Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 334 - 311 Brother, I am Shang Xiao 9

Imperial Palace.

The Supreme Emperor was seated on a prayer mat in the Warm Pavilion, playing chess with Prime Minister Xun.

In one hand, he held a chess piece; in the other, he fingered a string of Buddha Beads.

Today, he wasn’t dressed in the Dragon Robe, but in simple monk’s robes as if still residing in a temple.

After placing a black stone, he said to Prime Minister Xun, "I spent several years in the temple and grew accustomed to revering Buddha. If you hadn’t returned to court in time, I might still be there, accompanying the dim lamp and ancient statues."

Prime Minister Xun put his chess piece back into the container, crawled to the side on his knees, and bowed deeply. "This minister is late in saving Your Majesty! Please punish me!"

The Supreme Emperor reached out to lift him. "What are you doing, Xun Aiqing? You’ve endured arduous campaigns for seven years, achieving immense merit. I wouldn’t think of punishing you—I should be rewarding you! Stand up quickly!"

Prime Minister Xun didn’t move. "It is the duty of a minister to share Your Majesty’s burdens. I dare not claim any credit!"

The Supreme Emperor said, "Oh, your merits are widely known—by the citizens, courtiers, even the Emperor himself—and even the ancestors in the afterlife would remember your accomplishments."

Prime Minister Xun pressed himself lower to the ground. "This minister is deeply ashamed!"

The Supreme Emperor exerted himself to help him up. "Come, continue the chess game with me; don’t spoil my mood."

"Yes."

Prime Minister Xun sat back on the prayer mat.

"It’s your move."

The Supreme Emperor reminded.

Prime Minister Xun picked up a black stone between his fingers and placed it in the upper-left corner of the board.

The Supreme Emperor shook his head. "If you keep letting me win, I’ll be upset."

Prime Minister Xun replied sincerely, "Your Majesty’s chess skills are unparalleled; I am utterly inferior."

The Supreme Emperor chuckled. "You lot—you always avoid winning against me. Why not learn from the Miao King? If he can’t win, he flips the board; otherwise, he retracts his moves shamelessly."

Prime Minister Xun didn’t respond. After the Supreme Emperor placed another stone, Xun carefully dropped one as well.

The Supreme Emperor shifted topics. "I’ve heard about Xun Yu’s incident. You need not worry about it. I’ve sent someone to the Ministry of Justice to deliver my decree: Xun Yu and your nephew will both be released. You’ll be able to see them once you return to the mansion."

Prime Minister Xun’s expression changed. "Your Majesty!"

The Supreme Emperor raised a hand, stopping him from speaking further. "You don’t need to say anything. I am also a father; I understand you. I’ve neglected the proper guidance of my children due to national affairs. Apart from King Chu, none of them have brought me peace of mind."

Eunuch Fu cast a discreet glance at Prime Minister Xun.

Prime Minister Xun’s expression revealed only shock and regret—nothing more.

The Supreme Emperor continued, "In comparison, Xun Yu is already quite outstanding. Isn’t it just some... insignificant habits unfit to be discussed publicly?"

Prime Minister Xun furrowed his brows. "Your Majesty, there may be some misunderstanding in this matter..."

The Supreme Emperor interrupted him. "There’s no need to be tense in front of me. You are the pillar of Great Zhou, and I won’t let you feel disheartened. I’ve pardoned Xun Yu of the crime of misconduct during the hunting festival."

"Pardon? That scoundrel’s vile actions have utterly disgraced the court! And you intend to pardon him? Supreme Emperor, have you lost your mind?"

The Miao King burst in, hands on hips and ranting furiously at the Supreme Emperor.

Eunuch Fu cleared his throat. "Miao King, show respect to the Supreme Emperor!"

"This humble minister thinks the Miao King is right!"

Imperial Censor Wang walked into the Warm Pavilion behind the Miao King, bowed to the Supreme Emperor, and said, "Supreme Emperor, please revoke your decree!"

The Supreme Emperor, looking baffled, asked, "Wang Aiqing, are you finished delivering your reprimand?"

Imperial Censor Wang stood upright. "Finished."

The Miao King’s earnest way of admitting fault was much better than stubborn, argumentative officials. Thus, Imperial Censor Wang managed to complete the reprimand in just a quarter of an hour.

"Supreme Emperor, please revoke your decree!"

"What if I don’t revoke it?"

"Then you’re a foolish monarch!"

