novelraw Chapter 1047 - 1036: The Ever-Victorious General
Chapter 1047 - 1036: The Ever-Victorious General
"The Crown Prince is dead?" Ye Qiu listened to his subordinate’s report with a look of surprise, "How did he die?"
"I heard he was killed during the Second Prince’s coup."
"He really was bold, but perhaps that was the only way to ensure there were no mistakes." Ye Qiu shook her head and sighed, seemingly recalling the man who stood at the city gate, gentle like jade.
Unfortunately, everything about him was an act for her. If in the past life he hadn’t discarded her, if he hadn’t tried to annihilate the Ye Family, she, as a minister, would not have sat idly by.
The Crown Prince’s downfall to his present fate is perhaps a result of his own ruthless heart and cunning calculations. He relied on the old Emperor’s favor, believing he could use everyone, thus never treating anyone sincerely. Did he really think those ministers were fools? Why were they unwilling to support him, the legitimate eldest son, but instead either backed the Second Prince or remained neutral?
He was too falsely noble for one reason, and the old Emperor harmed him for another.
Their father-son duo feared Noble Princess Consort Zhang’s jealousy, so they often demonstrated a cool father-son relationship and behaved as if the old Emperor didn’t prioritize or like him. Over time, ministers naturally felt the Crown Prince lacked background, favor, and achievements, and this throne would inevitably be relinquished.
Probably not many ministers would want to risk the extermination of their clans to support a Crown Prince without maternal family or favor; the odds were too low.
Thus, Noble Princess Consort Zhang and the Second Prince qualified to contend against the old Emperor and the Prime Minister, even overpowering them.
The Second Prince’s fratricide is indeed a serious mistake, but history is written by the victors. If the old Emperor remains unconscious, the Second Prince might kill the Crown Prince under the pretense of treachery against the Emperor. As long as he ascends the throne, everything is resolved—simple and brutal, yet efficient.
But the misfortune was that the old Emperor woke in time, and the Prime Minister successfully escaped to send word to the State Mansion in Yunzhou, leading to the Second Prince’s ultimate failure.
"The Crown Prince is dead; what was His Majesty’s reaction?"
"It’s reported he immediately detained the Second Prince, the Third Prince, and the Princess, personally executed Noble Princess Consort Zhang, and when the aristocrats hadn’t reacted yet, had the Prime Minister’s brother-in-law lead troops to kill those aristocrats involved in the coup. Reports say that night blood flowed in the capital, and many families were wiped out overnight—not even a dog escaped."
Luo Xiao listened with a frown: "Has His Majesty gone mad? These are all aristocrats, whose combined power does not fall short of imperial power. Isn’t he afraid of chaos in the World?"
"His Majesty’s most beloved son is dead; what does he care now? Moreover, most aristocrats in the capital are direct descendants, and with them gone, considerable wealth and influence are left. Do you think those collateral branches will seek revenge for the direct descendants first or fight for their own interests?" Ye Qiu smiled lightly, "Perhaps His Majesty’s madness opened a new scenario for the Darong Dynasty."
"Then who do you think His Majesty will appoint as Crown Prince? The Second Prince staged a coup, the Third Prince is an accomplice. It seems unacceptable to appoint either."
"His Majesty has more than just these two sons."
"But aren’t the others underage? With His Majesty’s health worsening, how can he appoint a young child to hold down those aristocrats? And if the Second Prince and Third Prince refuse to give up and make a return?"
Ye Qiu’s grin widened: "Isn’t there still me? Do you think my military power can subdue those aristocrats?"
Luo Xiao widened his eyes: "General, you?"
"His Majesty probably realized by now that I never intended to get involved in the royal struggle."
"But wouldn’t His Majesty blame you, General, for deliberately watching the Crown Prince fall into danger?"
"What mistake did I make? How would he blame me? Don’t forget, it was Zaha who initiated the war, and I was ordered to the border. As for the marriage decree, it was Noble Princess Consort Zhang who blocked it. The capital is far from the border; it’s normal that I’m unaware of the happenings there. Even if I knew, could I arrive in time?"
"But an Emperor sometimes finds fault without any reason."
"I hold military power; even if he disapproved, what could he do to me? Besides, His Majesty won’t act against me now. His most beloved son is dead, killed by two other sons. To avenge the Crown Prince, he won’t give the Second Prince and Third Prince a chance to recover. If he doesn’t want to be a king without a nation, not only will he not act against me, but will enlist me to wholeheartedly assist the little Crown Prince."
"What should we do now?"
"Wait, wait for His Majesty’s imperial decree."
"What if you leave the border, General, and Zaha wages war again?"
"Before leaving the capital, I’ll handle Zaha. Without Zaha, the Barbarian Tribe will scatter. Luo Xiao, the border will be entrusted to you in the future."
"General, your trust is unwavering."
"Aunt is back, Aunt is back." Ye Qiu returned from the army and was greeted by two little projectiles as soon as she entered.
"Little ancestors, slow down." She bent down to pick up her little niece, stroking her back, "Why dress so little, isn’t it cold?"
"What’s she to get cold for? Watching her brother practice martial arts, insisting on learning too, sweating profusely." Second Sister-in-law Lin Jiao took her daughter from her sister-in-law’s hands with a helpless shake of her head. She had hoped for a delicate little girl, longing to raise her pampered, but unexpectedly, she insisted on practicing martial arts, declaring she wanted to become a Great General like her aunt.
With just this girl in the family, Lin Jiao sometimes didn’t want to be too strict. She thought if willing to practice, let her practice. With her aunt’s protection, surely nothing would go wrong in the future.
"Aunt, Master said I’ve advanced a lot recently. Would Aunt like to test my skills?" The young boy, having practiced martial arts from a young age, was now almost as tall as Ye Qiu, his bright eyes brimming with eagerness.
"Alright, after dinner we’ll go to the training ground."
Elated by aunt’s promise to guide him, Ye Mu lost his usually steady demeanor.
Mei Wanwan laughed, "These two children in our family, there’s only aunt in their eyes. If it were someone else, they’d be infuriated."
"What are you saying, elder sister-in-law? They say distant fragrance is better than close stink. You and the Second Sister-in-law accompany the two juniors daily; I am often in the barracks. It’s rare for me to come back once; naturally, they’d be more excited."
Mei Wanwan certainly wouldn’t be upset about it. Recently, some rumors have emerged at the border; she pulled Ye Qiu aside and asked, "Did you return at this time because there’s a change in the court?"
"Yes, I might have to go back to the capital."