Chapter 147 Too arrogant, he got tricked by Xiao Qiuqiu again!

Since he is a master...

Xie Jingxing's expression changed from gloomy to sunny, and he even showed some "respect" for Zhao Wenxuan.

He toned down his previous sharp demeanor, nodded slightly to Zhao Wenxuan, and softened his tone considerably: "So it's Master Zhao... My apologies for my disrespect."

That attitude clearly indicated that the other person was regarded as a respected teacher or mentor.

In fact, it is also a disguised declaration of sovereignty.

Look, Xiao Qiuqiu calls you Master.

I'll call you Master too.

That's why we're a couple!

Zhao Wenxuan saw everything, and his bitter smile deepened.

He knew about Qian Yueqiu's ex-husband.

But as far as he knew, hadn't Qian Yueqiu been divorced?

Xie Jingxing must really dislike Qian Yueqiu.

Judging from Xie Jingxing's current demeanor, he clearly likes Qian Yueqiu very much.

Will he face retaliation?

These three people, each with their own agendas, formed a subtle and strange combination, joining the crowds watching the lantern festival.

Qian Yueqiu linked arms with Xie Jingxing, chattering about what she had seen along the way, trying to dispel the awkwardness of the moment earlier.

Hearing Qian Yueqiu's voice, Xie Jingxing's mood improved. While responding to Qian Yueqiu, he also made sure to chat with Zhao Wenxuan, asking questions such as, "What classics are you teaching, sir? ... How is Xiaoqiu's studies?"

Zhao Wenxuan, on the other hand, was sparing with his words, answered cautiously, and always lagged behind by half a step, completely blending himself into the background.

It has to be said.

Xie Jingxing was just too arrogant, or rather, he thought Qian Yueqiu wouldn't lie.

That's why Xiao Qiuqiu completely fooled him!

We came to a shop where people could guess riddles.

The area was surrounded by layers upon layers of people, creating an exceptionally lively scene.

Qian Yueqiu loved to join in the fun, and she pulled Xie Jingxing along, trying to squeeze in.

Helpless, Xie Jingxing had no choice but to protect her and step forward.

Zhao Wenxuan stood quietly on the periphery of the crowd, his gaze sweeping over the colorful riddles, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

He looked at the two perfect figures in front of him, at Qian Yueqiu's complete trust and intimacy with Xie Jingxing, and a complex emotion surged in his chest. It was envy, bitterness, and a trace of inexplicable... loss.

Xie Jingxing was completely unaware of the complex gaze behind him.

He was in a good mood at the moment, and even felt that with this "strict teacher" by his side, Qian Yueqiu seemed much quieter and more obedient tonight.

Xie Jingxing was very satisfied with this.

And so, the three of them went to see the Lantern Festival...

Xie Jingxing never imagined that Qian Yueshu would find male lovers for Xiao Qiuqiu.

I thought Zhao Wenxuan was just trying to make Xiao Qiuqiu a little smarter...

The hustle and bustle of the Lantern Festival has drowned out many subtle sounds, but it remains to be seen how long this temporary peace can last.

This is the Lantern Festival night in Beijing.

For these three, it was destined to be a long night, filled with lies and tests, a night of bittersweet emotions...

The Imperial Palace.

Although the Third Prince had been demoted before the new year and was to be sent to the harsh and cold frontier.

However, moving the entire Third Prince's residence would require a considerable amount of time for preparation.

In addition, Consort Yan pleaded for their lives.

Therefore, the Third Prince and his consort spent the Lantern Festival in the capital before heading to their fiefdoms.

After the Third Prince's dusty carriage drove out of the palace and disappeared at the end of the official road leading to his harsh fiefdom...

The clouds above the Forbidden City seemed to have frozen in place.

The figure perched on the dragon throne in the Golden Palace grew increasingly thin, and his once sharp, hawk-like eyes were now often shrouded in a lingering gloom.

The emperor's suspicion, like wildly growing vines in spring, silently crept into every corner of the palace.

The departure of the Third Prince was by no means merely the loss of power of one prince.

His existence itself is a delicate balance, a sword hanging over the crown prince's head, and a means for the emperor to check and balance the crown prince.

Now that the sword is gone, the balance has been shattered.

The once balanced situation in the imperial court collapsed in an instant.

The sixth prince was placed under house arrest, and the power of the other princes was also suppressed.

The reason they were suppressed was because they had harbored ambitions to rival the Crown Prince...

"They've all fallen... Who's next?" A cold voice often echoed deep within the emperor's mind, tinged with a barely perceptible fear, "It's me! It's me, the emperor!"

Once this idea takes root, it spreads like a poisonous weed.

He began to wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in cold sweat, as if he could hear the sound of knives being sharpened coming from the Crown Prince's residence.

He began to repeatedly recall the Crown Prince's words and actions. Every time the Crown Prince respectfully bowed his head, it seemed to him as if he was hiding an impatient lurking beneath the surface.

Every sound suggestion the Crown Prince made in court seemed to be an attempt to win people's hearts and build his own dynasty.

He could even clearly feel that the supreme imperial power that originally belonged only to him was being squeezed and eroded by an invisible force.

While reviewing memorials, he saw an increasing number of joint signatures supporting the Crown Prince's proposals.

When deciding on the appointment and removal of important officials, one can always feel the subtle pressure from the Crown Prince's faction.

This empire seemed to be slipping through his fingers, little by little, into the hands of another.

"There is no kinship in the imperial family..." the emperor murmured to himself, a bitter smile curving his lips.

Only now did he truly taste the bloody flavor of this court adage that had been passed down for thousands of years.

Once they feel their position is threatened, even if the threat comes from their own blood relatives or the crown prince they have personally appointed, they will not hesitate for a moment to raise the sword first.

In this intricate game of chess.

The most conspicuous, and also the easiest, piece to manipulate is the Queen.

From the time the Crown Prince was expelled from the Eastern Palace, the Empress has been the sole favorite in the harem.

Even Consort Yan lost power, and the other concubines who had princes were even more afraid to speak out.

In recent days, the palace servants have keenly noticed that the emperor has been entering Kunning Palace less frequently.

Even when they do come, they usually only stay for a short while before making an excuse about being busy with official business and leaving.

The once inseparable love between the emperor and empress has now cooled down rapidly, as if it had been immersed in ice water.

In stark contrast is Consort Yan, the mother of the Third Prince.

Logically speaking, if a son commits such a serious mistake, the biological mother should also be implicated.

But what I didn't expect was...

Instead of punishing her, the emperor restored her power to manage the six palaces, and the empress was suppressed and forced to reflect on her actions in seclusion for punishing a palace maid, a trivial matter.

Although Consort Yan was still lower in rank than the Empress, her actual power was enough to rival that of the Empress.

Upon the issuance of this decree, everyone in the court and the imperial palace was astonished.

The emperor's logic was clear and cruel.

The reason why the Crown Prince was able to wield such power was not only due to the support of the court officials, but also because the Empress, his rightful legal mother, was undoubtedly his strongest backing.

If the empress is stable for even one day, the crown prince's position will be more secure.

To suppress the Crown Prince, you must first suppress the Empress!