Chapter 42: Chapter 39: The Eldest Prince as Regent, Unpleasant Advice

Several more days passed. It was now three days after the Ninth Prince’s investiture.

「That morning.」

The usually quiet and serene study halls of Shengjing Academy were filled with the sounds of an argument.

The Eldest Prince, Lu Changfeng, slammed a golden scroll of silk and jade onto the table and shouted,

“This is my Father’s decree! Why can’t I attend the Imperial Court?”

Qi Xingyan, dressed in a Confucian Shirt, sat on a rush mat, repeatedly reading the Holy Decree with a puzzled expression.

“The final line, ’The Eldest Prince shall act as regent; the Cabinet is to heed his summons and be at his side,’ is exceedingly strange. It seems to conflict with the purpose of making the Ninth Prince a Titled King. Why not just name Your Highness as the Crown Prince directly, instead of doing it this way?”

Lu Changfeng thought for a moment before replying, “Perhaps Father feels my current prestige isn’t enough to assume the position of Crown Prince. He probably wants to test my abilities with the regency. If all goes well, he might announce it when he returns.”

“That brother of mine, the Second Prince, hasn’t made a single move since he was made a Titled King. He must be plotting something behind the scenes. If I don’t act soon, he’ll likely seize the advantage again. As long as I have the Cabinet’s support and secure the Supreme Authority of Regency, I can deal with him however I please.”

Qi Xingyan, however, was not as optimistic. He frowned and said, “Your Highness, this matter is of great importance and requires careful planning. After all, your unauthorized mobilization of the Imperial Guard a few days ago violated the Great Yan Law. General Pei has already been impeached by several Imperial Censors from the Advisory Platform Bureau.”

A few days ago, Lu Changfeng had worked with the Pei Family to mobilize a large contingent of the Imperial Guard. Many ministers in the Imperial Court had jointly petitioned the Cabinet, accusing the Eldest Prince of treason. However, he, along with members of the Xie and Cui Families, had refuted the claims as baseless nonsense, insisting there was no connection.

Hearing this, Lu Changfeng was displeased but didn’t let it show on his face. He maintained his patience and said, “I know you mean well, Master, and you’ve been advising me for three days. But if we keep delaying, my brothers will all have the authority to establish their own mansions, and their power will only grow. Every single one of them will be coveting the dragon throne.”

“Securing the regency is imperative.”

“These Imperial Censors are just a bunch of sycophantic fools, and the Second Prince is probably behind some of them. Fortunately, with the clandestine help of the Xie and Cui Families, I’ll replace all of them once I am regent.”

“Absolutely not.”

Qi Xingyan tried to persuade him again. “The Holy Emperor is still alive. If you reveal your true strength too early, you will likely arouse His Majesty’s suspicion. Besides, Your Highness’s power is not yet sufficient to contend for the throne. Dealing with the Cabinet will not be easy.”

Lu Changfeng was deeply dissatisfied. “Everyone from the Imperial Court to the Jianghu, from the officials to the common folk, says I have a chance to ascend the throne and am fit for the position of Crown Prince. So why, in your words, Master, do I seem so incapable of shouldering this great responsibility?”

Seeing the change in the prince’s tone, Qi Xingyan’s expression flickered, but he persisted, “Your Highness, listen to an old man’s advice: wait and see how things develop. You absolutely cannot be hasty. After all, you carry the weight of more than half the Imperial Court on your shoulders. Shengjing Academy will not take part in anything risky.”

He actually used Shengjing Academy as a bargaining chip in the end.

Hearing this, Lu Changfeng was helpless. He could only wave his hand to stop him from continuing. “I know, I know… We’ll wait a while longer, then.”

’I can’t lose Qi Xingyan’s support just yet.’

With the conversation at an end, the Eldest Prince lost all interest in talking further. He left Shengjing Academy early and headed back to his mansion.

「An incense stick later.」

A five-horse Jade Carriage finally returned to Prince Zhao’s Mansion.

Since he had been made a Titled King, the plaque on the grand residence had been changed.

The mansion grounds were vast and opulent. Two stone lions stood guard at the entrance, and the lacquered gold qilin door bolts were majestic. On either side of the vermilion gates stood Great Halberd Warriors clad in Fish Scale Armor. All of them were Third Realm Martial Artists.

“Welcome back to the mansion, Your Highness.”

The old butler came forward to greet him. A mansion Maid approached with a tray, offering a damp towel for him to wipe his face.

Lu Changfeng was in a foul mood today. He simply grunted in acknowledgment and walked toward the main hall.

“You’ve worked hard, my husband. The tea is ready.”

A woman in a red dress with a virtuous and gentle demeanor had been waiting by the door, bowing in greeting.

The woman was exceptionally dignified and stately. Her long, black hair was coiled up high, adorned with a sparkling Cloud Crane Jade Hairpin. Her fiery red Hundred-leaf Pleated Skirt added a splash of fervent vitality to the grand and solemn residence. Over her shoulders, she wore a Silver Threaded Black Gauze Shirt with Large Sleeves, through which her pale, slender arms were faintly visible. Beneath it, a red Bustier with a peony pattern accentuated her full, firm bust.

This woman was none other than Lu Changfeng’s principal wife, the only daughter of Prince Zhenbei, and the current Princess Consort Zhao, Yang Yingchan.

However, upon seeing her, Lu Changfeng’s expression soured. He waved his hand dismissively, picked up his tea, and downed it in one gulp before taking a deep breath.

“This is infuriating!”

“That father and daughter from the Qi Family… each one is more stubborn than the last.”

Princess Consort Zhao, Yang Yingchan, stood to the side with her hands clasped, not daring to speak. She silently refilled his teacup.

After cursing for a bit, Lu Changfeng finally turned his gaze to his wife, his eyes filled with viciousness.

“Bitch! Didn’t I tell you? You are not to take a single step out of this mansion without my permission! Are you deaf?”

Yang Yingchan’s face remained calm as she replied, “I was only out for Half an Hour. I went to the market with Princess Jia Rou and the others to buy some rouge.”

Hearing this, and seeing her calm and composed demeanor, Lu Changfeng’s anger flared even higher.

His mind drifted back to events from twenty or thirty years ago.

「The Twenty-Seventh Year of Yong’an.」

The populace was suffering, and the empire was in desperate need of rebuilding.

The threat of the Demon Country loomed, and the situation was perilous.

Faced with threats on multiple fronts, and in order to pacify the crucial military garrison in Mobei while eliminating the rebellious factions and demonic forces one by one, Emperor Yong’an had been forced to create the title of Prince Zhenbei and arrange a marriage for this new prince.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep