Chapter 143

The two bantered all the way as they took a carriage to the palace gate.

Once inside the palace, Xie Yunjian and Yuan Ziying arrived at Chongming Hall. After paying their respects, they reported everything that had happened at the Prince Rong’s residence to Yan Donghuang in detail.

Originally, Xie Yunjian just wanted Yan Donghuang to know about this matter to prevent Prince Rong from having any other ideas. Unexpectedly, after listening, Yan Donghuang directly set down the vermilion brush, looked at him for a long while, and said, “Using his own plan against him?”

“Yes.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Xie Yunjian was shocked: “Your Majesty?”

Yan Donghuang’s anger was thin, and her tone turned colder: “A woman’s virtue is important, but a military general’s reputation is even more so. If a man and a woman are caught in a scandal, not only will they be criticized and impeached by the court officials, but it will also affect your authority in the military. Have you thought about this?”

Xie Yunjian fell silent, lifted his robe, and knelt: “I know I was wrong.”

“Investigating who the Prince Rong associates with is not difficult. Do you really think you need to use yourself as bait? How clever of you,” Yan Donghuang said coldly. “Moreover, going alone only gives Prince Rong a chance to use you as a talking point. Do you really think you’re so clever?”

Xie Yunjian pursed his lips, lowered his gaze, and remained silent.

“Prince Rong has endured for so many years, probably because he has had enough.” Yan Donghuang leaned back in her chair, her tone carrying a hint of coldness, “His goal is definitely not the throne. After all, with so many children of the Emperor, it wouldn’t even be his turn.”

Prince Rong’s actions are merely to win over military generals for a certain prince. Since Yan Donghuang ascended to the throne, apart from the seven generals under her command, the Qi family is the only family known to have received clear favor and benefits. The fates of the others remain uncertain. It’s normal for the officials in the court to feel uncertain and worried. And Prince Rong has endured for so many years, letting go of the power he should have relinquished over the years to save his life. He must be feeling resentful. Yan Donghuang’s ascension to the throne is not beneficial to him, and he still harbors some thoughts in his heart. That’s why he is so eager to align himself with a certain prince, to win over the military generals and show goodwill through practical actions. In this way, if that Prince can truly replace Yan Donghuang, at least Prince Rong’s son can gain the new Emperor’s favor in the future instead of living a mediocre life. Such an obvious thing to think of, yet he must risk his life to investigate deeply?

So ridiculous.

Yuan Ziying paused for a moment, looking uneasily at Yan Donghuang: “Your Majesty, did I ruin the plan?”

Yan Donghuang replied indifferently: “It’s not your fault. Xie Yunjian’s method was never a good one.”

Yuan Ziying said, “Just now, when we left Prince Rong’s residence, we saw Prince An also go there. He brought gifts, saying it was to celebrate Prince Rong’s birthday.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Donghuang’s eyes darkened slightly. Her several royal brothers, Yan Wei, Yan Yu, and Yan Ying, have been relatively well-behaved for the time being and haven’t gone too far. Instead, Yan Zhang and Yan Ming, who were demoted to princes, have been discontent. And now Yan Ling seems to want to repeat the mistakes of the past life. He appears gentle and uncontentious on the surface but secretly instigates the princes to oppose those in power, waiting for them to self-destruct so he can reap the benefits.

Yan Donghuang lowered her eyes, her voice cold: “Since Prince Rong is so eager to marry off his daughter, I will grant his wish. Meng Zhou.”

“Your servant is here.”

Yan Donghuang ordered, “There are many eligible bachelors in the capital. In the next few days, send someone to keep an eye on them and prepare a list for me.”

“Yes.”

“Additionally, summon Prince An to the palace.”

“Yes. I’ll send someone out of the palace right away.” Meng Zhou hurriedly left.

After giving the order, Yan Donghuang’s gaze fell on Xie Yunjian’s head: “You are a military officer, and your duty is to manage your soldiers well. Such in-depth investigations are not your responsibility. If one day you are truly schemed against, I will let you taste the flavor of the military baton.”

Xie Yunjian paused for a moment: “Yes.”

Yuan Ziying stood quietly to the side, her eyes lowered. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at the deflated Xie Yunjian, secretly thinking it served him right. Let’s see if he dares to act so smart in the future.

Her Majesty the Emperor is truly majestic.

…

Yan Ling might not have expected to be summoned so quickly. When he exited Prince Rong’s residence, he encountered a palace eunuch. The eunuch’s expression clearly indicated that he was here for him, confirming that Her Majesty knew he had come to Prince Rong’s residence.

Yan Ling’s expression momentarily froze, and then he smiled gently, “Eunuch.”

“Your Majesty summons the Prince. Please follow this servant into the palace quickly.”

Yan Ling paused slightly, “This Prince still needs to go to the examination—”

The eunuch lowered his head and said, “Your Majesty has decreed, please do not make things difficult for this servant.”

