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“Now that you’re here, I have some matters to discuss with you.” Ji Yucang gestured to Shi Qin, “Take him to the dungeon and instruct the guards to give him three meals a day with the whip. Don’t neglect our esteemed guest.”
Shi Qin acknowledged, “Yes.”
Two guards approached and dragged Han Rong away like a dead dog.
As soon as he left, the air in the courtyard seemed to become instantly fresher.
Ji Yucang walked to the table and sat down, “You went to see the Emperor today?”
The medicinal aroma from the stove grew increasingly strong. Princess Pingyao, who had always disliked taking medicine since she was young, distastefully moved away. The bitterness of the medicinal soup was the most unforgettable taste she had ever experienced in her life.
She walked over and sat down not far from Ji Yucang, “Uncle, your information network is quite efficient.”
“You told the Emperor you want to seize the throne?”
“To be precise, it should be ‘usurp the throne’.” Princess Pingyao snorted coldly, “The Emperor said I am a woman, with a tone of shock as if all women should be crawling on the ground. I, as a Princess, will take his throne with my own, making him change his prejudice against women.”
After saying this, she hesitantly looked at Ji Yucang, “But if Uncle also wants that position, I might not be able to compete with you.”
“You can plan with peace of mind, I have no interest in that position.” Ji Yucang said, “To compete for the throne, you need to plan and lay out your strategy in advance, placing your own people in the court. You can use Qin Yumo, and there are also the other two princes… As for the rest, you decide. In terms of military strength, I can assist you.”
Princess Pingyao did not expect Ji Yucang to be so accommodating.
In fact, after leaving the Chonghua Palace, she had considered many issues along the way. What if the Regent also had ambitions? Even though she was unconventional and fearless, she was clear that her current strength was no match for Ji Yucang.
She had thought that since her uncle was poisoned, he might not vie for the throne. He had simply been repeatedly provoked by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor these days and no longer wished to endure it.
But since the poison can be cured, Princess Pingyao was now uncertain why Ji Yucang had no ambition for the throne.
She was indeed arrogant and overbearing, but she was not a foolish person.
She didn’t want to work smartly for nothing, only to find out that her efforts were in vain. If she knew she couldn’t get what she wanted, she would rather spend her time and energy on enjoying herself.
“I heard from Aunt that Uncle’s poison can be cured.” Princess Pingyao glanced at the stove, “Since the poison can be cured, Uncle won’t die from it at any moment. Why not become the Emperor yourself?”
Ji Yucang said, “I enjoy warfare, the process of fighting on the battlefield and expanding territory. I do not like the complicated affairs of the court.”
Princess Pingyao frowned. In fact, she didn’t like the tedious court affairs either. She preferred the glory of sitting on the throne with a hundred responses to her call, the joy of being surrounded by consorts, and the superior feeling of all men kneeling before her as subjects.
So, as a matter of urgency, should she cultivate more talents to serve her in the future, until their deaths?
The maidservant brought over the freshly brewed tea and poured it for both Ji Yucang and Princess Pingyao.
“Also, if I take the throne, it’s called usurpation. Even if I ascend to that position, I will be condemned and cursed by future historians. Supporting you, on the other hand, is called establishing a new Emperor, because the current Emperor is incompetent and it’s for the sake of the country.” Ji Yucang’s voice was indifferent, “The intentions are different, and so are the evaluations of future generations.”
Princess Pingyao’s lips twitched, her expression extremely subtle.
Afraid of being cursed by future historians?
Was that also a reason?
Life was short, only a few decades. When future historians cursed, she would already have reincarnated somewhere else. Why should she care about their curses? Who would care?
She knew that Ji Yucang’s reason for not seizing the throne wouldn’t be this.
However, since he had made it clear that he had no such intention, she would accept it without further ado.
Princess Pingyao stood up and curtsied to Ji Yucang, “If that’s the case, I thank Uncle here on behalf of your niece.”
Shen Ning showed no reaction to their conversation. When the medicine was ready, she ordered Shi Qi to bring a bowl and poured the medicine from the pot into it, “Twice a day, for three days. The last bowl of medicine will have the catalyst added, and the poison in your body will be cleared smoothly.”
Princess Pingyao turned to Shen Ning, “Aunt, who did you learn your medical skills from?”
“I was born with them.” Shen Ning’s voice was leisurely, and even a relaxed smile appeared on her lips, “I am skilled in many things, but not all of them can be put to great use.”