In the eyes of Prime Minister Visu and Dean Lorenzo, His Majesty the Emperor, who had just returned to the palace from the temple, was obviously so satisfied that he put away some of his usual minor problems and discussed state affairs with everyone in a friendly manner.
Comfortable, with a faint smile on his face, he would pick up the silver pot on the table from time to time and refill their glasses with fragrant tea.
To withdraw from the alliance and expel the temple priests under the eyes of the Light God Clan is no small matter. After discussing it in detail, the time was not short. Cohen directly diverted everyone's dinner time and waited until the last thing was finished.
Only then did he realize that the smiling Kasseling had been waiting nearby for a long time, with several palace maids behind him holding food boxes.
"It's not good to delay dinner." Cohen stood up and asked his mother to sit down. He ordered the maids to serve the dishes, and placed several beautifully made main dishes in front of the Prime Minister and the dean. He also personally held the wine pot and filled the jade cups.
.
"Since I came to the throne, most of the state affairs have been difficult and dangerous, and both of you have been assisting me wholeheartedly. I know in my heart who is doing the hard work for the Sibia Empire to be what it is today." Cohen slowly raised his glass: "I would like to pay tribute to you two.
"
Since there were ministers around and what he was talking about was state affairs, it was only proper etiquette for Cohen to address him as "I".
Kasseling turned slightly to the side and looked at the two old and young children in front of her with a smile. After saying a few words of humility, the two returned the favor and drank.
"Mother, I'll do it." Cohen took the wine bottle from Kasseling's hand, and while pouring the wine, he looked at the Prime Minister and the dean with gentle eyes: "After I came out of the temple today, I received a piece of news, which happened to be
Please consult the two of you."
"It is my bounden duty to answer your Majesty's questions." The dean replied seriously: "Your Majesty, please ask."
"I heard." A soft smile appeared on Cohen's face, but what he said next was like a bolt from the blue to everyone present: "I am actually not the seventeenth emperor of the Sibia Empire, but just
Just a prince of the Xia Mai royal family."
With a "clang", the jade cup in Dean Lorenzo's hand fell on the table, his chest and skirt were covered with splashes of wine, and his face turned pale.
Kasseling was stunned for a moment, with a puzzled expression on her face, but her brows furrowed tightly, and she turned to look at her husband and the dean.
Prince Weisu was the most calm and composed. He put down the wine glass with a faint smile on his face and said, "No matter which dynasty or generation, there will be these rumors against the king. I wonder where did your majesty hear it?"
"The imperial concubine told me indirectly. I didn't really believe it at first." The expression on Cohen's face did not change. He stretched out his hand to straighten the wine glass in front of the dean. His tone was calm, as if he was talking about daily trivial matters: "So in
Before coming here, I went to various places to check, and finally found out that after Fichet was martyred, the Gods of Light did not issue an edict to change the Sibia royal family. Every time the royal family changes, shouldn't the Gods issue an edict?
Is it an edict? Because the royal family has not fallen for hundreds of years, the general nobles don’t know it, and I don’t know it either, but you two should know it, right?”
"Or..." Dean Lorenzo glanced at Prince Weisu and replied: "Maybe it's because the Temple of Light is obstructing it, or the God of Light has the intention to change the decree... This is not impossible."
"The divine right of kings, this is what the Princess of the Light God Clan told me today." Cohen smiled: "Dean, although you are stubborn, you are a smart person. You should understand that as a symbol of power granted to the Light God Clan, the Light God Clan must
This ritualized and sacred decree will not be changed unless the imperial power of the Xia Mai royal family has not changed in a real sense and been replaced by others."
"It is normal for the Xia Mai royal family to branch out after many generations, or to have descendants somewhere in the empire." Prince Weisu said softly: "Under such circumstances, the Guangming God Clan may have other ideas.
It is normal not to issue an edict."
"I've thought about this question too." Cohen clapped his hands and said, "Do you two want to know the answer?"
