destiny eternal calamity

Chapter 143 The Art of the Emperor

The square was brightly lit, as bright as day.

The full moon in the sky appeared somewhat dim against the backdrop of the light.

Soon after, palace servants came to serve dishes and pour wine.

Li Wei, disguised as a cultivator from the Spirit Bridge, slowly and deliberately picked up his food and began to eat in order not to give himself away.

In the square atop the city gate tower, after several ordinary performances, a group of women dressed in Hu clothing presented a song and dance.

Unlike those gaudy dances, this dance is powerful and energetic, yet it appropriately showcases the beauty of women.

These women must have some martial arts background, but their cultivation level is definitely not high; they can only entertain people with their beauty and sensuality.

Li Wei listened to the music accompanying the dance, which sounded like the Zhenbei King's Battle Formation Song, which had recently been brought from Jiangnan.

This—Logically speaking, this section should only be for the emperor's review, right?

As a Dharma Aspect cultivator, Li Wei had excellent eyesight. The gate tower was brightly lit, so he strained his eyes to observe Long Yin's expression.

In fact, he wasn't the only one; many ministers who noticed something amiss looked up in that direction.

Otherwise, Li Wei wouldn't dare to so directly spy on the emperor's face.

After all, it's easy for the other party to notice your gaze.

Having reigned as emperor for decades, Long Yin possessed basic self-control, and naturally did not show any signs of losing his composure, nor did he call off the performance.

But his complexion became much gloomy.

"Is the emperor truly unaware of this arrangement, or—"

Li Wei's heart skipped a beat.

Actually, when this piece of music reached the capital a month ago, Li Wei felt that someone was trying to cause trouble.

The composer of the piece is unknown, yet it inexplicably became popular in the brothels of Beijing.

How did this program pass the imperial court's review? Don't they hold rehearsals?

Or is it that—

Li Wei felt that his guess was close to the truth.

Long Yin is trying to weaken the power of the princes!

I never expected that even though Old Deng is almost retired, he's still thinking about doing big things.

This was actually done very poorly. Anyone with a brain knows that it was most likely planned by Long Yin himself, who wanted to put Long Chen in a very difficult position.

But the key point lies in the word "think".

If Long Chen heard about what happened in the capital today, would he still be able to sit still?

He would think that this dog emperor Long Yin really wanted to get rid of him, Prince Zhenbei Long Chen!

Li Wei recalled a historical figure from his previous life, Li Chengqian.

He was forced into rebellion by his own father, and they were father and son!

You have to understand that Long Yin was able to rise to power by killing his own brother. In comparison, Long Chen is just a cousin. How could he not be afraid?

Long Yin is now playing this trick, and Long Chen, in his fear, has turned the tables.

This is what is meant by imperial tactics.

Li Wei sighed slightly, but did not intend to do anything.

As long as it doesn't affect him and Long Bilin, it's none of his business how fiercely these people fight.

"This piece is very stirring; what is its title?"

After the performance, Long Yin asked, seemingly with great interest.

He even used his martial arts skills to make his voice resound throughout the entire Yingtian Gate.

"Your Majesty, this is the 'Song of the Prince of Zhenbei Breaking the Enemy's Formation'."

A lead musician stepped forward and responded loudly.

"Hehe, what a magnificent 'Battle Song of the Prince of Zhenbei'! It truly enhances the prestige of our Great Li Kingdom!"

Long Yin praised loudly, but there was little joy in his tone.

"When I was still the Prince of Yan, I personally led the charge into battle year after year, yet no one composed a 'Prince of Yan Breaking the Enemy's Battle Song' for me. Perhaps my achievements are not high enough!"

Long Yin's words were extremely malicious.

You think you, Long Chen, can fight all by yourself? I, Long Yin, was once a renowned border prince with a distinguished reputation.

Why would you release a song praising yourself after retiring to Jiangnan?

Is there something you're unhappy about?

Li Wei chuckled inwardly at Long Yin, then lowered his head to eat, ignoring him completely.

After all, in his view, schemes and tricks are not respectable and no matter how well they are played, they will still be suppressed by someone with extraordinary cultivation.

My father-in-law is always scheming and plotting against me.

Because the emperor ascended the throne not through his own strength, but through the support of the royal family and powerful clans, he could not even decide on his own who would be the heir.

Being an emperor is too tiring; he might as well abdicate early and focus on cultivation.

Just as Li Wei was doing nothing, a palace servant suddenly walked over.

"Mingyuezi, His Majesty requests your presence."

Li Wei was taken aback upon hearing this and blinked.

He had just glanced at Old Deng as everyone else did, and shouldn't have been noticed at all.

However, since it was the emperor's invitation, he could not refuse.

Li Wei then stood up and followed the palace servant toward the gate tower.

The surrounding noblemen and young masters began to discuss the matter when they saw Li Wei being summoned by the emperor.

Some people maliciously speculated that Li Wei was about to be in trouble.

After all, anyone with a brain knows that the emperor is not in a good mood right now.

"Master, why was Brother Li Wei summoned by the Emperor?"

Lin Peiyao transmitted her thoughts to Bai Zaiying with some concern.

"How would I know what your human emperor is planning? He shouldn't be involved today."

Bai Ranran also replied telepathically.

As the ruler of the Demon Kingdom, she was naturally well-versed in imperial politics.

Although the demon race values ​​strength above all else, it doesn't mean there are no conspiracies and politics involved.

However, in her opinion, Li Wei's apparent strength at Lingqiao is not yet up to par on the chessboard.

She had just used her divine sense to examine Li Wei's cultivation level again, and found that she couldn't see through it at all.

This kid definitely has a big secret, but probably not many people know it.

To others, he was just a martial arts genius, and the emperor had no reason to target him.

"Perhaps they'll let this young poet write a poem."

Bai Ran transmitted her voice again.

Seeing that her apprentice's worry had not lessened, she had no choice but to say, "If the Emperor of Li really does something to harm him, I will save him."

She said this not only to appease Lin Peiyao, but also because she genuinely had some doubts about Li Wei's identity.

What if he really is the Lord of Reincarnation?

Upon hearing this, Lin Peiyao felt much more at ease.

She didn't know exactly how powerful her master was, but rescuing someone from several hundred meters away was definitely foolproof.

Li Wei followed the palace servants to the gate tower.

Emperor Longyin sat in the center, with several favored concubines standing on his left and right.

Long Bilin and Long Xiaoxiao sat not far to the left.

Long Xiao sat down on the right.

In this world, the left is considered superior, so Long Bilin clearly has the upper hand here.

Aunt Ying is probably attending the banquet at the East Gate Tower as the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family, so she is not here.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject pays his respects."

Li Wei bowed.

"Mingyuezi, you may dispense with the formalities. I summoned you here because Qian Su, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, just now said he wanted to have a poetry contest with you. I found it interesting, so I agreed. If you are unprepared, you may simply ignore him."

Li Wei's eyebrows twitched slightly. He had seen Qian Su twice before in the Golden Palace. He was a third-rank official and should have been a member of the Crown Prince's faction.

But the crown prince has already fallen from power, why is he still chasing after me?

Is he really that loyal?