After being exiled for eighteen years, the prince returned to the capital as a veritable immortal.

Those who cultivate themselves rise early.

It was still dark.

Zhou Yi stood on the viewing platform in the courtyard, looking up at the starry sky.

Under the cover of dark clouds, where can one find a single star?

"Your Highness, Eunuch Ji has come to deliver an imperial edict."

Si Xuan led the red-robed eunuchs over.

Ji Yu cupped his hands in greeting and said:

"His Majesty requests that Prince Yi attend the morning court session."

"His Highness said he would only go if there was something important to discuss," Si Xuan said.

Yesterday, Zhou Yi made it clear that he did not wish to attend the morning court session.

"Today..." Ji Yu hesitated slightly before saying, "Emperor Wu wants to establish a crown prince."

"I'm not going." Zhou Yi waved his hand.

Si Xuan grabbed Ji Yu and started walking outside.

To be clear, it's about establishing a crown prince; there's definitely no question of a grandson of the emperor.

Are we supposed to go and support others?

After seeing off the messenger eunuch, Si Xuan returned, and Hu Die had already arrived.

"Hmph, hasty in establishing a crown prince."

Si Xuan said indignantly, "It must be because His Highness is too strong that they are afraid..."

He suddenly stopped talking before he could finish.

He sensed that Zhou Yi's emotions were fluctuating again.

This was the second time he had seen this in eighteen years.

Si Xuan felt that he could understand Zhou Yi's feelings at this moment.

He was very worried that His Highness would run into the palace and question Empress Wu.

So, shifting the focus, she said:

"Your Highness, perhaps we should go and kill... Zhu Anshi first?"

“Yes, maybe he knows something,” Hu Die agreed.

Zhou Yi glanced at the two of them and nodded:

"Alright, today, let's go to the Martial Arts Alliance."

……

last night.

The Grandson of the Emperor defeated the Half-Immortal Ancestor of the Underworld with a single palm strike.

The whole city was buzzing with excitement, and people were so thrilled they couldn't sleep all night.

This morning, as usual, I got up a little late.

The imperial city, shrouded in dark clouds, was quieter than usual.

Inside the Jinluan Hall.

All the civil and military officials arrived early.

The Empress Dowager personally issued an edict to each household, stating that no one was allowed to take leave from the morning court session.

"Your Majesty, you will surely bestow honors upon Prince Yi."

"Yes, yes! Prince Yi defeated the Nether Ancestor with a single palm strike, greatly boosting the morale of the dynasty."

“That makes sense. That Netherworld Ancestor was a half-immortal in the Celestial Realm.”

……

The ministers were all excited, their old faces flushed red.

The Royal Divine Dragon Nine Revolutions allows Grandmasters to fight against Half-Immortals even if they are of a higher level.

Everyone had only heard about it, but last night they actually witnessed it with their own eyes.

How could this not be exciting?

The ministers, like the common people, were so excited that they didn't sleep until midnight.

The loudest voice belonged to the fourth prince, who stood in the second row:

"Our Zhou family's Divine Dragon Technique is naturally amazing!"

"I know that move from Prince Yi too, just like that, hoo-ha—"

He swung his fist, but accidentally hit the person behind him on the head.

"Hey, hehe..." The person who got hit just smiled foolishly.

"Holy crap, who did I knock out?"

The fourth prince shouted and turned around.

Her eyes widened like bronze bells; she rubbed them and exclaimed in surprise:

"Second Silly...Second Brother, what brings you here?"

The hall fell silent, and all eyes turned to the area behind the Fourth Prince.

He wore a black four-clawed dragon robe, paired with a not-so-shrewd smiling face.

It turned out to be the Second Prince, who had been mentally unstable for over ten years.

"Someone, escort Prince Huai back to the palace," the Third Prince ordered the eunuch.

Just now.

Ji Yu's voice rang out:

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

Everyone knelt down to worship.

Even the second prince was no exception.

Empress Wu took her seat, and Ji Yu announced, "Rise."

The Third Prince reported: The Second Prince actually went to court; we are about to send him back.

The Martial Emperor glanced at the Second Prince and said:

"Today is a joyous occasion; let him stay and witness it."

Great joy?

The ministers exchanged glances, their mood lightening.

On such a joyous occasion, there is no need to worry about the Empress wiping out someone's entire family in a fit of rage.

Ji Yu just announced:

"Present your report."

The Minister of War immediately stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, General Kuang Li has sent a message by carrier pigeon."

"Last night, Wan Su Hai achieved a great victory, breaching the ancestral temple of the Underworld Clan."

The civil and military officials were filled with congratulations and praise.

Wansuhai is dotted with islands, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The Daqian army has been attacking for many years without making any progress.

Now, they've actually attacked the enemy's stronghold.

It was indeed a great achievement.

Of course, everyone knows the truth.

The army's credit was largely due to the fact that the Grandson of the Emperor killed the patriarch of the Underworld.

Yesterday's battle over the palace has amplified its significance once again.

"Recognize General Kuang for his great merit and reward him handsomely upon the triumphant return," Emperor Wu said with delight.

