[“Report! Urgent report! A severe locust plague has broken out in Beihuan, and they have massed twenty thousand cavalry troops at the border. The Beihuan Grand Preceptor has personally led a delegation to our Imperial City to beg for grain, and they will arrive in a few days!”]
[“They need to mass twenty thousand cavalry just to beg for grain? Damn Beihuan, this is clearly a threat to Us!”]
[“Your Majesty, our dynasty has just gone through the Crown Prince’s treason case, and the domestic situation is extremely unstable. We must not go to war with Beihuan at this time!”]
[“Issue an imperial decree: order the high officials of the court to come to the palace immediately for a consultation. Anyone who dares to delay shall be executed!”]
……
Da Qian Dynasty, the residence of the Sixth Prince — Bibo Courtyard.
Yun Zheng sat alone in the pavilion in the courtyard.
Although he had calmly accepted the reality of his transmigration, he still felt somewhat depressed in his heart.
How on earth had he transmigrated into this spineless prince?
The crucial point was that this fellow had accidentally obtained a blood letter left behind by the Crown Prince, which exposed the Third Prince for framing him in the treason plot. As a result, he was now targeted by the fiercely rising Third Prince!
In order to get his hands on the blood letter, the Third Prince made trouble for him every single day, wanting nothing more than to wipe him out by the minute!
While Yun Zheng was deeply depressed, several maidservants in his courtyard were huddled together, whispering among themselves.
“This good-for-nothing took a slap from the Third Prince yesterday, and he still hasn’t recovered from the scare!”
“He’s already twenty-one years old, yet he doesn’t even have his own manor. Among our dynasty’s princes, he’s truly one of a kind.”
“Didn’t the Third Prince say he’s a remnant of the Crown Prince’s faction? I reckon his days are numbered!”
“Keep your voice down. Useless as he is, he’s still a prince. If anyone hears you, we’ll lose our heads……”
Though mere maidservants, they held the master Yun Zheng in extreme contempt.
The Sixth Prince Yun Zheng was merely born to a palace maid after Emperor Wen had been drinking.
When his mother was alive, she didn’t even have an imperial title; she was posthumously granted the title of Beauty only after her death.
It was bad enough that Yun Zheng had no foundation whatsoever; he was also utterly cowardly, basically never fighting back when beaten or talking back when cursed.
He deserved to be bullied!
Just as they were whispering, Yun Zheng abruptly stood up.
Since he had no foundation at court, he shouldn't mix with the court!
He would go to the border and seize military power!
He was, after all, an elite graduate of the command department; warfare was his specialty!
As long as he had military power in his hands, whoever became emperor would have to dance to his tune!
Whoever he found displeasing, he would beat up!
Right, that was it!
Having made up his mind, Yun Zheng immediately got up to find his cheap father.
Just as he was heading out, the Third Prince Yun Li walked in.
“Greetings, Third Prince!”
Seeing Yun Li, the palace maids hurriedly knelt to pay their respects.
Unlike Yun Zheng, Yun Li had a very deep foundation in the court.
His mother was the heavily favored Imperial Noble Consort Shu, whose family background was illustrious, with many of her relatives holding high offices in the court.
Now that the new crown prince had not yet been decided, Yun Li was very likely to be appointed as the new crown prince.
“Get up!”
Yun Li let out a cold snort, walked straight up to Yun Zheng, and questioned him with a fake smile, “Sixth Brother, why didn’t you greet me when you saw your older brother?”
Greet you?
I’ll greet your mother’s head!
You fucking moron!
Once I get my hands on military power, you’ll be the very first person I deal with!
Yun Zheng cursed inwardly, rubbed his head, and said, “My constitution is weak. After taking a slap from Third Brother yesterday, I still haven’t recovered. I must ask Third Brother to forgive me for not being able to pay my respects.”
Hearing Yun Zheng’s words, Yun Li could not help but be slightly stunned.
That slap yesterday actually managed to slap some backbone into this spineless wretch?
“Sixth Brother, are you blaming your older brother for hitting you?”
Yun Li stared at Yun Zheng with a fake smile.
