Chapter 422 The New Emperor
Within the main hall.

The gilded coiled dragon pillar cast a distorted shadow in the sunlight, and Emperor Xia gripped the armrest of the dragon throne with his knuckles turning white.

The fragrant mist rising from the bronze incense burner was dispersed by the two opposing powerful auras, revealing his forehead covered with sweat.

The righteous aura of the four Confucian semi-saints pressed down like a heavy wave, leaving spider-web-like cracks on the jade steps in front of the hall.

The anger on his face gradually turned into fear.

His court and his ministers all stood against him. He originally did not take the four Confucian semi-saints seriously, but except for the two prime ministers, none of the Li family father and son were simple people!
There are three semi-saint powers in Li Nuo’s body.

As for Li Xuanjing, his aura was even more powerful, and just standing there gave him tremendous pressure.

How could this be?

How could this be?

Today’s situation was no longer something he could control alone. He turned his head and looked somewhere in the hall, and said in a deep voice: “How long do you three want to see this!”

Three old figures slowly emerged from the corner of the hall.

Several national masters looked at the figure in front of the hall with undisguised admiration and appreciation in their eyes, but when they looked at the three Confucian semi-saints behind him, especially the young man, the expressions of the three immediately became much more solemn.

It is not easy for Confucians to become a saint, but every semi-saint has the power to overpower those of the same level.

Even if they have the cultivation level of a top-level strategist, they still have to take it seriously. If it comes to a life-and-death fight, even if they can defeat them, the three of them will be seriously injured if not killed.

After assessing the situation, they quickly made their choice.

The three of them looked at each other, and finally it was the Chu State Master who spoke first. He bowed to Emperor Xia and Li Xuanjing and said, “This is Xia’s internal affairs. We will not get involved. Goodbye!”

After saying that, the figures of the three people slowly faded away.

Emperor Xia’s face changed. Damn it, the Zongheng family is really unreliable. They will only help whoever can win!
As an emperor, he was disobedient and humiliated by his subjects in public. He thought that the grand court meeting, which he had thought was a sure win, turned out to be a shame that he could never wash away in his life!

Emperor Xia closed his eyes, took a deep breath, retracted his aura, and uttered a few words through his teeth: “The left and right ministers are right. I was wrong about resuming the old law. There is no need to mention it again…”

As the words fell, his originally straight spine bent at this moment, and decades of imperial majesty disappeared at this moment.

Countless court officials gasped. The Chief Justice of the Dali Temple was deceiving the emperor, and the Right Prime Minister was calling His Majesty by his name, pointing at his nose and accusing him of rebellion. Yet His Majesty endured it all and never mentioned anything about what had just happened.

This shows that even though he was humiliated like this, His Majesty still gave in.

If he retreats, he will probably only be able to become the emperor in the palace and completely lose control of the court.

The two ministers looked at Li Xuanjing, who nodded slightly and said, “Let’s adjourn the court.”

The voice was very light, but it struck the hearts of the court officials and Emperor Xia like a heavy hammer.

He turned and left the hall, followed by his two prime ministers on his left and right, and a group of officials immediately followed.

“Xuan Jing…”

A voice came from the front of the hall.

Li Xuanjing paused slightly, but did not look back, and walked out of the hall slowly.

In a flash, only the royal father and his son were left in the hall.

“Xuan Jing!”

“Xuan Jing…”

Prince Chun’s outstretched hand stopped in the air, and he sat on the chair with a gloomy look on his face.

Emperor Xia suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, then stood up with the help of the dragon throne. His face looked even older than before, and his back was completely hunched.

He glanced at Prince Chun and said calmly, “Do you think Li Xuanjing really wants you to be the emperor? You’ve seen it all. He wants to rebel and become the emperor himself. For so many years, my father and I have been played around by him!”

Prince Chun stood up suddenly, his eyes bloodshot, and said, “I don’t believe it, I want to ask him myself!”

After saying that, he quickly walked out of the hall!

Outside the hall, the Right Prime Minister looked at Li Xuanjing and asked, “Why didn’t you take advantage of the situation just now…”

Li Xuanjing shook his head and said, “It’s useless. If His Majesty wants to leave, no one can stop him. Besides, if he is forced to that point, many people will die today. It’s better to leave him some dignity. He doesn’t have much time left…”

Upon hearing this, the Right Prime Minister said nothing more.

They are a monarch and his subject. If His Majesty wants to be treated decently, he doesn’t mind giving him some.

At this time, a figure chased out from behind. Prince Chun looked at Li Xuanjing with a pale expression, pursed his lips, and asked: “Xuanjing, you, are you going to rebel?”

Li Xuanjing looked at him but did not speak.

Prince Chun gritted his teeth and said angrily: “Have you been lying to me all these years?”

