Taiyi Dao Fruit

Imperial City, Great Ming Hall.

This was once the place where the Emperor handled petitions, and now it where the Princess conducts official business. Discussing matters here represents government affairs that would later be made public.

As soon as King You learned that the deliberations would be held here, he knew the opposition was coming on strong.

Within the Great Ming Hall, Princess Ji Lingguang sat behind the imperial desk at the far end. To the lower left, Tianxuan occupied a Taishi Chair. An identical chair lay vacant opposite him, reserved for King You.

As for the others, even the Meng Family's Old Patriarch, who ranked among the Three Dukes, had to stand, lacking the courtesy he had received at the previous deliberation.

Beneath Tianxuan sat a middle-aged Confucian scholar, in his high crown and wide belt, adorned in scholar's attire that made him stand out starkly from the other officials, as a crane stands out in a flock of chickens, facing the Meng Family's Old Patriarch from the opposite side.

Upon seeing this person, King You's heart sank slightly.

'Imperial Historian Xiao Zhi, the Imperial College once again sides with Tianxuan...'

Among the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers of the court, the Feng Chang, also known as the Grand Master, was the most special, as this position was concurrently held by the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, one of only two third-grade positions. Although he was among the Nine Ministers, his authority exceeded that of the usual Three Dukes. Only the Jiang Family Master, who was another third-grade and the head of the Jiang family that co-ruled the Jiangshan Mountain, ranked above him.

Under the Grand Master were six orders, assisting the Grand Master in managing the rituals and sacrifices of the Sacrificial Altar—an aspect not greatly influential to the dynamics of the Great Zhou Dynasty court, but crucially important to the Royal Family. Hence the Divinator Order, Grand Minister's Order, and Grand Priest were positions all held by members of the Ji Family, directly intervening.

The Imperial Historian and the Director of Music were roles filled by students of the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, while the position of the Imperial Doctor was relatively less critical and appointed based on superior medical skill.

In theory, the Imperial Historian and the Director of Music could be personally selected by the Sacrificial Officer of the Imperial College, but in reality... to illustrate that the college was not truly outside the court politics, these positions were held by two fourth-grade experts from the college.

This was why Imperial Historian Xiao Zhi dared to oppose the Meng Family Patriarch, who was one of the Three Dukes—because he was also a fourth-grade expert, and moreover, he represented the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer.

With the backing of the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, it was as if two third-grade officials had joined forces. All other court officials were demure and motionless, not daring to openly oppose Tianxuan.

However, the atmosphere began to shift with the arrival of King You.

Eyes from both sides now fell on King You, who approached confidently. Tianxuan, seated, also looked on and smiled," Prince You has arrived. I was just about to send for you."

King You stepped forward decisively and took his place on the opposing Taishi Chair. His expression had lost its previous dejection and was now marked by a solemn chill.

"It's come to my attention that some of the Jiang family's branches that overstepped their bounds wish to return to Divine Capital?"

By opening the conversation, King You had defined the branches. He said coldly, "The head of the Jiang family has merely moved out of Divine Capital, not perished. When did it become the turn of a branch to take charge?"

While speaking, King You meaningfully glanced at Tianxuan. The branch he mentioned was the Jiang family, implying also a reference to the Gongsun family.

Although there was no declared hierarchy between the Ji Family and the Gongsun family, the areas of responsibility for both had long been divided; the Gongsun family had no right to meddle in court politics.

The grounds for his protest were so well-founded that even Meng Jun, the Meng Family's Old Patriarch, had to inwardly praise the move as clever.

By labeling the branch as guilty of insubordination, it eliminated the possibility of Jiang Li ascending to power. As for the deep and incompatible differences between the Ji family and the main Jiang family...

If it's not conducive to unity, don't mention it.

No matter the reality, at least on the surface, the Ji family and the Jiang family were allies, and any discord was non-existent.

His opening salvo was aggressively pointed, and targeted the core issue directly, enlivening the atmosphere yet again.

However, Tianxuan remained calm, her flawless fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. With a faint smile, she replied, "Indeed, how can those guilty of turning against their superiors assume command? The Jiang Family Master surreptitiously returned to the Nine Provinces, colluding with Buddha Country, betraying the Sacrificial Altar. Fortunately, we have Jiang Li of the branch family, who deeply understands righteousness, not tainted by collusion with the main house, unifying the branches to redress the chaos."

"Having such a capable person is a great fortune for our Dynasty. To have him as my student is indeed a blessing for me."

If King You could grasp the essentials, Tianxuan was no less adept. She had clarified the actions of the Jiang family's main house, rewriting them as the wrongdoers. With the main house having lost its righteousness, it was only natural for a branch to rise. King You's argument fell apart on its own.

"Currently, Jiang Li is quelling the Taiping Sect revolt in Liangzhou Province. After settling the chaos caused by the Taiping Sect, he can assume the title of Jiang Family Master and form a new pact with the royal clan, expelling those traitors from the Jiang family. In this way, going forward, the royal clan won't be hamstrung by past oaths."

Tianxuan spoke unhurriedly, her words laden with implications that intrigued many present.

Among the court officials present, the Divinator Order, Grand Priest, and Grand Minister were all members of the Ji Family, as was the newly appointed Zong Zheng, naturally one of the Ji Family's elders. With this one statement from Tianxuan, even the conservative faction within the Ji Family that disliked the Jiang family began to warm to the idea.

Altering the oath and purging the main Jiang family would leave only minor figures in the branches, with Jiang Li being the only significant one.

It's not just other people— even King You himself was somewhat tempted.

But he forcefully suppressed this notion.

This proposal came from his adversary Tianxuan. While the Ji Family might profit, Tianxuan and Jiang Li were bound to benefit even more.

And now, with Earth Uncle collaborating with the Heavenly Monarch—if that plan went smoothly...

'Rather than seeking another ally to restrict oneself, it would be better to completely break the Oath of Heaven.'