Chapter 54: Has the Emperor Gone Mad? _1

Jin’an, the capital of Qi Country. The dispute over the crown prince is about to be settled. Pavilion Elder Chen, who supports the Third Prince, has already asked for retirement, and Emperor Qi has agreed. Pavilion Elder Chen is about to leave the capital after his retirement. Amid the intense feud over the crown prince, his retirement is not an easy feat, deeply tied to his highly respected status as a veteran of two dynasties. It remains uncertain what lies in the future for Guo Rongshan, the minister regarded as one of the right-hand men of the Third Prince. At best, he may be dismissed from his post. If things get worse, he may get exiled, and if they get even worse, his entire family may face capital punishment! It’s well known amongst the court that the First Prince’s faction is initiating actions in Donghe County. The outcome – whether Guo Rongshan’s son-in-law is imprisoned under the charges of colluding with the Celestial Mother cult or some alternative crimes – will determine Guo Rongshan’s fate. The Imperial Palace, the royal study. Emperor Qi is looking at the confidential missive from Donghe County, his hand shaking and lips trembling. Even as the emperor, who stands aloft from the rest of the world, he feels fear for the first time. One man sweeping through ten thousand troops! Can a mortal human achieve this? But, a confidential missive wouldn’t lie! Guo Rongshan’s grandson, Xu Yan, single-handedly defeated ten thousand divine soldiers without any injuries and made it look easy. Moreover, during the battle, Xu Yan held back and did not massacre all the divine army soldiers. “Guo Rongshan’s grandson wasn’t he supposed to be dim-witted? Isn’t this the dimwit that everyone in the court was talking about?” Emperor Qi is trembling all over, his face turning ashen with rage. A dim-witted person practicing such unmatched Martial Arts? Who exactly is the dimwit then? The rumors are true! There are hermit elders in this world who are as divine as gods. There are such powerful Martial Arts! “Guo Rongshan must die! Punish him by exterminating his whole family! Execute the whole Guo family to be buried with my Qi Country!” Emperor Qi’s eyes flashed with ruthless determination. Since the Qi Country is to fall, before the enemy arrives in the capital, cut Guo Rongshan’s family down, let them accompany the Qi Country in death! “No! Just as the emperor was about to issue a decree to exterminate the Guo family, he suddenly became alert. He picked up the missive again for a careful look. “Xu Junhe did not rebel. He only defeated the divine army and did not kill Jiang Pingshan. Moreover, he did not let the Celestial Mother cult take over the prefecture office…” In this brief moment, Emperor Qi understood. Whether the Xu family will rebel depends on his attitude and how he handles the Guo family! If Guo Rongshan dies, it will mean the end of the royal house of Qi Country! But if Guo Rongshan continues to serve Qi Country as minister, then Qi will remain Qi! Emperor Qi took several deep breaths. His extreme seriousness underlined that this was a decision concerning the survival of Qi Country, something he could not afford to take lightly. “Summon my third son into the palace, order Minister Guo Rongshan to enter the palace, and send word to the ancestral temple to prepare for my son’s mentoring ceremony…” Emperor Qi issued the orders sternly. He had to get it all done before the news from Donghe County arrived in the capital. The chief eunuch bowed and left, personally overseeing the process. Even though he was surprised about receiving the summons, the Third Prince rushed to the palace. Guo Rongshan, also confused by the Emperor’s urgent summons, wondered what purpose it served. Could it be that this time, after the dispute over the crown prince, his Guo family might escape unscathed? In hurried steps, Guo reached the imperial palace. However, instead of meeting with Emperor Qi in the study, he was led to the ancestral temple! Confused, Guo Rongshan thought, is the ancestral temple a place a minister like me can visit? Following the eunuch, Guo arrived at the ancestral temple. Upon arrival, he saw the Third Prince, and the arrangements of the ancestral temple seemed unusual! “Your Majesty…” As Guo Rongshan was about to bow in salute, Emperor Qi, with a smile on his face, personally helped him up and said, “Minister Guo, there’s no need for formalities, come, sit down!” “Your Majesty, this…” Guo Rongshan was shocked as the Emperor Qi pulled him and asked him to sit at the principal seat of the ancestral temple. “Minister Guo, you are a unique talent in this world. My third son is fortunate to have caught your favor. Today, I will let him