novelHome #358 - Chapter 358: Dining Table and Rules
#358 - Chapter 358: Dining Table and Rules
The method of succession in the Empire is a mystery.
Since the establishment of the first empire by the founding emperor, few have known the succession methods of each generation of emperors.
The reason for this is that the inheritors who can become human emperors are often not the princes favored by the various noble families.
On the contrary, every time the power of the empire changes, there are princes and princesses who become the new human emperor as dark horses.
This is a very strange and suspicious thing in itself.
Because any vast empire generally has traceable patterns in the succession to the throne.
Which prince is deeply loved by the emperor, which princess is exceptionally talented – these are standards in the public's mind for evaluating their suitability to inherit the human empire...
The above is one of the most basic rules.
But the problem is that the entire human empire's power transition has nothing to do with this rule.
Those who can become human emperors are always surprisingly “unfamiliar”.
Moreover, there is one aspect of imperial succession that the other families find most incomprehensible.
That is, all princes and princesses who fail to "compete" for the throne will "unconditionally" offer their loyalty to the prince who becomes the new human emperor.
Loyalty without any additional conditions!
This behavior is truly perplexing to all the families.
Because in their accustomed game of power, the transfer of power always has considerable room for manipulation at any moment.
Even if someone has already ascended to the position of patriarch, they may not be able to hold onto it securely.
Beneath the family throne, there are always those who crave power, wanting to pull them down and replace them.
Similarly, after they ascend to the throne, they must constantly be wary of those below, in an endless cycle.
It is precisely due to this mentality that all non-aristocratic families cannot understand the imperial family's strange "loyalty".
The loser unconditionally offering loyalty to the "winner" – how is that possible!
Especially when the winner is inferior to the loser in many aspects!
But if that were all, the various families wouldn't really care too much.
What they really care about is...
Those princes and princesses who participate in political marriages and ultimately do not obtain the throne never tell them the real reason for this!
No matter what means these families use to try to get the answer to this question from their mouths.
They will always be disappointed to find that this mystery can never be solved.
——————————
“Hmm.”
“This dragon rib tastes good, but....”
“If it weren’t braised in soy sauce, I think it could taste even better!”
Seated at the dining table, Shi Wushuang wiped his mouth and said to the butler beside him.
“Tell the chef that this kind of high-quality ingredient should be prepared by stewing it plainly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The butler nodded, indicating that he had noted the matter.
Shi Wushuang then turned his head to Shi Yinuo, who was sitting on the other side of the table.
“Daughter, what about you? What do you think of this dragon rib?”
“Very delicious.”
Shi Yinuo put down her knife and fork, and wiped the corners of her mouth with extreme elegance.
“But not delicious enough.”
“I don’t think either stewing or braising can bring out its true flavor.”
“Grilling it over charcoal might be better!”
At the dining table, many rules are no longer so strict.
Of course, only this dining table in the entire palace is somewhat better.
Hearing his daughter say this, Shi Wushuang smiled.
“What you say also makes sense.”
“Oh, right, eat more of this unicorn brain. It can help your damaged soul recover faster.”
After speaking, Shi Wushuang portioned the dish and passed it over with an empty plate beside him.
“I’m fine, Father.”
Shi Yinuo said.
“The wounds on my soul have completely healed.”
“Because this time, you are different from the past.”
“You didn’t punish me too harshly.”
“I can feel that your warning is higher than the punishment itself.”
“This is not in line with your past style, Father. Why did you do this?”
Hearing Shi Yinuo say this, Shi Wushuang helplessly raised his wine glass.
“It can’t be helped.”
“My daughter, don’t forget.”
“When I was young, I experienced the pain you are experiencing.”
“Even the pain of flames directly burning the senses of the soul, I experienced many times more than you!”
“If I had a choice, I would rather just warn you with words, but unfortunately...”
As he spoke, Shi Wushuang put down his wine glass.
“Rules are rules!”
“The entire human empire has relied on one strict rule after another to get to where it is today.”
“When I was young, I also secretly vowed to completely abolish these damned rules established by the founding emperor.”
“But unfortunately, when I sat in this position, my position and mentality changed forever.”
“Child.”
“Do you know why the pain we suffer is repeated generation after generation? What is the ultimate purpose?!”
“Because... we are the Shi family, and this is the price we must pay to sit in this position?”
Shi Yinuo raised her head and said, her eyes full of hope, as if she wanted to gain Shi Wushuang's approval.
“No.”
“You’re wrong.”
“The next time you and I have dinner again, you will have another chance to answer this question.”
Shi Wushuang shook his head, indicating his disapproval.
Fortunately, Shi Wushuang never punishes everyone at the dining table.
“Oh, right, my daughter.”
“I still don’t know some of the details about your injury.”
“Tell this old man about it.”
“How did you get hurt?”
“And who is the lord who hurt you?”
“I’m a little curious, what kind of power is it that can penetrate the artifact armor on your body?”
Faced with her father's question, Shi Yinuo answered very carefully.
But gradually, the smile on Shi Wushuang's face disappeared.
Because he had just heard a familiar yet unfamiliar name.
“Wu Wei…”