Witch God Abyss (Lily) - Chapter 10

The imperial succession system was originally simple: while the emperor reigned, the eldest son was named crown prince.

If the eldest son couldn’t be named for any reason, the eldest grandson or second son would be chosen, and so on.

If no heir was found, the emperor’s brothers would be considered for the throne.

But now, the empire had been thrown into chaos by repeated coups.

The late Emperor Yuanli was originally Prince Duan from Wubei.

He seized the throne from his nephew, only to be killed in a coup led by his nephew’s mother, the empress dowager.

Emperor Yuanli had only one legitimate son, Duan Qingxuan.

Duan Qingxuan trained in the Taoist ways from childhood, surrounded by outsiders like Wen Li or outright demonic and divine beasts.

When his parents died tragically in the palace coup, he led the Wubei army and these “non-human” allies to storm the palace, avenging his parents.

With Emperor Yuanli dead and the empress dowager imprisoned by Duan Qingxuan, he should have ascended the throne.

But Duan Qingxuan massacred the imperial city, plundered the richest regions of the Central Plains with his Wubei army, and returned to Wubei, declaring himself “Holy Lord,” severing ties with the Central Plains.

The Central Plains fell into chaos.

Prince Three, Prince Seven, and Princess Demao fought for power in Zhongdu, draining their strength.

Then, Emperor Shuo Xuan, Long Qianshan, a barbarian from Wubei, conquered the Central Plains and claimed the empire.

As a child in Wubei, Long Qianshan was raised by the Holy Lord himself.

His conquest of the Central Plains was to restore the empire that should have belonged to the Holy Lord.

But the Holy Lord, after enduring countless trials, ascended and abandoned the empire, leaving no heirs.

Thus, Emperor Shuo Xuan chose three descendants closest to the Holy Lord by bl00d to inherit the empire.

Zhao Beijin studied the family genealogy in her quarters.

Zhou Yizhi, from Wubei, was a granddaughter of Prince Three.

But her grandmother, Huiyi, wasn’t in the royal genealogy, meaning Huiyi wasn’t formally married into Prince Three’s mansion.

After returning from the palace, Zhao Beijin’s mother told her, “Zhou Yizhi was chosen for the palace solely because Princess Demao and the Holy Lord shared a deep bond from childhood.”

Zhao Beijin didn’t understand.

“Princess Demao? But Zhou Yizhi’s grandmother is Huiyi.”

“Huiyi is a relative of Emperor Yuanli’s empress dowager. After the empress dowager’s failed coup, Prince Duan Qingxuan massacred the city, and Huiyi was imprisoned. Princess Demao freed Huiyi, who then lived in her mansion. How she bore Prince Three’s bloodline is unclear—some say during her imprisonment, she was…”

Zhao Beijin’s mother hesitated to continue.

Zhao Beijin said, “That’s a distant connection.”

“By bl00d, yes, it’s farther than ours. But after the Holy Lord rebelled and left the Central Plains, Princess Demao took all her troops to Wubei. Wubei’s military power is still in her hands, making her emotionally closer to the Holy Lord than us.”

Zhao Beijin said, “That’s Princess Demao’s bond with the Holy Lord. Since Zhou Yizhi isn’t surnamed Duan, the empire has nothing to do with her.”

“Silly girl, you’re not surnamed Duan either. You’re an outer granddaughter too.”

“But I’m Emperor Yuanli’s direct granddaughter!” Zhao Beijin said.

“Duan Yule from Yudong is surnamed Duan, also an outer granddaughter, taking after her grandmother Duan Yuanhe. So, in terms of legitimacy, our family is the true heir of the late emperor!”

Her mother said, “Duan Yuanhe is Prince Seven’s legitimate daughter, so her bloodline is indeed a step further than yours. But Emperor Yuanli was closest to his seventh brother. When Yuanli seized power in Zhongdu, only Prince Seven sent troops to support him. Now, National Master Wen Li resides in Yudong for years—there must be other emotional entanglements…”

Zhao Beijin thought of Shen Yuan, who, as the National Master’s disciple, entered the Imperial Observatory without selection.

