Chapter 1383: The Emperor Has Not Opened the Door to Favor

Of the present Emperor's nine daughters and seventeen sons,all but the youngest few princes and princesseshave voluntarily or involuntarily withdrawn from Linzi.

Even this time, upon Jiang Wuqi's passing,a distant memorial was deemed sufficient;none were summoned back to the capital.

Over the long passage of time, the four palace masters—Changle, Huaying, Yangxin, and Changsheng—have proven their capabilities, standing out among the imperial progeny.

The Emperor is willing to grant greater opportunities to his exceptional children,but the resources of Great Qi are not boundless,nor can they be endlessly squandered in the struggle for the throne.The establishment of the Huaying, Yangxin, and Changsheng Palacesin addition to the Changle Palace was already a completion of the first round of selection;the heir to the throne could only emerge from these four palace masters.

The departure of the other princes and princesses from Linziwas precisely to avert the possibility of mediocritiesconsuming the nation's resources.

Regardless of the sentiments people harbored,from a practical standpoint, Jiang Wuqi was dead.The enormous political assets he left behind—their fate was a matter of concern for the entire Qi realm.

The Crown Prince, Jiang Wuhua,the Master of Huaying Palace, Jiang Wuyou,and the Master of Yangxin Palace, Jiang Wuxie,these three especially could not afford to relax.

Even the Fourteenth Prince, Jiang Wuyong,who seemed entirely without hope,while his other siblings remained distant from the capital,was at times ill, at times suffering setbacks in cultivation,at times caring for his ailing mother...finding every conceivable means to remain in Linzi.Naturally, this was not solely to be able to wail by Jiang Wuqi's bier in a timely manner.

To speak plainly, he, Jiang Wuyong, was not foolish; he saw things clearly.Among his brothers and sisters qualified to contend for the dragon throne,Jiang Wuhua's magnanimity was a tolerant compassion towards his incapable younger brother,akin to an adult's forbearance towards a naive child,not considering him a threat in the slightest.Jiang Wuyou had always disdained his demeanor,while Jiang Wuxie perhaps regarded him merely as a jester.

Only his Eleventh Brother, Jiang Wuqi,truly looked upon him with serious regard.He cared for his clothing, food, and expenses,and even intervened on his behalf to reprimand Jiang Wang...

Hence, his grief at this moment was not entirely feigned.But he could not help but ponder—Jiang Wuqi, meeting an early demise, abruptly severing the path to longevity,leaving behind a desolate Changsheng Palace.Would his father's favor shift to him, being younger?

Given even a one-in-ten-thousand chance,he must make twelve parts of preparation for it.

The Emperor loved Jiang Wuqi most,therefore, he must weep most sorrowfully.

He and his father, they were connected by blood, heart linked to heart.In this scene, the pain should be the same,and from this shared suffering,greater closeness should arise.

Whether it was Jiang Wuhua,or Jiang Wuyou, Jiang Wuxie,none would lack the wisdom to perceive this intent,but their reactions varied.

As for imperial grand ministers like Cao Jie and Chen Fu,there was no need for them to take a stance among these princes and princesses.Their standing outside the hall earlier,waiting for the squabble to end before entering, was itself an attitude.

As for Jiang Wang...He sat upright and proper, yet his mindhad already sunk into the world of Daoist techniques.

Techniques of power, techniques of the mind, techniques of influence...There are ten thousand techniques in this world; he only seeks his own method.

The Dragon and Tiger Daoist technique, inherited from Old Yang,had an extraordinarily uncommon origin.

The so-called "Tiger" refers to the Eight Winds.This technique summoning the Eight Winds, of course,does not truly invoke the Eight Winds divine ability.Rather, it is an imitation and application of the Eight Winds divine ability,much like Wang Changxiang's Breathing Tornadoin the Fenglin City Daoist Academy back then.

Jiang Wang possessed the Buzhou Wind divine ability,and had strengthened it to a very high level,thus for the "Tiger" of Dragon and Tiger,it was relatively easy for him to open his思路 (train of thought).

The "Dragon" of the Dragon and Tiger Daoist technique refers to the spine,which at the current cultivation level can also be said to be the Tongtian Sea.The Daoist vein's soaring dragon, ever since leaping out of the Tongtian Sea,has not returned, wandering for a long time in the Five Mansion Sea,and has now swum into the Hidden Star Sea.

As the first of the four seas in the human body to be opened, the Tongtian Seahas been practically "闲置" (put aside, unused) after the Soaring Dragon realm.Perhaps until the four seas are connected, it will be difficult for it to play a role again.

