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

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The night was as dark as ink. Inside the Second Prince's residence, the lights flickered, illuminating Li Chengze's slightly pale face, which always carried a mocking smile.

He remained sprawled on the soft couch, a few translucent grape skins scattered on the gold-threaded carpet at his feet.

A soft footstep broke the silence inside the room.

"Your Highness, we've found out." Zhao Gao's voice was low and deep, as if it had been squeezed out from a crack in the ground, carrying a chilling aura.

"Was it done by the Forensic Service?"

"Your Highness, please look, the result... is unexpected. Although the Bureau of Investigation is investigating, the real clues came from the military. The crossbow mechanisms and breath-holding techniques used by the assassins who attempted to assassinate the First Prince were all developed by the Privy Council."

"The Privy Council?" Li Chengze's brows furrowed tightly, a look of extreme astonishment flashing in his eyes. "General Qin and his group? Have they gone mad? Our leader has been guarding the border for years; they're the backbone of the military, their own people! Why would they cut off their own arm?"

Li Chengze paced anxiously around the room, his bare feet sinking into the cold floor, oblivious to the fact that he was not aware of it.

He originally thought that the main character of this play was Chen Pingping, or at the very least, the eldest princess stirring up trouble behind the scenes. But he never expected that it would be the Privy Council, which usually seemed the most stable and silent.

"Interesting, very interesting." Li Chengze stopped, a dangerous smile playing on his lips. "It seems the waters of Kyoto are even more murky than I imagined. Are those old fogies in the Privy Council worried that our leader's military achievements are too great and that he'll diminish their power upon returning to the capital? Or... have they already chosen a new master?"

Zhao Gao lowered his head and asked, "Your Highness, should we suppress this information, or...?"

"Why press it down?" Li Chengze sneered. "Such a big gift is naturally meant for the rightful owner. The boss is a straightforward guy who hates backstabbing brothers the most. If it were a political enemy trying to assassinate him, he might just be angry; but if it's his proud military comrade who wants to kill him, hey, that'll be quite a show."

He turned his head, stared at Zhao Gao, and said, word by word, "Leak this news 'casually' to the Crown Prince's residence. Remember, make him think that he found it out himself, or... that some general who disapproved of the Privy Council's practices secretly reported it."

"Yes, sir." Zhao Gao accepted the order, and with a flicker, disappeared into the thick darkness of the night.

……

At the same time, at the First Prince's residence.

Li Chengru was sitting in front of a well-worn sword, an old companion he had brought back from the border.

The air inside was so heavy it felt like it was about to drip water.

When the "evidence" that had been cleverly passed on was placed in front of him, this tough guy who shed blood but not tears on the battlefield actually trembled slightly.

"The Privy Council...the Qin family..."

Li Chengru's eyes instantly turned bloodshot as he looked at the records of crossbow numbers and the suicide squad training camp in the documents.

He slammed his hand on the table, and the sturdy pearwood table shattered into pieces instantly.

"I fought for my country on the front lines against the Western Hu, while my brothers ate dry rations and guarded our territory in the wind and sand. In the end, the one who took our lives was our colleague who sat in the high hall of the capital and gave orders!" Li Chengru's voice was like that of a wounded lone wolf, low and hoarse.

He always believed that even if there were factional disputes among soldiers, there should still be a basic bottom line.

But the Privy Council's actions completely shattered his understanding. The blood of those old brothers who died in the assassination was still fresh, and the murderer was hiding among those old generals who claimed to be fighting for the "Southern Qing Dynasty".

"Your Highness, should I gather my personal guards now and go to the Privy Council to demand an explanation?" The adjutant beside him was equally indignant, his hand already gripping the hilt of his sword.

"Halt!" Li Chengru took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Although he was angry, he was not foolish. This was the capital, not the border. The Privy Council was deeply entrenched, and rushing in without solid evidence would only earn him a charge of "using military power for personal gain and plotting rebellion."

"I'll remember this debt." Li Chengru's gaze darkened as he looked towards the palace. "Father said Chen Pingping should investigate, so I'll await Chen Pingping's confession. If Chen Pingping can't find anything, or if Father wants to smooth things over... Hmph, my blade, Li Chengru's blade, isn't only for killing foreign enemies!"

That night, the Crown Prince's residence remained sleepless.

……

The next day, as dawn broke, in front of the Taiji Hall.

Civil and military officials filed in, the atmosphere more solemn than usual. The eldest prince, Li Chengru, dressed in military uniform, stood at the head of the military officials, exuding a suffocating aura of killing intent that caused the surrounding officials to unconsciously give way.

Li Chengze still looked like he hadn't woken up yet, standing to the side yawning, but his eyes kept wandering between the senior ministers of the Privy Council and the eldest prince, and he was secretly laughing to himself.

With a sharp cry of "Your Majesty has arrived!", Emperor Qing slowly ascended the dragon throne. Today, he was not wearing his usual loose-fitting nightgown, but instead donned a bright yellow dragon robe, exuding an imposing and unapproachable aura.

"All of you, rise." Emperor Qing's voice echoed throughout the hall.

After a brief report, Emperor Qing suddenly put down the memorial in his hand, his gaze falling on Li Chengru, and his tone became much gentler.

"Chengru, you've been back in the capital for some time now. You've been guarding the border for many years, working hard for the country, and your marriage has been delayed. I've discussed it with Consort Yi, and it's time to help you settle down."

Li Chengru stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I leave it all to Father Emperor."

Emperor Qing nodded slightly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "A few days ago, I reached a new tribute agreement with Northern Qi. For the sake of long-term stability, the Northern Qi royal family is willing to send a princess to marry into the Northern Qi royal family. I have already decided to betroth this Northern Qi princess to you as my principal wife."

"What? A princess from Northern Qi?"

The hall erupted in chaos. The ministers exchanged bewildered glances and began to discuss the matter.

"Your Majesty, this... Northern Qi and our dynasty are sworn enemies. Is it really appropriate to let the eldest prince marry a princess from an enemy country?" A censor boldly stepped forward and said.

Emperor Qing gave him a cold glance, and the official immediately felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar and shrank back.

"An enemy state? Now that the two countries are negotiating peace, the marriage alliance is to turn hostility into friendship. Chengru is my eldest son and the most prestigious prince in the army. Having him marry the princess will best demonstrate my sincerity and appease the people of Northern Qi." Emperor Qing's voice was unquestionable.

Li Chengru lowered his head, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

He had just discovered that the Privy Council wanted to kill him, when his father, the Emperor, immediately gave him a princess from Northern Qi. What was the real story behind this marriage alliance?

Marrying the Northern Qi princess meant that he was essentially out of the running for the throne. The Crown Prince of Southern Qing could never have a princess of Northern Qi blood.

"Your subject...accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude." Li Chengru knelt on the ground, his voice steady, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Watching this scene from behind, Li Chengze sighed inwardly: "Father Emperor played this move brilliantly. He not only gave his eldest son a title, but also cut off his escape route, and incidentally severed his relationship with the military through this marriage—how could the military possibly support a prince who married a princess of Northern Qi?"

After the court session, the officials dispersed. Li Chengze did not return to his residence, but instead went directly to Guangxin Palace.

Author "Invincible Demon King F" recommends reading "Joy of Life: I, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!" using the "Renren Bookstore" APP. Download and install it.