AUBTN -Chapter 321 I Hope I’m Overthinking

As long as the young emperor showed even a hint of suspicion or wariness, he could seize the opportunity to stir things up and join the court officials in suppressing these two major powers.

The entire hall fell into dead silence.

All eyes were fixed on the young Son of Heaven.

Neither Shen Jue nor Lu Yan spoke.

They, too, wanted to see just how far the young emperor—whom they had secretly supported and guided for so long—had grown.

The young emperor sat quietly on the dragon throne.

There was no panic in him; not even a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

He slowly stood up. His small frame somehow carried an undeniable authority that made others unwilling to look directly at him.

“Prince of Zhennan, are you finished speaking?”

His youthful voice echoed through the empty hall.

Xiao Zhengnan froze slightly. “This minister—”

“Though I am young, I am not blind, nor deaf.”

Step by step, the young emperor walked down from the imperial steps, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

“After the former emperor’s passing, the court fell into chaos—internal unrest and external threats. Who led the agents of the Eastern Depot and, overnight, suppressed the rebellion across the Twelve Districts of the capital?”

He looked toward Shen Jue.

Shen Jue lowered his head slightly, expression calm.

“And who, using the Jinyiwei and the imperial guards, executed eight corrupt and treasonous officials within three days, stabilizing the morale of the northern frontier?”

He turned to Lu Yan.

The young emperor returned to the front of the throne, then suddenly turned back, looking down at Xiao Zhengnan from above.

“It is because of the methods of these two ministers that I can sit safely on this dragon throne, and the people of Great Wei can enjoy this Mid-Autumn Festival!”

He pointed at Xiao Zhengnan, his voice suddenly rising.

“You say they wield power like they cover the sky with one hand? Fine! Then today, I will grant them that very power in front of all the court officials!”

“Announce my decree!”

The young emperor gave a sharp command. The old eunuch beside him immediately presented a prepared imperial edict.

“Shen Jue, as Regent, is granted great merit in assisting governance. He is permitted to enter the palace with sword, and not to dismount or walk in court! He is further promoted to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince!”

“Lu Yan, King of Jin, loyal and steadfast—granted the authority of ‘execute first, report later’!”

As soon as the decree was announced, the hall erupted in shock!

This was unreserved trust and empowerment!

The young emperor had completely bound himself to these two sharp blades, delivering a resounding slap to the Prince of Zhennan.

“My empire stands firm precisely because of the Regent and the King of Jin.”

Looking at Xiao Zhengnan, whose face had turned deathly pale, the young emperor smiled faintly—his expression carrying a depth of imperial cunning far beyond his years.

“Prince, you have worked hard guarding the frontier. The southern lands are harsh and filled with miasma. Since you have returned to the capital, you should rest here for a while. As for the military power of the south… King of Jin, you may help the Prince share the burden.”

Lu Yan responded solemnly, “This minister obeys the decree!”

Xiao Zhengnan felt as though he had been struck by lightning. His legs nearly gave out as he staggered backward half a step.

He never expected that his carefully planned attempt to sow discord would not only be effortlessly neutralized by this so-called puppet emperor—but instead used as an excuse to strip him of military authority.

“What? Does the Prince of Zhennan refuse to share the emperor’s burden?” The young emperor’s gaze instantly turned cold.

Gritting his teeth, Xiao Zhengnan finally dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

His eyes were red as he stared up at the still-youthful figure on the dragon throne.

“The hundred thousand soldiers of the southern frontier have followed my House Xiao for decades, shedding blood on the battlefield and defending the nation! They only recognize the banner of Xiao—they do not obey others easily! Military power is the cornerstone of the nation—how can it be taken so lightly as if it were a child’s toy? If Your Majesty insists on this course, are you not afraid of breaking the hearts of the border soldiers?”

These words were already close to open intimidation.

The temperature in the hall seemed to drop further. Everyone held their breath.

The young emperor’s face turned slightly pale—but he still straightened his back without retreating even a step.

“Xiao Aiqing… are you threatening me?”

“I dare not!” Xiao Zhengnan let out a cold laugh.

“This subject is merely reminding Your Majesty: water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it! The foundation of the Great Wei requires valiant generals skilled in warfare—not eunuch factions who only know how to hide in the deep palace and manipulate power!”

