They ended up playing the entire afternoon.
When the sky started getting dark, signifying that it was dinner time, Luo Huai Yuan walked in with two children clinging on to him.
Yan Yan was sitting at the table and Lan'er's group was setting out the food.
Ezoic
The two children called for their mom when they saw her, smiling like two little peaches. The big one behind them had a bit of a guilty conscience. He snuck a shifty glance at his wife, put the two naughty ones down and had them clean their hands before eating.
Of course, he himself also obediently went to clean his hands.
Ezoic
There were two adults and two children around the large round table. Niu Niu and Jian'er were still young but they were both able to eat by themselves. The two sat in chairs that were higher than normal, just high enough for the two to reach everything. They each had their own palace maid helping them grab food. There was no need for Yan Yan to get involved.
The moment he sat down, Luo Huai Yuan scooted close to Yan Yan. He first smiled flatteringly before attentively grabbing food for her with his chopsticks. He chattered on about this being tasty and that being tasty, and soon had grabbed a bowl of dishes for Yan Yan.
After serving his wife, it was his turn. Before he could reach out with his chopsticks, Lan'er put a bowl of porridge in front of him with a plate of vegetables.
Ezoic
"You eat this." Yan Yan raised her eyebrows and said.
The large chuby face immediately drooped. Quiet sniggering sounded from the side.
That porridge was really thin. It was so watery he could see his reflection in it. The vegetables were really green. There wasn't even any oil!
Luo Huai Yuan wasn't discouraged. He lifted the bowl and drained the porridge in a few bites. However, the steamed vegetables without any oil was a little hard to swallow.
"Dad, this is for you. Help Niu Niu eat it. This isn't tasty."
A chicken bun that was missing a bite suddenly appeared in Luo Huai Yuan's little plate.
On the other side, Niu Niu had a disgusted expression as though she had forgotten this chicken bun was her favorite. It was small and could be eaten in one bite. The inside was filled with thick chicken broth mixed with chicken and shrimp. It was fragrant and delicious. Normally, Niu Niu could eat three by herself.
Luo Huai Yuan threw it in his large mouth in one go, lamenting how daughters were their dad's darlings after all.
Jian'er was nibbling on his steamed pastry on the other side. He paused after seeing this, but didn't do as his sister did. Instead, he shoveled everything into his mouth. Niu Niu was about to glare at him when he picked up another, bit into it a little, and threw it into Luo Huai Yuan's plate.
"Jian'er is full. Daddy can help eat this."
Ezoic
Wuwu, sons were also dad's little darlings!
Luo Huai Yuan threw it in his large mouth in one go. He chewed while looking aggrievedly at Yan Yan.
Yan Yan had a taut face as she forced back her smile and ignored him.
After eating, the two little ones pulled Luo Huai Yuan to tell them a bedtime story. Yan Yan had returned to the resting hall and took a bath before having Liu'er bring over the box of accounting ledgers. She sat on the kiln with her hair down, reading through them.
The hall was very quiet. The occasional sound of laughter rang out from the side hall.
Ezoic
Yan Yan looked over at that place and said to Lan'er who was beside her: "The little princess and little prince didn't eat much tonight. Send some soup and some easily digestible snacks over."
Lan'er looked happy and hurriedly made the arrangements.
Recently, the consort had been pushing his highness to lose weight. The servants knew she was doing it for his own good, but seeing his pitiful appearance every time, they couldn't bear it. After all, his highness always treated these servants pretty well. He didn't put on airs, so after a while, the servants all treated him wholeheartedly as their master.
The little master and mistress usually ate with the consort. Lan'er's group knew how much the two could eat. During dinner, the methods they used so they could give their daddy some food were amusing and very heartwarming. Lan'er had been worried whether they hadn't eaten enough and might get hungry. She was considering whether to have the wetnurses keep an eye out but the consort had unexpectedly spoken up. They could prepare a little extra so that his highness could also have some.
In the side hall, Niu Niu and Jian'er were freshly cleaned and in bed. There was an enormous thing on the bed as well. He lay on the outside of the bed and the two little ones lay side by side on the inside.
Ezoic
Their cute and tender faces and chubby little bodies made them look adorable from every angle. Luo Huai Yuan distractedly pinched their little faces for fun while telling them a mess of stories.
"And then, and then?"
Ezoic
Having gotten to the climax, Niu Niu seemed very excited.
At this time, a few palace maids walked in.
"Highness, the consort said the little master and mistress ate less for dinner, and had some food sent over."
The palace maids had trays in their hands, filled with a dazzling lineup of food. There were some snacks and also a plate of the chicken buns from dinner. There was also a large bowl of hot and steaming soup. Luo Huai Yuan could tell from the smell it was his favorite shrimp wonton soup. It was made with superior chicken broth, shrimp, seeweed and some cilantro and green onions. It was so good it made him want to swallow his tongue.
"We'll continue the story later. Dad will feed you your midnight snack first."
Ezoic
The few palace maids suppressed their smiles. Someone brought over a kiln table and put it on the bed. The food was placed on top of it. Luo Huai Yuan didn't have them serve, and waved his hand for them to leave.
"Hee, I'm getting some benefits from these two little things!"
This dad was muttering nonsense but was actually pretty careful with his hands. It was the middle of summer so there was no need for the two little ones to get dressed. They climbed up from the bed and put on a little bib to prevent their sleepwear from getting dirty. The two of them sat next to each other in front of the table. Luo Huai Yuan sat across from them and held two small bowls. He scooped two ladels of soup into the bowls and put them in front of the children. He then gave each of them a spoon.
Niu Niu also liked to eat shrimp wontons. Seeing that there were only three in her bowl, she glanced at her dad's large bowl which had many, many more.
"It's too little. Want a few more." She raised an objection.
Ezoic
"Children can't eat too much at night. You'll get indigestion."
"This won't cause indigestion. Don't try and trick me due to my age."
"No indigestion. I also want more." Jian'er interrupted.
Luo Huai Yuan glared daggers at him, "You eat so much you're almost catching up to your dad in size. Be careful or your mom will make you eat vegetables every day."
Jian'er's little chubby face looked miserable, "Don't want vegetables. Want small wontons!"
Ezoic
Niu Niu was more straightforward and directly stretched out her small hand.
"Give me and little bro five more each." The little girl also knew to cherish her little bro and asked for his portion too.
Luo Huai Yuan lowered his head and counted the number of wontons in his large bowl. He refused firmly: "No, that's too much." If he handed over ten, what was he supposed to eat!?
Niu Niu glanced at the large bowl, "Then how about four each?"
"I'll give you both three more."
Ezoic
For the sake of a little food, Luo Huai Yuan was going all out. He actually started haggling with his daughter.
"Three isn't enough!" Niu Niu was very firm.
Luo Huai Yuan shifted his eyes and said: "I'll give you four and your brother two. Jian'er is still young and his stomach is small. It wont fit that much. Jian'er, look. There's your favorite pastry and jujube cakes. If you eat too much wontons, you won't be able to eat the rest. Can you bear not eating those?"
Seeing that his daughter wasn't easy to swindle, he turned to swindle his son.
Jian'er's mouth puckered as he struggled. Should he eat the little wontons or the pastry and jujube cakes?
Ezoic
"Come, come, it's settled then. You won't go wrong listening to dad. This way you'll be able to eat some of everything."
Luo Huai Yuan didn't allow any further discussion as he put two wontons in his son's bowl and then stuffed a cake into his hand. Jian'er held the cake in one hand and the spoon in the other. Smelling the fragrant smell, he struggled no longer and started eating heartily.
Stupid little bro!
Niu Niu wanted to facepalm, but seeing her dad keep his promise and give her four wontons, she no longer said anything.
The three of them ate a delicious meal and beamed with happiness. They gave off bubbles of joy.
Ezoic
A group of palace maids cleared up the aftermath and brought over water and basin for them to wash up. Once all was done, they returned to the bed.
Luo Huai Yuan lay satisfied and lifted his daughter onto his stomach. The other one cuddled up to his side and he wrapped his arm around him.
"Come, we'll continue the story. Then….."
Before long, the two children were asleep.
Luo Huai Yuan looked at the cute little face in front of him and felt warm and lazy. He tucked the two of them in and lightly got off the bed in a manner that didn't befit his physique.
The moment he stepped out, he saw the wetnurses come over. He gave the two of them a look, telling them to watch over things carefully, before leaving.
Returning to the resting hall, the lights were already dim. The person on the bed seemed to be fast asleep.
Luo Huai Yuan quietly took a bath and changed into his sleepwear before gently climbing into bed. Before he lay down, he heard the person on the inside say, "The two children are sleeping?" Luo Huai Yuan let out an "en" before sidling over.
"Wifey!"
Yan Yan harrumphed and didn't speak.
Ezoic
He smiled ingratiatingly and cuddled over, using both his arms and legs as he mumbled: "I knew my wifey cherished me. The children and I had a sumptuous meal."
Yan Yan harrumphed again.
"Yan Yan, are you still angry? Don't be angry, don't be angry…."
He shamelessly rubbed his large chubby face against her body, making her wish she could push him away. Unfortunately, when light grew an inch, darkness grows a foot. Luo Huai Yuan had long since restrained her hands as he wantonly rubbed his face against her. As he rubbed, things took a different tune.
He held that little bead in his mouth, nibbling and licking while grumbling: "It's all gone. Those two little things took all the advantages. It was clearly mine."
Ezoic
"Scram!" Rascal!
This fellow seemed not to have heard and continued to wander around, forgetting himself in his pleasure.
Yan Yan's face was flushed as she panted lightly and said angrily: "Having you lose weight is for your own good but you're playing little tricks with me every day."
He nibbled her earlobe and said hoarsely: "Can't do it yet. After a little longer. After this period of time, I will definitely lose weight."
"But your health…."
Ezoic
Recently, Luo Huai Yuan had some minor health problems. Although it wasn't serious, it wasn't possible to get rid of the issues that came with being overweight. Otherwise, Yan yan wouldn't be so proactive in forcing him to lose weight. It was because several doctors had all said that if Luo Huai Yuan maintained his current situation, there would be problems in the future.
"My health is fine. I'm aware of all those concerns. I know my limits."
He grasped her slender waist and changed up the position, entering her from behind. Yan Yan whimpered. "See, no problems at all. I'm very robust!" He buried his face in her neck and let out a low perverted laugh.
Ezoic
Ezoic
Yan Yan simply wanted to whip this old lecher to death but her arms were helplessly held fast. She could only accept the thrusting from behind.
"Wifey, I actually also want to lose weight. Wait until I become a muscleman with an eight-pack. Then, we can try whatever position we want. A hundred and eight different moves, we'll try them one by one…."
Of course Luo Huai Yuan hadn't been idle. He had at least set up his information network several years ago.
The capital was one area and the Jin and Qi Princes' vassal states were another.
Due to some groundless conjecture, the Jing Province wasn't left out either. However, compared to the Jin and Qi Princes' side, the effort he put on the Jing Prince was extremely little. But precisely because it was so little, it gave him some thoughts.
Ezoic
These thoughts grew as he observed the wooden-faced old fifth working diligently like a little bee. Gradually, a thought grew in Luo Huai Yuan's mind. However, this thought was extremely vague, and it only crystallized after receiving a certain piece of information.
Ezoic
"Waste of precious resource, what a waste of precious resource!"
After reading the secret message that was sent over, Luo Huai Yuan couldn't help but throw the letter in his hands away and start cursing loudly.
Li An stood with his neck tucked in, not knowing what his master was going on about.
Luo Huai Yuan paced back and forth in his study. After a while, he finally stopped.
Ezoic
"Xiao An Zi, arrange people to go make some inquiries. It's best if they could get a painting of his appearance. Find some people to test out his skills…." He muttered to himself before speaking again: "Forget it. It's better not to send people to test him out. There probably won't be any good outcome. A likeness painting is enough."
Li An nodded his head. He was about to leave when he hesitated and stopped, "Highness, don't call this servant Xiao An Zi in the future. I'm part of the older generation now. Call me Li An."
Li An's expression was rather anxious and a little aggrieved. It also contained a trace of expectation.
Luo Huai Yuan gave him a glance and then struck him a blow: "Even if you are one of the more experienced ones within the eunuchs, you're still Xiao An Zi in my eyes. Stinky brat, you've got quite a few weird issues. Hurry and go, don't dilly dally."
Xiao An Zi drooped his head and left.
Having an unkind master was really tough. He wanted to build up some prestige in his followers' eyes but his master wasn't cooperating. He kept calling him Xiao An Zi, Xiao An Zi. When would he become "Grandpa An"? To become "Grandpa An" was Xiao An Zi's ultimate dream. He was no longer a low-ranked eunuch, and was a high-ranked eunuch.
Luo Huai Yuan jeered "What a hopeless case!" as Xiao An Zi was walking out, making him stumble.
Luo Huai Yuan once again lamented how his follower of two lifetimes was actually such a hopeless case. Actually, Xiao An Zi wasn't as bad as Luo Huai Yuan imagined. He was just a little timid, shed too many tears and his limbs were a little too thin.
However, everything was relative. Compared to the high-ranked eunuch by the wooden-faced old fifth's side, Xiao An Zi was truly lacking quite a bit.
Of course, Luo Huai Yuan was just lamenting out of habit. He wouldn't really be willing to switch Xiao An Zi out. Although he normally bullied Xiao An Zi to death, he was actually rather protective of him.
Ezoic
The likeness painting was soon sent over. Luo Huai Yuan took a look.
It truly matched the "rumors", but since he had never seen this person before, he really couldn't tell if it was similar. However, he had asked for the painting to be realistic and not artistic. It had to be realistic enough that it could be matched to the person.
Having lived two lifetimes in the Grand Xi, Luo Huai Yuan knew that likeness paintings were all deceptive. Those of men were all mighty and formidable. Those of women were all lithe with fair faces and ruby lips. They were nice to look at, but it would be impossible to match it to the person!
He wrapped the painting up, picked out a few gifts for "filial piety" and ordered it to be sent to the capital.
He was naturally sending it over to Lady Hui. No matter what, she was still Luo Huai Yuan's martial arts master in name. After he and Yan Yan left for the vassal state, Lady Hui stayed by Shen Yi Yao's side in the capital. They felt that she had worked hard for half her life and it was time to let her rest. She could also look after Shen Yi Yao. After Shen Yi Yao got married, Lady Hui didn't go with her and remained in the Zhenguo Duke Estate.
The things quickly ended up in Lady Hui's hands. Due to the secret letter accompanying it, Lady Hui also understood Luo Huai Yuan's meaning.
She happened to know this person so she sent what she knew of him to the Yun Province. In her letter, she repeatedly warned that this person had a weird nature and shouldn't be provoked.
Ezoic
When Luo Huai Yuan read the letter, he immediately connected the person to the one who assassinated the Jin Emperor in his past life.
Barbarian Yan, it was him!
He really didn't expect that old fifth had hidden such a person by his side!
This had something to do with the past.
Despite being the ultimate victor in Luo Huai Yuan's past life, the Jin Prince suffered a tragic death.
Ezoic
It was because someone had popped out from the blue during one of Mt. Meng's autumn hunts and killed the Jin Emperor in front of everyone.
That person had outstanding martial arts. He came like the wind. Although he didn't quite take down his target from thousands of miles away, none of the many imperial guards were able to stop him. His abilities were clear to see.
When this person assassinated the Jin Emperor, he had spat out some outrageous words:
You fucking good-for-nothing. Because of you, this daddy can't be a freeloader anymore!
Then, he easily left.
Ezoic
…..
That person's actions had resulted in huge waves. The monarch of a nation being assassinated in front of everyone caused many officials and nobles in court to be terrified of so-called "martial artists". Afterwards, the court started suppressing and hunting down martial artists, though that was something for the future. In his past life, Luo Huai Yuan hadn't lived that long.
In the end, Luo Huai Yuan had pretty much been a prisoner in the Yun Prince Estate. No news was able to come in from the outside and at the same time, he couldn't send any news out.
Ezoic
However, Luo Huai Yuan had been the Yun Prince for many years and he had some hidden networks. He was able to receive some news, and the Jin Emperor's death was one of them. However, he ultimately wasn't able to avoid the Jin Emperor's evil clutches. He hadn't even been able to rejoice about the news when the Jin Emperor's lackey arrived.
Two cups of poisoned wine sent them on their way, where he and his consort promised to meet in their next lives.
Ezoic
After reincarnating, the two most powerful people he knew were his master Lady Hui and his own wife. Although he wasn't at their level, he could sense that compared to that person, his master and wife were still a little lacking.
He had kept an eye out for that nameless person. Of course he had countless thoughts about finding that person and having him kill the Jin Prince. However, because he wasn't aware of the circumstances back then, he didn't know if there was more to it. Along with having no idea of that person's identity, those thoughts became mere fantasy.
In his past life Luo Huai Yuan had no idea regarding that person's identity. In this life, he had figured some things out. Because his relationship with Yan Yan was intimate in this life, he got to know Lady Hui as well as some other people of the martial world.
The martial world was naturally not as fanciful as Granddaddy Jing1 had written about. There were no grudges between nations and clans, no heroic figures and stirring love affairs. No heroes wandering the world with no regrets, etc. There was also no heroic air of "embracing the clear wind and gazing at the moon, taking a drink and laughing freely". There was only lowly status, struggling for a living, a life of bloodshed for the sake of survival.
Here, power and authority reigned supreme. Those so-called martial artists all had masters above them. They were merely tools for others. Perhaps that sort of martial world was just idealism. The one here was the true portrayal.
Ezoic
This won't be mentioned for now. Along with the words that person had left behind, Luo Huai Yuan had many conjectures.
This person should be someone from the martial world with a master above him. However, this master hadn't used him, or there was some other reason this person's blade vanished into obscurity. Because his master had died, or some other reasons, this person no longer hid himself and assassinated the Jin Emperor in a fit of anger.
This was preposterous, but this whole situation was extremely preposterous. Luo Huai Yuan gradually felt he was getting closer to the truth.
Ezoic
Of course, this was all theory without proof. This lasted up until Luo Huai Yuan received news about an odd person in the Jing Prince Estate.
That person was one of the Jing Prince's personal warriors. Because his relationship with the Jing Prince was unusual, he was just given an empty title. This person was weird. He stood out and was vulgar but the Jing Prince was extremely tolerant of him. It was said he was skilled in martial arts and could be called the Jing Prince Estate's number one expert. However, no one knew for now how skilled he was.
Ezoic
This person had a scraggly beard and was tall and sturdy. From his appearance, he looked like an uncivilized barbarian. Furthermore, he was extremely strong. It was said he had ripped apart a live bear with his hands.
The person from the "rumors" in his past life was also extremely sturdy with an eye-catching beard….
…….
Luo Huai Yuan had always viewed that repressed fellow the Jing Prince in a favorable light. Due to this super expert, he valued the Jing Prince even more.
He had a sort of foolish urge, resulting in him sending all his superior spies to the Jing Province the next day.
Ezoic
As the information trickled in, some hidden things grew clearer in his eyes. Only now did Luo Huai Yuan realize that his little bro who was like an industrious bee had actually made so many preparations.
Because of his past life's experience, Luo Huai Yuan had a moment of suspicion whether old fifth had also reincarnated. Otherwise, why did the Jing Prince who had been bullied until death in his previous life suddenly change? Also, how did his muteness suddenly get cured by a divine doctor in this life?
Could it be that he wasn't the male lead in this life either, and it was the wooden-faced old fifth instead?
A sort of mysterious sorrow struck his heart. However, he also realized he had never done anything that a male lead should have done.
After reincarnating, apart from being proactive about earning money and marrying his wife, the rest of his plans were for his escape.
Ezoic
Which male lead wasn't indomitable in face of difficulties? Which male lead didn't face challenges head on, and instead kept thinking about packing up and leaving?
If he really wanted to become a male lead, he needed a male lead's heart!
Luo Huai Yuan remained silent for a moment and did some self-reflection. Finally, he made up his mind. Perhaps he could work together with old fifth.
Author's notes:
There's a little bee, flying west and flying east, buzz buzz buzz, buzz buzz buzz, not afraid of rain, not afraid of wind…self-reliant and confident, working hard and diligently, not afraid of searching far and wide for his relatives….
Ezoic
Don't know if I'm skilled at altering lyrics!
Interview:
Author: Barb, a little angel commented on the last novel that this author made you too vulgar and it wasn't befitting of your status. Therefore, I decided to show your awesomeness from the side.
