Chapter 1887 - 198: Royal Honors

Taiji Hall.

The sky was slightly bright.

The morning light filtered through the glazed tiles of the hall’s roof, casting mottled shadows inside the hall.

Rumble——

A loud rumble as the thick, heavy doors of Taiji Hall, closed tightly, were forcefully pushed open by four Golden Armor Guards on each side, slowly opening with a deep rumble.

"Invite all officials into the hall!" A majestic and resonant voice echoed from within Taiji Hall.

With this command given.

Outside at Tai Chi Square.

A multitude of civil and military officials tidied up their attire, stepping steadily and slowly into Taiji Hall.

At this moment.

On the other side.

Behind the scenes within Taiji Hall.

Ji Minghao listened to the report of the person bowing beside him, his gaze slightly narrowing, with a slight frown on his brow.

"King Luoshui, has he not entered the palace yet?"

"Replying to the Holy Emperor, according to reports, King Luoshui’s figure has not yet been seen!" The Inner Guard bowed and replied.

Upon hearing this, Ji Minghao’s expression sank slightly.

He remained silent for a few breaths.

He flicked his long sleeves: "Proceed with the assembly!"

"Yes, Holy Emperor!"

...

At the same time.

Inside Taiji Hall.

The hall was brightly lit by candlelight, the smoke of incense curling up, with a faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air, adding to the solemn atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the civil and military officials were now arranged according to their ranks, standing on either side.

The hall was silent.

Just at that moment.

The eunuch sang out loudly: "The Holy Emperor has arrived——"

As the voice fell silent.

On the nine-layered platform, Ji Minghao appeared from behind the screen.

He was dressed in a dark black ceremonial robe, wearing a crown with twelve pendants, and slowly walked to the dragon throne.

"Salute to the Holy Emperor!"

"Salute to the Holy Emperor!!"

"..."

For a moment, the civil and military officials all simultaneously bowed to Ji Minghao.

The scene was grand and resounding throughout the hall.

After the voices of the officials subsided.

Ji Minghao raised his hand.

"All beloved ministers, dispense with the courtesies!"

"Be seated!"

As the words fell.

Only then did he sit down.

While Prime Minister Li, the Martial King, and those granted seats also bowed again to Ji Minghao.

Once the officials were seated, silence temporarily reigned in the hall.

Ji Minghao’s gaze swept the floor, lingering slightly on Ji Xuan before shifting his attention to the gathered ministers.

At that moment, the ministers’ gazes quietly fell on Ji Xuan, the Prince Pingjian.

This was the first time Ji Xuan attended the court assembly in a while.

They also understood that this was due to the passing of the Martial Saint.

Previously, the Martial Saint had ordered Ji Xuan to reflect on his mistakes in solitude, naturally precluding Ji Xuan’s presence at court assemblies.

But now, with the Martial Saint’s passing, no one restricted Ji Xuan’s movements anymore, so he could appear at the court assembly.

"In today’s morning court, do any ministers have reports?"

The words fell, instantly awakening the drifting thoughts of those below.

At this moment.

An official in a crimson robe stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying: "To the Holy Emperor, the minister has a report!"

"Proceed!" said Ji Minghao.

At that moment.

A eunuch hurriedly entered the hall, his steps interrupting the official about to present his report.

A moment ago, everyone’s gaze turned to the eunuch, and the originally solemn atmosphere in the hall was instantly broken.

Ji Minghao watched this scene, frowning slightly.

"What’s the urgent matter?"

The eunuch’s demeanor was composed, for he had just received the order to announce immediately upon King Luoshui’s arrival, without delay.

Then, he knelt on one knee on the carpet.

"To the Holy Emperor, King Luoshui Jiang Ning has arrived outside Taiji Hall, awaiting an audience."

Upon hearing this, Ji Minghao’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he promptly stood up.

"Announce!"

The eunuch responded and withdrew, his steps hasty.

At this moment, Ji Minghao also slowly stepped out, descending step by step from the nine-layered platform.

A moment later.

A tall figure appeared at the entrance of Taiji Hall.

That figure, silhouetted against the morning light, crossed the threshold, slowly entering the hall.

The newcomer was Jiang Ning.

He was dressed in a dark-colored everyday robe, not in court attire, walking with a composed pace.

At this moment, Ji Minghao stood at the foot of the nine-layered platform, facing Jiang Ning.

"Subject Jiang Ning, salutes the Holy Emperor!" Jiang Ning walked into the hall and cupped his hands in salute.

"No need for excessive courtesy, King Luoshui!!" Ji Minghao quickly approached, smiling, supporting Jiang Ning by the elbow with both hands.

Then, he turned to look at the palace maids and guards on one side of the hall.

"Be seated!"

As the words fell.

Two willow-like palace maids carried a carved purple sandalwood chair, moving as swiftly as the wind into the hall.

They placed the carved purple sandalwood chair above the nine-layered platform, ranked before Prime Minister Li and the Martial King, alongside Ji Xuan.

"King Luoshui, please be seated," said Ji Minghao.

At this moment, Jiang Ning blandly glanced at Ji Xuan, with no waves in his eyes.

Previously, Ji Xuan hadn’t attended the court assembly solely due to the Martial Saint’s words.

And now, with the Martial Saint’s passing, there was no need for Ji Xuan to reflect on his mistakes.

Jiang Ning calmly took his seat.

At this moment.

Ji Minghao also ascended the nine-layered platform again, seating himself upon the dragon throne.

His gaze swept over the civil and military officials below, finally resting on Jiang Ning.

"Beloved ministers, since King Luoshui is here to attend the court assembly, the main matter today is to discuss how to reward King Luoshui."

"King Luoshui was the first to go north to quell the calamity of Celestial Palace City’s breach, slaying King Zhuanlun, the North Barbarian State Preceptor blessed by the Great Snow Mountain God, in front of Celestial Palace City. Yesterday, he appeared in the Royal Capital, valiantly battling the Sword Immortal to protect the capital’s residents, ensuring the capital’s safety."

"Beloved ministers, let us all deliberate how to bestow rewards!"

As these words were spoken, Taiji Hall fell silent once again.

No civil or military official dared to speak first.

Jiang Ning’s achievements were already clearly laid out before them.

Repelling the danger from the Five Mountains Prefecture, pacifying the Beiman turmoil, slaying King Zhuanlun under the city, and yesterday valiantly battling the mysterious Sword Immortal, protecting the Royal Capital.

Such feats, if attributed to an ordinary minister, would have long warranted being granted a title of nobility and an official promotion to the highest ranks.