Chapter 736
Chapter 736
“No one can stop His Majesty's will now. Even the royal uncles, Prince Ji and Prince Jiang, have ultimately chosen to side with him. His Majesty has also borrowed ten thousand cavalry from the King of Jiang, making it impossible for the officials to defy his decree. Anyone who does will lose their head. The necks of our State of Yue officials are not so sturdy, so for our enemies, the most convenient path forward, despite the initial trouble, would be to make a move on His Majesty.”
Ning Yuanxian slowly nodded. Yes, that was certainly true. Ning Qi's most defining trait was his willingness to do whatever it took. He was ruthless to himself, to his enemies, and to everyone else—including, of course, his own father. Until now, killing Ning Zheng had been the most cost-effective method, but that strategy had failed. Now, with masters like Li Qianqiu and his wife, Grandmaster Zhong Chuke, the Grand Admiral, and Gao Duhuan protecting Ning Zheng, assassinating him within the capital had become impossible. Therefore, making a move on Ning Yuanxian would now be the most cost-effective option.
“In my opinion, it's impossible for them to assassinate His Majesty directly. However, the deadly poison of Mount Fudao is something no one can defend against.”
Indeed. The poison of Mount Fudao was an indefensible attack from the start. Hadn't the King of Chu died just recently from that very poison?
“Therefore, for the time being, Your Majesty should only eat meals prepared by Consort Bian, and at least two of the grand eunuchs—Lü Jun, Lü Yin, and Lü Mu—must remain by your side at all times. And if possible, do not grant audiences to Xue Che and Ning Qi, nor to Zhu Hongzhu.”
King Ning Yuanxian said with a smile.
“Now you're the one arranging my affairs.”
“How would I dare? But these are unavoidable circumstances, so it must be done.”
“I understand. I will do as you say. For a while, I will only eat meals prepared by Consort Bian and spend my nights in her palace. I will not privately meet with any suspicious officials. I shall wait and see if Ning Qi and his followers truly dare to rebel.”
* * *
Ning Zheng returned to the Marquis of Changping's estate, and the capital fell into a strange silence. Those with a keen sense of things could all smell that something was about to happen. The arrival of ten thousand cavalry from the State of Jiang only added certainty to this strange premonition. Even if the Queen of Jiang had been invited to the State of Yue to attend the Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony, there was no reason for her to bring ten thousand cavalry. Moreover, Shen Lang's Nirvana Army had yet to leave Tianxi Province and remained there. What did this mean? And wasn't Prince Ning Qi, along with Zhu Hongzhu, Zhong E, and Xue Che, being far too calm? From beginning to end today, Ning Qi had shown no particular reaction, giving no sense that a great disaster was upon him. Instead, it felt as if he was fully prepared in his heart. No, that wasn't the right way to put it. A more fitting description would be that he had resolutely severed the bond between father and son.
* * *
That night.
The King of Yue held a small banquet to entertain the Queen of Jiang. From start to finish, Ning Yuanxian drank only three cups of fruit wine, and all three passed through the hands of Lü Jun. Fortunately, Queen A'louna had never cared for such formalities, so the banquet ended in less than an hour. Protected by Lü Jun and Lü Mu, Ning Yuanxian returned to his study to handle state affairs. To ensure absolute safety, Ning Yuanxian did not even touch the memorials written by his officials; Lü Jun recopied them all before handing them over. Moreover, he granted audiences to almost no one. Besides Lü Jun, Lü Mu, Lü Yin, and Consort Bian, no one was allowed to come within five paces of Ning Yuanxian.
When Ning Yuanxian summoned Yan E, the Grand Commander of the Blackwater Terrace, he maintained a distance of over ten meters, and Yan E was even kneeling in the outer hall.
“Yan E, I know you have a very good relationship with Yan Nanfei and Xue Che. Xue Che was even your long-time superior. So I want to ask you: is this Blackwater Terrace still my Blackwater Terrace?”
Yan E kowtowed repeatedly and replied.
“The Blackwater Terrace will forever be Your Majesty's.”
“That sounds more like an exaggeration than the truth. In the past, I trusted Xue Che and filled the Blackwater Terrace with many people from the South Sea Sword Sect. Many seem to think their position in the Blackwater Terrace is merely a title, and that the South Sea Sword Sect is their eternal home.”
“At the very least, the men I command will forever obey Your Majesty's orders.”
“Between Ning Zheng and Ning Qi, who do you think is more suitable to ascend the throne?”
“This subject has no opinion to offer. Whoever Your Majesty deems suitable will be suitable.”
“I plan to name Ning Zheng as the crown prince. What are your thoughts?”
“This subject unconditionally submits to all of Your Majesty's wishes.”
Ning Yuanxian gestured for him to leave.
“That is all. You may go.”
Yan E kowtowed and said.
“This subject takes his leave.”
A short while later, Ning Yuanxian summoned Grand Princess Ning Jue.
“Ning Jue, between Ning Zheng and Ning Qi, who do you think is better?”
“According to my own heart, I hold Ning Qi in higher regard. However, I will completely submit to my royal brother's will.”
“I placed you in the Blackwater Terrace in the past to balance Xue Che's power. Later, to prevent his influence from growing, I even had him transferred completely out of the Blackwater Terrace for nearly a decade. Do you still have many people loyal to you there?”
“Not a great many.”
