Novel Full Chapter 879 - 27: The Deposed Crown Prince Is Killed (Part 2)
Chapter 879: Chapter 27: The Deposed Crown Prince Is Killed (Part 2)
"Do you need me to spare you some dignity?" He Lianfang chuckled as he looked at Zhao Yao, who wore a bitter expression. "You already knew what kind of person Zhao Zheng is. Why can’t you accept it now?"
Zhao Yao calmly replied, "I haven’t refused to accept it, nor am I upset." After saying this, he added, "I just don’t want to think about it so much, nor do I want to get embroiled in the unpredictable schemes of the capital." He was no longer in the capital and didn’t want to concern himself with power struggles.
"Really." He Lianfang clearly didn’t believe Zhao Yao’s words, but he didn’t expose him either.
In order to convince He Lianfang, Zhao Yao unwittingly raised his voice and said, "Of course."
"You haven’t returned to the capital, but you’re still caught up in its disputes."
"Not anymore." Zhao Yao suddenly thought of what had happened in the capital and, with a broad smile, said to He Lianfang, "Prince Dai and Prince Jing are fiercely contending with each other now; they have no time to bother with me. I’m safe."
"Oh, how are Prince Dai and Prince Jing fighting so fiercely?" He Lianfang asked with a playful curiosity.
"I really underestimated Seventh Brother; he not only turned the unfavorable situation for the Empress around but also made Noble Princess Consort Rong the culprit for the late Empress’s death." Zhao Yao hadn’t expected things to develop this way. "Now, Prince Dai and Noble Princess Consort Rong hate the Empress and Prince Jing to death, and the two sides are fiercely at odds." Unfortunately, he wasn’t in the capital to see such a thrilling drama.
"This Prince Jing has some brains." He Lianfang glanced at Zhao Yao, who was taking delight in the situation. "With Prince Jing stepping in, doesn’t that mean your plan to bring down the Empress will fail?"
"It’s not me bringing down the Empress; it’s Prince Dai and his party." Zhao Yao said with a smile, "Now that Noble Princess Consort Rong is made the culprit for the late Empress’s death by Prince Jing’s side, Prince Dai’s party can’t just sit and do nothing. They will think of every way possible to make the rumors about the Empress causing the late Empress’s death come true."
"Prince Dai doesn’t have evidence; how can he turn rumors into reality?" He Lianfang reminded Zhao Yao, "Don’t forget, you don’t have evidence either."
Zhao Yao gave He Lianfang a conspiratorial wink and said mysteriously, "I don’t have evidence, but I have a backup plan."
Curious, He Lianfang asked, "What backup plan?"
Zhao Yao chuckled twice, being secretive, "I won’t tell you for now. If Prince Dai’s party ultimately can’t deal with the Empress and Prince Jing, then I’ll lend them a hand."
Seeing Zhao Yao’s confident demeanor, He Lianfang suspected that his so-called backup plan must be a major one.
"Then I’ll wait." No sooner had He Lianfang said this, than a thought occurred to him. He cast a deep look at Zhao Yao, "Actually, there is a way to quickly overthrow both the Empress and Prince Jing, sparing you the trouble."
Zhao Yao’s eyes sparkled, and he hurriedly asked, "What way?"
He Lianfang only said three words: "Depose the Crown Prince."
Those three words were unadorned, but Zhao Yao understood the implication. He furrowed his brow: "Uncle, do you mean to kill my older brother and frame the Empress and Prince Jing?"
He Lianfang smiled faintly, "It’s the best and most convenient way."
"Uncle, while your method is indeed effective, I disagree." Zhao Yao’s face slightly darkened as he said, "I have no grudges with my brother. I can’t just send someone to kill him to bring down the Empress and Prince Jing." Thinking about the Crown Prince’s situation, he sighed softly, "Since my brother was deposed, he’s been trapped in the Royal Garden, and he has suffered enough."
He Lianfang had long expected Zhao Yao to disagree, but he mentioned it anyway as a reminder to Zhao Yao.
"You won’t kill the deposed Crown Prince, but Prince Dai and Prince Jing might. If Prince Dai can’t overturn the rumor about Noble Princess Consort Rong causing the late Empress’s death, he will surely kill the deposed Crown Prince and frame Prince Jing. This way, Noble Princess Consort Rong’s crime is washed away, and the Empress and Prince Jing would be deposed, a plan that kills two birds with one stone."
Zhao Yao hadn’t thought of this. Now hearing He Lianfang’s words, he felt that Prince Dai’s side might indeed try to kill the deposed Crown Prince.
"As for Prince Jing, killing the deposed Crown Prince also kills two birds with one stone."
"They won’t succeed in killing the deposed Crown Prince."
Surprised by Zhao Yao’s confidence, He Lianfang asked, "Why aren’t they able to?"
"Because Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother have always had people secretly protecting and taking care of the deposed Crown Prince and his family." Though our father decreed that his family be looked after as per a Prince’s status, those in the Royal Mansion would likely only feign compliance. Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother feared that the deposed Crown Prince’s family would be bullied in the Royal Garden and thus sent people to protect and care for them."