Chapter 375: Are They Even Worthy of Competing for the Throne? (Part 3)

Wei Chengchao, who was sitting nearby, fiddling with his snuff bottle while eavesdropping, twitched at the words. He raised his hand to touch the bridge of his nose to conceal his unusual expression, but said nothing.

After all, he had no evidence that this matter was indeed caused by that bitch Han Lei.

But he also knew that it was absolutely impossible for King Liangzhou to have done this.

Because Emperor Jing and King Liangzhou were siblings from the same mother. The Champion Marquis household was the backing of Emperor Jing, and naturally also the backing of King Liangzhou. How could King Liangzhou eliminate his own backing?

“Uncle.” The King of Xu State approached Mr. Wei, lowered his voice, and urgently asked, “What should we do now?”

“What to do?” Mr. Wei looked out into the dark night, his eyes became deep as he thought to himself, “Since that boy is ruthless, don’t blame me for being unrighteous.”

As he spoke, he turned his head to glance at Wei Chengchao, who was half-lying on the Taishi Chair playing with his snuff bottle, and gestured to the King of Xu State.

“Come, let’s go to the study to talk.”

The two entered the study, and the redwood door closed with an “creak”. Four guards with swords stood at the entrance, and no one knew what they discussed inside.

An hour later, the study door opened again. The King of Xu State donned a cloak and hood, then quietly left through the back door of the Prime Minister’s residence.

Immediately afterward, two trusted aides of the Prime Minister’s residence disappeared into the thick night…

The moon sets and the sun rises, the first ray of dawn just grazed the glazed tiles of Jinluan Hall, and the civil and military officials were already lined up outside the hall.

The heavy palace gate slowly opened, emitting a dull creak, as if forecasting that today’s court assembly would be unusual.

The Chief Eunuch Li Zhongxin’s chanting voice echoed in the grand hall.

“The Imperial Noble Consort arrives, Mr. Wei arrives!”

The civil and military officials exchanged glances, sharing a tacit understanding.

Ever since Emperor Jing was reduced to naught, this was already the seventh day without a new sovereign ascending the throne. All government affairs were temporarily handled by the Imperial Noble Consort and Mr. Wei.

Inside Jinluan Hall, the Imperial Noble Consort wore a deep purple phoenix robe and sat on a gilded chair to the left of the imperial throne.

To the right, Mr. Wei donned the attire of the Prime Minister, his half-white hair tied beneath the black gauze cap.

After dealing with various memorials from the civil and military officials, he sat back in the gilded chair, closed his eyes, as if ignoring the noise and disputes within the hall.

“Princes, please be quiet!”

The Imperial Noble Consort raised her voice, but soon it was drowned out by the quarrels of the vassal kings.

King Liangzhou suddenly slammed the table, causing the teacups to jingle. The normally gentle and cultured man was now full of anger, his face contorted.

“I am the legitimate son of the late Emperor, in terms of identity and talent, who else but me is fit for the throne? If you do not believe, you can go see Liangzhou, under my rule, the people live in peace and the taxes have increased year by year!”

“Ha,” King of Qi snorted coldly, “Is governing a nation relying on brute force? Half the ministers of the six departments support me; with capable ministers assisting, only then can we govern the realm.”

King of Ji rolled his eyes and bit his lips; it seemed he did not possess the bargaining chips these fellows mentioned, yet he was unwilling.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense, and the civil and military officials were silent as if in fear, none dared to interject.

Such squabbling resembling fishwives has been performed daily, giving the Imperial Noble Consort a headache.

She rubbed her temples, seeking help from Mr. Wei, only to find the old Prime Minister still with his eyes closed, seemingly detached from the situation.

At this moment, the King of Xu State, who had been silent all day, suddenly rose. His jet-black python robe accentuated his furious flush, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

“Have you finished quarrelling?” The King of Xu State’s voice was not loud, yet it instantly silenced the hall.

King Liangzhou glanced dismissively at him, his tone extremely arrogant.

“Brother, there is no place for you to speak here. Your Xu State is a mere impoverished land, do you dare to vie for the throne?”

The King of Xu State curved his lips into a cold smile, walking towards King Liangzhou with steps as light as a cat, making no sound.

“Third brother is right,” The King of Xu State stopped three steps away from King Liangzhou, “Xu State indeed is an impoverished land, but… I am weary of such disputes.”

Before the words completely settled, he suddenly burst forth! His figure flickered like a ghost to King Liangzhou, his right hand clamped like an iron vice around his throat.

Unprepared, King Liangzhou’s complexion instantly turned red as he instinctively tried to pry the King of Xu State’s fingers, yet they did not budge.

“King of Xu State! What are you doing?” The Imperial Noble Consort was shocked, rising from her seat, the jewels on her phoenix crown swaying violently.

The King of Xu State looked up at the high platform, the killiness in his eyes evident.

He half-squinted, issuing a word-by-word threat to the Imperial Noble Consort seated in high position.

“Imperial Noble Consort. If I cannot inherit the throne today, Third Brother must accompany the late Emperor in his grave.”