Chapter 512: Chapter 226: Emperor Xia’s Trump Card_2

    “And that Supreme Taoist, was none other than the master of the junior-rank teacher from Rongcheng’s Fine Jade Grotto Heavens.”

    Within the sect’s grand hall, silence fell in an instant.

    …

    “Bang!”

    The Crown Prince crushed the exquisitely crafted Spirit Jade cup in his hand, and, within the reception hall, several gorgeously dressed dignitaries fell silent as cicadas in winter.

    Among them were the Imperial Capital Marketplace Deputy Inspector, a Colonel who oversaw the stationed troops of three thousand marketplaces, and several Qi Refinement Realm prodigies of lower standing.

    Without exception, all of them had been firsthand participants and witnesses to the chaos at Enlightenment Pavilion, and were well-known figures among the powerful elite within the Imperial Capital.

    Yet, in front of the Crown Prince, they could only bow their heads in deference, not daring to so much as let out a heavy breath.

    A maidservant stood by, holding a silk handkerchief. The Crown Prince took the handkerchief to wipe the moisture and remnants of the cup from his hands, his majestic face showing no emotion as he spoke,

    “So, it was that junior-rank teacher from Rongcheng’s Fine Jade Grotto Heavens who stopped you?”

    “Your Highness, it indeed was Gong Buyu from Rongcheng’s Fine Jade Grotto Heavens.

    Had she not intervened, the Enlightenment Pavilion would have been destroyed in the conflict already.”

    “And there’s Capital Governor Du Yuan, an official of high standing within the Imperial Court, yet he willingly stepped down in front of a mere sect cultivator, truly a disgrace to the face of our Great Xia Dynasty.”

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    “At tomorrow’s court meeting, we must impeach Capital Governor Du Yuan on these grounds!”

    While the crowd was agitated, the Crown Prince merely lifted his right hand and pressed down lightly, and immediately silence prevailed.

    Then, the Crown Prince’s gaze softened a bit as he turned to the only official seated on a chair in the assembly, speaking,

    “The Enlightenment Pavilion serves as a treasure house bringing benefit to the people of Great Xia, yet today it’s suspected to have ties with the cultivators of Rongcheng’s Fine Jade Grotto Heavens.

    For the safety of the Imperial Capital, I believe it should be temporarily sealed off, to confirm whether there’s any connection to the grotto heavens and the blessed land.

    What does the Justice Minister think?”

    Great Xia’s Justice Minister Zhao Zeng, one among the 3 Dukes and 9 Ministers overseeing judicial trials, truly held substantial authority in the Imperial Capital.

    Also, Justice Minister Zhao Zeng was the sole individual among the 3 Dukes and 9 Ministers who had aligned with the Crown Prince.

    The other ministers and nobles either remained neutral or supported other Princes, and without the advantage of ministerial support, this was a significant reason for the Crown Prince’s inability to suppress the other Princes.

    Upon hearing this, Zhao Zeng glanced over the other people in the hall and waved his hand lightly, speaking in a hushed tone,

    “This does not pertain to you any longer, you may withdraw.”

    Relieved at these words, everyone chose to take their leave, and even the maidservant standing by knowingly decided to depart.

    After everyone had left the once bustling reception hall, leaving behind the Crown Prince and Justice Minister, Zhao Zeng finally shook his head and spoke,

    “Your Highness, this move seems rather hasty.”

    The Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed slightly as he replied,

    “It isn’t out of haste from this palace, but due to the current turbulent and changing situation. No one knows what twists the inheritance of the Hoe Family of Heaven Traversing Sect may take once stability returns.

    After all, that’s a massive noble family with a legacy spanning tens of thousands of years. Had their ancestors not been foolish enough to relocate their entire clan to the Imperial Capital, where the family’s fortune was suppressed by the humanity fate within, how could the Hoe Family have been destroyed so easily?”

    “Furthermore, among all the princesses throughout the generations, my ninth sister is one of the rare few who possess humanity fate qualifications.

    If we do not uproot this Enlightenment Pavilion now and completely cast it into dust, trouble will inevitably arise again, with that junior-rank teacher from Rongcheng’s Fine Jade Grotto Heavens being an example.

    Since we are bound to stand against the grotto heavens and the blessed land sooner or later, offending that junior-rank teacher from Rongcheng’s Fine Jade Grotto Heavens is not unacceptable.”

    Zhao Zeng showed little concern for the Crown Prince’s explanation, instead he intoned gravely,

    “Does Your Highness consider Du Yuan a fool?”

    “Du Yuan, as the Capital Governor, is one of the highly placed officials on the court, naturally he is far from a fool.”

    “If even Du Yuan chose to yield, why would the Crown Prince insist on going against the tide?

    You must know that the master of Gong Buyu has only just arrived at the Imperial Capital a few hours ago.”

    The Crown Prince’s expression changed abruptly; he was well aware of who Gong Buyu’s master was.

    “Could it be that the Supreme Taoist is plotting against the Enlightenment Pavilion through Gong Buyu?”

    “I didn’t say that,” immediately the Justice Minister countered.

    When it came to matters concerning the Supreme Taoist, even he dared not speak recklessly.

    The voice paused briefly, as Zhao Zeng’s words took on a more profound significance,

    “Your Highness should be aware that it’s better to be safe than sorry regarding this matter.

    The incident involving the Fifth Prince has only just passed; Your Highness should take it as a lesson.”

    Zhao Zeng rose to his feet and strode toward the exit of the Crown Prince’s Manor, completely disregarding the Crown Prince behind him, whose expression fluctuated.

    After a long moment, a voice filled with helplessness echoed in the reception hall,

    “All parties should reduce their posturing and temporarily abandon actions against the Enlightenment Pavilion; any violation will be met with severe punishment!”

    …

    Imperial City, Mind-nourishing Hall.

    Emperor Xia sat behind the dragon throne, flipping through the confidential letters that had been handed up to him.

    Beneath him stood none other than Capital Governor Du Yuan, who was responsible for affairs of the Imperial Capital Marketplace.

    Inside the Mind-nourishing Hall, silence reigned, broken only by the sound of Emperor Xia turning over the confidential letters, filled with an indescribable pressure.

    Du Yuan, meanwhile, stood with a stooped figure, his head bowed and his face full of puzzled bewilderment.

    After addressing the matters of the Imperial Capital Marketplace, Du Yuan had hurried to the Imperial Palace to see Emperor Xia and recounted every detail of the incident.

    Considering Emperor Xia’s stance toward the Supreme Taoist, Du Yuan believed that his handling of the situation was meticulous and expected to receive praise from the Emperor.

    Yet after he finished recounting the events, Emperor Xia remained silent, seemingly engrossed in the confidential letters from the Shadow Guard, as if he had completely dismissed Du Yuan.