The Crown Prince was returning. All the officials left the capital to welcome him.
News of his recovery from his grave injuries had invigorated the "clear stream" faction and filled the "muddy stream" with disappointment.
"Recovered?" Yan Shifan sneered.
"What does 'recovered' even mean? Can he jump and run? Does he need a cane to walk? Or has he simply opened his eyes, unable to eat or dress himself without assistance?"
Thirty miles outside the Great Ming capital, the "clear stream" officials, led by Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie, stood on the right side of the road. The "muddy stream" officials, led by Grand Secretary Yan Song and his son, Yan Shifan, stood on the left.
The two factions faced each other with animosity.
"Junior Grand Secretary Yan is right!" one of the "muddy stream" officials said. "The Crown Prince was utterly defeated at Yunzhou City, his injuries nearly fatal. Nanchao is nothing but a remote and desolate wasteland. How could it possibly possess the power to heal the dying and mend broken bones? We also hope for the Crown Prince's recovery, but… heh heh… it's simply too unbelievable."
The "muddy stream" officials murmured amongst themselves, their schadenfreude evident. Their voices weren't particularly quiet.
The "clear stream" officials, standing across from them, could hear their every word.
Such disrespectful and treasonous comments! In the past, they would have been punished severely.
But the Yan faction held immense power. As long as they didn't utter those words in Emperor Jiajing's presence, they were practically untouchable.
"Grand Secretary Xu!"
One of the "clear stream" officials, couldn't contain himself any longer.
"Did you hear that? The Yan faction is too arrogant! How can we endure this?!"
"Yes, Grand Secretary Xu! Please, say something!"
As one official spoke up, countless others followed.
Xu Jie, however, remained calm and composed. He gazed towards the distant road.
They hadn't arrived yet.
Although he had received a letter from Zhang Juzheng, informing him that Crown Prince Wanli would return safely from Nanchao, Xu Jie was still worried.
The Crown Prince had been gravely injured, on the verge of death. Could he truly have recovered?
"May Heaven bless the Great Ming," Xu Jie prayed silently.
The "clear stream" officials, seeing their leader's silence, felt a wave of disappointment.
Their Junior Grand Secretary, how could he be so cowardly?
Yan Shifan, observing their reaction, sneered.
"Father, what do you think? How likely is it that Wanli has truly recovered? If he's still half-dead, perhaps this time we can finally replace him with Prince Jing?"
Yan Song was truly an old man. He stood at the front of the "muddy stream" officials, unmoving, resembling a weathered statue.
Only when his son asked a question did his lips finally move.
"This time… I fear… it will not be easy."
"Hmm?!"
Yan Shifan was startled.
"What? Father, you actually believe that Wanli can turn things around?"
"I do."
Yan Song's answer shocked his son even more.
Before Yan Shifan could question him further, the old man explained.
Two words: "Lan Daoxing."
"The Imperial Astrologer?!"
Yan Shifan thought he had misheard. But he was an intelligent man. He immediately understood his father's meaning.
"The Astrologer… he's not neutral? He's part of the Xu faction?!"
If this were true, Lan Daoxing was truly a master of deception.
In the Jiajing era, neutral officials had only two possible outcomes. Either they held low positions, their words ignored, their existence insignificant. Or, their status was exceptional, their influence undeniable, like Lu Bing and Lan Daoxing.
These two men, in the Great Ming, were highly sought after by both the Yan and Xu factions.
They had maintained their neutral stance, enjoying the Emperor's favor and wielding immense power. They hadn't angered either faction. In fact, they were respected by both.
But if Lan Daoxing was part of the Xu faction, that was a different matter entirely.
"Father, are you certain?" Yan Shifan's eyes flickered with murderous intent.
"I'm almost certain," Yan Song said slowly. "A few years ago, I planted a young Daoist priest in the Astrologer's residence. Not long ago, he witnessed Lan Daoxing using the Spirit Writing technique. It was for Wanli."
Yan Shifan's face darkened upon hearing those words.
"Lan Daoxing dared to disobey the Emperor's decree? He's courting death!"
Lan Daoxing, the Great Ming's Imperial Astrologer, was born with the ability to communicate with spirits.
He was the greatest master of the Spirit Writing technique, his cultivation reaching the ninth rank, Great Perfection of the Unity Realm, through this profound and mystical Dao.
Using the Spirit Writing technique, Lan Daoxing had predicted the chaos that would befall the Great Han Dynasty.
Several years later, Dong Zhuo's rebellion occurred, and the Han Dynasty crumbled.
This prediction earned Lan Daoxing Emperor Jiajing's trust. He was appointed as the Great Ming's Imperial Astrologer.
However, Emperor Jiajing, a master of imperial manipulation, was also incredibly selfish.
He favored Lan Daoxing, granting him a high position and immense power. But he also forbade him from using the Spirit Writing technique freely.
To be precise, this mystical and powerful technique could only be used to serve the Emperor.
That's why Yan Shifan had said he was courting death.
"Father, what should we do?" A cruel glint appeared in Yan Shifan's eyes.
"Alas… What can we do?"
Yan Song sighed, a mix of helplessness and regret in his voice.
"We'll do what we've always done."
As he finished speaking, they noticed a commotion among the "clear stream" officials.
In the distance, a procession appeared, its grandeur and scale undeniable. A tall and imposing general led the way. The Grand Secretary, Zhang Juzheng, personally held the reins of the carriage.
The procession's banners, their primary color yellow, were adorned with auspicious clouds and golden dragons.
