The Second Prince and Prince Rong entered Linjiang Tower together, much to Zheng Ya's surprise: "How could they possibly be together?"
"My lord, the royal family of the Great Li Dynasty restricts the princes who compete for the throne from winning over the princes, in order to avoid infighting among the royal family members, which would only cause pain to their own people and joy to their enemies."
However, it did not restrict princes vying for the throne from courting vassal kings, thereby ensuring the unity of the imperial family against external threats and securing the imperial throne forever.
Clearly, it's illogical for the Second Prince to be allied with Prince Rong. Liu Yuan was also startled, wondering what conspiracy the two of them were plotting.
The struggle for the imperial throne has always been bloody and brutal.
Since its establishment, every emperor who ascended the throne in the Great Li Dynasty had blood on his hands.
Because of the bloody nature of the imperial throne, the late emperor established a rule that all royal children have the right to vie for the throne.
However, there are restrictions on the qualifications. Those whose strength does not reach the Innate Realm of Martial Artists or the Fifth Level of Qi Refining of Cultivators are not qualified to compete for the throne.
This inadvertently protected the lives of a large portion of the royal family's children.
In addition, a clan rule was added that princes vying for the throne were not allowed to win over princes or princesses, which became a clan rule to ensure the long-term prosperity of the royal family.
It should be noted that royal children, pampered and privileged, rarely dedicate themselves to martial arts training and self-cultivation.
This clan rule thus preserved the royal family indefinitely and inspired them to strive for excellence, becoming the foundation for the Zheng royal family's enduring prosperity for three hundred years.
But the fact that the Second Prince and Prince Rong are now together is quite subtle.
Before Zheng Ya could discuss the matter with Liu Yuan, he heard the Second Prince roar downstairs: "Insolent fools! This prince has arrived at Linjiang Tower, and your leaders not only fail to greet me but also dare to expel me! You're courting death..."
"Your Highness, please forgive me. Since Linjiang Tower opened for business, I have never had a precedent of driving away a customer."
Originally, it was a great honor for this humble subject that His Highness the Second Prince graced Linjiang Tower with his presence, and I should have welcomed him with the highest honors.
"But Linjiang Tower is already full. If Your Highness insists on staying there, it may anger the people and damage your reputation. I dare not bear such a crime. I hope Your Highness will understand." Cui Yuanfu, the manager of Linjiang Tower, knelt down and begged for mercy, his face full of bitterness.
However, onlookers gradually gathered and formed a circle in the small square outside the Linjiang Tower to watch the spectacle, creating an ambiguous atmosphere.
The common people, along with the secret guards and imperial guards protecting the Second Prince and Prince Rong, all drew their swords in alert, but dared not drive the people away.
Neither Prince Rong's reputation for benevolence nor his secret guards could be allowed to expel the people and tarnish his reputation for benevolence.
Even the second prince, who vied for the throne and was close to the people, won the support of the entire nation, and no one dared to easily expel the people.
However, under normal circumstances, when people hear that a prince or royal family is coming, they will usually just stay far away and take a peek, just to have something to brag about for the rest of their lives. Who would dare to go up and risk their life?
Something is clearly wrong here.
Seeing that the Second Prince was about to lash out, Prince Rong urgently sent a telepathic warning: "Second Prince, there must be something fishy about the crowd gathering. It's best to handle this carefully."
"Uh, Uncle, it seems someone is deliberately plotting against me?" The Second Prince was furious, his fat jiggling as he transmitted his voice.
Prince Rong glanced at his fat body without showing any emotion and transmitted his voice: "Second Imperial Nephew, don't forget the chaos in the capital. The plan is jeopardizing the imperial power and the throne."
This suggests that the forces behind the scenes are quite powerful, and it's hard to guarantee they won't seize any opportunity to target the second prince's nephew.
"Uncle Wang is right, I know what to do." The Second Prince replied with a stern look, then sneered at Cui Yuanfu, "I am staying at Linjiang Tower today. I would like to ask Manager Cui to negotiate with the guests. I will offer ten times the price to ask the guests to vacate the top-floor suite of Linjiang Tower?"
