AUBTN -Chapter 305 Bestowing Kingship

Even many of the key steps had been quietly facilitated by that old fox himself behind the scenes.

Lu Zhixing stepped back into the ranks, hiding his merits and fame.

As the court gradually settled down, the young emperor cleared his throat.

“Ministers, the Mid-Autumn Festival is fast approaching.”

“Prince Zhen’nan, Xiao Zhengnan, has guarded the frontier for many years. His merits are outstanding, and he has ensured the stability of Great Wei’s borders.”

“I have decided to summon Prince Zhen’nan back to the capital to report on his duties—and to enjoy the Mid-Autumn moon with me.”

The moment these words fell, the Golden Hall erupted!

“Your Majesty, you must not!”

The Censor-in-Chief immediately stepped forward, his voice filled with anguish.

“Prince Zhen’nan commands an army of three hundred thousand and occupies the southern frontier. His wolfish ambitions are known to both court and country!”

“To summon him back to the capital at such a time is no different from inviting a wolf into the house—it could bring great disaster!”

“Indeed, Your Majesty! Without an imperial summons, feudal princes must not enter the capital—this is ancestral law. It must not be broken!”

Voices of opposition rose one after another, most from the upright faction genuinely concerned for Great Wei.

On the other side, however, the Empress Dowager’s faction sensed something different.

Prince Zhen’nan belonged to their camp. If he returned to the capital, he could divide the young emperor’s attention—and perhaps even allow them to reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

Zhou Wenhai’s eyes flickered, and he immediately stepped out to refute them.

“Absurd! Prince Zhen’nan is a meritorious subject of Great Wei. Returning to the capital to report is part of his duty!”

“You pedantic scholars dare to slander him like this—are you not chilling the hearts of the soldiers on the front lines?”

“Minister Zhou speaks well! During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the prince returning for reunion highlights His Majesty’s benevolence and filial piety. What is wrong with that?”

In an instant, the two opposing factions fell into fierce argument within the court.

Spittle flew, faces flushed red—the once solemn Golden Hall had turned into a marketplace.

The young emperor watched coldly as the officials below bickered like fighting cocks, a faint mocking smile curling at his lips.

The fish… had finally all entered the pond.

“Silence!”

With another sharp shout, the young emperor forcefully suppressed the uproar.

He rose to his feet, his gaze passing through the crowd and out beyond the hall, his voice clear and resolute.

“Some days ago, I was harmed by traitors. Fortunately, the Director of the Eastern Depot, Shen Jue, and the Commander of the Embroidered Guard, Lu Yan, risked their lives to protect me. Only then was I spared.”

The hearts of the officials jolted once more.

What rewards were these two bloodthirsty blades going to receive now?

The young emperor took a deep breath.

“Shen Jue has rendered great service in saving me. His loyalty is commendable. From this day forward, he is to be conferred the title of Regent Prince, overseeing state affairs and assisting me in governance!”

“Lu Yan has shown unwavering loyalty. From this day forward, he is to be granted the title of a king with a different surname—bestowed the title ‘Jin,’ hereditary without end, to guard the capital!”

If summoning Prince Zhen’nan back to the capital had been a massive boulder, then these two decrees were like ten bolts of heavenly lightning!

They struck the entire court, leaving everyone utterly stunned!

A mutilated eunuch… made Regent Prince?

A commander of the Embroidered Guard… made a king of a different surname?

This was utterly ridiculous—an unprecedented absurdity unheard of in all of history!

A eunuch holding power, a military man crowned king—

The heavens of Great Wei were about to change completely!

The officials who had just been arguing fell abruptly silent.

The entire Golden Hall sank into deathly stillness.

“A eunuch… made a prince?!”

Someone shouted out loud!

This was madness!

In the hundred years since Great Wei’s founding, never had eunuchs interfered in politics to such an extent—let alone been granted princely titles!

And not just any title—but Regent Prince, one who would control the court!

The censorial officials of the upright faction felt their vision darken, their blood surging to their heads.

An elderly censor, his hair and beard completely white, could not withstand such a shocking blow. His legs gave way, and he collapsed unconscious on the spot!

