Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Crown Prince Returns to the Scarlet Lotus Seal (Part 2)

Things have their inevitable course, principles are naturally established, the outcome of negligence is hard to 

predict, and the changes of heaven are beyond measure.

In the imposing grand hall, a middle-aged man with a slightly sickly complexion sat quietly on the ornate dragon 

throne, inscrutably observing the advice and debates of the officials below, without uttering a word. 

"Your Majesty, I have a report," said an official, around fifty years old and slightly plump, as he stepped out of 

the ranks, holding a tablet and bowing respectfully.

"State Maternal Uncle, please speak." Si Cang Juetian replied warmly. 

"Your Majesty," State Maternal Uncle Qin Gaoli knelt down on both knees and spoke with righteous fervor, "We 

believe that the matter of appointing the crown prince concerns the great affairs of the nation. We earnestly 

request Our Emperor, think twice!”

His eyes were slightly cold, and Si Cang Juetian's voice was slightly raised, "Could it be that it is about what 

the State Maternal Uncle said was about the memorial jointly signed by hundreds of officials that was rejected 

by me?"

"Your Majesty, indeed," Qin Gaoli's voice was slightly agitated, "the officials of the five ministries and the seven 

governors, along with many other court ministers, all believe that the matter of the Crown Prince is of great 

importance. Therefore, they have offended the Emperor's countenance and jointly petitioned to establish the 

Crown Prince. I believe, Your Majesty, that this matter requires your careful consideration!"

"Your Majesty, I also have something to report." Suddenly, another hoarse voice interjected. Si Cang JueTian 

looked over and saw that it was the Grand Scholar Qi Xiangwen, a veteran of three dynasties. He too stepped 

forward and knelt, his expression grave.

"Grand Scholar, please speak." Si Cang JueTian looked at the ministers below without changing his expression, 

all of whom showed slight changes in their demeanor.

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that the matter of appointing a crown prince is not urgent. Although the 

missing young prince encountered bandits back then, his body has never been found. This minister believes that 

the young prince, being the true dragon's son, must have divine protection and is surely still in the mortal realm. 

Therefore, the old minister believes that it is inappropriate to appoint Her Highness the Princess as the Crown 

Princess at this time. The so-called rules of our ancestors cannot be broken. Since the founding of our Canghuan 

Kingdom, our ancestors have never set a precedent for appointing a princess as the Crown Prince..."

"The Grand Scholar's words are mistaken," suddenly interrupted Qin Nandong, the Minister of War and the 

youngest son of the Grand Chancellor Qin, who had been quietly observing, cutting off Qi Xiangwen's lengthy 

discourse. “The Crown Prince is the future Son of Heaven of our Canghuan Kingdom. This matter is not urgent, 

so what else could be urgent? Today, the life or death of His Highness the Little Prince has been uncertain for 

sixteen years, and the only royal bloodline of our Canghuan Kingdom is Her Highness the Princess..."

"Presumptuous!" Si Cang Juetian's face changed dramatically, but his words were as cold as ice. "Does High 

Minister Qin mean to say that my royal family has no heirs?"

"I am terrified!" Qin Nandong hurriedly knelt down and exclaimed, but was secretly very astonished. Speaking 

of Si Cang JueTian, although he was an emperor, he had always been gentle. Therefore, when disputes arose 

among the officials in the court, it was common to be observing, but he had never shown his emotions outwardly. 

Now…

Ahead, Qin Gaoli, with his head bowed, slightly frowned.

Having never seen Si Cang JueTian so enraged, the ministers below were momentarily unsettled, each with 

their own thoughts. The head of the civil officials, Prime Minister Liu Ziwen, suddenly raised his head. A hint 

of confusion fleetingly crossed his usually impassive face, but he quickly returned to normal. Without anyone 

noticing, he respectfully bowed his head and stood silently.

"The ministers are so concerned about the establishment of the crown prince. Could it be that they think that my 

health is not good and I will die soon!" Si Cang JueTian continued to say coldly, looking down at the trembling 

people.