Barbarian Yan: (Rubbing chin) My status? What status? Don't you know this daddy's favorite thing is to visit the brothel? Of course, ever since I married my wife I've stopped!
[Turning around and fawning: Jiao Jiao, haven't I mended my ways? (kissing up)]
Ezoic
Author: Scram, stop changing the subject. It means that you should have a mighty side to you to match your heroic status. Look at your righteous act in the end, taking down the big boss in one hit. Those that died in the past life are all thanking eight generations of your ancestors. Come, come, tell us your thoughts….
Barbarian Yan: (mocking expression) Can I say I only did it because I had nowhere to freeload? Look, I have a wife and kid. Do you know how expensive it is to raise them??? Huh? Do you? After the Jing Prince died, who would help me raise my wife and kid? Could it be that this daddy has to enter the martial world again? Women are all money drains. Jiao Jiao likes to look pretty. You can tell just from today. What a shopaholic. The majority of women are like this….(making a huge fuss)
Author: (enduring until no longer able to endure….) Cut, cut, cut, stop the recording. It's too damaging to our image.
[The attempt at making him look like an expert has failed]
Referring to famous wuxia novelist Jin Yong.
Luo Huai Yuan had been making too many little moves recently, and it was inevitably noticed by Yan Yan.
There were many things he no longer kept from her. Although she didn't ask in detail, she had a general idea of what her man was thinking.
Yan Yan truly couldn't figure out why Luo Huai Yuan would want to put effort into the Jing Province. On the surface, the Jing Prince had no advantages whatsoever.
However, she truly didn't understand the matters of the court. She only saw a few clues from the fact that the Zhenguo Duke Estate became more and more low-key. Another matter was Yan Mo.
Ezoic
Yan Mo had passed the provincial-level examination two years ago. However, he didn't go for the next exam in one go. Instead, he remained quiet and stayed at home. He would occasionally exchange some verses with a few of his friends. Recently, he suddenly decided to go on a trip. In his letter to Yan Yan, he said he was going to the Fu Province for a stroll, treating it as a learning trip.
Learning trip?
The Shen household truly had too many people who liked to go on learning trips. Luo Huai Yuan's explanation for Yan Mo not taking the next exam when he could've was simply that it wasn't the right time.
Just when was the right time? No one knows.
Yan Yan was naturally upset about this but Luo Huai Yuan comforted her by saying it was only a few years.
Ezoic
Knowing that her brother was leaving the capital after the New Year, Yan Yan was very concerned. Just the letters from her alone were a huge stack, let alone all sorts of food, drink, toys and useful items. Along with the New Year's gifts for the Zhenguo Duke Estate and Shen Yi Yao, several large carriages were sent to the capital.
Luo Huai Yuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He told Yan Yan she didn't need to worry. Shen Qi, Shen Xuan and Shen He were all over by the Fu Province. Yan Mo would be fine even if he walked sideways there. Wasn't it a little laughable sending him so many things? Of course, there was some jealousy involved. When he had left back then, his wife hadn't been so worried about him.
Yan Yan couldn't be bothered to argue with him. Was that the same thing? Luo Huai Yuan had gone to the Fu Province when he was twelve, during the pirate invasions. Not only did he return unharmed, he even made the biggest sum of money he ever had in his life. Yan Mo couldn't be compared to him. In Yan Yan's mind, Ah Mo was still that weak little brother who needed to be protected.
Hearing this, Luo Huai Yuan rolled his eyes several times.
What a worrywart! Was Yan Mo a weakling who needed to be looked after? Fine, it did seem to be the case on the surface. However, Luo Huai Yuan who had put a lot of effort on Yan Mo over the years knew that his brother-in-law was quite the two-face. Therefore, a person's appearance was sometimes an advantage. Having an innocent and weak appearance was also a sort of advantage.
Yan Mo who was in the distant capital naturally didn't sense Luo Huai Yuan's grumbling.
Ezoic
He was currently having a headache. Ever since he said he wanted to go on a trip, even though he had chosen the Fu Province which his mom felt was the safest, it still didn't alleviate her worries.
After Shen Yi Yao got remarried, Yan Mo alternated between staying at the Qi Estate and the Zhenguo Duke Estate, though he spent most of his time in the latter. After he brought the matter up, Shen Yi Yao forcibly brought him back to the Qi Estate and smothered him with motherly love daily. She fussed over him and worried until Yan Mo almost went crazy.
Yan Mo couldn't handle his own mom and could only ask his stepdad Qi Ran for help. Luckily the two of them were good partners from before. With Yan Mo's explanations and Qi Ran's comforting, they gradually reduced Shen Yi Yao's worries.
The New Year arrived in the blink of an eye.
The year's end was always when the Jin Prince was in the spotlight. This was because Emperor Xi's health hadn't been good for the past six months. The Jin Prince took advantage of his vassal state's close proximity to show his filial piety every few days. There were all sorts of rare treasures, exotic delicacies and precious medicines being sent to the capital. The procession of carriages were dazzling.
Favor for favor. With such a filial son, Emperor Xi naturally had to give him some face. He frequently summoned the Jin Prince back to the capital. The amount of times astonished everyone and unsettled the crown prince's faction.
Ezoic
Luckily Luo Huai Yuan was in the distant Yun Province. The things happening in the capital was extremely far from him. He only had to watch and do what he had to do. He also had his precious wife and children. Being with his family was ultimately a blessing. Why should he be jealous of others teasing dogs?
However, Emperor Xi's actions recently were truly puzzling. Luo Huai Yuan couldn't figure it out. The situation at hand seemd to gradually be spiraling out of control. Could his cheap dad have finally made up his mind and chosen to follow his heart?
Ezoic
Truthfully speaking, overlooking the Jin Prince's dark side, he truly seemed to be more a suitable successor compared to the crown prince. Due to having limited ability in his past life, Luo Huai Yuan didn't really know the details of how the Jin Prince ended up ascending the throne. However, from what he knew of the situation back then, Emperor Xi had suddenly passed away. The crown prince was about to succeed the throne and the vassal princes were summoned back for the funeral. The Yun Prince and the Jing Prince's notices were however delayed.
By the time the two had received the news and prepared to head to the capital for the funeral, the victor had already been decided. The crown prince was accused of plotting his father's death. The Jin Prince happened to be in the capital and ended up taking his place.
Of course, this was the publicized version. What the truth really was, no one knew. Probably only the crown prince's faction and the Jin Prince's faction knew.
Ezoic
Luo Huai Yuan had discovered quite a few of the Jing Province's secrets. However, he seemed to have started playing hide and seek with the Jing Prince.
Ezoic
As Luo Huai Yuan's trusted aide and bodyguard, Li Wei felt deep sympathy for the Jing Prince.
Just how had he provoked this person who had no bottom line!?
Li Wei had followed Luo Huai Yuan for a long time. He naturally understood his master's personality. What should have been an extremely serious matter ended up becoming not so serious in his hands. Furthermore, it wasn't possible to point out what he was doing wrong. Just like how Luo Huai Yuan righteously said that his actions were merely to test out that person's character.
Fine, the Jing Prince had always been an invisible person. He was that way in the palace and now also in his vassal state. He was the same as the Yun Prince: extremely not favored by Emperor Xi. After leaving the capital, they didn't receive any bestowals let alone summons back to the capital. This person was both low-key and taciturn. On the surface, he seemed to be inarticulate and suppressed. The only thing that stood out about him was that he worked extremely hard.
Ezoic
Truly, extremely hard. Li Wei thought that if his master worked so hard, he wouldn't have to work with others. Instead, he could directly go overturn the crown prince and the Jin Prince.
Unfortunately, he ended up with an unambitious master.
The Jing Prince was truly nothing to write home about. He had no interests or hobbies so his character was truly hard to figure out. However, was it truly possible to figure out his character with such methods? Li Wei was doubtful.
…..
While Luo Huai Yuan was enjoying himself, the people in the Jing Province were almost tormented to death.
Ezoic
Some weirdo seemed to have it out for them recently.
Ever since the Jing Prince reincarnated, he had decided not to tread the same path of failure.
He had pondered for a long time and did some self-reflection. He realized he wasn't more outstanding in any way. Just like in his past life, his vassal state was desolate and no one in the capital cared about him. His impoverished situation was exacerbated by the internal affairs department who delayed his salary. A grand prince like him wasn't even doing as well as a minor official.
Luckily, with the experience of his past life, the Jing Prince was used to this situation. He had already suffered the worst things, and had even died. What was there to fear?
Afterwards, when Luo Huai Yuan and the Jing Prince got together, he would mock him for being an industrious little bee. Luo Jing hadn't understood that he was being teased. In his experience, he was truly industrious. Since there were no shortcuts available to him, he could only do things one step at a time. He slowly accumulated little things into major things and accumulated grains of sand into a tower.
Ezoic
Since his vassal state was barren, he did his best to develop their regional specialties. His coin pouch was empty so he expanded his thoughts and ordered his subordinates to do business and earn money.
Luo Jing had a bitter childhood. As a mute, he was someone without any experience in worldly affairs. Towards many things like governing, handling affairs, interacting with subordinates, he was a blank slate. He didn't have Luo Huai Yuan's smarts, wisdom and crooked ideas. He could only build himself up a little at a time, painting the blank slate with little bits of color.
He abandoned all distracting thoughts. All his actions were for the sake of one thing: to grow stronger.
To continuously grow stronger.
To grow stronger until he no longer had to tread the same path as his past life.
Ezoic
This sort of person was actually quite frightening. His perseverance and determination was stronger than ordinary people. Furthermore, he was sufficiently focused. He was able to blindly persevere. Despite knowing his actions may be fruitless and despite seeing no hope, he could bury his head and do things bit by bit. Until one day when he would overturn those tall mountains.
A vassal prince's advantage was that the vassal state belonged to him. Although there were some resctrictions, it was possible to avoid them and do his own thing.
Now that he had those thoughts, he needed two things: money and manpower. Money meant having enough to support all his operations. Manpower could be referring to a network or also to military power.
Why was the crown prince so afraid of the Jin Prince's facton? It was because the Jin Province and Qi Province had powerful troops. Although those troops were deployed by the court on the surface, even if their commanders hadn't been bought, it wasn't difficult to train some private troops in hidden locations.
It was common knowledge that any vassal prince who had designs would do such things. This included the Jing Prince.
The Jing Province had several places that were deserted. The Jing Prince's private troops were hidden in these places. Unfortunately, they had been getting harassed recently. Those actions were vile and essentially raised their hackles.
The other party didn't do anything apart from sending some really lousy spies who frequently appeared in the area looking suspicious. Since those places were secret training grounds for private troops, they naturally couldn't let oustiders discover them. They captured each one as they came.
These spies were clumsy and their skills weren't up to par. Furthermore, they lacked the basic quality spies should have.
What was the basic requirement for a spy?
It was not to get captured. Even if they were captured, they couldn't reveal any information. Many spies would commit suicide upon capture to keep their secrets.
Ezoic
However, these spies were extremely bad and seemed extremely afraid of death. They didn't even need to torture them before they confessed everything and gave up their master.
They all claimed the same person as their master: the Yun Prince.
Could they be framing him?
This answer was too simple and made people suspicious.
Because this involved the Yun Prince, they didn't dare make any decisions and reported it upwards.
When the news was received by the Jing Prince, he remained silent for a long time.
"Wait and see." This was his response.
Two very patient people thus started playing a game. One didn't grow tired of sending inferior spies to test the other's bottom line. The other remained unmoving like a mountain and didn't show any reactions on the surface. In reality, he had ordered his subordinates to calmly relocate.
There wasn't any point in prolonging this sort of game. Soon, the Yun Province sent over a signal asking for a meeting.
What was this meeting for?
Ezoic
Actually, the Yun Prince had given some clear signs. He was saying "I know what you are doing. I've seen everything." He was also saying "I have no ill intentions."
Since this was the case, the meeting definitely had to do with this matter.
Although the Jing Prince was steady, his weakness had already been seized. Therefore, he wasn't able to refuse this meeting request. Furthermore, he also wanted to figure out the other party's inentions.
It was absolutely necessary to meet. However, where should they meet?
One was in the Jing Province and the other in the Yun Province. Although they were neighbors, they were ultimately in different regions. Vassal princes weren't allowed to leave their vassal states without an imperial edict. They were also prohibited from meeting each other in private. Although they all abided by this on the surface, only they knew if this was truly the case.
However, since the two of them had no prior interactions, how could they trust each other?
As the passive party, the Jing Prince's aide and advisor recommended not to take any risks. Because the Yun Prince's intent was unclear, no one knew if he had malicious intentions.
On the other side, Yan Yan also strongly requested Luo Huai Yuan not to head to the Jing Province. Who knew whether that was a wolves' den!?
There's no knowing what's in people's hearts. If the other party retaliated maliciously, their family would be damned. Luo Huai Yuan comforted her by saying old fifth wouldn't do that kind of thing. Yan Yan asked him why not and he wasn't able to answer. It wasn't like he could say they had known each other as children. That old fifth had been a little sheep in his past life. Although the sheep had evolved in this life, it wouldn't be possible to change that much. Since he was the one with the request, he had to show the required sincerity.
Ezoic
The cooperation would just be the beginning. There was still a bunch of things to do afterwards. If old fifth really succeeded the throne, how they would get along was also another question. Since they were going to make the effort, might as well do so from the very beginning. Why be so petty and incur the other party's loathing?
Ezoic
It's just that when women started splitting hairs, it was often impossible to reason with them. Especially since Yan Yan's nerves were stretched thin due to Yan Mo leaving the capital. This sort of subconscious worry accumulated bit by bit. Even if she couldn't see the clues, she could still feel the seriousness.
Without any other choice, Luo Huai Yuan could only do his own thing.
He agreed to meet within the Jing Province, but right next to the Yun Province's border.
The meeting proceeded extremely smoothly.
Luo Huai Yuan was extremely shameless and immediately expressed his desire to cooperate. The Jing Prince thus let go of the doubts in his heart.
Ezoic
Actually, it wasn't much of a stretch. Their circumstances were the same. They had struggled to survive from a young age and had a good understanding of each other's thoughts. It was all for the sake of survival.
After the meeting, they each hurried back to their own place.
Since Luo Huai Yuan had crossed the border, he was naturally a little further away. Galloping back swiftly still took two or three days. Prior to leaving he had made all the arrangements. He didn't know if he succeeded in keeping it from Yan Yan. Luo Huai Yuan didn't intentionally trick her, but since he couldn't convince her and still had to do it, he could only go ahead and then ask for forgiveness later.
As expected, there was a storm waiting for him back home. Luckily Luo Huai Yuan knew how to placate Yan Yan and the couple didn't have a falling out. Yan Yan was also just worried. Seeing her husband return safely, she merely vented the terror she felt.
Ezoic
Having succeeded in establishing their partnership, they had to consider how to proceed.
Ezoic
Based on Luo Huai Yuan's character, he would naturally throw everything that was useful in his hands over to the Jing Prince and then become idle. However, although this sounded nice in theory, he needed to be cautious.
After a few exchanges, both sides had revealed some of their cards.
Luo Huai Yuan slowly handed the information he had on the Jin Province and Qi Province to the Jing Prince. These were all things he needed. In exchange, the Jing Prince told Luo Huai Yuan the biggest secret he held: Emperor Xi didn't have much time left.
Luo Huai Yuan was very startled at hearing this news. This was because based on his past life, Emperor Xi would only pass away four years later. However, this would explain why the Jin Prince was frequently returning to the capital. In his past life, he had done the same prior to Emperor Xi's death, and used all sorts of excuses to remain in the capital.
Ezoic
The Jing Prince gave a rough estimate of how much time Emperor Xi had left. It was around two years.
The Jing Prince didn't mention how he knew this and Luo Huai Yuan didn't ask. They each had their own aces up their sleeves.
However, due to this matter, Luo Huai Yuan became more confident in the Jing Prince. He handed over all the hidden threads he had set up in the capital.
Emperor Xi's health had long since been on the decline. His fainting in court back then was just the beginning.
Ezoic
In everyone's minds, there had been quite a long period of time when Emperor Xi was obsessed with pills of immortality. However, everyone seemed to have forgotten that this was an even more popular trend during the previous emperor's time.
Perhaps for the sake of currying favor with the previous emperor or perhaps because he wanted to to become an immortal himself, concocting those pills was all the rage back then. The way of the dao had surpassed Buddhism in popularity.
The previous emperor's health had never been good. Being a monarch was taxing on one's health. Since ancient times, there were many emperors who tried to extend their lifespan. Many of them became obsessed with concocting pills. Due to his poor health, the previous emperor was expecially interested in such things. There were many alchemists in the palace who were responsible for concocting pills.
During this time, Emperor Xi was still the crown prince. Because the empress dowager was biased towards his brothers, he was afraid his position wasn't stable. At the time, Emperor Xi had put quite a lot of effort on the previous emperor. For example, he would find time to accompany him in listening to the art of pill concoction. The previous emperor naturally bestowed many such pills to him and the young Emperor Xi naturally swallowed them all.
The reason Emperor Xi could remain steadily as the crown prince was because the previous emperor cherished him. Everyone had their biases and Emperor Xi had adapted himself to suit the former emperor's tastes. The former emperor naturally favored his eldest son.
Ezoic
Ezoic
This won't be mentioned for now. After the previous emperor's death, Emperor Xi finally ascended the throne after some twists and turns.
In theory, he should have driven out the alchemists and purged the palace of those unorthodox ways. For some reason, perhaps it was his preference or perhaps those pills really had some magical effects without any visible drawbacks, Emperor Xi continued taking the pills. It wasn't as extreme as during the previous emperor's time but everyone in the palace knew this habit of his.
Emperor Xi wasn't aware that those pills were actually harmful.
At that time, he was in a difficult spot. Things weren't stable in court and the empress dowager frequently made things difficult for him. His two brothers didn't know their place and there were too many things he had to do. People all had times when they had insufficient energy, but taking those pills actually helped him focus.
By the time he got rid of all the obstacles, he finally discovered his royal body had some abnormalities. However, it was already too late. Emperor Xi's body was filled with large amounts of pill poison.
Ezoic
He got rid of the pills and drove out the alchemists. Emperor Xi was suddenly no longer interested in the art of pill refinement.
Of course this was just what it seemed on the surface. In private, he had sought many doctors to help treat his body. However, the harm was already done. Due to overexposure to those pills, Emperor Xi's body had long since become a husk. The reason he could last so long was due to the imperial physicians' meticulous treatments and careful nursing.
His fainting in court that time was due to the suppressed issues suddenly flaring up. Although it was suppressed once again, Emperor Xi knew he didn't have long to live. The imperial physician's also concluded that there were only a few years left.
Emperor Xi didn't show much of a reaction but had quite a lot of imperial physicians killed after the matter. Those who knew about his situation were all slaughtered, leaving only a single taciturn yet sklled imperial physician: Imperial Physician Zhou.
The problem with his health was thus kept secret.
Ezoic
He thought he could keep everything under control. How could he know that the sons he had always spurned weren't simple? The hidden struggle for the throne was something that had become unstoppable the moment his health was in question.
Author's notes:
This author is reaping what I sowed. Because this novel is linked to the last novel with the matters of seizing the throne, the Jin Prince's defeat and old fifth ascending etc.
This author has to calculate the timing and plot on that side while also writing the plot on this side. Not only does everyone need to know what has happened, the story line cannot be repeated. What a headache. I promise I definitely won't do something like this next time. It's completely making problems for myself.
Imperial Physician Zhou was a major sixth-rank official in the imperial medical center. His skills were extraordinary and he was deeply trusted by Emperor Xi.
In terms of ability there was nothing to criticize about him, but as a person, he was a little unreasonable.
He was extremely inflexible and old-fashioned. He was also taciturn and didn't like interacting with others. He always came and went by himself. This sort of situation made him become Emperor Xi's most trusted physician. Perhaps the emperor admired this aspect of his, but who really knows?
Ezoic
Ever since Emperor Xi fainted in court, things appeared normal on the surface. However, due to some little clues, Imperial Physician Zhou, who was caught in the middle of everything, didn't get a moment of peace. There were all sorts of people coming up with excuses, trying to get information on Emperor Xi's health. But how could Imperial Physician Zhou possibly reveal anything unless he was tired of living?
Ezoic
Imperial Physician Zhou became even more stern and forbidding in appearance. His oblong face was etched with deep lines and had a yellowish hue. His tightly pursed lips and furrowed white brows marked him as someone who kept everyone at a distance.