“Do I need to thank you instead?” Yun Zheng retorted.
“You really should thank Third Brother!”
Yun Li teased, “Third Brother disciplined you entirely for your own good, understand?”
Yun Zheng shook his head with a smile, “I really don’t understand.”
“I knew your wooden head wouldn’t get it!”
Yun Li looked at him with contempt, and with a chuckle, he said, “The Crown Prince committed treason, but his trusted aide fled desperately toward your place. If the Crown Prince’s aide gave you something, and you stubbornly refuse to hand it out, you’ll become an accomplice to the Crown Prince!”
Another trick like this!
The previous owner of this body had thought that if he handed over the blood letter, the Third Prince would definitely silence him, and if he didn't hand over the blood letter, he would be framed as an accomplice of the Crown Prince, making it impossible to escape execution either.
Thinking back and forth, this fellow had actually scared himself to death!
He lived like a coward, and died even more like a coward!
“That person really didn't give me anything.”
Yun Zheng said indifferently, “I reckon that fellow was just running blindly in panic when he happened to run into my courtyard.”
Yun Li narrowed his eyes and sneered, “Do you think I’ll believe that?”
Yun Zheng spread his hands, “Believe it or not, I believe it myself anyway!”
Seeing Yun Zheng’s attitude, the palace maids looked as though they had seen a ghost.
Good heavens!
This timid and cowardly Sixth Prince actually dared to speak to the Third Prince like this?
Could his brain have been knocked stupid by the Third Prince’s slap yesterday?
Looking at the uncharacteristic Yun Zheng, Yun Li’s expression suddenly collapsed, and he said coldly, “Are you dead set against handing over what that person gave you?”
“I don’t have it in the first place, what am I supposed to hand over to you?”
Yun Zheng shrugged. “Alright, I still have to go see Imperial Father, I won't dawdle with you! If you think there’s anything here, just have people come and search slowly!”
With that, Yun Zheng made to leave.
He had burned the blood letter the moment he transacted over; let them search all they wanted!
Yun Li’s expression changed. He immediately blocked Yun Zheng and shouted at the same time, “Men!”
Hearing Yun Zheng's shout, the guards outside ran in immediately.
Although these men were supposed to be the guards of Yun Zheng’s Bibo Courtyard, they obeyed Yun Li even more than dogs did.
“What do you want?”
A cold gleam quietly flashed in Yun Zheng’s eyes.
“What do I want?”
Yun Li snorted coldly, his face frost-covered as he said, “Drag this rebel who intends to collude with the Crown Prince in rebellion off to the heavenly prison, and await disposition!”
Yun Zheng narrowed his eyes, “Are you trying to frame me?”
“Frame you? This prince has conclusive evidence!”
Yun Li snorted coldly, immediately raising his eyes to look at the palace maids. “You people are by Sixth Brother’s side. Tell me, is Sixth Brother an accomplice of the Crown Prince?”
Faced with Yun Li’s interrogation, the palace maids nodded in a flurry.
“Yes, this servant has personally heard His Sixth Highness conspiring with the Crown Prince’s men to rebel.”
“His Sixth Highness even said he wanted to find an opportunity to poison His Majesty……”
“Right, right, this servant heard it too……”
The palace maids immediately turned on him, fabricating their stories with convincing details.
Hearing this in his ears, a murderous intent instantly arose in Yun Zheng’s heart.
These cheap maids!
He usually treated them quite well; far from beating or scolding them, he rarely even reprimanded them.
If they said they didn't know anything, that could still be understood.
After all, they were merely low-ranking palace maids.
If Yun Li wanted their lives, it was a piece of cake.
Yet right to his face, they framed him. This fucking thing was a textbook double-crosser!
They deserved to die!
“What else do you have to say now?”
Yun Li looked at Yun Zheng triumphantly, then waved his hand broadly, “What are you standing there dazed for? Take this rebel down for this prince!”
Take me down?
I’ll take down your mother!
Yun Zheng was enraged, and he fiercely kicked right at Yun Li’s crotch.
