Ji Zhelan's expressions turned dark hearing Ji Cheng's question. However, his dark expressions disappeared in a moment, and confused expressions took its place.
" Your Majesty, I didn't understand what you're trying to say." He said while staring into Ji Cheng's eyes.
" Heh~" Ji Cheng couldn't hide his amus.e.m.e.nt and said, " So Prince Ji Zhelan knows how to act ignorant?"
Ji Zhelan didn't say anything and just stared at him with indifferent expressions. He wasn't sure how much Ji Cheng knows, so he can't be stupid and reveal all of his plans.
' Denial is the best defence.'
" Prince Ji Zhelan, even though you're a prince, you can't do this. Do you think I will sit by and let you do what you want? Hmm?" Ji Cheng said while picking up the tea on the table and took its sip slowly.
Ji Zhelan pursed his lips and said," Your Majesty, I don't know what you're talking about. I am not even a prince, so what can I do?"
He is supposed to be the prince but Wej Xu threw him out of the palace before he could be given the title of a prince.
Since he was concubine born, he was forced to leave with his mother and didn't even get the right to be called as prince.
Ji Cheng pursed his lips and nodded, " You're right. You're not a prince. If you're not a prince then it's more wrong for you to do what you're doing at the border."
" What did I do, your Majesty?" Ji Zhelan asked with a smirk on his face. He knows that Ji Cheng can't blatantly blame him. Even if he is an Emperor he needs to prove his claims.
He knows Ji Cheng. He is not a tyrant to kill someone without any evidence. Also, even if he is the Emperor, he is bound to follow the rules, otherwise the connections he had made, will make their move.
Ji Cheng was quiet and didn't say anything for a while.
Ji Zhelan's lips curled up in a smile as he was thinking that Ji Cheng has nothing to say anymore. But his expressions darkened when he heard his next words.
" You're right. You didn't do anything, however did I not tell you that the area around the border which was managed by Zhi Xue is now under my direct authority?" Ji Cheng raised his brows and said in a provocative manner.
Ji Zhelan's expressions darkened hearing his words. The border area was being managed by Zhi Xue who is Zhelan's maternal grandfather. Ji Zhelan was using this authority and was trying to expand his connections and was trying to prepare for a rebellion.
Although he wasn't prepared to rebel against the royal authority at this moment, his power was increasing tremendously in the local border area.
Since it was the border area and far from the centre, it was managed by the Zhi Xue and he just needed to give loyalties and gifts to the Emperor yearly.
But if it comes in direct rule of the Emperor, then his power would be affected.
Ji Zhelan gritted his teeth and said, " Wasn't that area managed by king Zhi Xue? Why does the royal authority suddenly want to take the charge of it?"
He was trying to be as calm as possible but Ji Cheng sensed his nervousness which caused his lips to curl up.
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" Ji Zhelan, I think you're forgetting something here. Zhi Xue is not a king anymore, he is just working as the supervisor under royal authority and is managing the area. However, the military officials have sensed some activities going on which is against the royal order."
" So according to the rules, that area will be personally managed by the royal court from now on and the rule of Zhi Xue will end. Subsequently, he will be exiled to the country M."
Ji Cheng's tone was slow and unhurried. He has allowed Ji Zhelan to stay for a few days to make changes in the power at the border.
Ji Zhelan came to the palace to make connections and find something against the royal authority but Ji Cheng used his trick against him.
He allowed him to stay in the name of being the prince of Ji Dynasty and in the end, he snatched the power from Zhi Xue.
If Zhi Xue is powerless, then Ji Zhelan will become powerless as well. Unlike others, Ji Zhelan doesn't play in the open.
He is sly and good at mind games. He can't be defeated by force, if force was used there are chances that his people might retaliate and something serious can happen.
But if things were done using the rules, then no one can deny anything.
Ji Zhelan's expressions turned dark as he tightened his fist, " Your Majesty, how can you exile Gran.. Zhi Xue? He has given his whole life just to serve the country. How can you do this to him?"
Zhi Xue was his grandfather. Ji Zhelan couldn't believe that his grandfather was being punished for his activities.
Ji Cheng played with the pen in his hand and said, " Ji Zhelan, it doesn't matter if he had managed that territory well. I have every right to punish him if he dared to uprise a rebel against the royal authority. However, I am being generous to not kill him right away and was sending him to exile. It's for all your sake."
" After all, he is your Grandfather." Ji Cheng said as if doing this all for him.
Ji Zhelan scoffed seeing Ji Cheng's shamelessness. He ruined his whole plan and was still saying that he did this for his sake?
[ Read this novel on W e b n o v e l . c o m ( remove spaces). If you are reading this elsewhere, then this novel is pirated. Support the original author, not the thieves, and get the latest updates. Regards Kamlyn]