Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 197 Establishing a Crown Prince
Rong Wanyin and Yan Mingzhang were startled and turned around at the same time. They saw that the man was wearing armor, with a dignified and imposing manner, walking quickly towards them. Who else could it be but Rong Junye?

"Big brother!" Rong Wanyin exclaimed joyfully, but then looked at Rong Junye with some surprise, "Big brother, why are you wearing the Imperial Guard's armor?"

Rong Junye was originally the Inspector of Youzhou. He was ordered by the Emperor to rescue the Sixth Prince last time because he happened to be on leave at home. The Great Zhou Dynasty had a rule that soldiers who had served on the border for three consecutive years were granted a three-month leave to return home. But now he was wearing the armor of the Imperial Guard, and Rong Wanyin hadn't heard anything about her elder brother getting a promotion during this time!

"Oh, His Majesty transferred me to the Imperial Guard a few days ago." Although it was a promotion, Rong Junye's tone was indifferent, without any joy.

"I've finally waited for you." Rong Junye glanced at the empty palace corridor, then reached out and pulled the two into the shadows. "Chengxuan, I didn't take what you told me last time seriously, but it seems you were right... Now, the Second Prince's treason case has concluded, and he's now a prisoner in the imperial jail. The Sixth Prince is determined to get him!"

"The Second Prince is plotting a rebellion?" Yan Mingzhang gasped in shock. Such a big thing hadn't been mentioned at all.

"Yes, it's all happened in the last month. The Second Prince was arrested for treason and hanged himself in prison the next day. The Sixth Prince issued an order that no official in the court should discuss it." Rong Junye gave Yan Mingzhang a meaningful look. His words were clear. What Yan Mingzhang had told him last time was to be careful of the Sixth Prince, who was not a kind person. It seemed that the changes in the past month had thoroughly exposed the Sixth Prince's wolfish ambitions. The Second Prince's treason was most likely the Sixth Prince's doing.

His Majesty the Emperor has few children; he has seven princes in total.

The eldest prince, Guo Xicong, was born to the empress and was the eldest son of the legitimate wife. He was made crown prince at the age of one. A few years ago, he died after falling off his horse.

The second prince, Guo Xiwei, was born to Consort Shu, but he committed treason and hanged himself. It is unknown whether it was a real suicide or a staged one.

The Third Prince, Guo Xiheng, was born to Consort Xian. He was kind-hearted and had a good reputation. However, he was heartbroken a few years ago because of the Crown Prince's affair, and his health had been poor ever since. The Empress could not bear to see him like that, so she also disliked him.

The fourth prince, Guo Xiyu, was born to the Imperial Concubine. However, he was spoiled rotten. He even took off his boots and used them to hit a minister on the head during a dispute with court officials, causing the minister to bleed profusely. If it weren't for the Imperial Concubine's intercession, the fourth prince would have certainly been punished with a beating.

The fifth prince, Guo Xilin, was born to Consort De. He was introverted and of average talent, which displeased the emperor, who criticized him for being dull.

The seventh prince, Guo Xiyan, was still an infant. He was born to Consort Li, who was said to be beautiful and the emperor's favorite. Unfortunately, her maternal family was weak. Consort Li only knew music and dance and knew nothing about politics. Just because the emperor liked her, Consort Li became extremely arrogant and even dared to openly mock Consort De for being old and losing her beauty.

Although the sixth prince came from a humble background, he was adopted by the empress at the age of twelve. Coupled with his intelligence and diligence, he pleased the emperor, empress, and court officials. Later, he gradually built up his own power base, and now that the emperor wanted to establish a crown prince, the sixth prince was naturally the popular choice.

"The Sixth Prince is riding high. The Emperor praised him in public during the morning court session, saying he was 'capable of shouldering great responsibilities,' and even the Ministry of Rites has prepared the ceremony for the Crown Prince's investiture. ... But at this critical juncture, the Imperial Seal has vanished from the sealed Imperial Study! How can the Sixth Prince not be anxious?" Rong Junye succinctly recounted the events of the past few months since returning from Medicine King Valley.

“No wonder the Sixth Prince was so anxious when he talked about the Imperial Seal, while the Emperor wasn’t so anxious,” Rong Wanyin suddenly realized.

After hearing so much from my elder brother's description, I can sum it up in one sentence: This sixth prince is a ruthless person!
"..." Yan Mingzhang remained silent, lost in thought. Too many things were amiss, and his mind was a jumbled mess, impossible to sort out. Rong Junye paused, seemingly considering how to put it: "Now, almost all government affairs have to go through the Sixth Prince. Even memorials submitted by the Censorate have to pass through him first. For officials outside the capital to see His Majesty is harder than climbing to heaven."

Rong Wanyin suddenly realized: "That explains what happened in the main hall just now. No wonder His Majesty kept glancing at you, Sixth Prince, even when he was speaking. Your influence is quite extensive..."

Before he could finish speaking, Rong Junye had already grabbed Rong Wanyin's wrist, his eyes clearly warning: "Watch your words! His influence is now everywhere, the palace is full of his eyes and ears. He said he promoted me, but he won't let me go home. It's obvious he's testing my stance. You must be careful!"

Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin nodded solemnly.

Rong Junye looked around and then asked, "How is His Majesty's condition? I heard that he has been suffering from headaches lately and has to rely on the Sixth Prince to relay his thoughts when reviewing memorials."

"I'm afraid it's just headaches..." Yan Mingzhang gave Rong Junye a meaningful look.

Rong Junye's pupils contracted slightly. In an instant, he understood. Yes, there couldn't be so many coincidences. It just so happened that the Emperor was unwell, and that the Sixth Prince was given control of the court...

Rong Wanyin lowered her voice and was about to speak when she suddenly heard footsteps coming from around the corner—black python-patterned boots shattered the slanting sunlight on the ground, and it was Rong Junye standing under the vermilion pillar, the jade pendant at his waist swaying slightly with the movement.

The three looked at each other in silence, unsure how to resolve the situation.

“I’ll see you out of the palace. Your elders must be getting impatient…” Rong Junye sighed softly, his brows furrowed slightly. He could only take it one step at a time.
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The heavy palace gates were slowly pushed open, and Rong Junye escorted Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin out of the palace. Several carriages were parked at the palace gate, and Changfeng, Moyun, and the Rong family's servants had been waiting for a long time. When they saw them come out, they hurriedly came to greet them.

"Little girl, be careful on your way back," Rong Junye instructed.

Rong Wanyin pouted and protested, "Big brother, don't keep calling me that. I'm all grown up now, not a child anymore. It's so embarrassing..."

"Okay, okay, I know, I know, go back now..." Rong Junye raised his hand, waved his hand, and smiled.

A black ebony carriage parked nearby had its gold-embroidered curtain lifted, revealing a pair of delicate, boneless hands, with slender, jade-like fingers. Inside the carriage sat a young woman dressed in a smoky purple dress, with pearl hairpins swaying gently with her movements, exuding an indescribable charm. Yet, her eyes were as clear as blue water.

"General Rong..." The girl's eyes were filled with shyness, but she could only say one sentence. She couldn't say a word that was in her heart.

Rong Wanyin's eyes widened suddenly, and she blurted out instinctively, "Rui'er? Isn't this Rui'er?"