ASER - Chapter 203
Chapter 203: The Audacious One
Given that the Emperor's demise was a matter of utmost national importance, the core echelon of state power had to establish a complete system of succession to ensure a seamless transition of authority.
This was a process, and also a means of mitigating risk.
At this moment, in the conference room in the rear hall of Qiankun Palace, everyone was present. At the head sat the Imperial Family's Council of Elders, led by NO1. On the other side was the Empress. The Empress, by law and within the power structure, inherently possessed protective rights. So, one should not underestimate this position; once the Emperor passed away, Daoguang Jingci would, in fact, become the greatest co-sharer of power—because she was the current Empress of Tang Song whom they could not oust.
Thus, NO1 and Daoguang Jingci occupied the primary seats on either side. Besides them, Lushan's Old Man Yu sat at the head of another section, with A'Diao next to him. The intervening seats were filled by Grand Masters, Grand Patriarchs, the Chief Counselors of the court, and other high-ranking ministers. Then there were the foremost figures of authority from various provinces, like Xiao Mieluo, who had been secretly teleported to Kyoto at the earliest opportunity.
Among them were also the heads of noble and powerful families such as Cao and Duanmu, as well as leaders of secular Daoist sects like Zhao and He.
The central and local leadership were all gathered.
They aimed to smooth out this system internally, to prevent the succession framework from being disrupted before external pressures arrived.
This was a procedure NO1 and the others had long calculated.
Of course, foreign powers were certainly aware by now; there were already signs of troop movements on the borders with Lie Qin Nation and Nan Jin Nation.
Truth be told, the hundred or so people in this room basically controlled 99% of the nation's power.
A'Diao sat in the most central section, chin propped on her hand, watching these old men and women ramble on, while mentally bickering with Toilet: "If a super HE bomb were air-dropped here right now, the entire Tang Song would be paralyzed and destroyed."
Toilet: "..."
I think you're that HE bomb. So venomous.
It was, after all, a plan for regicide. It was believed that the seasoned old foxes present would also see that there wouldn't be any internal problems.
For military leaders like Xiao Mieluo, although the old Emperor and the Imperial Family's inner circle were at odds, and a division of power benefited them, they were united in the overall matter of weakening local authorities. He was gone. Replaced by a puppet controlled by the Imperial Family's old guard, the overall situation wouldn't change much.
The difference was—they couldn't alter this situation either.
Because Lushan Academy had tacitly approved it.
What else could they do if they didn't approve? Change to another prince?
Would it make a difference?
So Lushan Academy watched its replacement with a cold eye, neither approving nor disapproving, pushing the responsibility for resolution onto the Dantai clan itself.
Xiao Mieluo looked up, towards A'Diao over there.
Right now, various influential figures were still taking turns delivering their speeches, the core content of which was all—to ensure the stability of our Tang Song, for Tang Song!
When Imperial Family's NO1 spoke, she was eating potato chips, crunch, crunch.
When the old clan patriarch spoke, she was drinking milk tea, glug, glug, glug.
When the head of the dukes spoke, she was gnawing on beef jerky, smack, smack...
When it was Lushan's Old Man Yu's turn to speak...
Old Man Yu looked at A'Diao expressionlessly, "Wait until I'm finished before you eat."
A'Diao silently put down her durian jerky.
After Old Man Yu stepped down, Daoguang Jingci, the Emperor's "widow," went up. A'Diao immediately picked up the durian jerky.
Daoguang Jingci casually glanced at A'Diao, then calmly delivered her speech, which was indirectly clear.
The Crown Prince would ascend the throne. She supported it.
Just like that.
Just as everything was about to conclude, NO1 suddenly said, "Lushan Academy has always been the orthodox and sacred land of cultivation for our Tang Song. Since the founding of Tang Song, my Dantai clan and Lushan have been inseparable. The enthronement ceremony has always been presided over by Lushan. This time, we will trouble Mountain Head Yu again. However, according to tradition, when the Junior Sect Master of Lushan is present, they also represent Lushan. Since our Dantai clan has a Crown Prince ascending the throne, to ensure the flourishing prosperity of our Tang Song, why not have the Junior Sect Master preside tomorrow?"
Was this to push A'Diao to the forefront?
Damn!
In reality, it was to weaken Old Man Yu's authority in Lushan and Tang Song, and to promote a split between the new and old powers within Lushan. After all, within the Dantai Imperial Family, the old power controlled the new, but within Lushan, A'Diao was too formidable for the old power to control. This would only hasten Lushan's division, thereby unifying the Dantai clan internally.
