Chapter 1006 -
"Reporting to the Celestial Emperor, many ministers have gathered in the court hall, and Old Qing is also here. Shouldn't the Great Emperor go and take a look?" The elderly eunuch spoke, causing the Celestial Emperor to frown: "It's not the time for morning court. Why are they here?"
"I've heard that Qing Cang, the grandson of Old Qing, was executed at the Haotian Sect, so..."
"What did you say, Old Qing's grandson was killed?" The Celestial Emperor exclaimed, not pausing to ask further, and swiftly rose from the pavilion. The grandson of such a venerable court elder being killed, especially at the Haotian Sect, must be a matter of great significance. Without waiting for the eunuch to finish speaking, the Celestial Emperor proceeded directly to the court hall.
At this moment, within the court hall, not only was Old Qing present, but there were also many high-ranking officials awaiting the arrival of the Celestial Emperor. Moreover, the War Venerable was among them.
This War Venerable was none other than Lu Li's grandfather, who never forgot the matter of Xiao Tianyu crippling Lu Li in the past, even knowing that Xiao Tianyu was an Emperor, he remained intent on revenge.
And the only one capable of avenging him was the Celestial Emperor.
"The Great Emperor has arrived!" Shortly thereafter, someone shouted within the hall, and the Celestial Emperor could be seen stepping towards the dragon throne, soon sitting down as the ministers bowed on one knee in salutation.
The Celestial Emperor waved his hand slightly, signaling for them to rise.
Then, the Celestial Emperor spoke: "Tell me, what is going on?"
"Great Emperor, please seek justice for my grandson!"
With a thud, Old Qing knelt on both knees, addressing the Celestial Emperor: "There are traitors within Haotian Sect who not only killed my grandson Qing Cang but also crippled the Eldest Prince's left arm. This person blatantly disregards royal authority, with crimes as boundless as the sky. I implore the Celestial Emperor to send someone to apprehend this villain for revenge for the Prince and my grandson!"
"What did you say? Di Tian's left arm was crippled?" The Celestial Emperor was momentarily stunned. Di Tian, with royal bloodline, was his eldest son and could potentially rule the world in the future. How dare anyone at the Haotian Sect cripple him?
"Indeed!" At this moment, the War Venerable spoke: "Great Emperor, the Eldest Prince is crippled, and the news has spread everywhere within Haotian Sect. Moreover, he is currently recovering at Dragon Flower Hall. I ask the Celestial Emperor to make a decision!"
"Why doesn't the War Venerable mention the reason for the big brother's arm being crippled?" Just then, a voice came from outside the hall, belonging to the Second Prince, Di Yun. He stepped into the hall, prompting everyone to salute.
Di Yun ignored them and instead bowed to the Celestial Emperor: "Child greets Father Emperor!"
"Rise!" The Celestial Emperor waved, allowing Di Yun to stand. The Celestial Emperor showed a slight smile, for he appreciated Di Yun more than Di Tian, given Di Yun's cunning.
Although to outsiders, being overly cunning isn't benign, in the royal family, lacking cunning means achieving nothing significant.
Then, the Celestial Emperor spoke: "Yun'Er, why are you here!"
"It's regarding big brother's matter.".
"Speak out!" The Celestial Emperor replied.
"Father Emperor!" Di Yun clasped his fists together, continuing: "Big brother's arm being crippled is truly his own fault. Although, as his younger brother, it may be inappropriate to speak thus, I believe it's necessary to tell Father Emperor!"
"Speak plainly!" The Celestial Emperor commanded.
Thus, Di Yun revealed how Di Tian framed Xiao Tianyu, explaining everything without omission. However, midway through his speech, he glanced at the Celestial Emperor, noticing his face reveal an overwhelming rage.
"What did you say? Di Tian framed Xiao Tianyu, leading Xiao Tianyu to cripple his left arm in fury?"
Upon Di Yun's finishing his account, the Celestial Emperor roared, his voice resonating throughout the hall, causing even Di Yun's own heart to tremble with surprise. He hadn't anticipated such wrath from the Celestial Emperor.
At this moment, the entire hall of ministers found their hearts trembling, except for the War Venerable, who understood the source of the Celestial Emperor's sudden fury, for he knew Xiao Tianyu's cultivation was not beneath that of the Celestial Emperor. How could the Celestial Emperor not be angry when the Eldest Prince provoked Xiao Tianyu.
"Rebellious child, fool!" The Celestial Emperor's voice echoed continuously, further confusing the ministers, prompting Old Qing to speak: "Great Emperor, regardless of who is right, the Eldest Prince is still a prince, a royal heir. I believe the Great Emperor should capture Xiao Tianyu and execute him on the spot!"
"Presumptuous!" A wave of imperial authority emanated from the Celestial Emperor, pressing upon Old Qing, causing him to cough blood and kneel on the ground, hastily pleading: "Celestial Emperor, spare me!"
What is happening here? Why is the Celestial Emperor so enraged at the mere mention of Xiao Tianyu's name? Could it be that Xiao Tianyu holds a higher place in the Celestial Emperor's heart than the Eldest Prince?
"Except for the War Venerable, all of you leave. Without my orders, none of you should enter the court again, or else, I will kill!" The Celestial Emperor's commanding voice exacerbated the ministers' confusion, especially Old Qing, who was baffled by the implications, though he realized his grandson might have died in vain.
Soon, the entire hall was left with only the War Venerable, Di Yun, and the Celestial Emperor, as everyone else retreated outside the court.
"Why is Father Emperor so furious?" Di Yun asked, still bewildered, while the Celestial Emperor ignored him and addressed the War Venerable: "War Venerable!"
"Your subject is present!" The War Venerable knelt on one knee, as the Celestial Emperor continued: "Go and bring that rebellious child from Dragon Flower Hall!"
"This..." The War Venerable expressed his shock: "Great Emperor, this might harm the dignity of the royal family, especially since the Eldest Prince is still recovering!"
"If I ask you to go, then go!"
"Understood!" The War Venerable nodded, stepping out of the hall.
Seeing this, Di Yun was even more astonished. Dragging big brother back to the Imperial Palace? Then who exactly is Xiao Tianyu? Why does Father Emperor care so much?
At this moment, Di Yun felt secretly fortunate, relieved he didn't confront Xiao Tianyu, or else he might end up like Di Tian, dragged back in disgrace.
Instead, the more Di Yun contemplated, the more ecstatic he became, for even though Xiao Tianyu's identity remained unknown, if Di Tian were brought back under duress, his standing in the Celestial Emperor's heart would surely diminish, bringing Di Yun closer to the throne.
Moreover, Di Yun pondered utilizing this situation to potentially overthrow the Empress.
"Yun'Er, is Xiao Tianyu still at the Haotian Sect?" At that moment, the Celestial Emperor's piercing gaze landed on Di Yun, who responded cautiously: "Father Emperor, Xiao Tianyu is merely an Outer Sect disciple at the Haotian Sect. Father Emperor shouldn't punish the Eldest Prince for him, especially as it would harm the royal family's reputation. Besides, that Xiao Tianyu blatantly disregarded royal authority!"
"What royal authority?" The Celestial Emperor roared: "In front of Xiao Tianyu, do not speak to me of royal authority, understood?"
"Understood!" Di Yun nodded, his heart even more baffled about Xiao Tianyu's identity, yet this clue revealed the Celestial Emperor's reluctance to provoke Xiao Tianyu.