Chapter 8: Used

When Empress Dowager Li saw the emperor arrive, her mood noticeably brightened. A faint smile lingered at the corners of her lips. She had worried herself greatly to appease Empress Wang and several favored concubines, but now that the Emperor of Great Zhou was present, she could hand over the burden to him.

Seated at the head of the table, Empress Dowager Li waited as servants placed dish after dish of rare and precious delicacies before them. She then cheerfully invited everyone to begin the meal.

Cheng Guang could not fathom the emperor’s intentions—why had he suddenly released his hold on him? Yet he dared not draw further attention, keeping his head down and quietly eating.

The food at the family banquet was delicious, but with death looming—though not yet arrived—everything tasted like ashes in his mouth.

“Guang’er, this is your favorite—Eight Treasures Chicken. Many nobles in the capital adore this dish; it’s said to strengthen and invigorate. Eat more,” Princess Yue of the Wu clan said gently, placing a piece of the radiant, jewel-like chicken in his bowl. Its pink-tinged whiteness was strikingly exquisite.

That chicken could look so remarkable in this world was truly astonishing.

The emperor’s gaze drifted over at the same moment.

Cheng Guang’s heart gave a start. He quickly acknowledged the gesture and finished the food the princess had offered.

If no one suspected he was an impostor, he would shamelessly call out “Mother” and “Grandmother” as always. But now, with the emperor’s eyes upon him, he was unnerved and anxious.

Perhaps it was a mix of nerves and confusion; his body was tense, his expression stiff.

He knew that if he continued like this, even if the emperor said nothing, his behavior would soon betray him as different from the real heir.

He forced himself to relax.

His fate was no longer in his own hands. He would have to continue blending in among these powerful figures, every moment an ordeal.

The emperor, however, did not linger on him for long—a mere glance before looking away.

Empress Wang, sensing the moment had come, spoke up: “Your Majesty, the Blood Pool ceremony is soon upon us, yet the choice of Crown Prince has been delayed again and again. It would be best to decide swiftly.”

With this, she brought the real matter to the table. Everyone set down their chopsticks, gazes turning to the emperor, all eager to see whom he would name.

The emperor sipped his tea unhurriedly, his eyes sweeping the room before finally settling on Empress Dowager Li.

“Mother, which child do you favor?”

Empress Dowager Li waved her hand. “Do not ask an old woman such things, Your Majesty. I think all the children are good, and I am torn about whom to choose. The decision should be yours.”

The emperor chuckled and shook his head. “In truth, I have already made up my mind.”

At these words, everyone except the Empress Dowager, Princess Yue, Cheng Guang, and the guileless Wu Ling tensed in anticipation.

“Your Majesty, who is it you have chosen?” Empress Wang gave voice to the question on everyone’s mind.

All eyes fixed on the emperor, eager to see where his gaze would fall.

He smiled, then suddenly extended a hand, pointing to the most inconspicuous figure in the corner—Wu Ling.

“It is her.”

“Wu Ling, come here.”

Wu Ling, just like Cheng Guang, had been quietly eating, convinced that the imperial banquet, the Crown Prince issue, and the Blood Pool had nothing to do with her.

When the emperor called her name, she thought at first she’d misheard. But in the sudden hush, with even the air seeming to freeze, she sensed something was amiss. Raising her head in confusion, she saw that all eyes were upon her—most notably, the emperor’s gaze, gentle yet commanding.

“Wh—what is it, Father?” Wu Ling stammered.

“Come here.”

The emperor called again, and under the scrutiny of all present, Wu Ling dared not be insolent. She hurried forward, keeping a cautious distance from him.

The atmosphere was terrifyingly tense.

Princess Yue and Cheng Guang took this in stride, but the others sat in stunned silence, barely able to process what was unfolding.

Wu Ling was acutely uncomfortable under so many eyes, bowing her head as if she wished to disappear.

