Chapter 242: Turn Things Around (1/2)

The emperor calmed down somewhat after venting his anger, the sight of Qi Chen still dampened his mood. He waved a hand to dismiss him. ”Go. I won't let you off the hook if this happens again.”

”This son will take my leave.” Qi Chen walked away with his eyes lowered, frustration soaring in his heart. What bad luck he was plagued with lately!

He returned to his manor in rage and was met with the housekeeper's nervous face. His eyes twitched. What was it again? He went up to the housekeeper.

”What's wrong?” asked Qi Chen.

The housekeeper was clutching a letter in his hand, his expression hesitant. Qi Chen seized the letter impatiently. His expression turned sour when he recognized the handwriting.

He looked around to make sure they were alone and took a deep breath to keep his rage from bursting out. He stormed inside with the housekeeper at his tail and demanded, ”What the h.e.l.l is this?”

The housekeeper was upset by the news as well. His mood took a further downturn when Qi Chen vented his anger on him. ”The servants found it when they were cleaning.”

Qi Chen narrowed his eyes and carefully read the letter. It was written by Nan Guyue. The accusations she made turned his face a furious red. He growled.

”What does Your Highness plan to do? The princess has put us in a difficult place. There's no precedent for women to divorce their husbands! If the news get out, Your Highness' reputation will be damaged...”

”I know already” Qi Chen said coldly. ”But what else can I do? She told me that she was going to the temple last light. She must have departed for her home country already. It's too late for us to do anything.”

The housekeeper fell silent. This was a tricky issue. Nan Guyue had left a divorce letter and went away, which was an insult to Qi Chen, but there wasn't anything they could do to her. She was the princess of Southern Mu after all. It wasn't a good time to clash with the neighboring country. They could only swallow the bitter taste in their mouths.

”Should we try intercepting the princess?” suggested the housekeeper. ”Perhaps she's still within Northern Qi.”

Qi Chen scoffed and threw the housekeeper a glance. The housekeeper shut his mouth.

”What do we do after we stop her? Do you want her to announce to the world she's divorcing me?”

The housekeeper didn't dare make a sound. Even his breaths sounded too offensive in the silent room. Qi Chen narrowed his eyes. He'd just been scolded by the emperor, and now this.

Malicious thoughts took root in his mind. He wanted to make her regret her decision. ”Since she thinks I'm incompetent, I'll do something to make her regret her action.”

”What does Your Highness plan to do?” the housekeeper asked with his brows furrowed.

Qi Chen sneered and told the housekeeper to inform Prince Duan and ask him to come. Qi Chen himself wouldn't be able to explain what'd happened. He was still reeling from the princess's sudden departure.

The housekeeper wanted to offer him comfort, but Qi Chen's eyes were too cold. He worried that he might anger Qi Chen with a careless remark. He went off to find Prince Duan immediately.

Prince Duan was surprised to hear what happened. He went to the manor without delay and saw Qi Chen staring into the distance with a scowl, his thoughts indiscernible. Prince Duan sat before him with a sigh. ”I've heard. Don't dwell on it too much. There are many women in the world. Nan Guyue isn't anyone special. If Southern Mu weren't her support, she'd be of no value for you. Let her leave.”

Qi Chen laughed coldly and looked up at Prince Duan. ”That's not why I ask you to come,” he said through gritted teeth. ”I have a plan.”

”What plan?”

”To take a sword to the throne.”

Prince Duan widened his eyes. He didn't expect that. Qi Chen was the crown prince. The throne was right within his reach. It'd be unwise for him to force the the emperor to surrender his power. But he knew Qi Chen must have a reason. He waited for him to explain.

”His Majesty's thinking about evoking my t.i.tle. If I do nothing, he'll make someone else the crown prince once he recovers. Why should I care about our relations.h.i.+p then? What I have to consider is how likely I'm going to succeed if I stage a coup now.”

Prince Duan was quiet for a moment. Qi Chen did make some good points. ”What do you think? What's your chance of success?”

”Nan Xun is close to Feng Baiyu, who is my confidante. Even if Nan Xun isn't going to help, he won't intervene either. I have my own people in the royal army. They can easily let me into the palace.”

”The third prince is useless, and he's imprisoned. Qi Yun hasn't made a name for himself. He'll be begging me to let him live. The other princes are all gutless. No one can stop me.”