"We dare not, Your Majesty, please calm your anger, long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" The civil and 

military officials, hearing Si Cang Jue Tian's words, were all drenched in cold sweat and knelt down.

Slowly standing up from the dragon chair, Si Cang JueTian looked at the ministers kneeling on the ground in 

silence, without making a sound for a moment.

Stifling silence filled the entire hall.

After a while, Si Cang JueTian said calmly, "All my dear friends, please stand up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"The concerns of all the lords are well understood by me." Si Cang JueTian's tone shifted, returning to its 

previous gentleness as he looked at Qin Gaoli and Qin Nandong, "The State Maternal Uncle has put in great 

effort for our dynasty, and I am grateful. As for the matter of the joint memorial being rejected, I will consider 

it freely."

"The matter of appointing the Crown Prince is a significant affair of our royal family. Since ancient times, there 

has been no precedent in our dynasty for appointing a princess as the Crown Prince. However, my rejection of 

your proposal is not based on this."

The ministers bowed their heads in trepidation, respectfully listening to the emperor's words, their hearts 

momentarily puzzled by Si Cang JueTian's intentions.

Si Cang JueTian's eyes flashed with satisfaction, and he decisively said, "Today, I shall inform you all that our 

little prince, Si Cang Qing, will henceforth be the Crown Prince of our Cang Huan Kingdom. On April 14th, 

the day of the Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony, we will perform the sacrificial rites and bestow upon 

him the Emperor's Heavenly Seal."

Before the words could finish, the ministers erupted in an uproar.

"Your Majesty..." 

The ministers were in a state of confusion, not knowing why a young prince had suddenly appeared. 

Seeing the flustered ministers, Si Cang JueTian's expression was inscrutable. 

"Do you intend to question me, esteemed ministers?" 

"We dare not."

"It is only natural that you all do not understand at this moment," Si Cang JueTian spoke gently. "The young 

prince was saved by a reclusive master during the bandit turmoil back then. I admired the master's talent and 

thus decreed to send the young prince to study under the master. Since the prince was outside, I wanted to prevent 

any ill intentions from malicious people, so I kept the matter of the young prince a secret from the outside world."

"Now that the young prince has completed his studies and returned, I have summoned him back to the capital 

recently," Si Cang JueTian said with a faint smile on his face. "I wonder if any of you still have doubts?" 

The entire hall fell silent. 

As the saying goes, a ruler's words are not mere jest; as subjects, how could they dare to question him at this 

point?

"Come here," Si Cang JueTian said, looking at the silent ministers with satisfaction, and called out, "Summon 

the Crown Prince into the palace!"

◇Cang Huan◇Seven Palaces◇

In the Cang Long Palace Hall, the ministers were divided into civil and military factions, each standing on either 

side. 

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

A sharp announcement resounded through the silent hall. The ministers, who had been unable to recover for a 

while because of Si Cang JueTian's words, were slightly agitated at this time.

Wearing a white dragon robe embroidered with flying dragons and soaring clouds, and a nine-pin crown on her 

head, Si Cang Qing walked slowly in the center of the hall with a calm expression. Passing through the crowd 

of ministers, he walked all the way to the jade steps, slightly raising his head to look at Si Cang JueTian, whose 

expression had softened somewhat. Si Cang Qing gently bowed but did not kneel, calling out in a low voice, 

"Your son, Si Cang Qing, pays respects to Father Emperor, long live our Emperor, long live our Emperor, long 

live our Emperor!"

"The Crown Prince is excused from the formalities." The emperor's eyes were filled with a smile as he looked 

at the officials, "The Minister of Rites, Liu Shang, has drafted an edict. From today onwards, our young prince, 

Si Cang Qing, will be the Crown Prince of our nation. Announce it to the world!"

As soon as the voice fell, all the ministers in the hall knelt down again, bowed, and shouted in unison:

"We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince, may His Highness live for a thousand years, a thousand 

years, a thousand thousand years!" 

"Rise," Si Cang Qing turned around and spoke in a calm voice.

All the ministers stood up, but they all lowered their heads slightly, not daring to look directly above.