This old dog, so venomous, constantly scheming, digging pits everywhere, restless all night.
Would Mountain Head Yu be angry? Would A'Diao be overjoyed?
The fact was, Mountain Head Yu smiled, turned his head and asked A'Diao, "Diaodiao, it's up to you. Your Master is fine either way."
Everyone simultaneously looked at A'Diao.
If A'Diao were to preside over the enthronement ceremony tomorrow, not just Tang Song, but the entire Three Kingdoms would have to acknowledge her "State Preceptor" status.
Would she refuse such fatal power and glory?
Based on previous observations, this person was a typical power contender, so...
Xiao Mieluo, however, glanced at those old dogs from the Imperial Family and sneered coldly. This group probably still didn't understand A'Diao well enough.
As the conference hall fell completely silent, everyone stared intently at the youngest participant there.
A meeting where the average age exceeded sixty.
She was only nineteen.
Yet she was directly pushed into an awkward proposition.
Under everyone's gaze, A'Diao still had a piece of durian jerky in her hand.
"Huh? Like what? What are you talking about?"
So you weren't listening at all just now?
Everyone: "..."
It was an old man from the Duanmu family who couldn't bear to watch any longer. Thinking that there was, after all, an "indirect and then some" marital connection, he gently reminded her.
Only then did A'Diao snap back to reality and ponder for a moment.
The old emperor was dead, so be it. What she cared about wasn't whether this new monarch was a rookie or an old fox, nor whether the freshly minted Empress Dowager was easy to seduce, but this...
"Let's discuss this matter later. I have a somewhat embarrassing question I'd like to ask everyone."
NO1, always hypocritical, maintained a flawless facade, smiling gently. "Junior Sect Master, please speak."
Deliberately calling her Junior Sect Master, heh.
A'Diao feigned shyness, "Um, His Majesty has passed away. When will my royal princedom be conferred?"
NO1's expression stiffened slightly.
Everyone: "..."
A'Diao: "Logically, my conferment should be presided over by His Majesty. Pity that His Majesty's heavenly lifespan did not permit it; I don't have such fortune. Then, according to old rules, the new monarch must confer my title. But he can't confer it on me today, can he? He's still the Crown Prince now, that would break the rules. So, tomorrow, after I preside over his enthronement and grant him monarchical authority, he then confers my title upon me? This is like having monarchical authority legitimately granted by the pontiff who acts on behalf of heaven, based on the teachings of saints, which is absolutely correct. But then, having the royal princedom granted by monarchical authority, that's also correct. Yet, in between, I carry the identity of the pontiff's successor. When I, in my capacity as Junior Sect Master, am granted a royal princedom by the monarch, does this not count as—monarchical authority granted to the pontiff, the pontiff granting the royal princedom, and the royal princedom granting monarchical authority? A separation of three powers, yet also a closed loop devouring each other. Great Elder, is this what you mean?"
NO1's expression changed instantly.
How could that be!
The imperial power wanted to keep even Lushan under its thumb; how could it allow a separation of three powers? Dream on!
The three non-Dantai princes of the Xie family were aghast, their faces extremely awkward.
They, along with the imperial power and the Lushan pontificate, forming a tripartite separation of powers?
What the hell!
This was audacity reaching for the heavens.
The three princes' sphincters tightened. Xie Jingyu's father and elder brother were cursing internally, a group of people frantically sending mental power towards A'Diao.
Damn it all, we've been good and obedient, not causing any trouble, who did we offend!
You'll be a prince like us soon, can't you show some camaraderie for your own faction!
The unlucky three non-Dantai princes were suddenly sacrificed by A'Diao while they were merely "eating melon seeds" (observing the drama). Pitifully, they dared not make a sound and could only cast pleading glances at the Mountain Head.
Unfortunately, the Mountain Head was currently reaching for the durian jerky on A'Diao's table.
In this round, A'Diao was operating on a stratospheric level, effortlessly defeating magic with magic—and a supreme, closed-loop magic at that, directly targeting the foundation of the state: the system of power distribution.
NO1, usually adept at sophistry, was stumped. The group of Imperial Family elders also had grim faces, momentarily unable to find a way to break the deadlock.
Should they then retract the princedom?
This retraction would be another slap in their own faces, a disregard for national dignity. After all, this reward was initially used to silence domestic critics as well as Lie Qin and Nan Jin. To go back on their word now would be to disgrace the nation, unless they offered her an even better reward.
Give what? Make her the Crown Prince?
The mere thought was suffocating.
