eurekapd Chapter 187 Disqualification
Chapter 187 Disqualification
Chapter 187 187 Deprivation
Why would the emperor disregard Chunyu Jing and Chunyu Yang, who were present, and entrust the preparations for the autumn hunt to Chunyu Shan, who was not even there and spent his days idly and carefree? What was he thinking?
Shi Zhenghan was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince has never been involved in politics. If we rashly let him take over, I am afraid that he will not understand the intricacies and will not be able to handle this matter."
"Your Majesty is mistaken. His Majesty must have his own reasons for proposing that the Sixth Prince take over the position."
Left Chancellor Gongsun Zhan said in a loud voice:
"Although the Sixth Prince has always been carefree, he has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. At the age of five, he could recite the Four Books and Five Classics fluently, leaving the teachers of the Imperial Academy speechless. At the age of twelve, he secretly took the imperial examination and almost became the top scholar. I believe that with the Sixth Prince's true talent and learning, and with someone to guide him, he will definitely be able to handle things properly."
Gongsun Zhan's words were exactly what the emperor wanted to hear. He nodded in agreement and said, "The Left Prime Minister is right. The Sixth Prince is just lazy. I know he has many ideas in his mind. This matter is settled. Li Decai, you go to the Dongxu Prince's residence immediately and bring the Sixth Prince to my study. Whether he is faking illness or pretending to be injured, you don't need to care. As long as you bring him here, I will reward him handsomely!"
Li Decai: "Yes, Your Majesty."
As he watched the eunuch's figure hurriedly leave the Golden Hall, a hint of resentment flashed in Chunyu Jing's eyes, and his lips tightened.
He hadn't expected to bring down the Crown Prince today. It was already a victory for him to have the Crown Prince confined to the Eastern Palace. He was confident that his father would entrust him with the autumn hunt, but he didn't expect that his father would drag Chunyu Shan, who was uninvolved, into the matter in order to balance the power in the court!
The thoughts of emperors are indeed the deepest and most unfathomable.
"However, the Right Chancellor's words make sense. After all, the Sixth Prince has never managed state affairs and doesn't understand the intricacies. He certainly needs someone to guide him," the Emperor said, turning his gaze to Gongsun Zhan and smiling.
"Left Prime Minister, how about you do it?"
Gongsun Zhan bowed and said, "Your subject will certainly assist the Sixth Prince in handling the autumn hunt properly. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
"With you here, I indeed have no need to worry too much." The emperor's smile vanished, his gaze coldly sweeping over the kneeling crown prince, then seemingly casually passing over Chunyu Jing and Chunyu Yang's faces, as he said:
"Alright, I'm tired. This morning court session is over. Left Chancellor, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince, come with me to the study. The rest of you may all leave."
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the eunuchs in the hall immediately announced loudly, "Dismissal—of the court—"
With the help of the eunuchs, the crown prince scrambled to his feet. When he turned around and saw Chunyu Jing standing behind him, his face contorted in a grimace for a moment before returning to normal. He then staggered out of the palace.
As he passed Chunyu Jing, Chunyu Jing spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"The 'Wenjun Gazing at the Moon' chrysanthemum that the Crown Prince gave to his younger brother has blossomed. When will the Crown Prince grace us with his presence at the Prince of Nanping's residence to admire the flower?"
At this point, the Crown Prince instantly realized that his act of giving the Purple Demon Lotus seed to Chunyu Jing as the Wenjun Wangyue seed had been exposed, and that everything that happened in the Golden Hall today was Chunyu Jing's revenge against him!
"You just wait!" the crown prince said through gritted teeth, then turned and left without looking back.
Chunyu Jing smiled faintly as he watched the Crown Prince depart. When he turned around, he saw Chunyu Yang standing in front of him, looking at him expressionlessly with eyes as cold and sharp as blades. He was suddenly startled, put away his expression, and walked towards Chunyu Yang.
"Third Brother, let's go."
Chunyu Yang, Chunyu Jing, and Prime Minister Gongsun followed the emperor to the imperial study. The emperor sat down at the desk, without explaining the purpose of summoning the three of them. Instead, he silently observed Chunyu Yang's cold, sharp eyes and his strong, seemingly powerful body.