Li Xuanjing continued to remain silent.

“Hahaha!”

Prince Chun stared at him intently. After a long silence, he suddenly laughed out loud, even crying. Then, he suddenly drew out the sword of the guard outside the palace and said in a hoarse voice: “Li Xuanjing, I am sincere to you, but you treat me like this. Today, our friendship of many years is severed!”

Stab it!

He swung his knife to cut off the hem of his clothes, without even looking at Li Xuanjing, and left without looking back.

Li Xuanjing looked ahead and said softly, “Let’s go…”

Li Nuo looked back and sighed in his heart.

There was deathly silence in the hall, with only the heavy breathing of Prince Chun as the sound.

After an unknown amount of time, Emperor Xia finally spoke: “It is not so easy for them to rebel and seize the throne of our Li family. Although I cannot sit on the throne for too long, you can. Tomorrow, I will pass the throne to one of you. When you are strong enough, you must kill all these rebels to avenge the humiliation they have inflicted on our royal family today!”

He had sat on the throne for too long and had been deeply affected by the fate of the country. The passage of time on his body had accelerated countless times.

But his sons were never eroded by the country’s fortune, and they had enough time to pass the throne to them.

He could not do anything to Li Xuanjing and the two prime ministers, but those rebels could not do anything to the Emperor of Daxia either. If Daxia completed the unification, the one who benefited the most would be the Emperor of Daxia.

Although he wanted to be the emperor who would last for thousands of years, he could no longer do so because of the schemes taken against him by the treacherous ministers.

After passing on the throne, the fate of the country left his body. With his cultivation as a semi-saint in martial arts, it would be easy for him to live another ten years.

He patted their shoulders and said, “Go ahead.”

Prince Gong’s pupils suddenly shrank. It turned out that when his father was speaking, he was looking at Prince Chun!
The next moment, he collected all his thoughts, bowed and said, “Your son will take his leave…”

Prince Chun looked dazed and distraught, and left without saying a word.

The two figures disappeared. Emperor Xia leaned on the dragon throne and murmured, “Li Gong is scheming, fighting for no reason, cold-blooded and ruthless. He is very similar to me in the past. Li Chun values ​​friendship and loyalty, but was hurt by it. I’m afraid he hates the treacherous minister even more than I do. Perhaps, he can be my backup. Let’s see how they choose…”

……

Changan.

The whole Chang’an was in an uproar.

Everyone knows that just now at the grand court meeting, the Grand Justice and the two prime ministers, led a group of court officials to confront Your Majesty head-on and prevent Your Majesty from restoring the old laws, which ultimately ended with Your Majesty’s concession.

This incident itself was shocking enough, but what was even more shocking was that Li Xuanjing, the Minister of Dali Temple, a treacherous minister known to everyone in Daxia, was actually a semi-saint of Confucianism!
In other words, he has never betrayed his ideals over the years!
It turns out that the rumors that were spread before were true. Over the years, he suppressed the noble families and slaughtered the powerful. It was not for party struggles at all, but for the people. He was scolded as a traitor for twenty years, but he had no complaints and never changed his original intention. What kind of strong willpower does he have?
Upon hearing the news, countless people burst into tears and felt extremely regretful for their previous misunderstanding of the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple.

The Li Mansion was already overcrowded with people.

All the important officials from various departments gathered here.

The left prime minister looked at Li Xuanjing and asked, “Su Meng’s death…”

Li Xuanjing said: “Su Daru was willing to commit suicide for the sake of national justice.”

The left prime minister asked again: “What about those Confucian officials…”

Li Xuanjing did not speak. Only then did the Confucian officials present understand why the Dali Temple Chief killed so many Confucian officials but still had the cultivation of a Confucian semi-saint. Those Confucian fellows must have known everything before they died.

They are willing to die, so Lord Li will naturally not be affected.

As fellow Confucian disciples, they can understand what their fellow students are doing. If they were in their shoes, they probably wouldn’t have any hesitation.

Unfortunately, they waited until today, but those who were willing to die for their ideals will never see it…

Today is the victory of Confucianism and the victory of the people. Everyone’s face is filled with smiles, except for the figure surrounded by them, who has a trace of sadness in his eyes…

Prince Chun’s Mansion.

Inside the luxurious kitchen.

The soup that had been stewed last night was still bubbling on the stove, steaming.

But this soup can no longer be delivered.

A figure slowly walked in from outside.

Prince Gong looked at Prince Chun, curled his lips and said, “It’s already this late, and you’re still stewing soup?”

Prince Chun adjusted the size of the fire and did not look back. Prince Gong stepped forward and continued, “I actually don’t understand why my father wanted a cook, a fool who read too much and became stupid, to be the regent. He should have made me the crown prince a long time ago!”

As he finished speaking, three other figures walked in from outside.