Then should NO1 retract his earlier scheme? That would be slapping his own face again.
This damned Chen A'Diao!
How could she be so cunning?
A'Diao didn't consider herself cunning. Perhaps feeling she had troubled this group of old fogeys, whose average age exceeded 300 years, she said in an even gentler and more considerate tone, "Esteemed elders, there's no need to feel troubled. I actually have an excellent solution—how about Great Elder, you confer the title upon me on behalf of His Highness the Crown Prince? It's best to do it quickly. We shouldn't confer my title just before His Highness the Crown Prince becomes the new monarch; otherwise, it might cause misunderstandings and be detrimental to your reputation."
Pfft... How ruthless! Not only stealing the bamboo shoots but also pouring herbicide into the bamboo pit.
The old man from the Zhao family, who had been feigning detachment by drinking tea to avoid getting involved, spat it out.
Old Man Yu also choked.
The atmosphere in the conference room was awkward and agitated. The faces of the Imperial Family elders were all frozen.
NO1 took a deep breath and said solemnly, "A'Diao, you are young. How can you... The Emperor's majesty must not be trampled upon. Let Mountain Head Yu do it then. I was inconsiderate just now."
A'Diao sighed comfortingly, "Great Elder, what are you saying? You are so advanced in age. If there is anyone in this world who would be harsh and demanding towards you, expecting you to be like a saint, flawless and unassailable at all times, I would be the first to tear their mouth apart! One must know that our Tang Song was founded upon the supreme etiquette of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parent, and Teacher, with inheritance as its foundation. Naturally, one must be filial to the elderly. Don't you agree?"
They had just committed regicide, and their own clan was engaged in such murderous infighting, yet she spoke of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parent, and Teacher. It was beyond laughable.
But she said it with a straight face, a mix of insult and scolding—a bunch of old fogeys, still not dead at this age, still meddling in this and that, ptooey!
Being publicly disparaged like this, these old men felt their hearts constrict, wishing they could beat her to death on the spot.
Alas, but you don't dare to strike, you just don't dare!
This wasn't her fault. She wasn't getting involved; you all insisted on cueing her. If you cue her, don't blame me for humiliating you.
A bunch of old fogeys.
It proved that the champion selected from Lushan's examination of billions still possessed high caliber. In terms of intellect, she outclassed the lot of them, not to mention she was inherently skilled in cunning and effortlessly controlled the situation with her words and laughter.
NO1 took a deep breath and smiled, "A'Diao is indeed well-mannered. Brother Yu, I truly envy you."
Old Man Yu: "Indeed. Our A'Diao is very filial. All the old folks at Lushan adore her."
Of course, they adored her. If they didn't, they'd be haunted and tormented in their dreams by the even older folks from above.
Moreover, he could see that A'Diao's response in this instance neither rejected Lushan's power nor placed herself in a subordinate position, while also subtly elevating the status of the princedom.
She never suffered a loss.
Because A'Diao was filial, respected the old and cherished the young, and provided a way out, the meeting once again became harmonious and pleasant, and soon concluded.
It had to end. They were afraid this Chen A'Diao would insult someone else. Families like the Cao and other nobles worried that she might, on a whim, decide to make a sacrifice of the powerful nobles next.
With the catfish stirring things up, the meeting accelerated to a successful conclusion.
After it ended, the doors of the conference hall opened, and the crowd walked out. In the square outside the main hall of Qiankun Palace, they saw a kneeling group... of imperial family members.
All the old emperor's descendants were kneeling there, regardless of age.
Only then did A'Diao realize the old emperor had so many children... over a hundred of them.
Impressive.
Outside the threshold of the great hall, the first line was the Crown Prince. Starting from the second line were the Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and other princes, eldest princesses, and so on. Further back... were the imperial concubines.
This group of people constituted the content of the state's highest echelon of power.
Yes, merely content.
They could represent power, and most of them would ultimately only represent power, but they could not wield it.
At least for now, as A'Diao walked out, her gaze swept over these individuals who could once have crushed her with a single finger. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her thoughts somewhat detached.
She was thinking—these people, too, were merely ants among the myriad of living beings.
The only difference was that after their father passed away, they knelt in the Qiankun Main Hall, not in the dilapidated, blue-tiled houses of common folk.
Just because they had a new master, they cried as if the sky had fallen.
Toilet: "What are you thinking now?"
A'Diao: "I'm thinking—actually, the Imperial Family is nothing special."
Indeed, nothing special.
