CHAPTER 2018: CHAPTER 2020: THE ANCESTOR’S LEGACY DECREE

"Someone come, seize him for me!"

The Grand Emperor was also prepared today. If he desired to return to the throne, he had to act swiftly and decisively. Even his own son could not prevent him from reclaiming the dragon chair; anyone who stood in his way would be annihilated!

A person who is an Emperor often possesses some unknown powers. At the command of the Grand Emperor, people from all directions charged towards Baili Yan.

But naturally, Baili Yan would not surrender without a fight.

The ministers felt deep bitterness; the conflict between the Emperor and his son ultimately left them, the officials, in a painful predicament.

"Father Emperor, why do you cling to that position? Look at the ministers in this hall, how many of them still support you?"

"Do you wish to become a lone dragon?"

"Hmph, that’s none of your concern." The Grand Emperor thought, if these people were disobedient, he could simply replace them. He refused to believe there was anyone in this realm who wouldn’t desire an official position?

"Since Father Emperor has spoken this way, don’t blame me for being unfilial."

Soon, Prince Zhuang’s people suppressed the Grand Emperor’s forces, and upon seeing this, the Grand Emperor’s face turned green with rage.

"Prince, the person on the dragon chair is your Father Emperor. Even if you dethrone the Emperor today, it would be illegitimate, and you wouldn’t be able to hold your head high before the people of the realm."

Several Imperial Censors stepped forward to speak, thinking that unless the Grand Emperor successfully captured Prince Zhuang today, they would surely be dismissed or sent to the dungeon. Given this, they might as well go all-in, fully supporting the Grand Emperor, hoping to gain a reputation as loyal ministers.

"Indeed, this is rebellion!"

"The crime of rebellion is punishable by death for all involved!"

"What is all this noise?" Ye Zi’an, who had been silent, finally spoke up, glancing indifferently at everyone. "Who said Prince Zhuang’s claim is illegitimate? Prince Zhuang carries the mandate from the Grand Emperor."

"Nonsense!" shouted Imperial Censor Zhang, who hadn’t been taken away due to the Grand Emperor’s interference, "The Grand Emperor is still here in the hall, yet you dare to falsely relay imperial decrees and speak recklessly! One day, you will commit treason!"

"Shut your mouth!" Ye Zi’an impatiently glared at him. "Stop hastily accusing people of treason; if you’re wrong, can you bear the consequences? Since I dare to say this, I naturally have evidence."

The Grand Emperor suddenly recalled what Ye Zi’an was about to say.

"Ye Zi’an! I am not dead yet!" At the time, he clearly mentioned that the items could only be brought out after his death.

"Emperor, I remember you told me that when Great Zhou is in danger, these items can be revealed," Ye Zi’an replied. "Now, with Great Zhou facing internal turmoil and external threats, isn’t that perilous enough?"

All the ministers exchanged puzzled looks, even Baili Yan was bewildered. What were these two truly talking about?

Ye Zi’an did not let them guess for long and directly took out the item.

"What is this?" Lord Prime Minister was the first to ask.

"Is your eyesight failing?" snorted Heir Qing. "Obviously, it is a gold bar!"

"Yes, this is a gold bar, but it is not an ordinary gold bar!" Ye Zi’an took out the gold bar, which was very thin, yet inside it was a hidden world. Inside was hollow, and upon opening it, there were two rolled-up parchments.

Carefully examining the cover of the gold bar, it bore the pattern of Great Zhou’s imperial seal.

"This is the decree left by the first-generation founding Emperor of Great Zhou!" Ye Zi’an opened the parchment, "It bears the seal of Great Zhou and the name and titles of the founding Emperor. The founding Emperor left a mandate: when the throne of Great Zhou is in continuous conflict, and the kin and sons fight among themselves, the direct bloodline of the Imperial Family of Baili who presents this decree shall be the new Emperor!"