Chapter 43: Chapter 39: The Eldest Prince Supervises the State, Harsh Truths

His father had once solemnly instructed him to treat this young Mobei Princess well and maintain the relationship between their two families.

No concubines, no neglect. He must always greet her with a smile.

And so, for ten years, he had obediently suppressed his feelings, abiding by his marital duties and treating her with the detached respect one would a guest.

But when Yang Yingchan first arrived in the Capital City, her aloofness and indifference made it clear she looked down on him.

He had never forgotten that humiliation.

But times had changed. The Great Yan Dynasty had entered a century of prosperity. Its national power was immense, peace reigned across the land, and Emperor Yong’an finally had a free hand. With a strong and formidable army at peak readiness, he had turned his gaze back toward Mobei. He even hoped Prince Zhenbei would rebel, giving him a legitimate reason to reclaim military authority over the Mobei border.

However, it was as if Prince Zhenbei, Yang Xiao, understood Emperor Yong’an’s intentions perfectly. For twenty years, he had not made a single mistake. He remained stable and dutiful, presenting his tribute on time every year without fail, and dispatching troops for war without a single soldier missing. He was utterly obedient.

This obedience left the Emperor with no reason to act. He could only try to manufacture one, but the spies he sent had vanished one after another under mysterious circumstances, so the matter was eventually dropped.

This was why Lu Changfeng was so fearless now.

SLAP!

He strode forward and slapped Yang Yingchan across the face, leaving a red mark on her smooth, jade-like cheek.

The force of the slap sent a wave of satisfaction through Lu Changfeng’s chest, dissipating much of the frustration from Qi Xingyan’s attempts to dissuade him. He sneered.

“Do you still think this is the Great Yan of thirty years ago? Who do you think you’re looking down on with that gaze of yours?”

Yang Yingchan stumbled back from the slap and fell to the floor. She didn’t dare retaliate. Cupping her face, she lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling and her eyes red-rimmed. Wiping away a tear, she shook her head and choked out two words:

“I didn’t…”

“A mere Prince Zhenbei. Do you think that makes you someone special?”

“Disgusting! You’re nothing but the daughter of a Martial Artist. How can you even compare to a single hair on Qi Muxue’s head?”

…

After cursing for a long while, Lu Changfeng had vented most of his anger. He sat down and took another sip of tea.

A soldier’s voice came from outside the door. “Your Highness, a Confucian Scholar has come to the manor, seeking to pledge his service.”

Lu Changfeng’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh? Is my recruitment call truly so effective?”

“Welcome him in at once!”

Seeing Lu Changfeng hurry away, a maid finally dared to step forward and offer a damp cloth to Yang Yingchan on the floor.

Yang Yingchan wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, stood up, and straightened her skirt.

Her five slender, jade-like fingers clenched into a tight fist, but just as quickly, they relaxed.

Gazing at the empty mansion, Yang Yingchan couldn’t help but sigh.

An air of tragic beauty suddenly settled over her.

…

“Please, have a seat, sir.”

In an antique-styled living room, a Cyan-robed Scholar with a goatee sat upright, a Feather Fan in his hand. Beside him, Lu Changfeng greeted him with a welcoming smile.

“May I ask your name, sir?”

The Cyan-robed Scholar gently waved his Feather Fan and said with a smile, “This old man is named Gongyang Hu. I was once a Confucian Scholar at the Xiangnan Academy, so you could say I have roots here. I later traveled to the Celestial Mountain Confucian Temple to serve as a Sacrificial Officer for three years, after which I roamed the world to take in its magnificent sights. I saw the Eldest Prince’s call for talent and, having long heard of Your Highness’s great name, came here specifically to see for myself.”

Lu Changfeng’s eyes lit up.

’This is a senior from the Confucian Temple, a man of great prestige.’ The Confucian Temple was divided into various factions and schools of thought, which naturally gave rise to a series of official positions. The Temple’s disciples were spread throughout the Central Plains World, and all thirty-six academies were under the Confucian Temple’s administration. The Great Yan Dynasty was home to the vast majority of these academies.

Lu Changfeng laughed heartily. “Then your knowledge must be profound, senior.”

He also wanted to see what this man was truly made of.

“It’s nothing special. I’m merely at the Tenth Realm.”

Gongyang Hu replied with a faint smile.

“So you are a Tenth Realm Great Sage!” Lu Changfeng realized with a start.

The Confucian Family placed extreme importance on the distinctions between titles. Each realm held profound significance. The Tenth Realm signified that one had created their own school of thought and established their own faction. Such an individual could be called a Great Sage and was qualified to have their name recorded in history.

Since this was a call for talent, he still had to test him.

“Sir, what are your views on the current situation in the Great Yan Dynasty?”

“The Eldest Prince is in peril.”

Gongyang Hu, clad in his cyan robes, stopped fanning himself. He pointed at the tea table and spoke with a grave expression.

“Ah?”

