His casual attitude greatly displeased Liu Taiwei, who declared support for the Second Prince at the court assembly, with many followers.
There were perceptive officials who guessed that the Third Prince’s sudden change was likely a performance to withdraw from the throne competition. Since the Third Prince was voluntarily stepping back, they could only align themselves with the Second Prince Luo Ye, declaring their stance.
This led to numerous visitors at the Second Prince’s residence in the following days, sometimes with one official barely leaving before another was waiting outside. Even longtime political enemies who often argued or fought in court now could only glare at each other, coldly snorting as they passed.
Luo Ye, seeing the situation was settled, was triumphant but feared Luo Zhan was plotting something that might suddenly overturn everything. One afternoon, during a lull in visitors, he discussed this with Pan Xian.
Pan Xian pondered, “Your Highness and the Third Highness were originally on par. Now that such a scandalous rumor has spread about the Third Highness, the court officials have all turned to support Your Highness’s claim to the throne. Public sentiment has turned, and it is not easily reversed.” He had been wavering about siding with Luo Zhan, and now he was glad he had not acted rashly.
Luo Ye was still a bit uneasy and said to Pan Xian, “Please carefully investigate the true intentions of my third brother.”
If it were to be revealed that he knew Luo Zhan would be poisoned by Luo Sui but did not warn him, and that he had drugged Yi Yao with the intention of forcing himself on her, it would be enough to ruin Luo Zhan’s reputation. Compared to that, the rumors of Luo Zhan’s gambling addiction were nothing.
In his heart, he was always plotting how to eliminate Luo Zhan to ensure these two secrets would never be exposed. Only because Pan Xian had been advising him not to act rashly before truly ascending the throne had he restrained himself from taking action against Luo Zhan.
Just as Pan Xian had agreed, a confidant at the study door reported, “Your Highness, Master Pan, the Third Prince has had an accident.”
Pan Xian was stunned and looked at Luo Ye, who also looked surprised, and called out, “Come in and explain.”
“Yes.”
Chapter 141: Struggle for the Throne (21)
