Chapter 109

Chapter 109

At the Second Prince's residence in the capital, the night was heavy. In the study, advisors gathered.

The Second Prince stared at the sand table before him, while his advisors murmured nearby. His expression remained calm, and the flag pinched between his fingers gently fell onto a certain spot on the sand table, as if he were personally stirring the undercurrents there. Ever since the Director and Deputy Director of the Embroidered Uniform Guard entered the capital six months ago, the downfall of the Fei family of Jiangnan had not only changed the Emperor's mind about using military force but also empowered Prince Jin and Prince Yan.

Such a well-laid plan had come to this—Fei Xun had truly lost his touch the longer he stayed in Jiangnan.

Several of his men at court had been targeted by the Emperor, who even questioned him more than usual during court sessions. Some covert moves might have been discovered by his father, the Emperor.

“Your Highness, the message has arrived in the capital,” a report came from outside the study. The messenger had arrived.

The Second Prince looked at the sand table, where the forces of the two court factions were arranged, and smiled. “My imperial brother always thought that gaining the support of civil officials would lead him to the throne. But does he even know who his civil officials truly belong to?”

Those were the pieces I had spent years planting within the Xu family.

...

Shuntian Prefecture.

An urgent report from the western border of Shu reached the capital. The messenger rushed into the prefecture, and upon hearing the report, the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture entered the palace to see the Emperor. While on a mission in Lulin County at the western border of Shu, the Eldest Prince had met with an accident, suffered severe injuries, and fallen into a coma. He was now stranded at the border. This news struck the capital like a boulder thrown into still waters.

Six months ago, the Eldest Prince had been dispatched to inspect the granaries of three prefectures on the western border of Shu, accompanied by over a dozen officials from the Ministry of Revenue. Two months ago, a triumphant report stated that the inspection was complete and they had set out to return to the capital. But on the way back, while passing through Lulin County, an accident occurred. According to reports, the carriage lost its footing on a steep mountain path due to continuous rain and slippery roads, plunging into a ravine.

The Eldest Prince, since the Deposed Crown Prince was deposed, had been the most prestigious candidate for heir.

This mission to inspect the granaries of the three border prefectures had not only been successful but had also allowed him to survey and measure farmland, confiscating a significant amount of private grain for the court. If he returned to court, he would surely be rewarded for his merits. But this accident happened on the way back.

As soon as the news broke, the entire court was shocked.

And the magistrate of Lulin County, where the accident occurred, happened to be a collateral branch of the Lu family. The Lu family was the maternal clan of the Third Prince. Although the magistrate of Lulin County was a collateral relative, he had dealings with the capital. Behind this seemingly accidental event, the location of the incident was inevitably linked to the Third Prince Faction. The Minister of Revenue immediately submitted a memorial, accusing the magistrate of Lulin County of dereliction of duty and requesting that the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate thoroughly investigate him.

The Lu family, mostly military officials, immediately argued with the Minister of Revenue in court, accusing him of baseless slander.

Since the Deposed Crown Prince was deposed, the two factions had mostly engaged in covert struggles at court. But this time, it involved the Eldest Prince.

“Is there any news from Lulin County?” Shen Changcun asked as he left court.

Hu Buyu replied, “Imperial Physician Chu from the Imperial Medical Institute has personally gone to Lulin County.”

Upon hearing this, both of them felt a sinking feeling in their hearts. This sudden change in Lulin County signaled an impending storm. Thinking about the tense confrontation between the two sides at court today, Hu Buyu cautiously said, “Over the past six months, the Minister of Revenue has repeatedly submitted memorials advocating for the appointment of an heir.”

The first two years had been acceptable, but as the situation in Dayuan became increasingly unstable, the Eastern Palace could not remain without an heir for long. The Eldest Prince was the eldest and had sufficient prestige. Now that the Emperor was in his forties—no longer able to go on campaigns as he could ten years ago—the visits of Imperial Physician Chu to the Qianqing Palace had become more frequent. The throne was a laborious position. By now, it was time to choose an heir.

Hu Buyu warned, “Although the Third Prince had no ambition to compete for the throne a few years ago, don’t forget that the Lu family behind him are founding heroes of Dayuan.”

Dayuan valued martial skills. The late Emperor ruled through military force and fought constant campaigns.

