Read Novel Full Chapter 748 - 366: Tired Heart
Chapter 748: Chapter 366: Tired Heart
In an unremarkable house somewhere in Jinling, Zhao Yao received a letter sent by He Lianfang. The letter was delivered by Xiao Jin.
After removing the letter from Xiao Jin’s leg, Zhao Yao did not hurry to read it. Instead, he served some snacks and apples to this little ancestor, Xiao Jin.
Once Xiao Jin was full, it obediently stood by Zhao Yao’s hand, accompanying him in reading the letter.
In the letter, He Lianfang informed Zhao Yao that Prince Chu and his party were safe and sound, and would soon arrive in the capital. Additionally, the situation at the Western Garrison was under the emperor’s control, so Zhao Yao need not worry. Lastly, he told Zhao Yao that Prince Jing had already delivered the collected evidence to the emperor.
After reading the letter, Zhao Yao reached out to stroke Xiao Jin’s small head and praised it: "Thanks to you, Fourth Brother was able to find the stolen copper and return safely from Wuhua Mountain to the capital."
Xiao Jin seemed to understand Zhao Yao’s words, proudly puffing out its small chest, and chirped twice: [Of course, without me, your Fourth Brother would have been done for.]
Zhao Yao lowered his head and gave Xiao Jin’s little head a firm kiss, "When we return to the capital, I’ll have Fourth Brother reward you properly with a full meat feast."
Xiao Jin raised its little head and nuzzled Zhao Yao’s cheek.
Zhao Yao hooked Xiao Jin’s chin gently and scratched it lightly: "Go play."
Xiao Jin nodded its little head, then spread its wings and flew out.
Zhao Yao picked up the letter from He Lianfang and burned it over the candle flame. Soon, the letter in his hand turned to ashes.
Seventh Brother has already delivered the evidence from Jinling to Father, but it is not enough to make him depose the Crown Prince. However, the evidence and objects Fourth Brother brought back should be sufficient to have him depose the Crown Prince. Yet, deposing a Crown Prince is not that simple.
Moreover, Father’s ultimate goal is not merely to depose the Crown Prince, but to eradicate the Duke Zhen Country Mansion behind the Crown Prince. However, Second Uncle once told him that Grandfather, in gratitude for the Xie family’s help, granted the Duke Zhen Country Mansion a special privilege—this title of Duke Zhen cannot be arbitrarily abolished unless they commit treasonous acts.
In order to eradicate the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, Father may force Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince to rebel. To compel them to revolt, once Fourth Brother returns to the capital, Father will certainly depose the Crown Prince. Moreover, Father might also depose Duke Zhen and have his son succeed to the title of Duke Zhen.
The Crown Prince and Duke Zhen have plotted for many years, and it is impossible for their years of efforts to be in vain. Besides, they have their contingencies. Once Father deposes the Crown Prince, the Western Garrison will inevitably revolt.
The ensuing capital will experience wave after wave of turbulent turmoil. Fortunately, he’s in Jiangnan now; if he were in the capital, he might get innocently entangled.
Once the Crown Prince is thoroughly deposed, the situation in the capital won’t stabilize; instead, it will become more "lively" due to the selection of a new Crown Prince.
Father favors Fourth Brother, but Fourth Brother is neither the legitimate nor the eldest. Above him, there is Prince Dai. Below him, there is the legitimate son Prince Jing. Father wanting to establish Fourth Brother as the Crown Prince won’t be that easy.
Alternatively, Father may use the excuse that the Crown Prince has disappointed him and temporarily not appoint a new Crown Prince, letting Prince Dai, Fourth Brother, Prince Jing, and Eighth Brother continue to vie for it.
However, even if Father defies the opposition to establish Fourth Brother as the Crown Prince, Prince Dai and Prince Jing won’t give up. On the contrary, they will deal with Fourth Brother even more ruthlessly, trying to dethrone him.
In blunt terms, even in the future when Father is gone and Fourth Brother becomes the emperor, Prince Dai and Prince Jing won’t give up.
There is a saying that a prince who does not wish to become an emperor is not a good prince. Prince Dai and the others will fight for the throne relentlessly, and only their deaths would halt the struggle for succession.
Among so many princes, he is not a good prince; he is unwilling to participate in the struggle for succession. Once the Crown Prince is deposed, the situation in the capital will become bloodier and more vicious. He must find a way to stay in Jiangnan and return to the capital only when he comes of age and is conferred a title.
At this moment, Tong Xi walked in.
"Your Highness, that Li Jue is still clamoring to see you."
Zhao Yao said, "Let him clamor."
"Your Highness, Li Jue claims he has something important to tell you," Tong Xi said, who very much disliked Li Jue. If Zhao Yao hadn’t forbidden it, he would have long shown Li Jue some color, "He also says you’ll regret it for life if you don’t listen."
"Regret it for life?" Zhao Yao sneered, "Is it that serious?"