The hard swords clanged in unison as they were all pressed against the men’s backs. Even Lu Rui’s back had a sword against it.
In an instant, the entire hall fell into silence again. The crowd was stunned by the sudden reversal of events and stood frozen in shock. Only a few slow-reacting elderly ministers were still shouting, “I recognize that object…it’s real…”
Lu Rui flew into “rage” and shouted, “What are you doing!”
“We are not trying to do anything. We only seek to make it known to all under heaven that the imperial lineage of our imperial dynasty is the rightful one!” Suddenly, a man stepped out from the crowd. He bowed deeply to the young emperor, who had been standing dumbfounded to the side this whole time. He then also bowed to Lu Rui respectfully, “Although Marquis Wei of Tiansheng acted rudely just now, the obsidian locket he produced does indeed appear to be something that belonged to Xiliang’s imperial family. In my humble opinion, whatever the matter may be, Marquis Wei should be allowed to explain himself clearly, how about it?”
“You are nothing but an insignificant censor, who do you think you are to voice your opinion here!” Lu Rui barked. The man lifted his head and ignored him. Lu Rui cursed for a good while, but seeing that he was getting nowhere, he could only turn around and say to Regent’s other confidants who had been restrained along with him, “Don’t be anxious. Just watch. The Regent will arrive any moment now. These people won’t be able to do as they please!”
Seeing no choice, the others could only agree.
Lu Rui’s face was full of resentment, but a flicker of a smile flashed across his eyes. This man was born poor and later received Lu Rui’s financial support to pass all the imperial examinations, and eventually rose to the post of imperial censor. He had always been Lu Rui’s loyal subordinate in secret, and had been deliberately arranged by Lu Rui to jump out to speak in opposition at this precise moment.
Inwardly, Lu Rui was delighted— as long as the Regent was absent, the rest of the people would naturally follow his lead, making matters that much easier!
Yet, deep down, he still felt uneasy. His gaze kept darting toward the palace doors— it was already a quarter past! Hopefully, the Regent would not arrive in time!
==========
A quarter past the auspicious hour.
Inside the Flower Goddess Temple, two great powers were conversing happily.
Helian gestured animatedly as he spoke, extolling the great benefits of opening mutual trade. He then also proceeded to complain exceedingly about how Tiansheng seemed to treat his tribe generously on the surface, but in reality, they had long been controlling the Wild Grassland’s economic lifeline. That was why he had instead travelled all this way to seek cooperation with Xiliang.
As he rattled on, Yin Zhi Shu listened attentively, asking a question now and then. Though his inquiries seemed casual, each question was right on point. Fortunately, the fact that both Helian and he could arrive at their station meant neither was a fool. Helian’s replies were watertight, and as Yin Zhi Shu listened, he too could find no flaws. Yet, he kept feeling that Helian’s abrupt arrival was too sudden, causing him to feel uneasy.
That unease grew stronger when he saw that it was already a quarter past the auspicious hour. After thinking a bit, he abruptly wrapped up the conversation and said with a smile, “Your Highness, such a momentous matter surely cannot be settled by the two of us merely standing here at the Flower Goddess Temple. Why don’t Your Highness stay at my humble residence first, and we can discuss it further at leisure?”
“Why all this trouble?” Helian raised an eyebrow and asked with a strange expression, “I don’t have time to stay at your place. There is still a pile of matters waiting for me back at the Wild Grassland. Regent, you should understand, me coming here is already showing my utmost sincerity. We men of Wild Grassland, once we speak, our words are like arrows loosened from the bow, there is no taking them back. I trust you, and you should also trust me.”
Yin Zhi Shu cursed inwardly. Looks like has encountered the savage king. Since when would one immediately demand an answer right at the beginning of a negotiation? Yet, Helian’s blazing gaze made it obvious that it was truly as if you don’t answer me, then I am not leaving. He wanted to leave, but could not bear to refuse. After hesitating for a moment, Yin Zhi Shu said, “The Great King’s proposal would benefit both regions so it’s naturally a good thing. However, the distance is vast, once the trade begins, how can we force open Tiansheng’s tightly guarded borders all along the way?”
