"This humble servant, Divination Order Ji Yuan, pays respects to Your Highness, the Princess."

After the Divine Travel Grand Protector from the Southern Heavenly Department departed, another person immediately entered the main hall and saluted the Princess.

This person was indeed the Divination Order of the six orders under Feng Chang and also a member of the royal clan.

"I am soon to step down from the position of Regent. I am unworthy of your addressing me as your sovereign," the Princess spoke to the Divination Order with words that were anything but pleasant, though her expression was not overtly cold.

After Feng Manlou's identity was exposed, the wind shifted drastically within the Ji clan, which had previously been quite displeased with the Princess.

While it hadn't come to a direct break, previously, more than half of the royal clan had leaned towards the Second Prince's side. In the court, the Princess found no support, and her detractors watched as she was attacked by the ministers.

In the end, it was an outsider, Jiang Li, who asked the Princess whether she still had the desire for power, leaving her with no goodwill towards her clan.

Even if she harbored the thought of relinquishing her power, her thoughts were one thing, and her clan's actions were another.

If they had been more conciliatory, the Princess might have considered giving her clan another chance. Unfortunately, the royal clan members were too apprehensive of the Great Venerable. It was only because of the Princess's own formidable power, her subordinates, and Jiang Li's support that she avoided ending up under house arrest.

Divination Order Ji Yuan dared to meet the Princess, well prepared for her likely attitude.

Though met with the Princess's cold sarcasm, he showed no anger, but rather, humbly replied, "As long as Your Highness is in position, we remain your subjects. In reality, the clan members still believe in the Princess; it's just that the Great Venerable is too cunning, causing excessive vigilance among them."

"So, what you're implying is that the royal clan intends to continue supporting my regency?" The Princess couldn't help but laugh, mocking, "At this juncture, you are regretting it? Alas, it's too late."

If they had united from the start to contain matters, even the gravest issues could have been minimized or resolved. But unfortunately, neither the Earth Uncle nor the royal clan had that inclination.

On one hand, there was the fear of the Great Venerable; on the other hand, the Princess relied too heavily on Jiang Li. Hence, an alternative was preferred.

But they underestimated Jiang Li's capability and misjudged his strength.

In this world, strength ultimately speaks the loudest, and Jiang Li possesses the prowess to suppress the court.

At this point, Jiang Li's rise to power is an inevitable trend, just a step away from regency. It's not easy to retreat from here. Even if he doesn't wish to wield power, he must at least consider the supporters behind him, right?

If the Ji clan isn't subdued this time, they will surely retaliate. Jiang Li might be unscathed, but Yang Yan and other officials who follow Jiang Li are likely to become targets.

They might not resort to overt means, but covert ones might not be easy to defend against.

The struggle for power, though not a battle for the realm, comes at a similar cost, just a matter of magnitude. Besides, for Jiang Li, it's not much different from vying for the realm's reins, as he contests with the Ji clan for control of Jiangshan.

This time, the royal clan cannot enjoy the benefits of breaking the norm.

Hearing the Princess's words, Ji Yuan realized it was impossible to have her regent again, so he had to resort to a backup plan.

Ji Yuan bowed again, respectfully saying, "Regency by Jiang Sikong is the will of the people, and we have no objections. However, this Jiangshan and Sheji have been under our Ji clan's control for eight hundred years, a firmly established trend. The princes enfeoffed across the provinces are all our clan's people. With Great Zhou currently amid chaos, changing the throne rashly might be inappropriate."

Simplified, it's about advising dear Jiang Sikong not to rush ascending to the throne nor make abrupt moves, but instead, maintain stability.

Preventing Jiang Li from regency is already impossible; thus, he shouldn't be allowed to become the Emperor.

And this requires the Princess's persuasion.

Regarding Jiangshan and Sheji, the Princess, despite her aversion to her clan, should consider it seriously.

"There's no need to worry about this. Jiang Sikong's foresight far surpasses yours, who are short-sighted," the Princess replied coldly, "Anything else?"

She didn't believe Ji Yuan had come just to say this.

"Also... regarding the marriage between Jiang Sikong and Commandery Princess Qing Yue, since they are well-matched in love, it would be wise to complete the heavenly union sooner rather than later..."

Ji Yuan paused for a moment before continuing, "Additionally, within the royal clan, there are many noblewomen of excellent bearing. If Jiang Sikong is willing, he could marry one of them too."

"You've even resorted to offering women." The Princess's expression turned cold again.

These royal clan members had this much foresight, thinking the Gongsun family another branch, unreliable, so they proposed Jiang Li marry a noblewoman from the Ji clan as well.

Such unscrupulous scheming, utterly disgraceful.

While it's a common tactic, the Princess still disdained it.

"Why don't you think of offering me as well?" The Princess's eyes narrowed as she reprimanded, "Don't put forth such disgraceful means to avoid becoming a laughingstock. You've lost; show some decency to prevent me from having to clean up your mess."

Offering women - only such vermin could come up with this. Is Gongsun Qingyue easy to deal with? Is Tianxuan idle?

If they dared to voice their suggestion, they wouldn't need to wait for Jiang Li to act against the Ji clan. Once Tianxuan returned, the royal clan would face a purge.

