Chapter 12

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Nothing can remain hidden forever.

Especially within the harem.

As long as nobody tried to specifically bury a secret, it would eventually spread from the mouth of those loose-lipped eunuchs and maids.

Just like the news of the Tenth Prince being sent to watch over the imperial tomb in Tong Province.

In less than half a day, it had already made it around the imperial city.

It may be interesting to some that everyone had a different reaction to the news.

However, be it the Crown Prince, the Queen, or those eunuchs with high status in the 12 directorates did not show any hint of surprise.

They felt that it was reasonable.

Everyone knew that the emperor did not like the Tenth Prince.

Putting him in the cold palace instead of the jail cells of the Imperial Clan Court was already being generous.

Just some time ago, the Fifth Prince died in Yongxue Pass along with Marquis Yang Kezhong and 50 thousand infantries.

The imperial court could be said to have suffered a huge loss and was greatly humiliated.

Unfortunately, the Zhou Kingdom did not have sufficient power to declare war against the perpetrator, the Yuanmeng Empire, to restore their dignity.

Despite having a majority of the voices in court supporting warfare, none could guarantee victory against the wolf riders in the plains.

After all, under the influence of Phags-pa, the living Buddha of that time, the eight divisions under him were not to be trifled with either.

Unless the Zhou Kingdom mobilized the three great sects of Heavenly Dragon Temple, Chaos Origin Path, and Cloud Abode to send forth their Innate Grandmasters, the experts within the army could not go against the Great Boundless Palace.

A few days ago, the Yan Province Treaty’s contents were made public as well.

Annexing of Yongxue Pass to sign an alliance treaty. 

Such a humiliating gesture sparked heated debates.

Within Tianjing City, its people were infuriated.

Quite some students from academies were proclaiming their wish to head to the border and die for the nation, voicing their hopes for the imperial court to send forth an army to take back Yongxue Pass.

With both external and internal pressure, the merely 200 years old Zhou Kingdom appeared to be quite unstable.

At such a dangerous time, they had to provide a target for everyone to vent their frustrations.

Going by their rules, the right chief minister that signed the treaty was a good candidate.

However, right under their nose, there was an even better candidate.

“Father’s psychological manipulation as an emperor is truly impressive.”

Within the warm chamber of the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Zhao Zhao lifted a hand brazier and lamented, “Using the Yan Province Treaty, I managed to win the right chief minister over, remove that eyesore of a cursed child, and placate the frustrations between the imperial court and the people! Amazing, truly amazing!”

The Tenth Prince’s title as a cursed child was long known to everyone.

If all the blame was put on him and then sent off to Tong Province, it would be a grand happy ending.

“I’m afraid His Majesty had long planned for all this.”

Eunuch Shen, who was all skin and bones, replied with a bow.

“Yeah. If nobody spread it intentionally, how would a nameless and crippled prince imprisoned deep within the imperial palace be known by everyone?”

The Crown Prince retracted his smile. His eyes did not seem to be happy.

If his father could throw the cursed child away, then he might face a similar fate in the future if he made a mistake.

The saying ‘Staying beside an emperor is like staying beside a tiger’ was right.

“This imperial family is truly like walking on thin ice. I need to be careful of each step I take.”

The Crown Prince shook his head while lamenting. He had been granted the title of Crown Prince since 11 years old.

Up to that day, he had been staying in the Eastern Palace for 16 years.

His father was at the fourth Mortal Stage of Circulation Stage.

If without illness or calamity, coupled with the life-prolonging medicines in the imperial vault, it would not be a problem for him to live a full 120 years.

That also meant that he would still be the Crown Prince for decades to come.

“If that’s the case, what difference is there between me and that cursed child? As long as I don’t ascend to the throne, my fate will forever be in the hands of others.”

The Crown Prince spoke without restraint since there were no outsiders within the warm chamber.

“Your Highness is completely different from the Tenth Prince as you’re destined to succeed the throne.”

Eunuch Shen was the Crown Prince’s confidant, his companion in the Eastern Palace.

As for those traitorous words from the Crown Prince and the likes, he would just ignore them.

“Let’s hope that’s the case.”

The Crown Prince stopped his crazy thoughts and returned to the topic regarding the Tenth Prince.

“I heard that everyone within Tianjing City knows about the fortune of his cursed fate that brings harm to father and brothers, that he’s a bringer of calamity.

“The commoners even have busybodies that claim he’s a reincarnated swallow the flood dragon and python…Some random people making up claims and people actually believed it. What a joke.”

The Crown Prince snickered in a sarcastic tone.

Reincarnated black dragon?

Swallowing flood dragon and python?

Who was the flood dragon?

Who was the python?

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t that mean that cursed child would bring death to all his brothers, then Father…and finally take on the throne?”