The guards of Prince Chun’s mansion were lying all over the ground. Although the three semi-saints from the Zheng, Lu and Du families were injured, they had no difficulty dealing with the guards of the mansion who were no more than masters at the highest.

After they walked in, the entire kitchen space was restricted.

At this moment, there was a fluctuation of true energy coming from Prince Gong. This energy was extremely weak at first, but in a very short time, it grew to the level of a master.

He looked down at Prince Chun and said, “I am obviously the most outstanding son of my father. I have perfectly inherited his martial arts talent. I don’t understand why he wants to pass the throne to you.”

The three semi-saints from aristocratic families looked at Prince Gong, and a strange look flashed in their eyes.

People in the royal family really like to hide their strength. His Majesty concealed his strength as a semi-saint in martial arts, unexpectedly killed the Emperor of Wei, and seized the national destiny of Wei. Prince Gong was just as secretive, and his martial arts talent was no less than the best children of several major martial arts families.

Prince Gong looked at Prince Chun with anger in his eyes!
Li Xuanjing has lost the emperor’s favor, and Prince Rui withdrew from the fight for the throne. He thought the throne was already in his pocket, but today, from his father’s eyes, he only saw Prince Chun. He didn’t understand, what basis did Prince Chun have?
“Give way.”

Prince Chun walked past him and began to process the ingredients on the table.

The steps for making this soup are very complicated, and new ingredients need to be added every time it is simmered for a period of time.

Being completely ignored by Prince Chun, Prince Gong became even angrier and angrily said, “Look at you, you don’t look like an emperor at all. You don’t know how to judge people. For the past twenty years, you have been played around by Li Xuanjing. Is it any use for you to be so nice to him? From the beginning to the end, he has been using you, right?”

He sneered and said, “In this respect, you have inherited your father’s character.”

Prince Chun paused in cutting the ingredients, but soon returned to normal. His hand holding the black iron kitchen knife was as steady as a rock. As the blade rose and fell, the jade mushrooms were sliced ​​as thin as cicada wings.

Prince Gong continued, “What have you done for the throne? You have done nothing. You only know how to cook. As for me, I started planning a long time ago. Li Rui thought he was smart and planted assassins in Li Xuanjing’s mansion, so I sent people to sneak into the Li family and kill Li Xuanjing’s stupid son, but unfortunately he escaped. You think that the assassination of Li Xuanjing’s family was done by Li Rui, idiot, that time was my handiwork. You two idiots, every time I didn’t play with you, tell me, are you worthy of being emperors?”

Prince Chun had a calm expression as he methodically put the cut ingredients into the soup pot.

Prince Gong took a deep breath, his throat couldn’t help but move, and he exclaimed: “This soup is very fragrant. It’s a pity that you don’t become a cook.”

He slowly raised his hand and said, “Brother, don’t blame me. The fight for the throne has always been like this…”

However, just as his hand was half raised, Prince Chun pressed it down.

Prince Chun said: “If you have anything to say, go out and tell me. Don’t ruin my soup. I’ve been cooking it for a long time…”

Prince Gong was horrified. He circulated all his energy but was unable to lift his arm.

The three semi-saints from the aristocratic families were also shocked.

“Half Saint?”

“Prince Chun is also very secretive!”

“Whose half-saint is this? How come I have never seen him before?”

The shock on Prince Gong’s face had turned into disbelief, and soon turned into deep jealousy. He quickly retreated behind the three people and said, “So what if he is a half-saint? He is only one person. Are you three afraid of him?”

The three of them had already been tied to Prince Gong, so naturally they had no second choice now.

Just as they all stepped forward, intending to deal with Prince Chun as quickly as possible, their bodies suddenly stopped.

Three heads flew up and rolled several times on the ground.

There was nothing left above the necks of the three semi-saints from aristocratic families. Their heads had been cut off by some sharp weapon. The cuts were extremely smooth, and at the same time, they contained a strange power that sealed their blood in their bodies to prevent it from staining the ground.

Prince Chun kicked the three heads away with just a few light kicks.

He also used his toes to pick up three headless corpses and flew them out of the kitchen.

He reached out his hand, gently patted the already dazed Prince Gong’s shoulder, and said, “Don’t underestimate the cook…”

Killing three semi-saints with a wave of his hand, Prince Gong’s psychological defenses were completely broken. His knees softened and he knelt on the ground, saying in a trembling voice: “Brother, no, don’t kill me…”

Prince Chun waved his hand and said, “I won’t kill you, go away.”

Outside the kitchen, Emperor Xia watched this scene with satisfaction.

He was right. Li Chun always had a kind heart. Although this kindness was not suitable for being an emperor, it was what other princes lacked, and it was exactly what he wanted…

Unexpectedly, his son, whom he had hardly looked at seriously for forty years and whom he considered the most useless, gave him the biggest surprise.

