Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 472 The Ruler Below the Threshold
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the new emperor was holding a sacrificial ceremony, but the newly enthroned Marquis of Dingyuan, Lu Xingzhou, did not participate. Instead, he stood on his own rooftop, quietly watching the snow.

The newly crowned Xia King also did not participate; she didn't even use the name Gu Yitang, still calling herself Shen Tang.

The stairs creaked softly, and Shen Tang came up from behind, draped a fur coat over Lu Xingzhou who was gazing at the snow, and asked gently, "What are you thinking about?"

Lu Xingzhou took her hand that was resting on his shoulder and smiled, "On the day I thought about marrying you."

"Now you're all about sweet talk," Shen Tang scoffed. "You're probably thinking about how to marry three women that day, and in what order, right?"

Lu Xingzhou was a little embarrassed. If he planned to marry three women into the family in one day, the order of the weddings would be very troublesome. Even if no one objected to Shen Tang being first, what about Pei Chuyun and Sheng Yuanyao? If he really had to arrange them in order, not only would Old Pei and Old Sheng never give him a good time in the future, but his own backyard would also be torn apart.

Then what about the husband...?

The gentleman may not want to get married for the time being. As for the other three, the best solution would be to welcome them all out of the palace together. This would save face and avoid any order of arrival. However, this needs to be discussed with the current emperor.

Although getting the current emperor to give him this small amount of face shouldn't be a big problem, Lu Xingzhou felt heavy-hearted just thinking about this person.

This emperor has problems, very problems.

Gu Zhanting is very strong, and his planning is also quite good. Even though Lu Xingzhou has been strategizing and connecting with all parties, if it weren't for the unexpected countermeasures set up by Yuan Muyu over the past few years, Ye Tinglan might have actually succeeded.

Moreover, the battle would be much more troublesome without a super-grade expert like Yuan Muyu.

Gu Zhanting probably still can't figure out how the Mountain and River Sacrifice failed, even as he recounts the whole incident at the altar. He can't believe that the root of his failure was a woman chasing after her husband. If he knew that, he might die of anger right there at the altar.

The problem is that, while Gu Zhanting is strong, he has significant flaws in his personality.

Because of Chao Pin's arrogance, and the superior perspective and mindset he developed after being an emperor for so many years, his schemes were often not very discreet; careful observation would easily reveal their flaws. Furthermore, he frequently made erroneous judgments based on information delivered to his doorstep, such as refusing to believe the Demon Emperor and the Holy Lord's rivalry for a man, or assuming Lu Xingzhou would take advantage of him. This caused him to miss many opportunities to nip his rivals in the bud.

This kind of personality flaw is fatal to a scheming person. This time there was an element of luck, but if Lu Xingzhou were given the same starting point to plan together, Lu Xingzhou felt that he could outmaneuver him.

But Lu Xingzhou was not confident about this new emperor.

He did not seem to have the same character flaws as his father; he was extremely patient and always did things in secret.

Many of Gu Zhanting's actions seemed to be orchestrated by him. This included colluding with demons, as well as banishing Shen Tang and deposing Prince Jin. Upon closer examination, every single one of these actions bore the shadow of Prince Qi, yet he left no trace of it.

If everything goes as expected, then Gu Zhanting was nothing more than a pawn used by his son from beginning to end, and his ultimate failure was all within the Qi King's plan.

He even knew that Shen Tang's chances of ascending the throne were slim—regardless of other factors, Shen Tang had already taken action in the battle, and once he came to power, it would be difficult to avoid the reputation of patricide and usurpation. However, he, the Prince of Qi, remained inactive and was instead chosen by public opinion.

Now he has taken the position naturally, gaining both fame and legal standing, without revealing a trace of worldly ambition.

This conclusion filled Lu Xingzhou with dread.

If Gu Zhanting were a scheming and patient man without any character flaws, how much destruction would he cause?

Tonight, Tinglan is interrogating Zhao En, hoping to extract some information. Aside from that, there's no angle to analyze this Prince Qi; it's like a mouse trying to pull a turtle—there's nowhere to begin. He's usually far too low-key.

Seeing that Lu Xingzhou didn't even respond to her teasing, Shen Tang knew he was preoccupied and asked, "You... are you thinking about the new emperor?"

"Hmm... how much do you really know about your younger brother?"

Shen Tang said, "As you know, I've spent most of my childhood in the sect and haven't spent much time in the capital. I can only say I know them, not that I'm familiar with them. Hmm... how about we ask Prime Minister Pei?"

Lu Xingzhou thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "I want to see Gu Zhanting. Would you like to come with me?"

Shen Tang paused for a moment, then shook her head: "I...I won't go. Actually, seeing him become a prisoner makes me feel bad too."

"Um……"

"If you go, be careful. Although the Imperial Preceptor crippled his power, not everyone knows much about Qian Yuan's abilities. What if he still has some hidden trump card?"

“I’ll be careful.” Lu Xingzhou paused, then said in a low voice, somewhat uncertainly, “I don’t think he might actually be that bad.”

Shen Tang was stunned: "Huh?"

Lu Xingzhou didn't explain much, but stopped looking at the snow, turned around and kissed Shen Tang's forehead: "I'll trouble you, Madam, to take care of the arrangements for the wedding at the Lu residence."

Shen Tang was both annoyed and amused. So, he arranged everything himself to marry her?

Just like you let the mature soul banner refine itself?
Just as he was about to scold her, his eyes suddenly lit up.

Lu Xingzhou looks so noble in his mink coat... I've never seen him dressed like this before.