Perhaps his gaze was too strange, Chunyu Yang lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before speaking first:
"Father summoned me here because there is something important to discuss?"
The emperor withdrew his gaze and said meaningfully, "Third son, do you still remember the incident during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Qionglin Garden, when an assassin infiltrated the banquet and poisoned Jin Ding Mohe to death?"
"Your Majesty entrusted this matter to me for investigation, and I have never forgotten it," Chunyu Yang said in a deep voice.
"So what have you found out about this matter?" the emperor asked.
Chunyu Yang paused for a moment and said, "Based on multiple clues, I have identified the assassin. He should be from an organization called 'Ronghua Tower' that has recently risen to prominence in the martial arts world. That organization buys lives with money, is most skilled in using poison, and commits all kinds of evil deeds. It is truly a great scourge to the martial arts world."
Upon hearing the words "Ronghua Tower," Chunyu Jing, standing beside Chunyu Yang, trembled slightly, his gaze becoming focused.
"How does this 'Ronghua Tower' compare to the 'Wanku Gate' of yesteryear?" the emperor asked.
Chunyu Yang said, "Their style of using poison is quite similar to that of the 'Wanku Sect,' so they must have been imitating them."
The emperor's face changed instantly. Seven years ago, the Wan Ku Sect infiltrated the imperial city, causing chaos with poison and attempting to control the court and usurp the throne. This past event had always been a nightmare he kept hidden. If it weren't for Chunyu Yang risking his life to lead the Xuanjia Army to gradually root out and eliminate the villains of the Wan Ku Sect who had infiltrated the imperial city, the world would probably no longer belong to Chunyu.
"How can such a treacherous and vicious organization be allowed to live! After you found out about it, have you taken any measures?" the emperor asked hurriedly.
"Father, rest assured, I have already sent men to infiltrate the martial arts world and wipe out 'Ronghua Tower.' We have now eliminated their eight branches scattered throughout various states and regions. I believe that in just a few days, we will be able to make them disappear completely from the martial arts world," Chunyu Yang said.
"It's been almost two months, and they've only wiped out eight of their branches?" The emperor's face was extremely grim. "Third Prince, this level of efficiency is extremely disappointing!"
Chunyu Yang knew that he was indeed slow in eliminating Ronghua Tower, but that was because Ronghua Tower was too cunning. They did not reveal their names in the martial arts world, but disguised themselves as inconspicuous small characters such as singers, security escorts, and merchants. It was not an easy task to wipe out all the members of the branch.
Although so many minor details influenced the outcome, Chunyu Yang was not one to explain himself, nor did he want the emperor to think he was shirking responsibility, so he said:
"It is my fault for failing in my duties. I beg Your Majesty to grant me some more time. I will bring you the head of the owner of Ronghua Tower."
To everyone's surprise, the emperor was unmoved, coldly scoffing, "Grant you an extension? At this rate, how much more time do you expect me to give you? Half a year, or a year? Incompetence is a matter of ability, but how can I entrust the safe autumn hunt to you with such composure?"
Chunyu Yang's pupils contracted, and he quietly clenched his fist, saying in a deep voice, "Please trust your son, Father. Your son will definitely protect you and this country."
After these words, the imperial study fell silent. The emperor sat there, his expression unpredictable, lost in thought.
Having served the emperor for so many years, Gongsun Zhan already knew his temperament well. Seeing that the emperor remained silent, he guessed that Chunyu Yang was probably in trouble this time.
"I am willing to believe you, but I cannot afford to gamble." Sure enough, the emperor said, "In the days to come, you only need to focus on planning the escort of the autumn hunting party to Xingzhou. As for the Ronghua Tower matter, you should leave it to the fourth prince."
Chunyu Jing was stunned for a moment, then a surge of wild joy welled up inside him. He had thought the emperor had entrusted the autumn hunt to Chunyu Shan to suppress and control him, but he hadn't expected the emperor to entrust him with the Ronghua Tower case. The owner of Ronghua Tower was right beside him now—this was a perfect opportunity to completely bring Ronghua Tower under his control!
"Your subject obeys. Your subject will certainly eradicate 'Ronghua Tower' as soon as possible and restore peace to the world," Chunyu Jing immediately bowed and replied.