Though the National Master was often absent, when the Emperor had matters, he didn’t summon the Observatory’s deputy but Shen Yuan, a mere eighth-rank officer.

If Shen Yuan inherited the National Master’s position, she’d surely support Zhou Yizhi as crown princess…

In Zhao Beijin’s mind, she was Emperor Yuanli’s descendant.

Though from a concubine’s line, she was the closest to the Holy Lord by bl00d, the most logical heir.

Zhou Yizhi wasn’t even in the genealogy.

Duan Yule was still young, only seven in a year.

Emperor Shuo Xuan brought in these two princesses to balance the three factions’ power, preventing Duan Zeyu’s family from dominating.

Zhao Beijin set down the genealogy, thinking, “Before they can challenge me, I must make my influence in the court unshakable!”

Maid Huayan entered to light the lamps.

Zhao Beijin asked, “Did you find out?”

Maid Huayan said, “The palace servant on duty that day said it was a snake.”

“A snake? What did Academic Officer Lin say? Good or bad?”

“She didn’t say. She said to wait for the National Master’s interpretation, as she didn’t know.”

“Is the National Master back?”

“Unclear. His whereabouts are never known. But, Princess Jin, the bracelet you gave me, I passed to an Imperial Observatory officer. If she hears anything, she’ll find a way to send word.”

“Good.”

Zhao Beijin casually took a pair of jade bracelets from her jewelry box and handed them to Huayan.

“Go.”

Huayan took them, bowed, “Thank you, Princess,” and left.

Within ten days, the palace and court buzzed with rumors that Princess Jin’s incarnation was a white dragon.

The Imperial Observatory’s interpretation was that Zhao Beijin was the true dragon celestial maiden.

At dawn, as Shen Yuan arrived at the Imperial Observatory, a female officer asked about the rumors regarding Princess Jin.

“True dragon celestial maiden? I never said that.”

“But everyone’s saying it.”

“Everyone?” Shen Yuan said, “Besides, the gu insect didn’t hatch a dragon—it’s a snake.”

The officer said, “Dragon, snake—aren’t they similar?”

“What? Completely different!”

Shen Yuan clutched her forehead, unable to explain.

But she couldn’t help admiring Zhao Beijin’s tactics—public opinion could melt metal.

A voice from outside the hall: “Princess Jin.”

“Princess Jin.”

Before Shen Yuan could stand, Zhao Beijin rushed in.

“Princess Jin, such discourtesy…”

Before Shen Yuan finished, Zhao Beijin dragged her to a corner behind the hall.

Zhao Beijin whispered, “Leave now!”

“What?”

Zhao Beijin stuffed a booklet into Shen Yuan’s arms.

“A palace maid close to His Majesty copied this for me. Take it. Read it after you escape.”

Shen Yuan asked, “What is it?”

“This morning’s court session, memorials from various regions impeached the National Master. His Majesty will soon order the Imperial Observatory sealed. Go now! Find the truth for your master.”

“What? Impossible. His Majesty was raised by my master…”

“That’s why the Court of Judicial Review hasn’t come to arrest anyone yet. His Majesty is giving you time to escape. Hurry!”

Zhao Beijin finished and ran out.

Shen Yuan had never seen her so panicked… True or not, she’d leave the palace first!

Shen Yuan tucked the booklet away, tightened her belt, took the dagger from the bookshelf, and hid it in her sleeve.

With a teleportation spell, she stood outside the palace gate.

Outside, Shen Yuan began to suspect Zhao Beijin was tricking her.

Then, hoofbeats thundered down White Tiger Avenue.

Shen Yuan looked and saw the banners and uniforms of the Court of Judicial Review.

She slipped into a corner, and while unnoticed, cast a spell and vanished.