Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

The clouds and sky have lost their summer hues, and the leaves rustle with the sounds of autumn.

In the courtyard, fallen leaves fluttered down as Luo Zheng, holding a long sword, danced in the shadows of the trees.

As the mottled sword light crisscrossed, an autumn wind swept up fallen leaves, which circled around Luo Zheng like a dragon and spiraled straight up into the sky.

wow——

Luo Zheng raised his sword and swung it.

In an instant, the golden fallen leaves, like black birds spreading their wings, transformed into a shower of petals that drifted down from the sky.

"So beautiful!"

Zhao Ji and Xia Ji sat in the pavilion and clapped their hands in heartfelt praise.

"Zheng'er's swordsmanship is truly beautiful. Although I am not proficient in spiritual martial arts, I can still sense its exquisite beauty."

"Hehe, Mother, you flatter me. Everyone says I'm all show and no substance!"

Luo Zheng smiled and sheathed his sword.

The sword technique he just displayed was a secret sword technique passed down through generations of the Liang royal family.

Three years have passed since he returned to Liang. After these years of reflection, he has not only grown physically, but has also fully mastered the Lingwu True Teachings of the Liang royal family.

However, many people who had seen his swordsmanship secretly showed considerable disdain.

It's just that Luo Zheng's swordsmanship is all show and no substance, merely beautiful to look at, lacking the necessary sharpness and killing intent.

"In my opinion, they are just jealous of Zheng'er."

Zhao Ji shook her head, quite dissatisfied with those who slandered her child.

Xia Ji scrutinized Luo Zheng, but her thoughts were on something else entirely.

"Zheng'er, you should settle down and stop flirting with other women all the time. You're already handsome, and you have such beautiful swordsmanship. I don't know how many women you attract and fall for you."

There was a hint of resentment in his tone.

"..."

Luo Zheng also had his own unspeakable suffering.

Three years ago, Tang Ju's face reading made him famous and attracted the attention of many people.

Following Zhao Wei's advice, Luo Zheng decided to defile himself to lessen the hostility of others.

The simplest way is to pretend to be a spoiled rich kid.

It can also serve as a prelude to his future extravagance and debauchery.

So Luo Zheng started to imitate other young men and pretended to harass respectable women.

The results were quite encouraging.

She quickly gained countless fans who were both mothers and girlfriends.

Many noble families even took the initiative to propose marriage to the King of Liang, wanting to marry their daughters to Luo Zheng.

The groom is still young? You can arrange the marriage first.

Is the woman older? They say that marrying a woman three years older brings good fortune, so what's wrong with marrying a few more?

Luo Zheng was completely paralyzed.

What about a woman's modesty?

Is this reasonable? Is this appropriate?

Why is everyone sidling up to me?

In the end, the whole matter was left unresolved.

Luo Zheng was about to speak up and make excuses.

At this moment, a maid came to report that Luo Zheng's teacher, Li Tonggu, was requesting an audience.

……

Luo Zheng received Li Tonggu indoors.

Li Tonggu was a retainer of Zhao Wei, the Left Chancellor. For the past three years, in addition to teaching Luo Zhengjun etiquette, arts, calligraphy, and mathematics, he also served as Zhao Wei's mouthpiece.

"Your Highness should be aware that there have been rumors circulating about you both inside and outside the court recently. Even the Empress Dowager Xuan and Lord Pingliang have spoken out against Your Majesty's decision to make you the Crown Prince."

After bowing to Luo Zheng, Li Tonggu got straight to the point.

He was referring to the fact that a few days ago, after the Liang King's regime was completely consolidated, the ministers in the court, for reasons unknown, took the opportunity to bring up the matter of establishing a queen and a crown prince to the Liang King.

Although Zhao Ji was the empress, she had not been formally crowned queen because she had no children.

Now that they have adopted Luo Zheng as their son, this has made up for that.

Therefore, if a queen and crown prince were to be officially appointed, it would basically be Zhao Ji and Luo Zheng.

This obviously provoked strong dissatisfaction from others.

Needless to say, Wei Ji, who was vying for favor with Zhao Ji, was also opposed to the establishment of a crown prince. There was also Right Chancellor Fan Ze, who was vying for power with Zhao Wei, as well as Pingliang Jun, who was stationed in Xiliang, and Empress Dowager Xuan.

They joined forces and demanded that Luo Zheng leave the palace and take up a post outside the palace.

This instantly thrust Luo Zheng into the eye of the storm.

"What did Prime Minister Zhao say?"

