Chapter 43#

Liu Changbai Remonstrated Again by Dying!#

Shen Chen and Xie Langyang both held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the blood-soaked, elderly figure in the hall, not daring to even breathe loudly.

In their previous life, it was the Grand Tutor who had forced the emperor’s hand with his death, desperately buying the deposed crown prince a glimmer of hope.

Emperor Shunyuan had been softened and was about to pardon him at that time. If not for Wen Zhuo, at that critical moment, using a few words to remind him of the ancient tale of King Shangchen of Chu murdering his father, all their schemes would have come to nothing.

During the Spring and Autumn period, King Cheng of Chu favored his youngest son, deposing Shangchen to appoint another. Shangchen, fueled by resentment, launched a coup. King Cheng of Chu begged for a bear’s paw to delay his death, but was denied and ultimately forced to hang himself.

Emperor Shunyuan’s health was failing, his princes had all grown up, each forming their own factions and secretly building power.

The memories of previous dynasties weighed on his mind, and he feared repeating King Cheng of Chu’s fate.

Moreover, the crown prince had already harbored resentment. Who knew if, after reinstatement, he would hold a grudge.

With this thought, the remnants of father-son affection in Emperor Shunyuan’s heart were ground to dust, and he completely abandoned the crown prince.

Shen Chen and Xie Langyang exchanged a glance, both seeing anticipation in each other’s eyes.

They had long memorized the set of insinuating, pointed remarks, but they would not take the lead now.

Because Wen Zhuo was bound to speak.

As long as he spoke, no matter how careful he was, with the full assembly of officials at today’s victory banquet and many eyes and ears, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Once the Wise Prince, Shen Ting, and the old crown prince’s faction took notice, Wen Zhuo’s identity as a solitary official would be compromised.

With Emperor Shunyuan’s suspicious nature, Wen Zhuo’s assistance to Shen Zhi would be greatly diminished.

Shen Chen was certain Wen Zhuo would speak because planning for Shen Zhi was the same as planning for himself. The crown prince had to be deposed for others to have a chance at succession.

Wen Zhuo had once told him that since it was a struggle among seven princes for the throne, it was better to share the benefits than to have both sides lose.

But unexpectedly, after Wen Zhuo finished speaking according to Emperor Shunyuan’s wishes, he bowed and returned to his seat, his expression indifferent, as if the life-and-death struggle in the hall had nothing to do with him, and he was merely acting on the emperor’s behalf.

Shen Chen: “?”

Xie Langyang: “?”

Wen Zhuo sat back down, but his gaze was glued to the silver pot of mung bean milk tea on the table.

He pinched the handle of the pot, rubbing it back and forth to confirm it was made of pure silver, then pressed it against his chest, staring straight at Emperor Shunyuan.

Emperor Shunyuan caught sight of his behavior and pretended not to understand, turning his gaze back to the hall.

Liu Changbai’s forehead was bleeding, the blood blurring his eyes and brows. He could barely speak, but he still managed to lift his neck feebly, begging the emperor to revoke the decision to depose the crown prince.

He had been the teacher of the emperor and the teacher of the crown prince. How could the honor of the Liu family as “teachers to two generations of emperors” be cut off like this?

Emperor Shunyuan looked at the reluctance and obsession blazing in his eyes, and for a moment, he was transported back decades.

The emperor’s elder brother had been assassinated, and he had been hastily appointed crown prince. All of his brother’s Eastern Palace officials had been transferred to him.

Those lecturers from the Hanlin Academy, those ministers in the Grand Secretariat—they looked at him with undisguised disappointment.

He was naturally uninhibited, carefree, fond of traveling through mountains and rivers, seeking immortals and the Dao—so different from his brother.

Once, he could have lived a life of leisure, a carefree prince. Now, he was forcibly placed on the path of the crown prince, surviving under the watchful eyes of his uncles and the strict tutelage of Liu Changbai.

They had worn away his nature, smoothed his edges, crushed his kindness, and taught him to become a barely qualified, cold-hearted emperor.

At first, he felt he was just pretending, pretending to be what they wanted him to be. But at some point, he seemed to have become that person.

