After Breaking Free From The System's Control - Chapter 6

Xiao Li gazed at Jin Tang’s profile, outlined by the sunlight until it appeared almost translucent.

Within that frail body lay a will utterly at odds with his weak appearance.

He no longer tried to dissuade him.

Instead, he gave a solemn promise.

“This subject will make proper arrangements for the guards and ceremony inside the hall. I will ensure that Your Majesty expends as little energy as possible.”

Jin Tang withdrew his gaze and looked at Xiao Li.

He nodded lightly, and the faint smile at the corners of his lips became a little more genuine, carrying unmistakable trust.

“With Royal Uncle here, I naturally have nothing to worry about.”

The sunlight gradually shifted, stretching the shadow of the crabapple tree longer across the courtyard.

The fragrance of flowers remained rich, but what lingered between them was no longer merely a peaceful sense of ease.

There was now a deeper understanding as well.

Wang Zhong quietly withdrew to arrange the delivery of the imperial summons.

Only the sovereign and his subject remained in the courtyard, speaking softly for a while longer about the possible situations that might arise during the afternoon court assembly and how they should respond.

Most of the time, Jin Tang did the talking.

Though his strength was lacking, his thoughts were clear and methodical. He had obviously considered the matter for a long time.

Xiao Li listened attentively, occasionally offering one or two crucial additions or drawing upon his many years of experience to point out certain details that might otherwise have been overlooked.

To the palace attendants keeping watch from a distance, the scene beneath the crabapple blossoms appeared strangely harmonious.

The young emperor reclined upon the couch, while the prince in purple sat upright beside him.

One spoke in a low voice.

The other listened closely.

Sunlight gilded their figures with a faint golden glow, while fallen petals drifted soundlessly around them, as though they had been captured inside a painting.

Yet only Jin Tang knew that his present clarity and slightly improved condition were merely a brief and precious lull before the arrival of a violent storm.

The shadow of the System still hung above him.

No one knew when it would suddenly return, bringing an even harsher punishment.

The heart inside his chest did not beat nearly as steadily as he appeared on the surface.

Each pulse carried his unease toward the unknown punishment awaiting him, as well as his determination to treasure this hard-won opportunity to make his own decisions.

But Jin Tang was no longer as frightened and helpless as when he had first arrived.

That afternoon, in Taiji Hall.

Compared with the solemn grandeur of an ordinary court assembly, the atmosphere inside the hall today was unusually subtle.

The emperor had not attended court for a long time, and rumors that he remained confined to his sickbed had already spread everywhere.

This sudden summons, delivered with such urgency, inevitably caused the assembled officials to speculate.

Countless thoughts raced behind lowered eyelids.

The imperial throne stood empty high above them.

Before it hung a finely woven curtain of pearls.

The curtain was formed from countless smooth, rounded pearls strung together, and under the glow of the hall’s candles and the daylight filtering through the high windows, it shimmered with a soft yet distant radiance.

Behind the curtain, the indistinct figure of a slender young man dressed in moon-white everyday robes could be seen reclining slightly against the throne, which had been specially covered with thick cushions.

His exhaustion was unmistakable.

The emperor wore neither his imperial yellow dragon robe nor the heavy crown with hanging jade strands.

To the court officials, who strictly observed ritual propriety, this unusual appearance itself conveyed an extraordinary message.

Either his illness had truly become so severe that he could no longer bear the weight of ceremonial robes, or he was deliberately signaling something.

The oppressive sense of an approaching storm grew even heavier.

The hall was utterly silent.

Even the officials instinctively softened their breathing.

Prince Xuan, Xiao Li, stood below the imperial steps and before the assembled officials, dressed in his formal princely robes.

His posture was straight as a pine.

His expression was cold and stern, and his gaze remained fixed ahead.

The natural killing aura and authority of a frontier commander radiating from him made many restless officials instinctively lower their heads.

Standing beside the pearl curtain, Wang Zhong announced in his high-pitched voice,

“His Majesty has decreed that all ministers may rise.”

The faint rustling of fabric filled the hall as the officials rose from their bows and formed two lines according to rank.

Countless gazes—some worried, some appraising, some startled, and some calculating—openly or covertly wove together like a net and fell upon the hanging pearl curtain and Prince Xuan, who stood before it as steadily as a mountain.

Several quiet coughs came from behind the curtain.

The emperor was clearly still extremely weak.

Then Jin Tang’s voice sounded.

Though he made an effort to gather his breath, it remained much lower and hoarser than usual.

“I have suffered from illness for a long time. My strength is insufficient, and although I possess the will to manage the court, I no longer possess the ability. Yet the affairs of government cannot be neglected for even a single day.”

Jin Tang spoke slowly.

Every word seemed to cost him strength.

