Lu Mingyuan quickly snapped out of his joy. It was far too early to be celebrating.
Whether this was a blessing or a curse still depended on the mood of his so-called father.
If he didn't please him, he might just be slapped with another charge of exile.
He'd rather be confined to the Cold Palace than exiled.
At least in the palace, he had some protection. If he left the Imperial Capital, who knew what might happen.
"Sixth Prince, it's getting chilly tonight. You should be careful and put on another layer of clothing."
The Miao Li Palace Maid by his side spoke up to remind him. She had clearly been entrusted by the Noble Consort to take good care of the Sixth Prince.
Lu Mingyuan stepped over the threshold and looked up to see thousands of palace lanterns shining silently in the evening breeze. The vermilion palace walls and the black-eaved, densely packed halls were perfectly symmetrical.
The palace maid came forward and draped a long, Shu-red, cotton-padded jacket over him, which looked like a cape. Lu Mingyuan stepped into the waiting Jade Carriage and said slowly,
"Let's go."
Without thinking too much about it, Lu Mingyuan followed the head eunuch's Jade Carriage toward Qianyuan Palace. He glanced at the plain-looking palace maid accompanying him and felt a little more at ease.
Once inside the Jade Carriage, he closed his eyes to rest.
'This is my first time being a prince, my first time riding in a sedan chair. It's really something I'm not used to.'
'This eunuch probably wasn't sent by an assassin.'
'If someone forged my imperial father's decree to lure me into a trap and kill me, I'd be a goner.'
'On second thought, no one would dare to be so bold.'
This eunuch was indeed his imperial father's personal eunuch, and he carried a Holy Decree with him.
'Besides, if I were in danger, the Six-Yao Turtle Shell would probably react, right?'
The night grew deeper. Palace lanterns were visible everywhere, and armored Imperial Guards patrolled back and forth along the corridors and in front of the palace halls, seemingly on high alert for something.
Along the way, Lu Mingyuan kept wondering how his imperial father would deal with him.
Although he had seen the divination result from the Six-Yao Turtle Shell, would things really develop in the direction of the auspicious trigram?
After all, his father was the current Master of Great Yan.
The Emperor of Great Yan, Emperor Yong'an.
In the original owner's memories, this man was no pushover. At just sixteen, he had executed a powerful minister and taken personal rule of the government. With thunderous methods, he purged the court of rebellious officials from the previous dynasty and seized power firmly in his hands. He suppressed the rebellion of the three kings internally and later personally led expeditions to conquer the rebellious neighboring nations, expanding his territory and beating the Northern Demon Country into submission. He was one ruthless Emperor.
He had reigned for sixty years, during which the country was prosperous and the people lived in peace, and all nations submitted to his rule.
'Does a man like that truly have any room for familial affection in his heart?'
'The saying "the most heartless are those of the imperial family" isn't just an empty phrase, especially when dealing with such a cunning old emperor.'
'At the very least, let me withdraw from this great stage of the Nine Dragons Struggle for the Throne. As long as I can get into the Cold Palace, I'll have a chance,' Lu Mingyuan thought to himself.
About fifteen minutes later.
The Jade Carriage passed through layer after layer of palace buildings and finally arrived at the entrance of Qianyuan Palace.
The Great Yan Imperial Palace was far more magnificent and vast than the Forbidden City Lu Mingyuan had seen in his previous life. Outside the gate stood many Black Armored Imperial Guards. Each one was an elite Martial Artist selected from the army.
Their Black Scale Armor emanated a faint, dark light, and they rested one hand on the hilt of the Treasure Sabers at their waists, their presence incredibly profound.
"The rest of you will wait at the entrance. Your Highness, please follow me."
The head eunuch gave the order to the others, then respectfully addressed Lu Mingyuan and took a step forward to lead the way.
Lu Mingyuan followed him through the three layers of gates surrounding the impregnable Qianyuan Palace. There were nearly a hundred Imperial Guards inside and out; anyone who tried to force their way in would be seeking death.
Being there in person felt like watching a movie. Seeing the towering, magnificent golden pillars and the carvings of coiling dragons, Lu Mingyuan was still quite stunned.
