Chapter 63: Strategist
Empress Liu knelt before Emperor Xiaowen, crying piteously with tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms in rain.
Prince Wei was also kneeling, his eyes bloodshot and his voice choked with sobs: “This son cannot bear to part from Father Emperor and wishes to stay by his side to fulfill his filial duties. Yet someone finds this son an eyesore and tries every means to drive him away. The last time they failed to scheme against this son, now they are resorting to the same trick again.”
“I beg Father Emperor to thoroughly investigate the murder of Censor Cao and restore this son’s innocence.”
The muddleheaded Emperor Xiaowen, who listened only to one side, immediately said upon hearing this: “Summon the Crown Prince.”
When the Crown Prince arrived, he was met with the familiar scene once again. Emperor Xiaowen, with his favored empress and beloved son at his side, glared over with fury on his face: “Someone has secretly framed and slandered Prince Wei. You are Prince Wei’s brother. For this case of Censor Cao, I give you five days to investigate the original story and restore Prince Wei’s clear name.”
Although he had anticipated it, at this moment, the Crown Prince still felt a bone-chilling cold. A letter from Sixth Sister Pei suddenly flashed through his mind.
“…The Son of Heaven has long harbored thoughts of abolishing the Eastern Palace and changing the heir. No matter how carefully Crown Prince acts, he cannot withstand the Son of Heaven’s picky suspicions and suppression.”
“Rather than passively waiting, it is better to plan ahead, lure Prince Wei into the game, and completely eliminate him to dispel the Son of Heaven’s intentions of changing the heir.”
“The Son of Heaven is elderly, with little lifespan left. Crown Prince is heaven’s chosen and will become a wise ruler of his generation.”
This treasonous letter had already been burned by candle flame. Yet every word and sentence was deeply imprinted in the Crown Prince’s mind. In the dead of night, it would quietly surge in his heart.
Eliminate Prince Wei… The Son of Heaven is elderly with little lifespan left…
Prince Wei was one thing, but the Son of Heaven was his own father! The father is the model for the son; even if the father is unkind, the son must be filial. If the father raises a blade, as a son, he should bare his neck for the slaughter…
“Crown Prince! Did you hear my words clearly?”
Emperor Xiaowen’s familiar cold and impatient voice made the Crown Prince quickly regain his senses: “Yes, this son obeys the command.”
Prince Wei slightly turned his head, a trace of self-satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
The Crown Prince suppressed the anger in his heart, cupped his hands, and took his leave. Prince Wei saw the Crown Prince out of the sleeping palace, pretending to sigh: “This time, it will be hard on Eldest Brother again.”
The Crown Prince remained impassive: “I know your temperament and character well. If Censor Cao displeased you, at most you would vent your temper in the sleeping palace; you would never send an assassin to kill an Imperial Court official.”
The sarcasm in his words was clearly evident.
The impulsive Prince Wei was indeed provoked, his eyes spitting sparks: “Is Eldest Brother mocking me for only taking out my anger on those around me?”
The Crown Prince tugged at the corner of his mouth, soothing Prince Wei: “Fifth Brother, don’t be angry. What I mean is, this murder case definitely has nothing to do with you. I will send people right now to investigate the original story, restore your innocence, and give Father Emperor an explanation.”
Prince Wei sneered coldly, provocation in his eyes: “Fortunately, Father Emperor has my back.”
With the muddleheaded and biased Emperor Xiaowen there, no one could touch Prince Wei.
What if Emperor Xiaowen suddenly passed away?
Once this terrifying thought took root, it was like a whisper from a demon in hell, murmuring in his mind from time to time.
The Crown Prince glanced at Prince Wei: “I will also back Fifth Brother and stand up for you.”
Five days later, the Ministry of Justice produced a completely new testimony. The assassin who killed Censor Cao was instigated by political enemies. Physical evidence and eyewitnesses were complete; one of the twelve imperial guards, General Yu, was swiftly imprisoned and sentenced to death.
General Yu was as renowned as Pei Zhongde, who was executed a few months ago; both were fierce generals of the Jing Dynasty. Pei Zhongde had surrendered to the Eastern Palace, while General Yu had secretly surrendered to Prince Wei.
