Chapter 682 - 502: The Crown Prince Seeks Counsel (Part 3)

"This is also a concern of mine. Father is strong, while Mother has a gentle nature and has never been fond of handling affairs. In the past, many of the palace’s miscellaneous matters were managed by Consort Yi. After Consort Yi was confined to the cold palace, Consort Xue, due to her favor, took over many of Consort Yi’s former duties. If it weren’t for Mother having the Crown Princess Consort help manage part of the affairs, I’m afraid the real power of the harem would all be in Consort Xue’s hands. But now, the Crown Princess Consort has come to Dongshan with me, leaving Mother alone in the capital, possibly unaware of my situation, giving Consort Xue an opportunity to exploit..." Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze was also deeply worried.

The problem is, it is still uncertain whether the Emperor has truly suffered a stroke; if not, then it’s just a false alarm.

If he were to return to the capital on his own, wouldn’t his suspicious father question his motives for returning?

He is not afraid of fighting Consort Xue and her son, but to directly confront his emperor father, after twenty years as Crown Prince, he still feels somewhat intimidated deep inside.

"Your Highness, the key strategy for now is to first determine whether His Majesty’s stroke is due to his own health or if it was man-made. The Marquis Lingyang is currently imprisoned in the celestial prison and cannot be released without His Majesty’s decree. Although Consort Xue has won over many people in the court over the years, she is a member of the harem and cannot meet with ministers at will. Although King Qi has established his own residence, he is still young and has been restricted to his home by His Majesty. The Great Commander of the Imperial Guards, Mr. Tian, is loyal to His Majesty, so even if Consort Xue controls the inner court and wants to revolt, she is powerless," analyzed Su Mobai.

"Mr. Su’s analysis is reasonable." Zhao Yuanze felt slightly reassured, the situation did not seem as dire as he had imagined.

"General Tian is loyal to His Majesty, but are all the Generals under his command equally loyal?" Pei Jian countered.

"Mr. Pei, what do you want to say?"

"If they dared to harm the Crown Prince, it means they are ready to replace him, and His Majesty is not easy to control. So, regarding His Majesty, they must also have a plan. Perhaps His Majesty’s stroke was not an accident?" Pei Jian said.

"His Majesty’s health has always been poor. Last year, he stayed at Ganlu Temple for a while to recuperate, which improved his complexion, but he’s still old and frail, and suffering a stroke naturally."

"Mr. Su, if the Crown Prince were assassinated and His Majesty had a stroke that prevented him from attending court, who would act as regent?" Pei Jian sneered, "It would surely be King Qi. As long as King Qi stays in the regent’s position for a period of time, and then His Majesty’s stroke is fatal and he passes away, King Qi would naturally ascend to the throne."

"This..."

"It’s impossible to immediately elevate King Qi to the position of Crown Prince; at least the courtiers would fiercely oppose it. But if it’s merely acting as regent, that’s much easier. After all, with no Crown Prince, and His Majesty unable to attend court, and the Third Prince confined, only King Qi would be eligible to act as regent, wouldn’t he?"

"What should I do now, remain in Dongshan to combat the plague, or return to the capital to manage the situation?" Zhao Yuanze was also at a loss.

"Your Highness must return to the capital immediately to manage the overall situation. Otherwise, if something happens in the capital, and Your Highness is far away in Dongshan, you will be unable to control the whole situation."

"If Your Highness returns to the capital, and His Majesty awakens, how will he perceive the Crown Prince abandoning the vital task of plague control?"

"His Majesty’s illness and the Crown Prince’s filial piety at the bedside is a natural duty; how can His Majesty blame him?"

"The people come first, the ruler second; what is more important, the state or filial piety?"

"Mr. Su, if His Majesty’s stroke is due to Consort Xue causing turmoil, do you not understand how severe the consequences would be?"

"..."

There was a difference of opinion between Pei Jian and Su Mobai regarding whether the Crown Prince should return to the capital immediately. Once Pei Jian learned of the Emperor’s stroke, he suggested the Crown Prince return to the capital immediately, without any delay.

Su Mobai thought Pei Jian was too radical; the Crown Prince had just arrived in Dongshan, and moreover, the news of the Emperor’s stroke was not confirmed. In hastily returning to the capital, if this news turned out to be false, the Crown Prince would be seen as leaving his post without permission, which would be a grave offense in the eyes of His Majesty.

At the very least, wait until the news is confirmed.

By then, regardless of whether there is a decree, no one would question the Crown Prince’s return to the capital.

Su Mobai’s suggestion was seemingly more cautious, but if Pei Jian’s pessimistic analysis was correct, if the Crown Prince returned too late, the consequences could be unpredictable.

Heavenly Master-level assassins have also been hired; in addition to the previous Blood Massacre, the former Profound Armor Army, Blood Massacre, who knows how much terrifying power Consort Xue and King Qi might have in reserve?

Besides Shen Yidao from the Green Blade Sect, there is another person, a Heavenly Master, whose identity is unknown, and he was the one who distracted Mr. Qin, who was secretly protecting the Crown Prince.

If it weren’t for the fact that the Crown Prince also had Fahai secretly protecting him, he would have had no chance of survival when Shen Yidao struck.

So, this is a must-kill trap.

"Your Highness, Mr. Dong, Mr. Su, Mr. Lin has arrived." Zhuo Qingfeng saved the Crown Prince twice, and although he was Pei Jian’s strategist, he also gained the Crown Prince’s absolute trust.

Zhao Yuanze’s guards suffered heavy casualties; even his close attendants were dead. With no one available around him, Zhuo Qingfeng was temporarily tasked by Zhao Yuanze to handle all affairs for him in Dongshan.

Therefore, Zhuo Qingfeng did not require notification to directly see the Crown Prince, who also trusted him absolutely.

"Quick, invite Mr. Lin in!" Zhao Yuanze’s eyes brightened as he hurriedly ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lin Miao, wearing a blue robe, with his hair simply fastened behind with a wooden hairpin, and black boots on his feet, appeared quite charming and elegant.

His attire was very casual, without any sense of tension from being about to meet the Crown Prince.

Of course, he didn’t look like a court official but rather like a young hermit stepping out from a landscape painting.

Pei Jian, familiar with Lin Miao, had seen his unrestrained attire before. Lin Miao wasn’t a court official, so those official rules naturally did not apply to him.

Su Mobai, on the other hand, seeing Lin Miao up close for the first time, was greatly surprised that Dongshan City had such a handsome young man.

Especially since he was a skilled physician.

This temperament and appearance, if placed in the capital at those gatherings, would definitely be the center of attention for many noblewomen and high society ladies.

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