Now, looking at the dying Liu Changbai, he felt no sorrow in his heart, only the relief of having eliminated a threat.

He wondered if Liu Changbai, seeing him like this, would be glad he had taught a qualified emperor, or regret having crushed the last bit of softness in his heart.

“The Grand Tutor slipped and fell.” Emperor Shunyuan observed coldly for a moment, his tone flat and without emotion. “Imperial Physician, take the Grand Tutor down for treatment immediately, and take the deposed crown prince with you as well.”

“Your Majesty!” Gong Zhiyuan was so shocked that all the blood seemed to drain from his body, his cheeks twitching involuntarily. “The Grand Tutor clearly remonstrated with his death for the crown prince—”

“The Grand Secretary’s eyesight is failing, I suppose?” Emperor Shunyuan interrupted him, his tone suddenly turning harsh. “The Grand Tutor clearly slipped and fell. If you can’t see clearly, go home and rest, and enjoy your old age in peace!”

Xie Langyang’s mind was a blur, and he looked around in confusion.

Why hadn’t the emperor hesitated? Why was Liu Changbai’s remonstration with his death completely useless?

He hadn’t seen Wen Zhuo say a single word!

He and Shen Chen, knowing the future, had already seized the advantage. He had even stained his own hands, mercilessly killing Mo Shu…

Where had they gone wrong? Why was the situation so completely different?

If Wen Zhuo had anticipated they would use the matter of Mo Shu, he would never have allowed Mo Shu to enter the capital in the first place.

So Wen Zhuo must not have anticipated it.

Shen Chen thought so too.

That day when they had met in the imperial city, when Wen Zhuo heard him say the name “Mo Shu,” he had clearly been emotionally stirred and flustered.

At least at that time, Wen Zhuo had been unprepared. That night, when he went to test Shen Zhi and Consort Liang, he had reached the same conclusion.

Moreover, according to the reports from the eunuchs, after hiding Mo Shu in the Divine Wood Factory, Wen Zhuo had directly returned to his residence and made no unusual moves.

Shen Chen was utterly baffled. What was the key point?

The imperial physicians hurried forward and carried Liu Changbai, who still had a breath left in him, out of the hall.

As long as he didn’t die in the hall, didn’t dash his brains out on the spot during the remonstration, the impact of his death remonstration would be greatly diminished.

At the same time, the imperial guards, armed with swords and armor, dragged the despairing, broken crown prince up from behind the table.

The crown prince was crying profusely, his robes in disarray, stretching his hand pleadingly towards the dragon throne. “Father… Father, are you really going to depose me? I beg you… for Mother Empress’s sake, I beg you—!”

“Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“The crown prince does not deserve this, Your Majesty!”

“Your servant wishes to follow in the footsteps of the Grand Tutor, begging Your Majesty to revoke the decree!”

…

The crown prince’s faction watched helplessly as Shen Zhen was dragged away, still wanting to make a desperate last stand. But unexpectedly, Emperor Shunyuan sneered, “Very well, I permit you to follow the Grand Tutor! The crown prince’s faults are all due to you teachers who failed in your discipline and neglected your duties! By my decree, all teachers of the crown prince shall be demoted one rank, forfeit half a year’s salary, and meditate on their faults daily!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into dead silence.

Gong Zhiyuan slumped to his knees, feeling a chill from the blue bricks that seemed to rise from his knees to the top of his head.

The emperor really was determined to depose the crown prince. But why?

At the morning court, when the Cao faction had been completely imprisoned, the emperor had shown no intention of deposing the crown prince.

At the start of the victory banquet, the emperor had still been thinking of celebrating with his ministers. Why, in just a short hour, had his attitude become so resolute?

What had they done wrong?

Was it only because their impeachment of Jun Dingyuan had failed?

Gong Zhiyuan’s mind was in turmoil as he tried to recall the entire victory banquet. Cao Youwei had redeemed himself by meritorious service. Luo Mingpu had exposed Jun Dingyuan’s secret affairs on the spot. The Divine Wood Factory had been linked to the Wise Prince, leading the emperor to distrust the Wise Prince’s connections with border generals…

Based on his many years of understanding the emperor’s temperament, this matter should never have been handled so lightly!