He glanced meaningfully at Shen Jue, then completely ignored court etiquette, sweeping his sleeve fiercely.

“Different paths do not make for shared counsel. Farewell!”

With that, he truly turned and walked straight out of the Taihe Hall under the gaze of all civil and military officials—without once looking back.

A grand Mid-Autumn palace banquet thus ended in discord.

Shen Jue and Lu Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing the same gravity in each other’s eyes.

Tonight, the young emperor had indeed acted too hastily.

Xiao Zhengnan commanded troops and held deep foundations—how could he be shaken so easily by a single imperial decree?

Their original plan had been to proceed gradually, yet they had not expected the young emperor to suddenly act like this, directly escalating the conflict beyond repair.

In the carriage on the way back, the atmosphere was frozen.

The four of them sat in silence.

Su Hewan frowned slightly, as if repeatedly pondering something.

Finally, she broke the silence, her gaze clear as she looked straight at Shen Jue and Lu Yan.

“Did the young emperor’s actions tonight—including promoting you and stripping power from Xiao Zhengnan—were they discussed with you beforehand?”

Both Shen Jue and Lu Yan shook their heads at the same time.

“As expected.” Su Hewan took a deep breath, a flash of understanding appearing in her eyes.

“I knew something felt off.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Jue asked.

Su Hewan lowered her voice.

“Have you still not realized? He wasn’t acting rashly—he did it on purpose. Xiao Zhengnan is a fierce tiger, and you two are starving wolves. He fears either side becoming too powerful, so he deliberately elevated you in front of all the court, granting you immense authority just to provoke Xiao Zhengnan into open opposition.”

“He wants the three of you—him, you, and the Zhen’nan Prince’s faction—to form a tripod balance, restraining and exhausting one another. And he, the emperor, will sit firmly above it all, reaping the benefits from the sidelines. Tonight’s banquet looked like a reward for you—but in truth, it was a blade placed in your hands for him to wield.”

“Damn it!” Yu Qing exploded immediately, slamming her fist into the cushion.

“I knew we shouldn’t have helped that little white-eyed wolf! We should’ve let him die from the Zhou family’s poison instead! That would’ve saved us from being calculated like this!”

Su Hewan gently patted her hand to calm her.

“I told you before—he is no ordinary man. He just hadn’t grown his wings yet back then.”

“Hmph!” Yu Qing still fumed.

“And whose hands sharpened his claws? Without you two, what could a thirteen-year-old brat even do? Now that he’s grown wings, the first thing he does is peck at his own people!”

“Enough.” Lu Yan’s deep voice interrupted. He held Yu Qing’s hand, his expression calm and steady.

“In the imperial family, there is no such thing as emotion. This has always been true. We supported him for the sake of Great Wei’s stability. As long as he becomes a wise ruler in the future, I don’t mind being his blade.”

Shen Jue also spoke lightly.

“Yes. If he were truly an innocent and naive child, he would never be able to sit on that throne. Rather than supporting a puppet, it is better to assist a true emperor.”

He looked at Su Hewan with a reassuring smile.

“This chess game has only just begun.”

Su Hewan looked at the two men before her—one loyal to the state, one skilled in schemes. She had thought they would be angry.

Unexpectedly, they had already understood everything—and reached the same conclusion.

She nodded, though a faint unease still lingered in her heart.

I hope… I’m just overthinking.

Only Yu Qing remained unconvinced, muttering under her breath:

“A wise ruler? We’ll see!”

The heavy topic faded away.

Shen Jue leaned back against the cushion, idly playing with Su Hewan’s hair.

“My lady truly lived up to expectations today at the banquet—your tongue alone could topple a court of scholars,” he said with undisguised pride.

Su Hewan rested against him, letting out a soft laugh.

“Of course. I’m the one protecting the great Lord Regent.”

Meanwhile, Yu Qing was clinging to Lu Yan’s arm, grinning like a cat that had stolen fish.

“How did I do today? That old green-tea schemer’s face turned completely green! Hahaha!”

Lu Yan looked down at the radiant woman in his arms, his usually cold features completely softening.

“Your acting… is unparalleled in the world. I am… convinced.”