Read Novel Full Chapter 890 - 32: He Lianfang’s Motive (2)
Chapter 890: Chapter 32: He Lianfang’s Motive (2)
"Your Majesty, why did He Lianfang use the Southern Wei people to kill the deposed Crown Prince’s family? What is his purpose? Is it purely to provoke you, or is he seeking revenge?" Prime Minister He was well aware of the grievances between He Lianfang and the Emperor. Over the years, He Lianfang had never forgotten to avenge Prince Yi Yong.
"His purpose is simple: first, to provoke me, and second, to force the youngest prince to join the struggle for the throne." The Emperor raised his hand to rub his aching temples, "His current motive is still to passively involve the youngest prince in the succession battle."
If He Lianfang were merely provoking the Emperor, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu wouldn’t be worried, but if He Lianfang aimed to involve Prince Han in the struggle for the throne, it would be a headache for them.
"What is He Lianfang planning next, to let Prince Dai and Prince Chu know that it was Prince Han who secretly ordered the assassination of the deposed Crown Prince’s family?" Grandmaster Liu furrowed his brows, speaking with a solemn face.
Upon hearing Grandmaster Liu’s words, the Emperor sighed slightly and said, "If it were that simple, it would be good."
Hearing this, Prime Minister He raised his eyebrows in astonishment: "Is He Lianfang’s purpose more than this? Could it be that he wants to force Prince Han to rebel?"
"Prince Han has just arrived in Lingnan and should not yet have the strength to rebel." Grandmaster Liu calmly analyzed, "With He Lianfang’s cunning and means, he would never expose Prince Han so early."
Prime Minister He found some reason in Grandmaster Liu’s analysis and followed Grandmaster Liu’s words to speculate: "He Lianfang used the Southern Wei people to murder the deposed Crown Prince’s family, not just to force Prince Han into the succession battle but also to make the other princes fight more fiercely, right?"
The Emperor remained silent.
Grandmaster Liu continued the analysis: "Prince Chu and Prince Wei have a close relationship with Prince Han. He Lianfang probably wants to use this relationship to make people think that the death of the deposed Crown Prince’s family is associated with Prince Chu and Prince Wei."
"No, He Lianfang should make Prince Chu and Prince Wei feel that Prince Han is innocent, and that the one who framed Prince Han is Prince Dai or Prince Jing. For Prince Han’s innocence and safety, Prince Chu and Prince Wei will not let Prince Dai or Prince Jing go."
Grandmaster Liu found Prime Minister He’s statement quite plausible and nodded in agreement: "It is not impossible."
"In fact, He Lianfang’s ultimate aim is to have the four princes in the capital fight to their deaths." Prime Minister He said coldly, "As expected of him, he is always eager to stir chaos."
"Your Majesty, you should reveal He Lianfang’s true nature to Prince Han." He Lianfang was too dangerous, allowing him to stay by Prince Han’s side could lead to unforeseeable consequences.
"I have an agreement with him. Whatever he does, I will not tell the youngest prince. Also, he cannot tell the youngest prince about what I do." The Emperor just had a momentary regret about letting He Lianfang stay by Zhao Yao’s side.
Upon hearing this, Grandmaster Liu let out a snort: "An agreement means nothing, you can regret it if you want to."
The Emperor, who was mocked, glared hard at Grandmaster Liu: "I cannot break this agreement." If he reneged, then all his years of planning would be for naught. Most importantly, he couldn’t let that brat the youngest prince know his purpose. If the youngest prince knew he wanted him to be Emperor, based on his personality, he would definitely run away to foreign nations.
The youngster was now at Swamp Prefecture, very close to countries like Siam and Annan. Going abroad to a foreign country was too easy for him. Besides, he originally wanted to explore overseas.
Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu were aware of the Emperor’s purpose in making an agreement with He Lianfang.
"Your Majesty, are you just going to let He Lianfang have his way?" Prime Minister He thought He Lianfang was being too presumptuous, "If you allow him to continue, it could be Prince Dai or Prince Jing next, or maybe even Prince Chu and Prince Wei who will be in danger."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze cold and sharp.
"I cannot renege, but that doesn’t mean I cannot do anything to him." The Emperor felt he was underestimated by He Lianfang.
Hearing this, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu were reassured.
"Your Majesty, are you really not going to warn Prince Han?" Prime Minister He had previously heard the Emperor say that Prince Han and He Lianfang had a very close relationship. Prince Han would tell He Lianfang everything and delegate tasks to him, yet he had little to say to the Emperor, who was rather jealous because of this.
The Emperor thought for a moment and said, "No need."
Prime Minister He hesitated before saying, "Your Majesty, Prince Han’s relationship with He Lianfang is quite close, are you sure you don’t want to remind Prince Han?"
The thought of his youngest son having a closer relationship with He Lianfang than with him angered the Emperor.
"If that brat never notices He Lianfang’s schemes, then I have to reconsider whether he’s fit to inherit the Great Zhou." The purpose of placing He Lianfang by Zhao Yao’s side was partly to ensure He Lianfang would support and assist him, and partly to test whether he could outmaneuver He Lianfang. "He Lianfang is the last test I have left for him."
Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu understood the Emperor’s intention, but they couldn’t help worrying internally. He Lianfang not only had deep scheming and tactics but was also extremely ruthless. Prince Han had only just come of age, and to put it bluntly, he was still a young lad with no experience, nowhere near capable of outsmarting the cunning old fox.
Grandmaster Liu said sardonically: "Your Majesty, let me remind you, you’re already playing with fire. If you continue this way, do you know what consequences you might face?" He added another statement, "Can you bear the final outcome, Your Majesty?"
The Emperor picked up a memorial and threw it at Grandmaster Liu, saying angrily and embarrassingly, "Old Liu, can’t you say something nice?"