Yan Ling slowly nodded, boarded his carriage, and entered the palace. Upon reaching Chongming Hall, he respectfully knelt and saluted, “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Yan Donghuang looked at him expressionlessly, not allowing him to rise, and coldly asked, “Isn’t the Prince supposed to be at the examination today? Why do you have time to congratulate the Imperial Uncle on his birthday?”

Yan Ling remained silent for a moment, lowered his head, and said, “Imperial Uncle has always disliked ostentation, and today coincided with the examination of the palace students. The birthday was just a simple meal with family. I received the news in the afternoon and took some time to go and offer my congratulations, nothing more.”

“Is that so?” Yan Donghuang looked at him coldly, “I thought something had happened at the Prince’s residence, and you went to help him out.”

Yan Ling’s expression tightened, “This subject does not understand Your Majesty’s meaning.”

“If you don’t understand, then kneel and think about it. When you understand, then respond.” Yan Donghuang finished speaking, picked up a memorial, and began to read, “I will give you enough time to think it through.”

Yan Ling pressed his lips tightly, a hint of gloom passing through his eyes.

Meng Zhou lowered his head and retreated, brewing another pot of tea.

“Ziying,” Yan Donghuang ordered, “Pour the tea.”

Yuan Ziying replied, “Yes.”

Yan Ling knelt in the hall, not knowing what was on his mind. Perhaps at this moment, he finally understood the hierarchy between ruler and subject.

If Yan Donghuang made him kneel, he had to kneel.

If Yan Donghuang allowed him to rise, he still had to thank him.

This is the supreme power. Not only enjoying the worship of millions but also holding the life and death of millions in one’s hands.

No one could defy.

Who wouldn’t want such a supreme status where one command could summon a hundred responses?

Just as Yan Ling was thinking, a sharp pain suddenly surged from his lungs, causing his face to turn pale, and he couldn’t help but clutch his chest. In just a moment, his face lost all color.

Yuan Ziying stood by the dragon table, furrowing her brows and looking at Yan Ling in confusion, “What’s wrong with Prince An?”

Prince An was already in so much pain that he couldn’t speak.

Yan Donghuang picked up a memorial, lowered her gaze to read it, and spoke in a tone so calm it was devoid of any emotional fluctuation, “Prince Rong wants to associate with Xie Yunjian through marriage. It shouldn’t be for himself. Seventh Brother, why don’t you tell me who you incited him to rely on?”

“Your Majesty…” Yan Ling’s face was pale, his brows tightly knitted, and he squeezed out a sentence through clenched teeth, “Your Majesty’s words, I… I don’t understand…”

“Don’t understand?” Yan Donghuang said faintly, “Then just keep enduring.”

Chapter 144

The hall fell into a deep silence. Only the increasingly urgent sounds of painful gasping were clearly audible.

Yan Ling’s face was pale, cold sweat dripping down; his whole body seemed as if he had been pulled out of the water, curled up abnormally, tormented by pain to the point where his mind was somewhat unclear.

Yan Donghuang said nothing, reviewing the memorials one by one.

Time flowed slowly, quiet and long. After half an hour, the gasping finally showed signs of calming down.

Yan Donghuang closed the memorials she had reviewed, set them aside, and looked at the exhausted and pale Yan Ling, her voice as cold as frost:

“I thought you would be more settled after Miao Qiyuan’s death, but I didn’t expect you to be still so restless, with no sense of crisis at all.”

Yan Ling’s body trembled. He suddenly looked up, cold sweat sliding down his cheeks. His voice trembled slightly: “You… you knew all along…”

“I indeed know your background.” Yan Donghuang set down her brush, stood up, and walked around the imperial desk, looking down at Yan Ling. “You have no power or connections in the court, yet you excel at sowing discord, using the guise of concern to incite others against me. Once I eliminate all the dissenters, will you just sit back and reap the benefits?”

Just like in the previous life, seemingly indifferent to the world, gentle and harmless, yet secretly reminding Yan Ming to eliminate dissenters at every turn until only Yan Donghuang remained. A meritorious princess, who was once supported to the throne by her own brother, was ultimately feared and plotted against, leading to the downfall of the dynasty and a change of the throne—an unprecedented major upheaval in the history of the past thousand years.

Yan Ling’s pupils suddenly contracted, and his body involuntarily swayed.

Yan Donghuang’s lips curled slightly, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes: “Let me guess, once the other princes are dead, what method do you plan to use to deal with me? Planting spies in the palace, and when I become pregnant, bribing the midwife to ensure I die along with the child?”

Yan Ling slowly clenched his fists, his lips pale, and fear gradually appeared in his eyes.

“Or perhaps sowing discord among the generals of my Qingluan Army, making them kill each other in a struggle for the position of commander?”