“Lord Zhang! Lord Zhang, what’s wrong?!”

“Imperial physicians! Quickly, summon the imperial physicians!”

The hall descended into chaos once more.

Yet the young emperor remained seated high upon the dragon throne, watching the farce with cold detachment, not a ripple of emotion in his eyes.

Those officials who usually preached benevolence and righteousness were now beating their chests, tears streaming down their aged faces.

“Your Majesty! You must not!”

“When eunuchs meddle in state affairs, it is an omen of a nation’s downfall, Your Majesty!”

“Even if this humble servant must shed his blood on the spot, I cannot stand by and watch the century-old foundation of Great Wei be destroyed!”

Several of the more steadfast censors knelt on the ground, refusing to rise.

On the other side, the court officials aligned with the Empress Dowager were filled with both shock and fear.

Zhou Wenhai’s face had turned ashen.

In that instant, he realized—this was no reward.

This was the drawing of blades.

Using Shen Jue and Lu Yan—two of the sharpest and most ruthless blades in the empire—to completely sever the Empress Dowager’s power within the court.

The Prince of Zhennan had yet to return to the capital, and already the young emperor had handed over all military and administrative power of the capital to these two harbingers of doom.

Amid the chaos of the court—some wailing, others trembling—only Lu Zhixing remained as steady as a mountain.

He stood quietly at the head of the civil officials, hands folded within his wide sleeves, eyes lowered, his gaze resting on the bridge of his nose, his mind inwardly focused.

The surrounding noise and cries seemed to have nothing to do with him.

Only within his lowered eyes did an extremely complex glint flash by.

A king of a different surname? Prince Jin?

Lu Zhixing let out a silent sigh in his heart.

This son of his, who had always kept a low profile, truly lived up to the saying—silent until the moment he astonishes the world.

He couldn’t tell whether this would be a blessing or a curse.

The young emperor’s balancing strategy was indeed executed beautifully.

Using Shen Jue’s Eastern Depot to suppress the officials, and Lu Yan’s Embroidered Uniform Guard to keep the Prince of Zhennan in check.

But in the end, the young emperor was still too inexperienced.

He thought that by granting supreme power, he could bind these two fierce tigers completely.

Yet he did not realize—once a tiger is released from its cage, how could it be willing to remain forever a blade in someone else’s hand?

Lu Zhixing slightly lifted his eyelids, glanced at the young emperor on the high throne, then quickly lowered them again.

He remained inscrutable.

To wait and watch was the survival rule of an old fox.

“Court dismissed—”

With a eunuch’s slightly trembling cry, this morning court session—destined to be recorded in the annals of Great Wei—finally came to an end amid chaos and fear.

Night fell.

Deep within Yu Garden, lantern lights flickered, and laughter filled the air.

In the flower hall, a lavish banquet had been set.

Gone were the schemes and intrigues of the court—here there was only the fragrance of wine and the warm glow of candlelight.

Yu Qing hopped around the spacious hall like an overexcited rabbit.

“Your Highness, Prince Jin! Your Highness, Prince Jin!”

She circled around Lu Yan again and again, chanting the title like a spell.

Then she turned to Shen Jue, chattering away, “Regent Prince—you actually became the Regent Prince!”

Shen Jue shook his head helplessly, raising his wine cup in a distant toast. “Indeed. Greetings to the Princess Consort of Jin.”

“You’re too kind, too kind!” Yu Qing waved her hand with a grin.

Lu Yan wore the same helpless expression.

But deep in his eyes was boundless indulgence.

“Have you had enough spinning yet?”

His voice was low, tinged with restrained amusement.

“Not enough, not enough! How could it ever be enough!”

Yu Qing suddenly stopped, cupping her cheeks with both hands, her eyes shining like stars.

She leaned in close to Lu Yan, their noses almost touching.

“Lord Lu—oh no, Your Highness!”

“Do you even know what it means to be a king of a different surname?”

“That’s the ultimate male lead setup you only see in novels!”

“Power over the entire realm! Authority to execute first and report later! Cool, domineering, and absolutely over-the-top!”

Yu Qing was so excited she was practically spraying spit as she spoke.