The Crown Prince gripped the brazier in his hand tightly as his inner strength rumbled.

The incense and Rui Charcoal within it froze over immediately, turning into a frozen clump.

“Your Highness’ true Qi is so powerful, condensing frost Qi in an instant! I believe it won’t be long until you complete your foundation establishment and manifest the root bone!”

Eunuch Shen quickly congratulated after taking a glance.

The Crown Prince had damaged his foundation from a young age and was unable to cultivate the Zhou Kingdom imperial family’s divine art of Sacred Heavenly Scripture.

With that, he could only go for the next best thing and turned to cultivate the Eight Abyssal Frost of the Yin attribute, which got him stuck in the Foundation Establishment Stage and delayed his progress for five years.

“It’s still far away. I’ve been taking Qi condensing elixirs and meridian nurturing elixirs, but my true Qi is still lacking slightly, unable to establish my dantian.”

The Crown Prince’s interest was waning. When it came to martial arts, he had never been lazy.

However, his progress was limited by his talent and lack of foundation.

Compared to the Fifth Prince who died at Yongxue Pass and the Ninth Prince who was granted the title of duke, he was inferior.

“Your Highness, there’s no need to rush. If the throne is given to whoever that has a higher cultivation stage, then Marquis Zhao Kai would be the reigning emperor instead of His Majesty.”

Eunuch Shen quickly steered the topic in a different direction after reading the atmosphere.

“You don’t have to comfort me like that. Martial arts cultivation has no use when it comes to governing the country. That much I’m sure of.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand, then changed the topic.

“In three more months, Little nine will be coming to Tianjing City. Knowing him, he will surely prepare a lot of rare treasures as gifts for Father to be in the limelight.

“Go look for some nice things. I can’t lose to that guy.”

Eunuch Shen bowed slightly and nodded.

…

Within the Eternal Happiness Palace, Zhao Yuan strode into Longevity Hall.

Before he arrived, his voice could already be heard—

“Brother! Don’t worry!

“I’ll surely talk to Father and have him keep you in the palace! I’ll go kneel before the Hanging Arch Palace gates tomorrow morning during the court…”

Zhao yuan barged into the bedchamber in a hurry with a worried look on his face, just to see his brother relaxed and calm.

His hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and wore a white fur coat, looking like some handsome man in times of trouble.

Zhao Mu stood quietly before the large desk and wrote with a brush.

His elegant face showed no signs of anxiety.

Instead, his lips were curled into a smile as he asked, “Where are your princely manners? If Imperial Tutor Wen Yan saw that, I’m afraid you’ll have to be beaten again!”

Zhao Yuan’s beautiful face displayed a look of indignation and anger as he bellowed, “It’s an emergency! How can I care about some imperial etiquette and mannerisms?!

“Who doesn’t know that Tong Province’s imperial tomb only allows entries?! Once you go in, it’s almost impossible to leave!

“Brother, you might still have something to think about if you stay in the Eternal Happiness Palace. If you go there, then it’ll be impossible to turn things around!”

Zhao Mu remained calm, as though ignorant to the severity of the situation.

The Emperor of Zhou gave him three months to stay. That time frame was sufficient for him to make a trip to most of the places within the imperial city’s inner court.

Relying on his abundant elixirs and his martial arts of the divine art grade, it would not be a problem for him to take the path of martial arts.

After that, going to Tong Province to watch over the imperial tomb or elsewhere made no difference.

Zhao Mu was confident, but he could not explain it to his brother.

He could only act relaxed while holding onto the brush made from goat hair.

It moved like a coiling dragon, connecting through all the words!

After the last stroke, he finally spoke up in a relaxed manner, “Don’t say such things out of anger. Kneeling before the Hanging Arch Palace gates? If you did that, I’m afraid you’ll be sent along with me to Tong Province.

“The emperor has spoken and his decision shall not be changed. Nobody can make him retract his decree.”

Zhao Yuan’s face was gloomy. He hated himself for having such a low cultivation stage and was unable to protect his brother. He said in frustration, “So what if I’m sent to Tong Province? I’d rather watch over the imperial tomb with you. It’ll be happier than living here!”

Zhao Mu placed the goat hair calligraphy brush on the brush stand. He then shook his head and said, “You speak without care for the consequences. Be careful of eavesdroppers.

“If this got out and angered His Majesty, then it would be bad.

“Isn’t there still three months? We’ll just take one step at a time.

“The solution will eventually show itself. It’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much.”

Zhao Yuan’s anger had yet to be pacified. He ignored his brother’s words of comfort.

His brows frowned tightly as he approached the desk.

He noticed the lines of words that had yet to dry at the corner of his eyes—

Remember the lofty ambitions of the younger days where one vowed to be the best in the world!