Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 539 The Confused Courtiers
"The Emperor Emeritus has arrived!"

"The Emperor has arrived!" Just as Emperor Longwu and Emperor Xixiang stepped onto the deck outside the cabin, a young eunuch shouted loudly from the side.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

Greetings, Your Majesty!

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" As the little eunuch's loud voice rang out, the civil and military officials, as well as the guards and eunuchs who had been standing on the three decks, all knelt down respectfully to pay their respects.

"Rise!" Emperor Longwu casually waved his hand at the kneeling courtiers and guards.

"All of you, rise!" After glancing helplessly at his father, Emperor Longwu, who was even younger than him, Emperor Xixiang pursed his lips. He didn't comment on his father's casual gesture, but could only awkwardly call out to his ministers to stand up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Retired Emperor! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Upon hearing Emperor Xixiang's voice instructing everyone to rise, the officials first expressed their gratitude and then respectfully stood up.

"Father!" Emperor Xixiang then stepped back a few paces, offering his seat to his father, Emperor Longwu. He knew that his father, Emperor Longwu, who had become younger and loved to show off, definitely had something to say to the court officials!

"My fellow officials!"

"Fellow soldiers!" In response, Emperor Longwu took a step forward without hesitation, and then his booming voice resounded across the sea, echoing in the ears of every courtier and soldier!

At this moment, regardless of whether the officials on the treasure ships at any distance on the high seas could see Emperor Longwu, they all fixed their burning gazes on him.

As Emperor Xixiang had predicted, in an instant, all the officials and soldiers turned towards Emperor Longwu's direction. Even though they couldn't see Emperor Longwu, they could clearly sense that he was in the direction they were looking!

"As you all know, it was I who decided to come out to sea this time."

As for the reason for my voyage at sea this time...

I can now clearly tell everyone: I am leaving!

"I'm going to ascend to the upper realm!" Facing the fervent gazes of everyone, Emperor Longwu shamelessly and without hesitation spread his words of impending ascension throughout the entire sea!

In an instant, the vast and boundless sea was so silent that only the roaring waves could be heard!

After all, Emperor Longwu's words were truly shocking to the world.

In an instant, countless ministers turned their bewildered gazes to Emperor Longwu. Normally, the courtiers dared not look directly at the emperor, for that was a grave offense! But now, they wanted to see if their once-unparalleled, brilliant, and outstanding Emperor Longwu had truly become senile!
However, what came into everyone's view was a scene they had never imagined.

Beside the current Sage Emperor Xi Xiang of the Dragon Kingdom stood a face that was both incredibly familiar and strange to them, dressed in a magnificent dragon robe!
But upon closer inspection, that magnificent dragon robe and imposing figure looked so familiar!

Even through the crown that obscured his face, everyone could see that the person beside Emperor Xixiang was a young man!

A young man dressed in a dragon robe, much younger than Emperor Xixiang!

The bewildered courtiers were utterly dumbfounded! Who was this? How dare he wear a dragon robe? And stand before Emperor Xixiang?!

"Your Majesty????" "The Retired Emperor????" Facing the familiar yet unfamiliar figure on the upper deck, the first to react was Qian Zhongcai, this rough and uncultured man! He subconsciously called out "Your Majesty" in disbelief!

Following closely behind Qian Zhongcai was Xia Xuan, the brother-in-law who knew Emperor Longwu very well! He also recognized the figure beside Emperor Xixiang!
However, when Qian Zhongcai and Xia Xuan heard each other's voices, they exchanged a shocked glance. In that instant, they both saw boundless shock and disbelief in each other's eyes!

Yes, Qian Zhongcai and Xia Xuan had already recognized that the young and imposing figure standing in front of Emperor Xixiang on the fourth deck was none other than the young Emperor Longwu!

The problem is, Emperor Longwu is already over sixty years old, so how did he suddenly become so young?
Even more bewildered than Qian Zhongcai and Xia Xuan were the court officials around them! Most of the ministers in the court today were newly promoted officials; the veterans who had followed Emperor Longwu in conquering the land had all gone home to enjoy their retirement. They could hardly recognize Emperor Longwu in his youth!
However, the court officials surrounding Qian Zhongcai and Xia Xuan naturally heard their shocked words. But Qian Zhongcai addressed the Emperor as "Your Majesty," and Xia Xuan as "Emperor Emeritus," leaving the ministers at a loss for words.

Even if some ministers had guessed what was going on, they dared not make the slightest move! After all, their suspicions were far too terrifying! So, they had no choice but to remain silent.

"Aha~!"

It seems that among all my ministers, there are still some who can recognize me!

Come here
"Old Qian, Xuan-ge, come to my side!" Upon seeing that he had been recognized, Emperor Longwu revealed a look of excitement. He couldn't help but let out a strange cry and loudly called Qian Zhongcai and Xia Xuan, who were on the third deck, to go up to the fourth deck and come to his side.

At this moment, faced with Emperor Longwu's strange cries, Emperor Xixiang, Zhu Qiyu, wished he could disappear into the ground. His father's transformation into a younger man was utterly unreliable!

"Your subject obeys the decree!" After receiving confirmation from Emperor Longwu, Qian Zhongcai and Xia Xuan were also shocked. They looked at each other in astonishment, gritted their teeth, and climbed up to the fourth deck together.

Upon reaching the fourth deck, Qian Zhongcai and his companion realized that the younger-looking figure before them was indeed none other than the former Emperor Longwu!

Moreover, judging from the current appearance of Emperor Longwu, he is probably only in his early twenties!

Has Emperor Longwu really become younger?!

After careful confirmation, Qian Zhongcai and Xia Xuan were also filled with shock! They even forgot to pay their respects to Emperor Longwu and Emperor Xixiang after ascending to the fourth deck!

"How about it?! Do I look younger?!" Emperor Longwu didn't mind the two important court officials staring intently at him, who had been with him all along. Instead, he happily lifted the court beads hanging from his crown and asked them with great interest.

"Your Majesty, what is this...?" Qian Zhongcai, still in a daze, stared intently at the now-younger Emperor Longwu, his face filled with disbelief and shock. His mouth was so wide open, it could easily fit an egg!

"Hahahaha." Seeing Qian Zhongcai's stunned expression, Emperor Longwu laughed heartily.

"General Qian~~" Compared to Qian Zhongcai's shock, Xia Xuan recovered much faster. Looking at the still dazed Qian Zhongcai, Xia Xuan whispered a reminder.

"Your Majesty, we have committed a grave offense by looking directly at Your Majesty's face. We beg Your Majesty to punish us!" It must be said that scholars are quick-witted. Xia Xuan, the Second Grand Secretary, immediately knelt down after reminding Qian Zhongcai, and said to Emperor Longwu with a look of panic.

"Your Majesty, we are guilty!" Xia Xuan's words immediately jolted Qian Zhongcai, this rough and uncultured man, to his senses. Without hesitation, Qian Zhongcai knelt down and begged Emperor Longwu for forgiveness.

"Alright, alright, what are you begging for? Get up now!"

"I still have something to say!" Emperor Longwu, with a beaming smile, invited the two ministers who had accompanied him all the way to kneel before him to get up.

(End of this chapter)