Chapter 372: Pure-Blooded and Upright (Part 3)

It’s been several days, yet there’s still no resolution from all the arguing. Every day the civil and military officials of the court attend the morning assembly as usual, not to discuss affairs of the state, but merely to silently watch several Vassal Kings bicker.

Some days ago, Emperor Jing and the Empress were mysteriously blown to pieces while drinking together in Weiyang Palace.

The Vassal Kings from various provinces were summoned to the capital for the funeral, and thus the opportunity arose.

With the Emperor Jing’s passing, the nation couldn’t go a day without a ruler.

They weren’t overly sorrowful; instead, each of them considered themselves as the rightful successor to the throne, believing that the Noble Consort and civil and military officials ought to choose them as the new Emperor.

And so they argued. If no conclusion was reached one day, they’d continue the next.

Since all were Princes, it wasn’t proper to argue while standing. Hence, the Noble Consort and Mr. Wei sat high beside the dragon throne, with the Chief Eunuch Li Zhongxin standing at the steps.

Below the steps, two rows of seats were arranged, where they faced each other while drinking tea and arguing as they sat.

Beneath the Vassal Kings were the civil and military officials. Naturally, they had it tougher, as they had to stand in orderly rows like in ordinary court sessions, attending to them.

“I am the full brother of the late Emperor from the same mother. No matter how you look at it, my bloodline is pure and noble, and the throne rightfully belongs to me!”

The King Liangzhou slammed the table abruptly, causing the teacups on it to clatter.

His face was as handsome as carved jade, and his light azure robe, embroidered with python designs, lent him an elegant air. Only when his thin lips pressed together did they reveal a hint of acrimony.

When he spoke, there was always a slight smile, yet it sent chills down one’s spine.

Across from him, the King of Xu State let out a cold laugh, calmly smoothing out non-existent wrinkles on his sleeve.

“Brother, you’re mistaken,” the King of Xu State said, his voice not loud but every word clear. “If we are to discuss bloodline, my mother was from the Wei Family, the leading noble house. The late Emperor often said, ‘To govern the country, one must rely on the noble families.’ How can we turn our backs on his guidance now?”

He was burly, his brows and eyes bore a five-point resemblance to the late Emperor, but his narrow eyes gleamed with a sharper light.

The crimson purple robe, embroidered with python designs, hugged his strong body, and the jade pendant with python patterns hanging from his waist swung violently with his movements.

“Nonsense!” The King Liangzhou’s eyes grew wide, his temple veins bulging, “Your mother was just a concubine. How dare you compare her to the Empress Dowager? I am the Empress Dowager’s legitimate son, the late Emperor my true brother. This empire should be mine!”

The civil and military officials in the hall held their breath, their eyes fixed ahead in silence, fearful of being drawn into the dispute. Only a few veteran ministers occasionally exchanged glances, secretly calculating their positions.

“Heh, brother, how arrogant you are. Speaking of legitimacy, I am the eldest son,” said the King of Xu State, unhurriedly withdrawing a bamboo slip from his sleeve. “This is the ‘National Governance Strategy’ my father awarded me, inscribed with his own handwriting, ‘Huan’er is wise and will surely accomplish great things.’ Would you like to take a look?”

King Liangzhou’s face turned ashen as he snatched the bamboo slip and hurled it to the floor. “Boasting about a mere inscription? Before my father passed, he secretly summoned me to the palace, promising me personally…”

“Enough!” Qi State’s King suddenly struck his table too. “You two have been arguing the same few points. Don’t forget, I’m also the Emperor’s son, and my mother’s family is of noble descent too.”

The King of Qingzhou seized the moment to interject, “In my opinion, why don’t we follow the ancestral system and have the Imperial Clan Court preside over a drawing of lots at the Ancestral Temple?”

“Nonsense!” shouted the Kings of Liangzhou and Xuzhou in unison.

The King of Jizhou shrank back, muttering softly, “Actually… I do think what sixth brother said makes some sense…”

“Shut up!” King Liangzhou glared, “Who asked for your opinion? Your mother was just the daughter of a third-rank official, and you think you’re fit to vie for the throne?”

The King of Jizhou turned pale, his head bowed, silent. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was stagnant, interrupted only by the ticking of the copper clepsydra.

The King of Qingzhou looked up at the Noble Consort seated beside the throne once more and suggested, “All this bickering is getting us nowhere. You, as the Empress’s sister-in-law, may it be better… will you decide?”

A soft sigh came from the high seat.

The Noble Consort turned to glance at Mr. Wei seated on the other side of the throne, her voice tinged with fatigue.

“All princes here are of the late Emperor’s bloodline, and I, being just a woman, find it difficult to make a decision…”

At that moment, the Prince Jingzhou, who had been silently observing from his seat for several days, suddenly chuckled softly.

His tall figure clad in a simple indigo robe sharply contrasted with his brothers in their python-embroidered garments.

But within those eyes, which bore a striking resemblance to the late Emperor’s phoenix eyes, shone a clarity that saw through worldly affairs.

“Seventh brother, what are you laughing about?” the King of Xu State narrowed his eyes slightly.