Lu Changfeng’s expression changed drastically. He quickly asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Gongyang Hu shielded his face with his Feather Fan, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “This old man has heard that the Holy Emperor only recently enfeoffed the Ninth Prince, correct?”

“That is correct.”

Lu Changfeng’s expression remained neutral, and he did not mention the matter of the regency.

This was because it was a great secret known only to the Prime Ministers who led the Cabinet.

“This move is the Holy Emperor’s balancing Technique, intended to prevent turmoil in the Capital City.”

Lu Changfeng nodded slightly. Elder Mr. Qi had already told him this.

Gongyang Hu continued, “But in reality, this is also a grand test. Whoever can distinguish themselves among the nine sons, stabilize the situation, and prevent chaos will become the Crown Prince. If Your Highness doesn’t take further action, the other Princes will gradually grow in power and threaten your position. That is why you are in peril.”

“A grand test?”

It was the first time Lu Changfeng had heard this theory. He pondered it for a moment.

’Considering the matter of the regency, it really does seem like a grand test.’

Gongyang Hu nodded slightly. “Correct. This old man has heard that the Second Prince is at odds with Your Highness. Before I traveled to the Imperial Capital, I noticed many Sword Cultivators from the Military Family and Confucian Scholars from the Yin Yang Family also heading to the city. The Second Prince is clearly preparing for something.

The other Princes are all making their moves as well.

During my travels, I saw new Buddhist Temples being built in many states and counties across Great Yan, with Buddha’s Golden Bodys as common as ox hair. I deduce this is the work of the Seventh Prince. The Seventh Prince is fabulously wealthy; without such immense financial backing, Buddhism could not possibly sustain such expansion.

Furthermore, three years ago, while I was stationed at the Confucian Temple, I discovered that one of the Confucian Saints was in contact with a certain Prince.

Even the Dao Alliance, which has always been close to Your Highness, has undergone a change in leadership at the Thunder Pool Daoist Academy. A young Daoist from Dragon Tiger Mountain who is at odds with the Holy Emperor has taken over. One can imagine that the Taoist Sect is definitely thinking of choosing a new master to support.”

Lu Changfeng’s expression shifted again and again. He never imagined his own brothers had already begun scheming to such an extent.

’That bastard, the Second Prince, actually colluded with the Military Family and the Yin Yang Family! Those are two newly risen factions within the Confucian Temple.’

As far as he knew, sixty years ago, a Master of Yin and Yang from the Confucian Temple had left the mountain and traveled to the Great Frost Dynasty. In just three years, he had shattered the dynasty, splitting it into three. This led to the current situation of three princes ruling jointly, with a weak and powerless emperor.

’And that fat pig, the Seventh Prince, Lu Yunwan, dares to collude with Buddhism.’

’The only Prince who could have caught the eye of a Confucian Saint is Lu Yunqing, with his top-scholar talent.’

’The Taoist Sect hasn’t contacted me recently. It seems they have other plans as well.’

His expression grew anxious. A glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes as he asked, “Sir, what should I do then? How can I take action without causing turmoil?”

Gongyang Hu gave a faint smile. “Eldest Prince, why panic? You already control the voice of the Imperial Court. Half of the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families in the Imperial Capital support you. Whatever you do now will be perfectly justifiable. You need only have someone apply pressure on the Second Prince. Have the Cabinet order the Advisory Platform Bureau and the Bright Lamp Bureau to dig into his past. He will surely be unable to withstand it.”

“The reason the Second Prince doesn’t dare act rashly right now is that he has already done too much in the past, including the Witchcraft incident and creating the rift with the Taoist Sect. Now, he can only act low-key and hide his strength. In fact, this is when he is at his weakest and unable to fight back.”

’The Witchcraft incident? The rift with the Taoist Sect?’

Hearing this, Lu Changfeng was filled with questions. “Sir, are you saying that the Demoness of the Demon Kingdom being set free, and the Taoist Sect growing distant from me… was all the Second Prince’s doing?”

Gongyang Hu nodded and uttered two words: “Exactly so.”

“The Second Prince’s subordinates are mostly riffraff, with no shortage of those who follow crooked paths, the Evil Dao, and the Evil Skills of the Witchcraft Sect. Your Highness need only exploit this point and investigate; you will naturally find clues.”

Lu Changfeng snorted coldly. “I knew it! I just didn’t have any evidence before. Now, with your guidance, sir, it’s indeed time to settle some old scores.”

’I must win this grand test.’

Lu Changfeng thought to himself. He then bowed to Gongyang Hu. “Thank you for your guidance, sir. If I succeed, I will promise you the position of National Preceptor.”

“Excellent, excellent.”

The Cyan-robed Scholar watched him bow, stroking the goatee under his chin with a meaningful smile.

Lu Changfeng waved his hand and announced in a loud voice, “Someone! Prepare the carriage! We’re going to the Imperial Palace!”

…

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