"Excellent! My son has ambition!"
The emperor's hawk-like gaze swept over the officials in the hall. The Minister of Revenue trembled as he stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the treasury's silver reserves may be insufficient..."
The emperor waved his hand dismissively.
"I am willing to contribute from my private coffers to supplement the treasury! When our founding emperor reclaimed Shuozhou, it was no easy feat. If Shuozhou is lost under my reign, how could I face our ancestors in the afterlife? From this day forward, all palace expenditures shall be minimized! Simple meals and plain attire—every saved coin shall go to our soldiers at the front!"
"Your Majesty is wise! This humble official is willing to donate a hundred thousand taels of silver for the frontlines!"
"As am I!"
...
By the next day, the emperor's actions had spread like wildfire through the capital's streets and alleys. In teahouses, storytellers animatedly recounted the recent court affairs, their voices brimming with fervor. The common folk listened intently, applauding the emperor's wisdom and condemning the second prince's cowardice. Moved by the tale, the people eagerly opened their purses, donating silver and supplies. In no time, the northwestern war became the talk of the town, capturing everyone's attention.
The Imperial Harem
Noble Consort Xian knelt before the gates of Qianqing Palace, clad in plain robes, her face as pale as paper.
The emperor's rage flared as he recalled the daily medicinal soups she had dutifully presented to him. His expression darkened like storm clouds, teeth clenched in silent fury. That wretched woman dares to kneel here, and worse, she had the audacity to persuade Youcheng to plead for that traitorous whelp! Does she truly believe I won’t punish her?
"Get in here!"
Hearing the emperor’s summons at last, Noble Consort Xian wiped her tears and staggered to her feet with the help of her maids, hurrying into Qianqing Palace.
"Your Majesty! This is all my fault for failing to raise him properly! You'an was merely misled by those vile servants—he would never dare defy you! You must remember, since childhood, he has admired you deeply! When you fell ill that year, he was only ten—he even wished to follow the legend of Ding Xiang, offering his flesh as medicine for you! Have you forgotten?"
She collapsed to her knees again, clutching the hem of her robe until her knuckles turned white. Tears streamed down her face like a flood breaking through a dam.
The emperor’s face remained stony as he watched her weep, a flicker of murderous intent in his eyes.
Memories surfaced, sharp as blades. "That year, he bribed servants from the Zhou household to lure Youcheng into a trap, leaving him at the mercy of kidnappers. I spared him then, believing him too young to understand. But now, his true nature is clear—cold-blooded ambition, festering in his heart since childhood!"
Noble Consort Xian’s heart lurched. I thought I’d erased all traces… How did His Majesty know?
"As the saying goes, 'A crooked stick will have a crooked shadow.' Look at the monster you’ve raised—like mother, like son!"
Before she could react, the emperor’s voice dripped with venom again.
"Did you truly think I was unaware of the poison you slipped into my medicine? Were it not for Youcheng’s dignity, I would have executed you the moment I awoke! Let the world see your true face! Count yourself fortunate that the Zhou family has always been loyal to the throne. From now on, you will confine yourself to the palace’s prayer hall. Live on plain meals, repent for your sins, and pray you can cleanse your wretched soul!"
Trembling under the imperial wrath, Noble Consort Xian felt all strength leave her body. Only now did she realize—the emperor’s true favor lay with the neglected youngest son. Regret gnawed at her. Had I known this would be the outcome, why did I scheme so desperately?
Prince Kang’s Residence
The manor buzzed with activity as servants hurried to prepare for the impending campaign, ensuring nothing was overlooked.
At dawn the next day, Prince Kang would lead the army to the frontier. The fate of the nation hung in the balance, and no one dared slacken their efforts.
Xiao Youcheng pulled Lu Chao aside, settling with him in a quiet courtyard amidst the chaos.
The surrounding clamor masked their hushed conversation. To an outsider, they appeared to be sharing a casual drink, but a closer listen would reveal earth-shattering secrets—secrets that could shake the court to its core.
"Your 'dear brother' Xiao Zheng has declared himself ruler of Shuozhou."
Lu Chao raised his cup with a sardonic smile.
"Damn. Are you sure about this?"
Xiao Youcheng clinked his cup against Lu Chao’s and nodded.
"Last night, the emperor kept me in the palace for hours. You know how he values face—this matter’s been kept under wraps. Our mission is to negotiate his surrender."
Lu Chao scoffed inwardly, cheering for Xiao Zheng. Too little, too late. Now that the child’s grown, you remember to care?
"Truly imperial logic. If Shuozhou falls, it’s the second prince’s fault. If Xiao Zheng rebels, it’s yours. What a flawless reputation—fatherly love, majestic as a mountain."
Xiao Youcheng’s smile stiffened. That stings.
"I understand Xiao Zheng’s position, but with his meager forces, declaring independence is a death wish. Wedged between Great Yuan and the Tartars, with barren land—how will he feed his troops? Surrendering to Great Yuan is wiser. I’ll make it up to him later."
Suddenly, he tugged Lu Chao closer, as if playfully wrestling, and whispered:
"I suspect the emperor was never ill."
Yesterday, while kneeling in respect, Xiao Youcheng had caught a glimpse of something amiss—a crushed plum petal stuck to the emperor’s shoe. His blood ran cold. If His Majesty had been bedridden for two months, how could his soles carry traces of fallen petals?
Moreover, the emperor had risen and walked unaided, his voice strong and steady. None of it added up.
Recalling the documents left by the late crown prince, Xiao Youcheng couldn’t shake the suspicion—this was all his father’s meticulously staged drama.
Lu Chao’s mind reeled as if struck by lightning. Through gritted teeth, he hissed:
"Damn you! Next time, keep your royal secrets to yourself! Got it?!"
He wanted no part in the imperial family’s schemes! None!
"Who else can I trust with this but you?" Xiao Youcheng sighed.
"Why not consult your seasoned advisors? Why pick on a young scholar who hasn’t even come of age?"
"Ha! Those old men? Before I’ve even ascended, they’re already clawing for power. Useless."
Every advisor had their family’s interests at heart. Good for mundane tasks, but never for secrets like these.
Lu Chao resisted the urge to scratch his head. So the emperor isn’t dying—he’s playing chess. With the second and fourth princes already fallen, the old man’s influence ran deeper than expected. Xiao Youcheng’s path to the throne would require patience.
But with both sides as brothers, what was he supposed to do?!
Just as Lu Chao stewed in frustration—
"Your Highness."
A servant hurried in, his expression slightly flustered: "Urgent news from the palace! The Crown Prince's residence summoned the imperial physician in haste tonight. It is said the concubine is with child—the physician confirmed the pregnancy, declaring the signs steady. She is already three months along!"