"The Emperor's procession?"
"Father, did you see that? Wanli dares to use the Emperor's procession?!"
"Hahahaha! We don't even need to ask if he's recovered. This treasonous act alone is enough to dethrone him!"
Yan Shifan's face was flushed with excitement.
But Yan Song shook his head. "Have you forgotten? The Emperor bestowed the Emperor's procession upon the Crown Prince to enhance his authority."
"Ah…"
Yan Shifan did remember. But just as many officials in the Great Ming had been granted special privileges, like riding horses within the imperial city, they had never dared to use them.
Those privileges, a constant reminder of the Emperor's potential displeasure, were never invoked by wise officials.
Similarly, the Emperor granting the Crown Prince the use of the imperial procession didn't mean he could actually use it.
The Emperor was still alive. What was Wanli's rush?
"Damn it!"
Yan Shifan was about to complain further, but Xu Jie's voice suddenly rang out from the other side of the road.
"Xu Jie, Grand Secretary of the Jianji Palace, humbly welcomes the Crown Prince's return."
Xu Jie knelt, performing the grand kowtow. Behind him, the countless "clear stream" officials also knelt, bowing before the procession.
The "muddy stream" officials, moments ago mocking and sneering, now felt incredibly awkward.
To kneel and welcome Wanli?
It was the proper protocol. But they had just finished criticizing him, and now they were bowing before him. Whose face were they slapping?
Yan Shifan, a man who valued his pride, felt his face burning with shame. His legs refused to bend.
The procession stopped.
The carriage was concealed behind yellow curtains, preventing them from seeing its occupant.
Zhang Juzheng's voice rang out. "Grand Secretary Yan, are you refusing to kneel? Do you no longer recognize the Crown Prince of the Great Ming?"
"Crown Prince?"
Yan Shifan, unable to control his temper, answered before his father could speak.
"We haven't even seen the Crown Prince. Who are we supposed to kneel to? You? You're not worthy!"
Zhang Juzheng chuckled. He didn't bother arguing. He simply stepped aside, bowing deeply as he lifted the curtain.
The Great Ming officials watched intently.
Crown Prince Wanli, strong and vigorous, showed no sign of his previous injuries. He seemed to be in excellent health, even more so than before!
"Yan Shifan! You dare refuse to kneel in my presence?"
Wanli's voice, as if coming from a distant place, was filled with an undeniable authority. His tone, his demeanor, it was as if he were already the Emperor!
Yan Shifan felt it more keenly than the others. Wanli was using his cultivation to suppress him!
Damn it!
Wanli's cultivation had always been higher than his. Now, he felt his legs weakening, threatening to buckle. He was about to collapse.
"Alas…"
Yan Song suddenly sighed. He knew his son couldn't withstand the pressure. He had to intervene.
With his ninth-rank, Great Perfection Unity Realm cultivation, he was confident he could easily neutralize Wanli's aura.
However, his attempt failed.
As he stepped forward, hoping to shield his son, he felt as if he had struck a wall!
The old Grand Secretary stumbled, his vision blurring.
"Th-this… what…?"
Yan Song, abandoning his usual feebleness, stared at Wanli in disbelief.
"Father, what's wrong?" Yan Shifan asked anxiously.
"Alas…"
The old man sighed once more. But this time, he surrendered, dropping to his knees.
"This old subject, Yan Song, humbly welcomes the Crown Prince's return."
Yan Shifan stared in shock!
With his father's favor with the Emperor, even in the presence of the Crown Prince, he was exempt from kneeling.
Yan Shifan had never seen his father kneel before anyone other than Emperor Jiajing. He couldn't accept this.
"Foolish child! You still refuse to kneel? The Crown Prince has reached the Great Vehicle Realm!"
Yan Song's voice, faint and weak, reached his son's ears.
So, that was it?
How was this possible?!
Yan Shifan couldn't believe it.
This journey to Nanchao hadn't simply healed Wanli's injuries. He had undergone a complete transformation, a rebirth, surpassing even his former glory!
Finally, Yan Shifan knew he had to kneel.
"This subject… Yan Shifan, greets the Crown Prince."
Seeing that even Junior Grand Secretary Yan had surrendered, the "muddy stream" officials didn't dare hesitate.
They all knelt, clumsily offering their greetings and welcoming the Crown Prince.
Zhang Juzheng observed the scene and was deeply moved.
Power. Only absolute power could crush all schemes and tricks.
"Perhaps… this is the beginning of the Yan faction's downfall?" Zhang Juzheng thought hopefully.
Suddenly, a eunuch arrived from the palace, carrying an imperial decree.
Everyone assumed that Emperor Jiajing, eager to welcome Wanli, had issued another decree.
But they were wrong.
The eunuch announced, "Lan Daoxing, the Imperial Astrologer, has abused his power, seeking personal gain through his divine abilities. His heart is not loyal. His actions are treasonous.
He is to be imprisoned in the Jinyiwei's Imperial Prison, his crimes investigated and punished accordingly.
The Crown Prince will personally oversee this matter, with Lu Bing serving as his deputy. By imperial command!"
Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie, initially overjoyed, almost fainted upon hearing those words.
Yan Shifan's emotions were a rollercoaster. He hadn't expected such a sudden turn of events.
"Father?" he whispered, hoping to seek his guidance.
Before he could speak, Yan Song said, "I told you, when faced with such a situation, we'll do what we've always done. Since Lan Daoxing is Wanli's man, then the only solution is…"