Luo Zheng asked Li Tonggu curiously.

"The Prime Minister's meaning is that you, my lord, need not worry about the outside disturbances. Leave the rest to the Prime Minister. King Liang will certainly not allow you to leave the palace. Once the storm has passed, everything will become clear."

Li Tonggu answered truthfully.

To put it bluntly, he was too popular, and Zhao Wei was unable to withstand the encirclement and suppression by various forces, so he had to avoid their sharp edge for the time being.

"Zhao Xiang's thoughts coincide with mine!"

Luo Zheng nodded seriously.

Currently, the Liang Kingdom is roughly divided into five factions.

The newly emerging relatives of the Tang dynasty, led by Zhao Wei.

The former senior ministers, led by Fan Ze.

Wei Ji was the head of the Wei family's foreign relatives.

The Chu state's foreign relatives, headed by Empress Dowager Xuan.

The local military nobles and clansmen, led by Pingliang Jun.

These five forces are deeply intertwined, vying for power both inside and outside the court, creating a fierce and mutually restraining balance.

The only thing that could break this balance right now is the matter of appointing a crown prince.

Therefore, any faction that attempts to seize the position of crown prince will inevitably be attacked by other factions.

Luo Zheng calculated the time.

In this predetermined fate, the struggle for the crown prince intensifies from this point onward.

Luo Zheng readily accepted Zhao Wei's advice and did nothing but bide his time and conceal his abilities.

Then, Zhao Wei waited for him to use political means to coordinate the various forces, establish Luo Zheng as the crown prince, and eventually ascend to the throne of Prince Liang.

"Sir, you can rest assured that I will lie low and disappear from everyone's sight."

Luo Zheng revealed a meaningful smile.

He understood the principle that taking a step back can open up a whole new world.

……

In the following days, Luo Zheng indeed ignored the rumors and gossip.

However, he didn't care about the rumors, and the rumors still came to him.

King Liang made it clear in court that he had no intention of establishing a crown prince for the time being, hoping to quell the turmoil.

However, the other four forces pressed their advantage, insisting that Luo Zheng leave the palace, and some even wanted him to go abroad as a hostage.

This can be described as pushing their luck.

When Zhao Ji in the harem heard about this, she was so angry that she gritted her teeth.

"This is outrageous! Zheng'er was held hostage in Tang for ten years, and he's finally back, and now they want to send him away again!"

"The courtiers are pressuring us, what should we do? Sister, do you know what the King has said?"

Xia Ji listened from the side, her heart filled with worry, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She was of low status and had no influence, so she could only rely on Zhao Ji.

"Sister, don't worry. The King is equally furious. He will never allow Zheng'er to go abroad as a hostage again."

Zhao Ji comforted her softly.

It's often said that laymen watch the spectacle, while experts see the details.

When Luo Zheng returned to the palace, he heard Xia Ji telling him about this.

He immediately guessed that it was Zhao Wei who had demanded that he go abroad as a hostage.

That old fox is giving him a taste of his own medicine.

While others wanted to put Luo Zheng in a difficult position, Zhao Wei simply added fuel to the fire, thoroughly enraging the King of Liang.

This would only incite the King of Liang to rebel.

They might directly oppose others and make Luo Zheng the crown prince.

At that time, regardless of whether or not Zhao Wei is persuaded to be enthroned, the initiative will be in his hands.

"Mother, please rest assured, I will make sure this whole mess is over."

Luo Zheng made a promise to Zhao Ji and Xia Ji.

Even though he does nothing now, he can still reap the benefits under Zhao Wei's manipulation.

But that was Zhao Wei's plan, not Luo Zheng's.

Although Luo Zheng said he would lie low.

But that doesn't mean he'll follow Zhao Wei's lead.

So on that very day, Luo Zheng went to see the King of Liang.

"Have you come here regarding matters of the imperial court?"

King Liang rubbed his temples wearily as he watched Luo Zheng approach.

Luo Zheng bowed to the King of Liang, and then spoke loudly.

"Your subject is doing this not only for matters of the court, but also to share your father's burdens."

"Oh? How do you intend to share my burdens?"

King Liang looked at Luo Zheng with surprise.

"The court officials are criticizing me, and their concern is that my father wants to make me the crown prince."

Luo Zheng spoke earnestly and sincerely.

"In that case, your son wishes to leave the court and go to a post outside the capital to reassure the officials. At the same time, I request that Your Majesty appoint Zhao Ji as Queen to uphold Your Majesty's authority!"