Chapter 127

Chapter 127: The Divine Deeds of the Supreme Holy Emperor

The mighty river flows, its waves washing over the past and present; 

the towering mountains stand firm, supporting heaven and earth;

Deep forests are lush and verdant, where gods and ghosts have no home; 

the bitter earth is vast and desolate, where the land is not united;

Commoners weep, the spirit of the goddess flies away; 

the people weep, and demons rage;

Sparrows cry mournfully, the three lands yearn for return; 

swans soar to the heavens, and the world is at peace.

Alas:

For 1,130 years there was chaos, the world divided north, south, east, and west;

Now, 85,400 li are at peace, and people are free from sorrow and joy, separation and reunion.

A Prayer:

First sacrifice to the goddess, may there be no more chaos;

Second prayer for wind and rain, for abundant harvests;

Third bow to Heaven, may this prosperous age be forever peaceful!

—"The Emperor's Prayer to Heaven on the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month, the Fourth Year of the Qian Yuan Era 

of the Holy Kingdom"

In the fourth year of the Qian Yuan Era, the Hongcheng Kingdom was destroyed, and the former three-way 

division of the world was finally unified. Months after the war, the Canghuan court redefined the territory and 

selected talented individuals from various regions to be sent to the former Hongcheng domain. The thirteen 

prefectures that had been merged with the former Guangyu Kingdom remained unchanged. The former 

Hongcheng domain was divided into six prefectures: Beijun, Ziyang, Hongdu, Hexi, Hedong, and Nanhai.

"Your Majesty, all officials in the six prefectures have arrived," Liu Yi reported in the Imperial Study, outlining 

the situation in the new six prefectures. "In a little while, the livelihoods of the people in each region will gradually 

recover."

"Hmm," Si Cang Qing pondered for a moment, then said, "The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven will be held soon. 

Those vassal kings will attend; keep an eye on them."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Si Cang Qing waved his hand, signaling the other party to leave, but seeing Liu Yi standing still with a hesitant 

expression, he asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Your Majesty..." Liu Yi said, as if having made up his mind, "I request to be transferred to the Nanhai Prefecture!"

"Why?"

Liu Yi lowered his eyes and replied calmly, "The court is now full of talented people. Officials like Mo Zhiyan 

and Hong Hengzheng are all capable of serving as prime ministers. Therefore, the court's loss of me is not a big 

deal. On the other hand, the Nanhai Prefecture is impoverished and its people are struggling to survive, urgently 

needing governance. I wish to go down there, to do some practical things for the people, and thus fulfill my life's 

wish."

Si Cang Qing listened quietly, his gaze fixed on the other's handsome face. The man's tone and eyes spoke of the 

unwavering determination he held. After a long pause, he replied coldly, "You are the Prime Minister of my 

Canghuan Kingdom, and no one can replace you."

This man, brimming with talent yet silent and aloof, served the people selflessly and without complaint. Though 

they occasionally argued, Si Cang Qing always trusted his abilities. Among all the ambitious men in the land, 

no one was more suitable for the position of Prime Minister.

"Your Majesty," Liu Yi raised his head, looking directly into the other's eyes, and said, "Please grant my request."

"If you wish to personally experience life among the common people," Si Cang Qing said casually, "after the 

Heaven-worshiping ceremony, I will grant you permission to travel on behalf of the Emperor."

"Your Majesty," Liu Yi insisted, "then I... I beg you, please issue the decree!"

A hint of doubt flickered in Si Cang Qing's eyes. He remained silent, simply gazing at the man. He didn't 

understand why this man insisted on him personally going to the countryside. As Prime Minister, the things he 

could do for the people were no less than what he could do locally; surely this man understood that?

"The reason?"

A hint of confusion flickered in his eyes. Liu Yi softened his tone and said softly, "Liu Yi fears... that one day, his 

original ambition will be worn away..." His expression faltered for a moment, then he lowered his brows, bowed 

his head again, and respectfully said, "Your Majesty..."

"This request is denied!" Si Cang Qing coldly interrupted him. Although he didn't know what made this man feel 

that his ambition would be eroded, but...

"Running away won't solve the problem!"

The cold words made Liu Yi tremble slightly, and then a heavy, oppressive atmosphere filled the room.

"Qing'er..."

"Father?" Si Cang Qing looked at Si Cang Jue Tian, ​​who had suddenly arrived, with slight doubt. Since his 

abdication, the latter had rarely stepped into the imperial study. "What is it?"

