Jiang Wan’s expression was indescribably complex: “It’s that serious? Why didn’t you think it through back then? Can it still be changed?”
“It can be changed, but it would indirectly offend the third prince.”
Yan Dong sat aside, no longer speaking.
After a night of contemplation.
The next morning, after breakfast, Jiang Wan went to the Jun Manor to find Jiang Yan.
Upon learning of her arrival. Jiang Yan had someone bring Jiang Wan to the courtyard where they lived.
When Jiang Wan arrived,
Jiang Yan was sitting in the pavilion. She called out to her, “Second sister, come and sit here.”
Jiang Wan walked over neither quickly nor slowly.
After sitting down and exchanging some pleasantries,
Jiang Wan, with a hesitant tone, asked, “Sister, do you know what it means to take sides?”
Jiang Yan was taken aback for a moment.
Jiang Yan asked her, “Second sister, why are you suddenly asking about this?”
“I heard people discussing it on my way here.”
Jiang Wan’s hands unconsciously clenched together.
Having known Jiang Wan for so many years, how could Jiang Yan not understand her sister?
Jiang Yan subtly explained to Jiang Wan what taking sides meant.
After understanding, Jiang Wan said, “Sister, has my brother-in-law taken sides?”
Did Yan Dong send her to ask this?
Jiang Yan couldn’t help but feel disappointed with Jiang Wan. Didn’t she think this through before coming to ask?
“No.”
Jiang Wan grabbed Jiang Yan’s hand, “Sister, since he hasn’t taken sides, let him support the Third Prince. I’ve heard from my husband that the Third Prince is quite good.”
“Jiang Wan, do you know what you’re doing!”
Jiang Yan’s voice was much louder than before.
It had been a long time since Jiang Wan was called by her full name by her sister, which startled her. Coming to her senses, she said in a low voice, “I know, my request might be a bit excessive, but, but I’m worried about Yan Dong.”
For him,
would she do anything?
Jiang Yan looked at Jiang Wan’s face and said, “Second sister, you’re worried about Yan Dong, and I’m worried about Jun Shen. He didn’t take sides, and I fully support him. If you really want what’s best for Yan Dong, you should advise him to stop early and not support anyone.”
After a moment of silence,
Jiang Wan apologized, “Sister, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said those things. I shouldn’t have asked my brother-in-law to do that.”
Seeing her understand so quickly,
Jiang Yan’s expression softened a bit, “I was so angry just now, do you know why? I was upset because you didn’t even find out what kind of person the Third Prince is before…”
“My husband and his colleagues…”
Jiang Wan hadn’t finished her sentence,
when Jiang Yan interrupted, “They, what about them? Are they always right? Jiang Wan, the political arena isn’t as simple as you think. You should persuade Yan Dong about this. If he doesn’t listen, we won’t be able to help him in the future.”
…
Returning home,
Jiang Wan spent a long time in her room before checking on the children.
Yan Dong was supposed to come home earlier today, before nightfall.
Upon returning, he went straight to his study to work.
During dinner, after the children had left the table, Jiang Wan spoke to Yan Dong, “Husband, I heard that taking sides isn’t a good thing. Maybe you should reconsider.”
Yan Dong’s hand paused while picking up food.
“Who told you that?”
Jiang Wan thought for a moment and said, “My sister asked me to persuade you not to do it, saying they wouldn’t be able to help you in the future if something happens.”
Yan Dong lowered his head to eat without looking at Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan wanted to say more,
but Yan Dong put down his bowl, “Jiang Wan, let me be frank with you. I can’t turn back now. I have to push forward.”
Can’t turn back!
Jiang Wan was at a loss for what to do.
As the competition for the throne intensified,
the Emperor prematurely drafted a will. In their scramble for the will, the First Prince and the Second Prince fought fiercely, resulting in the will disappearing and both being injured, eventually captured by the Emperor’s men.
They fought like that even before his death.
The Emperor was extremely disappointed in them, but as they were his sons, he couldn’t bear to kill them. He made them princes, gave each a small fiefdom, and had them escorted there.
As for their mothers, they would be sent to their fiefdoms after his death.
The Emperor had six sons in total; the First, Second, Third, and Fifth Princes were of age, while the Thirteenth and Eighteenth Princes were just a few years old.
Therefore,
the most likely candidates for the throne were the First, Second, Third, and Fifth Princes.
Now, with their actions,
the most hopeful candidates left were only the Third and Fifth Princes.
This time, the Emperor decided not to draft a will. He planned to abolish the previous will and directly appoint a Crown Prince.
Before the appointment could be made, an incident occurred involving the Thirteenth and Eighteenth Princes.
One fell and injured his face.
The other fell into the water and became mentally impaired.
Whether it was damage to their appearance or their mental faculties, neither could become Emperor.
The Emperor had no choice but to make them princes and send them away from the capital.
With their departure,
only the Third and Fifth Princes remained.
The Emperor secretly investigated them but found nothing, yet the cleaner their records, the more suspicious he became.
The day before he was to appoint the Crown Prince,
the Emperor received two memorials: one accusing the Fifth Prince of corruption, the other accusing the Third Prince of murder.
The Emperor was so angered he coughed up blood.
What kind of sons had he raised!
Seeing the Emperor so furious, the head eunuch hurried forward to pat his back, give him water, and console him.
“No, We cannot pass the throne to such people…”
The Emperor shook his head.
The head eunuch suddenly thought of something but hesitated to speak.
The Emperor noticed and said, “What do you want to say? Just say it.”
Chapter 153: Who Are You, Why Am I Here
Seeing the Emperor urging him to speak, the head eunuch boldly said, “Your Majesty, have you forgotten? You have another son.”
“Another son?”
The Emperor couldn’t remember.
The head eunuch reminded him, “The one who disappeared, your son.”
This son was born to the Emperor’s most beloved woman, but she died in childbirth, so the Emperor always harbored resentment towards him and had him raised outside the palace.
Because he was raised outside, he went missing at a young age, and despite years of searching, he was never found.
“You, you said he’s gone, what use is there in…”
The Emperor spat out another mouthful of blood.
Seeing the Emperor so agitated and coughing up blood again, the head eunuch dared not say more.
Not hearing any further from the head eunuch,
after calming down, the Emperor said to him, “Go, fetch Jun Shen to the palace…” The Chief Eunuch, under orders, took his men to the King’s residence.
Arriving by carriage, the Chief Eunuch was about to alight when he saw a young man and woman emerging from the residence, both appearing to be in their teens.
The young woman was recognized by the Chief Eunuch; she was Jiang Yan’s younger sister, Jiang Ran.
As for the young man beside her…
The Chief Eunuch had not seen him before, and upon closer inspection, his expression changed slightly.
By the time he got off the carriage, the pair had already walked away.
He watched their retreating figures for a moment.
The Chief Eunuch then hurried towards the guards at the gate of the King’s residence.
The guards knew the Chief Eunuch well, and each greeted him respectfully.
