Chapter 13: The Crown Prince's MercyChapter 1054 is here.

Turning his head to look at Su Jinpa beside him, Li Chen said in a warm voice, "You surprised me."

Su Jinpa did not speak, but only performed a slight curtsey.

Chuckling lightly, Li Chen said to Su Zhen-ting, "General Su, a son of a general, you have a good daughter."

Su Zhen Ting was at the palace gate before. He arrived just as Su Jin Pa was disciplining someone. Being quick-witted, he didn't immediately join in, but instead waited. This allowed him to see his daughter's wrist and her scheming nature firsthand. It was truly impressive.

"Your Highness flatters me."

Su Zhen Ting bowed his hand, then glanced at Zhang Bi Wu and the others whose faces remained calm, and said: "Your Highness, we shall take care of this place."

Soldier against soldier, general against general.

Li Chen's target has never been Zhang Biwu, nor the officials who follow him.

But it was Zhao Xuanji.

"Okay."

Li Chen nodded and turned to walk into the Taihe Hall.

As Li Chen stepped onto the imperial road, Su Zhen'ting and Su Jinpa, Dantai Jingzhi, and others simultaneously bowed.

There was no farewell address, but a unified and neat sentence.

"Your Highness, a thousand years of life, a thousand years of life, ten thousand years of life."

The number was small, and the momentum was far less than when Zhang Biwu and others shouted for the crown prince to abdicate.

But under the heavy downpour, wind and rain slanted against their bodies. Just that one shout of “Hu Shan!” stirred within everyone a profound and solemn feeling that was hard to describe.

Zhang Bimu raised his head and looked at the figure of Da Hong, who was slowly ascending the steps on the Imperial Dao. For a moment, he felt dazed.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but he even felt that this young man was gradually ascending to the highest peak of the empire, ready to ascend to the throne and rule the world.

Even the fiercest storms seem to make way for this man.

The hand concealed within the robe's sleeve clenched into a fist, and Zhang Biwu roared: "I demand that the Crown Prince abdicate!"

Cabinet faction officials were jolted, scattered by Su Jinpa's fearsome presence. The wavering belief caused by the arrival of figures like Su Zhen and Dantai Jing seemed to return somewhat due to Zhang Biwu's thunderous roar.

"Abdicate, Prince!"

All the civil and military officials were present, clearly divided on either side.

Because of a political storm, two factions of officials were shouting "Long live the prince" while others were chanting "The prince should abdicate." This unprecedented spectacle had never been seen before, not only in the Qin Empire but throughout the entire history of the Chinese civilization in Central Plains.

Li Chen's steps remained unwavering, he continued forward with determination until he reached the highest level. Gazing at the majestic Taihe Palace gate before him, Li Chen ignored the calls from behind and pushed the door open and entered directly.

The palace gates swung open, and rain and wind instantly poured in.

Li Chen saw that the Taihe Hall was brilliantly lit.

Inside the grand hall, it spanned eighteen zhang and nine in width, with a depth of six zhang and nine. Eighteen crimson lacquered pillars carved with dragons were so massive that it took three full-grown men holding hands to encircle them. They gleamed brilliantly opposite the golden dragon wall facing the palace gate, along with the dragon throne representing supreme power over the land.

Simple furnishings yet radiate the utmost imperial grandeur.

This is the center of political power in the Qin Empire, the Taihe Palace.

In the Taihe Palace, it was empty and deserted. Only an elderly man with white hair could be seen, wearing the robes of a first-rank official of the current dynasty. He stood facing the palace gate, his back to Li Chen.

Beset by the howling wind and driving rain, the old man lost in thought seemed to be awakened. He turned around, smiled at Li Chen, and bowed, saying, "Welcome, honored guest."

"Here I am."

Li Chen responded to Zhao Xuanji.

The two exchanged a greeting, calm and gentle as old friends, with absolutely no sign of hostility.

But the political storm brewing within this ancient empire escalated dramatically after these two exchanges.he Jinyiwei, no matter who you are, will follow Li Chen's orders without hesitation if he gives them.A Jinyiwei drew his embroidered spring knife, the blade flashed, and blood appeared instantly.This...