Chapter 203: Successful, But Not Completely

SWOOSH!

The tightly sealed doors of the hall swung open. Rong Qing emerged with all his guards, immediately cordoning off an open area. No one was allowed within ten yards of Xiao Li.

Rong Qing’s appearance signaled that Princess Xuanyang would no longer protect the Emperor, yet it was also clear she had no intention of backing down.

In that instant, the flash of crimson amidst the Silver Frost Armor stood in opposition to everyone present.

Someone, stunned by the sight of the imposing army, stammered, "Is Princess Xuanyang trying to make an enemy of everyone?"

The voice wasn’t loud, but in the prevailing silence, quite a few people heard it.

However, no one moved. They were all waiting to see Xiao Jingyu’s reaction; after all, they had only just acknowledged him as their Emperor.

Xiao Jingyu took a step forward, flanked by the civil and military officials of the court.

He gazed at Xiao Li with a complex expression—a mixture of vigilance, caution, and awe. "Xuanyang, your resistance at this moment is meaningless. We are true brother and sister."

He was attempting to persuade her.

Xiao Li found it laughable. "How magnanimous of you, Prince Chen. Even now, you still remember our family bond."

Xiao Jingyu’s stance was firm. "We’ve had our misunderstandings. From this moment on, let bygones be bygones. You are still Princess Xuan Yang."

’Doesn’t that sound magnanimous? You tried to kill me multiple times and made me suffer terribly, but not only will I not retaliate, I’ll still treat you as my own sister and uphold your honor.’

But in reality, it was simply that his newly acquired throne was precarious. Seeing Xiao Li’s formidable forces, he didn’t dare risk a direct confrontation.

Unfortunately for him, Xiao Li felt no sibling affection for him, nor did she care for the honor of being a Princess.

"Such moving words, Prince Chen. I can’t help but be touched," Xiao Li said. "But have you asked the Lu Family members beside you? They don’t seem to agree."

Before he could retort, Xiao Li continued, "The Lu family is an aristocratic family of scholars that values its reputation above all else. They would never readily involve themselves in something like treason. When the Lu family first threw their full support behind Prince Chen’s bid for the throne, it wasn’t just because of their status and influence at court. The most important factor was that Lu Cang knew His Majesty was not of the late Emperor’s bloodline. He intended to use this truth to force Xiao Jingyun to abdicate. A pity he miscalculated by a single step, and it cost him his life."

Xiao Li’s chilling gaze fell upon Xiao Jingzhao. "Prince Yanping, you must have only just learned that His Majesty is not his father’s biological son, correct? But have you ever stopped to think? This secret was kept for over twenty years. How is it that you suddenly learned of it at the very moment you decided to seize the throne?"

Realization dawned on Xiao Jingzhao. He whipped his head around to glare at Xiao Jingyu. "It was you! You sent someone to tell me. You used me!"

Xiao Jingyu remained silent, so Xiao Li answered for him. "Lu Cang died and the Lu family was exiled, but the family itself survived. They still chose to support Prince Chen—a Prince Chen who knew the Emperor’s secret and would be certain to protect the Lu family’s interests."

Xiao Li chuckled. "You told Prince Yanping the secret of the Emperor’s birth, then pretended to side with the Nanqi King. This way, you not only dealt with the Eldest Prince but also drove the two of them to destroy each other, all while you sat in the shadows, waiting to reap the rewards."

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

"Brilliant!"

Xiao Li clapped her hands in mock praise. "I always thought you were just a scumbag who only knew how to put on an icy facade, completely lacking an emperor’s charisma. I never expected you to actually be this cunning."

"Xiao Jingyu, you despicable bastard!"

Xiao Jingzhao was enraged to the point of irrationality. He was already furious about his own failure, but he found it unbearable that everything he had done had been part of another’s scheme, that from beginning to end, he had merely been a pawn paving the way for someone else’s victory.

An Imperial Physician had just finished bandaging the Nanqi King’s wound. As he was helped to his feet, he heard Xiao Li’s words and became so enraged that his wound burst open again.

His face, deathly pale from blood loss, now flushed crimson with fury.

"Third Brother, you are absolutely insidious, utterly without morals!"

