Chapter 450 Who said he is useless?

The Prince of Zan's Mansion was shrouded in dark clouds because the master had incurred the emperor's dislike and was given an unprecedented and ridiculous title.

The servants who came and went all looked panic-stricken, and even the residence of the King of Zen had a sense of desolation and dissatisfaction.

Cang Lang glanced at the servant leading the way, somewhat puzzled: "Master, Prince Zan has been deposed, why are you still here to see him?"

"Who said he's useless? He can't be used."

Ignoring Canglang's confusion, Xiao Yan, wearing brown deer boots and a black robe, was brought to Prince Zeng's study, his face full of coldness.

"You're looking for me?"

"I knew that Governor Xiao would come to see me."

Xiao Yan looked at the extremely pale face of the Zan County Prince with a bad expression: "I don't think there is much to say to the County Prince."

Prince Zang whispered, "Does Governor Xiao blame me?"

Xiao Yan sneered at this, "Well, what else could it be? Do you think I should be grateful to you for secretly stabbing me and nearly killing me?"

The Hateful Prince: "I didn't mean to..."

"Whether it was intentional or not, did you come to me just to spout this nonsense?"

Prince Zan looked embarrassed and could not help but whispered, "I just want to explain it to Governor Xiao in person."

"That's not necessary!"

Xiao Yan was clearly disgusted with him, his face icy. "This Governor has put so much thought into planning for you, trying every possible way to help you ascend to the throne. While I certainly have some selfish motives towards you, I can say I have done my utmost. Back then, with so many princes at court, I pitied you and set aside others to help you. But how have you ever repaid me?"

"It took me several years to climb to my current position and gain His Majesty's trust, but the Duke is so cunning, seeking death himself and even dragging me along with him!"

Xiao Yan's words were blunt, and a hint of anger appeared on his usually cold face.

He seemed to be furious at what the Hate Prince had done, and he suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his neck with his hands.

"And do you think that I dare not touch you?"

"The last time you plotted against Tang Ning, I warned you not to be so clever, but you ignored my words. Do you know that you almost ruined my plan?"

Xiao Yan grabbed him, took a step forward, and slammed him against the shelf.

"Your Majesty!"

Miao Chun, who was guarding outside the door, wanted to go in when he heard the noise.

The King of Zang said hurriedly: "Don't come in!"

He only had time to stop Miao Chun from entering before he felt the hand on his neck so strong that it seemed to break his bones.

Prince Zeng stood on tiptoe and had difficulty breathing. His face, which was originally pale due to illness, soon turned red.

His mouth opened wide, his pupils widened, and his chest heaved due to suffocation.

"Master Xiao... Governor, I know about the Lu family. It's my fault... I overestimated my own abilities and was too conceited to take credit for my own achievements..."

"I, I'm jealous of your power, but I don't want to be coerced by the aristocratic family. I just want to take advantage of the Lu family..."

"I was too stupid. I failed Governor Xiao for all the painstaking planning he put into me. I also caused the incident that day, which… earned the Emperor Father's dislike and nearly harmed you…"

He spoke incoherently and his lips trembled uncomfortably.

He really knew he was wrong and felt guilty. Later, Xiao Yan put aside their past grudges and pleaded for him and saved his life, which made him regret that he should not have been so mean.

Xiao Yan listened to the words of the Zan County Prince, pursed his lips and said coldly:

"You are indeed stupid! If I didn't have something to ask of you, why would I choose you?"

He simply waved his hand to push the man away, and Prince Hate lost his balance and bumped into the shelf with a bang, causing the things on it to fall down.

Prince Zhe was in great pain from being hit, and he hunched over and gasped for breath.

Seeing Xiao Yan turn around and leave, he quickly stood up with the help of the frame.

"Lord Xiao!"

Prince Zeng felt a severe pain in his throat. He looked at Xiao Yan who had come to the door and opened it and said hoarsely:

"I was quite wary of you before, fearing you had ulterior motives in supporting me. You were able to completely eliminate the Fourth Brother several times when he got into trouble, but you were reluctant to act, repeatedly giving him opportunities to turn things around."

"I've lived under his shadow since I was young. I'm terrified that he might return to the court, that my father might find favor with him again. I'm even more afraid that you're not sincere towards me, that you're hesitating between me and the Fourth Brother."

"I was afraid you'd regret choosing me, so I schemed against Princess Xiangning. I wanted to use the Queen's incident to suppress the Fourth Prince and build up a power base entirely my own. I was just afraid that one day you'd change your mind and I'd be left with nothing."

Xiao Yan stopped and stood in front of the door, looking back at Prince Zeng, his expression changed.

When Prince Zeng looked up, his eyes were red, and he was wheezing and coughing, mocking himself.

"It was my suspicion that ruined the good situation you worked so hard to build for me. It was also my own cleverness that caused all these problems. I deserve what I've got today."

"But whether you believe it or not, I'm looking for you today not for anything else but to say sorry and thank you for pleading for me in front of the Emperor that day and saving my life."

He was in a state of disarray and couldn't help choking up while speaking.

"I have no future now. I just hope that everything goes well for Governor Xiao."

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes and looked at the person behind him. After a long time, just when Prince Zeng thought he had left, his voice came faintly.

"This Governor will not move the Fourth Prince because the time has not come yet."

"The court needs balance, and His Majesty cannot allow you to dominate alone. If you kill the Fourth Prince, you will become a thorn in His Majesty's side. An emperor in his prime will not allow a prince who can threaten his position to exist in the court."

"Besides, the Fourth Prince is tied to the Lu family and doesn't have the Emperor's favor. Rather than exchanging him for a prince who is favored by His Majesty without knowing the depth of his power, keeping him will only benefit you."

"Even before the Lu family fell, the Fourth Prince was their biggest weakness. With his reckless and foolish behavior, holding him in your hands would be the sharpest knife to break the Lu family, allowing you to better control the family."

Prince Zeng looked up in a daze. He didn't expect Xiao Yan to explain to him, and was willing to tell him this calmly. He lowered his head in embarrassment.

"……I have no idea……"

"If you don't know, why don't you come and ask me?"

"I……"

The hateful prince's lips trembled.

He thought that Xiao Yan would not tell him the truth.

Xiao Yan seemed to see what he was thinking. He pursed his lips and then looked out.

Cang Lang, who was guarding outside, directly dragged the worried Miao Chun away, leaving only him and Prince Zeng in the room.

Xiao Yan reached out to close the door, then walked back and stood in front of Prince Zeng.

"I know you're wary of me, but have you ever considered that if I truly wanted to do something, I could have chosen a young, naive, and easily controlled prince. Why would I choose you, an adult with your own opinions?"

The Hateful Prince pursed his lips tightly.

"I pushed you to the throne out of selfish motives, but I only wanted you to do something for me as the emperor after you gained power. I repeatedly targeted the Lu family but not the Fourth Prince because I wanted to kill them with one blow, leaving the Lu family with no chance of recovery."

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes and looked at Prince Zan:

"I personally tried Prince Cheng's case, and I was the one who persuaded the Fourth Prince to go to the Lu family. Do you think I really didn't notice that there was something wrong with Guan's death?"