Yun Li never dreamed in his wildest dreams that Yun Zheng would dare to do such a thing. Without the slightest reaction, he took the kick square in the target.
Thud!
“Ah……”
A shrill scream instantly echoed through the entire Bibo Courtyard.
Yun Li clutched his crotch and collapsed to the ground with a face contorted in agony.
Seeing this scene, the maidservants and guards in the courtyard were completely scared out of their wits.
They all stood there dumbfounded, as if turned to stone.
Good heavens!
This spineless Sixth Prince actually dared to kick the Third Prince’s vital parts?
An illusion, it had to be an illusion!
However, Yun Li’s shrill screams were reminding them that this was no illusion!
“Third Prince, how are you?”
“Quick, summon the imperial physician!”
Coming back to their senses, the group hurriedly rushed forward in a flurry of panic.
“Take…… take this rebel down! Ah……”
Yun Li rolled around on the ground in a wretched state, screaming with a distorted face.
“Yes!”
The guards acknowledged the order and immediately moved to capture Yun Zheng.
“Who dares!”
Yun Zheng let out a stern roar that stunned the guards, and he shouted harshly, “No matter what, this prince is still the Sixth Highness of the current dynasty; how can you let weapons be laid upon me? I shall go personally to plead guilty before Imperial Father!”
With that, Yun Zheng strode out in large strides……
In the grand hall, Emperor Wen was holding an urgent summons to gather his ministers to discuss countermeasures regarding Beihuan begging for grain.
Right now, Emperor Wen had a massive headache.
Giving grain to Beihuan was equivalent to supporting Da Qian’s enemy.
However, not giving grain meant that Beihuan, unable to survive the upcoming winter, would inevitably march south to plunder. By then, the northern region, which had just enjoyed a few years of rest and recovery, would inevitably plunge into war once again.
Da Qian had just gone through the Crown Prince’s treason case, and the domestic situation was extremely unstable.
Fighting Beihuan at this time gave them too slim a chance of winning.
Even if they won, it would probably be a pyrrhic victory.
While Emperor Wen had a headache, the war faction and the peace faction were also arguing fiercely.
However, the peace faction clearly held the absolute upper hand.
Emperor Wen was driven dizzy by the noise, yet he could not make up his mind.
At that very moment, Imperial Noble Consort Shu ignored the guards trying to stop her outside the hall and rushed in crying, “Your Majesty, you must seek justice for Li’er! Sob, sob……”
“Cough, cough……”
Emperor Wen gave a soft cough and signaled Imperial Noble Consort Shu with his eyes, “We are discussing major matters with the ministers. Consort, withdraw for now and we will talk later if there is anything!”
Far from withdrawing, Imperial Noble Consort Shu cried even louder, “Your Majesty, Yun Zheng kicked and injured Li’er’s vital parts. If things go badly, Li’er won't even be able to be a man anymore! Sob, sob……”
“What?”
Emperor Wen’s expression changed drastically, and just as he was about to flare up, he suddenly calmed down.
A moment later, Emperor Wen said with a chuckle, “Consort, do not talk nonsense. We know what kind of temperament Sixth Brother has! He doesn't have the guts!”
Duke of Jing Xu Shifu also stepped forward, smiling as he said, “Imperial Noble Consort Shu, His Majesty has myriad state affairs to attend to, so please do not joke with him! His Sixth Highness is naturally gentle and kind; how could he do such a thing?”
Gentle and kind was merely a polite phrasing.
The Sixth Prince was timid and cowardly, a pure good-for-nothing!
Imperial Noble Consort Shu was slightly stunned, and instantly burst into even louder tears.
Emperor Wen didn't believe her words, and even her own biological brother didn't believe her?
Yet everything she said was 100% true!
At that moment, a guard outside the hall reported, “Reporting to Your Majesty, His Sixth Highness requests an audience!”
Old Six?
Emperor Wen was slightly stunned, and immediately asked, “What is he here for?”
The guard lowered his head, answering with some guilty conscience, “His Sixth Highness says he kicked and injured the Third Prince’s…… vital parts, and has come specifically to plead guilty……”
Hearing the guard’s words, the ministers’ faces twitched involuntarily.