A low-ranked medicine boy walked in. No imperial physician would be lacking characters like this to run errands. He placed a food container onto the desk. He had clearly come to bring Imperial Physician Zhou lunch.
The imperial medical center had imperial physicians on duty every day. They could only leave when their shift was over. Their daily necessities were taken care of by the palace. Today, Imperial Physician Zhou was on duty and he would only get off around dinner time.
Ezoic
That medicine boy brought out the food from the container and Imperial Physician Zhou didn't pay too much attention. However, his gaze froze at an unobtrusive gesture.
"Superior Yang asked this lowly one to pass on a message. The crown prince's side will make a move tonight. Imperial Physician Zhou mustn't forget about the matter Superior Yang mentioned to you previously."
His voice was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz, but it clearly drilled into Imperial Physician Zhou's ears.
His body turned rigid and his expression became somewhat complicated.
That person continued: "This lowly one will be responsible for serving Imperial Physician Zhou in the palace from now on. In the future, this lowly one will also be personally responsible for the meals."
Imperial Physician Zhou's expression became even uglier. Not waiting for his reaction, the medicine boy continued: "Your meal had been tampered with today. It was this lowly one who switched it out. This is all in consideration of your safety!"
Imperial Physician Zhou's body trembled. He leaned against his chair and didn't make a sound for a long, long time.
The medicine boy left with the food container. Imperial Physician Zhou looked at the food on the table but had no appetite at all.
First there had been inquiries, and then demands. Now, there were even some shameful methods popping out.
How much longer could he persist? Imperial Physician Zhou truly didn't know. However, he had to do so for the sake of his family. Thinking of the medicine boy's words, Imperial Physician Zhou's expression changed erratically. Would the crown prince's side really do that? Just where did they get the confidence? Unless they had a mole over there with quite a significant status.
Thinking of the things that had happened in the past few days, Imperial Physician Zhou's emotions at being threatened gradually dulled. None of them were good people, and he had long since lost any control he had over his life…
Ezoic
It wasn't clear how much time had passed when the medicine boy returned. He had come to clear the dishes, but seeing the untouched food, he couldn't help but give Imperial Physician Zhou a glance.
"Go ahead and clear it." He said in a sunken voice. "Tell your master I will do as you guys asked. However, my family…."
"Imperial Physician Zhou, you can rest assured."
Evening arrived. Imperial Physician Zhou tidied things up a little and left towards the palace gates.
When he arrived, he saw his familiar black carriage.
After approaching it, the driver respectfully lowered the steps. Only after getting on and lowering the curtains did Imperial Physician Zhou let out a breath.
After a moment, the carriage slowly started moving. The swaying involuntarily made him feel sleepy.
Suddenly there was a light laugh. Imperial Physician Zhou was startled. He was seized and blindfolded. He struggled with all his might while crying anxiously: "Who is it? What do you want? Old Qian, Old Qian….."
Ezoic
Old Qian was his carriage driver. He had driven his carriage for over twenty years.
The carriage didn't stop and continued forward slowly.
That person laughed lightly again, a hint of contempt in his voice, "No need to shout. The person outside isn't Old Qian…."
Imperial Physician Zhou's heart pounded.
Ezoic
"What do you want?"
"I don't want anything. I'm just inviting you to see a few people."
"Is there a need to act like bandits for such an invitation?"
"Couldn't help it. Imperial Physician Zhou is unwilling to give any face normally, forcing us to use such methods."
Ezoic
In the Eastern Palace.
It was already almost midnight. The study's lamp was still lit. The crown prince sat behind the desk, seeming both excited and unsettled.
"Chen Qi isn't back yet?" He asked.
The eunuch by the door stepped out and made some inquiries. He returned and reported: "Highness, Enunuch Chen has yet to return."
The crown prince frowned: "What about Liu He? Is Liu He still not back either?"
Ezoic
The two of them had left together. How could imperial guard Liu He return if Eunuch Chen hadn't returned!?
That eunuch only dared to criticize silently while timidly saying, "Imperial Guard Liu has also yet to return."
"These two, why are they taking so long to accomplish a task…." The crown prince stood up and paced back and forth. He seemed extremely anxious.
At this moment, there was movement outside. That eunuch hurriedly poked his head out and saw someone approaching. He revealed a joyful expression.
"Highness, Imperial Guard Liu is back."
Ezoic
The crown prince lit up, "Hurry and show him in!"
Imperial Guard Liu walked in swiftly. He first saluted and then approached after being motioned by the crown prince.
"How was it?"
"Your highness, we were fortunate not to have disgraced your orders! That Imperial Physician Zhou was cunning like a fox and stubborn as a rock. However, with his weakness in our hands, he had no choice but to give in. Highness, you should have seen his face. When he found out his entire family was in our hands, his expression was very marvelous."
This wasn't Imperial Guard Liu's first interaction with Imperial Physician Zhou. Previously he had gotten in touch with him on the crown prince's orders. However, trying to move him with pleas to emotion, reason or greed had all been useless! Imperial Physician Zhou was essentially like a stone in the latrine: hard and foul.
Ezoic
Being able to take him down this time was extremely satisfying for Imperial Guard Liu. Since the crown prince was also unhappy with Imperial Physician Zhou, he naturally had to embellish things to help the crown prince vent his anger. Those who could serve at their master's side were naturally well-versed in such arts. Having been the crown prince's trusted aide for so long, Imperial Guard Liu was naturally good at this.
Unfortunately, he wasn't aware that what the crown prince desperately wanted to know wasn't this. Therefore, it had the opposite effect instead.
"Get to the point, why all this nonsense!?" The crown prince said impatiently.
Imperial Guard Liu hurriedly rearranged his expression. He leaned over to the crown prince's ear and quietly spoke a few words.
"Is this true!?"
The crown prince's voice unexpectedly burst out. It slightly startled Imperial Guard Liu who was in close proximity. The crown prince didn't bother with him and started pacing in circles by himself. It was clear this matter had truly shocked him.
"It naturally can't be false. Your subordinate and Eunuch Chen both heard it personally."
"Where's Chen Qi?"
Imperial Guard Liu froze and said: "Eunuch Chen stayed to deal with the aftermath. Knowing that highness was awaiting the news, this subordinate came to report first."
The overall situation was truly like this. However, the struggle between those underneath couldn't be understood by the lofty crown prince.
Ezoic
This matter was all thanks to Chen Qi. Imperial Physician Zhou's family had been found by him. Imperial Guard Liu going along was merely to help out. It was also the crown prince's subconscious lack of trust. After all, Chen Qi had only risen up by his side in the last few years. Although he was extremely capable and frequently made the crown prince view him favorably, Imperial Guard Liu had the crown prince's full confidence. He came from the Xiao clan, and a rising talent like Chen Qi with no background naturally couldn't be compared to him.
Chen Qi had especially left the matter of returning and reporting to Imperial Guard Liu. Such great news would definitely make the crown prince happy and result in bestowals.
"Great, great, really great. This humble one will reward you and Chen Qi! Mother empress should be informed of such great news."
He had just lifted his foot when he recalled it was already midnight. Even if he was the crown prince, he wasn't able to go to the rear palace at this time. He could only suppress his excitement and sit back down in his chair.
Only two years left? Didn't this mean that in two years, he would obtain the seat he longed for? Mother empress, your son's time has finally come. When he took over, none of the people who humiliated him would be let off….
That day was coming soon!
At the same time, within a residence.
The eunuch Chen Qi and an unremarkable looking person exchanged a glance before leaving with their own people. As for the remaining matters, there would naturally be people to take care of it.
Ezoic
Imperial Physician Zhou was also taken away. At this moment he had already become their respected guest, and naturally needed to be escorted back carefully.
The carriage stopped in an alley close to Imperial Physician Zhou's house.
Ezoic
He got off the carriage and staggered back home.
When he arrived, he lightly knocked on the door. The old servant in his house came to open it.
"Lord, why did you return so late? Have you eaten?"
Imperial Physician Zhou didn't speak. He wearily waved his hand and walked inside.
The moment he sat down in his room, a voice suddenly rang out next to him.
"You did very well today. Hopefully you can keep it up. Find some opportunities to reveal some clues in front of his majesty. We will take care of the rest."
Imperial Physician Zhou hated such sneaking around to begin with, and having suffered so much stimulation today, he had long since been exhausted. Being startled once again when he had finally relaxed, he was inevitably furious.
"Just what on earth are you guys trying to do? To think a grand prince's methods are so filthy. Coercion, deception, dog eating dog, extreme shamelessness. Is there even a hint of guilty conscience?"
The other person didn't speak, waiting for Imperial Physician Zhou to finish venting.
Only after he was done cursing and panted for breath did the other person lightly laugh and say: "You don't need to know what we want to do. All you need to know is that there is mutual benefit in helping each other. You know that based on your identity, if our highness hadn't gotten involved, there would be no way you could escape unscathed. You were trapped from the very beginning. Having been an imperial physician for so long, you should be well aware of these things. Otherwise, you wouldn't have hidden your family for so many years. All you need to know now is that your family is very safe in our hands. If you do as we say, you will also be very fine and very safe. That's all."
Ezoic
Imperial Physician Zhou's face flushed: "Despicable! How are you any different from the crown prince's people!?"
That person smiled and stood up, "Imperial Physician Zhou, you are a smart person. You should understand what you need to do. I don't wish to repeat my threats." After a pause, he spoke again: "Your "family" is currently in the crown prince's hands. As someone who was coerced, you naturally need to let your "master" know about your suffering."
After saying these words, the person vanished.
Imperial Physician Zhou was left by himself, the previous words lingering in his ears for a long while.
As that person had said, Imperial Physician Zhou was truly embroiled in it and was no longer able to get out.
He was walking on a narrow and winding road with a sharp drop on either side. He could only walk carefully and seek stability. He wasn't even able to ask for stability anymore. He could only ask for his family to be left out of it.
Who would have thought his reliable plan of sending his whole family out of the capital back then, leaving them in the hands of his senior apprentice brother, was actually sending them into the tiger's den? He didn't expect someone so silent to also have those intentions. As expected, there were no familial ties within the royal family. Even the most harmless looking person would change when it involved that seat.
Ezoic
But it was already too late to say anything. He could only obey.
Ezoic
Imperial Physician Zhou did as they asked and revealed several tells.
Emperors were all paranoid people. Imperial Physician Zhou knew this before, but only now did he experience it. He could feel the gaze above him slowly become a little different.
Imperial Physician Zhou was actually afraid of Emperor Xi, extremely afraid. When he saw his coworkers get dragged off that time, he had thought he was done for as well. Unexpectedly, he was left alive. He only understood afterwards that he was spared because of his skills and his reclusive nature.
Ezoic
Compared to the imperial physicians who had families and other concerns, he was the one with the least amount of things that could be used against him.
When Imperial Physician Zhou understood this was the reason he was left alive, he felt it was tragic and laughable.
Emperor Xi's actions were all for the sake of concealing his condition. If he found out that it was known by someone, what sort of expression would he have?
The lofty monarch under the heavens who was in control of countless people's lives.
Imperial Physician Zhou served the royal family but hated imperial authority from the bottom of his heart. Especially when something that had nothing to do with him ended up implicating himself and his family.
Therefore, despite being manipulated and despite trying to survive, there was also a part of him wanting to watch others make fools of themselves.
What would the lofty emperor do in such a situation?
…..
"You mean to say that you have a family? You even have a grandson!?"
"This servant is guilty. Please convict this servant for his capital offense." Imperial Physician Zhou was shaking all over, and forced himself to speak: "But at that time I didn't hide it intentionally. This servant's personality easily offends others, and it was hard to predict if I would cause any disasters. The Zhou family only has this lowly servant as support, and thus they hid away. It definitely wasn't meant to deceive your majesty. Please see things clearly."
After speaking, he started heavily kowtowing.
Ezoic
"This is to say that you revealed Our royal body's situation to others." Emperor Xi laughed a couple of times, "Great. All of you are extremely great, extremely great….." His words were calm but his hand picked up the brush washing basin and brought it smashing down.
The crisp sound rang throughout the hall. The brush washing basin's shattered pieces scattered in the air. Emperor Xi's breathing was heavy. Imperial Physician Zhou was startled and frozen on the floor.
"We won't kill you. Where would we find another Imperial Physician Zhou if We killed you? We will help you find your family. You can keep your head for now…."
The last few words were almost inaudible.
Ezoic
Emperor Xi didn't help find Imperial Physician Zhou's family as he said. Instead, the the people he sent to save them were actually sent to kill them.
If Imperial Physician Zhou hadn't seen it personally, he never would have believed it.
That mysterious person had suddenly appeared and said he wanted to show him a good performance. They came to this wilderness in the middle of the night. Imperial Physician Zhou didn't expect to truly witness a good performance. It was an extremely good performance.
"The people inside are all dead?" Imperial Physician Zhou couldn't help but shiver.
Yang Hui gave him an indifferent glance and nodded.
"You people are too cruel…"
"Your whole "family" was present as well."
Ezoic
These emotionless words made Zhou Jin shiver again.
The whole family was present as well!
At these words, Zhou Jin suddenly grew angry, as though concealing his indecisiveness, "I don't understand why you guys are doing this. I haven't said anything to his majesty so do you really think this will work? Don't you think your master's thinking is too simplistic? Or are you guys acting on your own, purposefully creating distractions? Don't you think this is too preposterous?!"
Ezoic
Yang Hui lightly laughed, but his eyes were unamused.
"Imperial Physician Zhou is really overestimating Yang Hui. This was all ordered by his highness, Yang Hui is just responsible for carrying it out. Also, his highness isn't just my master, but yours as well."
Ezoic
Seeing him look disdainful, Yang Hui's voice cooled, "Imperial Physician Zhou shouldn't forget who else we have in the Jing Province."
"You lot are the worst kind of scum!"
Yang Hui laughed coldly, "Imperial Physician Zhou, do you truly not understand or are you pretending? This isn't just for his highness's sake, this is also to save you."
"Save me?"
"Do you really think that side hasn't tried to investigate you? They were merely blocked by our people! There is no such thing as an impenetrable wall in this world. Everything will leave a trace. Being able to remove all the traces today, isn't it helping you completely resolve your problems?"
Ezoic
"You….."
"Also, we don't need you to tell him anything for things to work out. What's the point of speaking? Your words will just be doubted. It's best to let people come to their own conclusions….heh…."
Zhou Jin's mind was already a complete mess.
"There might be another good show to watch tomorrow. Once you return, you should properly think about what you should do. Don't end up harming yourself and your family. Most importantly, don't end up harming his highness." Yang Hui sneered and looked at him disdainfully, "I really don't understand why his highness would spend so much effort on someone like you. It's a pity you're completely unable to understand his efforts."
He didn't wait for Zhou Jin's reply, and ordered: "Take Imperial Physician Zhou back."
Ezoic
"Yes."
To put it plainly, this was all just a setup.
Emperor Xi didn't want Imperial Physician Zhou to have anything that could be used against him. After all, he needed him for his health. If he switched him out, he would have to worry about the new person messing up. Might as well keep using the old one. It's just that someone with a weakness wasn't reliable. Might as well cut things off cleanly. This would also cut of any other thoughts Imperial Physician Zhou might have and thoroughly make him his.
As for Yang Hui's group, they took advantage of such thoughts for their plan. This allowed Imperial Physician Zhou to truly become a "recluse" and also used Emperor Xi to help him clean up potential future "problems". At the same time, Emperor Xi's people would find some planted evidence in that residence. Although it wouldn't clearly indicate who it was that threatened Imperial Physician Zhou with his "family", it was sufficient to stir the thoughts.
Ezoic
Of course, the crown prince's side had no idea this had happened. They assumed they had managed to seize an absolute advantage. They scarcely realized they had been completely manipulated by others.
As for a minor character like Imperial Physician Zhou, no one cared about his feelings. Emperor Xi ordered someone to say things like "we wanted to save your family but the other party resisted, and ended up killing your whole family". The matter thus seemed to pass without any aftermath.
However, the suspicions had been planted.
The emperor's thoughts were always hard to read. Especially since he was someone who didn't have long to live. The people who coveted what was his, and couldn't wait for him to die, were all extremely disgusting in his eyes!
The crown prince had listened in on Emperor Xi holding court since he was young. Decades had passed but he was still only listening in.
Having remained as the crown prince for a while, he inevitably wanted to progress. With his younger brothers holding a blade to his back and with Emperor Xi's ambiguous attitude, this sort of desire became even fiercer.
Now that the day was getting close, even though the crown prince had always been taught not to show his emotions, he inevitably revealed some hints of happiness.
Thinking about what he knew, the crown prince couldn't help but sneak glances at Emperor Xi. He knew clearly this wasn't acceptable but he couldn't calm his surging emotions.
The moment court ended, the crown prince hurriedly took his leave. He didn't notice Emperor Xi's expression behind him.
Ezoic
Zheng Hai Quan who was next to him lowered his head, wishing he could burrow into the ground.
This crown prince really revealed all his emotions, and his methods were too immature. He didn't realize his majesty was suspicious of him. Wasn't he seeking death with his actions?
Ezoic
"Zheng Hai Quan. We haven't gone to the Chunluan Palace in several days. Let's go see the senior concubine."
After seeing Senior Concubine Xu, the Jin Prince was allowed back to the capital once again.
Zheng Hai Quan who had seen this play out several times was already speechless.
Ezoic
August arrived and the Jin Prince received the edict summoning him back to the capital.
It wasn't just him this time, but also his consort and his three children. These years the Jin Prince Estate got quite a few descendents. Just the consort Lu Xiu Ling had given birth to two daughters and a son for him. The Jin Prince's little heir was only four years old.
The Jin Prince went to pay respects to Emperor Xi while his consort took the children to greet the empress in the Fengqi Palace. Afterwards, they went to the Chunluan Palace to see Senior Concubine Xu.
After so many years, Senior Concubine Xu was still as graceful as ever.
Ezoic
That oval face, willow brows, eyes filled with passion and a delicate figure that seemed like it couldn't withstand the wind. No matter how one looked, she didn't seem like someone in her forties. Time seemed to have stopped for her
Mother and daughter-in-law spoke a little before Lu Xiu Ling took the three children and left. Senior Concubine Xu spoke to the Jin Prince.
"Really, you should show her a nicer expression. She is your consort after all, and has raised three children for you. Even if you don't care about her face, you should consider the Chengguo Duke's."
Ezoic
The Jin Prince's face looked noncommittal as he said pointedly: "Why would she have such a big reaction in the Fengqi Hall? The Empress merely held Xu'er but she was so panicked? Isn't it because she has a guilty conscience? Using a petty person's mind to judge someone noble. She herself is crooked, but assumes everyone is as foolish as her!"
When Lu Xiu Ling came to the Chunluan Palace earlier, she complained tearfully to Senior Concubine Xu about what the empress did in the Fengqi Palace.
Ezoic
Actually, Empress Xiao didn't do anything. She merely held the Jin Prince's little heir and offered him some cakes. Lu Xiu Ling had been extremely frightened, terrified her child would suffer from an underhanded scheme by the empress. After all, their factions were at odds. Everyone was aware of this. Especially since the Jin Prince was more and more in the limelight. It was even hard for them to keep up a harmonious appearance.
Senior Concubine Xu had comforted her. She and the empress were truly enemies but her opponent wasn't a fool. She naturally wouldn't make a move on her own turf. However, Lu Xiu Ling was ultimately not reassured. What if she managed to do it somehow?
The Jin Prince's words about a petty person judging someone noble seemed to reveal many conflicts and hidden things.
Hearing his words, Senior Concubine Xu's heart leapt and she said in astonishment: "She was really the culprit in Cheng'er's case?"
Recently, something had happened in the Jin Prince Estate. The Jin Prince's eldest son Luo Cheng who was concubine born had died prematurely. It had happened in Lu Xiu Ling's pavilion and the cause was a poisoned cake. That poison had been too strong and there was no saving him. The Jin Prince was furious.
Although Luo Cheng wasn't birthed by the principal wife, he was innately bright, studious and ambitious. Senior Concubine Xu was quite fond of this grandson. After finding out about this tragedy, she shed plenty of tears in heartache. Emperor Xi was also furious and ordered the Jin Prince to investigate things thoroughly. In the end, two of his rear court's concubines were implicated but the main perpetrator was never found.
Ezoic
In theory, since it happened in Lu Xiu Ling's pavilion she should have been the main suspect. However, she cried mournfully and argued that she couldn't have done something as stupid as poisoning someone in her own pavilion. It must have been someone framing her. This was truly reasonable and the matter was thus left unresolved.