Several ministers tried to flatter him further, but were scared away by a single look from him.

"My esteemed ministers, what are your thoughts on the appointment of a crown prince?"

The Martial Emperor asked directly.

To establish a crown prince?

Only then did the assembled civil and military officials realize what the so-called "joyful occasion" was.

No wonder they went door-to-door early this morning to tell everyone not to be absent.

The ministers all started racking their brains to come up with a solution.

Since it is about establishing a crown prince, the Grandson of the Emperor should be excluded first.

Empress Wu had six sons.

The eldest prince was killed by the crown prince; the second prince went mad; the fourth prince was infatuated with women and became worthless.

The remaining princes are the third, fifth, and sixth princes.

According to the principle of "eldest son being the eldest," the third prince ranks first.

but.

Last night, the Third Prince had his fiefdom of three counties stripped away because of his struggle for the position of Crown Prince.

Therefore, he was probably not the person Empress Wu had in mind.

The Fifth Prince originally had the support of Grand Marshal Kuang Li and Prime Minister Qu Mao, so he should have had the strongest background.

however.

Yesterday, the Empress Wu just confiscated the Prime Minister's property.

Clearly, they did not want the fifth prince to inherit the throne.

The remaining six princes.

His years of alcoholism and moral decay are another story.

The Jade Hook Empress was just killed last night, and her state funeral is still being prepared.

Obviously, it doesn't seem like it.

The ministers were momentarily bewildered.

Looking at them, none of them seemed to be the object of the Empress's favor.

Since we cannot fathom His will.

I might as well recommend someone I have in mind.

then.

"In my opinion, the Fifth Prince is the most suitable."

"The eldest son should be chosen; the third prince is the most suitable."

"The fifth prince..."

"Three princes..."

……

The ministers argued heatedly, each holding their own preferred candidate.

Sudden.

The gaunt sixth prince stepped forward and said:

"Father, I recommend myself!"

The Sixth Prince, recommending himself?

The ministers stared in astonishment at the drunken prince.

prior to.

With Empress Yu Gou's encouragement, countless ministers wanted to push him to the position of crown prince.

However, he resolutely refused.

Now, the Empress has passed away.

Without any powerful backing, the sixth prince still wanted to become the crown prince.

"Good, my son has the bearing of Emperor Yao!"

The Martial Emperor, beaming with excitement, slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed.

Not only him, but everyone else could see it too.

The sixth prince regained his composure and was no longer as dejected as before.

It must be said that the sixth prince was indeed exceptionally talented in his childhood.

Now, he has recovered.

Perhaps, he could indeed achieve some of the accomplishments of Emperor Yao.

"Your subject hereby approves the establishment of the Sixth Prince as Crown Prince!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

The ministers immediately understood.

The Empress's death was actually to pave the way for the Sixth Prince to ascend the throne and eliminate the interference of the Empress's relatives in politics.

The sixth prince, spurred by the murder of his mother, desires to seize the throne and seek revenge.

The target of revenge is undoubtedly Zhou Yi, who committed the "three cardinal sins" that drove the Empress to her death.

The Empress's intentions became clear.

The ministers all seconded the motion.

"Hehehe..." A rare smile appeared on the Emperor's face.

Just as he raised his hand to announce, an untimely voice rang out:

"Father, I also recommend myself!"

All eyes shone on it.

!!!

God!

Everyone's eyes widened in shock, and they almost fell to the ground.

The second person to volunteer was...

The second prince!

He has been mentally unstable for nearly twenty years.

His very first words were a self-recommendation to become the crown prince.

This is quite a shock.

It took the assembled court officials a long time to recover.

“The Great Qian Ancestral Rule: The position of Crown Prince shall be established by the eldest son of the legitimate wife.”

"Your son is not as talented as my sixth brother, but I only wish to dedicate myself to the country until my dying breath!"

The Third Prince and the Fifth Prince were dumbfounded.

My brother and I have been arguing about this for years.

in the end.

A madman of many years and a drunkard of many years have taken center stage.

The Empress's face was grim.

Establishing an elder is an ancestral custom.

He can ignore the ministers' objections.

Now, his own son has stepped forward, demanding that the ancestral rules be followed.

This left him in an awkward position.

The atmosphere inside the main hall was oppressive.

All the civil and military officials stood there trembling in fear.

They feared that if the Empress were to become angry, some unlucky person's entire family would be executed.

After all, Prime Minister Qu was a prime example yesterday.

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

……

Sudden.

The Fourth Prince's background:

"Father, I..."

"You're going to recommend yourself too?" The Martial Emperor almost laughed out of anger.

The third prince turned around and glared at him fiercely.

This guy must be distracted by Ji Yu again.

"No, I meant to say, shouldn't it be dawn by now?" the Fourth Prince said.

Is it dawn?

Is this guy still asleep?

The Martial Emperor slammed his palm on the table.

"Father, look at the sky..."

The fourth prince pointed to the sky and said, "It... has no sun."

Only then did everyone notice that the weather did seem a bit unusual.

……

The air was filled with deathly energy, like an overturned bowl.

It enveloped the entire imperial city.