Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 468 - 375: Deposed Crown Prince (Two-in-One - )_1

Chapter 468: Chapter 375: Deposed Crown Prince (Two-in-One Chapter)_1

When Li Xuan arrived at the palace, his Demon Qilin was still kneeling on the Jīnshui Bridge, surrounded by many onlookers including Guozi Bureau students and civilians. The Demon Qilin perked up as it saw Li Xuan, letting out a neigh in his direction.

Li Xuan couldn’t help but feel helpless so he then made several hand gestures to the beast, signaling it to go home first. He assured it that in no more than two hours, there would be two jars full of shrimp, its favorite type - Yuhanzhu Shrimp.

At this, the Qilin’s eyes welled up with tears as it reluctantly left the Jīnshui Bridge. It felt famished, having not eaten in almost two and a half days, and wondered when it would finally get to eat.

"Why didn’t you summon it over?"

At this time, Yu Hongchang and Xue Yunrou, who had both accompanied him, were still by his side. Yu Hongchang had to rush back to the palace to meet her father, while Xue Yunrou was there to meet the Emperor as the Young Heavenly Master, seeking to be conferred.

Xue Yunrou stopped outside Wu Gate, her eyes gleaming as she looked at the Qilin: "Xuan, you are recognized by the Jade Qilin as a living saint who can make it bow down in submission. You should let everyone see that clearly!"

"That’s precisely what I can’t let people see." Li Xuan chuckled helplessly, "I can’t assume the role of a saint. Wouldn’t that just bring constant scrutiny and hoopla? Even the slightest wrongdoing would throw me under harsh criticism."

Xue Yunrou thought to herself that it must be Li Xuan’s unfaltering attitude towards fame and profit that made him recognized by the Qilin. He was indeed worthy of being Xuan.

Yu Hongchang, having been in close contact with Li Xuan for several months, knew that he truly detested restraint, which was her biggest worry.

The three didn’t dare to linger there and hurriedly continued their journey. This was because it was nearly the Hour of Chen and the First Hope Dachao at the Taihe Gate was about to begin.

Fortunately, Yu Hongchang was leading the way for Li Xuan. The gatekeepers and palace officials did not dare to hinder him, allowing him to go all the way to the front of Wu Gate smoothly and join the ranks of the officials.

- Before the commencement of the court meeting at the Taihe Gate, all the officials of Jin Dynasty would gather here and wait.

When Li Xuan arrived, all the civil and military officials were taken aback. Those who held a lower rank than him greeted him one after another, their expressions resembling fans meeting their idols. Even the ones who held higher ranks were eyeballing him.

However, in the crowd, Li Xuan noticed something unexpected. It was Duke Yansheng, Kong Xiude, who was right at the front of the crowd.

The title of ’Duke Yansheng’ began in the era of the former Zhao Dynasty, but it wasn’t a genuine duke’s title at that time. In the former Zhao Dynasty, it was merely the 8th-rank official, responsible for offerings to the Saint.

It wasn’t until the former Yuan took over Central Plains to win over scholars across the country that Emperor Taizu of Yuan elevated the title of ’Duke Yansheng’ to an extraordinary position, standing at the head of civil officials.

Emperor Tai of Jin, after expelling Meng Wu and uniting the world, initially intended to abolish the ’Duke Yansheng’ rank, but ended up reluctantly acknowledging it in the end.

Kong Xiude also looked towards Li Xuan. His face was pale, bloodless. When he looked at Li Xuan, along with the resentment, there was actually a hint of apprehension and fear.

When Li Xuan’s gaze met his, Kong Xiude instinctively looked away, but then realizing that it seemed inappropriate, he glaringly stared back with a red face.

Li Xuan found this rather strange. Hadn’t this guy just been critically injured by his Qilin? How did he recover so quickly?

According to Peng Fulai, when Kong Xiude was carried back to Duke Yansheng’s residence, he was barely clinging to life.

He thought to himself that he really was wise. If he had been more lenient this time, Kong Xiude might have recovered like a cockroach that couldn’t be killed, bouncing back in no time.

At this moment, an official in a blue robe approached him.

"His injuries have not fully healed. I just took a close look at him. He’s lacking vitality, and his Yuan Qi is weak and disordered. The reason he’s forcing himself to participate in this court meeting despite his injuries must be for the Crown Prince. The Prince’s Party still wants to leverage his reputation to help the Crown Prince out of his predicament."

Li Xuan turned his head to look at this person, and realized he was Wei Zhen, the Official of the Central Government in the Ministry of Personnel. He quickly bowed in respect: "Uncle Wei."

The Official of the Central Government of the Ministry of Personnel was merely the 7th-rank official. However, it was a classic case of a low-ranking official with great power - dignified among the dignitaries. Jishizhong of the Six Departments was responsible for six things: assisting, advising, providing exegesis, collecting neglected issues, inspecting the affairs of the six ministries; he even had the right to seal and return the documents of the Shangshu and the cabinet. His authority was substantial, surpassing that of the Imperial Censor.

And the Ministry of Personnel, historically known as the Heavenly Office, was in charge of official promotions. The position of the Official of the Central Government of the Ministry of Personnel in the court was naturally self-evident.

It was common for Wei Zhen to be transferred to another position in the future, and promoted by six ranks.

But what Li Xuan truly respected was this man’s friendship with his father. Especially after the deputy Zuodu Yushi Xi Ying leaned towards the Zhanshi Government’s faction, it was Wei Zhen who batted for Earl Chengyi’s mansion in the court; that’s why Li Xuan was particularly respectful towards him.

"I dare not accept this show of respect."

Wei Zhen laughed while stepping aside: "In terms of official rank, you are the Earl Jingan of the current court. In term of Confucianism status, you’re the protector of Neo-Confucianism. It would have been fine to be called uncle and nephew in other places, but we can not mess up the rules at the court meeting."

Li Xuan thought about it and agreed. He then stood straight, clasped his fist in a salute: "Then after the court meeting, Uncle Wei must join me for a drink at Suishanwei House, so I can express my gratitude for your help."

"We can drink, but there’s no need for thanks. Our families have been friends for generations, it’s my duty. Besides, it’s not that I didn’t gain anything from it."

Wei Zhen shook his sleeves, then glanced at Kong Xiude and the Crown Prince who was further up: "Only the problem at hand needs to be dealt with properly to avoid future trouble."

"Those who don’t kill the snake, die by the snake." Li Xuan stood with his hands behind his back: "Uncle, rest assured, I am certainly not overly lenient, nor reckless."

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