If Xiao Jingyu wanted to contend for the throne, he could have done so openly with his own strength. Instead, he chose this treacherous scheme, pitting his own two brothers against each other until they were both crippled, only to then claim the title of Emperor for himself.

How could he be so devious and vile?

Seeing their newly appointed Emperor about to be pilloried, Grand Tutor Feng spoke with a grim expression, "Those destined for greatness cannot be bothered with trivialities. The Nanqi King and Prince Yanping have long harbored treasonous ambitions. His Majesty merely put their plans to his own use."

Xiao Jingzhao’s face was a mask of bitter resentment. "He used us to commit treason, only to turn around and try to kill us. Does that mean he isn’t a traitor? We are all treacherous usurpers coveting the throne. What makes him so noble?"

Lu Ye declared self-righteously, "Xiao Jingyun is not of the late Emperor’s bloodline! This is not treason. This is purging the Longsheng Royal Family of an imposter."

Xiao Jingzhao sneered. "If Xiao Jingyun isn’t of our Imperial Father’s blood, does that mean my eldest brother and I aren’t either? Why should it be Third Brother’s turn?"

"Your Lu family clearly chose Third Brother, yet you deceived me and my eldest brother. You speak of such two-faced treachery as if it were some noble cause. You are utterly shameless, despicable, and vile! With the Xiao Family’s empire in the hands of hypocrites like you, it is doomed to fall sooner or later."

Xiao Li watched Xiao Jingzhao in awe. ’I have to admit,’ she thought, ’as annoying as Prince Yanping is, that tirade was quite satisfying to hear.’

In truth, there was no right or wrong in this affair. To seize the throne, any plot or scheme was fair game. As long as you won in the end, your methods would be lauded as brilliant strategies.

In short, the process didn’t matter, only the result. After all, history is written by the victors.

But as fate would have it, Xiao Jingyu had succeeded, yet not completely.

Neither the Nanqi King nor Prince Yanping was dead, and he had yet to gain full control of the situation.

One should never be soft on one’s enemies. Once you draw a blade, you must strike to kill. Otherwise, you end up like this: your targets are still alive, your conspiracy is laid bare for all to judge, and the supposed victor is now scorned by everyone, caught in an impossible position.

How awkward.

Xiao Jingyu’s entire persona was that of a cold, aloof iceberg. As the curses rained down on him, the air around him grew frigid and his eyes glinted with murderous intent, but he could not utter a single word in response.

Just then, the soldier holding a blade to Prince Yanping’s throat seemed to have a sudden realization and moved to act.

CLANG!

A Silver Armor Guard’s blade flashed out, swiftly rescuing the prince.

Prince Yanping was thrown to the ground, his face pale with the lingering fear of a man who had just escaped death. He had truly been moments from dying.

He never would have dreamed that the one to save him would be Xiao Li.

A thought sprang to mind, and the words tumbled out before he could stop them: "Xuanyang, if you help me take the throne, I will name you Regent Princess, and we shall share the empire!"

Xiao Li shot him a sidelong glance. "I have no interest in sharing."

Prince Yanping took this as a rejection of his proposal and his spirits fell.

With Prince Yanping rescued, the soldiers under his command began to gather by his side. Seeing this, the Nanqi King had his attendants help him over as well.

Though Xiao Li cared little for either of them, the situation had now become three against one.

The assembled officials were dumbfounded, never imagining the situation could evolve like this.

Wang Changwen spoke up. "Princess Xuanyang, do not persist in this folly. We have already acknowledged Prince Chen as the Emperor. We will not recognize anyone else you choose to support."

Xiao Li sneered. "And who cares whether you acknowledge them?"

Lu Ye glared at Xiao Li, his face dark. "You are but a woman. What right do you have to interfere in the great matters of the empire?"

The very sight of him disgusted Xiao Li. "I may be ’but a woman,’ but you’re so impressive, aren’t you? Then stop cowering back there. The hypocrisy of your Lu family is truly a tradition passed down through the generations."

"I know you’re all dying to kill me right now. Coincidentally, I feel much the same about you."

"You scholars only know how to run your mouths. You’re as useless as you are ridiculous."

A wicked, cold smile spread across her face. "Why don’t I give you all a little shock?"