The true interior of the Forbidden City's Imperial Palace was off-limits to visitors, but this was different. He was now standing in the most important place in all of Great Yan, the place where the Emperor lived his daily life.
As he continued to look around, a strange sense of unreality washed over him.
Lu Mingyuan felt none of the superiority a Transmigrator should have. Most people, after gaining power, would develop the illusion that they were the center of the universe. But he didn't; he only felt his own insignificance.
As he walked on, a group of figures gradually appeared ahead.
Inside the grand hall, memorials to the throne were piled up like mountains. A beaded curtain hung down, and on the imperial desk sat a palm-sized Incense Burner shaped like a Piyao, with blue smoke curling from its mouth. The fragrance in the air was incredibly refreshing to the spirit.
A middle-aged man in a Dragon Robe, who looked to be in his fifties with half a head of white hair, a solemn face, and a tuft of a beard beneath his chin, sat on a soft couch. His features still showed a heroic air; he must have been very handsome in his youth.
It was mainly his presence.
He just sat there quietly on the dragon couch, yet he exuded a lofty, scrutinizing, and oppressive aura.
It felt as if the mere twitch of his eyelid could inspire a daunting sense of awe and fear.
Emperor Yong'an.
The common folk considered him a long-lived Emperor skilled in both literary and martial arts, wise and sagacious. He was a formidable figure who had spent twenty years on campaigns in the south and north, quelling internal rebellions and suppressing foreign nations and Alien Races.
He was clearly almost eighty years old but looked to be only in his fifties. Lu Mingyuan guessed it was due to cultivation; cultivators lived longer than ordinary people and didn't show their age as much.
The original owner of his body had feared neither heaven nor earth, only his own biological father.
Just one glance from him made Lu Mingyuan feel as if needles were pricking his back, the pressure like a mountain. He could only lower his head and bow.
"Greetings, Imperial Father."
As he spoke, Wang Zhaoyan had already come to stand before Lu Mingyuan.
"You may dispense with the formalities."
The Emperor of Great Yan's calm words fell as his gaze landed directly on Lu Mingyuan. He suddenly snorted coldly and demanded,
"Unfilial son, do you know why We have summoned you?"
'To clear my name.'
Lu Mingyuan naturally knew, but he couldn't say it.
'I was the one who unintentionally revealed the matter of the Witchcraft to Mother. The original owner wasn't that smart, so I have to play dumb right now.'
'Besides, I'm currently guilty of a crime, so I can't act too brazenly.'
"Your son does not know."
Lu Mingyuan lowered his head, feigning terror.
Seeing him like this, Wang Zhaoyan's face showed a hint of pity. She said softly, "Your Majesty, Yuan'er is innocent. Please don't frighten him anymore. A simple questioning of the general situation will suffice. My son's symptoms are very similar to the Witchcraft Sect's Paperman Binding Technique. He is a victim of a Witchcraft plot."
The Emperor of Great Yan heard this, glanced at the red mark on Lu Mingyuan's wrist, and his expression softened. He shook his head and said, "You are the one who has spoiled him. If he cannot even withstand a small test, what right does he have to be Our son?"
"Right now, the entire Imperial Capital is discussing this matter, especially those scholars. Every one of them is sharp-tongued. If We do not provide a perfect answer and investigate this until the truth is revealed, how can We face the soldiers who died in battle?"
But Wang Zhaoyan didn't care about any of that. Her eyes reddened, and she suddenly burst into tears, choking out, "But Yuan'er nearly died during the assassination in the Imperial Palace! And he suffered so much in the dungeons. Now that we finally have evidence, Your Majesty can bring justice for the fallen soldiers, but you can't do the same for your own son?"
The Emperor of Great Yan glanced at his most beloved Noble Consort, his face devoid of any other emotion. Instead, his brow furrowed.
"What assassination in the Imperial Palace? It was clearly a diversion to lure away the dungeon guards and prepare for that Demoness's escape."
"This son of yours, you've coddled him. Never mind outsiders; even We frequently hear of this brat's 'good deeds.' If he didn't have such a foul reputation for indulging in beautiful women, he wouldn't have been framed to this extent."
"Regardless, this matter must have a definitive conclusion. This point is non-negotiable."
