Chapter 601: Chapter 601: Killing Three Birds with One Stone!

“Hahaha, truly brilliant, sir! This move is simply wonderful!”

Qi Junchen stood with his hands behind his back, laughing, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light.

Li Qingmu, Qi Junmu!

I never would have thought that he was the youngest son of our father, the Seventeenth Prince who disappeared twenty-one years ago!

No wonder, no wonder our father favored him so much back then, indulging his every whim, despite being a minister, he received better treatment than us princes!

When his son was named Jing Rui, Qi Junchen was surprised for a moment, as it indeed belonged to the “Jing” generation. Now the truth is out; he truly is of the “Jing” generation!

“Hmph, Li Qingmu hid it really well. He must have known his true identity long ago, right? And his purpose in coming to the Capital City was to help Qi Junlian vie for the throne! Back then, I tried many times to win him over by respecting talents, yet he turned a blind eye to me, clearly having his plans from the beginning!”

As Qi Junchen spoke, his Qi Element surged with anger, almost unbearable.

If he has no intention of being the Emperor and only wants to support, why support that useless Qi Junlian? A frail body, a prince placed in those southern regions like Jiangling, based on what?

I’ve worked on my connections in Shengjing City as well. If he had to choose, shouldn’t he have chosen me or the Third Prince? And yet, somehow it benefits Qi Junlian!

“Hmph, Li Qingmu, oh Li Qingmu, I tried to win you over back then, but you refused to acknowledge me. Now, don’t blame me for disregarding brotherly affection and targeting your widow!”

Qi Junchen sneered insidiously.

“Your Highness, calm down.” Mr. Yin, pale-faced and beardless, stepped forward, clasping his hands, “Actually, I set up this situation with another purpose in mind.”

“Oh, please do tell, sir!”

“The Princess Consort Mu is after all the widow of Prince Mu. If she clashes with the people of Empress Dowager Xue, who will the current Emperor protect?”

Qi Junchen hesitated: “Isn’t it going to be the Princess Consort Mu? After all, she is on their side.”

“No no no, Your Highness, you’ve misunderstood human nature! Previously, the Princess Consort Mu was indeed on their side, but… the Supreme Emperor is capricious! The Supreme Emperor loved this son too much, causing misfortune for his widow instead. Think about it, letting Prince Mu be posthumously honored with the rites of a Crown Prince, what does that signify?”

Qi Junchen’s pupils contracted sharply: “Father’s true favorite for succession is him!”

“Indeed, and so it leaves a lingering thorn in the mind of the new Emperor. The Supreme Emperor perhaps realized this too, but a ruler’s words are not to be taken lightly, he cannot take back his order to mend the rift between them, so what to do?

The only way is to constantly elevate Mu Prince Mansion, for instance, allowing the Heir of Prince Mu to enter Sanqing Palace to accompany him, raised as an heir under the wing of the Supreme Emperor, who would dare to act rashly in the future?”

Qi Junchen’s eyes flashed, finding these words very reasonable.

“However, this also exacerbates their rift, so if the Princess Consort Mu and Empress Dowager Xue start fighting, it’ll be difficult for the new Emperor to handle.

On one hand, he may wish to remain indifferent, allowing them to fight to the death, but on the other, if he doesn’t care, if he doesn’t protect the Princess Consort Mu, it will make people say he is cold and unkind. This will cause disunity among the people as soon as he assumes power. Your Highness, once people’s hearts scatter, many things become possible!”

These words cut deeply, inciting him to “rebel,” yet Qi Junchen’s gaze constricted slightly.

Indeed, he cannot rebel against his father, but can he not rebel against his brother?

Why was Qi Yun able to command the wind and rain back then? Why was he able to lead the ministers by the nose, playing them like pawns?

Precisely because he commanded the military!

Especially the Cao Family Army from Xinan, Cao Yin was his close friend, loyal and true. Whenever something happened on his end, Cao Yin would appear.

The remnants of Chen Country, Cao Yin took action, even though he didn’t come in person before, his subordinates sent troops over. Besides, there were the Third Prince’s Chang Family army, the Imperial Army, Yulong Pavilion…

All these combined ensured Qi Yun’s supreme imperial position.

But now, does Qi Junlian have it?

No!

Yulong Pavilion is only transferred to the next emperor after the previous one dies, but the problem is, Qi Yun is still alive!

He is only in his fifties, living a life of abstinence in Sanqing Palace, spending his days happily with grandchildren. He might well live another ten or twenty years, if not more. So, doesn’t this make the current Emperor awkward?

“Hey, do you think if Qi Junlian sits back and allows Long Yue and Empress Dowager Xue to fight to the death, would Father become so angry that he comes out of retirement to depose him?”

Qi Junchen’s eyes gleamed at this point.

“It’s uncertain, but it will surely sever the father-son relationship. Truly, a plan killing three birds with one stone! Mr. Yin, you are wise!”

Lady Xiang smiled gracefully, bowing slightly to Mr. Yin.

’Lady Xiang, you are too kind, I merely do my duty for the one I serve!’

Qi Junchen no longer cared about the pleasantries between Lady Xiang and Mr. Yin, his mind was occupied with just one thought – to let Long Yue and Empress Dowager Xue fight, and Qi Junlian watch from across the shore. Should an incident occur with Long Yue, the Supreme Emperor would fly into a rage, and the emperor might be deposed and a new one established!

“Your Highness, then… should we attend the Peach Blossom Festival?”

Lady Xiang lightly approached, asking softly, her eyes alluring, exuding endless charm.

Qi Junchen waved his hand: “No, lest it draws unnecessary attention, let’s go!”

This person was still skilled at restraint, directly leading Lady Xiang away.

Mr. Yin walked behind, eyes narrowly watching Qi Junchen gradually disappear into the distance, revealing a mischievous smile.

…

“Does your face still hurt?”

Walking along, Hongtang held her face without a word, while Long Yue asked indifferently.

Hongtang shook her head, trying to appear stronger, but her reddened eyes betrayed her.

Long Yue said, “Do you know why, when she slapped you the first time, I could have stopped her, but didn’t?”

If Long Yue had declared herself the Princess Consort, that maid would have hesitated, no matter what, she wouldn’t have dared to strike Hongtang, but Long Yue didn’t.

Hongtang looked up, blinking, her eyes pitifully looking at her.

Long Yue said, “Because I needed an excuse to deal with her! Merely indulging in verbal repartee, what is that? How is it more interesting and intimidating than taking someone’s life? Since she dared to disrespect me so much, she must pay the price in blood!”

Long Yue spoke with murderous intent, Yang Zhuoya looked at her anxiously: “Yue’er, you can’t just kill Ning’an Commandery Princess’s personal maid, that may not be appropriate! And you…”

She frowned prettily while speaking, but couldn’t continue.

Long Yue smiled slightly: “Zhuoya is worried I’m becoming too ruthless, right?”

Yang Zhuoya nodded lightly, it wasn’t just ruthless, it was bloodthirsty.

In response to her doubt and concern, Long Yue simply shook her head gently.

“You don’t understand, before with A Mu around, I could live peacefully, unambitious, because he was the pillar of the family, he could take on everything. But now, without me standing firm, is it not signaling to the world, that everyone can step on me?”

Yang Zhuoya remained silent.

“Sorry…” she whispered.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep