Chapter 62

"Hey? Old Fourteen? You really are... Old Fourteen?"

Still within the courtyard of the Prince of Virtue's mansion, where Xiao Sheng resided. In the living room, Prince Xiao Chang of Virtue sat as a guest, holding a teacup but not taking a single sip. His mind was filled with shock and doubt, as he scrutinized Xiao Sheng from head to toe.

If five days ago, Xiao Sheng was a pond in Prince Xiao Chang's eyes, then now, after five days, that pond had transformed into a lake. Whether in depth or breadth, it was evident that a qualitative leap had occurred. And all this change had happened in such a short time. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Prince Xiao Chang would have found it hard to believe.

Xiao Sheng smiled but didn't explain. He took a deep breath and focused his mind. The sharpness that had been evident on the surface gradually receded. In the blink of an eye, he had transformed back from a lake to a pond. However, for Prince Xiao Chang, who had experienced that aura, it was impossible to treat Xiao Sheng as a mere pond again.

However, Xiao Sheng had secrets, which Prince Xiao Chang had long understood. Without secrets, how could Old Fourteen have transformed from a notorious "waste prince" into an existence that even Prince Xiao Chang couldn't fathom?

Prince Xiao Chang was well-versed in human relations and worldly affairs. Therefore, he would never rashly pry into others' secrets. He composed himself and quickly regained his composure, treating the previous shock as if it had never existed. He smiled and said, "Old Fourteen, I came today not for anything else but to bring you the latest imperial gazette." As he spoke, he took out a gazette from his sleeve, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it towards Xiao Sheng.

Xiao Sheng took it and read it carefully, discovering three major events:

First: One of the Five Dukes of the Eastern Wasteland, the Righteous Duke Niu Lao, was summoned to the capital to celebrate the Empress's birthday. However, during his stay in the capital, Niu Lao abducted an underage girl from the common folk, intending to rape her. He was discovered by the city's constables, who ordered his arrest. Niu Lao resisted arrest, and in the ensuing chaos, he was pushed down the stairs and died from a broken neck.

The abducted girl was safely rescued and properly resettled by the court.

Second: Over a dozen officials in the court jointly submitted a memorial, accusing the Righteous Duke Niu Lao of the Eastern Wasteland of amassing wealth and power, oppressing the people, and acting lawlessly. He was involved in smuggling various prohibited goods for profit and secretly colluding with the overseas nation of Eagle Auspicious, supporting rebels, and attempting to overthrow the Great Hao Dynasty's rule in the Eastern Wasteland. Each accusation was backed by solid evidence.

The court, in the name of the Empress, issued an imperial edict, stripping Niu Lao of his title as the Righteous Duke and ordering the execution of all members of the Righteous Clan. All of the Righteous Clan's assets were confiscated by the state.

Third: The other four of the Five Dukes of the Eastern Wasteland—Jade Duke Huangfu Yu, Golden Scale Duke Sima Tianxia, Tiger Shark Duke Wen Dahu, and First-Class Duke Di Jiben—had already arrived in the capital to plead for forgiveness on behalf of the Righteous Duke.

The Empress warmly received the four dukes of the Eastern Wasteland, praising their love for the court and the Eastern Wasteland, and their ability to see the bigger picture. She encouraged them to continue their efforts for the "Wasteland People Governing the Wasteland, Unchanged for a Hundred Years" policy.

The court also promised to transfer the high-speed post road project, originally to be jointly undertaken by five major merchants from the Central Region, to the merchants under the names of the four dukes of the Eastern Wasteland, with various tax and land development benefits.

Xiao Sheng put down the gazette, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration. After a long pause, he shook his head and said, "Eighth Brother, the first two major events in this gazette must be your doing. You've truly worked hard."

"Not at all, not at all. It's all for the court and the people of the Great Hao Dynasty," Prince Xiao Chang of Virtue smiled. "Actually, there are many people in the court who dislike the Five Dukes of the Eastern Wasteland. As the saying goes, 'those who lose the way have few helpers, while those who follow the way have many.' Since the Righteous Duke sought his own death, there were plenty of people willing to give him a push."

"True, but to accomplish this so swiftly and decisively in just a few days, who else could do it besides Eighth Brother?" Xiao Sheng raised his teacup and toasted Prince Xiao Chang, "There's no wine here, so I'll use tea instead. A toast to Eighth Brother."

Although Prince Xiao Chang was polite in his words, he was quite proud of how quickly he had handled the matter. Seeing Xiao Sheng toast him, he didn't refuse, also raised his teacup, nodded, and took a sip.

Putting down his cup, Prince Xiao Chang continued, "The matter is settled, but it's only surface work. The Empress has ordered to see the girl mentioned in the gazette, the one abducted by Niu Lao, Ling Ziling."

Xiao Sheng instinctively turned his head and glanced at Ling Ziling, who was standing beside him. He asked, "The Empress wants to see Sister Ziling today?"

"The sooner, the better," Prince Xiao Chang said solemnly. "Otherwise, delays could lead to complications. By the way, where is the Netherworld Pearl?"

Xiao Sheng replied nonchalantly, "The Netherworld Pearl isn't ready yet. But don't worry, Eighth Brother. After the competition for the pearl, the Four Dukes of the Eastern Wasteland won't be left empty-handed."

Prince Xiao Chang nodded and said, "That's good. Old Fourteen, Miss Ling, quickly change your clothes. After you're ready, come with me to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

---

In the imperial palace, the emperor is the sky. Therefore, the emperor's residence is called the Qianqing Palace. This palace has been the most important building in the imperial palace since the founding of the Great Hao Dynasty, akin to the heart of the Great Hao Dynasty.

