chsdbacks Chapter 15 The Snow Night Emperor's Decision! A Jumping Avalanche
Chapter 15 The Snow Night Emperor's Decision! A Jumping Avalanche
The next morning, at the Tiandou Imperial Palace.
The morning bell tolled three times, and the heavy palace gates slowly opened.
Ying Zheng entered the palace hall at a leisurely pace; the hall was already filled with people.
Avalanche, Xue Qinghe, and Prince Xue Xing stood on either side, while Dugu Bo leaned against a pillar, his eyes half-closed, like a dozing venomous snake.
Even Hu Liena, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo stood at the very back of the hall.
Xue Beng glanced at Ying Zheng, a slight smile on his lips, his eyes saying, "Let's see how long you can keep up this act."
Ying Zheng did not look at the avalanche, and calmly walked to his position.
Zhao Gao approached closely and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Your Highness, the avalanche men have infiltrated the Imperial Guards. Three thousand iron cavalry are outside the city, and five hundred elite soldiers are in position inside."
Ying Zheng nodded slightly, his expression revealing no emotion.
"Anything else?"
"Your Majesty has summoned everyone today, I'm afraid it's to..." Zhao Gao paused, then his expression hardened slightly as he said, "to announce the matter of the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng remained silent.
He slightly raised his gaze and looked at the empty space above the dragon throne.
The Snow Night Emperor has not yet arrived.
The courtiers in the hall whispered among themselves, their eyes darting between Ying Zheng, Xue Beng, and Xue Qinghe.
Anyone can see that today's court assembly will not be peaceful.
"Your Highness, these past two years as regent have truly been arduous!"
A sarcastic voice rang out.
Upon hearing this, everyone paused for a moment, then looked in the direction from which the voice came.
Xue Beng slowly walked out, looking at Ying Zheng with a forced smile: "However, my younger brother is still young, and the affairs of the Heaven Dou Empire are very busy. If there is anything you are unsure about, you may ask your older brother."
"After all, little brother, you're only twelve and you already have white hair. I hope you don't die young."
The hall fell silent instantly, everyone's eyes fixed on Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng remained calm and said indifferently, "There's no need for Fourth Brother to trouble himself. Even if it's not my turn, it's probably not yours either."
Ying Zheng's words made his meaning clear: even if it wasn't his turn, it was Xue Qinghe's turn, not yours, fourth brother.
"you--"
Avalanche's face froze, and he was about to lash out when he was interrupted by a loud singing.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Emperor Xueye, supported by his attendants, slowly walked out and sat on the dragon throne. His face was pale and he looked sickly, but his cloudy old eyes were still sharp, sweeping over everyone in the hall.
"Is everyone here?"
Emperor Xueye's voice wasn't loud, but it silenced the entire hall.
He coughed twice, then looked at everyone and slowly said, "How has Zheng'er performed during these two years as regent?"
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent, and no one dared to answer.
At Xue Beng's prompting, the Vice Minister of Revenue stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is diligent. However, he is still young, and the Heavenly Dou Empire cannot afford to have a young ruler and a precarious state..."
"I didn't ask you!"
Xueye interrupted him abruptly, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Ying Zheng.
"Zheng'er, tell me yourself."
Ying Zheng stood ramrod straight as he stepped out of the ranks and stood in the center of the hall.
"Reporting to Father Emperor."
His voice was calm and unhurried:
"During the two years of regency, the taxes of Tiandou have been reduced by 30%, greatly reducing the burden on the people; the border troops have been supplied with enough food for five years, enough to cope with any war; 70% of the private armies of nobles have been wiped out, the security of Tiandou Empire has been significantly improved; 100,000 mu of wasteland have been newly reclaimed; the refugees have been properly resettled and successfully placed in jobs."
Each of these achievements is a genuine political accomplishment, and no one in the court can refute them.
The courtiers in the hall whispered among themselves; some nodded, some remained silent, and some had grim expressions.
Xue Beng's expression gradually darkened.
On the contrary, Xue Qinghe had a faint smile on his face, seemingly quite satisfied with the situation.
After listening, Emperor Xueye remained silent for a long time.
"good!"
He nodded slowly and said only one word.
But this one word carries more weight than any praise.
Emperor Xue Ye's gaze immediately turned to Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng, and he slowly asked, "What do you two think of Zheng'er's performance?"
Upon hearing this, the avalanche almost collapsed.
"Father..."
"Qinghe, you speak." Xue Ye said directly to Xue Qinghe before Xue Beng could say anything.
Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe stepped forward, a slight smile playing on his lips, his expression complex: "Father, Ninth Brother did indeed do very well; I am far inferior to him."
Upon hearing this, the courtiers couldn't help but show surprise, not expecting Xue Qinghe to speak up for Xue Beng.
You know, he's one of the main characters today.
That means giving up that supreme position.
Even the Snow Night Emperor's cloudy eyes revealed a strange light, and then he looked at the avalanche beside him, not letting him speak.
After a long silence, Emperor Xueye finally spoke, saying, "I am old."
The moment those three words were uttered, the atmosphere in the entire hall instantly became tense.
"I know my own body. The Heavenly Dou Empire needs someone who can withstand everything."
He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife.
"Tomorrow, I will announce something at the court assembly."
The ministers in the hall were all instantly startled, their hearts leaping into their throats.
He paused for a moment, then looked at Ying Zheng, Xue Qinghe, and Xue Beng, his voice low:
"Until then... I do not wish for anyone to die before tomorrow."
This statement is a blatant warning.
Xue Qinghe's face remained smiling, unchanged.
Avalanche's fist clenched tightly in his sleeve, his knuckles turning white; he understood.
Prince Xuexing remained silent, only glancing at Ying Zheng and the other two with a slight sigh.
Throughout history, the transfer of imperial power has always been incredibly bloody.
Ying Zheng remained calm, only slightly bowing his head: "Your subject understands."
"Court adjourned!"
After saying this, Emperor Xueye left the main hall with the help of his attendants.
He walked very slowly, his back hunched, like a lamp that was about to burn out.
The meeting dispersed.
The officials filed out, and soon only a few remained in the hall.
Xue Beng walked up to Ying Zheng, lowered his voice, and gritted his teeth, saying, "You think you've won?!"
Ying Zheng glanced at him indifferently, then walked slowly towards the outside of the hall.
Even an avalanche isn't worthy to speak to him.
"you--"
Avalanche's face was extremely gloomy, and his body was trembling.
As Ying Zheng walked out of the palace, he saw Xue Qinghe standing at the door with a smile on her face.
"Ninth Brother, your elder brother congratulates you."
"It seems you're finally going to get what you want."
Xue Qinghe's eyes were smiling.
"Thank you, brother." Ying Zheng simply nodded slightly at Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe didn't say much, but just glanced at the impotent and furious avalanche inside, shook his head slightly, and turned to leave the palace.
Ying Zheng walked out of the palace gate, and Zhao Gao stepped forward closely: "Your Highness, the people from Avalanche can't wait any longer. They will make their move tonight."
Ying Zheng didn't stop walking: "How many people?"
"It's the same people: three thousand iron cavalry, five hundred elite soldiers, and a portion of the Imperial Guard."
Ying Zheng stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed on the afterglow of the setting sun: "My father said that no one can die before tomorrow."
He paused for a moment before saying calmly, "Then... let them die after tomorrow."
"This servant understands!" Upon hearing this, a cold smile appeared in Zhao Gao's eyes, and then his figure seemed to disappear into the shadows.