Helian laughed. His jewel-like eyes sparkled, thinking inwardly, now we definitely have to explain this slowly. He reached out and grabbed Yin Zhi Shu by the sleeve, slinging the other arm around his shoulder in a show of good brotherhood. Pointing toward the distant land of Tiansheng, he said leisurely, “Now then, brother, listen to me…”
============
While King Helian had his arms around his newly acquired “brother” at the Flower Goddess Temple, patiently analyzing how to bypass Tiansheng’s borders to conduct mutual trade, Feng Zhi Wei had already handed the golden locket over to several senior ministers for verification.
The last to rush in was an official from the Imperial Household Department’s Manufacturing Divison. He had personally supervised the casting of the golden lock back then. The imperial-approved design drawings were still around. When they were brought out to be compared to the locket, there was not the slightest difference.
The official with the surname of Zhao finally presented the locket with both hands and said solemnly, “This golden locket was crafted by the Imperial Household Department’s Manufacturing Divison in the spring of the sixteenth year of Xiliang. Since the founding of the empire, our department has only produced one item matching this design. There is no doubt of it being genuine.”
All eyes fell on Feng Zhi Wei and Gu Zhi Xiao. An old minister coughed and stammered, “Marquis Wei, that’s our empire’s golden throne. Would you …come down and speak?”
“Apologies.” Feng Zhi Wei declined with a gentle smile, “I must remain in the hall to protect Your Majesty of your country.”
The moment she said this, although many had already guessed some of the truth, there were still shocked expressions as all looked at the three-year-old girl who had been sitting completely still on the throne.
Gu Zhi Xiao hugged the cage, pursed her lips, and stared blankly at the empty space outside the hall. Watching her, all the people could not help but feel the child indeed seemed extraordinary to be in possession of such composure in so grim a setting. In comparison, the young emperor on the side, like a fool unable to get a single word out, seemed rather pathetic.
“Why does Marquis Wei say such a thing?” It was the same censor who stepped forward to carry the act along.
“You should be asking me where this gold locket came from.” Feng Zhi Wei said with a faint smile. She pointed at Gu Zhi Xiao and recounted how she had found her years ago at a dock of the South Sea. At the conclusion, she said, “All of you should have heard the South Sea incident in my empire. With a little inquiry, you would know that I did indeed adopt this child during that time. The gold locket was hanging around her neck then.”
The several senior officials who had seen the gold locket exchanged glances. Years ago, the late emperor had indeed explicitly stated that this would be a token bestowed upon a prince. However, after the young emperor ascended the throne, he never took it out. This doubt was something that had lingered inside them for a long time.
“And how is this to be proven?” Lu Rui suddenly sneered, “It could have been you who stole our emperor’s gold locket and brought it out to put on a show.”
“That’s right, that’s right. As an envoy from another empire meddling in the imperial lineage of Xiliang. Your intentions can only be of a sinister kind!” The Regent’s supporters immediately let out a chorus of agreements.
“Exactly. I am merely an envoy of another empire. Why would I involve myself in your internal affairs for no reason?” Feng Zhi Wei looked downward and said with a smiling gaze, “Why would I steal your imperial gold locket the moment your emperor was born, then wait three years before coming here to stir up trouble? I am an envoy with only a few thousand guards. But I came all the way into your Xiliang territory to make trouble in the face of hundreds of thousands of troops? I can’t imagine what the reason could be. Unless you, sir, can you tell me why?”
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First i watched the movie and was disappointed at the sad ending. Then i found this translation and read the ending of the novel. So i have to say – a huge thank You for all Your heard work for translating the actual novel 🙏. It made my heart so happy that it made my whole week! And then i started reading from the beginning since the original story is so different than the movie. I read non-stop at nights, early morning, in the car, in lines, anywhere i had even a few min, i would pull out my phone and read.😍 i am completely in love with this novel and hugely grateful for the translation. And now i have read this last part and realized it’s not finished.😭😭😭 Which means i have to now wait for the whole week for each new part. Ohhh, it’s killing me. (Although i am still grateful it exists). I wonder if this is still the second scroll of the book or are we on the last part already?
I am glad you are enjoying the story! We are around the last quarter of the book…there is still quite a bit to cover though.