However, a few years ago, the situation changed. The current emperor fell ill and focused on recuperation, no longer receiving external ministers. All major state affairs were handed over to the Empress. In recent years, the Kunning Palace, where the Empress resides, has almost replaced the Qianqing Palace in its supreme status.

Xiao Sheng, dressed in formal court attire, followed Prince Xiao Chang of Virtue, leading Ling Ziling, and now stood in front of the main hall of the Kunning Palace, waiting to be received.

Footsteps sounded. A thin, middle-aged eunuch, about forty years old, quickly walked out of the Kunning Palace. Prince Xiao Chang's spirits lifted, and he whispered to Xiao Sheng, "Old Fourteen, this is the Empress's most trusted eunuch, Liu Qingyun. He is narrow-minded and very greedy. Be careful not to offend him."

Xiao Sheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Understood." Prince Xiao Chang then felt reassured and stepped forward, smiling, "Eunuch Liu, it's been a few days, and you look even better. As the saying goes, 'a happy person looks radiant.' Could it be that you have some good news?"

Eunuch Liu, with a high-pitched laugh, covered his mouth and said, "Last night, the lamp flower burst, and this morning, the magpie sang. These are good omens that a distinguished guest is coming. Indeed, Your Highness, you have arrived. Ha, to speak of good news, what could be better than seeing Your Highness?"

"Oh, Eunuch Liu, don't say that, I can't bear it," Prince Xiao Chang waved his hands, then smiled and took something from his sleeve, handing it to Eunuch Liu. "Eunuch, I recently obtained a snuff bottle, which isn't bad. Unfortunately, I don't use snuff, so it would be a waste in my hands. I heard you are an expert in this field, so why don't you take it and appreciate it?"

Eunuch Liu took it and saw that the snuff bottle was carved from a single piece of jade. The material alone was already very valuable, and the craftsmanship made it even more precious. He immediately smiled, put the snuff bottle in his sleeve, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. Ah, this is the Fourteenth Prince? And this is the Holy Maiden of the Ling Sect?"

Prince Xiao Chang nodded and gestured for Xiao Sheng to come forward and greet him. Xiao Sheng bowed politely, neither too humble nor too proud, maintaining a respectful distance, neither too close nor too distant, leaving no room for criticism. Ling Ziling also bowed and said, "Eunuch, good day."

Eunuch Liu, seeing that Xiao Sheng didn't offer a gift upon meeting, was already somewhat displeased. However, he knew that Xiao Sheng was a notorious "waste prince" with little to gain from him. Moreover, since he was brought by Prince Xiao Chang, he had to show some respect. He dryly laughed and said, "Her Majesty the Empress is in the warm chamber. Your Highnesses, please follow me." He led the way.

They walked through the Kunning Palace, following the corridor, and after a winding path, entered a warm chamber. As soon as they crossed the threshold, they saw a large calligraphy hanging on the wall opposite. It read: "High gates rely on what to look upon, imperial aura rises from the nine layers; the wind and clouds change at the feet, and the mountains and rivers are embraced for ten thousand generations." The calligraphy was elegant, yet each character was sharp and pointed, exuding a fierce ambition.

Below the calligraphy, there was a warm bed, with a desk in front. The desk was piled with memorials. On the warm bed, a richly dressed noblewoman sat, holding a vermilion pen, reviewing the memorials. Several eunuchs from the Office of Ceremonial stood by her side, serving her.

Needless to say, this noblewoman was the current Empress. Xiao Sheng glanced at her and saw that the most powerful woman in the world was only about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with smooth, fair skin that even the finest white jade could not match. She was naturally beautiful, with a charm that could topple a nation. Her demeanor was both noble and solemn, befitting her role as the mother of the empire.

Eunuch Liu led the way, kneeling before the Empress and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, the Empress, may you live for ten thousand years. I report that the Eighth Prince, the Fourteenth Prince, and the commoner Ling Ziling have arrived."

Xiao Sheng sighed inwardly and, along with Prince Xiao Chang, knelt on one knee and bowed, saying in unison, "Your humble subjects greet Mother Empress. May Mother Empress be in good health."

Xiao Sheng and Prince Xiao Chang were not the Empress's biological sons. However, as the Empress was the official wife of the current emperor, Emperor Xuan of the Great Hao Dynasty, she was nominally the mother of all the princes. Therefore, Xiao Sheng and Prince Xiao Chang had to call her "Mother Empress" in her presence. However, as princes, they only needed to kneel on one knee and bow, not kowtow.

On the other side, although Ling Ziling had a blood relationship with Emperor Xuan, this relationship was not acknowledged and could not be made public. Therefore, she had no official connection to the Great Hao imperial family and was only a commoner. So Ling Ziling had to kneel and kowtow.

"Oh, it's the Eighth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince. Rise, no need for formalities."

The Empress put down her vermilion pen, looked up, and surveyed the people present. Her phoenix eyes were sharp, and she exuded an aura of authority. Her gaze alone made people shiver.

In an instant, her cold gaze fell on Ling Ziling. Although Ling Ziling was only looking at the floor, she instinctively felt a chill and couldn't help but tremble.

Seeing Ling Ziling's reaction, the Empress let out a light, indiscernible hum. She then asked, "You are the daughter of Ling Ziling, the remnant of the Ling Sect?"

Ling Ziling clenched her teeth, mustering her courage, and said softly, "This commoner is."

The Empress said coolly, "Good. Since that's the case, why haven't you committed suicide yet? What are you waiting for?"

---

I've been updating once a day for several days, and I truly apologize. Unfortunately, holidays are always busy. Now that the Mid-Autumn Festival is over, I will resume the normal two updates per day starting tomorrow.

By the way, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. So, 12 wishes everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, a full moon, a healthy family, and a happy and fulfilling life. :)

Mobile users, please visit http://m.piaotia.net

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