The Demonic Crown Prince

As his mind raced, Emperor Jinglong smiled slightly, as if answering his own question, "Perhaps, Yuan'er already possesses this ability? What do you think, Dahai?"

"This... Your subject dares not speak presumptuously." Wang Dahai quickly shook his head.

"You said you wouldn't dare to speak recklessly, but in reality, you secretly helped him, didn't you?"

Don't you understand that the Imperial Household Department is only responsible to the emperor and doesn't participate in anything else, especially the power struggles between princes?

Emperor Jinglong looked at him again, but this time, his gaze sharpened, revealing a razor-sharp glint.

This is enough to prove that everything was under Emperor Jinglong's control.

Wang Dahai's knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, I dare not..."

"You dare not? You are supporting Li Yuan, using my authority to create momentum, and indirectly helping Li Yuan coerce the officials to present gifts. Isn't that right?"

"By listening to Li Yuan's words and going with him to Black Wind Corner to investigate the case, we arrested Fang Li, who was involved with many princes. Wasn't that right?"

Emperor Jinglong asked coldly.

"Your Majesty... I only..."

Wang Dahai was sweating profusely, but he didn't know how to answer.

"I know that you got this position because of Li Yuan's maternal grandfather, Liu Wei. So even though Liu Wei has passed away, you still owe Li Yuan a favor."

At this point, Emperor Jinglong's eyes turned sinister. "But remember this: Liu Wei can indeed help you, but ultimately, it is I, not anyone else, who decides who sits on this throne!"

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Dahai nodded emphatically, his back soaked with sweat.

"This time, I'll let you off the hook because it's your first offense. But if there's a next time, or if you still overestimate yourself and try to get involved in national affairs or even the internal affairs of the royal family, then you might as well disappear."

Emperor Jinglong snorted.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will keep it in mind!"

Wang Dahai said, trembling.

"Remember, there are some things you shouldn't do, but there are some things you still need to do!"

Emperor Jinglong's eyes were sinister, and his words were loaded with hidden meaning.

"Your Majesty, I understand!"

Wang Dahai kowtowed heavily and stepped back.

"Eunuch Song, your apprentice is really a handful."

Emperor Jinglong watched Wang Dahai's retreating figure and shook his head.

A figure emerged from the screen behind him; it was an old eunuch, a very, very old eunuch.

He smiled and stood beside Emperor Jinglong. "Your Majesty, one should never stop learning. We must give them time to grow. I believe that this reprimand from Your Majesty will remind Dahai of some things that must be done and some things that must not be done!"

"And what about these princes? How much longer should I give them?"

Emperor Jinglong rested his chin on his hand and looked at Eunuch Song from the side.

Everyone needs to grow!

Eunuch Song remained expressionless.

"Then, who is more suitable to be the crown prince or even to take over the world?"

Emperor Jinglong then brought up the same question he had just asked Wang Dahai.

"Whoever Your Majesty deems capable, then so be it."

Eunuch Song's answer, however, was even more diplomatic.

"Old Song, you are always so meticulous."

Emperor Jinglong shook his head and laughed, but as he laughed, his eyes turned cold again.

"I know very well that the reason why Dahai helped Li Yuan was partly because he felt he owed Li Yuan a favor, but more importantly, he felt that Li Yuan might still have a chance to return to the Eastern Palace."

Old Song, is that right?

After a long silence, Eunuch Song slowly nodded. This time, he didn't evade the question but faced it directly. "That's indeed the case!"

"Then do you think I will give Li Yuan a chance to return to the Eastern Palace?"

Emperor Jinglong stared at Eunuch Song and said.

"This old servant is foolish! Besides, the Imperial Edict Office is only responsible to the Emperor on the Dragon Platform. It does not hear, ask, or know anything about other matters!"

These are the guiding words of the late Emperor when he established the Imperial Edict Factory, and this old servant has always kept them in mind!

"Song Gonggong said."

"Very good, I hope your Zhaochang will always maintain this neutral stance."

However, I want to tell you that Li Yuan will never be able to return to the Eastern Palace.

Remember, forever!

Emperor Jinglong straightened up slowly as he spoke, almost gritting his teeth.

Eunuch Song remained silent, listening quietly without saying a word.

"Back then, I already had someone I liked to be my Crown Princess, but the late Emperor insisted on marrying Liu Wei's daughter to me, and even made Liu Wei the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor and helped him to become the Prime Minister."

Even after the late emperor passed away, Liu Wei remained like a mountain, always weighing on my shoulders.

As a result, the woman I loved could not be married into the palace and could only meet with me in secret. In the end, she died of longing.

Later, it was Liu Wei again who, along with all the civil and military officials, pressured me to establish Li Yuan as the crown prince in the name of the eldest son.

Even if that is the truth, the anger in my heart cannot be dispelled by his deceitful treatment of me.

Moreover, Li Yuan is such a far-sighted schemer. He pretended to be weak and incompetent to deceive me, then plotted against Jun'er, and even resigned from his position as crown prince, hoping to escape the capital by taking up a fief in Yanbei.

All of this was simply because he felt he had seen through my long-held desire to depose him, sensed danger, and was unwilling to remain subservient to others for long, so he risked everything.

But I have to admit that he disguised himself too well. With such ability, he had been patient all along, only taking advantage of Liu Wei's influence to watch coldly from the sidelines. In the end, he was forced to reveal his true colors and even implicated the case of the prince's assassination attempt on him, which made me lose face!

Such scheming and manipulation, attempting to play me for a fool, is utterly despicable!

Emperor Jinglong roared, his face ashen!

"Your Majesty, isn't this a sign of wisdom?" Eunuch Song sighed softly.

"What kind of wisdom does he have? What does he take me for? A fool to be toyed with at will? Does he even respect me as his father?"

His scheming is an insult to me!

"Since that's the case, then let him go to Yanbei Road to quell the rebellion. He'll be responsible for his own life and death, as long as he stays out of my sight!"

Emperor Jinglong slammed his hand on the armrest of his dragon throne and roared angrily.

"If that's the case, then why did His Majesty reprimand the princes in such a manner just now?"

"I asked slowly," said Eunuch Song.

"Brothers fighting each other and flesh and blood turning against each other is a disgrace to the royal family and a joke to the world."

I would rather he die during the suppression of the rebellion and be given a grand funeral than let him die in the capital, bringing shame upon the imperial family!

Emperor Jinglong snorted coldly.

"What if the King of Qin succeeds in quelling the rebellion and takes up his fiefdom in Yanbei?"

Eunuch Song asked again.

"Then let him stay in that freezing, godforsaken place. Like I said, as long as he's not in front of me, that's fine."

"Actually, what this old servant wants to ask Your Majesty is, among these princes, which one is qualified to be the crown prince or even to sit on the throne in the future?"

After a long silence, Eunuch Song slowly asked.

"this……"

Emperor Jinglong fell silent!

After a long pause, he raised his head. "Anyone will do, but it can never be him, never!"

He growled in a low voice, almost as if making a vow.

"Then, Your Majesty, given the Prince of Qin's abilities, once he is enfeoffed, if the Crown Prince were to be established elsewhere or even ascend the throne, who could be his match? Isn't Your Majesty afraid of sowing the seeds of future trouble?"

Eunuch Song looked at Emperor Jinglong and asked solemnly.

"you mean……"

Emperor Jinglong was startled and turned to look at Eunuch Song.

Yes, if he really establishes another crown prince, after he dies, whichever of these princes becomes emperor, can they really hold onto the throne in the face of Prince Qin, Li Yuan?

Will the princes of Da Ye once again turn against each other and plunge the country into chaos as they vie for the throne?