The Sinful Woman's Golden Branch: The Jade-Faced Yama is Actually Me (Twenty-Eight...)
Now that things have come to this point, there's no need to hide anything anymore, and Pei Yu is standing with the Crown Prince of Nankang almost openly.
However, even if it were before, it was no secret that he preferred the lineage of the Prince of Nankang.
The emperor at the top didn't care about any of that. The only reason she promoted him was to use his background to kill people he absolutely shouldn't have killed—a perverse pleasure unique to emperors.
The Crown Prince of Nankang looked at him and smiled: "My elder sister also mentioned this matter. She felt that Grandmother doesn't seem to be planning to pass the throne to anyone mentioned now. She wants to pass the throne to my aunt."
"Ah, Auntie is so lucky. No matter what it is, whether she wants it or not, as long as it's good, everyone wants to stuff it into her arms."
"I really don't know what good deeds my aunt did in her past life, everyone favors her so much in this life."
Pei Yu: ...
Those who serve as subjects must learn to listen carefully to the underlying meaning.
The Crown Prince of Nankang's words were definitely not just about praising his aunt's good fortune; he needed to hear something useful.
Therefore, Pei Yu spoke up: "Your Highness, fate is determined by heaven, but human effort is required."
The Crown Prince of Nankang withdrew his gaze, lowered the small window, and looked at him with puzzlement: "Oh?"
Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back. Pei Yu didn't beat around the bush and said directly:
"Recently, the ministers in the court have strongly advised Your Majesty to restore the Ji family's empire, but Your Majesty has always made excuses."
"Your Majesty has usurped the throne from the Ji family for a long time. I originally regarded her as the daughter-in-law of the Ji family and did not pursue the matter. If Your Majesty remains stubborn and cannot remonstrate, then we may have to hold a military remonstrance."
The Crown Prince of Nankang suddenly stood up: "Outrageous! That is my own maternal grandmother! How can I commit such a treasonous act!"
Pei Yu knelt down immediately, but his eyes remained fixed on the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, we have resorted to this desperate measure out of desperation, and it is not directed at His Majesty."
"Your Majesty's wicked thoughts are all due to the instigation of the Li clan. The Li clan has long been the object of divine and popular resentment. We are acting on behalf of Heaven to uphold justice!"
“We will eliminate the bandit leader and present his head to Your Majesty. Your Majesty is also a mother. How can you not show some human compassion?”
"Our purpose in punishing the traitors is to cleanse the court of corrupt officials, not to use force against His Majesty!"
The Crown Prince of Nankang slowly sat down: "In that case... there is some truth to it."
"But now, the only one who can mobilize troops is my aunt. The camp at Beijingmen is full of her Dengzhou soldiers. As long as she raises her arms and calls, I believe she will receive a great response."
"Since Aunt returned to the capital, her attitude has been ambiguous. Can we persuade her to join us in punishing the traitorous Li family?"
Pei Yu shook his head: "Although the princess is also of Ji family blood, I have heard that when the princess was in Dengzhou, she respected witchcraft and promoted the reversal of yin and yang and the system of female superiority and male inferiority. She has been deeply bewitched by witchcraft and heresy. Perhaps she will be lenient towards the Li family. She cannot be trusted to plot against them."
“We can unite with righteous men who are willing to protect the Ji family’s empire and enter through the South Gate.”
The Crown Prince of Nankang pondered for a moment: "What if my aunt thinks there is really a mutiny and leads troops from Beijing Gate? Wouldn't that mean we'd be fighting each other?"
Pei Yu said solemnly, "To prevent chaos, Your Highness can use human relationships as a pretext to lure the princess into your residence and place her under house arrest when you raise an army."
"But...won't Auntie be angry if she finds out?"
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Once things are settled, Your Highness, as a member of the Ji clan, should understand His Highness’s good intentions.”
The Crown Prince of Nankang hesitated, pacing back and forth, before finally making up his mind and looking at Pei Yu: "This is the only way."