"The reason why the royal family is called the royal family is because it is a symbol of the empire, because it stands at the top of the empire's power, and because it is looked up to by all the people! Without this definition, it can no longer guide the empire.
, if you are no longer a moral role model for the people, then you are no longer a royal family!" As soon as the applause stopped, Cohen's tone became stronger: "An ordinary person hiding in the wilderness of the city, even if he inherits the blood, is just an ordinary person.
There were many situations like this when the royal family changed in the past. The information in the royal library may be wrong, but the memories of the three former red priests are not wrong, right?"
"Your Majesty..." As soon as Dean Lorenzo opened his mouth, he was shocked by Cohen's gaze - but strangely, Cohen's gaze was very peaceful, harmless to humans and animals.
"If you still want to hide it, I can call Prince Ulysses here. As a royal family member of the Tansi Empire and two commander-in-chief of the coalition forces, he is also very knowledgeable about these matters." Cohen smiled again: "But in that case
, we will deal with it on a official basis."
The battles for imperial power in the past dynasties have always been fought between close relatives, with blood and tears flying everywhere. Although Cohen is open-minded and modest in many matters, in the position of emperor, he can only go up and down in both public and private matters. With him
With today's prestige and ability, if one simply "disposes on official matters", then one does not know how many heads will fall and how many families will be purged!
"Since it's not business yet, I can talk." Different from the previous subconscious awareness of the difference in things, Kasseling, who had always trusted her son without reservation, already knew the outline of the matter, woke up from the shock, and sneered at Wei Wei.
Prince Su and Dean Lorenzo said: "It's best to clarify the matter on this table, otherwise, you will know what regret is!"
As a mother, Katherine stood by Cohen. She knew very well about her son that Cohen was extremely sensitive in some aspects and his coping behavior was also very intense. If the two old guys wore out Cohen's patience, this matter would be serious.
There is no room for redemption anymore.
But in the current situation of Prince Visu and Dean Lorenzo, it is really impossible to talk about this matter, because no matter how you say it, it will be a dead end in the end. In desperation, Dean Lorenzo had no choice but to look at Kasseling with pleading eyes -
- It was not easy to be the mediator, but Kasseling had to be the one. She put away the sullen expression on her face, turned to Cohen and said: "Emperor, I think you should ask. I'm afraid it will be difficult for them to open their mouths."
"Okay, I don't really want to know much." Cohen nodded and looked level: "Are Felin and Kelly biological sisters?"
"No... Princess Kelly is Martin's biological granddaughter. She was born seven days late." It was no longer possible to hide the matter, but Dean Lorenzo was still stammering when he spoke, not at all like his usual straightforward style: "Because
At that time, the relationship between the late emperor and certain forces was extremely tense, and seven assassinations occurred within a year. He had to do this to preserve his bloodline. And I was afraid that others would know that in order to protect Princess Feilin, he announced that they were twins.
At the same time, ask Bertina to use magic to change his appearance."
Only then did Cohen know where the disguise magic he used came from: "Of course His Majesty Creamer and his wife know about this, so besides them, who else among you knows about this?"
"Only Princess Feilin knows." After glancing at Prince Visu, Dean Lorenzo replied hesitantly: "During the War of Rebellion, Luman... seemed to also know..."
"Fichet doesn't know?"
"Your Majesty Fichet...probably doesn't know..."
Before Dean Lorenzo finished speaking, Cohen couldn't help himself: "Rumann knows, but Fichet doesn't know?"
Seeing signs of Cohen's emotional instability, Kasseling quickly interrupted: "Now that things have reached this point, you should stop covering up, it's useless!"
"Let me tell you, please ask the emperor not to force the dean." Prince Weisu finally said: "Not many people know about this matter. Apart from the late Emperor Creamer and his wife, only Feline
, Martin Luther and I knew about it. Later, it was not until Feilin came to the Holy City and Queen Nasher granted the marriage that the dean knew about it. If nothing else happens, this matter will never be spread.
