Chapter 1603: Chapter 1604: The Calm Before the Storm
The Emperor of the Great Tang Empire would never have imagined that this betrothal would ignite many domestic conflicts!
Xiaoyao King was just one of them, and after all, Xiaoyao King is also part of the Royal Family. His daughter and the Princess are both marrying Ye Luo. Therefore, Xiaoyao King would not do anything too extreme, at most, he would grumble in his own mansion.
But others are not the same.
At this time, ministers and noble families who just left the Imperial Palace gathered in groups of three or five. The Great Tang Empire has a tradition of forming cliques, even the Princes are tacitly allowed by the Emperor to build their own factions!
Then there’s even more reason for noble families, who already possess their own territories, enjoying significant autonomy within them. Otherwise, how could the Yingchen Family secretly build Spirit Sword Island with such massive items, and the Emperor is ignorant even when it has taken shape?
This high level of autonomy is a representation of strength, and strength is the origin of all ambitions!
It can be said that the Great Tang Empire maintains stability mainly by the deterrence of the four great frontier guard legions. Currently, some noble families and even ordinary nobles are somewhat displeased with the Emperor’s incompetence, suggesting that all the situation needs is a spark!
The border guard legion is the root cause of all catalysts; if they remain stable, the nobles might just chatter and dare not cause trouble. But if the border guard is overwhelmed, things could get out of control.
Fortunately, for now, there hasn’t been major public unrest.
However, the Emperor of the Great Tang Empire and its people may not realize that a conspiracy targeting the Great Tang is brewing!
This time, it doesn’t come from the Demon Clan, but from the Commerce Alliance!
Ye Luo has been to the Commerce Alliance and knows their deep strength, yet he never imagined the extent of their ambition!
What is the Great Tang Empire?
If put in a metaphor, the Great Tang Empire is like a supposedly strong man who is actually weak at the core!
Why say so?
Because the elite of the Great Tang Empire consists only of the four border guard legions and the Yulin Guard defending the Imperial Palace. Other than that, most Martial Artists haven’t even awakened their Spirit yet, which paints the picture of a hollow strength.
Yet the Great Tang Empire is relatively prosperous within the Ninth Region, naturally attracting ambitions!
The calm before the storm, the peace before the chaos!
Yet, none have noticed, as people are only concerned about the Demon Clan!
Whether it be the Imperial Family, noble families, or common folk, almost all in Great Tang sees the Demon Clan as the sole enemy and are only vigilant against them.
Commerce Alliance? Most don’t even know their existence.
And those who know, are too indulgent in pleasures to prepare defenses.
Ye Luo’s engagement is a good thing for him, but for some, it is the best opportunity to unfold a conspiracy!
What’s unexpected to Ye Luo is that the news of him marrying the Princess, Princess Ling Xue, and Chen Siqi has started spreading among the populace, while a hidden force within the Great Tang Empire, brewing for years unknown, quietly mobilizes!
As everything is in place, on this day, the entire Imperial Palace of Great Tang is decorated with lanterns and streamers, and the entire Imperial Capital is joyous. In some cities, banquets are also being held.
Ye Luo’s engagement, being the Emperor giving his daughter, the Princess, coupled with intentional arrangements, unexpectedly becomes a massive affair, which the Great Tang Emperor did not anticipate but did not overthink, feeling it’s due to the people’s support for him!
So the Emperor of Great Tang tacitly approves.
In truth, the engagement banquet is not a real wedding, thus doesn’t require elaborate rites, simply put, Ye Luo just needs to get to the Imperial Palace, publicly announce his marriage before the Emperor, and that’s it.
This engagement banquet is akin to a press conference where the couple presents themselves, meets everyone, announces the news, and exchanges engagement tokens.
Compared to engagements on Earth, it’s not that different!
Yet, whether out of vanity or affection for the Princess, the Great Tang Emperor disregarded officials’ advice and personally intervened, altering many details, although just an engagement, turning it grand.
Adding that the Chen Family and Xiaoyao King are not of insignificant status, Ye Luo found today somewhat vexing!
Ye Luo originally thought little of it, planning to go to the Imperial Palace in plain clothes with only about ten Guards.
But before he even set out, he received a message from Little Gui, relaying some of the Emperor’s decisions.
Reluctantly, Ye Luo had to summon Yun Liancheng and brought over a contingent of as many as ten thousand troops!
Ten thousand?
Those unaware might think Ye Luo is rebelling, but this ten thousand is just Ye Luo’s ceremonial formation!
That may sound unbelievable to others, but it’s a fact, with even the armors specified by the Great Tang Emperor, delivered specially!
The commotion not only involves Ye Luo’s Western Palace but also the temporary military camps, marked by vibrant activity!
Finally, as fireworks soared across the Imperial Capital’s skies, Ye Luo’s engagement banquet began!
Yet, Ye Luo was merely just stepping out!
With a numb expression, if not for Yun Liancheng persistently reminding him, Ye Luo might have abandoned it all!
This is supposed to be an engagement, but it feels like a huge hassle instead!
Ye Luo donned a set of golden armor, which is fine, but trailing behind him is a purple cape extending hundreds of meters!
Is the Great Tang Emperor imagining himself as a bride being given away? Swap the armor for a white bridal gown, and he’d be a picture of a blushing bride!
If Ye Luo could find joy in this, there’d be something awry with him!
But Ye Luo is helpless now, as the path from his Royal Mansion to the Royal Palace is packed with people, with tens of thousands of Imperial Capital City Guards maintaining order, forcing Ye Luo into action without delay!
"Formation, move!"
Seeing Ye Luo finally calming down, Yun Liancheng ordered!
Instantly, a beam of light ascended from above Ye Luo’s mansion, hovering mid-air like a ribbon. Soldiers in ceremonial armor quickly formed an orderly procession and surged forward.
