Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 292 : Liu Wenyuan, The Criminal

Chapter 292: Chapter 292 : Liu Wenyuan, The Criminal

Every morning, the court officials gathered in the vast audience hall of the Golden Dragon Palace for the morning court. The hall was a magnificent sight, with its towering pillars, gleaming marble floors, and intricate murals depicting scenes from the Heavenly Realm’s history.

As no other clan but the dragon clan had the privilege to sit on the throne so far, naturally these murals mainly spoke about the magnificence of dragon clan leaders during their reigns.

The officials arrived in a steady stream, their robes rustling and the sound of their footsteps echoing through the hall. They took their places according to their ranks, forming neat rows of palace masters, ministers, and other court officials.

Special rows were granted to the gods and deities who only came when they had something to report to the Heavenly Emperor.

At the far end of the hall, on a raised platform, stood two lavishly decorated seats. One was reserved for the Emperor, and one for the Empress.

The Empress rarely joined, because she usually held her own morning gathering at the Eternal Springs Palace.

The Crown Prince usually stood beside his father at the morning court, but he had been unable to attend for more than a month due to his pregnancy. In his place, his husband, Crown Prince Consort Zhang Fengxi, stood on the platform to represent his wife.

The air in the hall was thick with anticipation as everyone waited for the Heavenly Emperor to arrive. Not long after, Head Eunuch Wang announced his presence, and all those present dropped to their knees in a practiced greeting.

"These subjects greet Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor. May Your Majesty’s reign last for tens of thousands of years!"

The Heavenly Emperor gave Zhang Fengxi a side glance before he took his seat on the throne.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" came the reply in unison, before everyone rose to their feet again.

"Head Eunuch Wang," the Emperor then said with a languid voice, "the agenda for today’s court meeting."

The elder eunuch bowed low before the Heavenly Emperor, his hands clasped together in reverence. Then, he carefully unrolled the scroll in his hands.

It was customary to begin the morning court by discussing the updates from the previous day’s meeting, but today there was more important news to share.

"Your Majesty," the eunuch said in a clear voice, "General Zhang Fengxi has returned from his latest visit to the Human Realm and wishes to report on his findings."

Zhang Fengxi stepped out of his standing spot and gracefully knelt before the Heavenly Emperor. His head bowed respectfully, and he spoke in a clear and steady voice.

"Your Majesty," he said, "the Crown Prince and I had an unexpected encounter with someone we all believed to be long dead."

"Oh?"

The Emperor responded with an amused expression. "Who might it be?"

"It was Prince Liu Wenyuan from Wuyang Palace."

At the end of Zhang Fengxi’s sentence, all eyes shifted toward Liu Yichen, the Wuyang Palace Master, without exception. The palace master in question stood rooted to the spot, his eyes bulging and his face contorted in a mask of terror. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his hands fisted at his sides.

"Liu Wenyuan again?"

The Heavenly Emperor stared at Liu Yichen.

"Wuyang Palace Master, you have one very resilient son."

The mocking tone in the Heavenly Emperor’s words was not to be overheard.

Liu Yichen stepped forward in a hurry and threw himself in front of the Emperor, next to Zhang Fengxi

"Your Majesty! My entire palace has been wronged! We have just completed the one-hundred-day mourning period for my son, Liu Wenyuan! I refuse to accept this groundless accusation from the Crown Prince’s household!"

Zhang Fengxi ignored Liu Yichen and continued speaking.

"Your Majesty, Liu Wenyuan hired a group of mountain robbers to attack the Crown Prince, with the specific request to kick the Crown Prince’s stomach hard. The goal was most likely to induce a miscarriage."

A wave of murmurs swept through the court officials as they processed Zhang Fengxi’s words.

"The mountain robbers are currently being detained in Rainbell Town. Your Majesty, I beg for a thorough investigation.

Judging from the way he escaped, I also suspect that Liu Wenyuan has become an ally of the Demonic Realm."

Zhang Fengxi reached into his qiankun pouch and withdrew a clay jar. He carefully removed the lid, revealing the dark and ominous soil inside. As soon as the jar was opened, a thick and oppressive demonic aura erupted, spilling into the room.

The audience hall erupted in a cacophony of voices as everyone began to speak at once. It was as if a dam had burst, and a flood of words was unleashed.

Past and current transgressions against the Crown Prince, faking his death, and now also collusion with the Demonic Realm. It was as if Liu Wenyuan was determined to walk the path of destruction.

The Heavenly Emperor’s face darkened with rage. He slammed his hand on the armrest of his throne, his eyes blazing. "Impudent!" he roared.

Zhang Zhiyuan stepped forward, his expression determined. "Your Majesty," he said, "the child in the Crown Prince’s belly is the future heir of Longjing Palace. We demand justice on their behalf!"

The other court officials echoed his words, their voices raised in unison. The air in the audience hall was thick with tension, as everyone awaited the Heavenly Emperor’s next move.

"Seize him," the Emperor said through gritted teeth. "Liu Yichen, you better hope that your good son will surrender and atone for his crimes. Otherwise, do not blame me for being heartless."

At the Emperor’s command, two burly guards came into the hall and dragged the Wuyang Palace Master by his arms.

"Your Majesty, please!" Liu Yichen cried out. "There must be a mistake! My son did not do this! Your Majesty!"

The Heavenly Emperor’s gaze swept over the assembled palace masters, his eyes cold and hard. His gaze landed on Zhou Guizheng, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Yang Jiali.

"The three of you," he said, his voice low and commanding, "will work together with General Zhang Fengxi to investigate the matter of Liu Wenyuan’s return. I want him captured, dead or alive."