It was kept secret even from His Majesty Fechet. The reason why the marriage was granted was, on the one hand, Feline and His Majesty had feelings for each other, and on the other hand, Feline and Fechet met... Princess Feline has an elegant temperament...
"
Cohen couldn't help but snorted, it would be extremely troublesome if Fichet fell in love with his biological sister.
"I'm afraid it's because after Feilin gets married, the Xia Mai family will be forever strong, right?" Of course Kasseling is not happy that her son is being used: "Dark Province, such a big dowry."
"Not entirely, Mrs. Cathelling, His Majesty's idea at that time was that after Princess Feilin married, no matter how the situation in the empire developed, His Majesty Fechet would not do anything to the Keda family..." Dean Lorenzo looked at Keda
Se Ling's expression: "Your Majesty and His Majesty Fichet, there is a big difference in personality. If we didn't make plans early at that time, there would be suspicion between the monarch and his ministers in the future..."
Although he is no longer a simple boy, although he is accustomed to the darkness of the world, and although he knows that the empire and the royal family must deal with things this way, when the matter is clearly stated, Cohen will still feel sad and still find it difficult to accept... In fact, in comparison, Xia
The Mai family was far more open-minded and kind than other royal families of the same period, but it was still not to the level that Cohen had in mind.
"His Majesty Fichet would not have known about this matter before he came to the throne. On that day, His Majesty Fichet issued an order that you, Cohen, should succeed you as the seventeenth emperor. This also proves that His Majesty Fichet did not actually know about this matter." There was a silence.
After that, Prince Weisu said: "Yes, when the royal family changes, the gods will issue an edict, but it is more than that. Whenever a new royal family comes to power, the gods will directly protect the new royal family for three to five years. During this time, the royal family will
Or the empire cannot be attacked by any means... His Majesty Fichet just wants to use his own life to exchange for the peace of the empire and the Keda family for three to five years..."
"That's enough!" Cohen slapped his palm on the table: "Don't drag Fichet into this kind of thing again!"
In Cohen's mind, the Chamet family was no longer what it was in his memory, and the only one who could remain consistent with the past was Fichet. From the beginning, he avoided Fichet's role in the whole thing.
But now, the facts are basically clear, Fichet should have no chance to know the truth, and Cohen, he really doesn't want to hear anything related to Fichet... Others can't understand this feeling.
After a heart-stopping silence, Cohen asked: "If I hadn't known about it, how long would you have kept it secret?"
"If possible, we will remain silent." Prince Weisu replied: "The whole thing seemed right at the time and was our only choice. But what is frustrating is that many accidents happened later, one by one.
It has accumulated so much that it can no longer be solved. No matter what, if the emperor knows about it, the impact will be negative."
"So, you just calmly pretend that nothing happened. The Sbia Empire is such a powerful and happy place where everyone is united and united!" The expression on Cohen's face is calm, but it can make people feel frightened: "So
, other empires would calmly attack a country with a prince as emperor; therefore, the first imperial concubine would obtain a transcendent status from you and put government affairs first; therefore, I am like a fool
, being played with in the palm of your hands..."
"Your Majesty the Emperor! In any case, you are the emperor now!" Dean Lorenzo replied tremblingly: "No one dares to despise the authority of the emperor, and no one dares to question the emperor's identity!"
Cohen sat in his seat, silent.
"We were not able to control everything before, but everything we did was without any selfish motives." Prince Weisu sighed and said slowly: "No one in the empire wants to restore the rule of the Xia Mai family.
, including us and the First Princess, no one will tolerate such an approach. What we did was very simple, just for Sibia... But, as the emperor, His Majesty, of course, cannot let go, but this matter
As long as we know it, no one else is really involved..."
"Yes, His Majesty the Emperor." Dean Lorenzo said: "I will end this matter in a suitable way and for a reason, and I will ensure that no one will know... The Sibia Empire needs your Majesty, please take care of yourself!"
If it were other things, the emperor might be tolerant and kind, or he might just laugh it off. But this is a challenge to the orthodoxy of imperial power, and any emperor's response will be firm and decisive. There will be no reason to tolerate or indulge, and all flesh and blood ties must be put aside.