Ezoic
Lu Xiu Ling had thought she had done things perfectly, but nothing was perfect. To put it plainly, she had merely taken advantage of the blindspot in everyone's assumptions. Everyone felt that no one would be dumb enough to make a move on their own turf. She used precisely this point to get rid of future problems for her own son. Actually, many things didn't require any evidence. Looking at who stood to benefit the most was sufficient to make things clear.
The Jin Prince truly didn't find any evidence. Those two concubines were innocent but he needed to find some scapegoats for Emperor Xi. However, he was already certain in his mind that it was done by Lu Xiu Ling.
Her schemes were too shallow in front of the Jin Prince and he could tell at a glance. The Jin Prince was vexed that as the hunter, he ended up being pecked blind by a wild goose. No one had expected the timid Lu Xiu Ling to do such a thing.
Ezoic
The Jin Prince laughed coldly, "If it weren't for this prince giving the Chengguo Duke some face, she'd definitely be done for!"
When Senior Concubine Xu heard this, she knew that Lu Xiu Ling was definitely involved.
But this matter was already over and it was no use in bringing it up. Lu Xiu Ling still had her uses. Otherwise, the Jin Prince who was always cold towards her wouldn't have brought her back to the capital this time.
Both mother and son understood this reasoning. Sacrifices were necessary to accomplish great things. They could only say that child wasn't fated to be with them.
"Enough. It's sufficient that you are aware of this matter. You should still treat her well enough on the surface. This is the capital after all."
"Your son is naturally aware of this."
The two spoke a little more. In the end, the Jin Prince said quietly: "Mother concubine, is the information accurate? No matter how I look, royal father doesn't appear to be…."
"That mole was placed by your mother over twenty years ago. He delivered the information right before he died, it cannot be wrong. Your father, at most…." She held up three of her jade fingers.
It turned out that Senior Concubine Xu was also aware of this inside information. Otherwise, she wouldn't make so many moves and have the Jin Prince return to the capital so frequently.
The Jin Prince looked at his mother's hand and his heart was startled. He was both nervous and restless.
He couldn't help but mutter: "Then we must speed things up."
Ezoic
"Don't let that side catch wind of anything."
"Mother concubine can be at ease. Your son isn't that stupid."
Senior Concubine Xu nodded her head in approval.
The crown prince naturally couldn't be compared to her son. Apart from slightly lacking in status, what part of him was worse?! But the victor wasn't clear yet. They definitely had to let the empress that bitch and her bastard son die without a proper burial!
A large banquet was laid out for the mid-Autumn Festival. The monarch and his officials dined together and admired the full moon.
The Jin Prince was once again in the limelight during the banquet. Not only did he present unrivaled gifts in a show of filial piety to Emperor Xi which astonished everyone and pleased the emperor, he also received many toasts from the emperor who made his favor clear.
In comparison, the crown prince sitting to the left of the seat of honor was clearly less outstanding.
Emperor Xi's actions were also rather thought-provoking. In the past, no matter how much he favored the Jin Prince, he would still leave the crown prince some face. Whenever he toasted the Jin Prince, the crown prince would receive one too. Whenever the Jin Prince was complimented, the crown prince would be mentioned as well. But this time the crown prince seemed to have been completely forgotten.
Ezoic
The civil and military officials, the aristocracy and the nobility present were all intelligent people, and could naturally infer some clues. They pondered over things a long time after the banquet. The crown prince on the other hand returned to the eastern palace and smashed the things in his study.
Empress Xiao was also full of worry. Her smile which she had kept up the entire night finally cracked after returning to the Fengqi Palace.
When exiting the palace gates, the Jingguo Duke happened to run into the Chengguo Duke. Everyone around immediately kept their distance.
Ezoic
"Chengguo Duke, please go ahead."
The Chengguo Duke glanced at the Jingguo Duke who was yielding the right of way and smiled, "Jingguo Duke, it's better if you go ahead."
Did this old thing think he didn't know what he was up to? Tonight his majesty gave the crown prince a hard time. If the Jin Prince's father-in-law forced the Jingguo Duke out of the way afterwards, it would definitely reach his majesty's ears the next day. Both he and the Jin Prince would get the reputation of being overbearing.
"How about you go ahead?"
"Aiya, the two of you are so slow. What's the point of yielding back and forth? Such a wide path, if you don't go, I'm going to go first." The Chengen Marquis yelled from behind.
Ezoic
The Jingguo Duke yielded and he passed through them. After walking a few steps, he looked back at the Chengguo Duke, "Together, together."
The Chengguo Duke cursed this stupid pig in his heart, but could only leave together with the Chengen Marquis.
The Jingguo Duke revealed a profound smile behind them.
You may be sly and cunning, but that can't make up for your idiot teammate.
Senior Concubine Xu was of negligible birth, and only after being conferred senior concubine did her household get conferred the Chengen Marquis title. Her father, the Chengen Marquis, had always been a clueless master. Although he didn't bully people with his status, his brain was a little simple, and he had dragged the Jin Prince down quite a bit.
Ezoic
But since he was family, he couldn't be thrown aside. Therefore, the Jin Prince had cleaned up quite a few messes behind him.
"You are really a pig!"
Only after getting to his horse carriage and seeing no one around did the Chengguo Duke curse.
"What is it this time? Don't think you can insult me just because your daughter is my grandson's wife!"
The Chengguo Duke saw the Chengen Marquis's confused appearance and hated that iron couldn't become steel, "His majesty just treated the Jin Prince favorably. What would he think if the two of us stopped giving the Jingguo Duke any face!?"
Ezoic
The Chengen Marquis looked doubtful, "Aren't you overcomplicating things? It's fine, it's fine. This one's daughter is the senior concubine. His majesty has always favored her, no harm done."
The Chengguo Duke almost fell over in anger, "I can't be bothered with you!"
After speaking, he got on his carriage and left.
The Chengen Marquis stood for a long while, but still couldn't figure out what the big deal was with walking on the road. He got on his carriage and left.
There had been quite a few people around the palace gates, and word of the event soon spread. Emperor Xi heard the rumors, and of course Empress Xiao and Senior Concubine Xu heard it as well.
Ezoic
Empress Xiao's expression finally turned a little better while Senior Concubine Xu smashed the teacup by her hand.
But her father was her father. What could she do about it?
Senior Concubine Xu sent word to the Jin Prince in exasperation, explaining that the Chengen Marquis didn't think things through enough. She also sent word to her younger brother, telling him to restrain their dad a little.
The Jin Prince's expression darkened however. He felt that things had finally started looking up due to his schemes when he was dragged down again.
But since things had happened already, there wasn't anything he could say about it. He could only observe the situation.
Outside of everyone's expectations, Emperor Xi didn't show any reaction after the event.
He didn't express any dissatisfaction towards the Jin Prince, nor did he turn around and give the crown prince face. He was extremely calm, as though nothing had happened.
He still summoned the Jin Prince to the palace every day, and occasionally went to speak with him in the imperial study. Otherwise he would have the Jin Prince take his family to accompany the senior concubine. He had even praised the Jin Prince in front of officials for his intelligence and hard work, saying his vassal state was extremely well managed.
All this caused great waves.
Ezoic
This blew over when one day in the Chunluan Palace, Emperor Xi suddenly said that the senior concubine was lonely, and ordered the Jin Prince's children to stay behind and accompany the senior concubine. This by itself wasn't a big deal, but combined with everything else, the entire palace, and even the entire court felt some changes.
That was to say, the wind was blowing in a different direction.
The Jin Prince had already stayed in the capital for over half a month. He was normally cautious, and would never stay in the capital too long. He would stay at most half a month before requesting to return to his vassal state. This time however, he didn't show any movement.
The court was very calm, and all the aristocrats and nobility also kept their silence. Everyone had the same question—-
Would the Jin Prince still ask to return to his vassal state this time?
……
"Would the Jin Prince still ask to return to his vassal state this time?" The crown prince asked.
Empress Xiao sat there and the restlessness between her brows was hard to conceal.
"Since when did we have to place all our hopes on someone else? Mother empress, you are the grand and majestic empress. This humble one is the crown prince. But instead, we have to hope for a small vassal prince to hurry and return to his vassal state, and not cause trouble for us?!"
The crown prince's words were very sharp. At least, Empress Xiao had been stabbed by them. She leaned weakly against her throne, her face pale. At some point, traces of wrinkles had appeared on her carefully maintained face, making her seem a little older. She wasn't young anymore and suffered a lot of pressure daily. How could she not age?!
Ezoic
"Mother empress, your son is unconvinced. Where is your son lacking in comparison? Why does royal father treat your son this way!?"
The crown prince was irritable to begin with, and he was a little hysterical at the moment. He paced back and forth in front of Empress Xiao, his face twisted. Not everyone was good at enduring. He had just been happy for several days before being subjected to something so hard to endure. It was no wonder he was so irritable.
Empress Xiao saw this and hurriedly said: "You shouldn't panic, everything will be fine. Vassal princes aren't allowed to remain in the capital for too long. If nothing happens in a few days, the court councilors will naturally present a memorandum."
"Waiting, waiting, waiting, it's always waiting. We can only passively take a beating. Your son is completely fed up with this."
"Zhao'er, things are sensitive at the moment. You must endure."
The crown prince understood this reasoning, but what could he do if he felt annoyed?!
Why did the grand and majestic crown prince have to suffer such grievance? He could endure looking at his royal father's expression the whole day, but he still had to endure a concubine's cheap son!
"Zhao'er, if you can't endure at this moment, then all the efforts your grandfather and I put in will be in vain, as well as your own efforts. Would you be willing?"
Willing? No, he was not willing! He still longed for the day he could completely trample the Jin Prince underfoot….
No need to long for it, the time was almost here.
Ezoic
There were still two more years….
The crown prince recovered his calm, and his face returned to its normal dignified appearance.
"Mother empress, your son understands. I definitely won't disappoint you."
Huang Qin was the Jing Prince's advisor. He held an instructor's position within the Jing Prince Estate.
An instructor was a ninth rank minor official under the Adjutant's Office. There could be any number of them, and they were responsible for the upbringing of the vassal prince's sons and daughters. Although this was their role on the surface, most vassal prince estates had the instructors serve as an advisor to the vassal prince and help him come up with plans and ideas.
Ezoic
Huang Qin was over fifty years old. In the first half of his life he was an unrecognized talent. Despite being a scholar he hadn't even passed the imperial exam. He spent several years as a freelancer before finally understanding that he wasn't good at standard literature despite being highly intelligent. He was however very good at putting together plans and schemes. Thus he found his path, becoming a teacher or advisor to others.
Unfortunately becoming a teacher needed its own qualifications. Someone that didn't even pass the county-level exam would never be sought after as a teacher. Even when he found a household to serve, it would be as a low ranking minor official.
Ezoic
Ezoic
Huang Qin had ambition, and was naturally not resigned to a life of mediocrity. Due to a stroke of fate and coincidence, he was snapped up by the Jing Prince into the Jing Prince Estate.
At that time the prince had just arrived in the Jing Province, and although he had been enlightened he still had several things dragging him down from his past life, and didn't know how to start fixing them. Meeting Huang Qin, he at first hadn't really viewed him with much importance and merely wanted to learn how to handle common affairs from him.
Ezoic
It had to be said that the Jing Prince learned a lot from Huang Qin. Although he wasn't good at other things, the prince still had a good eye for people. Many of the Jing Prince's initial policies were enacted under Huang Qin's advice.
After spending several years with him, the Jing Prince also understood that Huang Qin was someone of great wisdom, and naturally lamented that others were blind to this treasure he picked up by the side of the road.
This won't be mentioned for now. After so many years, Huang Qin had also become the Jing Prince's trusted aide. He knew many of the Jing Prince's matters, and had even been involved in planning some of them.
However, as time passed and the Jing Prince grew, Huang Qin gradually became more of a helper than the planner. Often times, he no longer came up with the strategy and merely served as the assistant that patched up the gaps.
The Jing Prince had grown too fast, gradually giving Huang Qin the feeling he was looking at his back.
Ezoic
The Jing Prince was a very complicated person. He was simple yet complicated.
He was simple because the Jing Prince's thoughts were simple, unlike others whose hearts were filled with suspicion and would always keep things hidden. This included when he first chose to make use of Huang Qin. His first words had been "teach me" and he handed over all the authority thereafter, trusting and relying on him.
He was complicated because after receiving his teachings, the prince had casually started handling things himself. Although his methods were often strange, these different methods ended up producing the intended results. This often made others stare speechlessly, and they couldn't help acknowledging the Jing Prince as someone wise on the inside but foolish on the outside.
Just like this time. Initially they were just trying to ascertain Emperor Xi's health which was how they ended up coercing Imperial Physician Zhou. However, the Jing Prince considered many things. Although they were coercing Imperial Physician Zhou, he ordered his subordinates to help the imperial physician deal with future dangers. It was just an escape plan to begin with, but ended up developing to its current state. This made Huang Qin exclaim in admirataion, but also feel a trace of fear at the Jing Prince's ability to understand people's natures.
Would any of the major figures in the capital imagine that the current waves were caused by a tiny and obscure vassal prince?
Ezoic
For some reason, Huang Qin suddenly held unprecedented expectations for the Jing Prince's grand designs.
Perhaps it was similar to the Jing Prince's attitude of…
As long as I go for it, and do things seriously, there will be a day when I obtain what should belong to me!
The Yun Prince Estate was naturally aware of the things happening in the capital.
Ezoic
Ezoic
Luo Huai Yuan seemed cunning but was actually someone quite simpleminded. He had plenty of intelligence but not enough patience. Therefore, he loved to take shortcuts when doing things. He liked to wrap things up quickly and didn't like prolonged battles. Winning Yan Yan over was the most patient thing he had done in both his lifetimes.
Therefore, he was fated to be a little worse than the Jing Prince. This wasn't to say he was bad. His nature was just this way.
After handing everything over that he could, Luo Huai Yuan put all his thoughts into raising his children. Niu Niu and Jian'er were currently at their cutest and there were too many joys in raising them to speak of.
Ezoic
Luo Huai Yuan naturally knew everything that had happened in the capital. However, since he wasn't involved, he could only tell that something was going on but didn't know the details. However, he was happy to see this situation. The crown prince and the Jin Prince was struggling fiercely while they could fish in troubled waters. For the sake of making sure he hadn't put his trust in the wrong person, Luo Huai Yuan sent a letter to the Jing Prince pointing out the key points and telling him to pay attention.
The Jing Prince sent back one word: patience.
Ezoic
This fellow was always so stingy with his words. Luo Huai Yuan scoffed at the Jing Province's Jing Prince. Would he die if he said a little more?
He even vulgarly imagined what the wooden-faced old fifth was like when he was with a woman. Others might not know, but Luo Huai Yuan knew that extremely repressed old fifth had a little darling.
His subordinates had found out that the Jing Prince Estate had a forbidden area. Outsiders were all barred from entering. The estate's people all said that it was a golden house the Jing Prince had especially constructed for his favored little concubine. Luo Huai Yuan didn't know if this was the mistress's golden house, but he was truly astonished. This man seemed to be a block of wood, but it looks like he had fallen head over heels for a woman. Even tempered steel could be bent around the finger. Who knows if old fifth's face was still the same when he was tossing in bed?
Thinking of old fifth's rigid and emotionless face while he was doing inappropriate things, Luo Huai Yuan laughed vulgarly again. It was extremely unsightly.
"What are you thinking about? Why are you laughing so vulgarly!?"
Ezoic
The only person who dared to speak to him like this within the entire Yun Prince Estate was probably his precious wife Yan Yan.
Luo Huai Yuan raised his eyebrows and waved her over, pulling her onto his lap. He leaned in next to her ear and started gossiping.
His highness and his consort had always been close. The servants around them were already able to completely ignore scenes like this. Lan'er and Liu'er even spread out in the area in case outsiders suddenly intruded in the garden.
Yan Yan knew her man's personality clearly. To say he had no bottom line was giving him face. He essentially made one speechless.
Although Yan Yan felt awkward about it, she had been corrupted by Luo Huai Yuan for too long. Although her expression was uncomfortable and she didn't seem willing to go along with things, she was also enticed into wondering about the fifth prince's private affairs.
Ezoic
She had seen the fifth prince back then. Would such an aloof person who seemed like a banished immortal really partake in such worldly desires?
Luo Huai Yuan spoke more and more excessively, even mentioning the matters of the bedroom. Yan Yan couldn't help but turn red.
"Are you done yet? Your words are getting more and more inappropriate!"
She pushed away the large face that was pressing in closer. Unfortunately, she couldn't do so and he managed to get even closer instead.
"How is it inappropriate? Isn't that all there is between man and woman? You call me a pervert every day, but that's just me showing my deep affection for you. When a man has a woman he likes, he can't control himself. That fallen immortal of an old fifth has unexpectedly gotten himself a woman. Do you think he's also like me? When I see you, my little darling, I involuntarily want to do this and that…."
Ezoic
As he spoke, this fellow started groping around.
Having been married for many years, they were long since aware of each other's sensitive areas. Luo Huai Yuan naturally knew where to attack to make Yan Yan immediately break down. His chubby hand familiarly made its way inside her clothes. It was the end of summer and their clothes were extremely thin. He quickly pulled aside her little chest wrap and burrowed inside. Not only that, he didn't slack off on top either. He blew repeatedly against Yan Yan's tender and fair earlobes, and even started kissing them.
"Let go, it's the middle of the day!"
Yan Yan's face was flushed like a plum blossom and she wished she could give this person a beating.
"I won't let go! I won't let go!" He said shamelessly.
Ezoic
He then said quietly by Yan Yan's ear: "My Yan Yan, my little darling, go along with me this once. We haven't tried it outside before…."
"No."
She spoke very righteously but didn't put any strength in her struggles.
Although Lan'er's group was guarding the little pavilion they were in, and their backs were towards them, Yan Yan wasn't able to accept it.
It was too lewd!
Ezoic
Luo Huai Yuan was also extremely strong with that physique of his. He also kept up his distractions to hide his intentions.
He held Yan Yan as he kissed her ferociously. By the time she snapped out of it, the muslin pants within her skirt was already taken off….
…..
This round scared Yan Yan witless. Not only did she have to make sure she didn't make any sounds, she also had to make sure that vulgar fellow didn't make any sounds either. She also had to make sure Lan'er's group didn't hear anything. It was truly "thrilling".
After it was over, Yan Yan recovered and stretched out her hand to give a pinch.
Luo Huai Yuan was extremely tough and didn't cry out at the pain. His chubby face was just a little twisted.
They frantically tidied themselves up and heard their daughter speaking to a palace maid.
"Hurry and put on your clothes. Help me check if anything is out of place."
The couple hurriedly cleaned up. One sat in their old spot while the other sat earnestly across, sipping on tea that had long since turned cold.
"Mom, dad."
Ezoic
Niu Niu bounced over into the pavilion. The little meatball Jian'er followed behind her. He ran while calling for his sister to wait for him. Seeing his sister jumping onto their dad, he charged towards Yan Yan.
"What's the rush? Careful not to fall."
Seeing her son covered in sweat, Yan Yan was going to use her handkerchief in her sleeve to wipe his sweat but her hand come out empty. She figured that it must have fallen somewhere during the chaos and saw the pale blue handkerchief on the floor.
She inevitably thought of the mess earlier and immediately turned red.
As her mistress's personal palace maid, Lan'er's eyes were extremely sharp. She hurriedly went to pick it up. When she got closer, she smelled a strange odor. It wasn't unpleasant, but as a personal palace maid who took care of the consort's matters, she often encountered similar situations after her mistress and master were done.
Lan'er's heart tightened and her little face immediately turned red.
Yan Yan had been sensitive to begin with and was also trained in martial arts. Lan'er's unusual expression didn't escape her eyes. Yan Yan's face immediately turned redder and she fiercely glared at Luo Huai Yuan.
She naturally gave him a beating after returning to the Xianyun Hall.
Author's notes:
Earthlings cannot comprehend fatty's vulgarness.
Some of the plot is repeated from the Chambermaid's novel. This author struggled for two days but this plot was unavoidable. Otherwise it wouldn't be clear. However, this sort of thing won't happen in the future.
A major event happened in the capital that drew everyone's attention.
The crown prince and the Jin Prince each formed a team of riders to compete in a polo match. It was supposed to be a game born from some joking words. However, Emperor Xi suddenly released an edict proclaiming the following: The younger generation of all the officials and nobility could participate in this polo match. The winner would be bestowed the Dragon Ascending Ornament, and all the participants would be rewarded and conferred titles as well.
