Often, the most formidable enemy is not the one who presses relentlessly, but the one who remains elusive and unassuming.
Lan Jingtang had rather complicated feelings about Yi Chenli.
He was the person Xiaoyuan loved, the man that girl was willing to risk her life to protect, but...
The two are on opposing sides. Yi Chenli is a formidable opponent of Lan Jingtang, someone he must defeat in order to help the Crown Prince.
The emperor looked at the remaining princes and weighed his options in his mind.
The Second Prince is narrow-minded and hesitant in his actions, which is not what he likes. As for the Eighth Prince, he is still young and impulsive. If he were to mess up such an important matter, the consequences would be unimaginable.
After much deliberation, Emperor Tiansheng was still not entirely satisfied.
"Is there any prince willing to volunteer to handle disaster relief?"
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, the remaining princes rushed to express their opinions, raising their hands high with eagerness and anticipation on their faces.
The Emperor was disgusted. They were all so impatient, only knowing that this was a good job, but not considering whether they were capable of doing it.
Among all the princes, the only one who did not raise his hand was Yi Chenli.
He seemed so out of place, yet so special.
The Emperor has never paid much attention to Yi Chenli. In recent years, when envoys from the Southern Kingdom occasionally visit, the Emperor will bring Yi Chenli to meet them, but that is all.
The Emperor valued the eldest and fifth princes, but also feared them.
There's always a wall between fathers and sons.
The Emperor suddenly remembered: it was this seemingly unremarkable son who won the archery competition back then. Perhaps supporting another faction besides the two main factions of the First Prince and the Fifth Prince would better balance the current situation.
The Emperor's gaze remained fixed on Yi Chenli, but Yi Chenli never looked up to meet the Emperor's eyes. In the Emperor's view, this son was probably crippled and lacked confidence.
The less confident he was, the easier the emperor felt he was to manipulate.
The Emperor paid too little attention to Yi Chenli. He mistakenly believed that his son was only talented and intelligent, but was still insecure at heart and was destined to amount to nothing.
Such people are the best to take advantage of.
The Emperor took the initiative and said, "Sixth Prince, if your father were to entrust you with the important task of disaster relief, would you be able to handle it well?"
Yi Chenli was called out. He lowered his head and secretly curled the corners of his lips.
However—
In the brief moment he looked up, a hint of fear flashed in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected such a wonderful thing to happen to him.
He didn't agree immediately, but instead thought about it carefully.
"Your subject is unworthy. For many years, I have been burdened by the weakness of my legs and have been confined to Chenyang Palace, rarely appearing before the public." When he said this, Yi Chenli had a sighing expression, but then his eyes gradually became resolute, as if he had already made a decision.
"But I am the Emperor's son. Even though I am disabled and incompetent, I am here on behalf of the Emperor to provide disaster relief. With the Emperor's great reputation and glory shining upon me, I have no fear. I can do a good job."
Those words, that acting, were flawless.
If they weren't on opposing sides, Lan Jingtang would have applauded Yi Chenli.
He outwardly feigned weakness to minimize the emperor's suspicion, while intentionally or unintentionally elevating the emperor's reputation. Unlike the other princes, he did not claim credit for himself, but instead attributed it to the emperor's prestige.
As expected, the emperor's expression relaxed and his stiffness disappeared. Clearly, the emperor was pleased with this intentional or unintentional flattery.
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