Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

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"Next..."

Chen Pingping's voice, like a cold wind drifting from the underworld, swirled in the dimly lit room. His withered fingers stopped stroking and instead gripped the armrests of the wheelchair tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"Since they want to watch a show, let's build them an even bigger stage. Now that the fire in Kyoto has already started, let it burn even brighter, so that it can illuminate all the demons and monsters hiding in the shadows."

Fan Jian frowned, staring intently at the old cripple: "What exactly do you want?"

Chen Pingping chuckled softly, a chilling kind of pleasure in her laughter, but she did not directly answer Fan Jian's question.

He turned to look at Fan Jian, his eyes flashing with an almost maniacal calm: "You only need to guard the Fan residence and protect Fan Xian's last breath. Leave the rest to me. There will be a good show to watch at tomorrow's morning court."

Looking at Chen Pingping's unfathomable appearance, Fan Jian had many doubts, but he did not press her further. He snorted coldly, put his hood back on, and turned to walk into the dark secret passage.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

The heavy rain in Kyoto finally subsided before dawn, but the sky remained overcast and heavy, with thick clouds pressing down on the golden glazed tiles of the Imperial Palace, making it hard to breathe.

In front of the Taiji Hall, civil and military officials lined up in an orderly fashion.

The air still carried the dampness of earth and rain, and everyone's face appeared somewhat solemn, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible fear.

News of Fan Xian's assassination attempt had already spread like wildfire throughout the capital, and everyone was speculating about the political upheaval this assassination would trigger.

Li Chengze stood second in the princes' line. Today he wore a dark purple court robe, with a seemingly casual but priceless warm jade hanging at his waist.

He still looked lazy, standing at an angle, and even yawned slightly.

His gaze swept over the back of Crown Prince Li Chengqian ahead, then lingered for a moment on Lin Ruofu not far away, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

As the eunuch Hou's high-pitched, melodious voice rang out, Emperor Qing, dressed in his finest attire, slowly ascended the dragon throne. His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over the assembled officials below, finally lingering for a moment on Fan Jian's slightly aged face before quickly shifting away.

"I've heard that things weren't peaceful in the capital last night," Emperor Qing said calmly. "Minister Fan, how is Fan Xian's injury?"

Fan Jian stepped forward, knelt down and kowtowed, his voice heavy with grief: "Your Majesty, my son is still unconscious. Although the imperial physicians are doing their best to treat him, his life is uncertain."

The main hall was deathly silent.

Emperor Qing sighed, his tone tinged with pity: "Fan Xian is a brilliant talent of our Great Qing, and I am deeply saddened. The Censorate must thoroughly investigate this matter and show no leniency."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Chen Pingping, sitting in his wheelchair at the front of the official line, bowed slightly in response.

After a brief opening, Emperor Qing did not dwell on the topic for long. He suddenly changed the subject and dropped a bombshell that shocked the entire audience.

"I have another matter to announce today. The princes are all grown up and ready to settle down and start their own families so they can share my burdens. I have decided to select consorts for my eldest and second sons." Emperor Qing paused, looking into the distance. "The eldest prince has rendered meritorious service in defending the border and has not returned for many years. I have issued an edict summoning the eldest prince back to the capital to complete his marriage."

These words immediately stirred up a silent storm in the imperial court.

Choosing a consort for a prince is a common practice, but at such a sensitive time, especially with the sudden recall of the eldest prince who holds military power, the deeper meaning is self-evident.

Although the eldest prince cannot inherit the throne due to his mother's status, his military power is a bargaining chip that no one can ignore.

The prince's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He gripped his sleeves tightly, his body trembling slightly. Li Chengze's presence already made him extremely uneasy; if the eldest prince, with his resolute character and command of a large army, were added to the mix, the situation in the capital would become extremely dire for him, the crown prince.

He subconsciously looked at Li Chengze, only to find that Li Chengze remained unmoved.

Among the civil officials, Prime Minister Lin Ruofu's eyes flickered slightly. He glanced at Li Chengze discreetly.

Li Chengze seemed to sense Lin Ruofu's gaze. He turned his head slightly and shook his head very gently at Lin Ruofu.

Lin Ruofu felt a chill run down his spine and instantly understood Li Chengze's meaning. He immediately withdrew his gaze, stood up straight, and became like a stone statue, adopting an attitude of indifference and detachment.

Seeing this, the officials in Lin Xiang's faction who were originally eager to submit a memorial all shut their mouths.

An eerie silence fell over the main hall.

"What, do you all think there's something wrong with my arrangements?" Emperor Qing asked calmly.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian finally couldn't hold back any longer. He took a step forward, his voice hoarse: "Father, the eldest prince is stationed on the frontier and is a pillar of the nation. If he is recalled at this time, I'm afraid the border defenses will be..."

"The border defenses are guarded by great generals. Does the Great Qing Dynasty not have the ability to defend those few cities without the Crown Prince?" Emperor Qing coldly interrupted the Crown Prince.

The prince was speechless, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Just then, Li Chengze, who had been standing to the side looking rather bored, suddenly moved.

He casually stepped out of the line, his movements even bordering on the impolite. Unlike Fan Jian, he didn't kneel and kowtow; he merely bowed slightly, his voice clear yet tinged with a hint of cynicism:

"Father, I think it's really time to choose a wife. My elder brother has been suffering in the desert for so many years, it's time for him to come back and enjoy life, and find a virtuous wife."

Everyone was taken aback, not expecting Li Chengze to agree with Emperor Qing's words.

But then, Li Chengze changed his tone, becoming somewhat mischievous: "However, I'll pass on myself. I already have someone I love. If Father is going to bestow a marriage upon you, then bestow one upon my elder brother. Also, give him the reward that was originally prepared for me, as a congratulatory gift from me to my elder brother."

These words shocked the entire audience!

Everyone stared wide-eyed at Li Chengze as if he were a madman.

In Daqing, imperial decrees are hard to disobey, let alone such a tremendous favor as bestowing a marriage upon someone.

Li Chengze actually dared to refuse Emperor Qing in public, and in such a provocative and nonchalant manner.

"Is he crazy?" That was the first thought that popped into everyone's mind.

The Crown Prince was completely stunned. He had thought that Li Chengze would take this opportunity to win over the First Prince or plant his own forces in the selection of concubines, but he never expected that Li Chengze would actually overturn the table.

Emperor Qing's face instantly darkened. Thunder seemed to be brewing in his deep eyes as he stared intently at Li Chengze.

"Second brother, do you know what you're saying?" Emperor Qing's voice was deep and filled with a suffocating pressure.

Li Chengze, however, seemed oblivious to the pressure. He even smiled, a smile tinged with a resolute, defiant air: "Your subject knows. Your subject is wild by nature and has no intention of harming any young lady. Now that I have found my love, I no longer wish to be entangled in worldly affairs. If Father wishes to punish me, I will accept it."

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze.