The prince is more stable

Chapter 790 Breaking the Balance
The situation has escalated, and even more people have gathered outside the Prince Jian's residence to watch the spectacle, almost blocking half of the Imperial Street. People from other parts of the city are also rushing over after hearing the news.

The crowd of onlookers included not only ordinary people, but also many court officials, including censors and officials from the Six Ministries.

Compared to the pure excitement of the onlookers, the courtiers in plain clothes watched the situation with a cold eye and calm gaze.

With the late emperor gone and a new ruler yet to be enthroned, in this critical period, no one will rush to express their opinion, much less take sides easily. Choosing the wrong side could lead to the complete ruin of one's future.

But after King Jian was tormented like this by Zhao Xiaoqian, the court officials who were watching coldly immediately understood what was going on.

After today, Prince Jian has likely lost his eligibility to compete for the throne.

Perhaps Zhao Xiaoqian deliberately stirred up this storm in order to remove Prince Jian from the party.

Outside the Prince Jian's residence, Zhao Si was still bound hand and foot; he was truly terrified now.

Just a few days after Zhao Xu's death, the funeral rites in the palace were not even finished. Zhao Si's biggest mistake was that he failed to adapt his thinking in time.

His greatest support was gone, and no one in this world would indulge him anymore.

But he still felt that the whole world should continue to accept his arrogance and domineering attitude.

In the past, if he had ordered someone to set fire to the Chu Prince's residence and Zhao Xu had found out, he would probably have just given a few perfunctory reprimands and come to apologize, and that would have been the end of it.

But today, Zhao Xiaoqian clearly wouldn't let him off so easily.

Zhao Si now realizes he was wrong. He shouldn't have been so arrogant. Even if he was arrogant, he messed with the wrong person.

As more and more people gathered to watch, Zhao Si no longer cared about saving face. If he didn't take a stand today, he would surely face even fiercer retaliation from Zhao Xiaoqian.

"Your Highness, Brother Zian... I was wrong. I was confused for a moment and made a terrible mistake. I am willing to make amends to Your Highness, and I will accept any condition." At this moment, Zhao Si was extremely humble.

Zhao Xiaoqian squinted at his expression, then slowly said, "Since you say you're open to any conditions, I won't stand on ceremony with you..."

Zhao Si's heart tightened, and she looked at him with fear, wondering what conditions he would propose.

Zhao Xiaoqian had already turned around and said, "Prefect Chen."

"The end will be here."

“Break his legs, lock him in a cage and parade him through the streets. If any officials or common people ask, tell them about Zhao Si’s evil deeds. I, Zhao Xiaoqian, am clear about my grievances and will take my revenge clearly. No one can say anything bad about me.”

"Your subordinate obeys!" Chen Shou excitedly licked his dry lips.

Zhao opened her eyes wide in terror and let out a shrill scream.

He could not accept any of these three things: having his legs broken, being locked in a cage and paraded through the streets, or having his evil deeds publicly publicized.

If Zhao Xiaoqian does that, Zhao Si will not only be unable to contend for the throne, but he won't even have the face to live in Bianjing anymore.

“Brother Zian, Your Highness Prince Cheng! We are all relatives, why be so heartless!” Zhao Si shouted.

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered: "Didn't you strike first? When you wanted to burn me to death, did you ever ask yourself why you were being so heartless?"

"It was just a few rooms in your mansion that were burned down. Even if you're seeking revenge, there's no need to go to such extremes!"

“You provoked me, so why can’t I retaliate tenfold? You’ve come of age now. Adults are responsible for their actions, and once you’ve done something, you have to bear the consequences. This is the first lesson I’m teaching you about adulthood. Remember it from now on.”

Zhao Si trembled violently, his expression filled with extreme fear and anger. His hands and feet were bound, yet he still struggled to wriggle backward like a maggot.

Chen Shou, however, was holding a wooden stick and slowly approaching him with a sinister grin on his face.

A sudden realization struck Zhao Si, and he shouted, "I know! I know! You, you're not doing this for personal revenge! You're trying to completely cut off my path to the throne!"

"You've humiliated me like this today so that the Empress Dowager and the court officials will give up on me, and no one will consider me when a new emperor is chosen! Zhao Xiaoqian, isn't this your plan?"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed. This guy has finally become smarter, but it's too late.

But Zhao Si probably didn't know that Zhao Xiaoqian never intended to deal with him from the beginning, and never even took him seriously.

If Zhao Si hadn't provoked him, Zhao Xiaoqian had planned to deal with him last. Dealing with someone like that wouldn't require any effort; it would be as easy as crushing an ant with your little finger. No scheming or trickery was needed; you could just crush him.

Zhao Si brought this trouble upon himself, forcing Zhao Xiaoqian to temporarily change his plans and deal with this eyesore first.

Stepping forward and patting him on the shoulder, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Learn from your mistakes. From now on, just be a good and carefree prince, and you can still live a peaceful life. Remember, don't be naughty next time, or you'll pay the price."

After speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian stood up, turned around, and walked out of the crowd.

Behind him, Chen Shou slammed down a wooden stick. As Zhao Si let out a shrill scream, the crowd erupted in uproar. Seeing Zhao Si's miserable state, some people couldn't help but cheer.

Serves you right! Who told you to provoke His Highness Prince Cheng? You got what you deserved!

Hearing Chen Shou behind him ordering his men to bring a prison cart from Kaifeng Prefecture to imprison Zhao Si and parade him through the streets, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled. He was too lazy to get involved in what was to come. It would be too undignified for the dignified Prince Cheng to be paraded through the streets in a prison cart.

