Mystique Soul: A Cultivator's Flame
Chapter 95

Chapter 95: Chapter 95

The grand hall of the imperial palace was thick with tension, a battlefield of words where each faction fought not with swords, but with influence and power. Ministers, nobles, and military generals gathered, their expressions ranging from barely concealed triumph to deep-seated unease. The golden dragon throne sat at the far end of the hall, a symbol of absolute authority, but even its presence did little to ease the undercurrents of discord rippling through the room.

At the heart of it all sat the emperor. His robes of deep imperial gold shimmered under the flickering lanterns, his expression unreadable as he listened to the voices of his court.

"Your Majesty," one of the senior ministers spoke first, bowing deeply. "The matter of the crown prince’s title must be settled today. The court has been patient, but further delay would only invite chaos."

Murmurs of agreement spread through the hall.

"Indeed, the nobles have spoken. The military has spoken. Even the common people whisper of it," another official added. "Liang Feng’s position is no longer tenable. The decree must be finalized."

The emperor remained silent, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne. Though his face betrayed nothing, his mind was far from still.

The noble factions had grown bold, thinking they had won. The military was split, some loyal to Liang Feng, others swayed by promises of power. His ministers pressed for action, believing the empire’s stability hinged on a swift decision.

Yet despite their certainty, despite their pressure, the emperor hesitated.

Because he knew.

Knew that his son, his crown prince, had not made a single move to resist in these past three days. he Knew that Liang Feng was not one to surrender so easily.

So, the emperor knew that something was up with that son of his..

"Your Majesty" General Wei spoke, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs. He was one of the few military leaders still standing firmly by the prince’s side. "Stripping the crown prince of his title so abruptly will leave a void. Have the factions gathered here considered what comes next?"

A noble scoffed. "The next heir can be selected"

"And do you think that will be accepted so easily?" General Wei’s gaze swept across the room. "The empire is not so simple. A single wrong move could invite rebellion, both from within and outside our borders."

A hush fell over the hall.

The emperor leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp. "Then, General Wei do you believe that keeping the crown prince as he is would be the best course of action?"

The general bowed. "I believe your majesty, that an alternative solution must be presented before any decision is made. Otherwise, this court will be no better than wolves tearing at each other for scraps."

The nobles bristled at the insult but before anyone could respond a eunuch entered the hall. He moved swiftly bowing low before the emperor.

"Your Majesty" the eunuch announced, his voice steady despite the charged atmosphere. "A letter has arrived. From the crown prince."

The hall fell deathly silent.

The emperor held out a hand, and the eunuch respectfully presented the sealed letter.

For a brief moment, the emperor simply stared at the wax seal intact, unbroken, as if it had been delivered by an invisible hand. Then, with deliberate ease he broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

His eyes skimmed the words.

Then, he smiled.

A slow, knowing smile.

Lifting his gaze to the gathered court, the emperor spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable weight.

"It seems" he said, "that my son has already prepared his response."

The grand hall remained thick with tension, the hushed murmur of courtiers carrying an undercurrent of urgency. Despite the emperor’s silence, all eyes were fixed on the third prince as he stood at the side. His posture remained poised, his expression serene, but beneath that refined elegance lay the makings of a masterful strategist.

He knew the court well. knew its pulse, its fears, its greed. And most importantly, he knew how to direct them where he wanted.

With a measured breath, he stepped forward again, his silk robes trailing behind him like flowing water. "Your Majesty" he addressed the emperor respectfully, "I must implore you not to delay any further. A prolonged hesitation may lead to chaos and chaos is the very thing we must prevent."

His words carried the perfect balance of concern and responsibility, neither too eager nor too forceful. His tone was measured, as though he were merely looking out for the empire not vying for power.

"The ministers gathered here are not men without reason" he continued, shifting his gaze toward them his voice like a gentle current sweeping them along. "We are all servants of the empire. We do not seek to act out of haste, but out of necessity. The people look to us for guidance, and as rulers, we must be decisive. We must show them that we stand united."

There was a murmur of agreement from the nobles who had already aligned themselves with him. But his real target was not them. it was the undecided ones.

His eyes flickered toward the neutral faction, those still weighing their loyalties, and with an almost imperceptible smile, he spoke again.

"We must also consider..." He sighed, allowing a pause for effect, his voice laced with just the right amount of helpless understanding. "The crown prince has been under immense pressure. If we do not resolve this now, what will it do to his honor? To his dignity?"

A few ministers furrowed their brows, considering his words.

"If we let this issue drag on, rumors will spiral out of control. The people might begin to suspect the imperial family is divided," he continued, his tone deepening, his eyes filled with carefully crafted sincerity. "And we all know what happens when the imperial court appears weak. There are those who would take advantage of it."

The reminder of external threats struck a chord with the military officials, many of whom had spent years securing the empire’s borders. They exchanged glances, some nodding subtly.

The third prince allowed the silence to linger just long enough before tilting his head slightly, a pensive expression crossing his face. "I am not saying this out of personal interest. I am simply thinking of the empire, as we all should."

That was a lie.

But it was a well-placed one.

