Chaotic World Book

"You came so late? The daylilies have already gone cold." In another corner of the Imperial Palace, atop a pavilion, San Niang leisurely leaned against a pillar, drinking wine. Huangfu Qing, looking very displeased, grabbed San Niang's collar, "When we most needed military strength to stabilize the court, you, the Xuanwu Venerable, were nowhere to be found. What use are you?"

"I was so far away, was I not in Yangzhou?"

"Everyone came from Yangzhou, Changhe arrived early this morning, are you a tortoise?"

"I am, didn't you know?" San Niang slacked off.

Huangfu Qing: "..."

Indeed, a slacker is unbeatable.

San Niang gently freed her hand. "Changhe... Zhao Changhe could come so quickly because his horse could fly. For Chichi being so fast, I suggest you learn well about what it means to be one with the stars, 'Flying Dragon in the Sky'... Her speed is absurd; she has reached the level of 'Extreme Mysterious,' at least I can't match that. She's your apprentice! Just from the understanding of the Azure Dragon's intent, she is a level above us, and you had no idea."

Huangfu Qing was stunned, somewhat distracted. If this was true, then Chichi's understanding of the Azure Dragon's intent was already at a commanding level. Overseas was indeed her land of Creation. San Niang, having received the Water Soul, was now the master of the water element, and her inheritance could even disturb Daoning's spirit. Now, it seemed that what was most lacking was probably herself. Could there be another land of Creation that would allow her own breakthrough? If so, where would it be?

San Niang continued, "As for me, with Wan Tianxiong half-dead, I needed to stabilize Jianghuai. Otherwise, we couldn't rely on Wan Dongliu to suppress it. That area is our basic power base, not less important than the Capital... Are you blinded by the easily gained control of the Capital, daring to disregard Jianghuai? Please, if there was no Jianghuai, our current Emperor would merely have an isolated Capital. Do you think it's an expanse of territory?"

Huangfu Qing snapped back to reality, irritable. "Of course I know. What's the situation now?"

San Niang replied, "Not bad... Wan Dongliu isn't a pushover. With my backing, it only took him half a day to subdue the Cao Gang factions. Now that Chichi has succeeded to the throne, when will the edict be announced to the world? It would be good to coordinate with Wan Dongliu."

"The ceremonies today already involved drafting and announcing the edict, but it was just a formality. Others do not recognize the Great Xia legal system; actually, we have not yet followed this system. The court has changed, what we use is instead the Azure Dragon Legal System... Now, the Emperor is merely self-proclaimed. Our advantage is in quickly controlling the Capital; the ministers publicly give their reluctant acknowledgment but gained the upper hand over other factions."

"Hmm..." San Niang pondered, "So to speak, once the news spreads, within ten days, all under heaven will rally to the King... Now it is only because we moved quickly, but it is not as tranquil as it appears."

"Exactly..." Huangfu Qing said. "There are many things afoot, and I didn't dare create additional issues during the ceremony. Chichi just mentioned making the Four Symbols Sect the national religion. Observing the officials' expressions, they all looked displeased, and Tang Wanzhuang was no exception. At least no open objection... They know where the power lies, they dare not contradict, but it does not mean they accept it, San Niang. We have a long way to go."

Huangfu Qing, filled with thoughts, grabbed San Niang's wine gourd and took a swig.

San Niang stretched out her hand disappointedly and then let it fall limply. "Sect affairs need to be gradually adjusted to the situation. We are not short of talented people within the sect, and you should not overburden yourself with thinking alone. Actually, the most talented person is Chichi, do you realize? Do you think she's just playing the fool, enduring your punishments all the time? That little wretch can bend and stretch, secretly harboring a belly full of dark tricks, quite ruthless within. If you let her be the Sect Hierarch, she'll handle many matters neatly."

"But that's exactly what I find distressing, San Niang!" Huangfu Qing slapped the pillar. "The wretched girl is harboring all sorts of resentments against me. If she really becomes the Sect Hierarch, becomes my superior... How will I live then? I'm here considering how to support her as Hierarch, feels like I'm figuring out how to hang myself from the rafters…"

San Niang, grinning, already began to laugh.

And something more laughable, seems like you don't know you've been stolen from by me... discussing matters with me.

You reap what you sow in jealousy! Gets you for being so fierce, scolding and snatching my gourd.

Actually, if really wanting to strategize for her, the most suitable advice now would be to make it public while it's still timely, and to start by confiding in Zhao Changhe. As long as he protects you, even a social death won't be too severe. Chichi might stomp her feet in rage, but she won't really do much. The more you try to hide, the less able you are to resolve it. When the day comes that Chichi discovers it herself, no one can save you from the social death you'll face, and you'll be punished by the Sect Hierarch to copy scriptures till death...