His previous sickly appearance had faded; Si Cang Jue Tian's complexion was rosy, and he looked radiant. 

"The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is coming soon. Seeing how busy you are, Father came to see if I could help."

"No need."

"Heh," Si Cang Jue Tian casually found a seat, picked up his fragrant tea, took a sip, and said, "Actually, Father 

came to see you because of something..." He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your elder sister is twenty-two 

years old now. In ordinary families, she would have already married and had children... Could you keep an eye 

on her for the sacrificial ceremony? Especially that powerful prince, he's not one to be easily subdued, therefore..."

The implication was that he would bestow Si Cang Ping'e in marriage to the powerful prince to restrain their 

power.

"Father, I understand this matter perfectly well," Si Cang Qing said casually, emphasizing that it couldn't be 

taken lightly. After much deliberation, considering both social status and political factors, the Grand Prince of 

Huzhou was the best choice.

Si Cang Jue Tian rose and smiled, "Since I can't help, I won't bother you any longer. Regarding your elder sister's 

marriage, consider what you said to her back then."

Si Cang Qing replied indifferently, "Nothing."

He sighed helplessly, knowing he wouldn't get any information from Si Cang Qing… If it weren't for the Shadow 

Guard mentioning a few days ago that Si Cang Ping'e was on her way back for the sacrificial ceremony, 

Si Cang Jue Tian wouldn't have even thought of his daughter. Since Si Cang Qing's return, he had lived a carefree 

life, rarely interfering in affairs. But even if he disliked her, she was still his daughter, and her marriage couldn't 

be neglected. After much deliberation, considering both social status and political factors, the Grand Prince of 

Huzhou was the best choice.

Si Cangjue Tian stood up and smiled, "Since I can't help, I won't bother you any longer. Please reconsider your 

elder sister's marriage."

◇Cang◇Huan◇Seven◇Palaces◇

“Master!” A soft, sudden cry echoed through the vast palace grounds, causing the palace attendants to turn their 

heads in surprise.

Si Cang Qing spun around in surprise, only to see a flash of green flutter down before him. Regardless of the 

setting, the figure threw her arms around him, muttering, “How could you be so heartless? You left for seven or 

eight years without a single thought for Lu Huan... Waaah, my life is so miserable...”

The sound of this long-lost woman's sobs left Si Cang Qing feeling utterly helpless. He let her wipe her nose on 

his clothes, gently patting Lu Huan's back—this scene mirrored their parting years ago, save for one crucial 

difference: he was no longer a child.

“Hmph,” Qiu Ping Tian chuckled softly from the side, “So Lady Feng belongs to Qing Di after all!”

Lifting her head from Si Cang Qing's embrace, Lu Huan saw the faint amusement in everyone's eyes. She abruptly 

pushed him away, elegantly dabbing her face with a handkerchief before pursing her lips into a smile. 

“Mr. Qiu, it's been ages.”

As two of Canghuan's wealthiest merchants, Qiu Ping Tian and Lu Huan had naturally crossed paths many times.

Her eyes twinkling mischievously, Lu Huan gestured toward the group. “Tsk tsk, our master is quite the catch, 

marrying so many wives... Ah, what a pity I've never seen him as the groom!”

Hearing the woman casually toss around the term “wife” left and right, the group fell silent.

After a brief, indifferent glance at the group, Si Cang Qing looked at Lü Huan and the gracefully smiling 

Si Cang Ping'e standing behind her. “Lu Huan, you've just finished your journey. Go rest. Si Cang Ping'e, 

accompany me to the study.”

After a moment's pause, Si Cangping'e glanced at Lü Huan before nodding lightly. “Very well.”

“Wait!” Lu Huan blocked their path, her voice cheerful. “Ping'e is my subordinate. Whatever it is, you can't keep 

it from me!”

Seeing the other insist on following, Si Cang Qing paid it little mind.

“I refuse!” Before the words had fully left the speaker's mouth, Lu Huan slammed her hand on the table, leaping 

to her feet and glaring furiously at Si Cang Qing. “Master! Ping'e is your sister! How can you bestow her upon a 

pig!”

Without acknowledging Lu Huan, Si Cang Qing fixed his gaze coldly on Si Cangping’e, who stood frozen nearby. 

“I granted you years of freedom. Now that time has ended, Father Emperor wishes you to marry.”

