Chapter 002: The Emperor’s Shocking Request

It had always been the rule of the empire, and Du Fan had known it since childhood. But now, as he knelt down in this manner, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated!
45 degrees?
Damn those 45 degrees!
And having to look up at this old emperor? I’d rather gaze gloomily at the sky than at this old emperor!
Austin III stared at the two people kneeling on the ground. Clearly satisfied with their actions, he said slowly, “Du Fan… what happened to you at that brothel today has completely offended the people of the Lanny Empire. If they use this as an excuse to attack the empire again, it’s not impossible. But given the empire’s current situation, war isn’t possible right away… So, I ask you—if necessary, go and apologize to Prince Leopold. If he wants that woman, just deliver her personally… Du Fan, I know this will be extremely humiliating for your Green family, and it might even become a stain in your family’s history… But I still ask you to do this. Even if it only buys us ten days or half a month… When war breaks out again, I will surely give your Green family a chance to clear this shame!”
Du Fan and the Duke of Green exchanged a glance, but soon the Duke of Green spoke loudly, “Since His Majesty has given the order, the Green family certainly won’t dare disobey.”
A faint smile appeared on Austin III’s face. “Very good! It’s best that you think this way! The Green family has never disappointed the empire, and you two, father and son, certainly won’t disappoint me either… As for that marriage, consider it my compensation to you!”
A sarcastic smile flashed in the Duke of Green’s eyes, but he still nodded quickly and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Austin III nodded. “Well… I’ve said everything I needed to say. You two may get up now.”
Du Fan and the Duke of Green slowly stood up. At this point, they could have taken their leave, but since the emperor showed no intention of seeing them off, they couldn’t bring themselves to speak.
After a moment of silence, Austin III walked to the chair at the end of the side hall and sat down. Then he pointed to the chairs below and said, “Sit down.”

His Majesty the Emperor ordered them to sit, and Duke Du Fan and Duke Green naturally dared not refuse. They could only slowly walk over to the chairs and sit down. Du Fan understood that since the Emperor had ordered them to sit, there was likely more to be said. In such a situation, he had no right to speak and could only listen quietly. He sat still in his chair, not daring to move even a little.

Austin III sat there in thought for a moment before turning to Duke Green and saying calmly, “Old Green… Even before you arrived, I already sent orders for the Imperial City Guards to summon all the nobles and officials in the capital… Those old military figures will surely object, so I need you to help suppress them!”

Duke Green was slightly stunned and said, “Yes, Your Majesty… But summoning nobles and officials in the dead of night… they might start speculating… Your Majesty must understand this, but why…?”

Austin III shook his head and said, “I’m aware of that. Since the founding of the Gavin Empire, no one has ever summoned so many people in the middle of the night, not even when the country was on the verge of collapse… The reason I do this now is simply because I no longer have time… There are many things I can’t leave unattended.”

At that moment, Austin III suddenly coughed violently twice. He slowly took out a silk handkerchief from his robe to wipe his mouth, then couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Duke Green’s expression changed as if he suddenly remembered something, and he blurted out, “Your Majesty… Could it be that you…?”

Austin III gently shook his head and simply said, “Old Green… I have a question for you… I think no one outside this empire will seriously answer it for me…”

Duke Green bowed his head and said, “Please ask, Your Majesty!”

Austin III smiled and said, “Old Green… Then I won’t be polite… I ask you, among my three sons, which one do you think would be better to sit in this throne?”

Both Duke Green and Du Fan were shocked. Du Fan naturally didn’t dare speak, but he was filled with surprise. If he was guessing correctly, among the influential nobles in the empire who hadn’t yet taken a side in this struggle for power, only the Green family remained… The fact that the old emperor could ask such a question clearly meant he was well aware of these matters!

If things were to proceed as usual, when an emperor realized his days were numbered, the first ones he should suppress would be nobles like the Green family—who held great power yet hesitated to take a stance… Yet not only did he fail to do so, but he also asked such a question… Could it be that this old emperor was about to pass away!?

Duke Green was equally shocked, but after pondering for a moment, he still bowed his head and said, “Your Majesty… I truly cannot answer this question. Please forgive me!”

Austin III showed no intention of pressing him, only shaking his head with a wry smile and saying, “You won’t tell me… Kimberly won’t tell me either… Is there really no answer to this question?”

Shaking his head again, Austin III stared at Duke Green and said calmly, “In that case, Old Green, there’s one more thing I want you to promise me!”

Duke Green nodded and said, “Please speak, Your Majesty!”

Austin III said carefully, “That large faction in the north could erupt at any time… The situation in the south is deteriorating steadily, and the empire’s foundation is unstable—we’re at a critical moment of survival… Under these circumstances, the empire can’t afford any more turmoil! And my two clever sons, whether they realize this or not… will surely fight fiercely for the throne! So, Old Green, for the sake of this empire, I demand that… no matter which of my two sons rises to power, you must help him conquer all lands and bring the entire empire under control. Only the Green family can do this… The other nobles… are nothing but good-for-nothing fools!”

A complex expression appeared on Duke Green’s face, but he still nodded and said, “I shall obey your orders!”

Austin III nodded and said, “The Green family has been loyal through generations. With your words, I feel somewhat relieved… Old Green, you two don’t need to leave today… If my old bones are right, there will be a series of dramatic events tonight. If you don’t witness them, you’ll regret it for life!”

Duke Green and Du Fan exchanged a glance, both somewhat understanding the old emperor’s meaning. Since he hadn’t made it explicit, and they weren’t foolish enough to ask, they could only nod in agreement.

Fortunately, after finishing his instructions, the old emperor seemed tired and didn’t seem to pay much attention to their responses.

Then he clapped his hands, and soon palace maids in fine attire brought exquisite snacks and steaming green tea.

These palace maids were all quite young, with delicate features; each of them had the potential to be beautiful. Yet inside the palace, they all wore cold expressions and dressed in conservative attire. Du Fan found it utterly boring. These maids were dressed even more modestly than nuns. He had originally planned to take this opportunity to broaden his horizons, but now there was nothing left to see!

After the snacks were served, at the signal of Austin III, Duke Green and Du Fan began to eat slowly. Du Fan had eaten little that night and had been kneeling for a long time, so he was already hungry. Without hesitation, he started eating heartily.

Looking out through the window in the side hall, the thunderclouds outside grew denser, and the darkness was many times greater than usual. Under such circumstances, drinking tea in the side hall was quite a pleasant experience.

After sitting like this for about half an hour, they heard footsteps coming from the door of the side hall…

Du Fan glanced over and saw an old man in high spirits, dressed in imperial robes, walking in slowly.

It seemed as if the old man didn’t see Du Fan and Duke Green sitting on the chairs. Instead, he quickly walked up to Austin III and was about to kneel down when Austin III waved his hand and said, “No need! No need!”

The old man didn’t insist. After standing properly, he glanced in their direction and said, “Your Majesty… this…”

Austin III nodded and said, “It’s fine if it’s Duke Green who speaks. You can just speak directly…”

“Yes,” the old man nodded. “Your Majesty… I have completed the task you assigned… As for those nobles, half of them have arrived. But they are all gathered at the palace gates now. I suppose they’ll wait until everyone is here before daring to enter… After all, summoning them in the dead of night is the first time in the history of the empire!”