At least, Jiang Wang in the Outer Building realmhad no occasion to use the Tongtian Sea.The matter of connecting the four seasis one of the manifestations of the Divine Arrival realm...

So what truly hinders Jiang Wang at the level of Daoist technique progressionis actually the "Dragon" of the Dragon and Tiger Daoist technique.At the cultivation level of the Outer Building realm,it is difficult for him to comprehend this technique's utilization of the Tongtian Sea;he can only meticulously ponder it bit by bit.

In contrast, with the "Detailed Explanation of Flame Flower Incinerating City" gifted by Zuo Guangshu,coupled with his previous experience in cultivating Flame Flowerand his consistent mastery of Fire element Daoist techniques,his progress in cultivating Flame Flower Incinerating Cityis actually ahead of that of Dragon and Tiger.

Immersed in cultivation, time always flies quickly.Jiang Wang did not much care how people behaved before Jiang Wuqi's bier.After all, remembrance is something that only concerns one's own heart.

It was not until Feng Gu's aged voice resoundedthat he abruptly collected his thoughts.

"This old servant kowtows to the Son of Heaven!"His voice trembled, as if choked with sobs.

The Son of Heaven has arrived!

Those in the mourning hall rose to pay their respects,and the Empress of Great Qi also curtsied slightly.

Speaking of which, in the past, wherever the Emperor and Empress went,announcements cleared the way, demonstrating their authority.Coming before Jiang Wuqi's bier today, however,they were both silent, perhaps also unwilling to disturb the departed soul.

Jiang Wang soon understood the reason for Feng Gu's sobs.The Son of Heaven today was not only without his crown,but also wore mourning clothes!

He walked into the hall draped in a white mourning robe,not far behind him, was the ever-attentive Han Ling.

The Son of Heaven of Qi merely raised his hand,signaling that no elaborate courtesies were needed.He walked a few steps forward, then stopped before the bier.

At this moment, Jiang Wang and Jiang Wuyou were to the Son of Heaven's right side.Further forward on the right side, stood the Commander of the Prisoner Lightning Army, Xiuyuan,also standing before a chair.Further forward from Xiuyuan, stood Jiang Wuxie, the Crown Princess, and the Empress of Great Qi,beside the bier.

Across the bier, opposite the Empress, were the Crown Prince, Jiang Wuhua,and the Fourteenth Prince, Jiang Wuyong,one with an expression of sorrow, the other with tear streaks still wet.Further behind them, before a row of chairs, stood Cao Jie and Chen Fu.

Everyone remained silent, waiting for the Son of Heaven to say or do something.The Son of Heaven sacrifices to his minister, the father sacrifices to his son.Only the bier remains, forever incapable of response.

This was not the first time Jiang Wang had seen the Son of Heaven of Qi,but still, as if it were the first meeting, he only felt an unfathomable majesty.The deeper his cultivation, the higher his official rank, the more he saw, the further he thought...the more he was able to comprehend the enigmatic power of the Son of Heaven of Qi.Turning his hand creates clouds, turning it back brings rain;the entire Great Qi Empire rests upon his person,with a single thought, he can shake the entire current world.

Today, clad in mourning attire, he might appearas merely a father who has lost his beloved son,but who could ignore his identity as the Emperor?Within and without this mourning hall,who dared not grieve, who dared not feel pain, who dared to smile?And were they truly all sad?It was nothing more than the Son of Heaven grieving, thus the realm grieved.

Standing in that supreme position,how many layers of fog did he need to penetrate to see the hearts of men?

The Son of Heaven of Qi quietly looked at the bier for a time,then finally shifted his gaze.From left to right, he swept his gaze over the entire mourning hall,like inspecting mountains and rivers.Everyone touched by his gaze felt apprehensive.

"Your Majesty." The Empress stepped forward,taking his arm, and said softly,"Come, offer Wuqi a stick of incense. He must have been waiting for you for a long time."

The Son of Heaven of Qi did not speak, allowing the Empress to lead him forward.Beneath the white mourning robe, his body was like a mountain.

Speaking of which, Jiang Wang had never carefully observed the Emperor's face until now.At this moment, he only lowered his gaze and saw that the Emperor's left handrested on Jiang Wuqi's bier.This was a hand with distinct bone structure, a hand that grasped the heavens and the earth,and yet at this moment, it rested lightly on the edge of the bier a few times,before finally moving past the bier,arriving before the offering table.

