The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 353: Overstepping Boundaries

Although the debate just now was intense, with everyone expressing their opinions, and even high-ranking officials participating, those truly influential ministers, such as the Left and Right Ministers, Grand Tutor Zhao, remained steadfast and silent.

Huangfu Yuxuan sneered inwardly. These key figures in the court, not a single one is under the Crown Prince’s influence; what is there for him to be proud of?

Grandfather is elderly but still in good spirits. From that position, he can probably sit for another three to five years. These senior ministers have reached their positions by being shrewd and cunning, and won’t act without certainty.

Now, Father has lost the Crown Prince title; although Third Imperial Uncle is the Crown Prince, he hasn’t firmly established his position in the Capital City, while Prince Li has won Grandfather’s favor. Ultimately, though the Crown Prince is the heir, if Grandfather leaves a secret edict upon his departure, the Crown Prince would be nothing.

Therefore, with the current unclear situation, these people will remain neutral and won’t take sides easily.

Only a third of them have truly taken a stand.

And this third was divided into two factions, half on the Crown Prince’s side, and the other half with Prince Li and him.

He sneered slightly in his heart; his trump card is not these people. Those who can be pushed forward are merely scuttling crabs, meant to muddy the waters.

The real big fish, of course, are in deep waters.

As for Marquis Anning, he is also considered a big fish, but Marquis Anning’s opposition to Shang Jingwang this time is not under his directive. With big fish like Marquis Anning, some freedom is appropriately granted; Marquis Anning wants to secure some things for his grandson, which he is happy to see.

The Crown Prince is a fool, stepping into the fray personally and opposing a Marquis, lowering his status without realizing it—a fool.

Yes, those who jumped out as part of the Crown Prince’s faction just now, he will remember, taking it slow. He will let these people understand how blind they are!

However, on the surface, those who participated and didn’t side with Prince Li included King Kang. But Huangfu Yuxuan understood that although King Kang spoke for Shang Jingwang, he was not allied with the Crown Prince. He cannot be roped in by anyone. Whoever is the Emperor, he is loyal to them.

As for the Crown Prince? The heir? Someone who might become the Crown Prince?

They mean nothing to him.

There is no need to win over such a person.

As long as he maintains loyalty solely to the Emperor, Huangfu Yuxuan will not move against him. After all, he will be the one in that position.

Gu Hanmo?

He came later and didn’t know there was already a life-and-death struggle over Shang Jingwang on the court; he certainly wasn’t part of the Crown Prince’s faction.

However, his statement supporting Shang Jingwang still displeased Huangfu Yuxuan somewhat.

Since displeased, he must express it.

He glanced at Prince Li.

Originally, his position was behind Prince Li.

But just now, as everyone stood up to "express their opinions," they were almost side by side, with only minimal difference.

Prince Li was an inch behind the Crown Prince, Huangfu Yuxuan an inch behind Prince Li.

This small distance made exchanging glances very convenient.

Prince Li received Huangfu Yuxuan’s look, clearly conveying: I’ve done this much for you, the rest is up to you! If you can’t handle this small matter, don’t even speak of wanting that position.

When they reached cooperation, Huangfu Yuxuan stated clearly that he simply couldn’t stomach his father being deposed; anyone could be Crown Prince, but the Third Imperial Uncle couldn’t.

Prince Li wasn’t fully convinced, after all, during negotiations, Huangfu Yuxuan held leverage over Prince Li. Prince Li was wary of him.

However, later on, Prince Li became increasingly trusting.

Firstly, the leverage threatening him was handed to him by Huangfu Yuxuan, allowing him to cut ties cleanly. Also, Huangfu Yuxuan assisted him in becoming the Crown Prince, demanding substantial benefits from Prince Li.

The kind of benefits that, although painful, Prince Li could provide.

This led Prince Li to believe he genuinely just wanted to aid him and trip up the Crown Prince.

Moreover, on several occasions, with Huangfu Yuxuan’s assistance, he really made the Crown Prince suffer setbacks. Huangfu Yuxuan was so useful that of course he made use of him.

For instance, just now they had gained the upper hand, and Huangfu Yuxuan, like a skilled hunter hitting the snake’s seventh inch, struck decisively, leaving the Crown Prince speechless. Huangfu Yuxuan brought out Prince Ping, a comprehensive suppression.

Gu Hanmo, despite being unaware of the situation, knowing the major events during Prince Ping’s reign, why would he speak for Shang Jingwang?

Ah, how could he forget, it was his word half a month ago that brought his father’s delight, dispatching an imperial envoy aside from bestowing Shang Jingwang a separate commendation decree?

This old thing!

He forgot Gu Hanmo was only a few years older than him.

He voiced aloud: "Dean Gu, Shang Jingwang’s actions and Huangfu Chi’s are similar, both ignoring superiors, directly facing the Capital, disrupting the normal order of official ranks; you defending Shang Jingwang, are you acquainted with him?"

The Emperor asked Gu Hanmo to speak his thoughts, yet before Gu Hanmo could open his mouth, Prince Li directly clashed with Gu Hanmo in court.

His behavior here shattered the image Prince Li had been building.

Previously, though residing long-term in the Capital, Prince Li was not involved in politics, famous for poetry, drinking, and extravagance, increasingly not being the Prince Li of before, appearing more frequently in court rivaling the Crown Prince.

After all, not for the first time.

The Emperor naturally saw this phenomenon.

Prince Li had gone too far.

Yet, thinking about that matter, the Emperor sighed lightly in his heart.

He remembered months ago when Prince Li tearfully complained in front of him about his third son, Huangfu Jinglun, the grandson he favored, dying unexpected on his home journey, not an accident but the handiwork of his third son.

The Hidden Guard sent to investigate brought back a similar report. Everything indeed pointed to the third son, though not conclusive, nine times out of ten, it truly was the third son’s doing.

This brought suspicion against the Crown Prince in the Emperor’s heart, those three are all his grandsons. Jinglun alone, at fourteen, had sublime demeanor and eloquence; his death nearly caused him heart troubles!

If the Crown Prince could do such a thing, then he wasn’t fit to be Crown Prince. But the Crown Prince being newly instated couldn’t be immediately stripped, lest it shake the court; besides, while evidence pointed strongly at the Crown Prince, with no concrete proof, best await further developments.

Thus, Prince Li’s actions were permitted.

During today’s court confrontation, the Emperor also didn’t stop Prince Li from embarrassing the Crown Prince.

As for why he called Gu Hanmo amidst Huangfu Yuxuan’s oppressive hold on the Crown Prince, he too had his reasons.

At this moment, Prince Li, having spoken, realized he was too impulsive.