Chapter 263: Hitting the Seven Inches
Mister Wu’s words were like a sudden enlightenment to Prince Zhao.
That’s right, if it weren’t for Ying Bai, Prince Chu wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to find leverage against me, and further back, I wouldn’t have sought trouble with Prince Chu.
What the two sides were fighting over was merely that unspoken understanding, that position they both knew existed but could not voice.
“Your Highness, think about it. If we don’t strike at their most vulnerable point, we’ll never eliminate future trouble. Prince Chu, that viper, is bound to strike.” Mister Wu’s aged eyes shone exceptionally brightly under the lamplight on the table, even glinting with ferocity.
“While that may be true, Ying Bai is still just a child. I truly feel a pang of reluctance,” Prince Zhao sighed.
“You cannot afford to be soft-hearted like a woman at this juncture, Your Highness. This matter is of great consequence. Just as Xiang Yu, if he hadn’t let Liu Bang go at Hongmen, he wouldn’t have suffered such a crushing defeat! If you don’t think for yourself, you should at least think for the greater good. He’s just a child, can he be more important than the state?” Mister Wu knew Prince Zhao was capable of being ruthless, but he still put on a show of compassion in front of him, so Mister Wu had to make the decision for him.
Prince Zhao pondered for a long while before asking, “Then, according to your opinion, what method should we use?”
“There are many methods. As they say, illness enters through the mouth, and fortune and misfortune are unpredictable. Perhaps he accidentally ingests poison, or some accident occurs. Even if it doesn’t take his life, as long as he’s crippled, that will be enough,” Mister Wu smiled slightly. “When the time comes to investigate, we won’t lack someone to take the blame.”
“But if we do this, won’t it also enrage Prince Chu? He definitely won’t let me off,” Prince Zhao said. “If we push him to this point, he will definitely choose to fight to the death.”
“He might want to fight to the death, but it depends on whether anyone will enable him. Once Prince Chu’s Heir Apparent is in trouble, Prince Chu will be consumed by rage and will surely turn his attention to you, Your Highness.
But by then, we can simply say he was so heartbroken that he went mad and started biting like a mad dog.”
“But he does have evidence against me,” Prince Zhao couldn’t help but be wary. “If these things are brought to light, it won’t just be me; many high officials and nobles will be implicated.”
“If that’s the case, what are you afraid of, Your Highness? We have more people on our side, and he has fewer. Let people know that he holds leverage over so many, and see who can spare him!” Mister Wu was confident. “San Jing Academy may be formidable, but are all the officials in the court incompetent?”
Since the interests involved were illicit, everyone implicated was now in the same boat.
In this way, Prince Chu would not only be targeting Prince Zhao but would be making enemies of everyone.
“Your Highness, why do you worry? We have the advantage of time, place, and people. As long as we seize the initiative, black can be turned into white, and right can be twisted into wrong. Strike now, do not miss this opportunity!” Mister Wu urged again.
Prince Zhao looked at the lamp on the table for a long time, then made up his mind and slammed the table, saying, “Exactly! If he is not benevolent, then don’t blame me for being unrighteous! Since ancient times, those who achieve great things disregard minor details. Success makes kings and nobles, failure makes bandits; let’s not discuss anything else!”
The candlelight flickered twice from the force of his slam, and Prince Zhao’s face, illuminated intermittently, was unspeakably grim.
Prince Chu’s Mansion.
Princess Consort Chu asked Prince Chu, “Why is there no movement from Prince Zhao’s side? This matter won’t fall through in the end, will it?”
“I hate discussing important matters with you women, always so hesitant and impatient!” Prince Chu shook his head. “Either go out to the street, or have some people accompany you to play dice at home to pass the time. Don’t ask about anything else.”
“I’m just worried because I care. I feel like this is getting bigger and bigger, and we might not be able to handle it in the end,” Princess Consort Chu couldn’t help but worry.
“What you’re saying is ridiculous. It’s already come to this point, can we still stop halfway? Even if we were willing to stop, how could Prince Zhao rest?” Prince Chu retorted.
“I know what you’re saying, but I can’t help but worry,” Princess Consort Chu said. “After all, they still have the Grand Tutor and the Empress backing them!”
“It’s precisely because I know this that I cannot retreat. Otherwise, would we have any good outcome? Fighting might give us a sliver of hope, but sitting and waiting for death will only lead to a worse fate,” Prince Chu snorted coldly.
Princess Consort Chu wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent. She knew that anything she said would be futile. It was like an arrow drawn on a bowstring, impossible to stop, and like riding a tiger, impossible to dismount; they could only brace themselves and push forward.
The following days were surprisingly quiet, with no movement from either Prince Zhao’s or Prince Chu’s side.
However, both sides understood that this so-called peace was merely a build-up of momentum, and neither dared to slacken in the slightest.
As winter set in, the masters in the Palace preferred to stay indoors and gather to play dice.
The Empress was sleeping well and was in robust health, naturally having the inclination for such activities.
In the past few days, she had summoned Consort Hui and others to her Palace to play dice or leaf cards. In winter, the days were short, and the daylight could be quickly passed.
Before the game even began, the Grand Princess arrived with a cheerful smile, and everyone quickly vied to offer her a seat.
“I heard it was quite lively here, so I came to join. I hope I’m not intruding,” the Grand Princess asked with a smile after sitting down.
“Your Highness, what are you saying? It’s good enough if you don’t find us foolish,” Consort Hui quickly replied.
“I haven’t been able to gather with you all much lately because Duan Min was with me. Now that she’s returned, I’ve been terribly bored on my own,” the Grand Princess said, taking a sip of tea.
“A loving couple is naturally a good thing,” the Empress smiled. “We are all happy to see it.”
After playing a few rounds of cards, Princess Consort Zhao entered the Palace.
She found Wen Mingqian and said, “Have you heard? Mister Hua Ying from San Jing Academy has been staying at Prince Chu’s Mansion for many days now.”
“Is that so? This servant has never heard of it,” Wen Mingqian shook her head. “Is this true or false?”
“It is indeed true,” Princess Consort Zhao sighed. “Tutor Zhuge also greatly appreciates Ying Bai’s articles. And yes, Tong’er has never been good at this.
I had originally thought of having Changan stay in the Palace as a companion reader to bolster our influence, but I didn’t expect… alas!”
The implication was that she regretted introducing Gong Changan into the Palace. This also carried a hint of blaming Wen Mingqian.
How could Wen Mingqian not understand? But she remained unfazed. “It was kind of you, Princess Consort, to recommend them to the Palace. However, ultimately, Changan and the others are merely icing on the cake. It’s good to have them as a foil, but it’s the same without them.
Moreover, no matter how well one writes, at best they can enter the Hanlin Academy. Which emperor in any dynasty spends their days engrossed in calligraphy, painting, and literature? Wouldn’t that make them a foolish ruler?
I am a person of little insight, but I know that delicate wood is only suitable for admiration, while truly capable timber can be used as a pillar!”
