Chapter 10: The Emperor, Whose Might Overshadows the Land
Within the resplendent imperial hall, the air was thick with the weight of authority. Towering pillars carved with twisting dragons seemed almost alive under the cascading light that poured through the tall windows, shimmering against red silk curtains embroidered with golden thread.
Upon the lofty Dragon Throne, set atop golden steps, the Emperor sat in majestic composure. His solemn visage radiated dignity, while his sharp eyes seemed capable of piercing through the deepest thoughts of all present. His jet-black hair was neatly bound beneath the Dragon Crown, and he wore a robe of golden silk embroidered with nine dragons entwined in swirling clouds—a symbol of supreme dominion over the land.
To the Emperor's left, the Empress sat adorned in garments embroidered with phoenixes, her golden headdress glittering with pearls. Though a soft smile played on her lips, her gaze was sharp and discerning, missing no detail.
To the right, the Grand Empress Dowager sat on an intricately carved ivory seat. Despite her advanced years, her bearing remained regal and stately. Her simple yet elegant attire bespoke her noble rank. Her gaze, heavy with wisdom and experience, swept over the court with a silent authority that none could ignore.
At the center of the hall stood the Crown Prince, clad in a red robe embroidered with a five-clawed dragon. His countenance was handsome yet severe, exuding the solemn air of one groomed to inherit the throne.
On either side, civil officials in deep blue robes and martial generals clad in dragon-adorned armor lined up according to rank, murmuring quietly as the figure they had long awaited entered.
Li Feitian—known formally as Prince Qi Dongyang—stepped into the grand hall, led by Li Jue'er, the chief eunuch.
"The Ninth Prince has arrived to pay homage!"
The eunuch's voice rang out, echoing through the vast chamber.
All murmurs ceased instantly.
Li Feitian advanced with calm steps. Though his heart weighed heavily, his face remained composed, betraying no fear.
From the Empress's seat, a faint, enigmatic smile touched her lips as she beheld him. The Grand Empress Dowager, however, regarded him with an unreadable gaze.
Meanwhile, Second Prince Qi Feizhen stood with arms crossed beside the Crown Prince, a smirk of thinly veiled contempt on his face.
Li Feitian surveyed the hall with quiet eyes before advancing to kneel at the foot of the golden steps.
"Dongyang pays homage to His Majesty. May Your Majesty's reign endure ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years!"
His voice rang out clear and strong across the hall.
All eyes fell upon him—this man once scorned as a wastrel and banished from the capital, now summoned back under imperial decree, arriving later than any other prince.
The Emperor, seated tall and imposing on the Dragon Throne, swept his sharp gaze across the hall. His voice, cold and commanding, cut through the stillness.
"Dongyang, you have arrived months late. Do you intend to defy Our decree?"
Li Feitian, still kneeling, bowed low before responding in a firm voice:
"Your Majesty, I dare not disobey. It was not my will to delay. On the journey to the capital, I fell gravely ill, forced to remain in recovery for many months. Only upon regaining my strength did I hasten here without further delay."
Silence hung heavy in the hall.
Then a scornful chuckle broke the stillness.
"Heh! How convincing your words sound!"
Second Prince Qi Feizhen stepped forward, sneering, his voice dripping with derision.
"And yet, rumors from Jiaodong tell another tale—that you spent your days carousing in brothels and gambling dens, squandering your life away in drunken debauchery, hiding yourself when debts overwhelmed you."
Each mocking word was a poisoned barb aimed to humiliate.
Li Feitian cast him a cold glance. He longed to retort but knew well that careless words here could spell ruin.
The Emperor regarded his two sons coolly before speaking again.
"Is this true, Dongyang?"
Li Feitian lowered his head slightly and answered steadily:
"Your Majesty, the Second Prince's accusations are false. I departed Jiaodong promptly, but illness delayed my journey. As for tales of debauchery and ruin, they are naught but slander spread by ill-wishers seeking to tarnish my name."
He raised his head slightly, voice calm and resolute.
"Should Your Majesty doubt me, I welcome investigation—I have nothing to hide."
Qi Feizhen scoffed.
"Hmph! Always quick with excuses. Tell me, who would bother framing a wastrel like you?"
Li Feitian met his mocking gaze without flinching.
"The Second Prince may think as he pleases. I cannot control the minds of others. If necessary, I submit myself to any inquiry Your Majesty deems fit."
Murmurs rippled through the court.
Several civil officials stepped forward to bow and speak.
