything.

He finally knew how some of the authors in the circle had died.

It turns out it was all about the 'I fell, I pulled you too.'

Well, love is stronger than gold.

As soon as Rong Zhengqing came out of the room, he saw Rong Xuan sitting on the steps lost in thought. He couldn't help but sigh to himself. He quietly approached and patted Rong Xuan on the shoulder from behind. "What's wrong, still thinking about Prince Yan?"

Rong Xuan turned to look at him when he heard this, and, without denying it, shifted his robe to make room for Rong Zhengqing to sit beside him. He gazed into the distance and spoke in a low voice, "I'm afraid he might be mistreated."

Rong Zhengqing was not a fool, and he had already figured out what was going on between the two of them. He sat down beside Rong Xuan and absently stroked his longsword, which he never left behind. He spoke with a serious tone, "Gold scales are not something you find in a pond; they turn into dragons when the wind and clouds arise. The most difficult obstacle you two have faced is behind you. The rest of the journey will depend on him. Xuan'er, you have to be patient."

After seven years of hiding in Great Zhou, Ji Fan's character was beyond ordinary. The road ahead was full of challenges, but if there were a hundred steps, he had already taken ninety-nine. There was no reason he couldn't take the final step.

While Rong Zhengqing could see the situation clearly, Rong Xuan was still caught up in the events as a participant.

In the following period, many events occurred. First, Emperor Zhou embarked on a quest for immortality but ended up consuming too many elixirs, resulting in severe illness and vomiting of blood. Then, the Eighth Prince was ordered to take charge of the country but messed up the court, causing public discontent and leading to a chaotic situation. Zhao Su, who had been biding his time, finally made a move, subtly fanning the flames.

In contrast, in Northern Yan, no one knew exactly what had happened, but a message suddenly crossed the distant mountains of the northern border and spread like wildfire throughout the four nations:

In the 36th year, Crown Prince Ji Fan of Yan slew his younger brother, Prince Jing, outside the Northern Min Terrace and ascended to the throne, renaming the country and establishing the nation of Xuanhe.

A white messenger pigeon perched on the eaves, and seeing that no one in the courtyard had noticed, it fluttered its wings and flew inside, rustling the treetops.

Yan Fengchen had been napping, but he suddenly saw the messenger pigeon. He jumped up, snatched the pigeon out of the air, and inspected the bamboo tube on its leg. Once he confirmed the seal was intact, he opened it and read the message.

The content of the message was unclear, but Yan Fengchen read it attentively, and then rushed into the house with unbridled joy. He grabbed Rong Xuan, who was looking for herbs, and shook him excitedly. He was like a child, hopping up and down, shouting, "Great news! Great news! Rong Xuan, the Crown Prince has ascended to the throne! He's ascending the throne! He'll be coming to get us right away!"

Rong Xuan's hands trembled at the news, and the vial he was holding fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. He was completely stunned and asked, "What did you say?"

Yan Fengchen shouted in excitement by his ear, "The Crown Prince has ascended to the throne! He won! He's coming to get us with the army!"

It took Rong Xuan a while to react to the news. He felt like a huge burden had been lifted from his heart. His heartbeat finally returned to normal, and he couldn't help but look at Yan Fengchen. However, he noticed an electronic screen that had appeared out of nowhere, with the system's clear notification tone ringing in his ears:

【Ding! Host, please be aware that the antagonist's degree of blackening has decreased to 1%. Victory is right around the corner, so keep up the good work! Go, go, go!】

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The extras will be coming right up next~!!!