Martial Cultivator

There was no doubt that when His Highness the Crown Prince announced the chosen candidate to the officials in the imperial court, the entire court erupted in an instant.

Countless officials immediately knelt, urging His Highness to retract the order. Some even threatened to commit suicide by bashing their heads in the great hall if he refused. Others, though not so extreme, still cautiously advised His Highness to reconsider and think it through carefully.

But unexpectedly, the Crown Prince’s attitude was resolute. Casting aside his usual gentle demeanor, he became exceptionally forceful, declaring that the matter had already been decided. If the assembled ministers insisted on their own views, then they might as well find someone else to sit on that throne.

The moment these words were spoken, all the officials in the hall dropped to their knees, loudly proclaiming their guilt.

They had not expected the Crown Prince to push things this far. If this matter truly led to his abdication, then regardless of what reputation the Crown Prince might leave in the historical records, none of the officials present in court would come out of it with a good name.

For subjects to coerce their ruler had never once led to a good reputation.

Just as both sides were locked in a stalemate, another person entered from outside the hall, it was Zhou Gouqi, the current acting dean of the academy.

This scholar, who now held considerable prestige among the literati, stood in the court with his hands on his hips and angrily berated the assembled officials. Many of them did not dare to argue back against this Confucian sage. Even those who opened their mouths found it futile. In his earlier years, Zhou Gouqi had already been known in Tianqing County as someone not to be trifled with, how could these scholars, who spent their days with the classics, compare to him?

Thus, in this war of words, Zhou Gouqi achieved a complete victory, ultimately settling the matter through a rather peculiar method.

Afterward, Zhou Gouqi swaggered out of the great hall. In the imperial city corridor, this now-revered Confucian Saint tilted his head up and muttered that the weather was truly nice today, only that there were no kites to fly.

After saying this, Zhou Gouqi scratched his head and quickly left the palace.

As for why Zhou Gouqi, disregarding his status entirely, would curse loudly in the court today, the reason was easy to guess.

At present, whether it was Chen Chao, already the most powerful minister of Great Liang, or His Highness the Crown Prince, acting as regent, they shared one thing in common.

Both of them were the younger brothers of Princess Anping.

And in Zhou Gouqi’s life, the person he felt most indebted to was precisely that Princess Anping.

Now that Princess Anping had already passed away, and both Chen Chao and the Crown Prince were the younger brothers she could not let go of, if Zhou Gouqi did not step forward to help, then he would not be Zhou Gouqi.

......

......

Today was the day His Highness the Crown Prince would take a consort.

Before dawn had even broken, officials from the Ministry of Rites arrived at Chen Chao’s residence. Two embroiderers carried in a chest, and upon seeing the Lord Warden Commander, they could not help but take a few extra glances.

Chen Chao raised his hand, signaling them to begin.

The ceremonial robes for the grand rite were different from ordinary official robes. Chen Chao’s set had already been prepared by the Ministry of Rites after the matter was decided.

The three disciples stood at the doorway, watching Chen Chao change his clothes. Yu Qingfeng nudged He Liang in the waist with his elbow and praised, “See that, Little He? Master really looks good in this outfit today.”

He Liang nodded and smiled. “Master always looks good, it’s just that today he looks even better.”

Yu Qingfeng froze for a moment, then immediately changed his expression. “Tsk tsk, Little He, after going out with Master, you’ve learned how to flatter people. Truly, if the upper beam is not straight...”

Before he could finish, Yu Qingfeng quickly corrected himself, “It’s all thanks to Master’s good teaching.”

After saying that, Yu Qingfeng secretly glanced at his master, thinking to himself how close that had been. If he had spoken his true thoughts, he might not get beaten today, but tomorrow, when Master fed him punches, he might not hold back at all.

While the two senior brothers chattered on, Ning Qingnian simply watched her master seriously, her eyes filled entirely with joy.

After Chen Chao finished dressing, he stepped out of the bamboo building. A carriage had already been prepared.

There were two carriages one luxurious, the other somewhat... simple.

Weng Quan stood before the carriages and cupped his hands, asking, “Your Excellency, which carriage will you ride into the palace?”

Chen Chao let out a cold laugh and naturally chose the luxurious carriage. The other carriage was left for his disciples.

For today’s grand ceremony, these disciples were permitted to enter the palace to observe the rites, together with those from the palace.

Aside from them, some people in the Divine Capital had also received invitations. For example, Yu Xiyi and others would attend in their capacity as Great Liang’s offerings.

Weng Quan looked somewhat aggrieved. “I thought Your Excellency was someone who valued old ties.”

Chen Chao did not know whether to laugh or cry. On ordinary days, it wouldn’t matter which carriage he took, but today was different. It was His Highness the Crown Prince’s wedding ceremony, how could he be so casual?

Chen Chao gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. “Since you value old ties so much, how about you stop being Deputy Commander and go back to being an ordinary constable?”

Weng Quan’s eyes widened, his face full of panic.

Chen Chao could not be bothered with him. After getting into the carriage, he ordered it to set off.

But when they reached the palace gates, Chen Chao encountered an old acquaintance.

Stepping out of the carriage, Chen Chao looked at the man he had not seen for a long time and called out, “Mr. Li.”

Standing guard there was Li Heng, who had long since withdrawn from managing affairs of the imperial city.

After not seeing him for so long, Li Heng’s temples were already streaked with white.

Li Heng smiled. “Lord Warden Commander, it’s been a long time.”

Chen Chao nodded. In an instant, he understood why Li Heng had appeared here. All his life, Li Heng had regarded himself as the personal servant of His Majesty and the Empress. After both of them were no longer in the Divine Capital, he had no desire to serve a new master and had requested to guard their tombs instead. But since he had been their servant, facing their only remaining child, the Crown Prince, he naturally wanted to witness his wedding.

It was, in a sense, to see it on those two people’s behalf.

Chen Chao said softly, “I was a bit uncertain before, but now that I see Mr. Li, I feel at ease.”

Li Heng smiled. “Lord Warden Commander can kill people and demons without even blinking. How is it that doing something as trivial as this makes you feel uneasy?”

Chen Chao smiled silently.

Li Heng thought for a moment and said softly, “Although His Highness does not possess His Majesty’s grand talent and bold vision, this tendency to value old ties is something he has inherited from the Empress. Presumably, if the Empress’ spirit still lingers in heaven, she would be very gratified.”

Chen Chao walked forward and said calmly, “It is already good for His Highness to be like this. There is no need to deliberately imitate anyone.”

Because Li Heng had deep ties with His Majesty and the Empress, he could speak more freely at times. After thinking for a moment, he said, “It is only because Your Excellency is here. Otherwise, with His Highness’ temperament, things would be somewhat difficult.”

Chen Chao thought for a moment and simply said, “I’m around, I will always be here.”

Li Heng looked at Chen Chao and nodded. He felt quite reassured about this young man whom His Majesty had valued greatly. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for him to leave so easily.

The two walked along the corridor together until they reached the depths of the imperial city. Li Heng stopped and said softly, “Walk a little slower. There’s no rush.”

Chen Chao understood the implication behind his words. He said nothing and simply continued forward at a measured pace.

Li Heng remained where he was, watching his departing figure, feeling somewhat emotional. In some ways, he resembled His Majesty even more.

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