Why did the emperor trust Jun Dingyuan and also protect the never-before-seen Mo Shu? There had to be another hidden reason. But what was it? What had he overlooked?

Gong Zhiyuan suddenly shuddered violently.

The Divine Wood Factory!

Why of all places the Divine Wood Factory? Why did it have to be the Divine Wood Factory, which could implicate the Wise Prince!

At the most critical moment, a rope had seemed to drop from above, a seeming lifeline, but was actually a trap!

He must have leaked information while planning, or perhaps the Wise Prince had known about this matter earlier than Xie Langyang, and had turned the tables, leading the crown prince’s faction into a trap, making the emperor completely abandon the crown prince!

This scheme was truly vicious, but it was also his fault for acting rashly out of desperation, thus destroying their last chance for survival!

Once everything became clear, Gong Zhiyuan glared viciously at Bu Zhangyi, his eyes splitting with rage, his hair standing on end, wishing he could tear him apart and eat his flesh.

Bu Zhangyi was taken aback by his glare.

Why was Gong Zhiyuan suddenly glaring at him? Just a moment ago, Shang Zhiqin and the Wise Prince had almost been successfully implicated. If it weren’t for the emperor’s unpredictable mind, choosing to trust the Jun family, they too would have been unable to defend themselves.

Now that he had just recovered from the shock, he hadn’t even had time to rejoice at the crown prince’s deposition. And now this mad dog Gong Zhiyuan was staring at him.

So Bu Zhangyi didn’t miss the chance to beat a dog when it was down. He looked down on Gong Zhiyuan, sneered, and flicked his sleeves as he stood.

“Today, the crown prince has lost virtue and thrown the court into chaos. His Majesty, seeing through the pros and cons, does not show favoritism. He puts the people’s livelihood and the state first. This is truly a blessing for the realm and the people. Your servants are filled with admiration!”

The Wise Prince’s faction immediately chimed in. The previously implicated Shang Zhiqin’s voice was the loudest: “His Majesty’s virtue shines brightly. Your servants are filled with admiration!”

In the Fengtian Hall, the atmosphere of killing gradually dissipated, and the old and new forces ebbed and flowed.

The old crown prince’s faction were all gnashing their teeth in hatred but were helpless.

The Wise Prince was now full of energy and radiant.

He had waited all these years, and finally, the crown prince was deposed!

Once, both he and Shen Zhen’s birth mother were empresses, but the emperor had appointed Shen Zhen as crown prince. In his heart, he had resented this.

Just now, Gong Zhiyuan had suddenly launched an attack, but the emperor had ignored it and had even completely abandoned the crown prince.

From this, it could be seen that between him and Shen Zhen, he was more important in the emperor’s heart.

The previous harshness and coldness had all been tests for him. He had passed them, and the emperor was now willing to entrust the heavy responsibility to him.

Thinking this, the Wise Prince’s eyes reddened, and his heart filled with a soft ache. He believed that soon, he would be the new crown prince!

Out of habit, the Wise Prince went all in, bowing and speaking: “Today was originally a good day, but I saw my father angered by the Cao faction. My son’s heart is truly uneasy. Why not let the victory banquet return to its original purpose, with all ministers sharing in the joy, sweeping away worries? This would both console my father’s benevolent heart and comfort General Jun’s sincere loyalty!”

Emperor Shunyuan nodded approvingly, a rare occurrence: “Today is a victory banquet. The pests in the court have ruined the mood, and they have also made you all—”

Emperor Shunyuan looked around the court, knowing he had been too stern, so he forced a smile: “Look at you, crying and kneeling. You are no longer young, and you all look like what? As long as you are loyal to the court and to the people, there is nothing to fear. I don’t eat people.”

As he spoke, Emperor Shunyuan hunched his back, leaned on the table, and coughed several times. He coughed so hard his eyes turned red, and he trembled with each breath. Liu Quan quickly added more mung bean milk tea for the emperor to soothe his throat.

Emperor Shunyuan pushed the cup away, endured for a moment, and then continued: “Since I have punished, I must also reward. Jun Dingyuan has guarded the border for ten years and endured many hardships. Now that the southern border is peaceful, I specially appoint him as the Chief Superintendent of the Three Great Camps, to guard the capital on my behalf.”