The current Emperor expanded the territory through martial governance before beginning to emphasize and promote civil officials. The Yun family behind the Eldest Prince was a powerful noble clan with close ties to Prince Yongjia. The Eldest Prince’s consort was even the daughter of the Minister of Revenue. After the Xu family fell, many civil officials aligned with the Eldest Prince Faction, somewhat suppressing the Third Prince Faction. The Lu family, as founding heroes, had been quietly dissatisfied when the Xu faction of civil officials held great power. With the Lu family's military generals behind them, they could not be expected to swallow their pride.

The Eldest Prince’s fall from the cliff was the beginning. The factions at court in the capital could no longer remain idle.

Even those of them on the sidelines of the power struggle could see that the Yun family and the Lu family had finally clashed.

“A few days ago, Ji Wuming was summoned to the palace,” Shen Changcun said. “Rumor has it that an urgent decree was sent secretly to Jiangnan.”

Upon hearing this, Hu Buyu’s eyes flickered, and he immediately looked toward the palace. Sensing a hidden movement amidst the bloody storm, he said, “Is His Majesty summoning His Highness back?!”

Now, everyone at court knew that among the princes, the first to be made a prince was Prince Yan, and he was a prince of high merit and popular support. It had been nearly a year since he was enfeoffed, yet the Emperor had never assigned him a fiefdom. He was only granted the authority to oversee Jiangnan and act as acting administrator of Jiangling. It seemed powerless, but it was like an eye positioned at the core of the southern territory.

Half a year ago, the common people of Jiangnan had petitioned to erect a living shrine for Prince Yan, elevating his status.

If not for the imperial physicians and the common rumor that Prince Yan was short-lived, these factions would have gone to great lengths to reach into Jiangnan. It seemed that over the past six months, the Emperor had paid less and less attention to Prince Yan. But just at this moment, with the Eldest Prince’s accident and the Third Prince Faction rising, the Emperor secretly recalled Prince Yan.

The factions at court would surely know what Shen Changcun had managed to uncover.

“Now, with the call to appoint an heir growing louder, all the princes are of age,” Hu Buyu said after a moment of thought. “His Highness’s many achievements in the southern border over the past year have not gone unnoticed by His Majesty. This urgent summons may well be the choice His Majesty is giving him.”

Winter had already set in, and the mountain roads were difficult to traverse. Last winter, Prince Yan had been too ill in Jiangling to return to the capital. Now, a special decree issued at this time offered two choices.

One was for Prince Yan to again cite illness as a reason to refuse to return to the capital. The other was to obey the imperial decree and set out for the capital. The former would effectively withdraw him from the succession struggle. The latter would prove to those at court that, despite his health, he might still be able to compete.

Hu Buyu looked into the distance toward Jiangnan. Prince Yan was intelligent. He would surely see the meaning behind this choice.

The Emperor had extended this opportunity, and in silence, it seemed to determine an outcome.

Prince Yan would return to the capital.

...

In the snow, blood splattered across the ground. Ye Xuanqi stood holding his blade, pulling a wanted notice from a corpse, confirming it, then tossing it into the campfire to burn away cleanly.

Assassinations in the forest came one after another. Chen Shoude had dealt with two waves of assassins, his brows furrowed. Since he had been ordered by Prince Jin to escort Prince Yan out of Jiangnan, waves of assassins from the jianghu had been relentless. Despite the urgent secret orders, the assassinations had been continuous since they crossed the border of Jiangnan.

Inside the carriage, Weng Yanqing quietly reported the origins of several groups of assassins.

The young man inside wore a fox-fur cloak and held a hand warmer. In the brazier before him, several wanted notices were burning, their wood turning to ash, their words obliterated. Someone had spent a fortune to hire desperadoes to hunt them along the road. Now, all those notices had become nothing more than fuel for the fire.

The young man set down the documents and looked out the carriage window. His gaze swept coldly over the bloodstains on the ground before he finally let the curtain fall.

“So His Majesty had to send the urgent report by messenger,” Weng Yanqing said. “If the decree had traveled by official road, it would have taken more than a month to reach Jiangnan.”

By then, even if Prince Yan set out for the capital, it would be too late. These assassins were not the usual remnants of the previous dynasty. Most were hired martial artists from the jianghu, along with some from the capital. That meant those who opposed Prince Yan’s return also included the factions in the capital.

Outside the carriage, Ye Xuanqi approached. “Your Highness, we will soon reach the outskirts of the capital.”

