Chaotic World Book

At that moment, Zhao Changhe was utterly bewildered.

"Weren't you the one who said 'willing to be your concubine', not competing with others?" How come your behavior isn't matching up at all as soon as day breaks? Is it like how I used to say I'd wake up early the day before I crossed over, then completely forget the next day? Is that what you mean?

It's bad enough that you openly bring this up in the court, but the most treacherous part is that the new King must win over Tang first and foremost. He should agree to whatever reward she requests immediately. Not to mention granting her a marriage to a man, what's the big deal with that?

Zhao Changhe tried to think from Xia Chichi's perspective and could barely find a solution. Could it be that they would tear each other apart in front of the court during the founding ceremony?

But he had no solution either!

Vermilion Bird was fuming. Right now, if Huangfu Qing were to tear you apart, it wouldn't be unexpected—I am Vermilion Bird after all, how could I snatch... No, it would be even more inappropriate for Huangfu Qing as a former Imperial Concubine to speak up. At least Vermilion Bird could scoff!

With this thought, he couldn't wait to retaliate. As Xia Chichi was still shouting to wait, Vermilion Bird had already started firing back: "Oh, Tang first seat, pure as ice and jade, everyone thought you were a lofty mountain lotus. Who would have thought you'd be in court asking for a man, truly a laugh for the whole realm."

Tang Wanju calmly replied, "Men marrying and women wedding is the norm of human relations, why should it be laughed at? Wanzhuang is twenty-nine this year, with just over a month left, after which I'll be over thirty... I feel ashamed for not meeting my parents' expectations and my own desires. Now that a new reign begins and all is renewed, granting your servant the joy of a new marriage is also a national celebration. The Venerable Vermilion Bird might manage religious affairs, but it's normal not to understand worldly matters of human relations."

Her reasoning was so sound and justifiable that officials of any stance couldn't help but agree that it was utterly normal. After all, Tang Wanju had devoted her life to the state, and now she was still alone. Could you bear seeing that? As for the new King granting her a marriage, that was utterly appropriate, especially since it was her own request.

However, among the court officials, there were many who knew the undercurrents. Although the ambiguity between Tang Wanju and Zhao Changhe was hidden within closed doors and not publicized, many subtly understood it, especially when she explicitly said, "He is no longer the Crown Prince," almost directly pointing at Zhao Changhe.

And now, who was this new King? A survivor from Luo Family Manor, acquainted with Zhao Changhe from their insignificant beginnings, they slept together in Beimang. The previous Emperor, knowing this person was not his son, had always been ambiguously non-committal—allowing others to use Dragon Sparrow and letting others misunderstand—wasn't it because he recognized this person's eligibility as a successor and son-in-law?

Thus, on the first day of the founding, the first seat and His Majesty were openly fighting over a man!

The court officials kept their eyes and minds to themselves, silently watching the scene unfold when Vermilion Bird retorted, "So is this the founding ceremony or your marital negotiation, Tang first seat?"

Tang Wanju calmly replied, "As an important minister of the state, family matters are also state matters. It is normal for the ignorant to not understand this, but as a revered figure of the National Religion, you should study these matters more... But to get back to the point, what does this have to do with the Venerable? Why are you chattering about it..."

Vermilion Bird was fuming.

Suddenly, Xia Chichi spoke up, "First seat, don't be agitated, I just remembered there was someone else whose contributions needed to be rewarded, let's arrange that first."

Tang Wanju was startled, then heard Xia Chichi say, "Zhao Changhe, with humble beginnings, has taken on grand responsibilities, stabilized Jiangnan, chased out Northern Hu, secured Jingxiang, pacified Miao Region, and calmed Canghai. His contributions are outstanding, yet he has never been rewarded, why is that? The previous Emperor regarded him as the Crown Prince, therefore not viewing him as a mere commoner. Now that a new dynasty has been established, the foremost contributions of Changhe should be rewarded first, yet nothing has been noted, why? Since he was to take on the duties of a Crown Prince, private rewards are useless. Now, I make Changhe the King Zhao, should anything untoward happen to me, King Zhao will succeed, let it be decreed."

Tang Wanju: "?"

Vermilion Bird: "؟"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Almost every knowledgeable court official felt a sense of astonishment—this King was truly formidable!

In today's chaotic world and with God Demons lurking, no one could say for certain if they might be assassinated tomorrow. It was essential to secure the state foundation early to calm the public's heart. If there was someone qualified to take over "should anything happen to me," who else but Zhao Changhe? This was the only choice! If they described the relationship with the Crown Prince as extremely unusual, deliberately avoiding the title "Crown Prince" and referring to him as the heir apparent instead, it diluted any strangeness and could be seen as an Ancient Sage's act of abdication.

This declaration was much more elegant than proclaiming Zhao Changhe as her husband, which would have unavoidably turned into a disgraceful scuffle over a man. Now, Tang Wanju had just declared her oath not to marry the Crown Prince or become an Imperial Concubine. Now what? He was the heir apparent again...

This resolved not just Tang Wanju's problem of fighting over a man, but also solidified the state's foundation, leaving Tang Wanju slightly agape, unable to refute this "chaotic decree"!