The Empress twisted three sticks of incense,carefully lit them from the golden candlelight,and then handed them to the Son of Heaven.

The Son of Heaven offered these three sticks of incense,and then there was another period of silence.This silence was like a great mountain,pressing down on everyone's heart.

The entire Changsheng Palace gradually came to a standstill.It was as if this world had reached a moment of being muted.All sounds ceased, and even those whispering fell silent.

Why was the Son of Heaven silent?

Who knows how long passed?The Son of Heaven of Qi turned around.His back to the offering table, facing Jiang Wuqi's bier,and also facing everyone within and outside the mourning hall.

"Jiang Qingyang," he suddenly spoke.

Jiang Wang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately stepped forward:"Your subject is present."

The Son of Heaven's voice descended:"Today's funeral rites have their proper time.The mourning banquet outside is not yet full, and yet you have come.Coming so early, is it to be seen by Us?Do you seek to be a minister who rises through flattery?"

These words were light, yet very heavy.Like a majestic mountain, it pressed down!

The Empress understood immediately upon hearing this.The Son of Heaven was displeased with the events that had unfolded in the mourning hall today.Even if they were only undercurrents!These words were aimed at Jiang Qingyang,but were they not also directed at the various behaviors of these imperial family membersbefore Jiang Wuqi's bier?

The Empress understood this meaning, the Crown Prince understood,Jiang Wuxie understood, and Jiang Wuyou also understood.

But regardless of whom the Son of Heaven intended to reprimand,for Jiang Wang, who was called by name,this was like a mountain pressing down, the sky falling and the earth cracking.This was the majesty of the Son of Heaven, imposed upon him.It was the wrath of the Four Seas, poured upon one person.

He could not help but be apprehensive!

Jiang Wuyou was carefully considering her words,just about to speak, when she suddenly saw a white figure move beside her.Jiang Wang, clad in mourning clothes, took another step forward,turned around, and, across Jiang Wuqi's bier, faced the Son of Heaven directly.

"I implore Your Majesty to retract these words!" he declared.

The Son of Heaven's inscrutable gaze fell upon him.Jiang Wang bore an indescribable weight,yet stood ramrod straight, completely unshaken.

Within this mourning hall, he spoke in a resonant voice:"Your subject believes that the sentiment of mourning, the intention of sacrifice,exists in a single thought; there is no distinction of early or late.Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and has never opened the door for sycophantic advancement,so how can there be a minister who rises through flattery?Every inch of official position, every drop of salary I possesswas earned by shedding blood for Great Qi.How can Your Majesty lightly dismiss it with the words 'sycophantic advancement'?Your subject rose early today, therefore came early, that is all.Truly, I did not know that sacrificing to the Eleventh Prince required measuring the hour!"

He cupped his hands and bowed deeply:"Your Majesty's words have wounded Your subject deeply!Your subject cannot bear it, nor will Your subject bear it!Please retract them!"

The hall fell utterly silent.Cao Jie looked at the proudly standing heavenly talent,opened his mouth, and for a moment did not know what to say.

How unyielding was Jiang Qingyang,to dare to directly rebuke the Son of Heaven,demanding that the Son of Heaven retract his words!

He actually saw clearly that the reason the Son of Heaven named Jiang Qingyangwas simply because, if he were to strike the mountain to shake the tiger today,Jiang Qingyang was the best choice.

At this very moment, now that the Master of Changsheng Palace is dead,no matter which prince or princess the Son of Heaven were to name and reprimand,it would be difficult for it not to be seen as some kind of signal,directly affecting the struggle for the heir apparent.And imperial grand ministers like himself and Chen Fuwere also not people the Son of Heaven could easily insult.Especially Xiuyuan, who had just been cleared of suspicionand released from confinement; his old friend of many yearswas at this moment suffering the Lingchi execution at the execution ground.If the Son of Heaven were to question Xiuyuan like this,he would probably have no choice but to commit suicide on the spot.

Therefore, the Son of Heaven questioning Jiang Qingyang in this mannerwas actually a kind of regard for Jiang Wang,carrying a hint of intimacy.The so-called "簡在帝心" (in the Emperor's heart) was no more than this.

Of course, Jiang Wang's response to these words was also very important.Whether he explained himself or showed sincere fear and trepidation,the Son of Heaven would not do anything to him.This moment was more like a time for everyone to observe such a young heavenly talent.

But Jiang Wang, whether he understood or not,actually dared to retort face-to-face in this manner...