"Imperial Censor Wang!"

The Supreme Emperor overturned the chessboard and began arguing vehemently with Imperial Censor Wang.

Prime Minister Xun’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The two men argued until their faces turned red and veins stood out on their necks—until the Supreme Emperor, enraged, expelled them all from the imperial palace.

The Miao King stayed behind to finagle a midnight meal.

Inside the carriage returning to the Xun mansion, Xun Qi was present as well. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

He had already learned about the incident from a spy and now wore an increasingly grim expression. "Foster Father, the Supreme Emperor pardoning Third Brother appears to be a reward but is actually a punishment!"

Xun Yu and Wei Mingxuan had been locked up in the Ministry of Justice for several days. The mansion hadn’t redeemed them yet because they were investigating evidence to prove they had been deliberately framed. Doing so would clear their names.

Using the word "pardon," however, the Supreme Emperor publicly declared that Xun Yu had indeed committed a misdeed, though he was being spared due to his father’s meritorious service.

This not only cemented Xun Yu’s guilt but also tarnished the Prime Minister’s reputation.

And, as luck would have it, Imperial Censor Wang was present.

By tomorrow morning, the court would be flooded with petitions to impeach Foster Father.

"The Supreme Emperor is truly no simple figure. If only we had listened to Lu Yuan back then and killed him!"

As Xun Qi spoke, a sudden realization struck him, and he lifted his head abruptly!

Before Foster Father set out West, he had already prepared his Capital City arrangements. If the Crown Prince fell out of favor, the plan was to support another Prince’s ascent.

Foster Father asked Lu Yuan for advice on dealing with the Supreme Emperor.

Lu Yuan had suggested assassination to eliminate any future problems.

At the time, their forces hadn’t been strong enough. If the assassination failed, they could face utter ruin.

Foster Father had deemed Lu Yuan reckless and suspected Lu Yuan wanted to bring down the Xun Family alongside the Supreme Emperor.

Foster Father had seen through Lu Yuan’s ambition and unrest.

Thus, Foster Father had Lu Yuan personally oversee the Supreme Emperor’s confinement.

Now, recalling it all, Xun Qi wondered: Could Lu Yuan have deliberately revealed just enough vulnerability to provoke Foster Father’s distrust, thereby sparing the Supreme Emperor’s life?

If that were true, Lu Yuan was terrifying.

Seven years ago, he had calculated everything.

The arrow Foster Father shot seven years ago had now returned as a boomerang, piercing him deeply.

Xun Qi clenched his fists. "Foster Father..."

Prime Minister Xun rubbed the Jade Ring on his left hand. "Tell Chen Long: between Lu Yuan and the Shang Family bloodline, only one can live."

-

Late into the night, another rainstorm swept over Capital City.

A lone rider and a hunting eagle raced through the storm.

Meng Qianqian gripped the reins firmly, rain the size of beans hitting her icy face.

"The Shang Family’s last bloodline..."

Meng Qianqian gritted her teeth. "Xun Xiangguo, you are truly despicable!"

With a loud cry from the hunting eagle, it dove toward the southeast.

In an endless field, a purple figure and a black figure were engaged in a fierce battle in the pouring rain.

Swords clashed with sabers; every strike was lethal.

Meng Qianqian tightened her reins and dismounted with a leap. "Stop!"

The two figures hesitated briefly, but only for a moment. The Azure Dragon Sword and Brocade Spring Saber continued their relentless assault on each other!

Meng Qianqian’s fingers twitched, and she shot out two silver needles.

Both fighters caught the needles, then launched them toward each other, only to evade simultaneously.

Meng Qianqian frowned slightly, her figure darting forward to land between them.

Lu Yuan’s Brocade Spring Saber was already unleashed and could not be stopped.

At the critical moment, he struck his right shoulder with his palm, dislocating his arm.

His meridians suddenly reversed; his core seared with pain. He dropped to one knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Chen Long grabbed Meng Qianqian, pulling her behind him and sending her flying ten feet away with his Inner Strength.

Simultaneously, he gripped the Azure Dragon Sword with his other hand and thrust it directly toward Lu Yuan’s forehead.

Lu Yuan, with his meridians shattered and powerless, whispered faintly, "Meng Xiaojiu, close your eyes..."

"Brother! Stop!"

Meng Qianqian shouted loudly to stop Chen Long. "I am Little Nine! Shang Xiaojiu!"