All Hail Cousin Brother

360 Unfilial Heart

Zhou Linghuai came to the chess table by the window. Outside the window, the green canopy of the tree towered into the sky. The thick shade covered the window lattice and sprinkled a layer of adorable shade. “Last year, the Southern Barbarians invaded the southern border on a large scale. King Ping led his army to resist, but he was accidentally ambushed and seriously injured. That’s why he was defeated. The Southern Barbarians plundered wantonly in the southern border, and countless people died.”

Yu Youyao sat opposite her cousin. “It’s almost the end of the year, and the vassal king has been defeated. It’s not a small matter. Once there’s a commotion, I’m afraid the entire court will inevitably be in turmoil. The cabinet has temporarily suppressed this matter. Then, news of the great victory in Youzhou spread, causing an uproar. No one mentioned King Ping’s defeat again.”

“After the new year, it just so happened that there was a triennial imperial examination. Everyone in the court was unwilling to break through this talent selection opportunity to replenish new blood. Therefore, this matter was delayed for half a year.”

On the day of the Flower Festival in the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence, she had found out that King Ping had entered the capital and specially ordered someone to investigate this matter carefully.

She only felt that it was ironic.

The court officials only cared about internal strife. They wanted to use the triennial imperial examination to strengthen their henchmen and cultivate their power. They thought that if the Marquis of Changxing guarded Youzhou and won the battle, he would be able to intimidate the vassal lords and they would not even have to deal with the fact that the vassal lords had suffered a defeat.

Yu Youyao pursed her lips slightly. “The vassal king is not allowed to enter the capital without receiving an edict. Otherwise, he will be treated as a traitor. King Ping entered the capital on his own accord. Does he want to die?”

She had never been able to figure out why King Ping wanted to enter the capital. Didn’t he know that entering the capital with his status was equivalent to courting death?

However, her cousin did not intend to talk about this previously, so she could not ask.

The corners of Zhou Linghuai’s mouth twitched slightly, and there was a hint of mockery in his eyes. “What if King Ping can prove his loyalty to the emperor and the Imperial Court?”

Yu Youyao was stunned. “But the emperor is suspicious. How could he…”

Even King You couldn’t escape the emperor’s scheme. So what if it was King Ping?

Zhou Linghuai picked up a black chess piece and placed it gently on the chessboard. “What if Liang Jingye stays in the capital and becomes a hostage of the Imperial Court?”

Yu Youyao’s mind suddenly exploded. “But if King Ping really wants to disobey, I’m afraid he won’t take his mere son seriously!”

This idea was very thorough, but unfortunately…

Zhou Linghuai smiled. “The title of heir isn’t something that can be given to just any son. It has to be given by the Imperial Court. After discussion with the court officials, it will be decided by the emperor and an imperial edict will be issued. Once the heir is conferred the title, he will be the future heir to the throne. If the heir dies, it won’t be easy to get another title.”

At this point, he revealed a rather playful smile. “Therefore, everyone who can be conferred the title of heir is the eldest son of the first wife, and also the son with their highest hopes. We can’t give up on him easily. After all, the title of first wife is extraordinary to the family and even the clan.”

Yu Youyao was deep in thought. “I heard that after the Imperial Clan Lord invites the heir to be conferred the title, there will be an examination by the court officials to verify the character of the person who has been conferred the title. After that, it will have to be approved by the Imperial Court. Then, after the court officials have discussed it, the emperor will issue a decree. In that case, the person who has been conferred the title will have nowhere to hide. No wonder…”

The dynasty valued the eldest son of the first wife, and the crown prince always prioritized him.

Not to mention the heir?

In that case, the Prince of Liang had indeed sent the heir into the capital to show his loyalty.

Zhou Linghuai nodded. “That’s only one of the reasons.”

Yu Youyao couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the second reason?”

