Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 527 - 457 - Qilin Returns to Its Place_3

Chapter 527: 457 Chapter Qilin Returns to Its Place_3

Chen Long said, "I will go kill Gongsun Yanming."

Everyone sighed and facepalmed.

Here we go again.

Meng Qianqian spoke earnestly, "Brother, even if you kill him, there will be another Gongsun Yanming. Our enemy is not him alone; it is the entire Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. It is the destiny and national fortunes that Emperor Liang believes in."

Lu Yuan pondered deeply and said, "I have an idea."

-

After surviving both the perilous descent down the mountain and the firestorm, Mr. Zimu had been confined to bed for seven or eight days before he finally managed to get up.

As soon as he sat up, a dagger was pressed against his throat.

Mr. Zimu glanced at the wielder and said indifferently, "What now?"

Lu Yuan, with one foot planted on the edge of the bed, exuded an air of roguish menace as he threatened, "Do you want to live or die?"

Mr. Zimu replied, "I want to die."

Lu Yuan: "..."

"Fine, I’ll take you down the mountain."

Mr. Zimu suddenly reconsidered, "On second thought, living doesn’t seem so bad."

Lu Yuan wiped the dagger with his bed curtain. "Now that’s more like it. Get dressed—new clothes I bought for you—and follow me to the palace."

Mr. Zimu glanced at the outfit on the chair with disdain. "What am I going to the palace for?"

Lu Yuan replied, "To tell His Majesty that you’ve found the real Guardian Qilin."

Mr. Zimu gave Lu Yuan a peculiar look. "Wasn’t the Guardian Qilin already found?"

Lu Yuan’s lips curled into a smirk. "What I mean is, you need to tell His Majesty that Lu Qi is a fake and that I am the true Guardian Qilin, the one bearing the national fate of Great Liang."

Mr. Zimu’s face grew more perplexed. "Does your emperor not already know who the Guardian Qilin is?"

"It’s because he does know that you’re being sent to fabricate the truth."

Lu Yuan handed Mr. Zimu a set of tools stolen from Ji Li. "I’ve borrowed the compass and turtle shell for you—make it convincing. Don’t let His Majesty see through the act."

Mr. Zimu’s expression became indescribable. "Are you sure... about this performance?"

Lu Yuan raised his knife. "If you don’t act, how will he believe? Perform or not? If not, I’ll escort you down the mountain."

Mr. Zimu squinted at Lu Yuan and said meaningfully, "If you want me to act, don’t regret it later."

-

The Imperial Study Room.

Emperor Liang was reviewing memorials.

A little one was sitting cross-legged on the floor, engrossed in play.

Wooden horse, rattle-drum, cuju—she cycled through toys all morning. When she grew bored of one, she moved to the next, but she held the Golden Seal tightly to her chest the entire time, unwilling to let it go.

She would only relinquish it for the Jade Seal.

Emperor Liang never imagined that he, a mighty martial emperor, would be completely "dominated" by a mere child.

His gaze grew increasingly complicated.

The little one babbled and banged the rattle-drum. When she looked up and met Emperor Liang’s gaze, she sweetly called out, "Great-Grandfather!"

"Ahem—"

Emperor Liang’s voice cracked.

The little great-granddaughter was truly adorable.

Having placated her elders, Treasure Piggy resumed her play.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Zimu seeks an audience."

Emperor Liang’s eyes gleamed, and he spoke with excited eagerness, "Quickly, invite him in!"

He didn’t say "summon" but "invite," signaling his profound respect for Mr. Zimu.

After a thoughtful pause, he added, "Grant him a sedan chair!"

Eunuch Yu arranged for a sedan chair to bring Mr. Zimu into the Imperial Study Room.

The Imperial Palace was vast; without the sedan chair, Mr. Zimu’s old legs would surely have been worn out.

"Zi Wu, paying respects to Your Majesty."

Upon entering the study, Mr. Zimu immediately performed a bow of courtesy to Emperor Liang.

Emperor Liang hurriedly helped him up. "Sir, please rise quickly. From now on, in Great Liang, you shall never bow to anyone."

First a sedan chair, then exemption from courtesies—every gesture revealed Emperor Liang’s high regard for him.

Even though Mr. Zimu had no desire to enter court as an official, he couldn’t help but admire Emperor Liang’s way of leadership.

Emperor Liang granted Mr. Zimu a seat, refraining from diving straight into discussions about official matters. Instead, he instructed Eunuch Yu, "Summon the Imperial Physician to check Sir’s health pulse."

Mr. Zimu quickly replied, "There’s no need, Your Majesty. This commoner’s body has mostly recovered. I entered the palace today because I have urgent matters to report."

Emperor Liang immediately gave full attention. "Please speak, Sir."

Mr. Zimu stroked his beard and said, "Last night, this commoner charted the stars and observed celestial movements. The Heavenly Mansion dual stars shift while the Dipper and Chen wane, signaling a possible upheaval for Great Liang’s national fate."

Emperor Liang didn’t understand the Heavenly Mansion stars, but he grasped the significance of the Dipper and Chen’s omen. He mused, "Your words align with those of the State Preceptor. Do you have a solution to avert this?"

Mr. Zimu said, "Restore the natural order."

With two masters echoing this sentiment, Emperor Liang’s conviction deepened. "How should we restore the natural order? By reinstating the Crown Prince?"

Mr. Zimu solemnly said, "It is not the Crown Prince who should be reinstated, but the Qilin."