“I will lead an army through the South Gate to kill the traitorous Li clan. I will have my mother bring my aunt into the mansion, and you will ambush an army inside to control my aunt.”
"Your aunt is my blood relative. Just keep her out of the manor. Do not harm her in any way, understand?"
Pei Yu immediately prostrated himself to receive the order, and when he looked up again, his eyes seemed to have a request: "Your Highness, I am willing to give my life for you, but I still have one request in my heart. I wonder if Your Highness can grant it?"
The Crown Prince of Nankang quickly helped him up: "What are you saying, Pei Qing? You have done so much for our family, is there anything I cannot agree to!"
Pei Yu did not get up, but looked at him seriously: "Your Highness, please forgive me, but I am asking for a person who is not suitable."
"The princess has a personal maid who is often bewitched by witchcraft and engages in inappropriate behavior. However, I am deeply in love with her and am willing to give anything in exchange for her life. Is that possible?"
The Crown Prince of Nankang was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "I thought it was something of great importance. It's just a woman, what's wrong with that?"
"I thought Xiao Wang was the womanizer, but it turns out you, Pei Qing, are even more amorous, hahaha!"
The Crown Prince of Nankang laughed and granted all requests. Pei Yu finally stood up.
The plan was set for the third day of next month, the princess's birthday—the least likely and most likely time to lower one's guard.
Actually, he didn't dislike the princess, nor did he dislike some of her decisions.
However, people still treat women harshly, and some of the princess's ideas are nothing short of wishful thinking. This land will not allow a second female emperor.
Forcibly going against the will of Heaven will only bring greater disaster. If the next emperor cannot return to the rightful path, who knows how many more people will rise up in rebellion and how many more will descend into chaos.
The struggle for the throne is not only a struggle for power, but also a struggle for the very foundation of the nation, so he cannot stand idly by and watch chaos unfold.
The prince's statement that he would not kill her meant he would definitely kill her; she was destined to die in this situation.
But he was determined to protect Guan Xianzhi no matter what!
...
Ye Xiqing took a feeding plate and fed the fish in the pond.
"System, what is the male lead doing right now?"
"I won't tell you, this is cheating!"
“Even if you don’t tell me, I know he’s plotting a rebellion with the Prince of Nankang.”
system:!
How did you know that?
But it has recently become more cunning, revealing nothing, and said with a grin, "Host, don't try to trick me into telling you anything, I won't tell you anything."
Ye Xiqing continued to scatter fish food into the lake: "I know without you telling me, because humans are a very simple creature, as simple as fish. As long as you throw bait into the lake, a large group of them will come to peck at it."
system:……
"Did you throw bait into the lake, host?"
"No, but isn't the bait readily available? Isn't the throne attractive enough?"
The system wanted to ask more questions, but fearing it might reveal something, it kept quiet and didn't say a word.
Ye Xiqing looked at the system and realized that it had indeed become very sophisticated, understanding that things are accomplished by keeping them secret and ruined by revealing them.
After failing to get any information from the system, Ye Xiqing could only rack her brains trying to figure out how and when the male protagonist and his group should rebel.
Oh dear, it's so hard to guess. I'd better let the lord take precautions himself. Wear armor when you go out, so if you encounter an assassination attempt and can't win, you can run away. It's best to stay in the princess's residence and not go out. It's too dangerous outside.
Ji Siyin:...
"After all that thinking, you just want me to be a cuckold in this mansion?"
"A thousand-year-old tortoise or a ten-thousand-year-old turtle—the simplest method is the most effective."
Ji Siyin really wanted to give her a beating, but there was some truth to it. Her life was extremely precious, coveted by many, and she couldn't die for no reason.
Because of this, the princess's residence appears very harmonious on the surface, but in reality, it has entered a state of war preparedness, with every drink and meal meticulously prepared by someone.
Ji Siyin always wore armor and a sword wherever he went, and his entourage was never less than twenty people. He even carried a helmet with him at all times, ready to put it on immediately in case of an emergency to prevent being shot in the head.
