When one's direct strength is inferior to that of their opponent, scheming and plotting become necessary. Coincidentally, being born into royalty means that scheming and plotting are essential skills.
The Fourth Prince was indeed an outstanding individual in this regard.
Under normal circumstances, such scheming and plotting would not be necessary. However, with Kangxi's faked death and subsequent retreat from the world, the situation changed drastically, and the Fourth Prince was exiled to the small town of Zichuan by the Crown Prince who ascended the throne. This gave the scheming and plotting a chance to be put to use.
"Whether it's humility or modesty, Your Highness is extremely capable in my eyes."
Men are creatures who care a lot about their image.
Women should praise men often to motivate them to be more motivated.
Although Rong Xi has never been with a man, she still possesses a great deal of theoretical knowledge in this area. There are countless examples of such "inspirational" advice circulating online and in romance dramas.
The Fourth Prince clearly enjoyed Rong Xi's praise, his lips curling up in a happy smile.
...
The next day, the Fourth Prince released 99% of those he had arrested, leaving only a few to be detained. These people all had intricate connections with the remnants of the former Ming dynasty.
The Fourth Prince also used these people to counter the attacks from the Carefree Faction.
The Free and Unfettered Sect was originally prepared to confront the Qing Dynasty court about this matter. However, the envoys sent by the Free and Unfettered Sect had only just arrived in the capital and had not even approached the imperial city area when the Fourth Prince released them.
Li Wuxiang, who chose to side with the Fourth Prince, quickly sent a message back to the Xiaoyao Sect under the Fourth Prince's instructions.
The group of people from the Free and Unfettered Sect were all dumbfounded. They were in a situation where they had already taken their pants off, but found that they couldn't get an erection.
"go back!"
The leader of the Xiaoyao Sect elder nearly vomited blood upon receiving the message from the Xiaoyao Sect.
A group of members of the Free and Unfettered Sect were originally preparing to show off their power in the capital and display the prestige of the Free and Unfettered Sect, but unfortunately, they didn't have the chance.
"Ninth Elder, we're all here now, why don't we go for a walk?"
The disciples of the Free and Unfettered Sect all grow up cultivating in the mountains and have no chance to experience the hustle and bustle of the mortal world.
"Shut up and go back!"
The Ninth Elder of the Free and Unfettered Sect roared and slapped the disciple who had made the suggestion, sending him sprawling.
The Xiaoyao Sect delegation had set out with great fanfare, attracting countless eyes. Numerous sects and families were all watching. Yet now, they had to turn back halfway, a truly humiliating defeat.
...
The Forbidden City, the Qianqing Palace.
The Crown Prince gathered many nobles and important officials of the Qing Dynasty, and countless people gathered together to await the arrival of the Xiaoyao Sect delegation.
Whether it will be war, peace, or some kind of agreement, they are all waiting.
"Report—"
Just as this group of people were waiting anxiously, a dark guard at the Nascent Soul stage broke through the air and arrived.
"Your Majesty, the Xiaoyao Sect delegation suddenly turned around and left just before reaching the capital!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, the crown prince was startled.
He was already prepared to hand over the Fourth Prince once the Xiaoyao Sect members arrived, in order to quell their anger.
Of course, if the people of the Free and Unfettered Sect fail to defeat the Fourth Prince and are defeated by Rong Xi's battle pet monster, then he can appear under a different guise.
The crown prince had planned everything meticulously, but now, he's missed a crucial step. Therefore, all his calculations have come to naught.
"Tell me, what exactly happened?"
The crown prince stared intently at the secret guard who had come to deliver the message and spoke sternly.
"Your Majesty, this servant is unaware of the situation. This servant was merely keeping an eye on the Xiaoyao Sect delegation in secret. It seems that the Ninth Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect suddenly received some news, and then led his men back!"
"that's all?"
The Crown Prince was even more displeased upon hearing the report from the secret guard. This was as good as saying nothing; what use was such scouting?
"Your Majesty, the Ninth Elder of the Free and Unfettered Sect is a wandering immortal. This servant dares not get too close and does not know what is going on!"
The dark guard, at the Nascent Soul stage, responded respectfully.
He certainly had a responsibility to investigate the matter thoroughly, but the problem was that his strength was far inferior to that of the Ninth Elder of the Free and Unfettered Sect. If he got too close, he would be discovered immediately. At that point, he would undoubtedly be dead.
The secret guards are fearless!
The problem is that his orders were to keep watch and determine the exact time the Xiaoyao Sect delegation would arrive in the capital.
"Go down!"
Although the Crown Prince was furious, he also knew that no one else could get any specific information from the Ninth Elder of the Free and Unfettered Sect.
Let's all share our thoughts!
After the guards left, the Crown Prince looked at the nobles and court officials present, his expression slightly solemn.
At this point, even if you're just putting on an act, you have to make it convincing.
The Crown Prince clearly wanted this matter to escalate, but he couldn't show it, after all, he was the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. And the one who caused the trouble was the Fourth Prince, his half-brother.
"Your Majesty, could it be that something has happened on Prince Yong's side that we are unaware of?"
Soetu spoke in a low voice.
The people from the Free and Unfettered Sect had initially sent the message with great force, but at the last moment, how could they possibly back down on their own?
The fact that the Free and Unfettered Sect members were able to retreat only indicates one thing: things have taken a turn for the better.
"I have not received any message from the Uriyangkhai!"
The Crown Prince thought about it and felt that this matter probably had little to do with the Fourth Prince.
At that moment, the crown prince still firmly believed that the Uriyangkhai were on his side. But he forgot that people can change.
Uriyangkhai advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, and the imperial court did indeed issue an edict of reward. However, the problem was that, in order to deal with the Fourth Prince, the Crown Prince ordered Uriyangkhai to continue to be stationed in the small town of Zichuan.
Why would a small town like Zichuan need so many people to oversee it?
The Fourth Prince has a Nascent Soul realm expert by his side, and Rong Xi's two battle pets are much stronger than Nascent Soul realm experts.
Whether Wuliangha and Zuotang advance to the Nascent Soul stage or stay in Zichuan Town, it won't have a significant impact.
However, in order to keep abreast of the Fourth Prince's situation, the Crown Prince deliberately refrained from bestowing upon the Uriyangkhai any normal rewards or transfers. The Crown Prince felt that he had simply used the best steel on the blade, but forgot to consider whether that piece of steel was willing to be used as a blade.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you could ask again?"
Others might hesitate to ask the Crown Prince to do something, but Suo'etu had no such reservations.
In Songgotu's view, he did this for the sake of the crown prince.
But in the Crown Prince's eyes, Suo'etu was putting himself above him.
In the Qing Dynasty, a society obsessed with cultivation, the principle of "might makes right" prevailed. However, in certain special places, imperial power remained supreme.
During this period, Suo'etu became arrogant and complacent, and naturally overlooked this problem.
In the imperial court, no one would remind him, because many people were hoping for his downfall.
...
[On New Year's Eve and the Spring Festival, Fujiko wishes everyone a Happy New Year! May all readers have a prosperous, auspicious, and happy new year!]
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