The prince and the dean had already predicted their outcome, but they just hoped that the scope of Cohen's attack would not be too large, so as not to harm the country.
"You've gone too far, let's talk first. Are you two satisfied with the current Sibia Empire?" Cohen sneered: "The land area, the number of citizens, the size of the army, the current economic situation, the political system...what are you dissatisfied with?
The place?"
Neither of them understood why Cohen asked. They could only shake their heads to show that they were not dissatisfied. This was not pandering. The current national strength of the Sibia Empire was the highest among all countries, and it was not something that other empires could catch up with. As long as they followed the established strategy.
If it continues to develop, even if it encounters a successor who is particularly prodigal and extravagant, it will be impossible to achieve the goal of sitting on nothing within one generation.
"Everyone is satisfied, that's good. When it comes to this, there is no need to beat around the bush." Cohen continued to sneer: "How the Xia Mai family treats me, then I will repay you... As a prince of the Xia Mai family, I will do what I want."
At this point today, I have finally repaid this great kindness."
Hearing this, the other three people secretly screamed that something was wrong, but at this moment, no one in front of Cohen dared to take away his words, so they could only look at him and say.
"This throne is not mine. Now, I will return this thing to you two imperial supervisors, draw a clear line between each other, and scatter them." Cohen raised his hand and threw a square object wrapped in Huang Ling.
Put it on the table, rolled it a few times and covered it with soup. It was the emperor's jade seal: "From today on, this emperor has nothing to do with me. Whoever likes it will be his, and whoever wants to be his will be his!"
After saying this, Cohen stood up, turned around and left.
"Cohen!" Kasseling said anxiously: "Where are you going?"
"Without an official position, you are light-hearted. It is not a problem to go anywhere except this palace." Cohen turned around and said to his mother: "If I have time, I will go to Darkmoon Province to visit my mother."
After saying this, Cohen ignored anything and walked away - what he resented and hated the most was being used and betrayed. It can be said that this is the most sensitive and weak part of Cohen's character, and even more so.
It is a flaw in his character. The closer the people are, the deeper the harm they cause to him. Their actions have completely exceeded the bottom line in his heart!
As for Prime Minister Visu and Dean Lorenzo, they sat there dumbfounded. The change of things and Cohen's reaction had already shocked the two of them so much that they couldn't make up their minds. They even forgot to pursue him to plead guilty...
Harem, near the palace gate.
The devoted rock had just handed over his errands and was cleaning his horse in the stable as usual. It was a hard-earned treasure for him, so he cherished it very much. He was only halfway through washing when he saw Cohen walking from a distance with a dark face.
, the chamberlain in charge of the stables went up to say hello, and as soon as he said "Your Majesty", he was slapped in the face, spun and hit under the room where debris was piled, and was caught by a fallen water tank.
Rock was about to step forward to salute, but Cohen had already walked in front of him, kicked off the horse railing, stretched out his hand to pull out the little crow, which was neighing with joy and excitement. Cohen put on the saddle next to him and jumped into the air.
Jumping, one person and one rider were like a whirlwind, running straight towards the palace gate.
Cohen did not hide his hair and eyes today, and he was wearing ordinary clothes. He rode out of the palace, fearing that something might happen.
Shi Yan was startled and didn't have time to think about it. He quickly called to a few men who were washing horses in the stable. He didn't even have time to equip the saddles and weapons, so he chased after them. They were all the elites of the royal guards. After leaving the palace gate,
Thirty riders have gathered around the rock, and many of them are holding weapons "borrowed" from the road.
But when this group of people left the gate of the Holy City, where was the shadow of Cohen in the field of vision? However, the lingering power of His Majesty's horse was still there, and the passers-by on the trade road were dumbfounded, and the direction they were looking at at the same time should be the direction where Cohen disappeared.
Location.
"Catch up!" Rock roared and clapped his horse forward. (To be continued)