“Your Majesty, why her? She is but a girl…” Empress Dowager Li, deeply shocked, was the only one bold enough to question him. The others, though inwardly roiling with turmoil, dared not challenge the emperor’s decision.

The emperor stood, placing a hand on Wu Ling’s shoulder.

“I have my reasons,” he declared. “First, I consulted the Star-Gazer, who examined the destinies of all the children—she bears the shadow of the Purple Tenuity Emperor Star in her fate.

“Second, her imperial bloodline is exceptionally pure—comparable to mine, even after enduring two Blood Pool rites.

“As for her being a girl…”

He paused, patting Wu Ling’s shoulder again, before returning to his seat.

“Was not the founding emperor of Great Zhou—Emperor Xuanwu—a woman?”

At this, the air thickened with tension once more. Many faces stiffened; even the gentle Empress Wang was at a loss for words, her expression darkening.

The younger princes and princesses, lacking restraint, showed their feelings openly.

One young prince muttered, “A country bumpkin like her as Crown Prince? If she can, then why not my family’s servant?”

His mother, a favored concubine, turned pale and quickly clapped a hand over his mouth. “Xu’er, don’t speak such nonsense—be silent!”

“But it’s true, Father’s choice is absurd,” the boy replied, seemingly unintentional.

Yet everyone present saw the ploy—this concubine was using the prince’s childishness to voice her own discontent with the emperor.

This, however, only deepened the emperor’s frown. “Punish them,” he ordered.

At once, a shadow appeared behind the concubine. Before anyone could react, she and her young son were seized and dragged from the hall.

Moments later, the sound of slaps rang out from outside, followed by the prince’s wailing cries.

The assembled nobles watched in silence, inwardly cursing the concubine and her foolish child.

The emperor’s intent was clear: he was determined to support Wu Ling as Crown Prince. Though his reasons seemed irrefutable, had the others argued rationally—emphasizing their own children’s lifelong proximity to him—they might have swayed his heart.

But now, the emperor had seized the chance to assert his authority, making his resolve unmistakable to all.

Cheng Guang glanced at Wu Ling, then at the emperor, whose expression was now unreadable as still water. His lips twitched faintly.

He was not surprised by the outcome—he knew Wu Ling was destined to become the future empress of Great Zhou.

He wondered if perhaps the emperor had spared him precisely because of his rapport with Wu Ling.

Sure enough, the next moment confirmed his guess.

The emperor smiled. “What does everyone think of Wu Ling as Crown Prince? If you have objections, speak freely—I am open to persuasion.”

Not even Empress Dowager Li could respond now. Though she alone could question him, it was clear from his resolute bearing that his mind was made up. She could not sway him, so she chose silence.

Empress Wang and the other concubines also lowered their heads, voicing their displeasure with their silence.

“It seems there are no objections. Guang, do you have any thoughts? What do you think of Wu Ling as my choice?” The emperor’s gaze settled on Cheng Guang.

Cheng Guang’s heart gave a start. Of course—the emperor’s cunning was unmatched. A true heir might have refused to answer, or even rebuked the emperor, but as an impostor, he could only go along.

“Uncle, your judgment is always excellent. It’s clear Wu Ling has the bearing of a future empress. She is perfectly suited to be Crown Prince and heir to the Eastern Palace.”

Under everyone’s gaze, Cheng Guang spoke these words.

As soon as he finished, the emperor clapped his hands and laughed. “You all heard it. Even my nephew agrees, so it’s settled.”

Cheng Guang’s status was so high that, in a sense, he represented the future stance of the Duke of Zhen’s household. Any prince who won his support would likely become the next emperor, let alone the mere Crown Prince.

The matter was decided.

The emperor had not exposed Cheng Guang as an impostor—perhaps precisely to use him at this moment.

Cheng Guang felt a measure of admiration. The emperor must have recognized him for a stand-in and used him for his own ends. But if he hadn’t, how would he have managed to push Wu Ling into the position of Crown Prince against all opposition?

…