The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 448
Chapter 448: Turmoil in the Succession
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Emperor Xuan Ping had held back his grievances throughout the journey, but upon arrival, he could no longer suppress them and burst into tears.
Sunshine of Northern Zhao had run away, and to make matters worse, he was now a generation lower than Nan Shi An!
He was furious, resentful.
“Daddy, don’t cry! He had a great hand of cards and still played them terribly—what’s there to be envious of?”
“Look, my grandmother was an elf. As long as he didn’t betray her, he could have lived for hundreds of years. But what happened? He died young…”
“And see, my eldest brother, the top scholar in all three imperial exams, my second brother, a warrior unparalleled in battle, and even my third brother along with me—we should have all been his heirs. Yet… in the end, none of us could inherit his legacy.”
“And my mother, she still hasn’t called him ‘father’ even once.”
“Born holding the most powerful cards, yet his life turned out like this…”
As he listened, Emperor Xuan Ping’s expression gradually brightened.
“You’re right! I am the true victor here. A lower generation? So be it!”
Now that he thought about it, he was the lucky one who defied the tides of fate!
His delight was evident—he was practically wagging his tail in joy.
“Your Majesty, it is time for the Heaven-worship ceremony,” Official Ming reminded as he watched Emperor Xuan Ping cling to the young Empress and refuse to let go.
Ha, once they feared Emperor Xuan Ping might deceive the Empress and bring ruin to the Southern Kingdom.
Now, they feared he would abduct the Empress altogether!
His eyes were practically glued to their Empress!
“Your Majesty of Northern Zhao, please return to your seat. Delaying the auspicious hour would be most unfortunate,” Official Ming blocked his view with deliberate acidity.
Emperor Xuan Ping flicked his long sleeve with a snort and returned to his seat to observe the ceremony.
A small figure stood atop the sacrificial altar.
The National Advisor solemnly proclaimed the prayers to the heavens, while the young priests performed the ritual dance for blessings.
The old nanny looked on with concern.
“When a new Emperor ascends the throne in the Southern Kingdom, they always pray for divine blessings. May everything go smoothly today.”
“Once, during an enthronement, the sky was clear without a single cloud. Suddenly, a fierce wind howled and overturned the offering table. That very day, the new ruler was deposed.”
In the Southern Kingdom, the Heaven-worship ceremony was an event of utmost solemnity and importance.
As the ritual commenced, the old nanny cautiously withdrew.
The National Advisor’s voice rang through the heavens: “We pray for divine mercy, for the protection of the new Emperor. May the Southern Kingdom be blessed with favorable weather, national peace and prosperity, abundant harvests, and harmonious seasons…”
Zhu Mo carefully placed a small potted flower in a corner. This time, he quietly removed his red floral jacket.
Leaping into the air, he transformed into his dragon form and coiled in the sky.
“The National Spirit has appeared!”
The people fervently prayed for a peaceful and prosperous year ahead.
Lu Chao Chao looked up at the sky, where a young figure stood upon the clouds. With a gentle wave of his hand, countless golden rays descended from above.
The Heavenly Dao personally bestowed its blessings.
Countless golden lights gathered over the Southern Capital, transforming into a spiritual rain that washed away the hidden injuries and weariness of the people.
“A divine sign! A divine sign!”
“The heavens acknowledge the Empress! They bestow blessings upon the Empress and the Southern Kingdom!”
From the clouds, the young man gazed upon her with boundless favor.
Lu Chao Chao pursed her lips and secretly smiled. She knew it!
Hmph, the Celestial Realm had long abandoned the mortal world, unwilling to protect its people. But little Heavenly Dao? He never would!
Zhu Mo was busy stirring up a spectacle in the clouds when he suddenly caught sight of the young man’s figure. He froze in fear…
Luckily, no one was paying attention to him at that moment.
His expression changed drastically as he hurriedly descended, clutching the small flower pot. Trembling, he muttered, “Ghosts above, I just sensed a trace of the Heavenly Dao’s aura from him!”