Pei Zhongde died unjustly, and General Yu was thrown into prison awaiting decapitation. Jing Dynasty’s military generals failed to die on the battlefield wrapped in horsehide but perished in the vortex of imperial power struggles.
This case completely opened the prelude to the chaos in the Imperial Court and palace intrigues at the end of the Jing Dynasty.
With the guillotine hanging overhead, ready to fall at any moment, such fear made all civil officials and military generals uneasy in their hearts, rushing to choose sides.
The Crown Prince, relying on his image of humility, gentleness, and generosity, co-opted a large number of civil officials and military generals. Prince Wei had Emperor Xiaowen backing him and General Situ standing behind, equally with massive influence. Factional strife was always cruel; the fights between the Crown Prince’s faction and Prince Wei’s faction were endless, with officials frequently executed and their families confiscated, blood and gore filling the Capital City.
News from the Capital City first reached the Beiping Army, then was sent by General Meng to Pei Family Village.
Pei Qinghe’s letters also passed through General Meng’s hands, one after another, delivered to the Eastern Palace and presented to the Crown Prince.
“The Emperor loves beauties and enjoys alchemy. Prince Wei and his mother cater to his tastes, deeply winning the Emperor’s favor. Your Highness can seek out master alchemists and beauties from various places to respectfully present to the Emperor.”
Lust is a steel knife that scrapes the bone; the ferocity of pills is even greater than that of beauties.
Emperor Xiaowen was advanced in age, having difficulty even getting on and off the dragon couch, yet still consumed pills and enjoyed beauties. The Crown Prince had often advised against it in the past, greatly displeasing Emperor Xiaowen.
Now, the Crown Prince broke from his usual behavior and proactively offered beauties and sought out alchemist Taoists, even specially building several new alchemy furnaces for Emperor Xiaowen.
For the new pills produced, the Crown Prince personally tested them, and only after confirming they were harmless did he present them before Emperor Xiaowen’s dragon couch.
Emperor Xiaowen was greatly comforted and his attitude toward the Crown Prince became much milder.
Prince Wei was both shocked and furious, grinding his teeth: “Who exactly is secretly planning and scheming for the Crown Prince?”
Empress Liu frowned and sighed softly: “The Eastern Palace’s influence is rising greatly; who knows from where they gathered such a strategist. One move after another, truly powerful.”
The Crown Prince was employing an open scheme; as a son, fulfilling filial piety, no one could say no.
In the past, such fawning and currying favor had always been Prince Wei’s way. Now the Crown Prince was shamelessly competing for favor, and Prince Wei suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
“This cannot go on,” Prince Wei’s face was full of sinister ferocity: “I can’t wait any longer; I must act soon.”
Empress Liu was startled and quickly tugged at Prince Wei’s sleeve: “What are you going to do?”
Prince Wei smiled coldly: “Mother Empress doesn’t need to worry about this. Mother Empress just stay by Father Emperor’s side with peace of mind, occasionally whisper pillow talk, and speak of the Crown Prince’s faults; that will be enough.”
……
“Reporting to Your Highness,” the sky was dim, the Eastern Palace study room lit with bright candlelight. Commander He reported in a low voice: “Those few informants all had unusual movements today. They must have received messages and will soon take action.”
The Crown Prince hooked the corner of his mouth, revealing a cold smile: “Keep watching them. When they make their move, take them down promptly, then spread some false news to lure their master into the trap.”
Commander He acknowledged in a low voice.
After Commander He withdrew, the Crown Prince stood up and retrieved a letter from a hidden compartment in the bookshelf.
The handwriting on the letter was like golden hooks and silver strokes. The writing matched the person; this Sixth Sister Pei was ruthless, meticulous, bold, with killing intent permeating between the lines.
“Prince Wei lacks patience and is impulsive and easily angered.”
“Press him step by step to disrupt Prince Wei’s mind and make him act first. Your Highness can then turn the scheme against him and lure Prince Wei into the game. Seize the opportunity to clip Prince Wei’s wings.”
“This diminishes him while strengthening you; Prince Wei’s power declines, Your Highness’s rises. The gentlemen of the Imperial Court have keen eyes and clear minds and will naturally turn to Your Highness.”
“With the people’s hearts in the Eastern Palace, great things can be achieved.”