She was a person of too plain a disposition; while there were those in the Blackwater Terrace who followed her, there certainly weren't many.
“I intend to elevate Ning Zheng to crown prince. Will you support this?”
“I will obey my royal brother's wishes.”
“Very well, then. If Ning Qi were to commit treason in the future, what would you do?”
“I will devote all my strength to quelling the rebellion for the nation.”
Ning Yuanxian nodded.
“Then I shall trouble you when the time comes.”
Grand Princess Ning Jue soon departed. After summoning these two, Ning Yuanxian intended to return to the inner palace to rest. But a moment later, another shadow appeared in the room. It was Princess Ning Han, his eternal pride and pain, the successor to the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion. Having entered as she pleased, she was five *chi* away from Ning Yuanxian when a powerful aura manifested in the room and began to vibrate.
Grand Eunuch Lü Mu was a grandmaster-level expert. Loyally fulfilling his duties, he allowed no one but a select few to approach His Majesty. When Ning Han turned her head and gave Grand Eunuch Lü Mu a light glance, he felt an excruciating pain in his head, as if it were about to shatter. However, Ning Han did not approach Ning Yuanxian any closer, stopping three *chi* before him.
“Have you decided to name Ning Zheng as crown prince, Father?”
Ning Yuanxian gave a bitter smile.
“Han'er, in the past twenty-some years, you have returned to see me only twice. The first time was to warn Shen Lang, and the second is to warn me? Do you never come to see me simply because you miss me?”
Ning Han said nothing.
“Since Ning Yi is no longer an option, have you now sided with Ning Qi?”
“Since Ning Yi is not an option, Ning Qi is the most suitable. In my view, anyone can succeed to the throne of the State of Yue, with the sole exception of Ning Zheng.”
Ning Yuanxian said with a laugh.
“Is that so? In your heart, the State of Yue weighs far less than the Great Yan Empire. My officials try to curry favor with the powerful, and it seems my daughter is no exception. You are truly loyal to the Empire. You know that if Ning Zheng ascends the throne, he will surely not submit to the Emperor's will. Is that why you wish for our State of Yue to be devoured? Do not forget that you are also a member of the Ning royal clan—though I don't know if you still acknowledge that fact.”
Ning Han offered no excuses, nor did she seem to mind Ning Yuanxian's sarcasm. Only after a long moment did she speak.
“Father, it is quite the opposite. I have come for the sake of the State of Yue's domain. If Ning Zheng ascends the throne, the great legacy of our Ning royal clan, built over hundreds of years, will be destroyed in an instant.”
“What? Why is that? Is it because he refuses to kneel, because he intends to struggle against the supreme His Majesty the Emperor?”
“That is but one reason; there are others as well.”
“What are they?”
“Because of Shen Lang.”
“Then are you trying to say that for Ning Zheng to ascend the throne, I must kill Shen Lang right now?”
“I never said such a thing.”
“I have made up my mind. You have never thought of yourself as my daughter. So do not interfere in my affairs now. Although you are the successor to the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion, His Majesty the Emperor clearly stated in his decree that transcendent powers are not to interfere in the affairs of secular kingdoms. Enough. I am a little tired and need to rest.”
Ning Yuanxian immediately ordered her to leave. This daughter had disappointed him to the extreme. He could understand Ning Han supporting Ning Yi, as they were born of the same mother. But for the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion to send someone to assassinate Ning Zheng? What was the reason for that? She and Ning Qi had different mothers, but by that logic, so did Ning Zheng. Therefore, in Ning Yuanxian's eyes, everything Ning Han did was an act of loyalty to the Empire.
“You must believe me, Father. In my heart, I love the State of Yue just as fervently, and everything I do is for the hundred-year legacy of the Ning royal clan. I shall take my leave now!”
With that final remark, Ning Han turned and left the place. Her words were most unexpected.
* * *
At the morning court the next day, everyone felt a suffocating atmosphere. Before the sun had even risen, the cavalry from the State of Jiang outside the city had split into two groups, guarding the west and south of Tianyue City. Following that, the ten thousand-plus city guards all ascended the city walls, and the four gates of the capital were firmly shut. Soon after, five thousand fully armed Imperial Guards surged into the royal palace like a tide, making the atmosphere extremely solemn. This morning's court session felt like the Feast at Hong Gate, though there was no banquet.
‘What is His Majesty planning to do? Is he trying to suppress the officials by force? To forcibly name Ning Zheng as crown prince? Does he intend to immediately slaughter anyone who defies his decree?’
The civil and military officials of the capital trembled all over. Could they not just stay home instead of attending court? What if, at court, the king pressured everyone to side with Ning Zheng? What if Zhu Hongzhu, Zhong E, Xue Che, and the others all defied the royal decree? Then what choice would the officials have to make? Siding with the king could lead to being purged by the Great Yan Empire in the future. But siding with Ning Qi meant the king's sword would fall upon their necks immediately. Before a descending blade, whose neck could be so sturdy?
Normally, it was fine to wave flags and shout slogans for the Third Prince, but it wasn't worth getting beheaded for. In fact, quite a number of officials secretly thought it might not be a bad thing for Prince Ning Zheng to become the monarch. Although he would surely be an extremely harsh ruler after ascending the throne, making it impossible for anyone to engage in corruption or neglect their duties. But that would be a good thing for the State of Yue. In any case, no matter how frightened they were, the officials still had to go to attend the morning court.