She doesn't wear it normally. Her armor is custom-made to fit her body, and she's so used to wearing it that she doesn't feel anything. She even wears a helmet every day. How can she live like that?
Sometimes people are like that; even if they know it will be very dangerous, they will be too lazy to wear a helmet because of comfort. It's really hard to say whether life or comfort is more important.
But being constantly on guard against anything is exhausting.
You might be alert for a day or two, but you'll become complacent over time. You'll be on guard against assassination attempts every day, but then you won't see a single person. It all feels like a waste of time!
So on her birthday, when the maid brought her the armor, Ji Siyin refused outright: "What's the point of wearing it every day? I'm wearing it for my birthday too! There are so many people at the banquet, who would dare to assassinate me in front of them!"
The maid said helplessly, "But this was ordered by Lord Guan."
Ji Siyin said impatiently, "Let her wear whatever she wants. We're free for today!"
Despite the maid's repeated attempts to dissuade her, Ji Siyin remained unmoved. She changed into the Shu brocade robe specially made for her birthday, and feeling much lighter and more relaxed, Ji Siyin happily went out to greet the guests.
She is now the most powerful person in the capital, and everyone wants to come and wish her a happy birthday. Li Wenyuan is not in good health and cannot come in person, but she still sent her gifts.
After thanking His Majesty the Emperor for the gifts, the banquet began, and the group indulged in drinking and merrymaking, having a wonderful time.
When the wine reached its peak, the Princess of Nankang also came to offer a toast.
It was common knowledge that Ji Siyin disliked her. After drinking a little, Ji Siyin dropped the pretense and glanced at her sideways: "Oh, isn't this my sister-in-law? You're actually offering me a toast?"
Discord is mutual. Ji Siyin dislikes the Princess Consort of Nankang, and the Princess Consort of Nankang dislikes her in return. Seeing her behavior, the Princess Consort of Nankang gets angry as a reflex.
But in order to plan for the big event, she had to suppress her anger and smiled obsequiously at Ji Siyin.
"Yongning, I know that I was wrong before and upset you. I sincerely apologize to you now. Please forgive me for the sake of today's joyous birthday celebration."
Ji Siyin remained noncommittal, raising her chin: "Sister-in-law, drink first."
Princess Nankang could tolerate this minor matter and drank it all in one gulp.
Ji Siyin gestured to the wine server to serve more wine: "Let's drink some more."
Princess Consort of Nankang: ...
She was never one to tolerate humiliation; normally she would have reacted immediately. But thinking of her next plan, she held back and drank it all in one gulp.
Ji Siyin seemed to be deliberately making things difficult for her, drinking seven cups in a row. When the wine cups were almost empty, she laughed and called for a stop, then drank the same number of cups in one go: "Don't be angry, sister-in-law, it was just a joke."
Princess Consort of Nankang: ...
Just you wait, after today, that will be the day I take power, and you'll be sorry!
After seven cups of wine, the old grudges were forgotten, and Ji Siyin stopped dwelling on the past and pulled Princess Nankang to drink with her.
Princess Nankang was very careful not to get drunk, but Ji Siyin drank too much and burst into tears on the spot: "Sister-in-law, you are really a bad person. I don't know where I offended you."
Princess Nankang gritted her teeth, "You've already forgotten what you just did!"
But this was a golden opportunity. Princess Nankang said softly, "It was my fault, sister-in-law. Yongning, would you like to see your brother? He is unwell and cannot come to celebrate your birthday in person. He is very sad. Could you go and see him?"
“Brother?” Ji Siyin looked up: “Indeed, brother didn’t come. In the past, brother was always the most attentive on Yongning’s birthday, but now he’s not here.”
As she spoke, even more tears streamed down her face.
Seeing that she was indeed drunk, the Princess of Nankang pressed on, pulling her up and saying, "How about Yongning stays at my brother's residence for the night?"