officially take you as his mentor!” Emperor Qi spoke solemnly. “Your Majesty, this should not be done!” Guo Rongshan was shocked. He was a prince; how could he simply accept such mentoring arrangements? The emperor ignored his protests, forced him to sit in the seat, turned around, glared at the Third Prince, and scolded, “What are you standing there for? Why aren’t you performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows to greet your teacher?” “Father Emperor…” The Third Prince had a befuddled look. What on earth was going on? Seeing the severe look in Emperor Qi’s eyes, he flinched in fright, hastily kneeled, and kowtowed three times before offering up tea, “Disciple greets esteemed teacher!” Guo Rongshan was completely clueless throughout. His mind was dizzy, a messy pulp, and he felt utterly stupefied. What was Emperor Qi doing? “Minister Guo, take a sip of your tea quickly!” Emperor Qi urged. Guo Rongshan took the tea and took a mouthful, remaining clueless throughout the whole event. “Third son, keep in mind that a day as a teacher is considered a lifetime as a father. From now on, when you see Minister Guo, treat him with the same reverence as you would your father! “You are to pay your respects to Minister Guo daily, and any disrespect will be severely punished!” Emperor Qi’s tone was extremely severe by the time he finished speaking. The third prince’s body shook, his face turned pale, and he hurriedly replied, “Yes, yes, Father Emperor!” His mind was muddy, thinking his father Emperor, was probably insane, otherwise why would he do such a thing. “Get lost quickly!” Emperor Qi shot him a glare, and the third prince hurriedly retreated. “Minister Guo, come on, come, the duties of the court still require your attention. With your talent, Minister Guo, I rest easy!” Emperor Qi, hand in hand with Guo Rongshan, took a stroll in the Royal Garden. Like old friends for many years, they chatted about daily routines, occasionally mentioning his grandson Xu Yan, and now and then praising Guo Rongshan’s devotion to the court. Among all the civil and military officials, only Minister Guo is a true loyalist! Guo Rongshan’s mind was nothing but a muddle, even suspecting that he was dreaming! After strolling around in the royal garden, Emperor Qi, pulling Guo Rongshan, returned to the ancestral temple. Then Emperor Qi, along with Guo Rongshan, worshipped heaven and earth in front of the temple, intending to become sworn brothers of a different surname! Guo Rongshan’s face turned pale, his body trembled, and he nearly fainted. There was only one thought in his mind: “Has the Emperor gone mad?” Thud, thud, thud! Kneeling, swearing a blood oath, and becoming brothers! After the complete procedure, Guo Rongshan felt completely drained, both physically and mentally. But Emperor Qi held slightly relieved. His thought was simple: being sworn brothers with your grandfather, don’t you consider me as half an elder, Xu Yan? So I hope you will go light on me? After the sworn brother ceremony, he walked Guo Rongshan out of the palace. Halfway, they ran into one of Emperor Qi’s favoured concubines, approaching gracefully. Guo Rongshan was dazed at this moment, completely at a loss, and unconsciously looked up at the concubine, his gaze lingering. It’s a major disrespect, but his mind was so muddled at the moment that he didn’t realize it. Upon seeing this, Emperor Qi immediately asked joyously, “Brother Guo, what do you think of Concubine Yun?” “Concubine Yun is beautiful and virtuous, of course…” Guo Rongshan froze, a wave of panic surfacing in his heart. How did I start commenting on the Emperor’s favourite concubine? Cold sweat started breaking out on his forehead. Next, Emperor Qi’s joyful voice came from the side: “Since Brother Guo likes her, someone, take Concubine Yun to Minister Guo’s residence!” What?! Guo Rongshan was aghast, exclaimed hurriedly: “No, no, Your Majesty!” In a panic, he added: “My wife is fierce, I’m scared…” “If that’s the case, then let it be!” Emperor Qi wore a face of regret. Isn’t Guo Rongshan’s wife Xu Yan’s grandmother? If I annoy her, won’t I be asking for trouble? On the other hand, Concubine Yun had already fainted from fright… Guo Rongshan returned home in a daze, his mind in complete turmoil, as if the trip to the Royal Palace was an absurd dream! “Father, what did the Emperor want to see you for?” Guo Yunkai expressed his eagerness and worry, and as soon as he followed his father into the study, he asked without waiting. His father returned from the palace, and the whole person was completely off! Guo Rongshan raised his head and, after a while, managed to say: “His Majesty might have a brain disease; his sanity seems slightly off.” Guo Yunkai: ???