Quickly scanning all the officials present, Si Cang Qing turned his head to look at the emperor on the dragon 

throne, his tone slightly apologetic, "Father, I have been studying abroad and have only just returned, failing 

to fulfill my duties. I ask for your punishment."

"Don't worry too much, Crown Prince," Si Cang JueTian said with a smile, looking at Si Cang Qing. "Your 

actions are justified, and I will not hold it against you. But from today onwards, you are the future emperor of our 

Cang Huan Kingdom. You must be diligent and not neglect your duties."

With a change of tone, Si Cang JueTian addressed the ministers in the court, saying, "The Crown Prince is still 

young and lacks experience. As his subjects, you must fully assist him and never neglect your duties!"

"We, the undersigned, pledge to serve His Majesty with our lives, and we would never dare to be negligent!"

"Good, good!" Si Cang JueTian’s dragon heart was very pleased and said, "Tonight, there will be a banquet in 

the palace to welcome the Crown Prince. All officials of the third rank and above are invited to attend!"

In the twenty-sixth year of Emperor Wen Qing Feng’s reign, the little prince who had been lost among the 

common people suddenly returned to the palace. At that moment, Emperor Wen Si Cang JueTian declared the 

little prince, Si Cang Qing, as the Crown Prince of the Canghuan Kingdom. From then on, a new chapter in 

Canghuan's history began!

Late at night, the music ends and people disperse.

"Slave/slave, please see His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Looking at the eunuchs and maids kneeling on the floor, Si Cang Qing ordered Feng Lan:

"There are too many people, you handle it." 

"Alright." Feng Lan replied with a faint smile, understanding that Si Cang Qing meant to leave a few people 

behind, and then proceeded to arrange it himself.

Arriving at the palace, Si Cang Qing casually sat on the bed and flipped through the letter in his hand, "Where 

are the palace guards now?"

Feng Zi quietly appeared behind him and replied in a low voice: "Imperial Guard Fourteen, now the Deputy 

Minister of Justice, Mo Zhiyan." 

Deputy Minister of Justice? Si Cang Qing then asked, "What about the Minister of Justice..."

"Qu Qianqiu is indeed a student and trusted aide of the Grand Chancellor Qin." Nodding thoughtfully, Si Cang 

Qing instructed, "Hmm, after the sacrificial ceremony, have Mo Zhiyan come to see me. Also, investigate the 

past of Prime Minister Liu, no matter how small the matter, look into it in detail."

“This subordinate obeys command.” Feng Zi then disappeared into the room.

"Is everything arranged?" Si Cang Qing didn't raise his head and just asked lightly.

Feng Lan, who walked in at some unknown time, smiled and said, "Yes, Master. Feng Lan only left a few 

eunuchs for daily cleaning, and the others were sent away."

Si Cang Qing slightly nodded and said no more. Feng Lan always understood his intentions well, and such an 

arrangement was indeed very agreeable. 

"Master," Feng Lan spoke again, a hint of doubt in his voice, "Did you discover something today?" Otherwise, 

why would you be in such a hurry to send someone to investigate Liu Ziwen's news?

Si Cang Qing put down his work, looked out the window with deep eyes, and said, "If nothing unexpected 

happens, the father and son of the Liu family can be of use to me." 

Feng Lan looked at Si Cang Qing with mild curiosity, waiting for him to continue, but Si Cang Qing said nothing 

more and changed the subject, "Now that you have returned to the capital, your public identity will be my head 

of guards from now on."

"Everything will be arranged by the master." Feng Lan accepted without any doubt, and for the words that 

Si Cang Qing had not finished, he no longer pursued them—if the master did not want to speak, he should 

not ask.

"Mm." Si Cang Qing looked at Feng Lan with satisfaction and said, "In a few days, it will be the grand sacrificial 

ceremony. Take this opportunity to teach me the rituals and etiquette of the palace and court!"

After all, he wasn't born in the palace, and this place is very different from his previous life. He naturally needs to 

learn some etiquette. 

"Okay." 

The two no longer conversed and each handled their own affairs.

The moonlight, like water, pours into the room through the open window.

 

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