Chapter 522 Golden Seal
The Prince of Xiang ordered Ji Chang'an to be let in. Once the Prince arrived at the palace, he stared intently at Ji Chang'an with bloodshot eyes.
"Young Master Ji, what a clever scheme! What a brilliant way to frame someone!"
Ji Chang'an casually flicked his sleeves and smiled at the Prince of Xiang, "Your Highness, what are you saying? I don't understand. I just heard that the Princess Consort's personal maid assassinated the Princess Consort of Chu and the First Princess, so I came to inform you out of kindness."
King Xiang laughed in fury: "Young Master Ji, don't forget, this is my territory now. Your few thousand men aren't even enough to fill my teeth!"
Ji Chang'an chuckled: "Your Highness is a smart man. I believe Your Highness will not lay a hand on me."
The King of Xiang snorted and took a step back, instantly drawing the guard's long sword. The next second, the sharp blade was already pressed against Ji Chang'an's neck.
"You surnamed Ji, do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"
Ji Chang'an smiled and gently pushed away the long sword that the Prince of Xiang had placed against his neck: "Your Highness certainly dares, but now, the people of the Prince of Xiang's mansion have injured the eldest princess, and Your Highness and the Prince of Chu have always been at odds. If you do not join forces with His Majesty, there will be no place for you and the princess in this world in the future."
As Ji Chang'an spoke, he tilted his head and looked at the Prince of Xiang with a smirk, a hint of triumph flashing in his eyes: "However, if Your Highness wants to submit to the Prince of Chu, that is also possible. You can hand over the Princess Consort. After all, it was the Princess Consort's personal maid who made the move. As long as you hand the Princess Consort over to the Prince of Chu, Your Highness can naturally clear yourself of any wrongdoing."
King Xiang tightened his grip on the long sword, his pupils suddenly contracted, and for a moment he truly wanted to kill the person in front of him.
After suppressing his anger for a while, the Prince of Xiang kicked Ji Chang'an squarely in the chest, knocking him to the ground and onto a chair.
The sound of a chair breaking came, and Ji Chang'an felt a sharp pain in his chest and body.
His face contorted in a grimace for a moment, then his expression changed, and he lay on the ground, looking at King Xiang with a sinister laugh.
King Xiang ground his back teeth and swung his sword, intending to cut down Ji Chang'an. The sword flashed and was about to strike Ji Chang'an when King Xiang's wife, who had arrived from behind, hurriedly called out to him.
"Your Highness!"
Princess Xiang's face was somewhat pale. Supported by her maid, she entered the main hall. Her slender white hands grasped the large hand of the Prince of Xiang who was holding a knife. Her gentle, watery eyes looked quietly at the Prince of Xiang, and she gently shook her head at him.
"Your Highness, things have come to this point, even killing him would be useless."
Moreover, the King of Chu has certainly been offended, and if someone were to be killed in front of the emperor, it would truly be a lose-lose situation.
A flicker of alarm crossed Ji Chang'an's eyes. He had just realized that the Prince of Xiang truly intended to kill him. He swallowed hard and slowly got up from the ground.
He bowed respectfully to the Princess Consort of Xiang.
Having observed him these past few days, he naturally understood the respect and affection the Prince of Xiang had for his wife. Therefore, this time, unlike the last time, he was not as respectful in his words and actions towards the Princess Consort of Xiang.
"Greetings, Your Highness..."
King Xiang helped his queen to sit down on one of the two chairs at the head of the table, and gently stroked her long black hair with his large hand: "Lord Ling, do not worry, even if the sky falls, I will support you."
Princess Xiang nestled quietly in Prince Xiang's arms, raised her head, and looked at him with misty eyes, saying, "Your Highness, this matter arose because of me. Please write a letter to the Prince of Chu explaining the reason. If the Prince of Chu is truly angry, then just hand me over."
The Prince of Xiang sighed and, as if no one else was around, tightly embraced his wife: "What are you saying, Lingjun? We are husband and wife, one body. At worst, I will give up my title and the position of prince, and I will protect Lingjun."
Tears streamed down the Princess Consort's face: "It's my fault. I was careless in choosing people, which has brought the Prince to this state."
As she spoke, Princess Xiang glared at Ji Chang'an, who was standing to the side.
Ji Chang'an wanted this result. He coughed lightly, trying to get the two men's attention. The King of Xiang glanced at him coldly. Now that the Ninth Prince had already reached Mengjin, Luoyang would be within his grasp once Mengjin was opened.
He's not stupid. Attacking Taiyuan at this time would not only create a major grudge, but it would also be a thankless and arduous task. Even if the emperor wanted to use him as a tool, he would have to see if Taiyuan was willing to do so.
Seeing that time was running out, Ji Chang'an knew that if he pushed the man any further, he might actually lead his men to kill him. He took out an imperial seal from his robes, knelt down, and presented the seal to the Prince of Xiang, saying, "I know Your Highness has concerns. The Emperor's golden seal is here. If the Prince of Chu wins this time, Your Highness can use this seal to mobilize the troops of various garrisons to go to Luoyang to rescue the Emperor. If His Majesty unfortunately perishes, then Your Highness can use this seal to ascend the throne. If His Majesty wins, then according to the initial agreement, the empire will be divided between Your Highness and me..."
The King of Xiang's heart stirred, and he turned to look at Ji Chang'an, who was kneeling before him. When he saw the golden seal in Ji Chang'an's hand, his eyes flickered, and a hint of ambition flashed in them.
Princess Xiang suddenly grabbed Prince Xiang's hand and looked at him, saying, "Your Highness?"
The King of Xiang looked down at the princess in his arms, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
“Lord Ling, it’s me.”
Before Princess Xiang could speak, Ji Chang'an suddenly stood up, knelt a few steps forward, and held up the golden seal: "If Your Highness does not believe me, you may take the golden seal and check whether it is genuine or not."
The King of Xiang was somewhat tempted. He slowly released his arm from his wife's and turned his gaze to the gleaming gold seal.
The King of Xiang reached out and took the golden seal. He looked it over for a while, then turned it over to the back. He saw a small tooth mark on it, pursed his lips, and turned to look at his queen.
“Lord Ling, it is indeed the Emperor’s Golden Seal.”
Princess Xiang glanced coldly at Ji Chang'an, who was kneeling on the ground: "I have something to say to the Prince. Please ask Prince Ji to rest in the hall for a while."
After speaking, he glanced at the maid, who walked in front of Ji Chang'an and gestured for her to lead the others away first.
Ji Chang'an cupped his hands in greeting to the Prince of Xiang and his wife, saying, "I shall take my leave now."
After saying that, he followed the maid out of the hall without looking back.
As soon as the person left, a hint of excitement flashed in King Xiang's eyes: "Lord Ling, it is the real imperial seal. When my fourth brother was a child, he was naughty and bit a small tooth mark on the seal. It is still there now."
Princess Xiang sighed helplessly: "Your Highness! Not to mention that Ninth Brother is about to enter the capital, even if Your Highness gets the Golden Seal, so what? Ninth Brother has a strong army and plenty of manpower and supplies. It seems that His Majesty has no chance of winning and is trying to drag you down with him."
The King of Xiang nodded to his Queen Consort and said, "Thank you, I naturally understand. But Lord Ling, the feud has indeed been formed. Even if we yield, the Ninth Prince may not let us go. Although the Emperor is useless, he gave me the Golden Seal, so I can legitimately enter the capital and mobilize troops from various places. Lord Ling, I..."
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