What he was certain of was that after today, Zhao Si had completely lost his qualification to compete for the throne, and he might not even live in Bianjing anymore.

Having achieved his goal, Zhao Xiaoqian looked up at the gray sky and let out a long sigh of relief. Game player Zhao Si had been eliminated.

Next up was a duel between himself and Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji, are you ready?

…………

Meanwhile, at the Prince Duan's residence.

Emperor Huizong spat out a mouthful of hot tea, spraying Zhou Xingzhe, the chief secretary of the Prince's Palace, all over his face.

"Zhao Xiaoqian crippled Prince Jian, Zhao Si, and even imprisoned him in a cage and paraded him through the streets? Is this true?" Zhao Ji asked urgently.

Zhou Xingzhe wiped his face and nodded, saying, "This humble official has confirmed it several times. If Your Highness is interested, you can go and see for yourself. Prince Jian Zhao Si's prison cart has probably just passed the Daxiangguo Temple and is heading towards East Street."

Emperor Huizong was both surprised and delighted, repeatedly muttering, "Zhao Xiaoqian, how dare he..."

He said "How dare I," but Zhao Ji's expression at that moment was one of ecstatic joy.

Yes, what Zhao Xiaoqian did today really hit the nail on the head.

Prince Jian, Zhao Si, was a rather formidable competitor in Zhao Ji's eyes, yet he was so easily defeated by Zhao Xiaoqian.

"I heard that Prince Jian, Zhao Sixian, made a foolish move by ordering his men to set fire to the backyard of the Prince of Chu's residence, which almost burned down Zhao Xiaoqian's house. That's why he led the Imperial Guards of the Prince's residence to retaliate today. I must say, Zhao Xiaoqian's methods of revenge are truly... ruthless!"

Zhao Ji suddenly realized: "So it was Zhao Si who set fire to the Chu King's mansion the night before last."

Then Zhao Ji sneered: "At such a critical moment, he actually made such a foolish move. This kind of scum dares to compete with me for the throne. I think too highly of him."

Zhou Xingzhe pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Zhao Xiaoqian's revenge is also helping Your Highness eliminate an enemy. In my opinion, Zhao Xiaoqian seems to be quite sincere in supporting Your Highness's ascension to the throne. It seems that he was serious about the deal Your Highness made with him last time."

Zhao Ji nodded: "Indeed, I only realized Zhao Xiaoqian's sincerity today. However, we still need to be wary of him. I did not make a deal with him to seek his support. I only ask that he not sabotage the deal. That would be enough for me."

Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) is currently very excited.

Zhao Xiaoqian overthrew Prince Jian, which means that there are no longer any competitors for Zhao Ji's ascension to the throne. The throne is almost a sure thing, with no suspense whatsoever.

Emperor Huizong felt like a wise man, watching the two sides fight while he reaped the benefits. Was there anything more satisfying in the world?
He seemed to have done nothing, yet the throne was already beckoning to him.

Prime Minister Zhang Dun strongly opposed it?

Ha, it's useless. As long as the Empress Dowager and Zhao Xiaoqian support it, as long as the ancestral rules and etiquette allow it, and as long as the court officials support it, Zhang Dun's opposition alone cannot stir up any trouble.

After he ascended the throne, the first thing he did was to dismiss the prime minister and kick Zhang Dun far away.

Seeing Zhao Ji's excited expression, Zhou Xingzhe now felt that the great thing was about to be accomplished, and they were almost one step away.

"After Your Highness ascended the throne, regarding Zhao Xiaoqian..." Zhou Xingzhe tentatively asked, "Did you really hand over the military power of Yanyun to him?"

Zhao Ji sneered: "Imperial power is above all else. Zhao Xiaoqian doesn't even understand this principle. He's too naive to dream of controlling the military power of Yan and Yun."

"Your Highness does not intend to keep your promise?"

"What promise? Entrusting the 100,000-strong army of Yan and Yun to him is just asking for trouble. After I ascend the throne, I will first dismiss the prime minister, then imprison Zhao Hao and his son Zhao Xiaoqian. Chief Secretary Zhou, you can fabricate charges against these two now, and once I ascend the throne, I will have them arrested and imprisoned..."

A vicious expression appeared on Zhao Ji's face as he slowly said, "This father and son cannot be allowed to live. No, their entire family cannot be allowed to live. Only when they are all dead can I feel at ease."

…………

The residence of Prime Minister Zhang Dun.

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Dun was so startled that he accidentally broke a teacup. He abruptly stood up, staring blankly at the gray sky outside the hall.

“Prince Jian, Zhao Si, he…”

A servant stood before him, bowing respectfully, and said, "Yes, I am certain. His Highness Prince Cheng has ordered that Prince Jian's legs be broken and that he be put in a prison cart and paraded through the city."

Zhang Dun sat down in a daze, muttering, "It's over, everything is over!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's actions also ruined Zhang Dun's last option.

Zhang Dun disliked Zhao Ji very much. Known for his outspokenness, he publicly commented more than once that Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, was "frivolous" and unfit to be a ruler.

He had already offended Prince Duan to the point of no return, and Zhang Dun's only option now was to support Prince Jian.

Supporting Prince Jian also has a legal basis, after all, he was the late emperor's own brother. According to the rule of succession by younger brother after the death of the elder brother, it is more in line with etiquette to establish the legitimate heir than the eldest son.

But Zhang Dun never expected that Zhao Xiaoqian would actually get rid of Prince Jian, Zhao Si, today.

There was no prior warning, and Zhang Dun was caught completely off guard.

(End of this chapter)