“Consort Liang has endured the pain of separation from her son for many years, and her hard work and merit are great. I specially appoint her as Noble Consort Liang, to honor her virtue.”

“Your servant Jun Dingyuan thanks Your Majesty for your leniency. Your servant will surely not fail to live up to Your Majesty’s favor!” Jun Dingyuan knelt and kowtowed, pressing his forehead to the ground, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

“Your servant thanks Your Majesty!” Consort Liang’s tears turned to laughter, her eyes filled with the relief of having finally endured hardship to reach happiness.

The Marquis of Yongning also solemnly lifted his robes and knelt: “Your old servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!”

After rewarding those who needed to be rewarded, Emperor Shunyuan had no appetite left for this meal.

As he rose, supported by Liu Quan, he spoke as if casually giving guidance: “It’s good to have such a heart. For those of you from military families, it’s fine to be a little clumsy with words. As long as you have the nation in your hearts, I will naturally stand up for you. The upright and honest ministers in the court will not sit idly by while you are wronged. Just now, it was thanks to Wanshan stepping forward to clarify the law for you. You should thank him as well.”

Emperor Shunyuan was secretly pleased. Cao Youwei, Luo Mingpu, Gong Zhiyuan, Liu Changbai, the crown prince, the Wise Prince, Shang Zhiqin… everyone in the palace, from top to bottom, none of them knew that he had long been aware of the matter of Mo Shu, nor did they know that the Divine Wood Factory was a casual suggestion from Liu Quan, which is why Mo Shu had gone there to find materials for him.

Jun Dingyuan also did not know that the Southern Screen Envoy had once boasted about a precious treasure in front of Liu Quan, making arrogant claims—every word of which had fallen on his ears.

As the most clear-headed person in this chaotic situation, he had long seen through everyone’s schemes, which was why he could firmly control the entire situation in an instant.

All the officials in the court thought he was old and feeble, his mind failing, but they didn’t know he was still the emperor who could strategize and see through people’s hearts.

“I’m tired. I’m returning to my palace to rest.” Emperor Shunyuan’s tone carried a hint of weariness. Consort Liang quickly rose to accompany him.

Because of Jun Dingyuan’s merits today, Emperor Shunyuan had deliberately not called for Precious Consort Zhen, but had Consort Liang accompany him.

“Ah—!” Suddenly, a voice like a kitten having its tail stepped on came from behind.

Emperor Shunyuan paused, glanced back, and saw Wen Zhuo holding the silver pot of mung bean milk tea, his eyes burning as he stared at him.

Emperor Shunyuan quietly waved his hand, lowered his voice, and looked away as if embarrassed: “…Take it away, take it away, take it away!”

Liu Quan saw this clearly and quickly stepped in with a smile: “Master, it’s just that your things here are too beautiful. It’s no wonder Director Wen can’t bear to part with them.”

“Hmph, Wen Wanshan is always eyeing my possessions. One day when I’m unhappy, I’ll secretly have his house raided and bring everything back.” Emperor Shunyuan pretended to be angry.

Although he always looked annoyed every time, Wen Zhuo’s petty greed for small treasures actually put him at ease.

In this world, there should be no one without desires, no one perfect and flawless.

Liu Quan echoed: “Master is just joking.”

Seeing the emperor walk away, Wen Zhuo casually tossed the silver pot onto the table without giving it another glance. He propped his cheek on one hand, his gaze resting on the shiny black stone at his fingertip. Then he flicked it lightly, and the black stone suddenly flew up, only to fall straight down.

It first hit the table, then rolled along the surface to the edge, falling to the floor with a “click.” It rolled in an arc, going a long way before finally merging with the blue bricks.

In the noisy Fengtian Hall, the ministers were either discussing animatedly, looking confused, smug, or dejected. No one noticed this tiny sound.

Like the pool of blood from the death remonstration, the seeping sweat, and the falling tears, it would all disappear without a trace by tomorrow.

A faint, calm smile played at the corner of Wen Zhuo’s mouth.

He slowly opened his left hand, revealing another white stone lying quietly in his palm.