The fierce Flame Qi burst forth, causing Ji Yuan to step back thrice, with smoke rising from his body.

Just the Princess's gaze nearly immolated him; her strength had grown even more profound.

As Ji Yuan operated his energy to resist the Flame Power, he mused inwardly: 'If the Princess's rank were lower, perhaps the clan might actually consider such a scheme.'

Surrendering the Princess to Jiang Li would not only make a significant gesture but also incite the Great Venerable's enmity toward Jiang Li, thus serving two purposes.

Such measures are dirty, yet for politicians, it's standard practice.

The realm of fame and fortune is riddled with unspeakable dirty tricks.

What a pity, the Princess is of the fourth rank, and she is undergoing the Promotion Ceremony for the fourth rank, such a figure that even the Earth Uncle cannot control. Moreover, this future third-grade, is indeed the backbone of the Ji Family, unless everyone's brains have been kicked by a donkey, they would definitely not make such a brainless decision.

Having gone through this ordeal, the Princess was thoroughly angered, crimson light suddenly appeared in the main hall.

"Princess! Please have mercy on the Second Prince, please Jiang Sikong—"

Before the words were finished, the crimson light swept and sent Ji Yuan flying.

"Sometimes I truly envy the current situation of the Jiang family." The Princess leaned on the vermilion-winged chair, speaking with a hint of self-mockery.

The main family of the Jiang family is almost extinct, and the people of the branch family also lost quite a few during the escape years ago, the remaining ones cannot be said to be all loyal to Jiang Li, but at least cannot stir up any waves.

In comparison, the Ji Family is much more troublesome.

This is still within the Divine Capital, not to mention the Prince Manors of various states.

First, there was a Lu King, then a King Shu, and an elusive Yue King, indeed none of the Ji Family's princes are idle.

Eight hundred years have passed, even with the Emperor suppressing them, the Ji Family and the Jiang family have slowly decayed, especially after the main family of the Jiang family moved away, it gave some people fewer scruples.

The Princess gently rubbed her temples with her fingers, only feeling a swarm of pests within the Ji family.

However, Ji Yuan's words were not entirely without reason.

Pests, by nature, are adept at avoiding harm and seeking benefit, they have keenly perceived the changes after Jiang Li's ascension, this is commendable.

This is their only merit.

As for the others, they are simply courting death.

Sending women to Jiang Li, what a ludicrous idea they came up with.

Fortunately, these pests have not lost their minds, they did not suggest sending the Princess, otherwise the Princess would first cleanse the royal clan.

Thinking of this, a trace of killing intent flashed through the Princess's heart, yet she couldn't help but remember the words she once used to threaten Feng Manlou.

"Feng Manlou, is it really just an illusion..." she murmured.

The past belonging to the Great Venerable, has it truly become the past?

The Princess had no way of knowing the answer to this question.

...

...

The river surged continuously, overflowing with grandeur, yet carrying an irrevocable determination.

The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer stood by the riverside, staring into the waters, lost in thought for a long time.

Crossing this river and continuing a thousand miles forward, would enter the southern territories. The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer and several students had already arrived here two days ago, but until now, he had still not crossed the river.

He was waiting, waiting for Zhong Shenxiu to arrive and join him, also waiting for news from the Divine Capital.

After the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer left the Divine Capital, Jiang Li and the Earth Uncle surely must have had conflicts, judging by the time, this conflict should have shown its results.

The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer waited for two days, finally receiving one of them.

"Teacher, a Divine Travel Grand Protector has arrived, bringing news from the Divine Capital."

Xiao Zhi came behind the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, reporting, then paused hesitatingly before he continued: "It was sent by the Royal Family."

The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer sighed softly upon hearing this.

He had already noticed the arrival of the Divine Travel Grand Protector, but his judgment about the source of the news was mistaken.

The news specifically sent by the Royal Family gave the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer an ominous premonition.

And when he received a Jade Scroll sealed with three layers of prohibition and read the information inside, the premonition turned into reality.

"The Emperor has passed away, someone within the Royal Family wants to invite me back to the Divine Capital to stabilize the situation." The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer slowly revealed the information within.

"The Emperor... Jiang Li's true target was the Emperor?!"

Xiao Zhi's expression changed dramatically, completely unable to imagine that events would unfold this way, "What about the Earth Uncle?"

"The Earth Uncle is safe, but has to protect himself, remaining confined within the Yin Law Department. Inviting me to return is to have me and the Earth Uncle resist Jiang Sikong together."

The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer spoke faintly, as Qi Mechanism moved through his hands, crushing the Jade Scroll into powder, releasing it into the river, "Prepare yourself, we cross the river tomorrow."

"With Jiang Sikong acting as Regent, there surely will be unrest in the South, we arrive just in time to pacify parts of the region and prevent chaos from emerging."

"But the Emperor Dao Fruit is now in Jiang Li's hands, we must confront him to bring the Emperor back..." Xiao Zhi said.

"This isn't an excuse for me to sit back and do nothing while chaos arises," yet the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer sternly denied Xiao Zhi's thinking.

He looked up at the sky, his voice ethereal, as if carried away by the wind, "This is also destiny."

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