Chapter 801 A Dream of Youth 333
Choosing Prince Duan would come at too high a price, and the heir apparent has already been decided. The Empress Dowager only needs to know that Prince Duan has no such intention.
She knew her own son well enough; if he said he didn't want to be emperor, he really meant it. The Empress Dowager was already quite pleased that Prince Duan had managed to make something of himself under the emperor's rule all these years.
When Prince Duan became emperor, not only the civil and military officials, but even the Empress Dowager was in a state of panic.
Even if Prince Duan didn't compete, the Empress Dowager wouldn't give anyone else the chance, even if they wanted to. She simply ordered her subordinates to prepare new clothes for the young prince.
Now the Empress felt at ease. She sent a message to the Prime Minister's residence and ordered a few more people to enter the palace to protect the young Crown Prince.
Yan Xi's visit to the Xie residence was solely to ascertain Xie Wangzhi's stance and to urge him to support the young crown prince.
As for herself... there's plenty of time, she's not in a hurry.
Xie Wangzhi put down his teacup, his voice deep and serious, “Your Highness need not worry. Although there is turmoil in the court, it will eventually pass. Moreover, Prime Minister Yu admires Confucianism.”
With Lord Shi seriously ill, Prime Minister Yu has become the sole prime minister, able to handle all affairs of the court, especially the matter of the crown prince's succession. With the crown prince already established, no matter what others say, Prime Minister Yu will only insist on the young crown prince's legitimate position.
However, thinking of the undercurrents beneath the surface, Xie Wangzhi still gave a word of advice: "Your Highness, the position of being above all others is always attractive. Even if a crown prince has been established, it is hard to guarantee that no unexpected events will occur. It is best to be cautious."
This was just his deduction and speculation. Xie Wangzhi felt that Prince Zhao and the others would definitely not just cry in front of the emperor to show their brotherhood and make the emperor choose them.
If words don't work, the other party might resort to force.
Yan Xi nodded. Not only her, but her mother also understood. That's why her mother had asked the family for people early on. Moreover, the Xiang family led a portion of the Imperial Guards, so they weren't too worried about it.
However, it's always good to be cautious in everything you do.
After leaving the Xie residence, snow began to fall. Yan Xi lingered in the carriage for a long time, the white snowflakes melting instantly in her palm. "Do you think it's snowing in Hedong too? Is it this cold there?"
She had watched too many plays in her father's palace these past few days; those people's tears came so easily and seemed so fake.
Some couldn't even squeeze out a tear, yet they wailed with bitter faces, like clowns.
"Your Highness, please get in the carriage. Don't catch a cold. Physician Xie said that although you are much better, your constitution is still weak, and you still need to rest and recuperate. Please don't let her worry."
Seeing Yan Xi get into the carriage immediately, the head palace maid sighed. Xie Ning's words were the most effective.
In just a few days, countless people have died openly and secretly in the palace, and the young crown prince has been targeted countless times. If it weren't for the empress and princess protecting him, the young crown prince would have been gone long ago.
Just as the carriage carefully drove out of the alley, a figure hidden around the corner quietly disappeared.
When he reappeared, he was in the most inconspicuous Pingyao Prince's Mansion in the capital. Looking at this small garden overgrown with weeds, who would have thought that this was a prince's mansion?
"Brewing tea and appreciating the snow, Pingyao, you're living a truly carefree life."
The man was about thirty or forty years old, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. He bore a resemblance to the emperor and was one of the emperor's brothers, Prince Zhao.
“Third Imperial Brother.” Pingyao gestured for the person keeping watch to step back and invited Prince Zhao to sit opposite him. He was only a Prince of the County, but because they shared a common great-grandfather, they could address each other as brothers.
"Yan Xi's carriage entered the Xie residence. I'm afraid she's trying to get Lord Xie to side with the young crown prince. Isn't Third Prince afraid?"
"What is there to fear? Xie Wangzhi is just a vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Although he has some reputation, the Xie family has no foundation. They have neither wealth nor military power, and he is an old-fashioned man who is just as stubborn as Yu Wuyi. Even if Yan Xi doesn't go, the Xie family will only stand on the side of orthodoxy."
They can't cause any trouble.
The important thing is the Xiang family; they command 20,000 imperial guards in the capital.
In reality, there were 800,000 Imperial Guards, but they were scattered across various regions and could only be summoned by whirlwind. There were approximately 100,000 Imperial Guards in the capital. However, as one of those who knew the inside story, King Zhao knew that the number of Imperial Guards he claimed to have was 300,000. The 100,000 Imperial Guards were his own estimate of the number of troops he could use.
Perhaps there are fewer than 100,000 soldiers in the capital who are capable of taking up arms.
It sounds ridiculous, but that's the truth.
Where is Yu Tong now?
Pingyao bent down to add tea for Prince Zhao, a smile playing on his lips, looking very gentle and harmless. "We'll probably arrive in the capital in about five days."
King Zhao smiled slightly, "His Majesty and the Empress Dowager have decided that the young crown prince will attend this year's sacrificial ceremony to Heaven."
That was the perfect time to make his move, and he not only wanted the Crown Prince dead, but he wouldn't spare any of the other princes either.
Thinking of this, Prince Zhao couldn't help but glance at Prince Pingyao. His grandfather was too soft-hearted. If it were him, he would have spared no one.
As long as those who stood in his way were dead, the ministers would have no choice but to elect him, even if they didn't want to. As for the war in Hedong, it wouldn't affect the capital for the time being, so King Zhao was not worried.
He intended to use the external turmoil to stir up trouble in the capital. Once things calmed down in the capital, he could send people to Hedong later.
A day's delay means another day of death.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