Ji Siyin's thinking was a bit sluggish under the influence of alcohol. She couldn't think of anything else and swayed as she propped herself up: "Okay, get the car ready."
Her maid quickly stopped her, saying, "Princess, it's late. Let's go tomorrow!"
Princess Nankang turned her away, saying, "Tomorrow is the end of my birthday celebration, so what's the point?"
Ji Siyin thought about it and realized it made sense, and continued, "Prepare the car."
The maid was still not satisfied: "Then I'll have someone follow the princess."
Princess Nankang interrupted again: "Don't I have people serving the princess in my household? Don't say anything more."
Ji Siyin was also annoyed by the maid's nagging: "That's right, why are you so long-winded? Send the guests away, I'll go stay at my brother's house for the night."
The maidservant tried to dissuade her repeatedly, but to no avail. Unable to dissuade the princess, she compromised and said, "Princess, at least put on some clothes. It's late and the dew is heavy outside. You might catch a cold if you go out at night."
"That's so long-winded."
Ji Siyin impatiently took the cloak and veil, dressed herself neatly, and looked at her: "Are you satisfied now?"
The maid smiled and said, "This servant will go prepare the carriage for the princess!"
Logically speaking, it would be safer to let Ji Siyin ride in their carriage.
But that would be too obvious. Even if Ji Siyin was too drunk to react, her subordinates would not allow it.
It was best to stop while things were going well, so in the end, ten guards accompanied them.
Normally, these ten guards might be useful, but tonight, the Nankang Prince's Mansion is an impregnable fortress from which no one can escape.
As soon as the gates were locked, someone immediately notified them to take action.
Ji Siyin getting drunk on his own was not part of these people's plan, so a banquet was indeed held at the Prince of Nankang's residence, and the ailing Prince of Nankang was also present.
Seeing his younger sister enter, the Prince of Nankang sat up, his face beaming with joy, and said, "Sister, is that you?"
The woman with the veil seemed quite drunk. Supported by her maid, she nodded and let out a soft hum: "Mmm."
The Prince of Nankang was unaware of this scheme, so he acted very sincerely, which made Ji Siyin lower his guard even if he wasn't drunk.
Princess Nankang breathed a sigh of relief. That's good. It would be best if nothing happened during the night.
Although things have come to this point, and a decision should be made sooner rather than later, Princess Nankang is still somewhat reluctant to really go to war with Ji Siyin.
It wasn't that she felt any reluctance towards Ji Siyin, but rather that the crimes of a brother killing his sister and a nephew killing his aunt were far too grave!
In ancient times, when communication was very primitive and involved only one person at a time, personal credibility was extremely important.
Ji Siyin had never done anything to wrong her family, and she had an excellent reputation among the people. If she were to be killed innocently in her family, it would be a disgrace, and future generations would laugh at her.
Because of this, Princess Nankang was still acting even at this point.
A golden opportunity presented itself, and Yongning unexpectedly fell into a drunken stupor at this crucial moment.
He gestured to his subordinate, who brought over a glass of spiked wine and presented it to Ji Siyin, hoping to help her get even more drunk.
If she really does "get drunk" smoothly tonight, that will be a blessing for everyone.
Once the situation is settled, even a god in the world would be powerless to stop it.
As the wine was being served, Princess Nankang, unusually kind to Ji Siyin, said, "Yongning, you've already arrived at your brother's residence, why are you still wearing a veil? Quickly take it off and drink this cup of birthday wine!"
The Prince of Nankang immediately echoed this sentiment, also wanting to see what his sister looked like.
Hearing their collective request, the woman, who had been propping her forehead up and sitting askew on the edge of the table, looked up and chuckled softly.
"It's not that Yongning didn't want to pick them, it's just that the wind was strong last night, and it has changed Yongning's appearance somewhat."
"If you remove the veil, it doesn't look quite right. Please don't be surprised, Your Majesty and Your Highness. It's just that the wind is strong and it's blown out of shape a bit."
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