"If Xia Chichi kindly asked, 'Who do you wish to marry?', Tang Wanju would have been at a loss…" She worried that Xia Chichi would take the opportunity to beat a fallen foe and quickly changed the subject, "Your Majesty, since you've recognized the former Emperor's heir, the matter of the harem should also be settled."

Xia Chichi responded leisurely, "Appoint Huangfu Qing as the Empress Dowager to preside over the harem, I shall serve her day and night. As for myself... the realm is not yet settled, how can I indulge in personal matters? Let us put that aside for now."

Tang Wanju said, "Then, the funeral for the late Emperor and his posthumous title…"

Whether to hold the funeral as for the late Emperor or the last sovereign of the previous dynasty was an entirely different concept. If you acknowledge the late Emperor's consorts as your own and his appointed heir as the Crown Prince, then these matters must be clearly defined.

At this point, the court officials were no longer interested in gossip about the women's rivalries, they heaved a sigh of relief that had been held for the time it took to drink half a cup of tea and eagerly chimed in, "Your Majesty, this issue is of great importance and should be thoroughly deliberated!"

The topic of whom Tang Wanju should marry was completely and subtly redirected, never to be brought up again.

Xia Chichi gazed deeply at her, a look passing between sovereign and subject, filled with the malice of meeting one's match.

Vermilion Bird Venerable half-opened her mouth, suddenly thinking, Have I been fighting this old woman all my life? Accepting this young girl as an apprentice? Who am I, and where am I?

Indeed, whether to hold the funeral according to the customs of the late Emperor or those of the last sovereign of a fallen dynasty, either choice would face opposition for various reasons, turning it into a test and training for the new emperor by the ministers.

However, regrettably, in the presence of Xia Chichi and Tang Wanju, none could hide. Before the training opposition could even start, Tang Wanju blocked it, "In the past, Wu Zha also changed the dynasty to Zhou, a new dynasty, yet Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong continued to honor her temple, for this is virtuous. Although Your Majesty has changed the dynasty, the bloodline remains the same, you cannot bear the name of being unfilial, you should bury him with the rites of the late Emperor. Anyone who says otherwise is unfilial, wishing to tarnish the King's name among the common people, is also disloyal. They should be expelled from court and never employed again!"

Lu Jianzhang, "…"

I haven't even spoken yet... and the accusations of disloyalty and unfilial conduct are already decided.

Forget it.

"Defining chaos and establishing order as 'martial', maintaining great and accomplished deeds as 'martial,' intimidating strong enemies with virtue as 'martial'... quelling invasions and administering justice as 'martial,' disciplining the people and achieving conquest as 'martial'... The late Emperor's 'martial' should be indisputable."

"…Dying in the wilderness as 'stalwart,' rapidly readying armor for battle as 'stalwart,' frequently waging wars as 'stalwart,' martial endeavors unfulfilled as 'stalwart'…"

"Surviving the chaos undamaged as 'spirit,' achieving fame without effort as 'spirit,' seen by gods at death as 'spirit,' comprehending the utmost of spirits and deities as 'spirit'…"

"Facing difficulties in the realm as 'pitiable,' causing people to suffer as 'pitiable,' calamities emerging as 'pitiable'…"

"These three aspects all have their merits, what do you all think?"

Since the ceremonies are in accordance with the late Emperor, you can't possibly give him a flattering posthumous title again—that would be nothing but self-deceit and willful ignorance. A relatively fair evaluation is still needed.

Unfulfilled martial endeavors, causing people to suffer... Zhao Changhe had learned about the ancient practices of posthumous titles and was amazed that people could find fitting descriptions from so many words that actually seemed reasonable. The 'martial' part was basically undisputed, but the court quarreled endlessly whether the next part should be 'stalwart,' 'spirit,' or 'pitiable.' Even Xia Chichi and Tang Wanju had no definitive opinions this time.

Zhao Changhe, looking at 'comprehending the utmost of spirits and deities' and 'seen by gods at death,' others might think of Xia seeing only gods and demons, but Zhao Changhe suddenly recalled Xia's last words suggesting the soul might have returned... He was struck and momentarily distracted, voicing his opinion for the first time in the dispute, "Spirit, perhaps."

The argument suddenly halted, everyone turned to look at him and fell silent.

Xia Chichi felt a stir in her heart, Zhao Changhe's prestige was very high, higher than he realized himself.

This was not merely due to his status as 'King Zhao'... but his actual power. In just over two years, he had risen to second on Earth List, slaying gods and demons, an unprecedented feat in ancient and modern times. More terrifying was the impression he always left—a blood-drenched Asura, with a heavy aura of killing. Given his usual reticence, once he spoke, it meant he cared, and truly everyone would give face; no one dared openly contradict him, lest they test whether Dragon Sparrow was sharp.

Martial Spirit—thereby the posthumous title for Xia Long Yuan was decided, and he would be buried with the rites of the late Emperor.

For Zhao Changhe, this posthumous title was not bad... King Wu Ling of Zhao, despite his less-than-dignified death, maintained a fairly positive image in textbooks. And the notion of a life filled with martial valor yet an undignified death—it was rather fitting.