Ying Fusheng lifted the curtain and looked into the distance. There, he could see the magnificent capital city. Chen Shoude’s troops stood at the outskirts, and scouts from the Light Garment Guard reported in low voices before vanishing into the deep forest. Just then, the rapid sound of hooves burst through the woods, splashing snow as a rider raced toward them—

“Your Highness!”

It had been a year, yet Ying Fusheng recognized the voice.

Shen Yunfei, tall and strong, dismounted and knelt on one knee. “I, Shen Yunfei, have orders to welcome Your Highness into the capital!”

Seeing Shen Yunfei, Ying Fusheng recalled that the young man from before had grown into a robust youth. Behind him stood the Forbidden Army of the capital outskirts—a scene vastly different from the outcome of his previous life. He personally stepped down from the carriage to help Shen Yunfei up. “Long time no see.”

Shen Yunfei smiled. “Your Highness, welcome back to the capital.”

He turned and announced loudly, “The Forbidden Army has been assembled! We salute Prince Yan’s return!”

His voice echoed through the forest, stirring the snow dust that had yet to settle. The iron armor of the Forbidden Army gleamed in the light.

Chen Shoude led the procession. At the southern gate of the capital, officials gathered in the distance, and the army stood lined up.

As the carriage approached the main gate, the Minister of Rites had already come out to greet him. The ceremony was grand.

When Ying Fusheng lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down, he saw the Emperor standing at the city gate, flanked by several officials. Prince Yan’s reputation in the southern border had spread far and wide. Half a year ago, the merchant Liu Dafu had returned to the capital, and together with the wealthy merchants accompanying him, they had received the Emperor’s commendation. The good deeds they had performed in Jiangnan had already spread throughout the capital.

When news of Prince Yan’s return spread in the capital, the common people buzzed with talk.

Today, Prince Yan returns to the capital, and the Emperor personally comes to the city gate to welcome him—such an honor is beyond the reach of others. The silent officials with bowed heads said nothing, but among them, the faction officials couldn't help but glance at Prince Yan. Back then, when the Jiangling assignment was given, everyone thought the Sixth Prince couldn't handle it, some even believed he would die in the southern border due to his illness.

Yet who would have thought that the Sixth Prince, who had been sending ill tidings from Jiangnan, not only survived his illness but instead single-handedly turned the Jiangnan officialdom into a united front, even inspiring the common people to build a living shrine in his honor. And now, despite multiple assassination attempts, he has arrived safely in the capital.

The man of legend, said to have a short life, stood before the crowd, his demeanor calm and composed. Though his complexion was paler than most, he walked freely, stepping down from the carriage to approach the Emperor with poise.

"The southern border affairs are concluded; I, your son, have returned to the capital as commanded," Ying Fusheng said with a solemn bow.

Seeing his return, the Emperor reached out and steadied him, his arms firm and supportive. "You have done well; you did not disappoint my expectations."

Ying Fusheng looked up and noticed the Emperor's temples had turned slightly gray.

It had been over a year since they last met. His father seemed to have aged somewhat more than before. He had anticipated no small amount of turbulence upon his return, but he hadn't expected his father to greet him at the city gate in person. After steadying himself, he bowed slightly after standing still, catching a glimpse of the Second Prince standing behind the Emperor, followed by the Seventh Prince and the Eighth Prince, both of whom had entered court as officials one after another.

"Sixth brother," the Second Prince said with a smile. "It's been a few days; how is your health?"

As his voice fell, many eyes behind him turned to Ying Fusheng. Unlike before, he now had two officials accompanying him, and his demeanor had become more assertive compared to his previous cautious and unassuming style.

With the eldest prince in trouble and the third prince far away in the northern border, he was now the eldest among the princes in court.

Ying Fusheng returned the smile. "Thank you for your concern, elder brother. My health is fine now."

Behind him, the Seventh Prince nodded perfunctorily. The Eighth Prince, however, had grown taller, standing half a head above the Seventh Prince, and had become more composed in his interactions. From the moment he saw Ying Fusheng, his gaze never left him, but he did not step forward to seek intimacy. After exchanging a few greetings, he stood behind the Emperor, keeping a moderate distance.

The Emperor raised his hand to signal the imperial carriage to move, and the officials followed into the city.

The carriage rolled slowly through the city gates, the citizens cheering loudly.

Ying Fusheng's gaze swept briefly to the second floor of a teahouse on the corner, where a plain curtain stirred slightly, and a familiar figure vanished instantly. His gaze followed almost imperceptibly, but he continued walking steadily beside the Emperor's imperial carriage.

