.Chapter 2 : The Grand Hall of Political Death
Liang Feng woke with the single, stubborn goal of the day:
Avoid dying.
It wasn't a high bar, but apparently even that was a challenge in this palace where every shadow felt like a waiting assassin.
He barely had time to adjust to the plush silk pillows before three palace attendants rushed into his chambers with the speed and enthusiasm of assassins. They knelt, voices perfectly synchronized:
"Your Majesty, it is time for the Morning Court."
Liang Feng, in full panic mode, clutched the blankets like they were sacred armor.
"Right now?? Immediately?? Can I… not?"
The attendants exchanged confused glances. Apparently emperors were not supposed to say "can I not."
As they waited, an amused, distant voice echoed in Liang Feng's mind, cold and resonant.
"This is your first trial, child. Try to attend Morning Court without collapsing, insulting anyone, or dying. Fail, and I shall laugh at your humiliation for three glorious hours."
Liang Feng felt personally attacked. He threw off the blankets, scrambling into his robes. The fact that the ultimate penalty was three hours of a bored god's laughter felt more terrifying than death itself.
The attendants dressed him with dizzying speed. As they placed the heavy jade crown on his head, the Divine Emperor's voice cut through the nervous silence again.
"Good. Now go make yourself interesting. And try not to drool."
Liang Feng gritted his teeth. I hate you.
The Grand Hall of Political Death
The Grand Hall was enormous, cold, and utterly intimidating. The moment he stepped onto the dais, hundreds of officials—all in rigid, colorful robes—dropped to their knees in a crashing wave of loyalty.
Loyalty, he scoffed internally. It felt more like walking into a room full of lions pretending to be house cats.
The Second Prince stood at the front, rising first, clad in immaculate silver and blue. He was even more handsome up close, radiating confidence and grace. He smiled gently—the exact kind of smile the Divine Emperor warned him about.
That "I will ruin your life politely" kind of smile.
"Elder Brother," the prince said, bowing perfectly. "I am relieved to see Your Majesty recovered."
Liang Feng's internal panic alarms screamed.
DO NOT TRUST ANYONE. ESPECIALLY SMILES.
"I'm… very… alive," Liang Feng managed, his voice coming out unnaturally loud. "Still alive. Extremely alive. As one can clearly see."
The court froze. Even the Second Prince blinked, momentarily thrown by the strange emphasis. "I… see."
Just then, the Empress Dowager entered from a side door, her presence as sharp as a blade wrapped in silk. She approached the dais and touched his arm lightly, her eyes conveying deep maternal concern.
"My child, you must be careful with your health," she murmured. "The throne is a heavy burden."
Her voice was warm. Too warm.
"Two smiles in two minutes, child. How long until the poison tea?"
Shut up! Liang Feng mentally yelled at the Divine Emperor. He pulled his arm away subtly, forcing a stiff nod.
Everyone's being nice. I'M IN DANGER.
The First Imperial Disaster
The court session began with mechanical efficiency. Several minor petitions were handled by the Grand Secretary, but then the true test arrived.
A burly Minister of War, his face etched with genuine worry, stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty, last night bandits attacked the Western Grain Route. Three villages starve unless we act immediately to secure the roads and release emergency rations."
Every single official in the room looked at him. This was it. His first decision. His first chance to NOT be a complete failure.
He had to allocate troops, manage logistics, and authorize spending. The kind of decision that revealed a ruler's competence or lack thereof.
Internally, Liang Feng screamed. He knew nothing about troop deployments, logistics, or even where the Western Grain Route was.
"Does Your Majesty have a decree?" the Minister of War asked, waiting tensely.
Liang Feng looked at the Minister, then at the smiling Second Prince, then at the concerned Empress Dowager.
He needed a plan what will the reborn Emperor do ?