What would the Son of Heaven do?Cao Jie had followed the present Son of Heaven for so many years,he understood the Son of Heaven well, and also did not understand him well.The part he understood was that he was clear about the Son of Heaven's great ambition and strategy,his wisdom and might. The part he did not understand was that at many times,he could not be certain what kind of decision the Son of Heaven would make...just like at this moment.

It was not impossible for the Son of Heaven to erupt in thunderous anger.Asking the Son of Heaven for an explanation, demanding that the Son of Heavenretract his golden words and jade pronouncements,to put it more seriously, could even be seen as a challenge to the Son of Heaven's authority!The Son of Heaven could be wrong, but how could a minister doubt?

The Son of Heaven remained silent, and Jiang Wang maintained his bowed posture,standing as if cast in iron. Clearly, unless the Son of Heaven retracted his words,he would not straighten up.

At this moment, a voice that no one expected sounded."Your Majesty, this old servant has a word to say, humbly begging for Your holy hearing!"

The voice came from outside the hall.It was Feng Gu, the Chief Eunuch of Changsheng Palace.

The Son of Heaven's gaze crossed the bier,crossed the bowing Jiang Qingyang,and fell upon the withered old man outside the hall.

"Speak," the Son of Heaven said.

Feng Gu knelt on the ground, pleading:"When His Highness was alive, he admired Qingyang Zi greatly,often saying that his arrival in Qi from the East was a blessing to our Great Qi.He even specifically invited Qingyang Zi into the palace to spar with him...After that battle, whenever His Highness mentioned Qingyang Zi,he would praise him profusely.Hearing the result of the Star and Moon Plain battle and Qingyang Zi's valiant demeanor,His Highness couldn't help but clap his hands and sigh, saying, 'This gentleman shall surely soar.'Even... even this time, there was a dying wish to gift something,specially presented to Qingyang Zi.This old servant believes that His Highness's heart towards Qingyang Zi was sincere,and Qingyang Zi's remembrance of His Highness is also sincere.It is a matter of heroes appreciating each other, truly without other intentions.Humbly begging Your Majesty for clear judgment."

No one had expected Feng Gu to speak at this moment.These words were a complete support for Jiang Wang,and also a substantial negation of the Son of Heaven's "誅心之言" (words meant to condemn one's intent).

To put it bluntly, Jiang Wang, a universally recognized heavenly talent,a prominent figure among the younger generation of Qi,who had repeatedly rendered meritorious service and received rewards,still had the qualification to be "持寵而驕" (presumptuous due to favor)and contradict the Son of Heaven.How dared Feng Gu, the Chief Eunuch of Changsheng Palace, do this?

Even Jiang Wang himself had not expected Feng Gu to help him in this way;their interactions had been very few.

And Jiang Wuxie, who had remained silent all along,could not help but look at Jiang Wuqi lying in the bier again.This Eleventh Brother, his breadth of mind was truly beyond ordinary people.

How could Feng Gu, such an old eunuch who had almost given up on life,speak out at this moment, if Jiang Wuqi had not genuinely admired Jiang Wang during his lifetime?

Everyone knew that after Jiang Wang returned from the End of the World Stage,he had clearly gravitated towards Huaying Palace.Even he, Jiang Wuxie, although he had always shown favor to Jiang Wang,also had his own sense of proportion and would not actively create momentum for him.After all, he was already someone from a rival's camp.

Jiang Wuqi was truly... in the midst of the struggle for the dragon throne,yet his gaze was always fixed on the entire realm,without distinction of palaces.

He had never felt that, apart from the Emperor's partiality due to his unfortunate fate,he was in any way inferior to this Eleventh Brother.But at this moment, he had to admit that in terms of breadth of mind,he was indeed inferior by a few points.Thinking back, if Wuqi and he had been in each other's positions,he would never have pushed Jiang Wang towards Huaying Palace in the first place.

Looking at Jiang Wuqi, who would never open his eyes again,thinking of all the times this boy used to "lecture" him.

Jiang Wuxie sighed lightly in his heart.Perhaps he truly needed to "nurture his heart" (養心).

(The simplified physical books have officially launched for pre-sale!Currently available is Volume 1, "Bright Moon in the Sky," divided into two parts.Search for the book title on Dangdang and Tmall's Dangdang store.A poster, a set of Q-version character postcards are included with the book.The first two thousand pre-orders will also receive a signed copy by the author.Detailed material information is available on the author's Weibo "情何以甚的癡語" (Qing He Yi Shen's Ramblings).)