Chapter 151 (2/2)

His voice was barely audible. “I have failed you, Moyin. I've wasted your talents and wisdom; you could have supported someone else.”

Jiang Moyin could not bear to listen to his words any longer. Why did I come here, even if I knew that I had no way of helping him?

“Your Highness.” Jiang Moyin knelt on both knees and kowtowed. “I, Jiang Moyin, have never regretted supporting you, befriending you, and being your Grand Tutor.” In some ways, he was also a casualty of the game of thrones. His body was burnt out from advising the Second Prince, all for the dream of seeing his vision of the Xuan kingdom before his death. But now, his days were numbered, and his dreams destroyed. He has lost, and he will accept it.

The Second Prince's body shook with emotion. Then, he exploded into laughter, the sound ringing through the prison. Jiang Moyin stood up, gave a last long look at the prince, and turned to leave the Imperial Prison. When the laughter has finally died down, the eyes of the Second Prince landed on the porcelain bottle in the cell. Holding it up in his two hands, he let out a smile of relief.

Jiang Moyin left the prison to find the skies still drizzling. Are these tears of sorrow?

“Cough! Cough!” A fit of cough racked Jiang Moyin's frame as he covered his mouth, opening it to reveal a pool of blood so dark it looked black. His smile widened, and his eyes slowly closed, as if listening to the sound of death approaching.

In court, the original supporters of the Second Prince were quickly removed from power. Those that had blood on their hands were stripped of their positions or depending on the gravity of the crimes, sentenced to death. His alliance fell apart quicker than that of the Seventh Prince the year before.

Meanwhile, the First Prince had begun to receive guests at his residence. The Emperor had made it known to the court that he wanted their respect and help for the First Prince, because “he is the eldest son of the Imperial Family”. His words quickly turned the First Prince into the subject of discussion for the court, and the Eighth Prince quickly turned his attention to his eldest brother. Situ scoffed when he'd heard of the Emperor's words, but still, he instructed Gan Qingjia to step forward and provide support for the First Prince, just in case if the Emperor decided to abandon kins.h.i.+p once and for all.

Gan Qingjia also a.s.sumed the official duty of the Imperial Treasurer, and hence the t.i.tle of “Xuan's youngest Rank Two Official”. Xue Yiqi's performance on the day of the coup had also earned him a promotion to the Chief of the Palace Guards.

Meanwhile, Feng Luodi's days were split into three parts: mornings in the Feng household, noon at the Duke's residence, and afternoons at the Jiang residence. Her packed schedule quickly took a toll on her, evidently seen from her loss of weight. Situ had tried repeatedly to stop her, but Feng Luodi's stubbornness was too much for him to handle. Every time he tried to feign anger and raise his voice, Feng Luodi put on her puppy eyes and the better was already lost. Situ sighed, he'd tried to make Feng Luodi his woman to no avail, and now he even had to listen to her! Worst of all, he no longer had anyone to complain to: Gan Qingjia was satisfied with his Qi beauty and no longer had an interest in having drinks with his brother.

One day, the First Prince and Situ were summoned to the Imperial Study after the dismissal of the court. The two exchanged a look, their gaze quickly turning back to the Emperor who had his back to them. All of a sudden, the Emperor raged and swept the reports on his table onto the floor.

“What treachery is this? Are these people trying to stage a rebellion?”

The two of them frowned but kept mum. The Emperor continued, folding a report into a square and tossing it at the First Prince. “Just look at that! Tell me if those commoners still have any respect for me!”

It was a report from Governor Cao of the Dingtao Province, regarding the murder of fifteen county magistrates of the Dingtao Province in one night. It has been deemed to be an act of the men of the jianghu, and the governor requests for help from the Emperor to bring justice upon the murderers.

“Murdering fifteen officers of my kingdom! Are the men of the jianghu trying to challenge my authority?” The anger did not subside from the Emperor's face. The Imperial Attendant stood at the side in fear, not wanting to get close to the Emperor.

A line in the report caught the attention of the First Prince. The men of the jianghu seem to want to draw the line between the kingdom and the matters of the jianghu; the kingdom should not interfere in the proceedings of the jianghu. That must be what sparked the anger of the Emperor.

The First Prince exchanged a look with Situ. “Father, I believe that the kingdom comes before everything else in these lands. We should send someone to the Dingtao Province and get to the bottom of the matter. It should also serve as a wakeup call to the men of the jianghu.“

The Emperor turned around, pleased by the words of the First Prince. “That was what I'd thought of as well. You have yet to be entrusted with any important matters since your return to Chang'an, and this shall be your first a.s.signment. Leave no stone unturned.”

The First Prince bowed his head. “Yes, Father.”

The Emperor turned to Situ. “Ran'er still lacks the ability to handle the situation on his own. Please accompany him this time, Anping Duke. Ensure his safety, and provide a.s.sistance in the investigation.”

Situ bowed his head as well, hiding the look of confusion in his eyes. “Yes, Your Majesty.”