The atmosphere reached a climax.
Ezoic
Polo was a ball sport played on horseback. It was the sport of preference for the Grand Xi's nobility. In his youth, even Emperor Xi would join a match when he was in the mood.
Actually, this started due to an unrelated matter. Emperor Xi had been evaluating the Jin Prince's martial skills at the training field. The crown prince arrived unexpectedly. The two didn't see eye to eye in the first place. The crown prince wasn't good at martial arts and had always been jealous of the Jin Prince. Seeing him showing off valiantly on the field, he was even more jealous.
Ezoic
The Jin Prince naturally wouldn't let go of this great opportunity to step on him in front of the crowd and issued a challenge. Since it was hard for the crown prince to get out of it, he had been forced to accept. Unexpectedly, due to being afraid of something happening to the two princes, someone had suggested it was better to compete in polo. This would avoid their relationship from being damaged and also avoid any accidental injuries.
That subordinate had good intentions. He didn't expect this simple matter to result in many disputes due to their animosity. The crown prince was mentally unstable and was naturally not the Jin Prince's match. He had to suffer silently quite a few times, and those won't be mentioned in detail.
On the day of the match, the crown prince had started off in the lead. However, the Jin Prince's team caught up from behind and was ahead by four goals at the end of the first half. At the start of the second half, the Jin Prince's team was leading once again. Perhaps out of impetuousness, or due to some other thoughts, or perhaps it was merely an accident, the crown prince actually rammed the Jin Prince's horse with his own, causing the Jin Prince to be sent flying.
Ezoic
The crowd was in uproar.
The Jin Prince's injuries weren't light. Although his life wasn't in danger, his leg had been broken.
…….
No one expected a polo match to end up this way.
It was inevitable for light injuries to occur during polo, but these people were all skilled horsemen, and knew to control themselves. Who would have expected the crown prince to go crazy and ram the Jin Prince?
The Jin Prince was carried to the Chunluan Palace to be treated. Emperor Xi didn't spare the crown prince a glance before storming off.
Everyone on the field knew that the crown prince's situation was dire.
It was fine if the Jin Prince's leg could be healed. If an issue occurred, it would leave behind a thorn in the emperor's heart that couldn't be removed. The fact that the crown prince was so intolerant that he would disregard his brother's life over a mere polo match would constantly be on the emperor's mind.
Over half the imperial physicians in the imperial hospital had been summoned to the Chunluan Palace. From their examination, they concluded that the Jin Prince's leg would depend on how it healed. If it healed well, there would naturally not be any problems. If it didn't, it would remain a problem to some extent.
Emperor Xi declined to comment and invited Imperial Physician Zhou to take another look. The outcome was more or less the same.
Ezoic
"Royal father, don't blame the crown prince. He, he also didn't do it on purpose." The Jin Prince's face was pale as he spoke with a weak voice.
"You're still worrying about others? Are you trying to anger your mother to death? My Jin'er, who did you end up provoking? What should we do if your leg doesn't heal properly….." Senior Concubine Xu wiped her tears on the side.
"Don't talk nonsense. With so many imperial physicians, how can there be any issues!" Emperor Xi then spoke to the Jin Prince: "You recuperate properly. Your royal father will take care of things on the crown prince's side. Zheng Hai Quan—-"
"This servant is here."
"Clear out the Jin Prince's former room within the palace, and have him move over."
"Royal father, it's better if your son returns to the Jin Prince Estate. I can recuperate in the estate, it's not too good to live in the palace."
"What's bad about it?"
"Regardless, your son wants to recuperate in the estate…."
A stubborn expression flashed across the Jin Prince's pale face. He closed his eyes and no longer spoke. His actions wouldn't make Emperor Xi feel disrespected, but rather made him think that his son was too sensible.
Emperor Xi showed some weariness on his face as he said: "Since you wish to return, then go properly recuperate in the estate."
After Emperor Xi left, the hall fell into silence. Senior Concubine Xu was about to speak when a palace maid reported, "Concubine, the empress is here to visit the Jin Prince, his highness."
Ezoic
"We won't see her." Senior Concubine Xu's expression looked stern, "Tell her the Jin Prince is tired and has gone to sleep."
Ezoic
"Your majesty, the empress went to the Chunluan Palace but was prevented from entering by the senior concubine. The crown prince intended on coming to the Violet Imperial Hall to beg for forgiveness but was ordered to return by the empress."
Emperor Xi raised his hand. The kneeling eunuch took his leave.
"Zheng Hai Quan. Tell me, is this a performance put on by the Jin Prince for Us?"
Zheng Hai Quan wished he could bury himself so Emperor Xi couldn't see him. However, such thoughts were merely pipe dreams, and he could only respond: "This servant, this servant feels it doesn't seem to be the case. This Jin Prince was in front and the crown prince was behind. How could he guard against someone bumping into him from behind?"
Ezoic
These words made Zheng Hai Quan's heart tremble, but since the emperor had asked him, he could only speak his thoughts out loud.
Emperor Xi let out an "en", "But the crown prince wouldn't be so brazen either….."
Zheng Hai Quan didn't dare to speak further. He bent his waist and lowered his head.
Emperor Xi also felt it didn't seem intentional. Everyone on the field had seen the crown prince's horse suddenly accelerate and run into the Jin Prince's horse.
"What were the results after investigating the horses and the field?"
Ezoic
"After repeated examination, there doesn't seem to be any problems."
Emperor Xi no longer spoke, his face scarily dark.
Only after a long while did he say: 'The crown prince is too impatient and insolent. He will be confined for a month." After a pause, he spoke again: "Give the Ascending Dragon Ornament to the Jin Prince, and choose some good medicine from Our personal storage while you're at it. Let him properly recuperate."
"Yes."
Ezoic
The eastern palace was scarily silent. After his majesty gave the confinement order, it was even more silent, as though no one was present.
Within the study, no lamps were lit despite the darkness.
The crown prince had yet to snap out of his daze. At the time, he had muttered that he wasn't planning on ramming the Jin Prince, yet he himself had no idea how he ended up running into him.
Once Emperor Xi's investigation was concluded, the Jin Prince received the report as well. Actually both sides got the results at the same time since the empress had also sent people over to see.
There was truly nothing abnormal. There were no issues with the field or the horses, leaving the crown prince with no excuses. He could only shut himself in his study and think everything over. In the end, he had a splitting headache but there was still no conclusion. He could only assume he had lost himself in the moment.
Ezoic
"Highness, how about this servant light a lamp?" Chen Qi who had accompanied him this whole time suddenly spoke. He lit the lamp as he spoke. "This servant believes highness definitely wouldn't do something like this. It was definitely the Jin Prince's scheme."
"You also think this humble one was wrongly accused?"
The room lit up. Chen Qi nodded his head, "Highness couldn't possibly use such clumsy methods. Wouldn't this be making problems for yourself? This servant is dimwitted but still understands the situation. Highness would rather be injured himself than let the Jin Prince get injured."
The crown prince suddenly let out a breath, as though feeling at ease now that he heard these words.
"However—-"
"Speak."
"This servant was also there at the time. Highness's horse clearly sped up and charged over. The others present seemed to have witnessed the same thing as well."
Seeing the crown prince's ugly expression, Chen Qi continued speaking: "Therefore, this servant felt something wasn't right. The easiest way to deduce the truth is to figure out who would benefit from it. Without a doubt, it would be the Jin Prince. But this servant really can't figure out how the Jin Prince's horse was able to get itself rammed under everyone's eyes."
After speaking back and forth, they were back at the beginning. This was something no one could figure out.
……
Ezoic
"It actually wasn't much. This humble prince just had his horse stop for a bit."
Within the Jin Prince Estate, the Jin Prince's pale face showed some poorly concealed satisfaction.
His advisor, Mister Chen Da was astonished, "Stop for a bit?"
"It was on impulse. Such a good opportunity landed in front of this humble prince, how could I bear to let it slip by?!"
It sounded easy, but had been difficult.
Under such a high speed gallop, to be able to have his horse stop briefly and continue forward once more required excellent horsemanship, perception and decisiveness.
Horsemanship was needed to control the horse and perception was needed to calculate the timing and distance between himself and the crown prince. A horse's length was a fleeting distance to begin with, like the spark of a flint. The Jin Prince had actually been able to successfully grasp it. Furthermore, to be able to put his own safety to the back of his mind to seize this opportunity, this required decisiveness.
It had to be said that the Jin Prince was a rare talent. He was determined, courageous and wise.
Mister Chen Da had a face full of praise, "Highness is both a hero and a great strategist. You are bound to succeed in your endeavors."
"At this point, they won't be able to hope for this humble prince to return to his vassal state. Before my leg is healed, they wouldn't dare bring it up."
Ezoic
"Highness is wise."
At this time, someone came to report that the Chengen Count's heir had arrived.
The Jin Prince hurriedly invited him in.
Ezoic
Xu Xiang Rong wore a set of deep azure robes with dark patterns. A black belt inlaid with jade was wrapped around his waist. Seeing him come in, Mister Chen Da hurriedly stepped forward and paid his respects. Xu Xiang Rong nodded at him slightly and walked to the bed. He examined the Jin Prince seriously, and only relaxed after seeing him look in good spirits despite being pale.
The Jin Prince naturally saw the criticism in his uncle's eyes. His expression was a little unsettled but also held a hint of expectation and smugness.
"Uncle."
When the Jin Prince was very, very young, his uncle Xu Xiang Rong was someone who was extraordinarily wise in his eyes. This sort of impression had never been erased even after the Jin Prince matured. He never forgot that everything his mother concubine and the Xu household possessed involved this man's efforts. When his mother concubine was still weak, it was always this man who helped them come up with plans and ideas. Only then could they resist the empress and the crown prince for so many years, until now the west wind gradually suppressed the east wind.
"You did very well. However, you must remember that there will always be opportunities. Your safety is what's most important. Pyrrhic victories are for fools."
The Jin Prince nodded.
Xu Xiang Rong looked at his leg and said: "What do you plan on doing next?"
Ezoic
"Uncle, please give some pointers."
Xu Xiang Rong nodded and sat in fron of the bed. "Since you were able to seize this opportunity, you probably have some thoughts already. The crown prince's side has been trying to find ways to make you return to your vassal state. This matter happens to shut them up. Although I can make plans for you in the capital, you must ultimately settle things personally. You know those people aren't doing it for my sake, but for yours."
"His majesty is old. Those people underneath naturally all have their own plans. We've endured for so many years and yielded for so many years. Back then, it was truly necessary to endure and yield. However, times have changed. In the future, you must still maintain appearances, but must also have the proper bearing beneath the surface. The so-called winner is king. If you wish others to pay allegiance, you must have qualities that convince them to do so." Xu Xiang Rong tapped his knee and muttered to himself before saying: "Your injury can still be used. The enemy won't move unless we do. The Xiao clan's old man has always been very composed. However, if they won't make a move, we can force them to do so this time. The crown prince's side has been frequently suppressed by us. They are an arrow at the end of its flight. Since this is the case, might as well force them to hop the fence. Only then will we have an opening."
The Jin Prince was startled and asked urgently: "Uncle, you mean?"
He wasn't a fool to begin with and already understood some things upon hearing Xu Xiang Rong's words. His face revealed a trace of joy.
"Since you're injured, might as well let it worsen. Leave this matter to me."
Ezoic
…….
When this news reached the Yun Prince and the Jing Prince, they were both incessantly startled.
The Jing Prince was especially so. He had ordered for the waters to be muddied as much as possible. His spy had told him that they had merely lured the crown prince over. No one expected the string of events that followed.
The Jing Prince naturally doubted the Jin Prince's injury. However, he was truly injured and nothing seemed to be fishy. How the Jin Prince got injured became a mystery.
Ezoic
However, it wasn't important whether or not it was a mystery. Ultimately, the more chaos there was the more opportunities they had. He was naturally glad to see it happen.
Luo Huai Yuan also understood this reasoning, but due to being restless he sent a letter discussing this matter to the Jing Prince Estate. Recently, he had been sending letters to the Jing Province once every few days. Part of it was to discuss important matters but it was also to develop their relationship.
Soon, the weather turned cold and winter was about to arrive.
After her sixth birthday, Niu Niu seemed to have grown a little taller again.
Ezoic
As she matured, Niu Niu looked more and more like Yan Yan when she was younger. Apart from her large and round eyes which resembled Luo Huai Yuan's, she seemed to be carved from the same mold. She was cute, charming and pretty. Her skin was fair and tender and her eyes were bright. She seemed taller than girls her age, and would clearly become a tall and slender beauty in the future.
Ezoic
Compared to the little beauty, Jian'er seemed to be lacking just that little bit in appearance. He looked like a small meatball and looked essentially the same as his dad when he was young. Of course, a child was rather cute even if he was a little chubby. His appearance made people want to pinch his little cheeks.
Jian'er felt extremely aggrieved towards this but the other three in the family were older so he could only allow them to toy with him.
What could he do? Within the estate, his mom had the highest status. Then came his sister and his dad was third. He could only be fourth. His dad taught him that men shouldn't bicker with women. His mom and sister were both women, so as a man, he should go along with them.
Actually, Luo Huai Yuan had deeply felt he wasn't imposing in the eyes of his children, and came up with this excuse for himself. Everyone else had caring mothers and stern fathers, but in their household, the father was caring and the mother stern. Although Luo Huai Yuan was quite amused by this, as the father he still had to establish his own dignity in front of his children.
Ezoic
Therefore, he explained his "weakness" in front of Yan Yan to Niu Niu by saying a man had to empathize, protect and cherish his wife to be a true man. To his son, he explained that as men, they shouldn't stoop to a woman's level.
Towards this, Jian'er didn't raise any objections. He was just puzzled about one thing: why wasn't he ranked third? Shouldn't adults cherish the young?
Luo Huai Yuan gave him another explanation. When his mom and sister weren't included, men were ranked by their ability. He wasn't as strong as his dad nor as tall. Therefore, it made sense for him to be ranked last.
Jian'er was unable to respond to this and could only silently accept his pitiful ranking.
Seeing her husband trick their young son, Yan Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It wasn't appropriate for her to object either. Firstly he was just messing around and secondly, she never interfered when her husband was teaching their son. Men oversaw external affairs and women took care of internal affairs. Mothers instructed daughters and fathers instructed sons. This was the proper way of things, in case sons ended up being raised into mommy's boys by their mom. Although Yan Yan didn't have much of a womanly air, she still left their son to Luo Huai Yuan.
Ezoic
Ezoic
Niu Niu watched her mom practice martial arts daily, rain or shine, and had long since wanted to learn. However, she was young and her bones were soft, so Yan Yan never agreed to teach her.
Since she was now older by a year, she started bothering Yan Yan again. Yan Yan recalled that she herself started around this age and thus began building up her daughter's foundation.
Building foundations meant warming up, jogging and sitting in horse stance.
Niu Niu seemed very interested in this and hearing her mom agree to teach her, she ordered her palace maids to make her an exercise outfit like her mom's. She started wearing it bright and early before going to find Yan Yan.
Her actions couldn't be kept from Jian'er who lived in a side hall in the same building. He watched enviously for a day before making a fuss about wanting to learn as well.
Ezoic
"Why are you envious of everything I do?! Go play with dad, don't disturb our training."
"Training martial arts strengthens the body. Jian'er wants an awesome body in the future!"
Hearing this, Yan Yan muttered to herself that her son was quite reasonable.
Niu Niu refuted: "You should forget about it. You're so lazy, sleeping all the time and refusing to wake up like a little pig. You don't like martial arts at all. You're just being envious."
Jian'er's bun-like face drooped and he said quietly: "I won't sleep in from now on. I'll get up early every day."
Ezoic
"Look how unconfident you sound. You definitely won't be able to do it."
Jian'er glanced at his sister's domineering expression and then snuck a glance at his mom. He then raised his chubby hands, covered his eyes and started crying: "Want to learn, want to learn, you can't base everything on something that happened in the past….wuwu….big sis is a meanie, bullying Jian'er every day…..Jian'er also wants to become strong in the future…."
Luo Huai Yuan who had been watching the entire time while eating porridge almost spat a mouthful out in laughter. Others weren't able to tell but that didn't mean he wasn't able to. This brat has also learned to fake tears, and bawl like thunder without any rain. Based on past experience, Niu Niu would soon suffer defeat. Would it be the same this time?
"What are you crying for, you crybaby!?"
"Wuwuwuwu…."
Ezoic
Niu Niu looked moody and she gave him a tug: "Then what if you don't keep your word? What if you give up half way?"
Seeing his sister taking a different tone, Jian'er rubbed his eyes and stammered: "Definitely won't."
Ezoic
Niu Niu fished out a handkerchief from her robes and gave it to him to wipe his tears. Jian'er was afraid he would be exposed and snatched it over, rubbing it all over his face. Once he was done, his little face and eyes were truly red. Niu Niu didn't suspect anything.
"I will supervise you! If you dare give up halfway I'll give you a beating!" Niu Niu's expression was very stern.
Jian'er's expression was also very solemn, though his face was a little rigid.
Ezoic
Would his sister really beat him up if he couldn't persevere? What a profound question!
"Mom, I will supervise my lazy brother properly!" Niu Niu looked at Yan Yan and said, acting the older sister.
"Alright."
Yan Yan nodded calmly. Seeing her man giving her a wink, she shot him a glare.
She knew her own children well. Jian'er had completely inherited her man's laziness. Yan Yan was very doubtful whether he could persevere.
Ezoic
Ultimately, Niu Niu and Jian'er started the challenging process of learning martial arts.
The start was always tiring and tedious. Just sitting in horse stance endlessly was sufficient to force many to retreat. Niu Niu was a very tenacious child. She gritted her teeth and persevered. Jian'er was merely excited initially as Yan Yan expected. Soon a string of things happened like being unable to get up early, not having any energy, his limbs and stomach hurt and so on.
But with his devil of a sister supervising, Jian'ers plans to slack off failed one by one. He was forced out of bed every day by Niu Niu. He suffered unspeakable misery and regretted his initial desire to get in on the action. However, this was something for the future.
Author's notes:
The little sesame-filled bun. Fatty this fellow is a terrible influence.
Winter turned to Spring and the year started anew.
This New Year's, the crown prince's faction was especially sullen. The crown prince was confined for a month and only released towards the end of the year. This matter still wasn't over yet. As long as the Jin Prince's leg remained unhealed, the crown prince needed to lower his head and behave.
The Qi Prince was summoned back to the capital and caused another ruckus. He had always been hot-headed. Hearing that the Jin Prince's leg was broken due to the crown prince, he harassed the recently released crown prince, demanding an explanation. But what explanation was there to give? The crown prince was also sullen. Someone slightly more reasonable wouldn't have made things awkward by causing a ruckus. But if the Qi Prince was reasonable, he wouldn't have done so to begin with.
Ezoic
The Qi Prince was ultimately restrained. His actions caused another round of waves in the matter which had finally calmed down previously. This only gradually faded when the New Year arrived. However, the haze still remained.
Time slowly passed and several months went by in the blink of an eye. The crown prince's faction remained sullen but since they were lacking in confidence it wasn't convenient to speak up. They could only wait for the Jin Prince's leg to heal before dealing with what needed to be dealt with.
Ezoic
The idea was good but reality was cruel. What happened next inflicted heavy damage on the crown prince's faction once again.
The Jin Prince's leg healed but the injury left behind some issues. The Jin Prince actually became lame?!
It wasn't very serious, just a little limp. It wasn't apparent when standing but once he walked it was obvious.
Ezoic
This was like a bolt from the blue. Not only did Senior Concubine Xu and the Jin Prince feel the heavens were collapsing, even the crown prince's faction was dazed by this bolt and unable to react.
Lame?
If this were before, the crown prince's faction would love to see the Jin Prince in tragic circumstances. Now, however? Don't joke around. The crown prince and Empress Xiao were definitely the ones who most wanted the Jin Prince to be perfectly fine.
They were feeling wrongly accused to begin with and had a bucket of feces dunked on them. Now, that bucket couldn't be removed!
Senior Concubine Xu was inconsolable, crying like her mom had died. Emperor Xi had an ugly expression for several days, and would flip out at minor things. The court and the rear palace seemed to be overcast. The palace maids, eunuchs and offiicals all shrunk their necks and behaved.
