novelraw Chapter 1258 - 470: Palace Intrigue Is No Match for Rebellion (Part 7)
Chapter 1258 - 470: Palace Intrigue Is No Match for Rebellion (Part 7)
In the spare moments of leading troops to fight and seize territories, Zhao Jiong would also envision: if he ever became Emperor, he would definitely find himself an ancestor with a big enough name and prestige.
The appearance of Old Prince Nanping gave Zhao Jiong inspiration.
He directly pulled a bold move and swore brotherhood with Old Prince Nanping, becoming "clan brothers."
In this way, Zhao Jiong’s ancestors became a branch of the Tianshui Zhao Family.
As for Old Prince Nanping, although he was forced to give up the clan genealogy, he earned Zhao Jiong’s trust and gratitude.
As a small warlord who surrendered mid-way, Old Prince Nanping became Zhao Jiong’s confidant in the shortest possible time, using the most convenient method.
He also received Zhao Jiong’s promise to "share Jiangshan in the future."
After Zhao Jiong seized Jiangshan, he bestowed great rewards upon the outstanding officials, making Old Prince Nanping the only prince among them.
Though he wasn’t awarded the title of "One character parallel to the king," he still became a Commandery Prince, having his own land and troops.
Of course, Zhao Jiong’s conferment of the title to Prince Nanping was not just for the so-called "alliance," but more for the stability of the southwestern borders.
Prince Nanping’s mansion was in the Capital City, but every reigning Prince had to guard the Southern Border.
By granting a princely title, allowing the Zhao Family to have a noble family ancestor, and making the people of Prince Nanping’s Mansion wholeheartedly help guard the southern gateway, the late Emperor did not lose anything; he actually gained something.
Now, as Old Prince Nanping was getting older, he handed the princely title to his legitimate eldest son, the current Prince Nanping.
Wang Yuan chose the son-in-law for his granddaughter, who was the Heir of Prince Nanping.
At Prince Nanping’s Mansion, aside from the current Prince Nanping, Old Prince Nanping, Princess Consort of Nanping, and the heir, all resided in the Capital City.
On the surface, it was so the people of the Mansion could enjoy the prosperity of the Capital City.
Privately, whether the royal family treated these people as "hostages" was up to personal interpretation.
No matter how wary or preventive the royal family might be, it was undeniable that Prince Nanping’s Mansion was an extremely powerful family in the Dayuan Dynasty.
With military power, princely titles, and crucially, the Zhao Family was an actual noble family.
Unlike the royal Zhao Family, which was just a counterfeit.
The clan genealogy of Prince Nanping’s Mansion had a history of over three hundred years.
The legitimate daughter from the elite Langya Wang Family marrying into Prince Nanping’s Mansion was not considered a disgrace.
"Good! Let’s go with their family!"
Wang Yuan exchanged glances with his son, Wang Zheng, and nodded slowly in unison.
Finding a time, Wang Yuan made an excuse to have tea with Old Prince Nanping.
A few days later, news spread in the Capital City that the Wang Family and Prince Nanping’s Mansion were discussing marriage alliances.
Upon hearing the news, Emperor Yongcheng was somewhat annoyed but not yet panicked.
But soon after, several other influential noble families arranged marriages for their daughters of suitable age.
Only then did Emperor Yongcheng realize the seriousness of the situation.
"What’s going on? Don’t they want their daughters to become Empress?"
"And mother, does she really not want to help me this time?"
Realizing that his mother might truly be angry, as a mischievous child, Emperor Yongcheng finally felt fear and bewilderment.
"What to do? What should I do about this?"
Although Emperor Yongcheng did not grow up alongside the late Emperor like his elder brother Prince Liang, he still felt an inexplicable closeness and reverence towards his father.
The late Emperor both oppressed and courted the noble families.
The late Emperor chose an imperial concubine for Prince Liang, also an aristocratic daughter no less distinguished than those of the Wang and Xie families.
If Wang Yuan had a suitable granddaughter at that time, the Wang Family would likely have allied with the royal family long ago.
Even without Miss Wang, the late Emperor chose the daughter from the Qinghe Cui Family for Prince Liang.
Emperor Yongcheng envied and was jealous of Prince Liang, and deep down, he had the desire to surpass Prince Liang—since you married a daughter from the Cui Family as your consort, I shall take a more esteemed Miss Wang as Empress!
The result... he had only protested a little, and his mother not only stopped assisting him but had truly let go?!
Emperor Yongcheng’s resentment towards his mother deepened yet again.
But amid the intense resentment, there was inexplicably a hint of fear.
Emperor Yongcheng, while confident as the Empress Dowager’s only son, acknowledged that Empress Dowager He was genuinely devoted to him.
He was arrogant with entitlement, knowing that no matter how rebellious he might be, the Empress Dowager could never truly deposed him.
After all, the late Emperor had only two sons, and removing him would mean Prince Liang would assume the throne.
Prince Liang, well, he was the son of Empress Dowager He’s enemy; she would have to be insane or foolish to let Prince Liang replace her own son.
...So, although Emperor Yongcheng was aware of the enmity between his mother and Lady Xie’s mother and son, he took advantage of his mother’s affection to retaliate against her.
However, this time, Emperor Yongcheng felt somewhat anxious.