They made no attempt to hide their conversation from Lu Mingyuan.
After listening, Lu Mingyuan now had a rough understanding of what had happened.
'An assassination occurred in the Imperial Palace, which drew away most of the guards, especially those from the dungeons. That's why I could be manipulated into releasing the chains on the Demoness.'
'Because of my long-standing reputation for lusting after beautiful women, the real culprit chose me to be the scapegoat.'
'From the Emperor of Great Yan's tone, he's known for a while that I was framed.'
'And he deliberately threw me in prison, all for the sake of finding the truth?'
'Hah, truly worthy of being Emperor Yong'an.'
'This old man of a father is truly sinister. The older the ginger, the spicier it is.'
'He'd even screw over his own son.'
'From the looks of it, the real culprit hasn't been found, so I'll probably have to take the fall. Time is running out. The pressure of public opinion in the Imperial Capital is too great. Letting the Demoness return to her country is tantamount to saying the last few years of war were fought for nothing.'
'It's only natural that it would incite verbal abuse from the scholars and discontent from the common people.'
In an instant, Lu Mingyuan understood the crux of the matter.
Now he understood the hint from the Upper Trigram: he had to take the blame to save his own life.
'As long as I get into the Cold Palace, I'll have won.'
'It would also mean I'd lose my right of succession, completely withdrawing from the Nine Dragons Struggle for the Throne and turning danger into safety.'
"Unfilial son, there are now two paths before you."
Emperor Yong'an stopped speaking with Noble Consort Wang and looked calmly at Lu Mingyuan.
"Imperial Father, what paths?"
Although Lu Mingyuan already knew the outcome, he still feigned curiosity.
Emperor Yong'an raised one finger. "First: you will not have to suffer imprisonment, but you must bear the crime of releasing the Demoness. You will leave the Capital City and be exiled to the Western Wilderness. We will send men to meet you at the border. In seven or eight years at most, you can return to the Capital."
Wang Zhaoyan exclaimed, "Isn't that just exile? The Western Wilderness is a desolate and remote land, teeming with poisonous miasmas and countless Demons! How could Yuan'er endure such hardship!"
Emperor Yong'an ignored her, raised a second finger, and said coolly,
"Second: you will still bear the crime, but you will not have to leave the Capital. Considering you were framed and it was not your intention, We will confine you to the Cold Palace. You are not to take a single step out of the Imperial Palace. You will be grounded in the Deep Palace, stripped of your freedom."
"For thirty years."
Wang Zhaoyan's expression changed again. "Your Majesty, being grounded for thirty years... how is that any different from being in prison? Isn't that a bit..."
Emperor Yong'an stood up from the dragon couch, his hands clasped behind his back. His authority was palpable without any show of anger as he said indifferently, "On this matter, there is no room for negotiation."
Upon hearing this, Lu Mingyuan felt not sorrow, but joy.
'Things are proceeding exactly as I imagined.'
'As long as I choose the second path, I can escape this damn vortex.'
"Imperial Father, I choose the second path."
Lu Mingyuan pretended to think for a long time before giving his answer.
"Oh?"
Emperor Yong'an gave him a rather surprised look and asked,
"Why?"
"I don't want to leave Mother!"
Lu Mingyuan turned to look at Wang Zhaoyan beside him and said with utmost sincerity.
Hearing this, Wang Zhaoyan's eyes welled up with tears.
"Good. It is rare for you to show such filial piety."
Emperor Yong'an nodded slightly, then lifted a large cinnabar brush, made a few strokes, and announced in a clear voice,
"Relay Our decree! Effective immediately, the Sixth Prince is to be confined to the Cold Palace. For thirty years, he is not to take a single step outside."
At that very moment, several lines of text, arranged like sparks of fire, appeared before Lu Mingyuan's eyes.
[A dragon stranded in shallow waters, but heaven will not abandon it.]
[Gua Cheng. Greatly auspicious!]
[Disaster averted. Trait triggered: Dragon Raising Its Head (Basic Level). A blue Opportunity has been obtained.]
[Emperor Orange Fate Grid - Trapped Dragon in the Abyss, Refinement Level 5%]
...