Actually, Lu Xingzhou's eyes were quite bright at this moment. Because Shen Tang was no longer dressed as a swordsman in white as snow, but in the same gorgeous brocade clothes as the noble ladies in the capital. Although it was still a plain white color, with silver thread carving, pearl and jade embellishments, and her hair styled and adorned with red hairpins, her temperament changed instantly.

They both suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, as if they were getting to know each other anew, and then burst into laughter at the same time.

There's no question of getting to know each other again; it's simply because we haven't spent much time together, so we haven't really seen much change in each other's appearances. Looking back on our acquaintance, all I can say is that we felt like old friends from the first meeting.

"How much time will we spend together in the future?" Shen Tang asked, her eyes sparkling.

Lu Xingzhou was hesitant to answer, as he hadn't yet made any concrete plans for the next step. However, he secretly longed to go out and gain experience, which meant he might not be able to be with Shen Tang.

Shen Tang sighed inwardly and whispered, "Kiss me."

Lu Xingzhou readily agreed and kissed her, and Shen Tang stood on tiptoe to passionately embrace him.

Both of them were moved. The last New Year in Xiazhou was still fresh in their minds, and neither of them had imagined that the next New Year they could kiss in the capital and get married right away.

After kissing for a long time, Shen Tang gently pushed Lu Xingzhou away, her beautiful eyes slightly misty: "Go, I... I've prepared the bridal chamber, waiting for you to marry me."

…………

When Lu Xingzhou stepped onto the altar, he was no longer the usual Anuo.

Besides Ah Nuo, who eagerly followed him to see the old emperor, there was a group of guards behind him, including Yang Dechang, several of whom were from the Huo family.

Gu Zhanting was locked in a small room in the center of the altar—the same small room containing the demon corpse that was found sealed with bricks and stones when he came to investigate the altar a long time ago. Because it was in an important position at the center of the formation, it was transformed into a dragon-trapping formation with slight modifications.

There aren't even windows.

Aside from that, the emperor was still the emperor after all; he wasn't locked up like a prisoner. The room was illuminated by pearls, the bedding was clean, and there was a table and chairs. Gu Zhanting was dressed in simple everyday clothes and practicing calligraphy.

As Lu Xingzhou entered, Yang Dechang and the others immediately stood guard in front of him, looking very nervous.

Gu Zhanting smiled slightly without turning his head: "Too much pomp?"

Lu Xingzhou said calmly, "With a fierce tiger ahead, one must be cautious, that's all."

"Do you still think I'm a tiger?" Gu Zhanting's tone was no longer as fierce and arrogant as before. He smiled casually and said, "Sit down and wait for me to finish writing these words."

Lu Xingzhou didn't sit down; instead, he quietly watched him finish writing.

Only after finishing writing did Lu Xingzhou say, "Your Majesty's handwriting is a little different from before."

"A bit more open-minded?"

"Yes."

“Previously, I was obsessed with the Qian Yuan, the expansion of territory, the resentment of being overshadowed by a mere woman, and the desire to possess her and pin her down. In Buddhist and Taoist terms, this is obsession that leads to delusion and the growth of inner demons.”

Lu Xingzhou nodded: "Yes, it is both a matter of temperament and a concept of going astray in cultivation. When I learned that Your Majesty was involved with demons, I felt that the latter was more likely, caused by the spread of inner demons."

"Inner demons are ultimately caused by one's own temperament." Gu Zhanting threw down his pen and finally turned to look at Lu Xingzhou: "But since you cultivate the Soul Banner, why are you not affected by demonic thoughts? Don't tell me your temperament is really that gentle."

Lu Xingzhou gently rubbed A Nuo's face beside him: "Because of A Nuo and Tang Tang."

Gu Zhanting paused for a moment before asking, "What brings you here to see me?"

“I’m thinking, His Majesty still refuses to acknowledge Tangtang in the end. This move is ridiculous. Why would he do something that only makes him a laughingstock?” Lu Xingzhou said, “After thinking about it, the only explanation besides His Majesty being a fool is that he’s protecting Tangtang. You think her ascension to the throne is harmful, so you’re desperate and resort to such a weak method to stop her.”

Gu Zhanting chuckled, speechless: "Why can't I just be a fool?"

Lu Xingzhou said calmly, "Judging from His Majesty's ten-year plan and his ambition to sacrifice the mountains and rivers, he is not a fool."

Gu Zhanting laughed and said, "I thought that you, who had figured out all my plans, would mock me, but I didn't expect your evaluation to be so good?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "To belittle the enemy is to belittle oneself. I had an element of luck in this battle, and I dare not take too much credit for it."

Gu Zhanting was surprised by Lu Xingzhou's attitude and sighed, "If I hadn't hurt Yitang, things might not be like this between us."

Lu Xingzhou was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "As for the assessment of him as a fool... if it refers to the fact that he was led into a series of troubles by his son, then that is indeed the case."

Gu Zhanting's smile vanished.

Lu Xingzhou said, "I think that when His Majesty was in the midst of all the failures, many things must have gone through his mind like a revolving lantern, and he must have come to a clear understanding of many things. That's why when the royal elders proposed that Tangtang ascend the throne, he spoke out against it without regard for his own embarrassment. At that moment, His Majesty should have known who the enemy was."

"It all started when I discovered that Yiheng was colluding with demons. Later, I thought this could solve my problem of dragon blood corruption. Looking back now, it was a brilliant manipulation of my mindset." Gu Zhanting said calmly, "At the time, I didn't suspect anything because Yiheng wasn't even an adult yet. Who could have imagined that there was some kind of scheme involved?"

"now what?"

"When everything failed, it became clear that Yi Heng had benefited... Only then did I begin to suspect that beneath Yi Heng's outward appearance, he was no longer the same person."

(End of this chapter)