No way?
That good-for-nothing Sixth Prince actually kicked the Third Prince’s vital parts and injured them?
Emperor Wen was also shocked by the guard’s words, his expression changing drastically once again as he roared angrily at the guard, “Bring this rebellious son before Us immediately!”
Soon, Yun Zheng was led into the hall.
Yun Zheng quietly sized up his cheap father sitting on the imperial throne.
Not bad, although he was over fifty, he didn't look particularly old.
Unlike the ancient times he knew, the emperors of the Da Qian Dynasty would set a noble title for themselves upon ascending the throne, somewhat similar to a posthumous title.
His cheap father Yun Qi’s noble title was Emperor Wen.
“Rebellious son!”
Emperor Wen stared at Yun Zheng with eyes blazing fire, “Did you really kick and injure your Third Brother’s vital parts?”
Until now, Emperor Wen found it somewhat hard to believe this fact.
Old Six usually didn't even dare to speak in a loud voice; today, he actually dared to harm his older brother like this?
“Yes!”
Yun Zheng nodded gently.
Receiving a positive confirmation, Emperor Wen’s expression instantly turned immensely ugly.
“Rebellious son, how could you treat your Third Brother like this?”
Emperor Wen opened his eyes wide in fury and shouted sternly, “Do you know that what We least wish to see is you brothers slaughtering each other?”
Xu Shifu’s expression grew even frostier as he bowed and said, “Your minister believes that His Sixth Highness shows no regard for his older brother and has caused severe injury to the Third Prince; this must never be condoned! I beg Your Majesty to demote the Sixth Prince to a commoner as a warning to others!”
He was, after all, Yun Li’s uncle!
Yun Li had suffered a huge loss at Yun Zheng’s hands; how could he let Yun Zheng off?
“His Sixth Highness actually dared to ruthlessly attack the Third Prince; his crime is truly unforgivable!”
“His Majesty strictly prohibited princes from slaughtering their own flesh and blood as soon as he ascended the throne. This precedent must never be set!”
“I beg Your Majesty to demote the Sixth Prince to a commoner as a warning to others!”
“This minister seconds the motion……”
Xu Shifu’s words instantly won the echoes of the Third Prince’s faction.
One after another, they petitioned Emperor Wen to demote Yun Zheng to a commoner.
Even those who didn't speak watched coldly from the sidelines.
In the vast imperial court, not a single person stepped forward to speak up for Yun Zheng.
Looking at this bunch of clowns, Yun Zheng secretly rejoiced over his decision.
Why waste time playing around in the Imperial City instead of running away?
Staying in the Imperial City would only lead to getting killed!
Run!
He had to run!
Emperor Wen’s gaze was cold and sharp as he stared at Yun Zheng with a frost-covered face, “Rebellious son, why aren't you speaking? We grant you permission to speak and give you a chance to explain!”
Facing Emperor Wen’s wrath, Yun Zheng bowed and said, “This son does not wish to explain, nor is there any need to! Regardless, injuring Third Brother like that is a major taboo for me! This son pleads guilty.”
Hearing Yun Zheng’s words, Xu Shifu couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Trash was still trash!
Given a chance, he still couldn't make use of it!
However, giving this piece of trash a chance to explain was useless anyway!
He had made up his mind to have Emperor Wen demote this useless prince to a commoner.
Xu Shifu pondered slightly, and bowed again, “Your Majesty, since His Sixth Highness has already pleaded guilty, I beg Your Majesty to grant the ministers’ petition and demote the Sixth Prince to a commoner as a warning to others!”
“I beg Your Majesty to demote the Sixth Prince to a commoner as a warning to others!”
The Third Prince’s faction petitioned in unison.
Yun Zheng noted these bastards down in his mental ledger, bowed to Emperor Wen once more, and shouted loudly, “This son knows full well that his crimes are grave; I beg Imperial Father to mete out punishment!”
“Punishment?”