The Jin Prince had suffered a blow and shut himself away in the Jin Prince Estate. Senior Concubine Xu was heartbroken but she knew there was no use in just being sad. The entire imperial medical center's imperial physicians had been sent to treat the Jin Prince.
The results were extremely not ideal.
They had said that a broken bone depended on luck to heal. With luck, there wouldn't be any issues remaining. Without luck, it wasn't rare for the leg to become lame or crippled. Now that he was lame, how were they supposed to cure him? Could they break his leg once again, and then reattach it?
Without mentioning how unorthodox tht would be, no imperial physician had such abilities. Furthermore, when news of his lameness was announced, the imperial physicians who examined him that day were all executed by Emperor Xi. No one dared get involved with this matter anymore. It wasn't like they were tired of living.
The crown prince was now screwed. Emperor Xi vented his anger on him frequently and any explanation was useless.
Ezoic
This matter made the circumstances in the capital interesting. No one dared to suggest having the Jin Prince return to his vassal state during this sensitive time. The crown prince's faction could only continue to behave.
Of course there were inevitably doubts. How could the Jin Prince happen to be so unfortunate and become lame? Was something fishy going on?
To dispel their doubts and also to maintain appearances, the crown prince's faction searched everywhere for skilled doctors to examine the Jin Prince's leg. Emperor Xi also proclaimed that anyone who could treat the Jin Prince's leg would be awarded two thousand taels of gold and be accepted into the imperial medical center.
Unfortunately, no "famous doctor" appeared who could treat his leg. Famous doctors intermittently came to the door, but they were either there to try and get famous or to try and get rich. Such people were seen being kicked out of the Jin Prince Estate every now and then.
Of course this was all just on the surface. The Jin Prince didn't stop doing what he needed to do in secret. The crown prince's faction also gradually felt a few things. Without mentioning anything else, several households who used to be on their side suddenly changed their attitudes.
Why their attitudes changed was worth consideration. However, they couldn't find any evidence of the Jin Prince's side privately establishing relationships with officials.
The crown prince's faction seemed like they had a fly in their mouth. They couldn't swallow it or spit it out, and could only remain in a deadlock.
July arrived.
These months were like a nightmare to the crown prince. He wasn't a steady person to begin with and it was a miracle for him to have endured for so long.
Ezoic
While the crown prince seemed to be enduring on the surface, he revealed a few things in private. He became more and more violent, and would often flip out whenever he was in a bad mood. Of course he wouldn't reveal this outside, but within the eastern palace, almost everyone was avoiding him, deeply afraid of being whipped by the increasingly irritable crown prince.
In the Fengqi Palace.
All the palace maids had left, leaving only Empress Xiao and the crown prince.
Ezoic
"Mother empress, your son doesn't want to endure any longer. The Jin Prince is so shameless. This humble one can guarantee that no matter what doctor we find, his leg still wouldn't be cured. He's clearly pretending!"
"Zhao'er, mother can understand your feelings. But the closer we get to the end, the more we have to endure. Your impetuousness won't do us any good. What we rely on now is our patience. You must adjust your temper. The palace is filled with talk of your violent temper, having palace maids and eunuchs whipped for no reason. You even had Imperial Tutor Bai beaten the day before….you're breaking your mother's heart with worry…."
Empress Xiao sat on the phoenix throne, her heart and soul weary. The pitch black hair from the past had turned white on the sides.
The crown prince paced back and forth like a caged animal, his fists clenching and unclenching.
"He deserved a beating, lecturing this humble one all day, telling this humble one to endure all day….endure….I've endured……"
Ezoic
He mumbled neurotically, the whip in his hand striking at the red carpet on the floor. After a few strokes, the fine Persian rug was left full of marks.
Empress Xiao's insides split as she watched. She knew her son had a restless personality, and that he was unsteady. He had suffered quite a lot of humiliation in this past year. Although his majesty didn't say it, his gaze grew more and more frightening every day. It was clearly full of loathing for Zhao'er.
Even if she tried harder, she wouldn't be able to resolve things. As of now, Empress Xiao could no longer confidently say she understood Emperor Xi. The man whom she married when they were both teenagers had become extremely frightening, his mood changing with the weather. It wasn't clear if it was related to his health, or whether it was because he knew he didn't have much time left.
Empress Xiao thought that it probably had to do with both, but she was helpless. She no longer had the energy to worry about Emperor Xi. She couldn't even take care of her own son, and there was still the Jin Prince who was messing things up on the side.
"Zhao'er, don't be like this. Mother empress will definitely think of a way to deal with the Jin Prince."
Ezoic
"Mother empress, you have to think faster, think faster, faster…..kill him, once he's dead, killed off…this humble one doesn't want to see him anymore. He limps around in front of this humble one every day, limping around in front of royal father…..this humble one wants him dead, dead….."
The crown prince's gaze froze, his mouth continuously repeating the same thing. Suddenly, his eyes shone with a peculiar light.
"Mother empress, wouldn't you say that if we killed him off, this humble one would naturally become the emperor?"
The crown prince suddenly spoke, his voice exceedingly low. He let out a neurotic smile, looking both sinister and nefarious. The quiet words echoed around the hall, adding a few degrees of eeriness.
Empress Xiao couldn't help but shiver, squeezing out her words through her throat, "Who? Who are you talking about?"
Ezoic
"Who am I talking about?" The crown prince suddenly yelled loudly before muttering in a low voice once again, "Yes, this is a great plan. Killing him off would naturally make this humble one the emperor….."
Empress Xiao turned pale with fright as she rushed forward and held the crown prince fast, "Zhao'er, snap out of it. Such thoughts are heresy. He is your royal father…."
The crown prince's gaze snapped back into focus, his appearance becoming normal. He patted Empress Xiao and said softly: "Mother empress, do you feel like he's treating me as a son? Do you? At this rate, the Jin Prince's power will only continue to grow, and our chances of victory continues to diminish. We might as well take care of things earlier. He doesn't have much time left anyone, it's no big deal if it happens a little earlier. It's the one last thing he can do for his son….."
"Is this….ok……?"
Hearing these words, Empress Xiao's eyes were vacant. The words were mumbled and her hand involuntarily clenched and unclenched.
Ezoic
"It's ok, mother empress."
Seeing Empress Xiao's attitude wavering, the crown prince seized upon it like a lifeline. "Mother empress, this humble one is still the crown prince today. If he dies, it's only natural for me to inherit the throne. If he suddenly changes his mind and strips this humble one's position and gives it to the Jin Prince, it'll be too late."
The crown prince's words weighed heavily on Empress Xiao. She should have scoffed at this possibility, but the current her no longer had the confidence to do so.
Emperor Xi's temper was too weird recently, making his thoughts impossible to figure out. He seemed to favor the Jin Prince a lot….if the Jin Prince's leg turned out to be fine, would he end up handing Zhao'er's position to him….or was this a plan he and that bitch surnamed Xu had cooked up all along to swindle her and Zhao'er….
Empress Xiao looked at her son's excited face and bloodshot eyes.
Zhao'er was under too much pressure…..
Rumors were going around the palace recently about the crown prince's viciousness. Empress Xiao had tried to suppress them several times but hadn't been successful. There was even an imperial censor who moved to impeach the crown prince for his lack of morals a couple days ago…..
The crown prince getting impeached was Empress Xiao's biggest taboo and her biggest fear. The Grand Xi Dynasty had always emphasized the principal wife and seniority. As long as he was the crown prince, if there wasn't sufficient reason, even Emperor Xi couldn't randomly strip him of his title. Impeachment due to lack of morals was one way it could happen…
Ezoic
This was also why Empress Xiao continuously asked the crown prince to endure. The crown prince couldn't make mistakes. Any mistake would be magnified endlessly. There would be those trying to fish in troubled waters. Those who supported their side would waver, giving those with designs an opportunity.
But the Jin Prince's injury kept adding onto the crown prince's worsening reputation, and along with his unsteady temperament, Empress Xiao could sense the voices crying for impeachment grow louder….currently there was only one imperial censor behind it, but Empress Xiao believed there would only be more people over time, whether or not there was someone egging them on…..
Ezoic
Could they still endure?
Should they still endure?
For some reason, Empress Xiao actually felt a thrill in her heart upon hearing her son's words!
But she had always been cautious, and would think things through carefully. Despite knowing her answer in her heart, she still said: "Let your mother empress think it over. You can't do anything until I'm done. Behave, and don't provoke anymore trouble…."
The crown prince looked closely at Empress Xiao's face, and slowly nodded…
Senior Concubine Xu and the Jin Prince were naturally involved in the spreading rumors of the crown prince's violent temper and random beating of palace maids and eunuchs.
It was also the crown prince's fault for falling short. If he didn't do anything that could be criticized, there wouldn't have been a problem. Since he offered himself up, they would naturally make good use of it.
Senior Concubine Xu and the Jin Prince were very smug. Their chances of victory continued to grow. That foolish crown prince was still digging his own grave. No matter how calculating that Empress Xiao was, she couldn't make up for her disappointing son.
When the crown prince opened his mouth and demanded Imperial Physician Zhou's family, Chen Qi had a bad premonition.
Ezoic
Unfortunately his profile was too high, making it impossible to secretly contact Imperial Physician Zhou. He could only watch worriedly. Luckily Imperial Physician Zhou had other means on his side so they didn't need to fear the crown prince's schemes.
Having once again been taken by people into a dark room, Imperial Physician Zhou was no longer surprised this time. He first wondered if Chen Qi or Yang Hui was up to something, but seeing the neat yet oppressive old face, he knew things weren't so simple.
As expected, Imperial Physician Zhou was completely stupefied after the Jingguo Duke finished speaking.
If he hadn't gotten used to acting due to being watched by Emperor Xi recently, he might have let something slip.
"If you don't have enough time to react properly, just act according to your nature. That way you won't give anything away. Just make sure to watch your words…."
The words of that ordinary looking man suddenly rang out in Imperial Physician Zhou's mind.
He quickly erected his brows and glared, reprimanding: "Jingguo Duke. You are his majesty's personally conferred duke. You should know such thoughts are enough to have your entire clan exterminated!"
Because Imperial Physician Zhou was too shocked, he wasn't able to steady his shaken mind and the skin on his face started trembling. His lips were also pale, and even his pointed finger couldn't avoid it. Despite forcing himself to stand calmly, he was unable to conceal his panic any longer.
"Imperial Physician Zhou, this old man won't speak any empty words with you. Your entire family is in this old man's hands. Don't think about trying anything, you have no choice but to comply!"
"You-"
Ezoic
"Actually you could look at it from a different perspective. Once the crown prince inherits the throne, you would be his greatest contributor. No wealth or status would be out of reach."
"I, I can't…."
"Imperial Physician Zhou. Don't be in such a hurry to reject this old man. Think it over carefully. Don't end up harming your own family."
Imperial Physician Zhou's eyes suddenly widened and he spat out a mouthful of blood in anger before fainting from overstimulation.
The Jing Duke looked at him emotionally and shook his head, "Why so stubborn? Didn't you already betray him once? What's the harm in doing it a second time….."
After waiting for a while, he raised his voice and said: "Men, take Imperial Physician Zhou back."
The Jin Prince's group weren't aware of the things happening in the dark.
Since they had the advantage, they just had to wait for things to be in place. When the time came, his leg would be healed. Then, they would have the crown prince impeached and stripped of his position, which would be given to the Jin Prince.
This matter wasn't urgent. It was best if they could drive the crown prince insane. The Jin Prince was very entertained by the show.
Ezoic
However, they had forgotten something. They could scheme but others could scheme as well. The winner would be decided by who was more capable, and there were still many variables in play.
Everything that happened to Imperial Physician Zhou was quickly sent to the Jing Province.
The Jing Prince pondered things in his study for an entire night before sending back orders to the capital.
When Imperial Physician Zhou received the orders, he couldn't sleep the entire night. The next day, he asked for an audience with Emperor Xi in the Violet Imperial Hall.
"What did you say?"
Ezoic
An emperor's fury leads to a field of corpses.
This was Imperial Physician Zhou's first time seeing Emperor Xi so severely furious. However, he could only close his eyes, grit his teeth and continue his performance.
"Ever since that time, this servant has been full of regret and unable to sleep soundly. Your majesty's generosity has always been in my mind. Therefore, this servant won't make the same mistake this time. Even if my entire family gets killed off, I won't cower back."
"Good, very good….." Emperor Xi rubbed the blue and while little porcelain bottle on the desk, his face neutral, his expression hard to interpret but extremely gloomy. "We remember that your entire family had already died, and the funeral was even arranged by Zheng Hai Quan. How are they being used to threaten you again?"
Hearing this, Zheng Hai Quan who had been standing there this entire time immediately knelt and said while kowtowing, "This old servant went to see those bodies, and although they were burnt beyond recognition, they were indeed a man and woman, as well as an old one and a young one. This old servant doesn't know anything else."
Ezoic
Imperial Physician Zhou's expression was gloomy, his tears and snot had long since covered his face.
"This servant also doesn't understand how it happened, but the people they showed this servant this time truly were this servant's family…."
"Humph, how crafty. Even Our people were fooled by them….."
The muttered words from above caused Zheng Hai Quan and Imperial Physician Zhou below to sprawl on the floor silently, not daring to speak.
"This thing was also given to you by them?"
Ezoic
Ezoic
Imperial Physician Zhou glanced at the porcelain bottle and lowered his head once more, "Yes."
"What did they say to you for you to use this thing to harm Us?"
"This—-"
"Tell me whatever they said. We will not ask for your head."
Imperial Physician Zhou hesitated over and over before deciding to speak: "This servant scolded the Jingguo Duke for his disgraceful behavior. Perhaps in an attempt to convince this servant, the Jingguo Duke said a few things….he said, he said that your majesty was old and confused, unable to recognize the suspiciousness of the Jin Prince's actions as he continuously pressures the crown prince. In order to avoid issues from arising, he said they might as well get it over with sooner, sooner rather than later….he also said that they weren't the only ones with such thoughts. He said once the Jin Prince obtains the crown prince's position, the Jin Prince would do the exact same thing, and in fact, would be much quicker about it….he also said the Jin Prince was extremely shameless. For the sake of the throne, he continuously framed the crown prince and used your majesty's favor as a gambling chip. Otherwise, they wouldn't have had to resort to this scheme…."
Ezoic
There was a spell of silence above. It was so silent that panic arose in their hearts.
Suddenly, Emperor Xi loudly laughed a few times.
"What marvelous justification. His explanation works quite well. Coming up with a righteous reason for his disgraceful behavior…..great, hahaha, what great sons We have…."
The sound of footsteps faded into the inner hall. Imperial Physician Zhou remained flat on the floor, not daring to raise his head. Only when Zheng Hai Quan got up and followed did he realize his majesty had left.
Without anyone telling him to rise, he didn't dare to get up. He could only remain kneeling on the cold and hard floor, waiting for his fate.
Ezoic
Imperial Physician Zhou didn't know how long he knelt there. His mind was a mess and he almost couldn't hold on any longer when he heard the sound of footsteps.
"Hurry and get up, Imperial Physician Zhou. His majesty calls you inside." Zheng Hai Quan said softly, and helped him up. Seeing this elderly man being tormented by his majesty's affairs to the point he wanted to die, Zheng Hai Quan still felt some sympathy.
But it was at most sympathy, because he knew he wasn't any better off himself!
Imperial Physician Zhou entered the inner hall and didn't come out for a long while. After he came out, he couldn't help but wipe some sweat off his brow.
He finally managed to get through it all!
Ezoic
But as he thought of what was to come, Imperial Physician Zhou couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
Time continued to pass like a flowing river, without making any great waves.
Everything seemed to be the same as before, but something was different.
The crown prince was extremely silent recently, as though his violent behavior from before was just an illusion. As for the Jin Prince, he remained in his estate quietly recuperating, but only a few people knew what he was up to in private.
Ezoic
On this day, Emperor Xi fainted in court, shaking everyone.
Zheng Hai Quan instructed people to carry Emperor Xi back to the Violet Imperial Hall via his royal carriage. Before long, Empress Xiao and the crown prince hurried over.
By the time Senior Concubine Xu and the Jin Prince caught wind of it, the imperial physician had already finished his treatment. Empress Xiao sat beside the royal bed, her tears flowing unceasingly and her expression sorrowful.
"Majesty, what's happened to you—"
With a howl, Senior Concubine Xu sprawled beside the bed and started crying, her voice sad and beautiful, like raindrops on a pear blossom.
Empress Xiao gave her a glance of disgust and felt like throwing up, "What are you crying for? His majesty hasn't died yet!"
"This servant concubine is just too worried about his majesty…."
The Jin Prince stood anxiously on the side, "Where are the imperial physicians? Empress, what did the physicians say?"
"The imperial physician said that due to your father consuming pills in his youth, the harmful side effects built up and were never cleansed. Things flared up this time and the situation isn't good."
"Then why isn't father waking up?"
Ezoic
"The physician said that after fainting his royal body is overly frail…."
The Jin Prince was going to speak further but was interrupted by Empress Xiao's gesture.
"His majesty needs some time to recuperate. How is he supposed to do so when one is crying and one is pressing for answers?! Why don't you take your leave?"
Senior Concubine Xu gave the Jin Prince a glance. The two of them turned around and left.
Once they returned to the Chunluan Palace, the Jin Prince said: "This prince gets the feeling father's flare up this time isn't quite right. Does mother concubine know which physicians diagnosed him?"
Ezoic
Senior Concubine Xu knitted her willow brows, "It was still that Imperial Physician Zhou. The empress says that his majesty trusts him, and he has treated your father's royal body by himself for a while without being switched off."
The Jin Prince's prominent brows also furrowed, and he paced back and forth within the hall before saying: "We can't leave things this way. How can father's royal body be left to a single imperial physician to treat? Mother concubine, have your subordinates investigate. We also need to find another trusted imperial physician to treat father along with Imperial Physician Zhou."
"You mother naturally knows, but if there truly was something going on, the empress's side won't agree to it so easily."
"It's better to try first and see."
Ezoic
Emperor Xi remained unconscious. Empress Xiao took it upon herself to feed him medicine daily and remained awake nightly. Before long, she had become quite thin.
Senior Concubine Xu wanted to take the opportunity to care for him a couple of days, but was stopped by the empress. She said that her husband was seriously ill, and that caring for him as his principal wife was her duty. Even if she had to do it for the rest of her life, she was willing.
Senior Concubine Xu's teeth itched with resentment.
But she also couldn't say anything. To put it plainly, Empress Xiao was this rear palace's mistress. As for her, even if she was the senior concubine, she was at most a high ranking concubine in the eyes of others.
When Emperor Xi was awake, she could use his favor to rival the empress. Without Emperor Xi present, she was nothing. She couldn't go against Empress Xiao's orders.
Ezoic
These days several low-ranked concubines would come to the Violet Imperial Hall to pay their respects. They would cry incessantly. All the rear palace's women had the same thought at the moment. Whether or not they were favored, no one wanted anything to happen to Emperor Xi. When his majesty was there, they were imperial concubines. Once his majesty passes away, they would become concubines to a deceased emperor. Even those with no children didn't know how they would survive.
The Violet Imperial Hall was filled daily with the sounds of women weeping. Empress Xiao grew tired of it after a few days. She ordered them to remain within their own halls, burning incense in prayer for his majesty and not going out without reason.
This also included Senior Concubine Xu, but she had never been an obedient one. It didn't make a different what Empress Xiao said. As long as the empress said anything about it, she would kneel and cry to Emperor Xi.
Although Emperor Xi was unconscious, Zheng Hai Quan was still there. Empress Xiao didn't dare to stir up too much trouble, and could only let Senior Concubine Xu come disgust her every day.
Because Emperor Xi was unconscious, court had not been held for several days.
It wasn't possible to remain halted like this. After all, official business couldn't be delayed.
Therefore, the crown prince logically assumed control.
Emperor Xi had taken crown prince along and taught him how to navigate the court politics for many years. He also had the left and right ministers to assist him. Therefore, the Grand Xi Dynasty continued on as before.
At this point, the crown prince had become steady, as steady as Mt. Tai. In comparison, it was the Jin Prince who could no longer remain still.
He naturally doubted whether there was something fishy with his royal father's condition. But the empress had control of the Violet Imperial Hall and even though Senior Concubine Xu had some influence in the rear palace, she wasn't able to get involved at all. They weren't sure what was going on with Emperor Xi or if someone had done something.