When Prince Gong saw Emperor Xia, he ran over, hugged his legs, and cried, “Father, save me!”

Emperor Xia glanced at him and felt that Li Gong’s temperament was actually most like his, and he was also the most suitable person to inherit the throne.

Because of this, it was impossible for him to pass the throne to him.

He looked at Prince Chun and said in a deep voice, “I have been planning all my life for the day when all that is illuminated by the sun and moon, and all that is flowing by the rivers, will become the territory of Daxia, and this entire continent will belong to our Li Dynasty. Unfortunately, I was deceived by the treacherous minister Li Xuanjing. Now, I can no longer accomplish this on my own…”

Emperor Xia placed his hand on Prince Chun’s shoulder and said, “I wish to entrust this important task to you.”

Prince Chun shook his head and said, “Thank you, father, but I only want to cook and make soup in my life, not to be an emperor.”

Emperor Xia was delighted, and then asked, “Li Xuanjing bullied my father and son so much, don’t you want to take revenge with your own hands?”

Prince Chun fell silent, and Emperor Xia continued, “I know you have no intention of taking the throne, but I am willing to give you a chance. After you take revenge with your own hands, you can return the throne to me. How about that?”

After hearing this, Prince Gong was stunned for a moment, then he hugged Emperor Xia’s legs and said quickly: “Father, please pass the throne to me. I swear that as long as you want, I will return the throne to you at any time…”

Emperor Xia suddenly waved his sleeves and Prince Gong was swept aside.

He understood himself, and therefore also understood Li Gong. Now that the throne was in his hands, how could he give it up? He was capable of plotting to murder his brothers, so when the time came, he would probably kill his father without mercy.

The more someone desires the throne, the less you should give it to him.

The one who has less intention to take the throne is the most suitable candidate.

He waved his sleeves, and the imperial edict of succession that he had prepared long ago floated into the void.

He waved his hand again, and the jade seal flew out from his sleeve.

The jade seal flew above the imperial edict and slowly fell down.

A blindingly strong golden light suddenly shone from the imperial edict.

Prince Gong was leaning against the wall. When he saw this scene, his back finally bent weakly.

From this point on, he will have no chance of becoming emperor.

As the light on the imperial edict grew brighter, an extremely powerful force within Emperor Xia’s body gradually began to peel away.

However, a supreme aura emanated from Prince Chun’s body.

Even a peak semi-saint would feel as if doomsday had come under this aura.

Although this aura was powerful when it was within Emperor Xia’s body, it also had a hint of corruption.

And in Prince Chun, this aura is full of majesty and vitality.

At the same time, the entire Chang’an felt this heart-pounding power.

Li Fu and his two colleagues raised their heads at the same time.

The right prime minister looked solemn and said, “Your Majesty has passed on the throne…”

The fate of the country depends on His Majesty, and he won’t be able to hold on for long. But if he passes the throne to another prince, at least within the next thirty years, time will not be able to do anything to the new emperor, and things will become more and more difficult…

Inside Prince Chun’s Mansion.

After losing that huge power, Emperor Xia felt the strong vitality of this body. With his cultivation as a half-saint in martial arts, he could have easily lived for three decades, but due to the erosion of national destiny, his life span was only about ten years…

But as long as the new emperor can unify the continent and pass the throne to him, he will once again possess unrivaled strength and endless lifespan!
He looked at King Chun and said, “Qi and Chu are no longer a threat. Although those strategists are treacherous and cunning, they have no choice but to support Daxia. As long as you annex Zhao and unify the world, your promotion to the seventh realm will be just around the corner!”

Emperor Xia showed excitement on his face, and said: “When the time comes, you will return the throne to me, and you can do whatever you want. I will find all the recipes in the world for you…”

“not return.”

Before Emperor Xia could finish his words, the smile on his face froze.

He looked at Prince Chun with difficulty, and said in disbelief: “You, what did you say?”

“not return.”

Prince Chun spoke again, walked to the stove where the soup was simmering, gently lifted the lid of the soup pot, and steam wafted out with a rich aroma.

He picked up the soup spoon beside him, carefully skimmed off the foam in the soup, took a sip, and said with a smile, “Not bad.”

Emperor Xia stared at Prince Chun intently, his face pale. After his body trembled, he staggered back and knocked over the wooden shelf where the precious ingredients were stored.

The steam from the soup pot blurred Prince Chun’s face. At that moment, Emperor Xia suddenly realized that he didn’t understand this son, whom he had never even looked at in the eye for decades, at all.

After pouring the soup into a warm soup bowl, Prince Chun took a deep breath of the aroma and said, “The heat is just right, I should give it to Xuan Jing…”

[ps: Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! ]

(End of this chapter)