But coming back to it, Vermilion Bird is truly the most devoted to the cause of the Four Symbols Sect. Knowing that supporting Xia Chichi as Hierarch will mean her own demise, yet she still wholeheartedly pushes for it, truly like hanging oneself by the neck. Her commitment to the Four Symbols Sect is similar to Tang Wanzhuang's to the country of Great Xia. A faction has its chance of success because it has such people.

San Niang thought for a moment, and then smilingly said, "Say no more, you should stop obstructing her relationship with Zhao Changhe... In this matter, you are absolutely the antagonist. Zhao Changhe holds a bellyful of grievances against you, do you know that?"

Huangfu Qing glared, "What does he want? If he dares, let him kill me!"

"Teehee… don't be stubborn, I don't believe you aren't scared he might really get mad at you." San Niang said, giggling as she pointed at the surrounding palace enclosures, "Being in the cold palace is lonely and tough…"

"What virtue! Are we, the Four Symbols Venerable, begging for someone's favor?" Huangfu Qing fluttered her sleeves and said, "It's not like I can't live without a man!"

"Teehee…"

"All right, all right, so you mean to directly support Chichi as the Sect Hierarch now, right? I originally thought you would oppose this and wanted to find common ground with you… now that you also think so, the matter is settled," Huangfu Qing said. "There's no time to delay; I'll trouble you to issue an order for the Twenty-Eight Constellations and all the protector Elders to return to the Main Base and convene the sect's most important Hierarch ceremony."

"What about you?"

"… I am the Empress Dowager; I cannot leave."

"Teehee… So, is the Empress Dowager planning to go see what the Emperor is up to now?"

Huangfu Qing: "…"

He couldn't possibly have really gone to pour another cup for Zhao Changhe, could he? You aren't Bao Qin!

...

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

Xia Chichi was entwined with Zhao Changhe like an octopus, both trembling with extreme satisfaction.

She hadn't even taken off the dragon robe… which was half-open, empty inside, turning this most solemn symbol into more of a playful accessory.

The result was that Zhao Changhe, who had been tired enough to wake from his sleep, now surged with vitality, as if he had ingested dozens of pounds of aphrodisiac. Because their Dual Cultivation was true cultivation and not merely draining for healing purposes, this round had rejuvenated them, leaving them refreshed and energetic.

Xia Chichi, panting, buried her head in his shoulder nook and comfortably wrapped her arms around his waist, "How do I compare to that Tang Sect Leader? Does she play with you like this?"

That truly wouldn't happen; if Wanzhuang were to play cosplay, she would probably die of shame. However, Wanzhuang was very obedient now, following along in whatever positions she chewed her fingers in—certainly had its charm. But of course, that wasn't something to be said. Zhao Changhe, embracing Xia Chichi, slid his hand inside the dragon robe to gently stroke her, and smiled, "I just feel I'm far more thrilled than Dong Zhuo…"

Xia Chichi shot him an annoyed look, "Actually, you should feel better than the Emperor. The Emperor himself is serving you...though this Emperor currently falls short of his name."

"How does he fall short of his name?" Zhao Changhe said, "What we're going to do next is to make it thoroughly appropriate!"

Xia Chichi said nothing, just resting in his shoulder nook.

Zhao Changhe felt her mood seemed slightly off, so he asked, "You… aren't accustomed to this identity yet?"

"Actually, for many years, everything I've done felt awkward. On one hand, I wanted to settle scores with him; on the other, I never considered what I'd do if he actually died. I was extremely resistant to assuming his daughter's identity, yet subconsciously, I started understanding politics, grasping systems… Today, pushed by circumstances, I've come to realize that lineage is there after all. Even if I don't accept it, in others' eyes, you still bear this layer, naturally everything will fall into your hands, whether it's an inheritance or debt."

Xia Chichi laughed a bit at this point, "It's nothing, just not quite used to it yet… You've been messing around with someone else again; naturally, I feel a void. With you by my side, I feel settled; give it a couple of days and I'll be accustomed to it… Just don't go these next few days, keep me company."

Zhao Changhe hugged her tightly, speaking softly, "Don't worry, I'll wait until everything is stabilized. Even if I do go, it'll be to fight for our Jiangshan."

Xia Chichi bit her lower lip, "I'm ready again, do you want to…"

Before she could finish, there came a knock at the door, and Huangfu Qing's voice sounded impatiently, "It's already dawn, officials are gathered at the palace gate… Your Majesty, do you intend to start your reign by skipping the morning court?"