CHAPTER 2040: CHAPTER 2042: GUARDING THE DRAGON VEIN

Since the founding of Great Zhou, no Emperor has willingly abdicated while still alive.

They were either forced into abdication or killed; even those who died a natural death and awaited their successor were few.

His Father Emperor was considered the first Grand Emperor of Great Zhou, so he felt dissatisfied, thinking that he lived a shameful life, lacking the courage of other emperors in the Baili Family.

He was not content; he was also not content with having to always be filial to someone eyeing his throne.

"Knock, knock..."

When Eunuch Cui opened the door, he unexpectedly saw the Emperor. He hurriedly tried to kneel and kowtow, but the eunuchs behind Baili Yan did not give him the chance. They grabbed him, one on each side, and another person emerged from the darkness, twisted Eunuch Cui’s head with a crack, breaking his neck.

"Throw him to the dogs!"

Baili Yan, not bothering to look at the man, entered the hall.

If it weren’t for this eunuch’s meddling, he wouldn’t have embarrassed himself so badly. Not killing him would be letting himself down.

"Cui, who came here? The Seventh or Eighth?"

That evening nagged at Baili Yan, but the Grand Emperor was in a particularly good mood, ordering the imperial kitchen to prepare plenty of good food and wine, enjoying it all by himself.

It must be said, compared to the Second, the Third was somewhat better to him. At the very least, he could eat and drink what he wanted. When the Second was in the palace, he ate cabbage and tofu every day, saying those were from his childhood, forcing him to taste the hardships of his youth.

Not filial at all; deserved to die.

Receiving no response from Eunuch Cui, he continued to murmur to himself, "Didn’t realize before, but now I see the Seventh and Eighth are not bad, obedient children."

If it weren’t for the Seventh and Eighth helping, he couldn’t have completed it.

"The doctor says that people are born partial, and now it seems true. Father Emperor, staying in Yunqian Hall for a while, has become partial to the Seventh and Eighth."

The door was pushed open from outside, and the Grand Emperor looked up abruptly, seeing Baili Yan. His eyes flickered, "Why are you here? Is the palace banquet over?"

"Would Father Emperor not know if the palace banquet has ended?"

"I didn’t attend, how would I know?" The Grand Emperor, unwilling to acknowledge Baili Yan’s throne, was also reluctant to change his manner of address.

"It’s already midnight; even a late palace banquet should have ended by now." Baili Yan sat across from the Grand Emperor, asking calmly, "Father Emperor, eating and drinking at this hour, isn’t it bad for your stomach?"

"I am the healthiest among the past emperors; how could I be afraid of harm?" The Grand Emperor continued drinking, "What are you doing here so late? If there’s anything, say it."

"Father Emperor, it must be uncomfortable staying in Yunqian Hall, right? I thought, with Father’s age, you might not like noise, and wanted to find a quieter place for you. What do you think?"

Upon hearing about a change of residence, the Grand Emperor immediately became alert, "Where are you moving me to?"

"Father Emperor, don’t be so tense; it’s just a change of residence." Baili Yan smiled faintly, "The imperial temple is tranquil, housing the spirits of our ancestors, and it’s the heart of Great Zhou’s dragon vein. Originally, a master oversaw this vital site, but recently, the master resigned, expressing a desire to wander the world."

"I’ve thought long and hard, with such a vital place about to be left unguarded, I can’t sleep at night. Father Emperor, with your ambitions intact, please help guard this place. Your dragon spirit protecting Great Zhou’s dragon vein would surely ensure eternal prosperity for Great Zhou. What do you think?"