Chapter 161: The New Emperor of Grand Xia

When the civil and military officials arrived and saw what was happening, their expressions turned extremely strange.

"Isn't that the seventeenth prince?"

"Is Duke Fang testing the seventeenth prince’s talent? How does Duke Fang even have a Spiritual Measurement Bell?"

More and more palace maids and eunuchs gathered around to watch. Even Yan Beihan rushed over. When he saw Fang Chen standing in front of Xia Yuan, his expression suddenly changed!

Fang Chen smiled at Xia Yuan. "Don't be scared. Continue."

Xia Yuan had begun to feel a little uncomfortable because of the growing crowd, but under Fang Chen's encouragement, he struck the bell for the second time.

Clang!

The bell chimed again!

Xiangzhen tightly held her skirt as a nervous look appeared on her face.

Clang!

Clang!

The fourth chime!

His aptitude was already enough to attract the attention of major sects!

The fifth prince's face darkened, and he swept a glance at the people around him. "Why didn't the seventeenth prince come for the talent test in the first place? Who was behind this?"

Jiang Yushu chuckled. "It's all because of those pitiful, dirty tricks they pull in the palace all the time."

The fifth prince cursed in a low voice, "They’re really muddle headed. To think that they’d the guts to pull such moves at that time."

The crowd's expressions were strange. Surely the emperor should’ve noticed that the seventeenth prince hadn’t been at the plaza at the time of the test. The fact that he hadn’t spoken up at that time implied that he had tactfully approved of his absence.

Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating whether Xia Yuan could release a fifth chime or not, Fang Chen suddenly put away the Spiritual Measurement Bell.

People were thrown into dismay, and Xia Yuan was clearly confused as to why Fang Chen would do that. "Duke Fang, I am not done yet," said Xia Yuan.

"Four chimes are more than enough,” replied Fang Chen. “If you want to continue with the test in the future, become a good emperor, pass my assessment, and I will let you see the test to the end. At that time, I’ll grant you a chance to tread an extraordinary path."

Everyone collectively inhaled a cold breath. Civil and military officials, palace maids, eunuchs, concubines, and all the others understood the implications of Fang Chen's words! Fang Chen intended to support the seventeenth prince to ascend the throne and become the new Grand Xia Emperor!

A trace of unwillingness flashed in the eyes of the beholders, but it disappeared as soon as it came. They could secretly harbor discontent but they dared not show it.

Xiangzhen couldn't believe it, and tears welled up in her eyes.

The little eunuch kneeling beside her turned pale, and his lips turned a shade of purple.

Eunuch You was ecstatic! He had already built goodwill between him and the future heir!

Xia Yuan was stunned, and he pointed at himself in confusion. "Emperor? Me?"

Fang Chen looked at Li Guozhu and others. "What do you think, officials?"

Li Guozhu hesitated for a moment, then gave his disagreement voice. "Isn’t that a bit too... hasty? The seventeenth prince is still young..."

"It’s precisely that he’s young that he has a lot of room to learn. He can learn how to govern, learn to cherish his people, and learn to be a benevolent ruler," mouthed Fang Chen lightly. "It's settled; Xia Yuan will ascend the throne. Pick an auspicious day for the coronation ceremony."

"The nearest auspicious day seems to be seven days later..." whispered one of the civil officials.

"Tomorrow." Fang Chen smiled. "Tomorrow is an auspicious day. Keep it simple, don't be too extravagant."

The civil official dared not refute. Since Fang Chen said the next day was auspicious, so be it...

Everyone felt as though they were living a dream. They hadn't expected such an important matter to be decided by Fang Chen in this way.

However... they thought of Fang Chen's words to Xia Yuan earlier, and their thoughts became lively again. If Xia Yuan met Fang Chen’s standard, Fang Chen would undoubtedly allow him to cultivate.

In the future, would the Grand Xia Emperor be a cultivator?

That didn't seem too bad...

It was then that one of the consorts heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see the ancestor walking over with two others. Seeing him, it was like she was seeing her savior. She quickly bowed and said, “Ancestor... do you think Duke Fang's actions are reasonable? Can an outsider decide who ascends the throne?"

The person who spoke was the mother of the fourth prince, Xia Li. She was fighting for a chance for her son.

The officials bowed in unison. "Ancestor."

Ancestor Xia Yu’s expression was complicated. He, Liu Suifeng, and Zhantai Qingxuan were shocked when they heard the chimes of a Spiritual Measurement Bell and quickly came over.

A Spiritual Measurement Bell could be considered one of the foundations on which sects stand on. Although it had no direct combat effectiveness, its utility and value far exceeded ordinary treasures. Fang Chen being able to possess it indicated that he had purchased it from individuals like Jin Nan, and only god knew how many spirit stones he must’ve spent to buy it! This just once more proved how powerful the sect behind Fang Chen truly was!

Ancestor Xia Yu spoke slowly. "I trust Fellow Daoist Fang's judgment."

He had made his stance clear with one sentence.

The concubine had no choice but to close her mouth shut. Xia Li lowered his head.

"Not to mention, this little guy possesses remarkable talent for cultivation. Among the princes, none can compare to him," Xia Yu continued. "This is a good thing for Grand Xia..."

The ancestor’s statement was akin to a decree. No one dared to voice out any disagreement.

The next day, Xia Yuan's coronation ceremony began. Following Fang Chen's advice, it wasn’t anything extravagant. In fact, It was so low key that the people only heard about it from the guards patrolling the streets.

The people received the news very well, much better than other times. Everyone had enough tacit understanding not to oppose it at this critical moment.

They knew that opposing Xia Yuan was equivalent to opposing Fang Chen and Ancestor Xia Yu. Who in the capital had the courage to do so?

Also, the civil and military officials suddenly learned that the old Grand Xia Emperor had left on a distant trip with the empress several days ago. They were caught off guard, but fortunately, Fang Chen and Xia Yu were able to handle the situation quite well.

*

Perched atop his imperial throne, Xia Yuan wore a fitting little dragon robe as he looked all around him curiously.

Xiangzhen, who stood in the corner, couldn't help but sweat for him. Fortunately, Fang Chen was present, which made Xiangzhen extremely relieved. She knew that as long as Fang Chen was there, Xia Yuan would not encounter any problems.

Eunuch You remained the chief eunuch. He stood beside the throne.

The civil and military officials bowed in unison, and their thunderous cheers echoed in the hall.

"Long live our emperor!"

Xia Yuan was startled and quickly sat up straight.

After all the officials had bowed, Li Guozhu spoke, "Your Majesty is still young, and it's appropriate to appoint a regent for guidance."

"The fifth prince and Secretary Jiang can take on this role," said Fang Chen casually.

All eyes immediately fell on the two.

Jiang Yushu smiled before glancing at Fang Chen. 'I'm too old, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up, but since you’ve already spoken, I’ll have to agree.”

"The minister of justice will be the emperor's mentor? This..."

The crowd's expressions were strange.

The role was supposed to be taken up by the minister of rites, Tao Mingsheng. Or it could have even been Li Guozhu himself. But since Fang Chen had voiced out his choice, they had no objections.

"Xia Yuan," called Fang Chen suddenly.

The crowd was surprised to hear Fang Chen directly address the emperor by his name.

Xia Yuan instinctively stood up, hastily responding, "Duke Fang!"

"You have to be a good emperor; otherwise, you might have to look over your shoulders even in your dreams; I might just take your head someday."

Fang Chen chuckled lightly and walked away.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Xia Yuan, frightened, covered his neck and stared blankly at Fang Chen's departing figure. An invisible seed had been unknowingly planted in his heart.