A'Diao coldly watched as Old Man Yu announced the Crown Prince's succession, and watched as Dantai Ke and the others turned deathly pale.
After the announcement, the Crown Prince received the royal decree. Following tradition, he bowed to NO1 and Daoguang Jingci one by one. When it came to Mountain Head Yu's side, he bowed, then after a moment, he bowed and saluted A'Diao.
The Junior Sect Master and the Crown Prince were theoretically of equal rank, but the latter would, at the very least, be the monarch by tomorrow.
Very polite, truly polite.
A'Diao immediately supported his hands. When the Crown Prince looked up, everyone was watching them.
Theoretically, these two could represent the future pinnacle of power in Tang Song.
Their interaction also signified the future political landscape of Tang Song—of course, the Crown Prince probably wouldn't have much autonomy, while Chen A'Diao's influence was clearly established.
So, they were all guessing... how Chen A'Diao would express herself.
Her statement would be more effective than the Crown Prince's.
But the Crown Prince's gaze towards this Junior Sect Master seemed a bit strange.
Those with a more romantic turn of mind could sense a hint of something amiss.
No way, no way.
If the Imperial Family and Lushan could be united by marriage, Tang Song would probably stabilize. Some old-fashioned cabinet ministers even entertained this thought.
However, amidst the ambiguous atmosphere, A'Diao wore a solemn expression and said earnestly, "Your Highness is about to become the ruler of the nation. A ruler receives the mandate of Heaven. Family matters are state matters. In the future, please... marry early, beget noble sons soon, ensure prolific offspring, lay the foundation of inheritance for the Dantai Imperial Family, and for the nation..."
In short—have children, you must have many children, because besides having children, big brother, there's not much else you can do.
The Crown Prince's expression was awkward. "Your Excellency Junior Sect Master..."
A'Diao pressed his shoulder, with an almost motherly affection, "Your Highness is the legitimate eldest son of the late Emperor, of noble status, naturally possessing the late Emperor's demeanor. You must be confident. You will surely be as formidable as the late Emperor, procreate abundantly, and establish the prosperity of the next generation for the Dantai clan's inheritance."
At this moment, the entire hall was already adorned with white funeral flowers, white chrysanthemums covering the ground. A dense crowd of princes and princesses, clad in sackcloth and mourning attire, filled the space. But if one were to speak of prolific prosperity, every prince and princess harbored countless curses in their hearts.
Who the hell hoped for prosperity!
It was precisely because their father was a stud, capable of siring so many offspring, that their own status had been continually diluted. And the Crown Prince, as the legitimate eldest son, had suffered greatly from having too many brothers since childhood, always treading on thin ice.
Hearing A'Diao's words, even with all his cunning, he felt a pang in his heart.
Conversely, everyone now knew that the late Emperor had died due to that scandalous affair, merely covered up by the claim that he had passed away naturally due to old age...
Therefore, Chen A'Diao's words were essentially dancing on the late Emperor's grave, indirectly also criticizing the Dantai clan's hidden atrocity of exploiting women for childbirth.
The civil and military officials lowered their heads; the imperial concubines looked somewhat melancholic.
The Imperial Family members present were mortified to death, yet her words were not wrong, even quite orthodox, leaving no room for criticism.
They even had to nod and say, "Yes, yes, you are right."
The Crown Prince's breathing hitched slightly. He lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Junior Sect Master is right. This one will certainly strive. In the future..."
A'Diao immediately interjected, "I understand. I am willing to be the godfather to Your Highness's children. In fact, I have already thought of names for Your Highness's future twins, a boy and a girl."
The Crown Prince: "..."
Dantai Ke and the others: "..."
Are you insane?
Dantai Zhuying even felt a little like laughing, but she suppressed it.
A'Diao's stance wasn't wrong either. In terms of her royal princedom, she ranked at the head of the royalty and nobility. In terms of her status as the nation's religious leader, she was the Junior Sect Master, and as the future successor to Lushan, she would be the true State Preceptor. Being a godfather posed no problem; historically, the Imperial Family and Lushan had experienced honeymoon periods where such things indeed occurred.
She wasn't wrong.
It just had a certain "Old Wang next door" way of putting things, making the Imperial Family members present feel a lump in their throats, and leaving the orthodox old-guard ministers with too many unspoken objections, even feeling rather alarmed.
They suddenly realized that Chen A'Diao had invisibly transcended the official hierarchy, moving from the status of a subject to an ambiguous position of influence at the very top of the nation—she could affect the country's situation.
This caused the eyes of nobles like the Cao and Duanmu families to gleam darkly.