Cold glints flickered in Emperor Wen’s eyes, “Then tell Us, what crime do you deserve?”
“A capital offense!”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Yun Zheng bowed and said, “I beg Imperial Father to grant this son death!”
Boom!
As Yun Zheng’s words fell, the hall fell into absolute silence……
Granting death?
Yun Zheng was actually proactively asking Emperor Wen to sentence him to death?
Had his brain been scared out of its wits?
Everyone stared blankly at Yun Zheng.
No one had expected Yun Zheng to ask for death right off the bat.
Even Xu Shifu and Imperial Noble Consort Shu’s sibling pair were completely dumbfounded.
Although Yun Zheng had no foundation and no status, he was still a prince.
A prince of the Da Qian Dynasty, as long as he didn't rebel or commit heinous crimes, was basically impossible to be sentenced to death.
Yun Zheng giving Yun Li’s crotch a kick wasn't enough to make Emperor Wen sentence him to death.
A demand they didn't even dare to imagine was actually proposed by Yun Zheng himself?
Emperor Wen was likewise shocked out of his wits by Yun Zheng’s words.
After a long silence, Emperor Wen asked sternly, “Do you really want Us to sentence you to death?”
“Yes!”
Yun Zheng nodded solemnly, “This son has no other way to wash away his sins with death!”
Emperor Wen’s heart gave a fierce twitch.
He could not fathom for the life of him why Yun Zheng was so insistent on seeking death.
Although he didn't care much for this son either, this was still his son.
Even if he was terrified, he shouldn't be scared to this extent, right?
Among all civil and military officials in the court, who would dare say they wanted to be sentenced to death?
Pondering for a moment, Emperor Wen asked sternly, “Did someone threaten you?”
With that, Emperor Wen’s gaze swept inadvertently past Imperial Noble Consort Shu.
Imperial Noble Consort Shu was startled and cried out in grievance.
She hadn't even had time to speak to Yun Zheng yet; how could she have threatened Yun Zheng?
“No!”
Yun Zheng shook his head.
“Then why are you so insistent on seeking death?”
Emperor Wen raised his voice abruptly.
In an instant, the civil and military officials in the court fell silent as cicadas in winter.
“This son has committed grave sins and ought to die to redeem them!”
Yun Zheng said with a sorrowful expression, “This son has no other requests, only begging Imperial Father to grant this son one small request!”
“Speak!”
Emperor Wen said with a dark face.
“This son has lived as a coward for so many years; I do not want to die like a coward too!”
Yun Zheng put on a look of grief and indignation, gritting his teeth as he said, “I beg Imperial Father to allow this son to head to the border. This son is willing to wield a three-foot-long sword and die a glorious death in battle!”
Die in battle?
Cold glints flashed in Xu Shifu’s eyes.
He understood now!
Yun Zheng was trying to escape the Imperial City!
“His Sixth Highness’s courage is commendable, but this minister feels it is inappropriate.”
Xu Shifu immediately jumped out to object, “After all, the Sixth Prince is an imperial prince. If even the princes of our dynasty were to die on the battlefield, wouldn’t it make those barbarians laugh that our magnificent Da Qian has no men left?”
He absolutely could not give Yun Zheng a chance to escape the Imperial City!
Yun Li had told him about the blood letter matter.
They had to get their hands on that blood letter!
Yun Zheng shook his head: “Regarding the Duke of Jing’s words, Yun Zheng dares not agree!”
“Oh?”
Xu Shifu raised his eyes to look at Yun Zheng, “What high insights does the Sixth Highness have?”
Yun Zheng straightened his back and said in a ringing voice, “The sons of commoner families are still able to fight to the death for our Da Qian; how much more should we, as imperial princes, set an example for the people of the world!”
“Yet since the founding of our dynasty, we have never heard of a prince dying on the battlefield. This is why the country does not flourish!”
“If there must be one, let it begin with Yun Zheng!”
Let it begin with Yun Zheng!
Yun Zheng’s words were spoken with resounding strength, echoing continuously within the grand hall.
Listening to his words, many people felt a surge of heroic spirit well up in their hearts.