Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Chapter 325: Chapter 260: Court Upheaval

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone great luck and success in all things! May all your wishes come true, come true, come true!!!!!!

About half a month had passed since Ling Xiao’s return to Penzes City, and he had remained in seclusion the entire time. He spent his days either discussing ancient culture with Clan Leader Quefeng or chatting with the girls to grow closer to them. When it came to matters of the heart, Ling Xiao was gradually shifting from a passive to an active role, a change that delighted the girls. However, Yisha and Huangpu Yue were about to depart for the Imperial Capital, where a new Ling Auction House was set to open.

The move to do business in the Imperial Capital was a carefully considered decision made by the Ling Family’s core team. As the economic and political heart of the Lanyue Empire, the Imperial Capital, Yalan, was an ancient city with over a thousand years of history. Its cultural depth and concentration of wealthy nobles were on a level that Penzes, a major southern city, simply couldn’t match.

Furthermore, opening an auction house in the Imperial Capital served, to a certain extent, to reassure His Majesty the King. The one thing His Majesty feared most right now was the Ling Family moving out of the Imperial Capital entirely. If the Ling Family were to make such a move, it would likely mean the Lanyue Empire was on the brink of a major upheaval!

Fortunately, the Ling Family announced they would be opening another auction house in the Imperial Capital and would gradually increase the supply of Beauty Pills. The person most delighted by this news was not one of the eagerly awaiting noblewomen, but His Majesty the King himself.

Although he had already sent for aid from the Western Li Family, the power behind the Royal Family, His Majesty the King remained deeply unsettled. At last, Ling Xiao’s latest move had, to some extent, dispelled suspicions that the Ling Family harbored rebellious intentions.

Inside the Imperial Palace, Marshal Qiu Chen sat opposite His Majesty the King. The two of them were chatting with light smiles.

In front of Marshal Qiu Chen, His Majesty the King displayed none of the airs of a sovereign. His smile was humble and gentle, and he was dressed in simple black robes hand-embroidered with the golden likeness of a Blast Flame Lion King.

"Marshal, you were right after all. That boy from the Ling Family really doesn’t seem to have any rebellious intentions. Sigh... when it comes down to it, I was the one at fault in this matter. I have truly wronged him! I can only hope that this gesture of bestowing titles will convey my goodwill to him."

His Majesty the King sighed softly. He picked up the fragrant tea, closed his eyes to savor it for a moment, and then continued, "In the last two years, with the rise of that boy from the Ling Family, all those hidden families and sects have started to grow restless. They’re like cats that have caught the scent of fish, all eager to make a move. Sigh... We’ve been obedient puppets for over a thousand years. Marshal, when do you think it will ever end? These hidden families, including the Western Li Family that backs our own Royal Family, have always placed themselves above imperial authority. It truly makes me deeply uncomfortable! Hmph. Right now, I almost hope these waters get even murkier. It would be best if that Ling Family boy completely wiped out all those hidden families and sects! Their very existence prevents imperial power from ever being truly centralized!"

Qiu Chen had long known what kind of man the King was. While His Majesty the Old King wasn’t particularly remarkable in terms of personal strength, his ambition, even from a young age, had always been immense.

Otherwise, there’s no way he could have built a third-rate kingdom into a super-empire on the Eastern Continent capable of rivaling the Zichuan Empire. In fact, the only role the Western Li Family behind the Royal Family played during the Lanyue Empire’s expansion was likely to deter the other hidden families.

The principle was that the affairs of the Mortal World should be resolved by the Mortal World. However, without the backing of a powerful hidden family, one couldn’t hope to peacefully rule a large nation. Therefore, the old King had no intention of discrediting the Western Li Family. But one thing was obvious: without those powerful hidden families and sects, he could have used his own abilities to achieve far greater glory and conquer a much larger territory!

To attain undying glory, to build an eternal empire!

Unfortunately, because of the existence of those hidden families, this ambition of the old King’s could be nothing more than an idle complaint.

"Your Majesty, speaking of the young man from the Ling Family, I have always held him in high regard. And as an old man who has lived for many years, I trust my own judgment. That young man will not easily harbor thoughts of rebellion—not unless Your Majesty pushes him to the brink and infuriates him."

Qiu Chen chuckled and then continued, "Your Majesty obviously dislikes hearing me say this, but even though this Ling Xiao isn’t from a hidden family, haven’t you sensed it? The third son of the Ling Family’s current strength... is already no less than that of those hidden families."

His Majesty the King sighed softly. With a slightly bitter expression, he tapped his somewhat withered hand on the tabletop twice. "I am, of course, well aware of that. That is precisely why I summoned you today. Marshal, how do you propose we resolve this matter to eliminate the threat for good? After all, just because the third son of the Ling Family has no rebellious intentions doesn’t mean his descendants won’t."

"Unless... we treat them as we do the other hidden families and grant a territory to the Ling Family in perpetuity." Qiu Chen’s eyes glinted as he spoke in a low voice. "However, doing so would inevitably affect the Second Prince’s sphere of influence."

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