The atmosphere in the Prince of Jinyang's Mansion was deep and restrained, completely different from the flamboyant atmosphere in the East Palace.
Prince Yinji, who had hurried back from the capital, walked quickly into the study, dismissed his attendants, and had a look of anxiety and confusion on his face:
"Father, the news from the capital is that His Majesty has issued a decree to preside over the wedding of Zhao Muyun and Sister Yao."
"We…we paid such a high price to expose Xiao Cheyun and the Three Prefectures' troops, only to earn Zhao Muyun's favor. Why did you condone and even encourage Xiao Cheyun to try to seize military power and control Shuozhou after the Battle of Shuozhou?"
"Wouldn't this just push Zhao Muyun away again? What if he holds a grudge..."
Prince Yinxi of Jin was copying a piece of calligraphy, his brush moving smoothly and calmly.
Without even raising his head, he spoke in a calm voice, "Push? Ji'er, you're still too superficial in your understanding of things."
He put down his pen, picked up a warm towel beside him and wiped his hands, then slowly said, "Exposing the troops of the three prefectures? That was deliberately revealed for His Majesty and the Crown Prince to see."
"I have been running Hedong for so many years. If this was all I had, I would have been devoured without a trace left."
"Xiao Cheyun... is nothing more than a pawn displayed in public to paralyze them. By making mistakes and getting beaten, they will realize that I am nothing special and not worth worrying about."
He walked to the window and looked at the green pines and cypresses in the courtyard with a deep look in his eyes:
"As for seizing Shuozhou's military power... that was just for show."
"The more impatient you appear, the more narrow-minded I appear, the more I only care about grabbing every inch of land in front of me. That will make Father and the Crown Prince feel more at ease."
"They will think that the prince and Zhao Muyun, though united by interests, will also fight for interests, and are definitely not a united front."
He turned around and looked at his son, who seemed to understand but not quite, and said with a hint of depth:
"As for Zhao Muyun... he is truly a powerful figure. The battle in Shuozhou further demonstrated his deep-rooted roots and ruthless tactics. Marrying him is imperative."
"But do you really think that I, as a father, will place all my hopes on a 'son-in-law' whom I cannot fully control?"
Yinji was stunned.
The corner of King Jin's mouth curled up with a shrewd arc: "He is a good sword, a sword sharp enough to attract all the firepower for us!"
"Your Majesty pretends to use him to fight against us and check the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince sees him as a thorn in his side, and I only need to stand behind them and watch them fight, watching this knife grow sharper, or break."
"No matter what the result is, it will be beneficial to this king."
"The marriage is merely to allow this sword to be more conveniently used by this king when needed."
“True power is hidden where no one can see it.”
After hearing this, Yinji felt a chill rising from his spine. Looking at his father's calm face, he felt for the first time so clearly the cruelty and depth of the power game.
He took a deep breath and bowed his head in sincere admiration: "I understand! Father is very thoughtful and far-sighted, and I am not as good as he could be."
......
Capital city, Zhao Muyun's official residence.
The big red wedding characters have begun to be posted, and officials from the Ministry of Rites are coming in and out frequently. The hustle and bustle of preparing for the wedding seems to have diluted the previous tense atmosphere.
But beneath the cover of this noise, the real undercurrent is surging faster.
Zhao Muyun stood in front of the desk. His injuries had basically healed. His figure was still upright, but his eyes were deeper and more reserved than before.
On the table was the latest secret report just delivered by Night Sergeant Fan Bingbing:
The security in the Eastern Palace has suddenly become very tight in recent days, and the commander of the imperial guards, Chen Xiong, has been frequently mobilizing personnel. All signs indicate that the fish have smelled the fishy smell and are about to take the bait.
"Your Majesty has gone to the Tianzi Mountain Villa to escape the summer heat, leaving the Crown Prince as regent!"
Zhao Muyun's fingers tapped lightly on the table, his eyes gleaming with calculation. "This is truly a godsend opportunity. The Crown Prince must be shocked and furious right now, eager to get rid of me, the 'insider.'"
"And since he's the regent... he has many more opportunities and excuses to take action."
A complete plan of escaping quickly became clear in his mind.
He needed an "accident", an "accident" that was enough to make him disappear temporarily and out of everyone's sight, and at the same time let the prince take the blame.
"Xiao Wu." He said in a deep voice.
"Boss Zhao, I'm here!" Wu Shangzhi stepped forward immediately.
"Select twenty of the most alert and loyal cavalrymen and have them infiltrate the Ministry of Rites to help prepare for the wedding."
"Or disguise yourself as a woodcutter or peddler and closely monitor all key locations along the way from the official residence to the Tianzi Mountain Villa, especially those with dangerous terrain and prone to ambushes."
"Report immediately if there is anything unusual!"
"yes!"
"Li Si."
"I'm here!" The guard leader Li Si clasped his fists.
"The security within the palace is tight, loose on the outside, and tight on the inside. Be extra careful with all food, drink, and water. Increase the number of sentries on night patrols."
"clear!"
After everything was arranged, Zhao Muyun took a deep breath.
The chessboard has been set and the pieces are being placed.
What he had to do now was to wait, wait for the moment when the prince could not help but take action.
......
In the imperial palace, the huge imperial carriage slowly set off, with flags waving and a huge entourage.
Emperor Yongchang, Yin Chengqian, accompanied by Consort Xiao, a dozen favored concubines, and countless palace maids and eunuchs, went to the Tianzi Mountain Villa in the Western Garden to escape the summer heat under the protection of a thousand imperial guards.
At the court meeting, the emperor publicly announced that the crown prince would be regent, but reiterated that important military and national affairs still needed to be reported to the imperial court and decided by me.
Crown Prince Yinreng knelt to receive the imperial edict, his face showing just the right amount of respect and composure, except for a hint of cold disdain that flashed across the depths of his lowered eyelids.
That night, at the Tianzi Mountain Villa, the hot springs were filled with mist and a warm fragrance.
Emperor Yongchang drank the ginseng soup carefully prepared by the imperial physician and added with tiger and wolf medicine, and his face flushed strangely.
He looked at Concubine Xiao, who was only covered with a thin red gauze, with skin as white as jade and eyes as charming as silk, and felt a long-lost heat rising from his lower abdomen.
"My beloved... I am here..."
The emperor's voice was breathless and he rushed forward.
There was a trace of imperceptible disgust and coldness in Concubine Xiao's eyes, but a charming smile blossomed on her face. She came forward panting, trying to please him and teasing him to the utmost.
She knew very well that the old emperor was already weak inside and was relying entirely on the power of medicine to support him.
And the secret order she received was... to drain him dry!
Let him die faster in this gentle place!
The curtains swayed, and the sounds of panting and moaning were mixed with the old emperor's heavy breathing due to exhaustion and his excited roar under the effect of drugs.
Concubine Xiao gritted her teeth, enduring the weight on her body and the disgusting smell, with only cold determination and ambition in her eyes.
It’s almost there… It’s almost there…
As long as this old guy dies, with the Crown Prince's handle and his own means, it may not be impossible for Dayin to rule the world...
Outside the villa, the mountain wind was blowing fiercely, stirring the dark night sky, as if countless pairs of eyes were secretly spying on the extravagance and decay of this royal palace.
The chess game in the capital suddenly became more dangerous and unpredictable due to the emperor's temporary departure.
And the "east wind" that Zhao Muyun was waiting for has already blown.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com