His eyes shifted slightly, his gaze unfocused, as Xiao Huayong spoke with an air of indifference, "Why the rush? Do you think His Majesty would execute my uncle without hesitation?"
"Prince Kang has served His Majesty for twenty years. He must possess evidence of many tasks handled on His Majesty's behalf," Tianyuan replied softly.
"That is only one reason," Xiao Huayong lifted his gaze, letting it rest upon the ginkgo bonsai placed by the window. "The second reason is crucial. Prince Kang's crime of privately forging weapons has been proven—but for what purpose? I know it was by His Majesty's order, yet others remain unaware and dare not speculate.
"For His Majesty to bring this matter to a complete close, ensuring no official dares to probe further, he must provide an explanation."
Three leaves had fallen onto the flower stand holding the bonsai. He rose, walked over, picked up one leaf, and rubbed it thoughtfully between his fingers. "Everyone wants to know whom Prince Kang served. This is the moment for each to showcase their abilities, yet they fail to realize His Majesty is merely using Prince Kang as bait. Those who jump highest now will fall the hardest—His Majesty is in need of a mastermind to conclude this affair."
Tianyuan's heart tightened, astonished by the depth of His Majesty's scheme. He bowed his head respectfully and remained silent.
Xiao Huayong set the leaf down. "This pot's leaves have withered."
With that, he exited the Warm Pavilion. Outside, several ginkgo bonsais were arranged. He inspected each one's branches, noting some with burnt roots, others suffering from drought, and a few waterlogged...
After meticulously recording his observations, he selected three pots thriving exceptionally well and instructed Tianyuan, "Have the attendants carefully note the fertilization and watering for these three. Before I leave the capital, convey all care instructions to Youyou."
"Acknowledged," Tianyuan responded gravely.
Having served the Crown Prince since childhood, Tianyuan had never witnessed His Highness devote such meticulous care to anyone. Nowadays, no one cultivated ginkgo bonsais, yet His Highness had personally selected the pots and nurtured them without entrusting anyone else, meticulously studying every aspect—light, wind, fertilizer, and water—to understand the bonsais' needs.
He feared that if the County Princess received them and failed to care for them properly, causing them to wither and die, it would only bring disappointment. This realization struck Tianyuan deeply: when the Crown Prince wished to treat someone well, he could be thorough and considerate to the utmost degree.
Shen Xihe had not anticipated that the Youning Emperor would stoop to entrapping his own sons, waiting for one to step forward and take the blame to bring the matter to a close. Thus, she waited intently for ambitious individuals to emerge, ready to tear away their disguises.
Xiao Huayong saw through the Youning Emperor's scheme and thus held his ground, biding his time for a more opportune moment. Yet even he had not foreseen how events would unfold beyond his expectations.
"Fifth Brother, whom was Prince Kang scheming for?" Xiao Changying arrived at Prince Xin's Residence to discuss the day's events.
"This matter is not for us to interfere with," Xiao Changqing, dressed in plain white, had just finished chanting scriptures and held a string of Buddhist beads.
"I..." Xiao Changying hesitated, words caught in his throat.
Xiao Changqing glanced at him, his gaze gentle. "With Prince Kang convicted, this matter no longer concerns the Northwest Prince's Residence. Zhaoning County Princess and the Northwest Prince Heir are the victims—there will be no further complications."
"Fifth Brother, do you know who it was..." Xiao Changying began to form a suspicion.
Xiao Changqing lowered his gaze briefly before looking up. "What if I said it was His Majesty? Would you believe me?"
"How could it be!" Xiao Changying shot to his feet, shocked. "How could it be His Majesty? Why would His Majesty need to forge weapons privately!"
The entire realm belongs to His Majesty. If he wished to forge weapons, he could simply issue an edict and do so openly and honorably!"Cutting the firewood from under the cauldron," Xiao Changqing murmured softly. "Our dynasty was founded on horseback, and His Majesty ascended to become The Supreme One with military support during his most vulnerable period. He understands the weight of military power all too well. Currently, the empire's military authority is divided three ways: one portion lies with the Northwest King, another with the various regional garrisons led by the Prince of Shunan, and the third remains in the capital under His Majesty's control.
Yet even this capital-based military power is distributed among several families with military achievements, each backing an adult prince. As these princes grow older, those originally loyal to His Majesty inevitably begin making long-term plans..."
His Majesty urgently needs an elite force loyal solely to him, untainted by any connection to the princes.
If this continues to be concealed, the day the force is fully assembled will mark the march northwest.
"Then they could advance to attack or retreat to defend," Xiao Changqing gave a faint, derisive laugh.
"If victorious, they become His Majesty's sharp sword—who in the court wouldn't fear His Majesty's might? If defeated, it matters little. No one knows these troops' origins, and His Majesty can simply commend the Northwest King for suppressing bandits." Xiao Changying involuntarily took a step back, staring in shock at his elder brother silhouetted against the light.
As a prince with a favored mother and a wise elder brother, he knew their imperial family was rife with schemes. He'd never naively believed it to be a carefree, harmonious clan, yet he had genuinely admired and revered the Emperor. Today, however, his brother was gradually revealing their imperial father in an utterly unrecognizable light.
"You must grow up, little brother," Xiao Changqing sighed softly. "Anyone who acts now will become the scapegoat for His Majesty."
Xiao Changying gazed blankly at his elder brother's slender, solitary figure reflected rippling on the water's surface, its indistinct form swaying slightly.
The Youning Emperor had waited long in the Hall of Bright Governance. A trusted aide reported that only the Second Prince, Zhao Wang (Prince Zhao), had visited the Imperial Clan Court to see the Kang Prince—openly and without concealment.
Since Zhao Wang had been fostered in the Kang Prince's residence during his childhood, some sentimental ties remained, making his farewell visit understandable.
"Only Zhao Wang went to the Imperial Clan Court?" The Youning Emperor's face darkened.
"Yes," the subordinate prostrated on the floor.
The Emperor swept his sleeve, sending everything on the imperial desk crashing to the ground: "I've underestimated them!"
This situation could only stem from two reasons: either his sons were all innocently harmless, without any rebellious intentions, and brotherly harmonious—or each was profoundly scheming, daring not to act rashly, and likely feigning ignorance precisely because they knew the Kang Prince's backing came from the Emperor himself!
The thought of the latter infuriated the Youning Emperor.
"If no one else goes by tonight, then..." The Emperor left his words unfinished, waving his hand. "Enough, withdraw."
The kneeling man breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the unspoken command was to fabricate evidence of a secret plot between the Kang Prince's household and Zhao Wang.
Since no other princes had acted, the only one who had visited the Kang Prince—Zhao Wang—would have to take the blame. Moreover, Zhao Wang's visit at this time might not have been solely for childhood sentiments.
When Shen Xihe awoke, she had expected turbulent developments, but surprisingly, all remained calm.
"The Imperial Clan Court is guarded by Embroidered Uniform Envoys. Besides Zhao Wang's visit, no one else entered," reported Shen Yungan, somewhat weary from keeping watch all night."I underestimated their cunning." Shen Xihe had never considered the princes foolish, yet she hadn't expected them to be so cautious. "Indeed, they've all grown their wings and now have advisors behind them..."
"Shall we continue surveillance?" Shen Yungan asked.
"Yes. Though he won't go immediately, he'll certainly go eventually!" Shen Xihe affirmed, then softened with concern for her brother. "Just send some men, Brother. Whether we catch him or not doesn't matter. If we miss this opportunity, I have plenty of other methods."
She had ample time to spar with him. Having him exposed too easily would be dull anyway - now her fighting spirit was truly ignited.
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