Qin Xiangyang put his hand on Pei Zhi's shoulder, "Can we not go back?"
Qin Xiangyang decided to stay in the manor with Pei Zhi.
The two of them stayed together until they grew old.
No one will bother them, and they don't need to worry about anything else. Isn't that good?
Why must we return to Beijing to compete for that position?
Pei Zhi looked at Qin Xiangyang with a detached gaze.
Pei Zhi said nothing, yet it seemed she had said everything.
Qin Xiangyang realized that the princess would never give up.
The princess has endured countless hardships to get to where she is today.
The princess has had a tough journey, but she's almost there.
The second prince's hand began to tremble uncontrollably as he looked at the imperial edict stamped with the jade seal.
"Father..." The second prince trembled so much he could barely stand. "How could Father... he actually..."
The second prince looked at the imperial edict with his seventh brother's name on it, and his tone became incoherent.
"Consort De is His Majesty's cousin, so His Majesty's decision is understandable."
Xie Qi took the imperial edict from the Second Prince's hand. "It must be returned to His Majesty, lest he become suspicious."
The second prince blinked, looking completely bewildered.
Yuan Chengyu sighed, "In the end, it was Your Highness who was too indecisive. Now, it's too late to regret it."
The Second Prince looked at the imperial edict in Xie Qi's hand; if eyes could breathe fire, the edict would have spontaneously combusted.
The second prince shook his head: "No, this prince absolutely cannot accept his fate like this."
Regardless, the second prince refused to accept this outcome.
He risked his life to rescue his father.
As a result, his father refused to give him the throne, so how could he be content?
The Second Prince gripped Xie Qi's hand tightly. "Xie Qi, your previous method was excellent. I want to use it now."
Xie Qi feigned concern and said, "Your Highness, please reconsider. His Majesty has already designated an heir. What if His Majesty is stubborn and refuses to appoint you even under torture? What then?"
Yuan Chengyu nodded in agreement, "Yes, His Majesty's body can't withstand several more rounds of severe torture. If something unexpected were to happen..."
"What should I do? Am I just supposed to accept my fate?"
The Second Prince suddenly reached out and snatched the imperial edict from Xie Qi's hand, then opened the lampshade next to him and lit the edict.
"The imperial edict has been burned, so there are no more imperial edicts in the world."
Xie Qi reminded the Second Prince: "Your Highness, you are... burying your head in the sand."
"Who knows if His Majesty has kept a backup copy with the cabinet ministers?"
The Second Prince grabbed Xie Qi's sleeve and said, "Xie Qi, you're so smart, think of a way for me. If it works out, I'll definitely make you the new Grand Secretary Xie."
"Since Your Highness is determined to be ruthless, then be ruthless to the end and don't be soft-hearted."
"We must press on and force His Majesty to hand over the imperial seal."
The second prince nodded, "Alright, whatever you say goes. You'll come with me, and I won't say a word as long as you use the torture."
Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu exchanged a glance, and Xie Qi continued, "Your Highness, this matter can only be handled by Your Highness personally."
The second prince was dumbfounded: "Why?"
The second prince dared not lay a hand on his own father, let alone use torture.
Xie Qi explained, "His Majesty doesn't really trust Yuan Chengyu or me. If we torture His Majesty, he will definitely think we are traitors and rebels."
Yuan Chengyu immediately added, "If His Majesty would rather die from torture than hand over the Imperial Seal, then things will become complicated."
Xie Qi coaxed, "Your Highness is different. You are His Majesty's son. His Majesty will make you the Seventh Prince, which is pretty much the same. Perhaps if you torture His Majesty, he will release you?"
The Second Prince pondered carefully and realized that Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu were both quite right.
His father had told him long ago that Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu were not to be trusted.
If the Emperor were to torture these two, he would probably really think they were plotting a rebellion.
This is something that really can only be done by him personally.
The second prince lowered his head, looking at his hands. Could he really do it?
Looking at the imperial edict that had been burned to ashes, the second prince wondered if he was truly willing to accept this outcome.
He was unwilling to accept this; if he couldn't ascend the throne, it would be worse than death.
"Tomorrow, I will enter the palace. As you said, you will stand guard outside for me and make sure no one breaks in, no matter what happens."
Seeing that the Second Prince seemed to have truly made up his mind, Xie Qi raised an eyebrow.
It wasn't a loss, considering how long he and Yuan Chengyu had talked and planned.
The imperial edict was obviously fake.
As for the imperial seal on the edict, it was naturally fake.
After seeing the imperial edict, the second prince only stared at the contents of it.
Naturally, they wouldn't bother to carefully examine whether the jade seal mark was genuine or fake.
Yuan Chengyu said, "His Majesty is unable to withstand the torture and may utter some incoherent words. Your Highness, please do not be fooled."
"His Majesty will never admit to Your Highness that he has made the Seventh Prince the Crown Prince. Your Highness does not need to care what His Majesty says. The ultimate goal is the Imperial Seal."
The second prince nodded, indicating that he had written it all down.
"It's fortunate that you are all by my side, otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do."
The Second Prince looked at Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu with gratitude.
"Even at this point, only the two of you are helping me so wholeheartedly."
Yuan Chengyu looked somewhat embarrassed. "Your Highness, what are you saying? We are looking forward to it. Once Your Highness ascends the throne, we will also be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor."
The Second Prince then made a passionate promise, stating that he would reward Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu handsomely after the matter was accomplished.
After bidding farewell to the Second Prince, Xie Qi gave Yuan Chengyu some instructions.
"Tomorrow, have someone give His Majesty some ginseng soup beforehand, lest he die before the torture even begins."
Yuan Chengyu nodded, "I will have the imperial physician keep watch over him."
As the two walked side by side outside, Yuan Chengyu was truly puzzled, "Why would the royal family raise such a 'loyal and honest' prince?"
The royal family is so complicated, not to mention the eldest prince who pretends to be honest on the surface.
As for the other princes, none of them were easy to deal with.
Xie Qi pointed out incisively, "If the Second Prince were truly capable, the Princess wouldn't have allowed him to live until now."
Yuan Chengyu was surprised; Xie Qi's words made perfect sense.
Those with any real skill were all killed by the princess.
If the second prince were truly intelligent, the princess wouldn't have hesitated to make her move.
Yuan Chengyu hissed, "His Majesty's reluctance to appoint the Second Prince as Crown Prince is probably because he has seen through the Second Prince's true nature, isn't it?"
It is likely that His Majesty knows that once the Second Prince ascends the throne, treacherous officials will truly be in power.
"Tomorrow's success or failure hinges on this moment; we must not afford any mistakes."
Yuan Chengyu patted his chest. "Don't worry, we've been planning this for so long, all for tomorrow."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