Once inside the capital, the assassinations that had followed him relentlessly ceased.

News of the eldest prince's incident had not spread among the people, but from the moment Ying Fusheng entered the capital, the gazes that had once fallen on him had turned into wariness and vigilance. The Minister of Revenue's usual smiling demeanor had vanished, and two officials from the Ministry of War—members of the Lu family—cast probing and testing looks his way.

After entering the palace, there was a family banquet in the evening.

Ying Fusheng hadn't seen the Empress Dowager in a long time, so he planned to rest at his residence first before returning to the palace.

The plaque outside the Sixth Prince's mansion had already been replaced, prominently displaying the words "Prince Yan's Residence." As soon as he entered, Ye Xuanqi and other Light Garment Guards quietly arrived. Inside the mansion, Ye Xuanjiu was also present, apparently waiting there on purpose. "The Junior General is still on official duty and couldn't come in person, but everything in the Prince's residence has been arranged."

The conspirators' repeated assassination attempts had failed, instead pushing him into the spotlight before those faction officials. If he had stayed in Jiangnan, it would have been fine for him, but once he left the southern border, he was bound to be drawn into the capital's vortex.

Before leaving, Weng Yanqing had handed over all affairs in Jiangling to Vice Prefect Xu and entrusted the major dam project to Wang Guanzhi, thus freeing himself to come. Ying Fusheng did not summon Censor Xiao back; apart from Weng Yanqing, he had left the affairs of Jiangnan and Jiangling to those he trusted.

Ying Fusheng had done his best to resolve matters in the southern border before returning to the capital.

But upon entering the capital, he still noticed the undercurrents surging beneath the surface in the court. The fight for succession and the appointment of the crown prince—these events, in his previous life, would have occurred two years later. However, the changes he had made over the years had caused many things to shift, and much was no longer the same.

His father, the Emperor, had spent years on the battlefield and, after ascending the throne, expanded Dayuan's northern borders. Yet, the years of warfare and killing had left him with hidden ailments. In his previous life, his health had started to decline about two years from now. Seeing his graying hair today, Ying Fusheng realized that some events were fast approaching the critical juncture of his past life, and precautions were necessary.

This incident was undoubtedly the work of shadowy hands. The Second Prince had been too closely watched by the Embroidered Uniform Guard lately, and the unrest in the southern border couldn't be stirred up. Ying Fusheng had considered that trouble might arise in Western Shu, but he hadn't expected the eldest prince to be the one in trouble—the same prince who, in his previous life, had fought the Deposed Crown Prince to the end. Now, he was the first to be compromised, and in Lu territory. The upheaval in the capital had come too quickly and too violently.

The conspirators lacked enough agents in the capital, but the more the faction officials seemed poised for conflict, the easier it was to set them ablaze.

"What exactly happened in Lulin County?" Ying Fusheng had received limited information on the road, and Qi Hanzhou had made no obvious moves, suggesting it wasn't a good time for communication.

Ye Xuanjiu hesitated for a moment. After following Ying Fusheng to the study, he closed the door before speaking. "He fell off a cliff. Fortunately, he was rescued in time. His life is out of danger, but... the eldest prince's one hand and one foot cannot be saved."

Ying Fusheng turned abruptly. "Was it done by others?"

"No. His attendants dared not make a move. It was only after the imperial physician arrived that the conclusion was reached. The cliff was too treacherous. The eldest prince's physique was good enough to save his life, but his left foot's tendons and bones were completely destroyed, and his right hand's tendons were severed by sharp rocks. The imperial physician did all he could," Ye Xuanjiu said. "This matter has not been publicized in court, but the Eldest Prince Faction..."

Those who supported the eldest prince had built a vast web of interests for years.

If the eldest prince became crippled, in the current struggle for succession, he would plummet instantly, with almost no chance of becoming crown prince. Ying Fusheng thought of the Seventh Prince he had seen at the city gate. Consort Yun had more than one son; with the eldest prince in trouble, the Eldest Prince Faction's eyes would naturally turn to the Seventh Prince.

No wonder the Minister of Revenue was clinging to the Lulin county magistrate. Once news of the eldest prince's disability spread, the most suitable candidate for heir was the Third Prince. Thus, the Eldest Prince Faction could only try to pin the accusation of harming his brother on the Third Prince, dragging him down and re-securing the position of the Yun family and Prince Yongjia.

And now, to all faction officials in the court, Ying Fusheng was the enemy.

He was the target of all arrows.