"Ah, since Your Highness has given the order, this humble subject dares not disobey. I will go and discuss it with the guest. I hope Your Highness will wait a moment?" Cui Yuanfu hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
Thousands of people had already gathered outside the door, watching and gossiping.
The elaborate scheme and unpredictable plot had greatly frightened Prince Rong's secret guards and the Second Prince's Imperial Guards, who were all solemn and sweating profusely with tension.
In fact, it wasn't that the secret guards and the Embroidered Uniform Guards were afraid of trouble.
It's not that they are weak or lack the confidence to protect the safety of the Second Prince and Prince Rong.
Instead, this gathering of onlookers was malicious, clearly a premeditated publicity stunt with ulterior motives.
The key issue is that once war breaks out, it will affect civilian casualties, and regardless of victory or defeat, Prince Rong and the Second Prince will lose the hearts of the people.
Clearly, the Second Prince's decision to leave Linjiang Tower at this time likely means he will be fine.
However, the Second Prince insisted that he could not leave Linjiang Tower for the sake of his dignity and face.
Then this long-planned conspiracy will be difficult to resolve peacefully.
At this moment, Zheng Ya sensed everything and laughed in exasperation: "Interesting, who's been watching us!"
“Master, after receiving the news that you have arrived in Linjiang City, this old servant booked a room last night, which should not attract attention.”
But now that this accident has happened, the problem probably lies with the Second Prince and Prince Rong. Someone is making fun of them, or even targeting them.
"We have suffered an undeserved calamity, Master. What do you think of this?" Liu Yuan was furious, and felt like killing someone.
To accommodate his master, Liu Yuan was extremely careful, choosing the highest-level service in Linjiang City and making a reservation a day in advance, fearing that his master might not be satisfied and would blame him for not being attentive enough.
The key point is that Liu Yuan and his grandson were ordered to seize a lot of assets from the merchant guild under Prince Rong. They have plenty of money to spend, so they can say they have money but nowhere to go. If they can't even book the best rooms, what kind of business are they?
The most direct explanation is incompetence!
Liu Yuan and his grandson were still hoping that Zheng Ya would help them to further their cultivation.
How could one not serve one's master wholeheartedly?
Zheng Ya understood perfectly and announced to everyone, "Manager Cui doesn't need to go upstairs and go through all that trouble. Let's just follow the rules for the accommodations!"
"Ah, this..." Cui Yuanfu had just turned to walk towards the stairwell when he was met with Zheng Ya's open refusal. He hesitated, then turned back to the Second Prince with a bitter expression on his face.
The Second Prince gritted his teeth in anger: "Manager Cui, who is living in the penthouse suite? How dare they bully me? Are they trying to rebel?"
"Your Highness, the guest staying in the penthouse suite appears to be a cultivator. This humble subject dares not speak carelessly..." Cui Yuanfu broke out in a cold sweat and repeatedly bowed to the Second Prince.
At first glance, one might hope that the second prince will leave quickly so that nothing will happen.
Unfortunately, the Second Prince couldn't bring himself to do it, so he waved his hand and ordered, "Men, go and arrest the rebels! Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" The Imperial Guard squad drew their swords and charged into the stairwell in orderly steps, startling Cui Yuanfu, who knelt down and cried, "Ah! No, Your Highness! If you fight, you'll destroy Linjiang Tower..."
"Haha, what an arrogant and domineering Second Prince who dares to frame others with his mouth. He's so stupid that he's been used as a pawn..." Zheng Ya laughed in anger, not minding to humiliate the Second Prince a few times.
If you're stupid, then let the whole world know you're stupid!
The second prince trembled with rage, and Prince Rong was also furious. He waved his hand and ordered, "Insulting a prince! He is indeed a traitor! Guards, rush up and arrest the thief..."
"Haha, a fight has broken out! The Second Prince and Prince Rong have led their troops to kill people..." The onlookers shouted, creating a stir, and the situation changed completely...
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