As Yan Donghuang’s few words fell, Yan Ling seemed to have lost all his strength, collapsing to the ground in despair.

This is impossible.

Impossible.

He had disguised himself so well; how could Yan Donghuang see through all his thoughts so quickly?

Yan Zhang and Yan Ming are the ambitious ones. Even if Yan Donghuang had doubts, she should suspect them first. Why is her gaze fixed on me? Where did I show any flaws?

Suddenly, a strong sense of resentment and unwillingness surged in Yan Ling’s heart. He hated Yan Donghuang for seeing through his thoughts and disguise so quickly, hated her self-righteous cleverness and strength, hated her always looking down from a high position.

“People don’t act for themselves; heaven and earth will punish them.” Yan Ling raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat off his face, suddenly chuckling lightly with a hint of sarcasm. “We are both children of the royal family. Why can you sit in this position while I can’t even dream of it? Yan Donghuang, there is no such logic in the world.”

“You are right. You have the right to fight, even using any means necessary.” Yan Donghuang calmly nodded, “So, since you are outmatched, you should accept your fate.”

After saying this, Yan Donghuang coldly ordered, “Come here!”

Four guards entered the hall and knelt in unison, “Your Majesty, please give your orders.”

“Prince An has ulterior motives, inciting discord and plotting treason. Drag him out, give him fifty lashes, demote him to a commoner, and after he recovers, send him to the frontier. He shall never return to the imperial city!”

As soon as these words were spoken, Yan Ling’s face turned pale, “Donghuang, you… you can’t do this…”

“I can, of course.” Yan Donghuang coldly looked down at him, “Have you forgotten? I am the Son of Heaven, holding the power of life and death.”

The throne, the power of life and death.

It had always been Yan Ling’s goal to pursue. How could he forget?

The guards stepped forward, one on each side, dragging Yan Ling out.

Yan Ling struggled and shouted hysterically, “Yan Donghuang, you just ascended the throne and are already eliminating dissenters, using baseless accusations against your own brother. The entire court will not accept this! You have no right to demote me to a commoner. I am a prince. I am the son of the Emperor! The Emperor is still alive. It is not up to you to demote me—ah!”

The screams quickly replaced the angry shouts. The palace maids and eunuchs inside the hall all knelt on the ground, their faces pale with fear, not daring to breathe.

The cane fell repeatedly on his body, and Yan Ling tried his best to endure. But the pain, as if it would shatter all his bones, was not something a pampered prince could endure. Even with gritted teeth, painful groans still escaped from his throat.

“Yan Donghuang.” Prince An gripped the spring stool tightly, squeezing out a pained and trembling voice through clenched teeth: “You… you think Father… Father really values you? You… you think… you think your mother was really a palace maid? Hahaha… haha, you are the most foolish one. You don’t deserve to sit on this throne. You don’t deserve…”

Yan Donghuang’s expression was indifferent, listening silently to the commotion outside, not even noticing the worried glance Yuan Ziying cast her way.

The commotion outside gradually faded.

A guard entered the hall and knelt, “Your Majesty, Prince An has fainted.”

Yan Donghuang’s voice was cold, indifferent to joy or anger: “How many did you hit?”

“Twenty-four.”

“Let the rest be counted as owed and make up for it another day.” Yan Donghuang coldly ordered, “Take him back to Prince An’s residence. Starting today, no one is allowed to enter or leave Prince An’s residence except for the palace doctors.”

“Understood!”

The guards outside the hall quickly carried the unconscious Prince An away.

Yuan Ziying quietly observed the Emperor’s expression, speculating that she suddenly spared Prince An because of his few words.

The Emperor’s biological mother was a palace maid?

The late Emperor favored the Emperor for another reason?

Although it was unclear whether Yan Ling’s words were true or false, perhaps he was just deliberately using some ambiguous words to provoke Yan Donghuang’s suspicion, thereby sparing his life. Or maybe some of what he said was true. But Yuan Ziying felt that none of this was necessary.

“Your Majesty,” Yuan Ziying hesitated before speaking, “You don’t need to take what Prince An said to heart. Didn’t you just say he is best at manipulating people’s hearts? Perhaps that’s his true skill, and his intentions are obvious.”

Yan Donghuang glanced at her: “What do you think I am thinking?”

Yuan Ziying shook her head: “This humble servant does not know.”

“You are now a female officer. You can refer to yourself as a subject.”

Yuan Ziying fell silent for a moment and then truthfully said, “I feel a bit unworthy of this title as a female officer; it feels like a misnomer.”

Yan Donghuang turned around and sat down at the desk, about to pick up the memorial, when the words of Yan Ling unconsciously echoed in his ears:

“Do you think Father Emperor truly cares for you? Do you think your mother is a palace maid? You are the most foolish one, haha. You are not even qualified to be an emperor…”

Yan Donghuang’s brows furrowed, and her eyes took on a deeper, more contemplative look.