“Prince Xuan, Xiao Li, is the sworn brother of the Late Emperor and my royal uncle. He possesses both civil wisdom and military talent, has rendered extraordinary service, and has shown unwavering loyalty to the realm.”

“During this period of ill health, I hereby appoint him Regent of Great Zhao, granting him authority over the administration of the court. All major military and governmental affairs shall be decided by him.”

“To stand before the Regent shall be the same as standing before me in person.”

The moment his words ended, the great hall fell into absolute silence.

Then came the reactions.

A portion of the elderly ministers known for their caution and loyalty to imperial authority—including several Grand Secretaries with white hair and beards—exchanged worried glances and furrowed their brows.

They were deeply concerned about the emperor’s health and wary of surrendering so much authority.

However, the appointment had been spoken personally by the emperor from behind the curtain.

Moreover, whether in ability, prestige, or his relationship with the Late Emperor, Xiao Li was indeed the most suitable candidate in the current situation.

He might even be the only person capable of stabilizing the court.

After a brief hesitation and careful consideration, these ministers were the first to bow.

“This subject obeys the decree. Your Majesty is wise.”

The others wore varying expressions.

Some were uncertain and alarmed, their eyes flickering as they secretly wondered just how severe the emperor’s illness had become.

Did this decision mean that imperial authority was about to change hands?

Others looked back and forth between the blurred silhouette behind the curtain and the intimidating Prince Xuan beneath the imperial steps, anxiously evaluating the future direction of the court and where their own loyalties should lie.

Several officials were unable to completely conceal their opposition and resentment.

Among them was a censor well known for his forthrightness—or, more accurately, his stubbornness.

His lips moved, and his face flushed red as though he intended to step forward.

But a quick-witted colleague beside him quietly grabbed his sleeve and restrained him with a fierce look.

Could he not see Prince Xuan standing there like a god of death?

Could he not sense the emperor’s determination, which allowed no argument?

Behind the pearl curtain, waves of weakness and dizziness rose from deep within Jin Tang’s body.

He was forced to lean more heavily against the cushions.

Although the pearl curtain obscured his view, the faint commotion below, the varied expressions, and the hesitant postures of those who wished to speak but did not dare—all were clearly visible through the gaps to his unusually lucid eyes.

Jin Tang gave no outward reaction.

He simply committed every official who showed an unusual expression or appeared ready to make trouble to memory.

Xiao Li took in everyone’s response.

He stepped forward and turned to face the assembled officials.

His gaze swept slowly over the entire hall like a flash of lightning.

He did not speak immediately.

Yet the calm, intensely oppressive weight of his stare caused the quiet murmuring inside the hall to rapidly die away.

“This subject, Xiao Li, has received His Majesty’s trust and been entrusted with the office of Regent.”

Each word rang with force.

“How could I dare not exhaust my every effort, demonstrate unwavering loyalty, and continue until death?”

“However, I serve as Regent only to ease His Majesty’s burden and stabilize the foundation of Great Zhao.”

“If anyone takes advantage of His Majesty’s convalescence to commit acts of disloyalty or disrupt the order of the court…”

Xiao Li paused.

The cold light in his eyes suddenly intensified, sweeping across the hall like the most bitter wind of the northern frontier.

“Do not blame this prince’s sword for showing no mercy.”

The eight simple words were not shouted.

Yet they carried a bloody killing aura forged amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood, making the temperature inside the hall seem to drop several degrees.

The officials who had originally intended to object met Xiao Li’s gaze and instantly felt as though they had fallen into an icy pit.

They forcibly swallowed the words already at their lips.

Cold sweat broke across their backs.

Behind the pearl curtain, Jin Tang slowly released a breath.

The slight tension in his shoulders finally eased, and he leaned back into the cushions.

It was done.

After Xiao Li’s declaration and display of authority, no one would dare openly challenge the Regent’s power for the time being.

Jin Tang had also used this court assembly to see the true faces of quite a few people.

His objective had been achieved.

The strength he had forced himself to maintain was rapidly reaching its limit.

Jin Tang gave Wang Zhong a slight nod.

Understanding immediately, Wang Zhong called loudly,

“Court is dismissed—”

The assembled officials bowed to see the emperor off.

Xiao Li cast one final look at the indistinct figure being slowly helped to his feet by the eunuchs.

His gaze was deep and carried an indescribably complicated emotion.

Then he turned and was the first to stride from Taiji Hall.

Supported by the attendants, Jin Tang slowly made his way toward the rear chamber.

His steps were unsteady, and fine beads of cold sweat had already formed at his temples.

Although the court assembly had not lasted long, it had exhausted all the energy he had accumulated throughout the morning.

Yet Jin Tang’s mind remained perfectly clear.

The first step had been unsteady.

But he had planted it firmly upon the ground.

As for whether what followed would be an even fiercer storm, or a more brutal punishment after the System returned…

That could wait until later.