"Your Majesty, though the Ninth Prince proclaims his innocence, the rumors in Jiaodong have long sullied his name. We humbly request a thorough investigation to preserve the court's dignity."
"Indeed!"
More officials voiced agreement, their allegiances clear.
Li Feitian remained still, observing silently.
He saw now—many here had long been prepared to cast stones.
Among them, Second Prince Qi Feizhen smirked, his eyes gleaming with self-satisfaction.
Yet the Crown Prince, standing calmly before the throne, remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Li Feitian's mind sharpened.
Does the Crown Prince not side with Qi Feizhen? Could he harbor different ambitions?
The Emperor lifted his hand.
Instantly, the hall fell silent.
His piercing gaze swept over the officials, his voice thundering.
"Have you all forgotten why you were summoned here today? This assembly was not convened to quarrel over princes' faults!"
The reprimand weighed heavily, forcing all present to bow their heads.
"Have you also forgotten the urgent matter of the Chu Kingdom? Their envoy has waited months for our response—to send forth a challenger for the duel they demand. Shall the prestige of Qi Kingdom crumble because none among you can stand against them?"
Shame and dread darkened many faces.
An elderly minister stepped forward, bowing low.
"Your Majesty... it is not that we ignored this matter. But the general accompanying Chu's envoy is a formidable master. Those we sent before have been soundly defeated."
"Hmph!"
The Emperor's snort was cold as ice.
"Shameful! Are there no heroes left in all of Qi?"
Silence reigned.
No civil or martial official dared speak.
The Emperor turned his sharp gaze upon Second Prince Qi Feizhen.
"Second Prince, you are reputedly skilled with the sword. Can you not match Chu's general?"
Qi Feizhen's expression stiffened.
He clenched his fists and bowed stiffly.
"I... have already tested myself against him, Your Majesty."
"And?"
The Emperor's gaze narrowed.
Qi Feizhen bit his lip and confessed in a low voice.
"I was defeated."
Another heavy silence fell.
The Emperor sighed, his gaze cold as he swept the hall.
"Qi Kingdom, once home to countless heroes... and yet none can answer the challenge of Chu!"
He then turned his piercing gaze upon Li Feitian.
"Qi Dongyang. You claim to be restored to health. Are you willing to represent our kingdom in this duel?"
All eyes snapped toward him.
Li Feitian cursed inwardly.
Damn it... So this was the true purpose behind my summons? Where have all the warriors gone?
He knew this was no ordinary fight.
Should he lose, it would not only shame him but blacken Qi's name—and worsen his already precarious standing.
Before he could speak, Second Prince Qi Feizhen mocked loudly:
"Hah! I, who trained since youth in swordplay and warfare, could not prevail. Do you, a street-brawling vagabond, think you can succeed?"
Quiet laughter rippled through the court.
Li Feitian clenched his fists.
He said nothing, merely casting a sidelong glance at Qi Feizhen.
"Will you truly fight, Dongyang?"
Qi Feizhen taunted.
"What will you do? Fistfight a general of Chu like a common ruffian?"
Li Feitian stepped forward, knelt respectfully, and spoke with firm resolve.
"I am willing to obey Your Majesty's command. If ordered to fight, I shall fight!"
"How arrogant!"
A cold voice interrupted.
It was the Empress—Qi Feizhen's mother—speaking for the first time.
Her tone was sharp, her gaze filled with disdain.
"You, a prince raised in dissipation and idleness at the borders, dare to represent Qi? Know you that if you lose, we may forfeit entire provinces?"
"I understand fully, Your Majesty,"
Li Feitian answered solemnly.
"And because I understand, I will not shrink from this duty."
"Hmph!"
The Empress sneered.
"Overconfidence will bring only greater disgrace."
Several officials nodded in agreement, chief among them Minister Liu Shang, her brother.
He stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Majesty, sending an untested prince may endanger Qi further. It would be wiser to negotiate now than suffer greater losses later."
Murmurs of assent rose—but the Emperor's face darkened visibly.
"Enough!"
His voice rang out like thunder.
"I will not see Qi submit without a fight! Liu Shang, your cowardice shames you!"
Minister Liu paled and bowed hastily.
The Emperor's gaze turned back to Li Feitian.
"Dongyang, prove yourself worthy of my blood!"
Li Feitian bowed low.
"As Your Majesty commands!"
The hall fell silent once more.
All eyes watched Li Feitian—some with scorn, some with suspicion, a few with curiosity.
This was not just a duel.
It was a battle for Qi's dignity—and his own future.