Now that the crown prince was in charge of the nation, if anything really happened to Emperor Xi, everything the senior concubine's side had done would have been for naught. At this time, the Jin Prince and Senior Concubine Xu naturally couldn't sit still. The situation seemed no different from before, but there was one clear difference: it was the Jin Prince's turn to feel anxious.
The Jin Prince definitely wouldn't take the beating lying down. They put some effort into the rear palace and the court. Within a few days, some rumors started floating around the palace.
The rumors said that his majesty's unconsciousness was fishy, and that the empress was monopolizing the Violet Imperial Hall. Only a single person was responsible for treating his majesty which was unreasonable and suspicious. It was said the empress stubbornly refused to let anyone else treat him….
The words were about Empress Xiao, but wasn't speaking about Empress Xiao also speaking about the crown prince? It was basically pointing at them in accusation!
The source of the rumors couldn't be found. Empress Xiao tried many times without being able to stop it. Due to her killing of several gossipy palace maids and eunuchs, the rumors spread even more fiercely and even reached outside of the palace.
Ezoic
Empress Xiao knew who was responsible, but she could only curse over it in her heart. She had to remain calm on the surface. She didn't care if things got even more out of hand. She cared about showing a guilty conscience. No matter what, people were already saying it. This was clearing someone digging a pit for her to jump into.
She was clear of their goals.
All of a sudden, Empress Xiao and the crown prince were in the limelight.
Some imperial censors started moving to impeach within the court. These censors were all vicious-mouthed and dark-faced, rushing to impeach the moment they caught wind of something. Now that they found a pretext, even though the crown prince was currently in charge of court, they still raised the matter of impeachment. This made the crown prince's veins pop in his anger, but he still had to endure it.
The other side's objectives were extremely clear. They had suspicions over Emperor Xi's unconsciousness.
Of course, the empress and the crown prince wasn't without backup plans. When Senior Concubine Xu mentioned letting more imperial physicians take a look once again, the empress very straightforwardly agreed.
Author's notes:
The crown prince has his schemes, the Jin Prince has his schemes, old fifth has his schemes and Emperor Xi has his own schemes as well. What a mess.
Not only did Empress Xiao invite the imperial medical center's Chief Bai and several of the elders, she also invited the court's two senior ministers.
The left minister Lin Jian had been an official for several decades. The prestigious Lin family behind him had been officials generation after generation ever since the founding of the court. The right minister Xu Cheng was the pillar of the commoner faction. He was upright and plainspoken, an honest official who loathed immorality, and was deeply respected by those in court. These two basically represented the two factions within the court. One represented the noble households and the other represented the commoners.
It goes without saying why Empress Xiao invited them.
Ezoic
Emperor Xi lay upon the enormous royal bed in the inner hall. His breathing was even, and if it weren't for his pale face they would have thought he was merely sleeping.
Empress Xiao stood by the royal bed and said: "Imperial Physician Zhou is a physician who is admired by his majesty himself, and had always been responsible for his treatments. This seat felt that his majesty had to have a reason for his trust, and thus never thought about bringing in other imperial physicians. Who would have thought some vile people would dare to spread rumors harming this seat and the crown prince. In order to prove our innocence and remove the source of rumors, Chief Bai and the other two imperial physicians have been invited to examine his majesty along with Imperial Physician Zhou. May the two ministers please serve as witnesses."
Ezoic
Minister Lin cupped his hands, "Empress's considerations are thorough."
Minister Xu said: "Empress is wise. This is the proper way of doing things."
They spoke at the same time, and their character was apparent from their words. Minister Lin was from an aristocratic family, and his words were always a little restrained. Minister Xu on the other hand spoke much more clearly.
Empress Xiao nodded with a smile, and indicated for the physicians to go ahead with their examination.
Ezoic
After they finished, they went and discussed on the side for a bit. Chief Bai then stepped forward to report: "Imperial Physician Zhou's diagnosis was correct. His majesty truly suffered from a flare up of medicinal impurities. In fact, his majesty's royal body had already shown such signs in his earlier years. At that time, his majesty heeded our warnings and stopped taking pills. Unfortunately there were already too many impurities accumulated within his body. It isn't apparent if they remain dormant, but the moment they flare up it would cause immediate collapse. This time he's unconscious because his royal body is overly frail. By nursing him slowly, he can still wake up. It's just the timing isn't easy to grasp. It could be three days, but it could also be three months."
"Then his majesty's health has some major issues?" Minister Xu asked.
Everyone naturally understood what he meant by major issues. He was asking if Emperor Xi would pass away.
But this sort of thing couldn't be directly stated. Chief Bai could only smile bitterly and say: "Superior Xu, it's not that this lowly official isn't willing to say it clearly. It's that this thing isn't clear to begin with. In theory, his majesty shouldn't have reached such a stage, but as of now no one dares to speculate the outcome."
Minister Xu nodded, and didn't continue to make things difficult. However, his snow white brows were furrowed.
"Imperial Physician Zhou has been responsible for his majesty's health all this time. Can we continue to leave it up to him?"
Everyone knew why they were all gathered here today. It was to see if Emperor Xi's condition had anything to do with the crown prince and the empress. Since so many imperial physicians had verified it, there clearly wasn't much anyone else could say about it.
"Imperial Physician Zhou's medical skills have always been excellent. There are few within the hospital who can match him. Since he had been responsible for it all this time, then we won't have anyone else interfere. This subordinate has no objections." Chief Bai said.
Everyone present was intelligent, and naturally understood Chief Bai's style of doing things. Such a situation would result in countless of heads rolling and families being exterminated at the slightest mistake. No wonder Chief Bai was quick to pass on the responsibility.
Ezoic
Poor Imperial Physician Zhou…..
The two ministers looked at Zhou Jin, their gazes containing a few shades of pity.
"Since this affair is concluded, this old servant will take his leave."
Minister Xu was always a busy man. Now that things were done, he naturally wasn't willing to waste his time here. Minister Lin also took his leave.
Ezoic
Once the two ministers left, Senior Concubine Xu and the Jin Prince also left. Although their eyes were full of doubt and unwillingness, the two old ministers had been present as witnesses so they couldn't say anything about it. The remaining imperial physicians didn't need to be mentioned as they all left as well.
Empress Xiao gave Zheng Hai Quan a glance and said: "Eunuch Zheng, keep an eye on things here. This seat is making a trip to the Fengqi Palace."
"Yes."
Once they entered the Fengqi Palace, the crown prince suddenly let out a breath.
"Mother empress, your son had no idea Chief Bai was one of ours."
Ezoic
Empress Xiao smiled, "Trump cards should naturally only be used in key moments. Your mother has been running the rear palace for several decades. How could I not put any of our people into an important place like the hospital?"
"Then what about the other two physicians?"
"Those two aren't, but your grandfather has some blackmail on them."
Ezoic
Hearing this, the crown prince revealed a relieved smile.
"Now it's the Jin Prince's turn to be worried."
"Only when they're desperate can we find some evidence. Once we have the evidence in hand, he won't have any excuse to remain in the capital. Even if he doesn't return to his vassal state, he has to shed a layer of skin."
Mother empress, how long do you think we still have to wait—-" the crown prince couldn't help but ask.
Emrpess Xiao looked at her son's poorly concealed excitement and frowned.
Ezoic
"This matter can't be rushed. There are no fools here. If we make it too obvious, not only will the Jin Prince denounce us in the chaos, even the court officials will criticize us."
"Your son understands." The crown prince knew the reasoning. "Zheng Hai Quan isn't suspicious? He's with father every day. Should we?" The crown prince made a hand gesture.
When Zheng Hai Quan was mentioned, even Empress Xiao had a headache. She thought about it and said: "We can't. Zheng Hai Quan's profile is too high. If something happens to him right after your father fell ill, it will provoke more speculation. It's not appropriate to rush things at this stage. Luckily Imperial Physician Zhou's skills are pretty good, and the medicine he prescribed is brilliant. As long as he cooperates, there shouldn't be any problems."
The two of them discussed a little further before the crown prince left the Fengqi Palace. Empress Xiao changed her clothes before returning to the Violet Imperial Hall.
While the empress was in discussion with the crown prince, Senior Concubine Xu and the Jin Prince were also having a debate in the Chunluan Palace.
Ezoic
"How can there not be anything suspicious? This prince doesn't believe it, absolutely not!"
"Your mother also doesn't believe it." Senior Concubine Xu frowned deeply and said: "But so many people have examined him. The empress also resorted to drastic measures and invited the two ministers over as witnesses. Now no one is able to bring up any doubts. This empress is too crafty. She appeared to be flustered by us but had been scheming secretly. The situation developed too fast, and this seat couldn't ask for more physicians to come in front of the ministers. After all, Chief Bai and the other two physicians are all elders of the imperial hospital."
Ezoic
The Jin Prince clearly understood that Empress Xiao had tricked them, but some things could only be done once. They couldn't spread rumors anymore. Firstly, the empress would be justified in punishing everyone and the court couldn't say anything about it. Secondly, they would be going against the two respected ministers. Therefore, the Jin Prince and Senior Concubine Xu could only swallow this grievance.
"Lin Jian that old fogey is really useless. Couldn't he have spoken up for this prince?"
Senior Concubine Xu smiled bitterly. "Not even you or I could have spoken up in that situation, let alone Minister Lin. The empress's actions were too overt, and they were clear and reasonable. No one would dare object. Furthermore, with Minister Xu next to him, how could Minister Lin speak up?"
Ezoic
The Jin Prince's words were also just venting his anger. As of now, he was in a difficult situation.
"It's better to be careful in the coming days. Don't let them catch any hints. Let's plan things out slowly."
"Your son understands."
Once everyone had left the inner hall, Emperor Xi who was unconscious on the royal bed suddenly opened his eyes.
Ezoic
Zheng Hai Quan shrunk his neck back. He bent his waist and leaned in.
"Majesty—"
The person on the royal bed remained unmoving. He first laughed coldly a few times before suddenly saying: "We want food."
Zheng Hai Quan said "yes" before going off to arrange it.
Emperor Xi arranged this plan to beat them at their own game. There weren't many who were in on it: Imperial Physician Zhou and Zheng Hai Quan, as well as some of the eunuchs in the hall and two of Emperor Xi's trusted aides.
Of course, this act came at a price. Just the meals alone were rather difficult. Empress Xiao remained the entire day and only left at night. While she was present, Emperor Xi could only endure his hunger. Zheng Hai Quan secretly sighed and wondered why this was necessary. However, a servant had no right to comment on his master's decision.
Zheng Hai Quan quickly returned with a tray of food. Once Emperor Xi ate his fill and rinsed his mouth with Zheng Hai Quan's help, he called for Imperial Physician Zhou who was in the side hall.
"You've done very well."
Imperial Physician Zhou knelt on the floor, "Thank you, majesty, for your praise."
"Rumor has it that people are often coming to you and asking about Our health. Is it the Jin Prince's people?"
Ezoic
As for where he heard this, Emperor Xi naturally had his own channels. His plan this time was precisely for fishing out the people in the dark. Emperor Xi hadn't believed Imperial Physician Zhou's words and the crown prince's slander.
It wasn't clear if he would still stubbornly refuse to believe it this time.
"This—-" Imperial Physician Zhou looked anxiously at Emperor Xi and lowered his head again: "Yes. This subordinate ignored them."
Emperor Xi's face turned purple and then pale. He let out a couple of humphs before saying sternly: "We believe we've never mistreated them. We haven't even died yet and they're already thinking about Our position—-cough cough….." Before he finished speaking, he started coughing.
"Majesty, calm your anger."
Ezoic
Emperor Xi coughed for a long while before finally calming down.
"This performance is truly marvelous. How did We not realize in the past that everyone was so good at acting….Zhou Jin, did the empress not tell you when to take Our life?"
Imperial Physician Zhou was shocked, "No."
"Ha, she naturally wouldn't tell you. In any event, you're just a subordinate following orders. She probably won't be able to endure much longer. She's only afraid of being criticized for it….even Chief Bai is one of hers. What else have We been unaware of….the Jin Prince as well….."
Emperor Xi sat on the royal bed muttering to himself. His voice was extremely low, but it clearly sounded within Imperial Physician Zhou and Zheng Hai Quan's ears. The two of them wanted nothing more than to block their ears and not listen to this. There more they knew, the more tragic their outcomes. Once his majesty was done with this performance, it would probably be their turn…..
Ezoic
Even the usually steady Zheng Hai Quan couldn't help but start shivering.
Luo Huai Yuan was naturally aware of everything that had happened in the capital.
The heavens were collapsing in the capital but the Jing Prince still showed no signs of movement. Luo Huai Yuan couldn't help but make a trip to the Jing Province.
After meeting the Jing Prince, he chattered on a whole bunch. He even gave him a few dumb ideas such as taking drastic measures and planning assassinaitons. He even hinted at the use of the "expert bro" within the estate.
Ezoic
Actually, he had falsely accused the Jing Prince. The Jing Prince wasn't staying still. He had doing all that needed to be done, and was watching the movement in the capital to plan his next move. The Jing Prince just wasn't good at convincing people. No matter what he said, Luo Huai Yuan didn't believe him. He even stated that if things weren't successful, he was planning to run off. Only with the Jing Prince's repeated guarantees did he feel a little reassured.
On the other side, the capital became more and more chaotic.
Because Emperor Xi was unconscious, the palace was especially silent during the thirty-fifth New Year's celebration of the Xi calendar.
The moment the festivities were over, the capital became tense.
The crown prince and Jin Prince's factions were struggling more and more clearly. Imperial censors impeached the Jin Prince for remaining in the capital too long and not returning to his vassal state. The Jin Prince's side weren't pushovers and counterattacked by saying his majesty's edict was for the Jin Prince to recuperate in the capital. Forcing him to go back required his majesty's edict. Furthermore, with his majesty having remained unconscious, how could his son leave at this time?
Ezoic
The two sides quarreled fiercely and almost came to blows in court.
As for the struggles in the dark, things were at an impasse. The crown prince was currently at a slight advantage but the Jin Prince wasn't without means to counterattack.
As time passed, the crown prince's advantage grew more obvious and it was clear the Jin Prince was falling behind.
The reasoning was extremely simple. The crown prince was the principal son and also the eldest. He was currently in charge of the nation. The Jin Prince's only backer was now out of the picture. Although he had accumulated a decent amount of influence, the emperor remained unconscious and people inevitably wondered if he was really done for. The moment his majesty passed away, the crown prince would become the rightful successor. At that time, the Jin Prince who had deeply offended the crown prince would really die without a proper burial. It wasn't just the Jin Prince who was worried. Many officials backing him had also started wavering.
Knowing that they couldn't let this go on, the Jin Prince, Xu Xiang Rong and some advisors had several discussions. They had no choice but to consider a military move. The Jin Province and Qi Province started secretly moving.
At the same time, the Yun Province and Jing Province also started moving.
The Jing Prince didn't sleep for several days, throwing out all of his and the Yun Prince's forces. News came in every few hours or half a day at most. Luckily, their subordinates had special means of communication that was very fast. Otherwise, it really wouldn't have worked.
The Jing Prince and Luo Huai Yuan had an honest exchange, telling each other everything they had. Only then did Luo Huai Yuan find out that the repressed old fifth had done so much. Thinking of the things that had happened in the capital, he felt that the person in front of him was a freak. Was it really as he thought? Was this what a male lead's aura should look like?
Luo Huai Yuan felt inferior.
Towards Luo Huai Yuan's admiring yet slightly aggrieved glance, the Jing Prince said with a rigid face: "You also contributed a lot to this. If it weren't for your spies in the Jin Province and Qi Province, this prince's moves wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
Ezoic
Instigating conflict sounded easy but actually took a lot of effort and resources. The Jing Prince's own forces were somewhat lacking, and only with their combined strength did things proceed smoothly.
This won't be mentioned for now. The two of them had cooperated for a while and understood each other pretty well. If he hadn't been completely confident, the Jing Prince wouldn't have told Luo Huai Yuan everything.
Since things were laid out, there were naturally things for Luo Huai Yuan to do. The two discussed a little further before each busying themselves.
Things were tense. After some consideration, the Jing Prince and Luo Huai Yuan took their own men and secretly headed to the capital.
Ezoic
Luo Huai Yuan brought his wife and children with him.
The Jing Prince was completely unable to comprehend this. Luckily the two of them weren't travelling together. They each went their own way after planning to meet up near the capital.
Niu Niu and Jian'er were still young and naturally weren't aware of where they were going. They assumed their parents were taking them out to play. Yan Yan understood some of it. Actually her man wanted to bring her alone, but was afraid something would happen to the children back at the estate so they were brought along as well.
They didn't dare rest on the road and hurried over to the capital.
They first stopped at one of the manors that was part of Yan Yan's dowry. Then, Luo Huai Yuan became so busy they rarely saw him. The next time he appeared, he secretly took Yan Yan and the children into the city. They first visited the Qi Estate and left the two little ones to their grandma Shen Yi Yao to look after. He and Yan Yan went to stay at a private residence near the Qi Estate.
Ezoic
The capital had been very peaceful recently.
Of course, that was just on the surface. In reality, the Jing Prince and Luo Huai Yuan knew that the Qi Province had already started gathering troops. On the surface, the Jin Prince's faction was engaged in tai-chi with the crown prince's faction, arguing about trivial matters.
On this day, nothing seemed to be differnet. The palace operated as before.
Emperor Xi even had a tantrum, cursing about unfilial things before falling asleep out of weariness. He slept very well and dreamt a beautiful dream. In his dream, he was filled with vitality and no longer about to die. Suddenly, he was startled awake and realized the palace was in chaos.
The cries of "attack" and "kill" sounded far from the Violet Imperial Hall, but it was still faintly audible. In front of him was Zheng Hai Quan's startled face. It turned out Zheng Hai Quan had woken him up.
Ezoic
Emperor Xi sensed something was wrong and asked what was going on.
Zheng Hai Quan didn't know either. He had sensed that there seemed to be disturbances in the palace and ordered people to investigate. However, no one returned to report. Seeing that something was wrong, he braced himself and woke Emperor Xi.
The palace was truly in chaos. The previously quiet night was disturbed by the sound of footsteps and the light of flames, startling people awake from their dreams.
The eastern palace was in the midst of things. The guards had just reacted when they were mercilessly slaughtered. None of them were prepared and soon, the group of people dressed in the attire of the Jinwu Guard had rushed into the eastern palace.
The crown prince was startled awake. For the sake of safety, he had people protect him as he went to hide himself.
Ezoic
The hiding place was extremely secret. It was within an artificial mountain in the garden. From the outside it looked like a normal artificial mountain but it was actually specially made. No one in the world knew about this place. Chen Qi had been with the crown prince prior to coming here, so he was brought over as well.
Tragic crying and screaming sounded everywhere. The crown prince would have lived his decades in vain if he still didn't realize what was going on.
It was a rebellion!
There was no doubt that the treacherous Jin Prince was responsible. The crown prince gritted his teeth in rage. They had been prepared for the Jin Prince's desperate moves and had sent many people to keep an eye on him. The movements in the Qi Province were known to the crown prince, and he had sent people to stop them. He didn't expect the Qi Province to be a distraction. The assault on the palace was the real move. The Jin Prince had actually faked them out!
The crown prince was anxious and scared. He was anxious that something might happen at the Fengqi Palace and scared for his own life. However, he had some confidence in this hiding place of his. He was even imagining how he would have the Jin Prince die without a burial once he escaped.
Ezoic
The sound of people searching for the crown prince rang out. The footsteps came and went, making the heart tremble. The air was filled with the scent of blood. It wasn't clear how many people had died in the eastern palace. Chen Qi leaned against the wall of the artificial mountain and motionlessly listened to the movements outside. He occasionally reported things to the crown prince.
On the other side, Emperor Xi had established contact with the outside.
Of his two trusted imperial guard commanders, one wasn't on duty but the other was present. However, there was little he could do by himself. The situation outside was truly too chaotic. Many of the Jinwu Guards who were on duty today had revolted. Now, even Commander Zhang wasn't sure how many of his subordinates weren't traitors.
Having received Emperor Xi's orders, Commander Zhang ordered his troops to battle the traitors. Many brothers who had drank, gambled and whored together were now crossing blades.
When Commander Zhang went to meet Emperor Xi, his bright armor was stained with fresh blood. It was clear the situation outside was tragic. Luckily, prior to coming, he had already regained control over part of the situation and gathered some subrodinates that could be used.
Ezoic
Commander Zhang reported the general situation. The Jin Prince was confirmed to have rebelled. Because many of the troops had also rebelled, including many high-ranking officers from the Jinwu Guard and Huben Guard, the situation wasn't clear at the moment.
