Chapter 70: Dark Intentions

“Qin Yanshu, in his pursuit to marry Princess Pingyao, instigated his men to enlist a group of bandits, deliberately tarnishing the reputation of Shen’s legitimate daughter to degrade his soon to be wife to a concubine. He also murdered all attendants and guards around Shen’s legitimate daughter, displaying extreme cruelty and despicable behavior!” Ji Yucang’s voice was as cold as ice. “Take Qin Yanshu to the dungeon without resistance and await his fate!”

Qin Yanshu was taken away without a fight, facing a dead end.

As for the manner of his death…

The ministers remained silent, filled with anxiety.

“The envoy from Nan Dynasty is on his way. The Prime Minister and Ministry of Rites should prepare to receive the envoy.” Ji Yucang stood up, tall and slender, exuding a commanding presence. “This morning court session ends here. If there are any other matters to discuss, submit them to my residence. Court is adjourned.”

The ministers knelt and bowed, chanting, “Long live the Emperor! Long live the Regent!”

Ji Jin sat on the dragon throne, watching the ministers cheer with a vacant expression, his eyes filled with irony, feeling a sense of powerlessness.

All of them were a bunch of weak and incompetent individuals.

The Regent held sway over the court, consolidating power without opposition. They dared not resist.

The Regent promoted his trusted allies, eliminated dissenters, and they dared not resist.

The Regent broke traditions, appointing Princess Pingyao as the leader of the Imperial Army, and they dared not resist.

The Regent executed royal relatives and even managed the Empress Dowager’s nephew as he pleased, yet they feigned ignorance and remained silent, still not daring to resist.

Could he really rely on these incompetent individuals to support his ascension to the throne next year?

His father truly left him a group of unwaveringly loyal subjects.

Ji Jin staggered up from the dragon throne, using the armrest for support. He turned back, lowering his gaze to observe the immensely noble and domineering golden chair before him, symbolizing the most supreme and highest status in the realm.

It is said that the one sitting on the dragon throne is the ultimate supreme ruler, holding the power of life and death, their every command making the people bow in submission.

However, at this moment, he felt nothing like an Emperor. He felt like a puppet, a marionette, a wretched insect born into royalty but lacking the demeanor of a true Emperor.

Hidden within him were unknown desires, a thirst for power, a yearning to conquer the unattainable. He…

Ji Jin subtly curled his lips, a hint of irony in his eyes.

He was someone who shunned the light, harboring a beast within him eager to break free. Concealing forbidden thoughts, he harbored various ideas but never once thought of the welfare of the people, nor did he consider justice and truth.

From ascending to the throne to the present moment, all he could think about was how to suppress the Regent. He pondered ways to make the Regent obey but never contemplated governing the realm.

Therefore, he was utterly unsuitable to be an Emperor.

A notion slowly emerged in Ji Jin’s mind—an obsessive, sinister, dark, and concealed thought.

Uncle, if you desire power so much, then I shall hand over this realm to you.

May you hold onto it firmly.

…

Uncle Qin, injured, was sent back home, causing turmoil and unrest in the entire Qin residence.

Madam Qin paled in shock, her voice trembling as she asked, “What’s happening? What has occurred? Where is Yanshu? Why hasn’t the eldest son returned with you?”

Uncle Qin’s face was pale, covered in cold sweat.

Madam Qin hurriedly called for a physician and rushed to the main hall, inquiring of the guards accompanying Uncle Qin, “What exactly happened?”

The personal guard lowered his head and replied, “Master… the Master exploded in the court, disrespecting the Regent, and was ordered to receive twenty lashes.”

Madam Qin’s vision darkened, nearly fainting.

The esteemed Uncle Qin, a royal relative, the Empress Dowager’s brother, punished with lashes in the court?

She suddenly remembered Yanshu was also taken into the palace. Anxiously, she inquired, “How is the eldest son? Where is he? Why didn’t he come back with you?”

The personal guard responded, “It seems… the eldest Young Master has been… sent to the dungeon…”

Madam Qin stumbled, losing her balance, and fainted on the spot.

“Madam! Madam!” The nursemaid quickly supported her. “Madam, you must stay calm. Only by remaining calm can we find a way to save the eldest Young Master. Master!”

Madam Qin felt intense dizziness, her voice colorless as she asked, “Why? Why was Yanshu sent to the dungeon? Why?”

The guard replied, “The eldest Young Master confessed in the court to scheming against the Regent’s consort. He admitted to orchestrating the bandits to make Shen’s legitimate daughter a concubine, all to successfully marry Princess Pingyao…”

Madam Qin turned pale, speechless and stunned.

“Master?” A maid softly called, “Are you awake?”

Madam Qin, in a daze, looked towards her husband, who struggled to open his eyes. “That scoundrel Yanshu! The unfilial son! He… he wants to ruin our Qin family…”

Madam Qin rushed over, almost hysterically asking, “What happened to Yanshu? Can he still be saved? Can he be saved at all? He’s my only son!”

Uncle Qin, pale with pain, his face devoid of color, his voice trembling from either pain or anger caused by Yanshu, said, “He’s a fool! In front of… in front of all the court officials and military personnel, he confessed to everything. How can he be saved now? The traitor of the Qin family… a traitor!”

A loud thud echoed.

Madam Qin collapsed on the ground, instantly overwhelmed by despair.

Admitting guilt in front of all the court officials and military personnel, conspiring to harm the legitimate daughter of the Duke of the State’s residence, pressured by the Regent himself, who could save him now?

In her despair, Madam Qin suddenly thought of someone.

“Father, what happened to Father?” Qin Zhilan rushed in upon receiving the news, her face turning pale at the sight of her father lying injured on the bed. “Father! Father!”

Uncle Qin trembled with pain, taking a deep breath.

Qin Zhilan, as white as snow, her eyes reddening, asked, “What’s been happening to the Qin family recently? Father, are we… are we…”

“Zhilan.” Madam Qin grabbed her arm as if grasping at a lifeline. “You… you must find Qin Yumo! Have him plead to Princess Pingyao. The only one who can save the Qin family now is Princess Pingyao. Zhilan…”

“Mother.” Qin Zhilan’s tears flowed freely, her face filled with unease. “Qin Yumo has been staying at Princess’s residence and hasn’t returned. Even if I go to seek an audience at the Princess’s residence, there’s no guarantee I’ll see her. Moreover, Princess Pingyao has never been friendly towards the Qin family. Can we really expect her help?”

In extreme distress, Madam Qin spoke sharply, “Whether it works or not, we have to try! Do you want to watch your elder brother be executed? He’s been imprisoned by the Regent in the Ministry of Justice. If they resort to torture, he won’t endure it, your elder brother won’t endure it…”

“Mother, please don’t panic.” Qin Zhilan hurriedly reassured her. “Let’s go see the Prime Minister, alright? If my brother is arrested for the incident involving Shen’s legitimate daughter, as long as the Shen family doesn’t press charges, there might still be a way out for him. I can try.”