The Imperial Palace of The Tolling Lands

"Send in Elder Wang," commanded the Emperor. Looking over to the Shadow Commander, the emperor said, "Commander, you may go consult with your subordinate and get the most recent reports while we bring Elder Wang up to speed. Of the five generals in the capital. The ones who are found to be uninvolved in this matter. They are to enter the palace immediately. Discreetly have them summoned. Also, have the Commander of the Imperial Guards, and the Commander of the Imperial Gòu Army Summoned. I will summon you back shortly, as well. Do not go too far."

Bowing, the commander said, "Yes, Your Majesty" before he quickly left.

As he exited, the Elder entered. As the Elder entered the work-study, everyone bowed in greetings, including the Emperor. Sounds of their reception resonated in the room.

"Royal Grandfather," greeted the Emperor.

"Royal Grandfather," greeted the Grand Prince.

"Royal Great Grandfather," greeted Wang Fèn Yǒng.

"Royal Grand Father-In-Law," greeted the First Lady of Wang Royal Manor.

Had Liu Tián Qǔ been there. Her eyes would have fallen out of her head in shock, and she probably would have coughed up a mouth full of blood. The shock she would have received would not be small if she knew that the older man she called grandfather in the Phoenix Medicine Shop earlier was once the Emperor of the Tolling Lands.

Elder Wang disappeared for 33 years after his abdication. He would only reappear when his children needed his help. Afterward, Elder Wang would disappear again. Suddenly one day, he appeared in the Phoenix Medicine Shop and has been there ever since. His identity is a well known 'secret' amongst the officials, nobles, and citizens, and everyone addressed him as Elder Wang.

Elder Wang was once the emperor of the Tolling Lands. He had two sons that were 15 years apart from each other in age. At the age of 50, when Elder Wang saw that his eldest son, the crown prince, who was 30 years old, was competent enough to rule. He abdicated the throne to the crown prince and made the crown prince's younger brother the crown prince's heir. Very few knew, but the crown prince was sterile and very sickly. After Elder Wangs' abdication, he foregone all titles and commanded to only be called Elder Wang.

The crown prince ruled for 20 years and succumbed to his illnesses at the age of 50. Leaving behind his younger brother as Heir to the thrown to ascend the thrown. His younger brother ruled for 24 years and died at the age of 59 to the schemes of corrupted officials. He was the father of the current emperor and grand prince. The Grand Prince had no wish to be restrained under the yoke of the throne. Leaving his younger brother the current emperor to become emperor and ruler of the Tolling Lands.

When Elder Wang was born, a visiting Oracle had a vision. In her vision, she saw enormous, majestic bells materialize deep in the heart of the Tolling Lands, and the bells of the Tolling Lands began to toll. She ordained that the lands of the Tolling Lands had blessed elder Wang. Some believed it, and some didn't. The majority of the people believed that something happened because Elder Wang was over the age of one hundred. However, he didn't look a day over the age of a well maintained 50 to 55 years old man. He outlived both of his sons, and in his old age, he was still as strong as when he reigned as emperor.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

After entering, Elder Wang walked towards the stool that the Emperor sat on earlier. As he went to sit, his gaze landed on the map of the continent of the Northern Lands, and he froze in his step. Slowly Elder Wang walked over to the map. Silence reigned in the room as he looked at the map with a mysterious look on his face. Finally, he said, "It gladdens my heart to see that Master Li Chūn Yì made it back. How is he?"

Wang Fèn Yǒng said, "He died Royal Great Grandfather we were able to obtain the map through his son."

A sorrowful look clouded the old elders' face, "How regretful," he said before saying, "The Tolling Lands have suffered a great loss."

Turning, he looked at the emperor and asked, "Do you understand the value of this map?"

"I do Royal Grandfather," the Emperors said with a nodded.

"Good, then there is no need for me to say more." He turned once again to look at the map concealing eyes that had grown suspiciously wet. "During his travels, he worried much about his wife and children. Be sure to reward them well."

"Yes, Royal Grandfather. I received word this afternoon that Master Li Chūn Yì's family was located. I will be sure to reward Master Li Chūn Yì's family generously."

"You knew him, Royal Grand Grandfather?" Wang Fèn Yǒng asked

"We once traveled together a long time ago," Elder Wang said as he turned and walked towards the stool once again. After seating himself, he looked over to the Emperor and changed the subject by saying, "I hear you have need of me."

"Wang Fèn Yǒng, tell Royal Grandfather of the negotiations regarding Veiled mountain first, then we will summon the commander to bring grandfather up to speed."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Wang Fèn Yǒng began to explain Liu Tián Qǔ coming to find him. He then explained the five conditions of selling the mountain.

Elder Wang looked over to the emperor and asked, "What have you decided regarding the negotiations?"

"I've decided to honor the negotiation with a warning to stay within limitation." The Emperor answer

Elder Wang turned to Wang Fèn Yǒng and commanded, "Briefly tell me of your interactions with Liu Tián Qǔ from the time you've met him."

Wang Fèn Yǒng gave Elder Wang a penetrating look before he began to tell Elder Wang everything from the time he observed Liu Tián Qǔ with Wang Jǐng Jiè eating noodles and pork until the time Wang Fèn Yǒng departed from him right before he entered the palace. Elder Wang sat on the stool, stroking his beard as he listened attentively to everything Wang Fèn Yǒng said.

After he finished, Elder Wang asked him, "What is your impression of his character?"

"Although I was able to see a facet of his personality. I still do not have a full grasp on his character." Wang Fèn Yǒng said

Elder Wang looked at the Emperor and asked, "What about you. What is your impression of his character?"

"I feel that he is very cunning, crafty, and calculating. However, he does not disregard human life." The Emperor responded.

The Grand Prince, who had been silently listening and watching as he stood next to his wife, who quietly watched as well, grinned at Elder Wang and said, "Royal Grandfather, it looks like you met him too, tell me what do you think?"

With a faint smile on his face, Elder Wang said, "Why don't I tell you what I've observed, and you tell me what you think." After which he described the interaction between Liu Tián Qǔ and Jiang Tài Píng and the altercation between Liu Tián Qǔ and the man who he told to scram. That man turned out to be an Assistant Minister of Justice.

With a nasty smile on his face, The Grand Prince said, "Well, Liu Tián Qǔ didn't judge Minister You wrongly after all. Minister You was one of the Ministers involved in this matter." Before saying, "I like him, Royal Grandfather. He's a bit crafty and cunning. However, he is moral and generous and knows the value of human life."