He had spent years cultivating a reputation of being dutiful, pragmatic, and deeply loyal to the empire.never too ambitious, never too power-hungry. Unlike his other siblings, he had never outright expressed interest in the throne, never positioned himself as a direct rival to Liang Feng. And that was precisely why so many saw him as an ideal candidate.

A ruler who did not seek power but bore the burden of responsibility, was that not the best kind of emperor?

The trick was to never say it outright.

Instead, he let the idea plant itself naturally in the minds of the ministers, allowing them to come to the conclusion on their own.

"We are all here because we love our country" he said finally, his gaze sweeping the room, capturing their uncertainty and molding it into agreement. "Let us not prolong this any further."

It was a subtle push, but an effective one.

The murmurs grew louder. The undecided officials hesitated, but the seeds had been sown. The more they listened, the more they found themselves nodding.

The emperor remained silent.

But the faintest curve of his lips betrayed a thought lingering behind those unreadable eyes.

And the third prince... he silently smirked to himself.

The grand hall had settled into an air of quiet deliberation, the tension simmering just beneath the surface. Ministers exchanged hushed words, glancing toward the emperor, who remained silent on his throne. The third prince, ever the picture of calm and reason, had carefully steered the court toward a decision, urging them to resolve the matter of the crown prince’s title swiftly.

But before anyone could formally call for a conclusion, the great doors of the hall swung open.

The sound echoed through the chamber like the toll of a bell.

Clad in robes of deep crimson embroidered with gold, Liang Feng stepped forward, his gait steady, unhurried. The light from the high windows cast a sharp glow over his figure, his expression unreadable yet undeniably commanding. The courtiers closest to the doors instinctively moved aside, as if making way for a storm they dared not stand against.

The hall fell into an uneasy silence.

The crown prince had arrived.

Han Qing followed half a step behind, his presence a silent but powerful statement.Liang Feng was not alone in this battle.

Liang Feng’s eyes swept over the room, taking in the tension that lingered in the air, the weight of unspoken words pressing against his shoulders. He had known of course, he had known, that this moment would come. That the forces working against him had waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. But he had not come to beg for his position, nor to plead his case.

No, he had come to remind them who he was.

With a slight bow of respect, without lowering his eyes, he addressed the emperor. "Father, I see that the ministers have gathered to discuss an important matter. Am I to assume that the fate of my title has already been decided without me?"

His voice was calm, but there was a blade hidden beneath each word.

A few nobles shifted uncomfortably. Others narrowed their eyes already prepared to denounce his defiance. The third prince, ever composed, merely smiled as if this development was expected.

The emperor regarded his son with an inscrutable expression. "The ministers have spoken of their concerns. You were not present to address them."

"Then allow me to do so now," Liang Feng said smoothly. "Or do the ministers believe that a crown prince should be stripped of his title in his absence?"

His words struck deep. Some ministers flinched; others lowered their heads, unwilling to meet his gaze. Even those who sided with the third prince hesitated. after all, was it not improper to settle such matters without allowing the accused a voice?

The crown prince took another step forward, his presence filling the space around him. "If my position is to be taken, then I ask. what crime have I committed?"

"What kind of question-"

Liang Feng calmly smiled, polite, charming and refined to plant the seeds of doubt as he continued to speak without letting himself be interupted. "I am already the crown prince, my father’s heir. What benefit would I get if I poison my father just to ascend the throne? Shouldn’t the real question be then, who would benefit from this whole ordeal?"

The third prince exhaled lightly, as if in regret. "Brother, no one woild be accusing you of a crime if it wasnt for an irrefutable truth. But as you know, the court must act for the stability of the empire. With the growing pressure from the noble houses and their grievances..."

"The grievances of a few" Liang Feng interrupted, his sharp gaze locking onto his younger brother. "Yet I see that the court has been quick to accommodate them."

The third prince did not waver. "It is not about accommodation, but about ensuring unity. The people must have confidence in the future of the imperial family."

"And do they lack confidence in me?" Liang Feng’s tone was mild, almost amused. "Or is it that certain individuals lack confidence in me?"

A few ministers held their breath.

The emperor finally spoke. "Liang Feng," he said, voice steady, unreadable. "You came here knowing what is at stake. What do you intend to do?"

Liang Feng straightened, his stance unwavering. "I intend to prove that I am still worthy of this title. That I am still the rightful heir to this throne."

His words rang with unshaken resolve.

It was not a plea. It was a declaration.

The third prince’s smile did not falter, but a shadow passed through his gaze. He had maneuvered the court into the perfect position to cast Liang Feng aside, yet the crown prince had entered not with desperation, but with the presence of someone who had already prepared his next move.

And that was dangerous.

For the first time since the meeting began, uncertainty spread through the hall.

The emperor studied his son for a long moment, as if weighing something. Then, he leaned back in his seat. "Then let us see," he said, voice deep with finality. "Let us see if you are still worthy."

Liang Feng inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the challenge.

The court remained silent, tension stretched tight like a drawn bowstring.

And somewhere beyond the palace walls, the shadow of something greater loomed.

For Liang Feng was not alone.

And soon, they would all know it.

Miles away, a silver deer flew through the clouds with ease, grace and speed.