Her left foot on a royal princedom, her right foot in Lushan, possessing immense prestige in the military, and even enjoying soaring popularity among the common people, far surpassing the Imperial Family.
Such a person... was already at the core of the empire.
NO1 realized A'Diao was stealing the show. He immediately coughed, offered a few words of encouragement to the Crown Prince, hinting for him to reclaim the spotlight. The Crown Prince's eyes darkened slightly, but he remained composed, donning the aura of a future king in front of all his siblings.
It was nothing much, really. But at the end, the future religious leader and the soon-to-be First Prince (A'Diao) suddenly took the current Empress Dowager's hand, saying with deep affection, "Sister and I hit it off from the moment we met. Now that sister is widowed and holds the position of Empress Dowager, she must be under immense pressure. If you encounter any difficulties, as Junior Sect Master, and to ensure the friendship between our Tang Song and the Heavenly Spirit Clan, I will definitely accompany you."
Accompany? Accompany with what?
You... you actually dare to say that.
And with such an air of sacrificing herself for the country.
Everyone's eyes went wide; even Old Man Yu stared, and NO1's mouth twitched.
Daoguang Jingci was taken aback for a second but quickly regained her composure. Glancing at the hand holding hers, she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "The nation has its monarch, the Council of Elders, and important court ministers. I am merely a woman; how could I possibly encounter any difficulties?"
She tried to withdraw her hand, but Chen A'Diao's grip tightened. A'Diao said earnestly, "I'm just worried that sister will be idle with nothing to do and feel lonely. Please, don't be polite. I'm available whenever you call."
Daoguang Jingci: "Junior Sect Master is a national prodigy in cultivation. I'm afraid of taking up your time."
A'Diao: "How can accompanying the Empress Dowager be called taking up time?"
These words were too venomous.
Daoguang Jingci was rendered speechless. She wanted to laugh, but couldn't, which was also quite taxing.
Others found the air in the room a bit thin.
Dantai Zhuying subconsciously thought of a certain television drama.
The lines in it went something like this—"...there seemed to be a strange noise. At first, I thought it was... impropriety, but then I found XXX disheveled with that madcap, the two engaged in amorous activities, oblivious to the world. They were apprehended on the spot, still sweating profusely in the flower bushes, XXX's crimson mandarin duck bodice still hanging on that madcap's waist."
Honestly, if Chen A'Diao weren't a woman, Dantai Zhuying truly believed she was capable of such things.
She was an audacious one who trampled on the Imperial Family.
At least now, her true colors were beginning to show.
"What are you standing around dazed for? Keep crying."
The audacious A'Diao finally withdrew her hand, letting the "pitifully widowed" Empress Dowager off the hook. Then, clasping her hands behind her back, she strolled out.
As she walked past these imperial nobles, her voice was light and airy.
"There are no gods or ghosts on the road to the Yellow Springs. Earthly imperial power tolerates no disloyal subjects. After the crying is done, Tang Song will still be Tang Song. The sky won't fall."
After A'Diao left, the mourning platform in the hall, once filled with the sound of weeping, fell silent for a long time. Many of the military council ministers kneeling outside subconsciously looked towards the young girl.
She had just walked out of the main hall, her robes flowing, her long hair dancing lightly. Who knows what thought crossed her mind, but with her back to the backdrop of the old emperor's funeral, she curled her lips into a faint smile.
Blatant, contemptuous, and wicked.
Step by step, she trod upon this land of imperial power, moving against the current.
A night passed, and just as dawn broke, light pierced through, as if the first ray of morning sun had descended upon the earth for her, its sovereign.
For a moment, everyone stared, stunned.
The commander who had been at the border on that day suddenly lowered his head, his eyes slightly heavy: The emperor is dead, and the new emperor is weak. Power is centralized. Does it seem that those old royal elders from three hundred years ago have finally achieved their long-cherished wish, or... are they merely paving the way for someone else?
But at least, at this very moment, this nineteen-year-old, radiant as the scorching sun, had declared her existence in the most mischievous way, treading on the Imperial Family's bottom line.
New Emperor? Empress Dowager?
How could she possibly care about them?
She was just craftily telling everyone—your choices aren't limited to the new king, the Empress Dowager, or the Imperial Family's old dogs.
There's also me.
Can they compare to me, who is like the sun at its zenith?
No.
The commander suddenly thought of Chen Xun, with one foot in the world of science and the other in the core of the Ministry of Heavy Industry. His heart thumped violently.
This Chen family... is a bit terrifying.
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