Chapter 7 Establishing the Yuan Emperor
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
"Oh dear, what's going on?" Ling Yao and Ling Xuan walked side by side and happened to witness this scene.
Ling Yao looked at the male official, her tone reproachful: "Steward Wang, how can you act like this? Didn't you see that Young Master Shao has difficulty moving around?"
Steward Wang bowed hurriedly, but his attitude remained unyielding: "Your Highness, please understand. I was merely acting according to the rules and dared not be negligent in the slightest. Such are the palace regulations, and I have no choice but to comply."
Ling Xuan also spoke gently, her gaze falling on Yi Shao's pale face: "The palace rules are strict, and there's a reason for that; they're also to uphold the imperial family's dignity. However..."
She sighed softly, with pity, "Young Master, please bear with it. Things will get better after this. Your mother and father are kind and loving, and they will surely understand your difficulties."
Yi Shao sat in his wheelchair, his back ramrod straight, using all his strength to maintain his last shred of dignity.
His hands gripped the smooth wooden handrail tightly, his knuckles taut and bluish-white.
All the usual expressions on his face had vanished without a trace, leaving only an empty, pale look. Only deep in his eyes, something was slowly shattering.
He did not despair when his leg was broken and he knew he might never stand up again; he did not despair when his trusted older sister plotted against him and took everything from him; he did not despair when his parents abandoned him and threw him into the prince's backyard.
But it was precisely here, in this place that symbolized the most noble yet coldest imperial power in the world, that he was about to be dragged off his wheelchair like an obstructive decoration, forced to keep three steps away from his wife, and moved in like a true appendage...
That pride and defense built up with wealth, looks, and scheming seemed so laughable and so vulnerable in the face of the palace rules at this moment.
He felt his soul being slowly pulled away, and all he could see were the outstretched hands of the two eunuchs.
He could even picture himself being held up by the arms, his legs dragging weakly across the polished floor tiles... how ridiculous and pathetic that would be.
It was even more suffocating than when I first fell off the runaway horse and collapsed in the mud.
Just as the eunuch's fingers were about to touch his arm—
"stop."
The two eunuchs instinctively paused.
Ling Wei strode straight to Yi Shao's wheelchair. To everyone's astonishment, she bent down, put her arms under Yi Shao's knees and back, and with a little effort, lifted him up horizontally.
Caught off guard, Yi Shao instinctively gripped the fabric of her shoulder. He was actually much taller than Ling Wei, with a slender frame, and being carried like this made the person holding him appear rather delicate.
Ling Wei simply turned her head and said to Shen Zhilan, who was standing quietly to the side, "I'm leaving."
A hint of surprise flashed across Shen Zhilan's eyes, then he nodded silently and followed quietly for three steps beside her.
"Fifth Prince! This...this is against etiquette!" Steward Wang's expression changed, and he hurriedly stepped forward to stop him. "How could a courtier..."
Ling Wei didn't even bother to lift her eyelids, only letting out an impatient snort: "Tsk."
Qing Shu, who had been silent like a shadow, suddenly stepped forward, standing right between Manager Wang and Ling Wei.
Steward Wang stopped in his tracks, watching as Ling Wei, carrying Yi Shao and followed by Shen Zhilan, strode towards Changning Palace, leaving them and the two princesses behind.
"Oh dear," Ling Yao said, looking at Ling Wei's retreating figure without hesitation, raising her hand to cover her mouth, "She really did act impulsively for her lover, Fifth Brother's temper is still as... well, straightforward as ever."
Her tone suggested a more amused or even smug look than genuine surprise.
Ling Xuan didn't speak, but her gaze followed Ling Wei's back thoughtfully. She subtly exchanged a glance with Manager Wang, whose face was grim, and he reluctantly stepped aside and stopped talking.
The palace road was long, and Yi Shao had never been held in such a way before, especially by a woman, his wife.
The feeling was unfamiliar; the humiliation was diluted by the close warmth, replaced by a deeper sense of helplessness.
"Your Highness..." His voice was hoarse as he tried to regain his composure and reason, "Put me down. It's against etiquette, and... it's improper. I... I can..."
Even after he said it, he felt weak and powerless. What could he do? Climb over?
"Haven't you had enough of acting yet?" Ling Wei laughed softly. "You were practically ready to die in front of me just now, and now you're talking to me about manners?"
Yi Shao's throat tightened, and he awkwardly turned his head away: "No."
With the vermilion palace gates now in sight, Yi Shao finally couldn't help but whisper, "Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness. We're almost there. This is a very important place. Please put me down... or perhaps you could have Minister Shen take me in."
He accepted whatever form of audience he took; Ling Wei was his wife, and if Ling Wei was not doing well, he would only be doing worse.
Yi Shao mocked himself, wondering what use was that bit of self-respect to him?
Actually, it would have been fine for Shen Zhilan to carry him in, but Ling Wei didn't intend to let it go so easily.
They've been bullied right under her nose, and those who trample on her are tripping her up. Is she just going to accept it?
Oh.
Ling Wei didn't stop walking: "No need, just keep your mouth shut in a moment."
Yi Shao wanted to say something more, but Ling Wei stepped over the high threshold of Changning Palace.
The light inside the hall suddenly changed, and Yi Shao immediately fell silent.
Inside the main hall of Changning Palace, Emperor Jinghe, Ling Jiming, sat upright on the throne at the head of the table, dressed in ordinary clothes, exuding natural majesty. Beside her was the gentle-looking Phoenix Prince.
Ling Wei carried Yi Shao, followed by Shen Zhilan, and stepped into the hall.
She showed no fear on her face, still with that languid air of someone still hungover, and walked with composure.
She walked to a suitable spot below the steps, carefully put Yi Shao down in her arms so that he could lean on her for support, and then lifted her robe and knelt down properly.
"Your subject Ling Wei, accompanied by Consorts Shen Zhilan and Yi Shao, pays respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty. We wish you good health and peace."
Yi Shao was half-supported and half-leaned by her, and he knelt down as well, while Shen Zhilan knelt quietly to the side.
Jinghe Diling Jiming's gaze fell on the three people below the steps. He paused for a moment as Ling Wei carried people in, but didn't say much. He simply said as usual, "Get up."
Her tone lacked the solemnity of an imperial court; it was more like the gentle voice of an ordinary mother.
"Thank you, Mother and Father."
Ling Wei stood up, but instead of backing away, she knelt down again, this time with an even louder sound.
Feng Jun was slightly surprised, and Emperor Jinghe's brows twitched: "What are you doing?"
Ling Wei raised her head, her face showing a nonchalant seriousness. "Your subject wishes to ask Your Majesty and Your Majesty for a favor: Your subject wishes to establish Yi Jia Shaolang as the new ruler."
As soon as "Yuanjun" appeared, the hall fell silent.
Feng Jun opened his eyes slightly in surprise and looked at Emperor Jinghe. Even Shen Zhilan, who was always calm and composed, trembled for a moment with her long eyelashes.
Yi Shao, who was kneeling beside Ling Wei, was shocked and turned to look at her. His beautiful phoenix eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief and shock.
Yuanjun? Zhengshi?
Does she...do she even know what she's saying?!
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