Chapter 25: Laying Plans Part 2

Yuan Qingming was a general who had guarded the entire inner palace for over a decade—straightforward in temperament and speech. The Emperor was accustomed to it. “Yes. In your opinion, can Yuan Man hold Border City?”

“The enemy outnumbers us; victory or defeat will be clear in battle.”

Border City had only a few tens of thousands of troops. If the borderlands launched a surprise attack, they might not withstand the fierce assault. If Border City fell, Ji Province would be in dire peril.

If Ji Province fell into enemy hands, it would be as good as opening Great Qi’s gates wide. The borderlands’ armies would sweep in unhindered, impossible to stop.

The Emperor helped Yuan Qingming to his feet and sighed. “Yuan Man is young and inexperienced. I wanted to send you, but if you left, the Imperial Capital might descend into chaos.”

With the court unstable and those eyeing the throne watching avidly, changing the commander of the Imperial Guards at this juncture would likely stir up a storm in the imperial city.

Yuan Qingming pondered for a moment, then cautiously addressed the Emperor, whose expression had softened. “Actually, there’s an excellent candidate, though many in court might object.”

The Emperor shook his head. “You’re thinking of Xun Yi. The Southwest Region’s forces have likely been handed to the Heir Apparent by now. But assigning Xun Yi to guard Border City would mean father and son control over half of Great Qi’s troops—not to mention the pedantic civil officials; their memorials would pile up on my desk.”

It wasn’t a lack of trust in Xun Yi; he simply couldn’t place all hopes on one man. Great Qi had few generals, but they were elite. Now was the time to cultivate new talent. He smiled. “Yuan Man isn’t bad, either. If she were a son, you’d have far fewer worries. I hear you’ve been pressuring her to marry these years, and she went to Border City to avoid you.”

On family matters, Yuan Qingming smiled faintly and merely bowed. “Your Majesty, placing such a heavy burden on her may not be wise.”

The Emperor waved it off with a laugh. “When have I ever misjudged someone? Her grasp of strategy and tactics surpasses yours. You only know martial training; you don’t understand marching and battling. She compensates for your shortcomings.”

As his words fell, Yuan Qingming was about to respond when someone burst in from outside. He started in surprise, his gaze falling on the panicked inner servant. What disaster had struck the Rear Palace now?

The inner servant practically threw himself at the Emperor’s feet, gasping. “Your Majesty… the Third Prince… on his way back, he encountered assassins and was injured… By the time they carried him back to his mansion, he was gone.”

The words hit like a whirlwind, shocking the Emperor into pallor. He shot to his feet, his body trembling from the sudden motion. Yuan Qingming rushed forward to support him, calling worriedly, “Your Majesty…”

These days, he had been closely attending the Emperor and clearly sensed the change in his attitude toward Third Prince Xun Yishu—he often kept him by his side. Outsiders didn’t know, but Yuan Qingming gradually understood: the Emperor intended to groom Xun Yishu. Now this sudden tragedy—it was likely the Emperor’s favor that had doomed him.

Before he could think further, the Emperor spat up a mouthful of blood, staining his bright yellow dragon robe. The crimson soaked into the embroidered soaring dragon pattern, turning it a bloody scarlet.

The matter of Xun Yishu was too bizarre. The blade was poisoned, but it had only grazed his wrist. By the time the imperial physicians arrived at the mansion, he was dead. In mere half an hour, an imperial heir had closed his eyes forever, never to awaken.

The Emperor flew into a rage, ordering the Six Ministries to investigate thoroughly. A storm of blood and gore loomed over the Imperial Capital.

…

The deep autumn wind was exceptionally chilling, slicing across faces like thin blades, drawing faint stings of pain.

At the Second Prince’s Mansion, the advisors gathered in one hall.

No one was happier than Xun Yiran at that moment. Seated in his chair, he brushed nonexistent dust from his purple brocade python robe with his fingertips, his smile steady but his eyes deep and shadowy. “Right now, it seems Xun Yi can’t shake off his troubles. The Princess Consort Ana Yanran’s disappearance had nothing to do with him, but now Xun Yishu’s death is sticking to him. I hear Father Emperor has sent fast horses to recall the secret edict summoning him back to the capital.”

The assassin who killed Xun Yishu had been captured and tortured in the Ministry of Punishments, but he refused to name his master. Flesh and blood could only endure so much—hundreds of lashes later, he cracked slightly, only to bite his tongue under further torment. The hints vaguely linked to the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion, but so obscure they left everyone baffled. Still, the finger of suspicion pointed obliquely at Xun Yi.

The others nodded in agreement. They suddenly felt they had backed the right horse. If the Second Imperial Prince ascended, they could snag official posts. Though not through the imperial exams, they could still bring glory to their families.

Most had been recommended by others and had rendered services great or small to Xun Yiran. Otherwise, shrewd as he was, how could he have shared his secrets with them?

The room buzzed with cheer, all faces beaming. One man in gray cloth robes stepped forward, narrowing his eyes, a glint of light flashing in the slits. He reminded Xun Yiran, “Your Highness, have you considered what happens if the Pingnan Prince truly rebels?”

The advisor’s words stunned Xun Yiran, freezing his joy. His father already harbored suspicions toward Xun Yi. The pain of losing a son and hatred for the killer were eroding his trust. If pushed too far, Xun Yi might turn against the Imperial Capital.

The gray-robed man smiled lowly and continued, “Everyone knows Xun Yi values his family highly, especially his children. Why not petition His Majesty now, saying Xun Changqing has been wandering outside for years and should return? Use this to restrain Xun Yi—give him something to fear.”

Generals abroad often disregarded imperial orders—it was ever thus. If Xun Yi truly rebelled, Great Qi would plunge into chaos. Even if Xun Yiran took the throne, it wouldn’t be comfortable. Now that the Emperor was suspicious, it was a rare opportunity. They should strike while the iron was hot.

Xun Yiran suddenly understood, his eyes lighting up. The worry that had creased his brow vanished. He stood with a laugh. “Thank you, Mr. Jing. This Prince will immediately send someone to petition Father Emperor.”

Using flesh and blood to restrain others was a common tactic in the depths of the palace!