The Heavenly Dao transcends the Three Realms—it is an unseen force that establishes order for all existence.
No one knew how the Heavenly Dao came into being, but everyone understood one thing—it never took human form!
It represented fairness, the rules of the world!
How… could it be a person?!
Impossible!
“Little Flower, I must be getting old…” He shook his head, channeling spiritual energy into the plant.
The little flower trembled, nudging his palm.
Zhu Mo’s eyes curved in a smile. “You’re severely injured and cannot take human form yet. Just focus on healing.”
Thinking of the mess within the Dragon Clan, his mood soured.
The Dragon Clan had already sent a message. The day he fled his wedding, his fiancée was abandoned in her bridal gown, humiliated before the mighty figures of various realms.
She tore off her red veil and cut a strand of her hair, swearing an oath:
From this day forth, it would be a battle to the death between them.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao, escorted by the officials, proceeded toward Bright Light Hall to receive the Imperial Jade Seal and formally ascend the throne.
The Third Prince clenched his teeth, fists tightly curled, exchanging glances with the other princes and princesses before following suit.
“Every royal descendant of the Southern Kingdom is raised with the expectations of an heir. We have all studied the art of governance and carried the demeanor of a true ruler.”
“Losing to the eldest princess, we have no complaints.”
“But she was born and raised in Northern Zhao and is only three and a half years old! This truly proves the saying…”
“A wailing toddler is now the ruler of this nation! What a joke!”
The princes looked to the Third Prince. “Third Brother, you’ve endured for years. Do you truly accept losing to a three-year-old child?”
“We all support you. You and the Eastern Ling King are cousins—he will surely aid you! We stand with you!”
The Eastern Ling King had ascended the throne just a year ago, yet he had swiftly subdued the chaos within his royal court. Now, he stood as a formidable blade, striking fear into all.
The Third Prince clasped his hands before his siblings. “Though we are of different mothers, we share the royal bloodline. We grew up together—our bond differs from that of outsiders.”
And who the ‘outsider’ was, was obvious.
With an imposing presence, they all marched into Bright Light Hall.
The Grand Tutor stood ready, holding the Imperial Seal.
Monarchs from various nations were seated. Court officials stood solemnly below, with the Southern Kingdom’s royal descendants at the center.
“By decree of the late Emperor…” The eunuch held the imperial edict, announcing its contents.
After a long preamble, he finally reached the key statement:
“The throne shall pass to Madam Xu’s daughter, Lu Chao Chao! Thus decreed!”
The officials exhaled softly and knelt. “Your subjects, in obedience to the late Emperor’s decree!”
“Your subjects, in obedience to the late Emperor’s decree!”
The officials knelt, yet the princes and princesses standing at the center did not move an inch.
Official Ming’s heart sank—his face darkened!
The Third Prince had long appeared weak, but among the royal descendants with human bloodlines, he held the highest status, second only to Nan Feng Yu!
Would he truly surrender the throne?
More importantly, to a mere child?
With the rise of Eastern Ling and the Eastern Ling King as his close cousin—the king’s only kin—if Eastern Ling intervened, today’s succession would surely change.
“This prince objects!”
“I object as well!” One by one, the royal heirs followed suit.
“A three-and-a-half-year-old Empress—do you not find this absurd?” The Seventh Princess stood, glaring at Lu Chao Chao with undisguised contempt.
“She has divine power, but does she understand the art of governance, the essence of rulership, or the plight of the people?”
“Father was blind—are you all blind too?”
“The Southern Kingdom’s throne cannot be given to a child! This is a mockery!”
“I propose that Third Brother ascend the throne instead!”
The royals immediately declared, “We pledge allegiance to Third Brother! May he bear the weight of the Southern Kingdom and uphold the mortal realm!”
“We pledge allegiance to Third Brother!”
The Third Prince strode toward the Eastern Ling King. “Cousin, what say you?”