Chapter 697: Five Years (1)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

In the seventh year of the Mingde era, during the summer.

On the second day of June, Emperor Chu Qi, who had just turned fifty-seven, made an official decree on the day of the Longevity Festival. He expressed his intention in no uncertain terms to follow the example of Yao Shun by abdicating the throne in favor of Crown Prince Chu Yi.

The current Grand Secretary, Mu Sheng, represented the ministers and respectfully asked the Emperor to retract his decree. He delivered a grandiose speech praising the Emperor’s diligent rule, suggesting that, given the Emperor’s age, consideration of abdication could wait until his later years.

However, the Emperor responded with unwavering determination. “My resolve is set, and it is difficult to go against the will of the people.”

All the court officials knelt down and collectively shouted, “Long live the Emperor!”

Three days later, the Ministry of Rites and the imperial astronomy drafted three dates for the throne ceremony for the Emperor and the Crown Prince to choose.

Finally, the abdication ceremony was scheduled for the golden autumn month of October.

When the news spread, the country celebrated.

Not only the Great Jin, but even the other countries in the surroundings also learned this good news. The various countries sent envoys to the capital to participate in the meditation ceremony on the first of October.

From mid-September, the envoys of the various countries gradually arrived at the capital. The excited citizens of the capital spontaneously ran to the city gate to welcome these envoys. The capital hadn’t been so lively for many years.

On this day, many commoners gathered at the city gate. Heads were gathered, and it was bustling with activity. Noisy voices were everywhere.

“Brother, why are there so many people today?”

“Don’t you know? An envoy from the State of Yue came today!”

“What’s so rare about the envoys of the State of Yue?! It’s not like the envoys of the State of Yue have never come to the capital in the past!”

“It’s different this time! 1 heard that the person who came this time is the Regent of the State of Yue!”

“That Regent and Heavenly Palace Lord, Xia Houqing?”

“I heard that even His Highness the Crown Prince will personally come to welcome the Regent of the State of Yue today.”

H ii

At the mention of the Regent of the State of Yue, the crowd near the city gate immediately erupted.

The Regent of the State of Yue, Xia Houqing, was a legendary figure.

Back then, when the Sage of the State of Yue, Baili Hong, was in power, Xia Houqing held the reins of power, effectively dominating the political landscape of the State of Yue. He was second to none, surpassing tens of thousands.

Five years ago, when Baili Hong was seriously ill, he made Xia Houqing supervise the country. The Crown Prince, Baili Zhao, was equivalent to being taken over by Xia Houqing. From then on, Baili Hong fell sick and died in less than a year.

After that, Xia Houqing drafted an edict to cripple the Crown Prince, Baili Zhao, with the excuse that the Crown Prince was unfilial and unscrupulous. He replaced him with the sixteenth prince of the State of Yue, Baili Wu, who was only three months old at that time. From then on, Xia Houqing became the Regent of the State of Yue. He used the Son of Heaven to order the vassals and completely controlled the authority of the State of Yue.

Xia Houqing’s reputation had also spread around the world. Many shows featured Xia Houqing.

“Coming, coming, the envoy team of the State of Yue is here!”

Excited shouts came wave after wave from outside the South City Gate.

The eyes of the citizens on the street lit up. They stretched out their necks curiously and looked in the direction of the city gate.

Soon, the rumbling of hooves came from outside the city gate, getting louder and louder.

Before the person arrived, the flowers arrived first.

In the autumn wind, big red petals were blown over by the wind. They fell like fairies scattering flowers, as if a rain of petals was falling.

The commoners watching the commotion by the roadside let out gasps of surprise.

Outside the city, hundreds of horses galloped over at a moderate speed. In the lead was a beautiful young man in red who didn’t look like a spiritual master.

The young man’s red clothes were like fire, and there was a red jade hairpin stuck in his half-dressed bun. He was described as beautiful, and a dangerous and demonic aura lingered around him.

The bright red clothes of unknown materials flowed with light under the sun. When the wind blew, the clothes fluttered gently, producing water-like ripples.

Behind the young man was a group of personal guards in black light armor and riding black horses. Several personal guards in black clothes held a flower basket in their hands and scattered big red petals in the air, spreading a petal carpet on the street.

The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and golden horse bells sounded crisp and pleasant.

At the end of the line were several gorgeous golden carved carriages. Under the sunlight, the carriages flashed with golden light, looking abnormally luxurious.

The commoners all looked at Xia Houqing in shock. They couldn’t believe that this beautiful young man was actually the legendary, fierce, and ruthless Regent of the State of Yue.

Soon, another climax occurred on the street.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is here!”

“His Highness the Crown Prince really came to welcome that envoy.”

The commoners looked in the direction of the palace excitedly and saw a handsome young man in an apricot-yellow python robe leading dozens of royal guards to gallop towards the South City Gate..