Emperor Xi's anger and worry struck at his heart and he almost passed out. Only with Imperial Physician Zhou's acupuncture was he able to regain some clarity. Then, he threw a golden medallion to Commander Zhang, giving him full authority to suppress the traitors and release the news that Emperor Xi had awoken.
Over at the eastern palace, the Jin Prince had long since arrived. He wore a set of black armor and had an austere expression.
They had searched the entire eastern palace but the crown prince was nowhere to be found. The Jin Prince ordered for the surroundings to be dug up until they found him.
Within the artificial mountain, it was possible to see the movements outside. The crown prince had long since lost his patience and pushed Chen Qi aside, sticking against the wall himself.
Ezoic
The Jin Prince could be seen through the small crack. The crown prince gritted his teeth in hatred but he had to hold his breath, deeply afraid of being discovered. His hatred surged inside him.
Suddenly, the crown prince felt a chill against his back. A wave of pain made him want to cry out but he was pressed against the wall and his mouth was blocked.
He turned his head and glared viciously at Chen Qi, his eyes bloodshot and almost bulging out.
He wanted to speak but wasn't able to. He felt him exerting more strength and an indescribable pain stabbed into his heart. He felt his vision darken.
Chen Qi was one of the Jin Prince's people?
Ezoic
This was the crown prince's last thought prior to his death.
Chen Qi carefully looked outside. He took off his eunuch's outfit and pressed it against the crown prince's wound tightly. He could feel the corpse gradually turn rigid as he observed the movements outside.
A large ruckus sounded out. The traitors rushed away like flowing water. Before long, there was no one outside anymore. Only then did Chen Qi open the artificial mountain's mechanism and step out.
He swiftly dragged the crown prince's body to the middle of the courtyard, picked up his bloodied clothing and disappeared into the night.
Author's notes:
Ezoic
First of all, an apologies to all my readers. The plot overlapped with the chambermaid novel in the last few chapters. This wasn't what I expected to happen and I had said that it wouldn't overlap. However, after racking my brains, I realized that if things didn't overlap, somethings wouldn't be clear.
In the chambermaid novel, this part had already been abbreviated because for repressed Jing, Emperor Xi, the crown prince and the Jin Prince weren't really his enemies. Even though he had died once, it could only be said the Jin Prince's schemes were vicious. Based on repressed Jing's personality, revenge doesn't seem to be a strong motivation. He just wants to survive. Therefore, things were kept concise and it was merely summarized.
The Yun Prince is the opposite. He wishes nothing more for those who bullied and harmed him to die. Of course, this was just due to his personality. Also, due to Xu Xiang Rong and Yan Ting's final outcome, this part cannot be simplified. Therefore, it inevitably overlaps with the chambermaid novel.
Some readers say that this author is merely copy and pasting parts of the overlap. This is truly the case, but I've also considered things and removed and simplified everything I could. Even the diction was edited in some cases, as well as some details and plot points. Of course it isn't very obvious. If it isn't compared side by side, those who read both novels will certainly feel like it's a repeat. In reality, there are many differences. This author won't go into detail on the efforts I put in. This is because I have to answer not only to myself, but also to my readers after writing something. Actually, this author is also rather vexed at this sort of situation.
The situation above is for those who have read both novels. Another concern is that for readers who have only read this one, if the situation isn't clarified enough, they would be completely confused. This inevitably needs to be taken into account.
Ezoic
This author has estimated the overlap to be around several thousand words. I definitely won't let everyone suffer a loss. Therefore, these words are gifted for free. I had planned to do this already but I didn't know exactly how many words there would be, and also the site doesn't allow part of the story to be added to the author's notes. This author has been warned about it by the editor in the chambermaid novel. Therefore, I had to be more cautious. These two chapters only require one chapter's worth of points to purchase. Treat it as an apology from thie author.
Hopefully everyone canempathize. Those who read both novels can naturally understand how old fifth ended up on the throne and what the fatty did during that time. But some readers have only read this book. We have to take responsibility for those readers and make sure this story is complete. Apologies for the inconveniences caused by these two chapters. Hopefully everyone doesn't mind it.
The night was dark and windy, the half-moon faintly discernable behind the clouds.
The area around the eastern palace was filled with noise. The sounds of crying and screaming were everywhere, mixed with the clamor of footsteps. Along with the light cast by the torches, it gave the atmosphere an urgent air.
The Jin Prince urgently ordered his men to find the crown prince. They had even searched the crown prince's concubines and consort's residences but there was still no sign of him. The Jin Prince knew he had to be in the eastern palace. His spies had reported the crown prince had gone to sleep in the eastern palace, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Ezoic
The Jin Prince's rebellion this time wasn't against Emperor Xi. This was because in the JIn Prince's mind, Emperor Xi was already done for and was merely prolonging the inevitable. The goal of his rebellion was to kill the crown prince. As long as they could wipe out the crown prince and Empress Xiao's influence in the palace, it was naturally easy for them to handle the rest. It wouldn't be hard to accuse the crown prince of conspiracy to harm Emperor Xi. History was written by the victor after all.
Ezoic
Who would have thought that the crown prince would vanish without a trace? A group of imperial guards had then charged towards the eastern palace's gates, crying "his majesty is awake".
Hearing this, the Jin Prince felt as though he was drenched by a bucket of cold water. He couldn't help but shiver. Everything had been planned well and things had been looking extremely good. However, they ran into this hiccup at the crucial moment. Also, now that his royal father was awake, would he let him off if he knew what he had done?
Countless thoughts flashed across his mind. The Jin Prince's eyes were bulging and he forcibly repressed his restlessness and worry. He ordered some people to block those that had come and verify if the information was correct. The others were ordered to continue searching for the crown prince. If he could kill him in this brief period of time, he still had a chance.
Ezoic
The Jin Prince wasn't wrong. As long as the crown prince died, he had many opportunities to turn things around. For example, he could tell Emperor Xi that he suspected the crown prince of harming him. The reason he rebelled was because things were desperate. This was also why he attacked the eastern palace instead of the Violet Imperial Hall.
Furthermore, Emperor Xi had always been biased towards the Jin Prince. With the crown prince dead, he might very well choose to protect his outstanding son. After all, with the crown prince dead, the Jin Prince was the only suitable successor.
The scene immediately grew chaotic. The Jin Prince pondered many things while standing in place. Success or failure depended on the crown prince's death.
That's right, as long as the crown prince died!
Someone stumbled over helter-skelter, his voice containing unconstrained joy.
"The crown prince, the crown prince is dead…."
"What did you say?"
"Jin Prince, highness, the crown prince is dead in the courtyard…."
The Jin Prince's heart tightened and swiftly headed over. When he arrived, he saw the crown prince lying in a flowerbed covered in blood.
He personally stepped up to verify and checked for breathing.
It was truly the crown prince, and he was really dead.
Ezoic
The Jin Prince's hands trembled slightly. He didn't have the time to wonder who killed the crown prince and how his corpse appeared in a place which had been searched repeatedly. He urgently gave some instructions before heading to the eastern palace's gates.
Over by the gates, things were at an impasse.
The two groups wore the same armor but were split into two sides, resulting in a weird situation. Those who guarded the gates had strange expressions, seeming a little hesitant. The people across from them looked fierce, but apart from yelling "his majesty is awake", they didn't do anything else. It seemed that both sides had some reservations.
A disturbance occurred within one of the groups and the Jin Prince swiftly walked out. Someone next to him was already reporting loudly to him what was going on.
The Jin Prince's face was filled with astonishment and joy. He looked towards the commanding officer across from him and asked: "Is this true? Royal father has really woken up?"
Commander Zhang walked out from the group.
His expression was a little weird as he said: "His majesty is already awake. After finding out the palace was in chaos, he ordered this subordinate to suppress it. Highness, hurry and order these people to drop their weapons."
The Jin Prince's people looked at each other in dismay.
The Jin Prince however cried out in excitement: "You are Commander Zhang." Seeming to have verified his identity and confirmed that this person wouldn't lie, he hurriedly ordered: "Why aren't you lowering your weapons!?" He threw his own sword to the side.
Everyone was astonished. They didn't expect the Jin Prince to be so straightforward. Commander Zhang seemed to have sensed something but didn't have time to think too much. Before coming, Emperor Xi had clearly instructed not to hurt the Jin Prince. Commander Zhang was one of Emperor Xi's trusted aides and naturally understood his majesty's complicated thoughts.
He was merely responsible for carrying out orders. There was no need to second-guess the thoughts of those above. Since Emperor Xi had said not to hurt the Jin Prince, he naturally had his reasons.
Just as he was considering whether to treat the Jin Prince as the leader of the rebellion or as a prince, something unexpected happened.
Ezoic
An arrow came out of nowhere.
It was an extremely ordinary arrow with an iron head.
Its shaft was black and it was extremely sharp.
There were many gathered here but the arrow shot directly at the Jin Prince. Under Commander Zhang's astonished eyes, it directly struck the Jin Prince's head.
Ezoic
It was extremely powerful and half of the Jin Prince's head disappeared on the spot.
Ezoic
Everyone was stunned.
A sharp cry penetrated the night, "The Jin Prince is dead…."
"The Jin Prince is dead…."
As things grew chaotic, several people ran out from the eastern palace and cried out loudly in a panic "the crown prince is dead."
The scene grew even more chaotic.
Ezoic
Ezoic
In the shadows near the eastern palace's gates, a figure silently vanished. No one saw this person. Perhaps only the moon in the sky saw that the killing arrow had been shot by this person.
However, who was there to care about this matter? There was no one.
Outside the palace, there was also a silent struggle.
Since the Jin Prince was personally participating in the rebellion, there had to be someone responsible to organizing things and making the plans. That person was Xu Xiang Rong.
Ezoic
No one realized that an obscure private residence was at the center of the events in the palace. All the orders were sent out from this place. Every now and then, a black horse would gallop over, passing information back and forth.
The lights were brightly lit in the residence. Xu Xiang Rong's clothes were neat as he sat behind the desk. It seemed he wasn't planning on sleeping that night.
That made sense. Who would be able to sleep at this time?
Several of the Jin Prince's advisors were also gathered here. They were all restless or anxious. Xu Xiang Rong was probably the only one who could maintain his calm. However, his hands repeatedly clenched and unclenched, and he would occasionally tap his desk. It was clear he wasn't as calm as he appeared.
Success or failure depended on this moment.
Ezoic
He had estimated that they had almost an eighty percent chance of success. If they succeeded, the Xu household's status would be extraordinary. Decades of scheming had led to this moment. His heart was filled with excitement. However, his nature had always been weird. Despite being excited, he didn't reveal it in his expression, and instead looked extremely cold and stern.
Perhaps only Yan Ting was able to notice his inner turmoil from his deepening expression.
Were they really about to succeed?
Even Yan Ting who seemed unmoved by anything was inevitably a little astonished.
It wasn't like Xu Xiang Rong hadn't mentioned his grand plans to him before. However, once he really got involved, with all the efforts he put in, Yan Ting was a little at a loss despite being pleasantly surprised now that success was imminent.
Ezoic
"The palace is probably in chaos right now."
Xu Xiang Rong stood up and looked out into the dark from the window. He had a faint smile. The faint moonlight mixed with the room's lighting turned his face a weird color.
"The Jingguo Duke Estate's people are probably still sleeping. They won't know what's happening. Even if someone informed them in advance, it wouldn't be any use. No one in the palace will be able to get out."
Xu Xiang Rong had planned a long time for this day. Those in the palace who were willing to rebel had all rebelled. People had long since been lying in ambush outside the various palace gates. The main street outside the Jingguo Duke Estate had also been secretly surrounded. Xu Xiang Rong had used everything that was available to him. Victory or defeat would be decided here.
However, there was no chance of failure in Xu Xiang Rong's mind. He truly couldn't find any reason for them to fail.
Ezoic
"When the sun rises, everyone will be in for a shock!" As he spoke, Xu Xiang Rong started laughing quietly and didn't stop for a long time.
On the other side, in another residence, the Jing Prince and Luo Huai Yuan were chatting idly.
The Jing Prince remained silent, fidgeting with the edge of his teacup. Luo Huai Yuan spoke to him idly. However, the two of them glanced outside repeatedly and the topic of their conversation kept straying. It was clear they weren't as calm as they seemed.
"Why isn't that Barbarian Yan back yet!? Also, how is your mole by the crown prince's side? And is Imperial Physician Zhou able to get the timing right?" Luo Huai Yuan finally couldn't help but ask.
No one responded.
Ezoic
The Jing Prince had always been calm and composed but his innards were also churning at this moment. Over ten years of efforts came down to this moment. This was the easiest and most promising plan he and the Yun Prince had come up with. Luo Huai Yuan was naturally the one who came up with the idea. Only he could come up with something so dishonorable, and even a little despicable.
Luo Huai Yuan naturally didn't know that the Jing Prince had people he wanted to protect. If the Jing Prince was by himself, he wouldn't have been so "proactive" in doing things. But now that he had her and the two children, how could he be willing to lose them?
So what if the means were a little dubious?! All he wanted was to survive!
It wasn't clear how much time passed before there was movement outside. Soon, a tall and sturdy man with a bearded face walked inside.
"How did it go?"
Ezoic
The usually apathetic Jing Prince revealed an unusual concerned expression, making Barbarian Yan feel a little strange. He wanted to speak up and make fun of him, but the Yun Prince was present and he also knew things were critical. He didn't mess around.
"I didn't let you down!" Barbarian Yan cupped his hands and said.
Luo Huai Yuan immediately felt his heart relax. The Jing Prince also couldn't help but reveal some joy.
…….
Xu Xiang Rong was describing to Yan Ting the various circumstances that would arise after the Jin Prince ascended. This usually low-key person couldn't help but forget himself now that success was imminent.
Suddenly, there was a clamor and there seemed to be torchlight outside.
The steward hurriedly came in, his expression grave and concealing some panic.
"Lord heir, we, we seem to be surrounded."
The ornamental ring on Xu Xiang Rong's thumb shattered in his clenched fist.
"Surrounded?" His eyes filled with disbelief.
Ezoic
Even the steward didn't believe it, let alone Xu Xiang Rong. A group of men in black suddenly appeared and charged towards the residence. There were quite a few guards so they managed to stop them and shut the doors. However, from the noises outside it was clear there were a lot of people.
As they spoke, the noises outside grew louder. The people seemed to have already barged inside and the guards were being massacred.
Xu Xiang Rong couldn't help but slump.
Who could it be?
Outside on the streets stood a group of people dressed in black. Their leader seemed to be in his forties. His face was pale and hairless, his skin smooth. Only the corner of his eyes had some faint wrinkles.
"Keep a close watch. Don't let a single one get away."
Compared to the chaos inside the residence, it was much calmer outside. The night was dark and silent. No one would have thought such a fierce struggle was taking place inside the capital. The five cities' troops and the night patrols were all actually unaware.
This was thanks to the master of the residence. If he hadn't arranged things this way, the attackers also wouldn't dare make such a commotion.
The middle-aged man ordered the people to split up, leaving only around ten people by his side.
One of those large men who seemed to be in charge said: "Eunuch Fu can rest assured. This place is so tightly surrounded not even a fly can get out. We definitely won't overlook a single one."
Ezoic
Eunuch Fu smiled and cupped his hands: "That would be for the best. Give my thanks to your royal highness for his assistance."
This large man said he didn't dare accept the gratitude and the two of them turned their attention on the residence across from them.
The fighting was extremely bitter. Everyone seemed to be very skilled and Xu Xiang Rong's subordinates were soon defeated. Tragic cries sounded and bodies were everywhere. It was an extremely frightening scene.
The people had already penetrated into the heart of the residence, which was Xu Xiang Rong's study. Xu Xiang Rong didn't have many people remaining. There were only around ten.
Xu Xiang Rong had always cherished his life and usually kept many hidden and overt guards in this residence. However, today was not like any other. His most capable people had been sent to assist in the rebellion. Only ordinary guards were left in the residence. No one expected for there to be an ambush.
Ezoic
Even the honest looking steward had picked up a large blade and started battling the men in black. Yan Ting, for some unknown reason, had also picked up weapons and stood in front of Xu Xiang Rong.
Xu Xiang Rong had one hand behind his back and looked calm, but was actually soaked with sweat. He didn't know martial arts and would always have people guarding him. Unexpectedly, his life was in danger during such a sensitive time.
Ezoic
The steward announced that this was the Chengen Marquis's heir in a moment of desperation but no one bothered with him. These people seemed well-trained. Their gazes were calm. It seemed that in their eyes, the Chengen Marquis's heir wasn't important. Perhaps they would remain calm even if it were the current emperor.
Xu Xiang Rong had quite a lot of deathsworn warriors himself and he could tell that these people were the same.
Was it the crown prince or the Jingguo Duke? Could their plot have been discovered? What about the Jin Prince in the palace?
Ezoic
Xu Xiang Rong's mind was a mess and his forehead covered in sweat.
"You might as well cease your meaningless resistance. Since we knew to come here, we naturally know who your backers are. The Jin Prince? He's probably already dead."
A light laugh sounded from the darkness and soon faded in the sounds of clashing weapons.
Xu Xiang Rong told himself that it was a psychological ploy, but he really wasn't able to convince himself. Those who were here were mostly Xu Xiang Rong's trusted aides. They were naturally aware of what their master went to do. Hearing those words, they inevitably lost their spirits. Many of the remaining guards were immediately struck down.
Xu Xiang Rong was tragically pale, his eyes lifeless.
Ezoic
In a flash, he moved and suddenly said to Yan Ting who was locked in combat behind him: "You should go."
Yan Ting's movements paused before striking out with his blade again, "Go where?"
"They are here for my life. It shouldn't be hard for you to escape."
During the past few years, Yan Ting's skills had improved quite a bit.
Ezoic
He was normally taciturn. Apart from occasionally speaking a few words with Xu Xiang Rong, he was either handling matters or bitterly training. The issues with his leg after falling from the cliff could only be made up for with martial arts. He wanted to tell himself he wasn't a cripple. Therefore, despite being attacked by two of the men in black, he wasn't at a disadvantage. Only his occasional stumble revealed he was an arrow at the end of its flight.
Ezoic
Only Xu Xiang Rong noticed this. His two opponents were extremely cautious. They could tell this person in front of them who was blind in one eye was extremely skilled.
Through the flashing blades, Yan Ting quietly said: "You saved my life. Now, I will give it back to you!"
Xu Xiang Rong smiled in distress and no longer spoke.
At this time, the steward had also fallen at some point and the remaining guards fell one by one. Only Yan Ting seemed to still be struggling meaninglessly. He had more and more blood on him. Some was his own but some was also his opponents'. However, since it was two on one, he gradually became disadvantaged.
"This one-eyed man is quite tenacious!"
Ezoic
These deathsworn seemed to be amusing themselves and didn't overwhelm him with numbers. Instead, they watched from the side as though watching a show.
"Since you're going to kill me, shouldn't you at least give an explanation?!" Xu Xiang Rong said sternly.
The other party laughed lightly, "Since you're going to die, no need to be an enlightened ghost!"
Yan Ting was no longer able to hold on. His legs were weak. Seeing his opponent's blade coming at him, he turned to avoid it but his body couldn't keep up with his mind.
Suddenly, he was pulled aside and someone stood in front of him. He seemed to hear an extremely quiet voice. The person smiled before spraying a mouthful of blood onto his face.
Ezoic
Through the blood, many thoughts flashed through Yan Ting's mind. There was regret, remorse, confusion….many, many things. However, it all became calm in the end.
It was also fine this way!
Yan Ting though, this was also fine!
He felt a pain in his heart and was finally unable to remain standing. He fell, and the tall person fell on top of him. It seemed that person hadn't died just yet. There was a weird smile on his face.
"If there is a next life, you will still be mine!"
Ezoic
In a daze, Yan Ting heard these words.
He suddenly felt rather amused before the world faded to black.
…..
The surroundings became quiet once again. Corpses were everywhere. Two bodies were lying in the center of the courtyard. One was on top and one was underneath, the two tangled together.
However, no one paid attention to this. A blaze of fire suddenly sprung up and all the men in black retreated.
"Leave a few people behind to keep an eye on the fire. Don't let it get out of control. Let's go." Eunuch Fu said.
Author's notes:
Scummy dad and scummy CEO Xu have finally died. Don't worry, no more body switching this time.
Translator's notes:
We're in the home stretch. Eleven chapters left!
