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After the Empress Dowager left, the study fell into a brief silence.
Although Yan Cang was appointed as the regent, he did not interfere in state decisions after the new Emperor ascended the throne as he was already an adult.
This was the first time Yan Chen had urgently summoned Yan Cang.
“Why did His Majesty summon me in such haste?” Yan Cang’s tone was indifferent and distant, exuding a cold and stern aura that kept others at a distance.
“Yan Qing killed the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family,” Yan Chen frowned, “She even had the son of Imperial Censor Hu taken to the Princess’s residence, claiming to make him a slave. Isn’t this going too far?”
Yan Cang stood tall and straight, one hand behind his back, resembling an ancient unsheathed sword, sharp and restrained: “Indeed, it should not have happened.”
“She also poisoned me.”
Yan Cang raised his gaze slightly, looking at Yan Chen’s face. Seeing his usual appearance, fair and healthy, he did not seem poisoned.
However, the poisons in this world come in various forms, not all of which are visible to the naked eye.
Yan Cang asked indifferently, “What kind of poison?”
Yan Chen’s eyes darkened, “The imperial physician couldn’t diagnose it.”
Yan Cang nodded.
Yan Chen was displeased with his casual attitude towards such a serious matter.
The crime of regicide should be punished by Lingchi execution (death by a thousand cuts). Upon hearing such a heinous act, how could he remain so calm?
Yan Chen suppressed his anger and asked, “How do you think Yan Qing’s behavior should be dealt with, Uncle?”
“Extinction of the nine clans.”
Yan Chen’s expression froze, “…”
“Yan Qing’s nine clans include the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, as well as this prince and the other princes. It’s probably impossible to carry out the extinction of nine clans,” Yan Cang spoke calmly. “How does the Emperor wish to handle her?”
Yan Chen exclaimed angrily, “Yan Qing killed the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family. At the very least, she should be accountable to General Xiao and Madam Xiao. As for the son of Imperial Censor Hu, she should be ordered to release him. If even the officials of the court cannot protect their own children, it will be a laughingstock.”
“The Emperor is right,” Yan Cang nodded indifferently, seemingly finding no fault in this decision. “Orders can be sent out.”
“If orders were effective, I wouldn’t have sought Uncle’s advice,” Yan Chen felt frustrated internally but expressed a sense of helplessness. “Yan Qing simply does not follow imperial orders.”
Yan Cang lowered his eyes nonchalantly and sat on a nearby chair.
Yan Chen observed his actions in silence, his eyes darkening with discontent.
Indeed, this uncle, who disregards the Emperor, can act with such impunity just because he wields military power?
Yan Chen calmly lowered his gaze, lifted the tea on the imperial case, took a sip, and said, “Wei Changhai, prepare tea for Uncle.”
“Yes.”
Yan Chen composed himself, raised his gaze, and continued, “Uncle should know that at least thirty percent of the Qilin Guards under Ninth Sister are stationed in the Princess’s residence. They take turns guarding day and night, making the residence as secure as a fortress. If she defies the imperial edict, unless I resort to force, there is no way to handle her.”
Yan Cang nodded in acknowledgment.
Yan Chen’s expression turned grim, “But once we confront her forcefully, it will inevitably lead to casualties.”
Certainly, the number of casualties is not the most crucial factor; it is the consequences that arise after intense conflict between the two sides that concern him.
Firstly, if the Emperor confronts the Ninth Princess, will the Regent sit idly by?
Secondly, the Imperial Guards protect the palace inside and out, their numbers are vast, and they are known for swift and decisive execution of the Emperor’s orders, with no room for resistance.
But if Yan Qing disregards even the Emperor, how could she possibly regard the Imperial Guards?
If the Imperial Guards were to clash with the Qilin Guards, they would be no match.
Thirdly, Xiao Zhongshan is the most powerful military general in front of the Emperor. If dealing with Yan Qing requires his intervention, would the Regent take the opportunity to punish the Xiao family and weaken Xiao Zhongshan’s military power?
These are all considerations that Yan Chen needs to ponder.