Si Cangping’e remained silent, lowering her eyes. Her expression remained impassive, betraying no emotion.

Lu Huan wouldn't have it. She walked up to Si Cang Qing, pointing her finger at him, "If you want a marriage 

alliance, why don't you marry him yourself! You only love men anyway."

There was no response. Si Cang Qing looked at Lu Huan indifferently. After all these years, she hadn't aged a bit, 

but her temperament had become even more willful.

Given that look, Lu Huan shrank back, still afraid of Si Cang Qing's coldness, but she still wouldn't let it go, 

"Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you, Master, you can't be so domineering!"

Turning back to look at the still unmoved Si Cangping'e, Si Cang Qing said calmly, "I never force anyone. But 

I will not refuse Father's request."

"Master..." Seeing that Si Cang Qing was serious about arranging the marriage, Lu Huan immediately wilted, 

muttering, "You can't do this!"

"Why?"

"Because I..." Lu Huan stammered, her words indistinct.

Si Cang Qing frowned slightly, ignoring the other party's thoughts. "This matter is settled; there's no need for 

further discussion."

But at that moment, Si Cang Ping'e suddenly knelt down, her palms on the ground. "Your Majesty, please rescind 

your decree!" Biting her lip, she spoke resolutely, "Ping'e already has someone she loves!"

"Who is it?" Lu Huan exclaimed in disbelief.

Slowly raising her head, Si Cang Ping'e stared intently at the expressionless Si Cang Qing, and softly recounted, 

"Years ago, Your Majesty showed great mercy, granting Ping'e several years of Slowly raising her head, 

Si Cang Ping'e fixed her gaze on the expressionless Emperor Si Cang Qing and spoke softly, "Years ago, 

Your Majesty showed great mercy by granting Ping'e several years of freedom. I am deeply grateful... Marriage 

is a matter for the Emperor to decide, yet Ping'e has allowed her heart to stray. I beg the Emperor to revoke this 

imperial decree. Ping’e would rather bear the punishment!"

The atmosphere in the study was suffocating.

Unable to discern Si Cang Qing's thoughts, Lu Huan glanced at the kneeling figure, gritted her teeth, and knelt 

down with a thud. “If Master intends to punish someone, let Lu Huan bear the blame!”

His gaze shifting between the two, Si Cang Qing turned and walked to the desk, sitting down. He spoke only 

indifferently, “Everyone, withdraw.”

"Master..."

Ignoring the two, Si Cang Qing picked up another memorial—in truth, he had never intended to form a marriage 

alliance with the Great Prince. He had only intervened because of his father's words that day, and because 

Feng Lan and the others had said that Si Cang Ping'e was indeed due to marry. Since Si Cang Ping'e was unwilling, 

then so be it.

The day after Lu Huan arrived in the capital, Wu Xin also came, both to attend the sacrificial ceremony to 

Heaven.

The Three Kingdoms were unified; from then on, the world was one family. This sacrificial ceremony to 

Heaven was extremely important and attracted the attention of the world.

The ninth day of the ninth month.

The rebuilt altar stood majestically between heaven and earth, like a pillar supporting the sky, seemingly reaching 

straight to the heavens.

The common people watched from the outskirts as Si Cang Qing led his high-ranking officials, step by step, up 

the stone steps. Reaching the top of the altar, countless offerings were laid out, and wisps of smoke curled from a 

giant incense burner.

The sounds of drums and zithers filled the air on both sides, and the officials chanted the prayers for the heavens.

"The great river flows mightily, its waves washing over the past and present; the high mountains stand tall, 

supporting heaven and earth..."

Just then, a sudden change occurred. A figure in blue abruptly flew out from the crowd, heading straight for the 

altar. Guards and shadowy figures rushed out to stop him, subduing him in moments.

Just as the guards were about to take the man away to prevent him from disrupting the ceremony, he suddenly 

broke free of his restraints, drew a dagger from his waist, held it to his neck, and cried out in anguish, 

"The emperor is unjust, and heaven punishes the people. Two thousand two hundred and thirty-two people from 

Hongke Township died unjustly in the fire. Now I curse this tyrannical emperor with my blood, that he shall not 

have a peaceful end, and that the fate of the world shall be extinguished!"

He was about to commit suicide when a shadow guard knocked the dagger away in time and, before the man 

could struggle, lit his acupoints to induce unconsciousness.

Those words caused an uproar throughout the hall.

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