Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 306 : Succession To The Throne (1)

Chapter 306: Chapter 306 : Succession To The Throne (1)

As the somber veil of mourning began to lift, the Golden Dragon Palace stirred from its period of quietude.

Within the palace’s opulent halls, where the echoes of grief still lingered, a sense of renewed purpose took hold, as the celestial court prepared to embark on a momentous undertaking -- the selection and enthronement of the next Heavenly Emperor.

The weight of his father’s throne pressed heavily upon Xie Jianyu’s shoulders as he emerged from the comforting embrace of his Fuxi Palace two weeks after the funeral ended. The Crown Prince, an expecting mother who was still reeling from the grief of his father’s passing, found himself thrust into the tumultuous sea of palace politics, tasked with steering the Heavenly Realm through a period of uncertainty.

As he stepped into the grand hall, Xie Jianyu was engulfed by a palpable tension that crackled like static in the air. The faces of the gathered palace masters and heavenly officials were etched with a mix of grief and anticipation, their eyes scrutinizing the young Crown Prince who now bore the burden of the throne.

Xie Jianyu’s heart sank as he took in their gazes. He was the Crown Prince, he reminded himself, his father’s chosen heir.

He had been groomed for this role, trained for years to wield the power and wisdom of a ruler. Yet, at this moment, amidst the weight of his father’s legacy and the uncertainty of the future, Xie Jianyu’s carefully constructed facade began to crumble.

His hands, usually steady and unwavering, trembled uncontrollably, a testament to the storm raging within him.

He tried to suppress the tremors, to project an image of strength and composure, but his body betrayed him, betraying the raw emotions that threatened to consume him.

Amid his rising anxiety, a comforting warmth enveloped his left fist. Xie Jianyu turned to find his elder brother, Xie Jianshen, sitting beside him, his expression a silent display of brotherly support. Xie Jianshen said nothing, but his presence in this meeting, a testament to his unwavering loyalty, spoke volumes.

To his right, another hand closed in around his fist, this time belonging to his beloved husband, Zhang Fengxi. Zhang Fengxi’s eyes met Xie Jianyu’s, and a reassuring smile spread across his face. The silent exchange of support from his brother and husband was a lifeline in the midst of Xie Jianyu’s turmoil.

Head Eunuch Wang had tragically been murdered when he tried to save the Heavenly Emperor. In his stead, another eunuch surnamed Lu took over the task of announcing the commencement of a fateful meeting.

Before Xie Jianyu said anything, two people appeared at the entrance of the hall.

"Sorry for being late," the Heavenly Empress said with a knowing smile hanging from her lips.

She was not alone. Xie Jianzhi was with her again.

Xie Jianshen furrowed his brows at the duo. This was the second time they appeared together. It was rather tactless, considering that the Empress had just lost her husband.

"Mother, we have been expecting you. Please take a seat," Xie Jianyu said, pointing at an empty seat close to him.

It was the only empty seat in the front row.

The Heavenly Empress’ gaze swept across the three people who sat on the elevated platform. As her eyes fell upon Eunuch Lu, her pent-up fury erupted in a torrent of scathing words.

"Eunuch Lu! Are you seeking death???"

Shivering from head to toe, Eunuch Lu quickly fell to his knees in front of the Empress.

"This servant deserves to die! Your Majesty, please show mercy!"

Xie Jianyu knitted his brows as well.

"Mother, what’s wrong? What wrong did Eunuch Lu do?"

The Empress scoffed.

"Why is there only one empty seat left? Where is Jianzhi’s seat?"

"Not here," Xie Jianshen answered smoothly. "There is no place for him in this meeting, that’s why."

He then turned to look at Xie Jianzhi, his sharp glare piercing the air between them.

"Xie Jianzhi, please leave. Thank you for holding Mother’s hand on her way to this meeting hall."

The Xie Jianzhi they knew from the first day they met would have apologized profusely and left at once.

The Xie Jianzhi who stood in front of them today was a far cry from the timid man in the past.

The only alpha son of the late Heavenly Emperor, once forced to bow his head in front of his half-siblings due to his illegitimate status, now held his head high. His stance exuded an air of unyielding determination.

"I do not think so," he said.

"Oh?"

Xie Jianshen chuckled.

"I hate to repeat myself. Remove yourself at once or do not blame me for being disrespectful."

In front of everyone present, the Heavenly Empress raised her voice in Xie Jianzhi’s defense.

"Xie Jianshen, you should watch your tone. You are standing before the next Heavenly Emperor."

An unnerving hush descended upon the gathering, their gazes darting between the Heavenly Empress, her words hanging in the air like a thunderclap, and Xie Jianzhi, his stoic figure standing tall amidst the swirling vortex of shock and disbelief.

Song Weiyang was the first one to break the silence.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, we all gather here to discuss the Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne. Why would Your Majesty make such an unexpected statement?"

The Heavenly Empress smiled at the Qifeng Palace Master.

"Palace Master Song, between you and I, who stands closer to the late Emperor? The late Emperor himself summoned me to his chambers recently to discuss the matter of the Dragon Throne succession.

He has told me in his own words that Xie Jianzhi, his only alpha son, was virtuous and righteous in both words and attitude. He shall be the one to ascend the throne."

A chuckle escaped Zhang Fengxi’s lips when he heard such blatant lies. It was admirable that the Empress did not turn red after spouting such nonsense.

Grand Chancellor Luo cupped his hands in front of the Heavenly Empress before he informed the crowd most respectfully, "Your Majesty, the late Emperor had not informed me about this matter. Crown Prince Xie Jianyu thus retains his title."

The Heavenly Empress sneered at her youngest stepson.

"Jianyu, you are pregnant. Aren’t you quite far along? How are you going to rule over the Heavenly Realm with a big belly? Leave the throne to your alpha sibling, won’t you?"

"No," Xie Jianyu narrowed his eyes at his stepmother, wiping the smug smile off her face.

"Father entrusted the Dragon Throne in my hands. I will not hand it over to anyone."

The crowd held their breath as the Empress exchanged glares with the Crown Prince.

"I do not come here with empty hands," Xie Jianzhi declared.

He then reached into his robe and held an item between two fingers in display.

"I have the Imperial Seal here to prove the legitimacy of my succession."