Chapter 150: The Struggle for Succession

The next day, during the morning court session, the discussion was initially focused on the security of the borderlands. Suddenly, His Royal Highness the Third Prince spoke up, his tone grave and serious.

“Father, there is something I have been holding in my heart. At first, I thought Your Majesty might have forgotten, but I have noticed that sometimes you do not sleep the entire night. That sense of desolation…”

His words were ornate and formal, but the emphasis lay in the latter part.

“Your Majesty, this concerns the late Consort Jing. I am not sure if it is proper for me to speak of it,” the Third Prince shifted his tone abruptly.

This was hardly something the Emperor could ignore. The officials present wore awkward expressions; matters of the harem were private affairs of the sovereign and were not something they wished to hear. Yet, once the words were spoken, the conversation could not be stopped.

The Emperor waved his hand, signaling for the prince to continue.

“Your Majesty, back then Consort Jing was poisoned by a rare toxin known as the Half-Life Flower from the southern frontier. The former attendants of Consort Jing’s palace have admitted this. They were coerced at the time and forced to use this poison. The imperial physicians were unable to detect it…”

The officials exchanged uneasy glances but could only listen.

“I have heard that His Highness Prince Huai’s birth mother was from the southern frontier. Could it be possible she had the opportunity?” The Third Prince pointed the accusation directly at Prince Huai.

Prince Huai’s face instantly turned pale. He had never imagined such a thing.

“Father, this is slander. He bears a grudge against me and is deliberately framing me,” Prince Huai stammered anxiously.

Indeed, the situation was delicate.

“Do you have evidence? You dare slander a prince so?” Prince Huai demanded fiercely.

“Your Royal Highness, you cannot deny this. I have witnesses, and there remains residue of the Half-Life Flower poison,” the Third Prince said confidently.

It was clear he had come prepared.

Lord Gao, watching this scene, was stunned. Han Qing had advised him not to intervene, fearing it was not the right moment. But now the Third Prince had taken decisive action, leaving everyone astounded.

“Bring the witnesses forward,” the Emperor said calmly.

Though displeased that his sons would bring such matters up, the Emperor decided to hear the full explanation given the gravity of the doubts.

“They are waiting outside the hall,” the prince said.

At the Emperor’s command, an elderly eunuch and a frail old woman shuffled in. They seemed to be the former attendants of Consort Jing’s palace.

Indeed, there was some resemblance.

“Is what you say true?” the Emperor asked coldly.

Under his imposing presence, the pair dared not lie.

“Your Majesty, we were coerced by Consort Yue, who threatened our families. We had no choice but to poison Consort Jing. As for the child in Consort Jing’s womb, he is still alive,” the old man confessed.

What? There was a royal child living in secret?

This scandal of the royal family left the officials present embarrassed and silent.

“Why reveal this only now?”

“We had no intention to speak, but Consort Jing’s child survives. He is the fifth son of the late Marquis, Zhu Yunzhi,” they declared.

The Third Prince was momentarily taken aback, unaware there were more layers to this story when he first questioned the elders.

“Your Majesty, I am old and wish to avoid entanglement. Since this is my child, I only hope he may live in peace,” the old marquis said, unable to conceal the reason any longer. He did not want innocent parties blamed.

The Emperor’s anger flared. He immediately ordered Consort Yue to be taken to the Department of Punishment.

Prince Huai was placed under house arrest, forbidden to leave without imperial decree.

The matter was settled.

However, Zhu Yunzhi’s status could not remain that of a mere marquis’s son. The Emperor summoned him personally to the palace and bestowed upon him the honorary title of prince.

This convoluted affair became the talk of the court and even a topic of whispered conversation among the populace. Though commoners dared not discuss the Emperor openly, they exchanged a few words about it.

Despite Prince Huai’s fall from favor, another emerged—Prince Chen. Was all this for nothing?

The Third Prince was furious. What trickery was this?

“Your Highness, it seems this was orchestrated. Our secret agents sent out reported smoothly,” a courtier said.

“Do you think I don’t know? What use is all this talk now?” he snapped angrily.

“Actually, Your Highness, consider that this is disadvantageous to them as well. Prince Chen’s position is an old matter. Will other officials truly support him?” another whispered.

Suddenly, he was enlightened.

He understood the benefit of this situation instantly.

“Good, very good!” he exclaimed.

Prince Chen had no connections, and the old marquis had long been out of favor at court. This was excellent news.

He ordered the secret agents to investigate who had brought the truth to light. If this person could be used, then in future court matters, many would support him.

This was a golden opportunity.

“Your Highness Prince Chen, your arrival has caught me unprepared,” Zhu Yunzhi shook his head.

“Brother Han, you are too polite. Without your orchestration, how could the truth have been revealed so smoothly?” Zhu Yunzhi said.

Han Qing remained silent, feeling the matter was not so significant. The others simply overthought it.

“You didn’t come just to thank me, did you?” Han Qing asked.

“No, you see through everything. The main reason is that now I have the rank of prince. Soon, I will be embroiled in the succession struggle, and I am uncertain how to handle it,” Zhu Yunzhi said, his face filled with confusion.

“Do you desire that supreme position?”

“Never before, but upon learning the truth about my mother’s death and reflecting on my years in exile, I feel I cannot let these people continue to live in peace,” he said angrily.

Though the Emperor would give an explanation and might punish Consort Yue, one thing was crucial:

Consort Yue would hardly be sentenced to death.

After all, Prince Huai remained a favored candidate for the crown prince among some officials.

A single thread tugged the entire tapestry.

The Emperor must maintain the greater good.

At most, punishment would be meted out, but execution was impossible.

“I understand. Then take it slowly from now on,” Han Qing nodded.

It was clear he supported Zhu Yunzhi’s intentions.

Better that Zhu Yunzhi gain the position than others. His talents rivaled those of the other princes.

“Brother Han, can I truly do this?”

“Yes,” Han Qing said calmly.

Supporting an emperor seemed a worthy endeavor.

Moreover, could the future of the Kingdom of Qing truly be entrusted to those two?

The two men talked long into the night, reaching unspoken understandings about certain matters.