The Heavenly Palace Revels, While Innocents in the Mortal World Suffer

"Hehe, Your Majesty, you don't need to thank me. I just wanted to take this opportunity to strengthen our relationship. I also wanted to use this opportunity to build a bond with Your Majesty," the Western Queen Mother said with a charming smile to the Jade Emperor.

"Hehe, very well, since you put it that way, I won't stand on ceremony. Western Queen Mother, you should go back and rest now. I'll come to see you again tomorrow morning," the Jade Emperor said with a smile.

"Very well, then I shall take my leave." The Western Queen Mother smiled and departed.

Watching the Western Queen Mother's departing figure, the Jade Emperor smiled, then sat on his dragon bed and closed his eyes to rest.

After the Western Queen Mother returned to her palace, one of her personal maids hurriedly came over, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Queen Mother Niangniang."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work. Go and prepare hot water; I need to bathe and change," the Western Queen Mother said with a faint smile.

"Yes, Your Queen Mother Niangniang," the maid replied with a smile, and then left.

"Sigh!" The Western Queen Mother glanced at the maid's departing figure, let out a long sigh, and her face darkened. She thought to herself, "That bitch, I will definitely not let her go, hmph!"

The next morning, after getting up, washing and dressing as usual, the Western Queen Mother went to the Jade Emperor's bedroom.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects," the Western Queen Mother called out as she reached the entrance to the bedchamber.

"My beloved concubine, you may rise!" came the Jade Emperor's voice from inside the bedchamber.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Upon hearing this, the Western Queen Mother straightened up and said respectfully.

A moment later, several eunuchs came in carrying toiletries on trays and placed them on the table.

"Your Majesty, these things were prepared by your concubine personally. Please accept them with a smile." The Western Queen Mother looked at the Jade Emperor and said.

"Very well, my beloved consort, you've gone to great lengths." The Jade Emperor smiled and looked at the Western Queen Mother.

"These are all things I should do," the Western Queen Mother said with a smile.

"Very well, you may all leave!" The Jade Emperor waved his hand, and the eunuchs and maids all departed.

The Heavenly Palace was filled with sounds of revelry, unaware that a disaster was quietly approaching.

During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, a time of constant warfare, General Zhongli of the Eastern Han led his army into the State of Wei. King Zhongli of Eastern Han, seeing the unfavorable situation, hastily withdrew his troops. However, General Zhongli did not pursue them. Instead, he sent messengers within State of Wei territory to deliver a message: "The army will rest and recuperate for three months, awaiting the invasion of the Donghu!" As a result, the Donghu dared not invade rashly, and the Eastern Han took the opportunity to expand its borders, at one point occupying half of State of Wei, causing great chaos in State of Wei.

When King Zhongli of Wei was on the verge of collapse, Emperor Li Yuan of the Eastern Han Dynasty secretly sent people to his aid. King Zhongli was furious upon receiving the rescue and immediately ordered his soldiers to launch a general offensive.

Under Li Yuan's command, the State of Wei army rose up in resistance and ultimately defeated the Donghu army. King Zhongli of Wei was very grateful to Li Yuan for his help, so he made Li Yuan his Grand Lady and appointed him as a first-rank official and Grand Marshal.

Zhongli's son, Zhong Yao, was appointed State of Wei of Li Yuan, who then rebuilt the Chancellor's residence into the Eastern Capital, a magnificent city. Zhong Yao was known for his loyalty and integrity, earning the deep trust of King Zhongli of Zhong Yao, Zhongli greatly valued him. However, at this time, Zhong Yao colluded with the Donghu, attempting to seize State of Wei territory. Zhongli was furious and issued an edict to execute Zhong Yao. He also sent envoys to the Donghu to lodge a complaint, but the Donghu ignored him and continued their invasion of State of Wei.

Just when Zhongli was about to collapse, news suddenly arrived that State of Wei Li Chunfeng had died in battle. Zhongli was overjoyed and summoned his ministers to announce that his son, Crown Prince Li Yuanji, would succeed him as prime minister. Li Yuanji was only eight years old, but he had already shown extraordinary wisdom and was known as the prime minister's chief strategist. Zhongli's health was deteriorating day by day, and after Li Yuanji took over his position, he seized control of the State of Wei government.

Under Zhongli's leadership, the State of Wei gradually recovered its strength. However, news of the Donghu invasion arrived again. This time, State of Wei not only suffered heavy losses but also lost some territory to the Donghu. The State of Wei army was in dire straits and was on the verge of collapse. At this critical moment, Zhongli remembered Li Yuan's will and decided to hand over his son Zhong Yao to Li Yuanji as prime minister. He also instructed his other sons to assist Li Yuanji in ruling the Great Tang and to establish a new dynasty— the Heavenly Court— on the borders of the Great Tang.

But just as Zhongli was about to do so, an imperial edict struck him down. This edict was about his will, which clearly recorded all of Zhongli's plans, and even included all of Zhongli's crimes.

Upon seeing this evidence, all the ministers were dumbfounded. Zhongli's crimes were far too serious. If no one had come forward to vouch for him, Zhongli would probably have died a thousand times over.

Zhongli, what else do you have to say?

Zhongli looked at Li Yuanji kneeling on the ground and sneered, "Hmph! You treacherous villain! You actually framed me and dared to produce these things. How laughable!"

"Father, didn't you already foresee that I would frame you in this way? Since that's the case, why should I waste my breath?"

Upon hearing this, Zhongli flew into a rage. "You worthless wretch! I have treated you with such kindness, yet you repay kindness with enmity!"

Zhong Yuanji smiled faintly, "I'm merely revealing the truth to the public; I'm simply doing what you, Father, wished!"

"You... fine! Fine indeed! You ungrateful beast! I treated you as my son, Zhongli, and now it seems I've raised you for nothing! Today, I will represent heaven and earth to rid you of this heartless bastard!" Zhongli shouted angrily, walking step by step toward Zhong Yuanji, intending to kill him.

Li Yuanji stood up. "Zhongli, you're so old and still acting like this, it's quite shameful! If you want to kill me, then first ask the spear in my hand if it agrees!" After saying that, Li Yuanji raised the spear in his hand and thrust it at Zhongli. Zhongli did not back down, and also raised the sword in his hand to meet the spear in Li Yuanji's hand. The two immediately began to fight.

"Father, something terrible has happened!" A panicked cry suddenly rang out.

Upon hearing this, Zhongli raised an eyebrow and looked towards the door.

Zhongli's son, Zhong Yuanji, also heard this and turned to look. He saw a soldier stumbling in, his face full of panic.

"What's the matter that's causing such a panic?" Zhongli asked, frowning.

The soldier gasped for breath. "Commander... Commander..."

"Speak up! Speak boldly about what's on your mind!" Zhongli urged.

The soldier wiped his sweat and said, "A group of people just broke into our camp, killed all our men, and burned our supplies!"

"What?!" Zhongli was shocked upon hearing this. He hadn't expected anyone to dare break into the State of Wei army camp and burn their grain. This was blatant provocation!