Therefore, he lacks the courage to make a decisive decision on this matter at the moment.
Wei Changhai placed the tea in front of Yan Cang and respectfully stepped aside.
“Yan Qing has been exiled in Zhuque City for ten years; it’s normal for her to harbor some resentment,” Yan Cang remarked lightly. “If the Emperor wishes to avoid a major embarrassment, he can only endure for now.”
Endure?
Yan Chen’s expression darkened. As a sovereign ruler, must he endure his own sister’s actions?
“If she attempts regicide, must I still endure?” Yan Chen questioned.
“She is unlikely to commit regicide, as it would not benefit her in any way,” Yan Cang maintained his calm tone. “At most, she may be attempting to threaten the Emperor.”
Yan Chen remained silent, seething with anger.
To speak so casually, isn’t poisoning a sovereign ruler a capital offense?
To seek advice from him and only be told to endure?
“Uncle, what methods do you think can restrain Yan Qing’s behavior?”
Yan Cang responded, “Has the Emperor taken the time to understand her actions in Zhuque City over the years?”
Yan Chen was taken aback, “No.”
“If the Emperor treats her as his own sister, he should show proactive concern. Even if he hasn’t in the past, he should make efforts to make amends in the future,” Yan Cang spoke calmly. “If the Emperor views her as an opponent or enemy, understanding her strengths and capabilities is crucial. Without knowing what she has been doing for the past ten years, her current power and abilities, rushing to confront her may not yield favorable results.”
Although Yan Chen was not entirely pleased with his words, he couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart.
Indeed, with Yan Qing’s unruly temperament, not everyone would dare to confront her. It’s undeniable that she must have some backing behind her.
“I will gradually understand more about Yan Qing’s situation in the future. Uncle, what you said earlier is correct. It’s normal for Yan Qing to harbor resentment after being exiled for ten years, and I am willing to endure her,” Yan Chen frowned. “But regarding the death of the Xiao family’s daughter, I must provide an explanation to the Xiao family.”
Should a life be lost in vain?
“The Emperor should make his own decision,” Yan Cang lowered his eyes. “Either have Yan Qing make amends or provide compensation to the Xiao family.”
Yan Chen gritted his teeth. Have Yan Qing make amends?
If he could make Yan Qing obediently atone, would he need to specially request his presence?
Yan Chen’s expression grew colder, “Yan Qing has imprisoned Xiao Jinghan in the Princess’s residence, and there are rumors of her using torture on him… Uncle, could you go on my behalf and ask Yan Qing to release Xiao Jinghan?”
Asking Yan Qing to release someone?
“That is Xiao Zhongshan’s son,” Yan Cang frowned. “If Xiao Zhongshan himself couldn’t do it, what merit do I have to make Yan Qing obedient and release him?”
Yan Chen felt a sudden surge of anger but restrained his displeasure, “Uncle, after all, you are the elder. Yan Qing should give you that respect.”
“The Empress Dowager is Yan Qing’s biological mother. Wouldn’t it be better for her to intervene?”
Yan Chen paused, “Yan Qing doesn’t listen to the Empress Dowager.”
In the end, it seemed that Yan Cang had to make the trip.
Yan Cang casually set down the untouched tea cup, then walked out of the study.
The young Emperor’s expression darkened as he watched the Regent’s cold and imposing figure walk away, his hand clenched behind his back.
At the start of his reign, despite the throne not being entirely secure, Yan Chen felt like he was surrounded by a pack of wolves, feeling somewhat powerless.
With the Regent wielding significant military power, the unruly Princess Chang, and ambitious regional kings… They could hinder each other but also posed significant threats to his rule.
Would he have to wait seven years?
He urgently needed to cultivate loyal ministers and generals, solidify his own reign, gradually strengthen his position, first utilize the Regent to deal with the four kings, reclaim territory and military power, and then deal with the Regent.
As for Yan Qing…
Yan Chen thought coldly, for now, his foundation was not yet stable. Otherwise, how could the supreme ruler, the Emperor appointed by the heavens, not handle a mere princess?