Zhou Linghuai held a black chess piece in one hand and a white chess piece in the other. His left hand and right hand played on the chessboard. “Even a vicious tiger doesn’t eat its cubs. In the future, if the King Liang has the intention to rebel, as the heir of the Liang family, Liang Jingye, he will definitely die. At that time, there will be officials in the court who will publicize it wantonly. As a minister, King Liang will be disloyal and unrighteous, and as a father, he will be heartless. Such disloyal, heartless, and unrighteous people can be said to be rebels. Everyone in the world can denounce them.”

Zhou Linghuai held a black chess piece in one hand and a white chess piece in the other. His left hand and right hand played on the chessboard. “Even a vicious tiger doesn’t eat its cubs. In the future, if the King of Liang has the intention to rebel, as the heir of the Liang family, Liang Jingye, he will definitely die. At that time, there will be officials in the court who will publicize it wantonly. As a minister, the King of Liang will be disloyal and unrighteous, and as a father, he will be heartless. Such disloyal, heartless, and unrighteous people can be said to be rebels. Everyone in the world will denounce them.”

Zhou Linghuai tapped on the chessboard. “It’s true that he’s loyal, but it’s not necessarily true!”

Yu Youyao was momentarily stunned by his twisted words. “Didn’t Cousin say that King Ping sent his heir into the capital as a hostage to show his loyalty? Why do you say that King Liang was disloyal?”

Zhou Linghuai stared at the chessboard for a long time. “Those who steal the hook will be executed, and those who usurp power will become princes instead. Killing one person is considered evil, and killing everyone in the world is considered an unparalleled ambition. It’s still too early for thieves to show themselves. It’s just a matter of victory and defeat.”

On the surface, Liang Jingye had become a hostage, and there were many disadvantages to King Ping.

However, on the other hand, wasn’t King Ping taking the initiative to send a hostage into the capital to gain the trust of the Imperial Court? In the future, it would be more convenient for King Ping to do things in Liangzhou.

Yu Youyao panted and felt suffocated. “So, King Ping has the intention to rebel?”

Those who steal the hook will be executed, and those who usurp power will become princes instead. Killing one person was considered evil, and killing everyone in the world was a peerless hero. When her cousin said these words, there was a ruthless killing intent in his tone, making her almost suffocate.

Instead of answering, Zhou Linghuai asked, “Yao Yao, do you think that a mere hostage can really dispel the emperor’s doubts about the vassal lord?”

Yu Youyao’s chest felt tight. She kept feeling that the cousin in front of her was unfamiliar, making her feel both terrified and heartbroken. She was filled with uneasiness.

Zhou Linghuai sneered. “Why did King Ping secretly enter the capital and choose the day of the Marquis of Changxing’s Flower Festival?”

Yu Youyao had a bad feeling.

Zhou Linghuai looked up at her. “The ultimate goal of the Flower Festival at the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence is to cover for the vassal lords entering the capital. This is because once the vassal lords enter the capital, their words and actions will be under the surveillance of the Imperial Court.”

Yu Youyao understood. There was an old saying, “It’s easier to do things with someone in the court.”

King Prince Ping had entered the capital on his own accord with his heir to dispel the emperor’s suspicion. However, if the emperor did not fall for this, his life would be over. The reason why he had taken the risk was because there was someone in the imperial court to protect him.

However, it was a huge taboo for vassal lords to collude with the court officials.

King Ping’s ambition was obvious.

In that case, King Ping had only sent a hostage into the capital to show his loyalty. His real goal was probably to plot a rebellion with the court officials.

Rebellion was not something that could be explained clearly in letters. If someone obtained it, it would be a huge crime.

Only by colluding face to face could they show their sincerity.

Previously, her cousin had said that the imperial court was going to be in chaos.

So that was what she meant!

Zhou Linghuai revealed a meaningful smile. “When the vassal king enters the capital, the emperor will show his great kindness to intimidate the vassal king. He will reward the heroes without restraint.”