The man’s demeanor elicited stifled laughter from those nearby. After a moment, someone sighed, “The position of Duke isn’t so easily secured. Don’t be fooled by His Majesty’s current leniency, everyone knows the dangers involved. Only someone like Xiao Yan could manage it. Anyone else would’ve lost their life long ago.”
The He family was utterly destroyed. Whether Xiao Yan was truly a son of the He family or not, enduring humiliation as a eunuch to reach his current position was no small feat.
Who among them didn’t know what Xiao Yan was like when he first entered the palace?
Yet no one could have predicted that this unremarkable “eunuch” would nearly topple the Great Wei.
There were still sharp-eyed individuals who whispered, “In truth, His Majesty granting him the title of Duke makes sense. Xiao Yan is clearly determined to clear the He family’s name. If His Majesty didn’t appease him with a high position, do you think Xiao Yan would let it go?”
“The He family once produced a Crown Princess. Their extermination was tied to that former prince. If Xiao Yan keeps digging, what if…”
These were all veteran courtiers, many of whom knew about the affair of the Deposed Crown Prince. Back then, it was labeled as treason, but the incident happened abruptly. A great fire consumed the Eastern Palace, and before a thorough investigation could be conducted, the verdict was sealed. Who could guess what secrets lay beneath?
Back then, many in the court had their doubts, but the victor writes history. The late Emperor and Emperor An suppressed the matter relentlessly, and the Deposed Crown Prince’s confidants were all eliminated. No one in the court dared mention it again.
The He family was tied to the Deposed Crown Prince. Now, even just the matter of He Wenzhuo had implicated the Lu family and even touched Emperor An. If Xiao Yan refused to stop and kept investigating, who knew what dirt he might uncover? After all, everyone knew that their current emperor was the least qualified to inherit the throne.
The speaker glanced around and lowered his voice. “Do you remember what Zheng Kun said during the palace banquet? Though he was bribed to frame Xiao Yan, his mention of the Deposed Empress and His Majesty’s past seemed somewhat credible.”
“His Majesty even used his own wife to scheme against Prince Cheng. To seize the throne, he was willing to sacrifice the Empress. Who knows how the previous one fell? If Xiao Yan really uncovers something, forget a dukedom, the throne itself might…”
“Cough!!”
A heavy cough came from behind, startling the speaker. Turning, he saw Prince Ji’s dark expression and Prince Huan’s half-smile.
“Your Highness…” The speaker’s face paled.
Prince Ji’s eyes were stern. “Courting death, are you? Spouting such nonsense?”
The group immediately fell silent.
Prince Ji, with his high status, was intimidating when stern. “Since His Majesty has awakened, court affairs must be addressed. As veteran ministers, you should focus on proper matters instead of gossiping like long-tongued women, inviting trouble upon yourselves!”
Seeing their awkward expressions, Prince Ji said coldly, “Why are you still standing here? Disperse!”
The courtiers scattered like frightened birds.
Once they were gone, Prince Huan sneered sardonically. “Brother Ji, you’re quite protective of our imperial brother.”
Prince Ji frowned. “His Majesty is our closest kin. Naturally, I protect him.”
“Is that so? Brother Ji, you’re truly magnanimous. But there’s no need to scare Lord Tan and the others. They didn’t say anything wrong. The rumors outside are far worse than what they just said.”
“You said it yourself, those are rumors, baseless talk. They’re court ministers, not ignorant women or children.”
Prince Huan scoffed. “It’s not just ignorant women and children. Who outside isn’t saying our imperial brother is unworthy of the throne?”
“Back then, after our eldest brother, the Crown Prince, passed, aside from Prince Cheng, you, with your prominent maternal clan, were the most likely successor. Who could’ve imagined our imperial brother would rise out of nowhere? We thought he was talented and favored by Father Emperor, surpassing all his brothers. But now, looking at it…”
Prince Huan’s plump face was full of disdain, clearly contemptuous of Emperor An’s use of his wife to plot against Prince Cheng, willingly wearing the cuckold’s horns.
“A shameless man who’d use his own wife to scheme against his brother, does he deserve the throne? You’d be a better fit, Brother Ji…”
“Prince Huan!”
Prince Ji’s sharp rebuke cut him off, his eyes instinctively scanning the surroundings.
Seeing the empty corridor, he glared angrily. “The throne is not a matter for jest. I have never harbored disloyal thoughts. Cease your reckless words!”
“There’s no one else here. What are you afraid of, Brother Ji?”
Seeing Prince Ji’s timidity, Prince Huan couldn’t help but mock, “You must know about the Dragon Court Guards refusing to obey our imperial brother, right? Though Xiao Yan covered up the details outside the palace gates that day, and Yu Yanfeng kept silent, the imperial guards, passed down from our Great Ancestor, refused to acknowledge the emperor’s command and conspired with a eunuch to rebel. Don’t you want to know why?”
“When our eldest brother’s Eastern Palace burned down, it was hastily labeled treason without proper investigation. Others may not know, but surely you’re aware of the relationship between Father Emperor and the Crown Prince. Do you believe Father Emperor was so heartbroken over the Crown Prince’s supposed treason that he fell ill and passed away?”
“He never favored Xie Tianyong or relied on him. Yet, after his sudden death, the edict of succession named Xie Tianyong. Brother Ji, don’t you have the slightest doubt?”
Prince Ji’s brows furrowed tightly, his heart stirred by Prince Huan’s words.
No doubts?
How could he not have them?
As Prince Huan said, Xie Tianyong was the least remarkable among them. Even after the Crown Prince’s death, aside from gaining some influence through his marriage to a Lu family daughter, no one considered him a true contender.
Neither he, Prince Cheng, nor the other princes saw Xie Tianyong as anything more than a brother to be won over, valued only for the Lu family behind him. Who could’ve imagined Xie Tianyong would emerge as the final victor?
Prince Ji’s thoughts churned, his fists clenching within his sleeves. Yet, facing Prince Huan’s provocative words, he still said gravely, “The Dragon Court Guards will be dealt with by His Majesty. Shang Qin, with his rebellious ambitions, has already been executed. Other matters are not for you or me to meddle in.”
“Ninth Brother, His Majesty has treated us well. The Huan Prince’s residence is famously prosperous and carefree. You’ve never involved yourself in court affairs, why step into the fray now?”
Prince Ji’s words were full of admonishment. “The court is chaotic enough. Stay in your prince’s residence, live well, and don’t get involved in things you shouldn’t.”
“You’re not in a position to lecture me!”
Prince Huan had hoped to incite Prince Ji to act. After all, who wouldn’t covet the throne?
The court was in disarray, with the Crown Prince and Emperor An at odds, and Xiao Yan watching like a tiger. Emperor An’s throne was questionably obtained. They were all of the Xie surname, If Xie Pingjia, that young upstart, could aspire to it, why not they, the uncles?
But he hadn’t expected Prince Ji to be so cowardly.=====================
You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
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