Only those with ulterior motives would be so eager to please those in power by any means necessary.
In Prince Xiang’s view, he had no chance at that position anymore. In the future, he would just be Prince Qi’s follower. Whether he could live comfortably depended entirely on whether Prince Qi would be the ultimate victor. There wasn’t much point in trying to please the Empress Dowager now.
Hearing Prince Xiang say this, Prince Qi was secretly delighted.
The Eighth Brother falling victim to the Seventh Brother’s scheme wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for him.
If before he had still been wary of the Eighth Brother, fearing he might harbor unrealistic ambitions and turn on him when the opportunity arose, now he could be completely at ease.
The Eighth Brother had lost all hope after missing out on becoming the Empress’s son.
This way, the Eighth Brother would be his most trustworthy helper in the future.
Prince Qi tapped his fingers lightly on the white porcelain teacup and advised, “Eighth Brother should still put some effort into the Empress Dowager’s birthday gift. You don’t need to stand out, but at least don’t be at the bottom and displease the Empress Dowager.”
Prince Xiang nodded indifferently, “I know that. But Fourth Brother, you should prepare well. Don’t let that bastard Seventh Brother outdo you.”
At the mention of Yu Jin, Prince Xiang gritted his teeth in hatred.
He had been losing sleep these past few nights, his chest aching every time he thought of how the Seventh Brother had tricked him into going to the palace to speak nonsense to Father Emperor.
He had thought countless times if he had just honestly returned to his mansion that day, whether the Empress’s son would have been him or the Seventh Brother was uncertain.
No, Father Emperor had favored him more.
But pitifully, he knew nothing, and the next day he received the terrible news that the Seventh Brother had been registered under the Empress’s name.
What was even more tragic was that other brothers could still go to the palace to inquire from their respective mothers, but what could he do besides drowning his sorrows in wine at his mansion?
His mother was just a dancer who only gained the title of Noble Consort because she gave birth to him. Even if he went to the palace to ask, he wouldn’t get any answers.
Prince Xiang couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Noble Consort Li.
For him, it was better not to see such a birth mother if possible. Seeing her only reminded him of his lowly maternal bloodline.
Prince Qi put down his teacup and said indifferently, “The Seventh Brother indeed surprised me. In just two or three short years since returning from the Southern Border, he went from being an impoverished prince unknown even to Father Emperor to becoming the Empress’s son. Given time, I dare not imagine how far he will go—”
“Fourth Brother, what do you mean?”
Prince Qi picked up his teacup again, took a sip, and smiled self-mockingly, “Doesn’t Eighth Brother think the Seventh Brother is blessed with extraordinary luck?”
Prince Xiang’s eyes narrowed, and he blurted out, “Fourth Brother, do you think the Seventh Brother might become the Crown Prince?”
Prince Qi’s eyes flickered, “Does Eighth Brother think it’s impossible?”
Prince Xiang became somewhat agitated, “But what qualifies him—”
“The fact that he is now the Empress’s son,” Prince Qi set his teacup down heavily on the table, his eyes cold as ice. “Yu Lang was the son of the primary Empress, Father Emperor’s only legitimate son, yet he ended up deposed and dead. Since anything is possible, why couldn’t the Seventh Brother become the Crown Prince?”
Prince Xiang fell silent.
Prince Qi was also silent. When the tea in the cup had gone completely cold, he sighed, “If the Seventh Brother became the heir apparent, or even went further, would Eighth Brother be content?”
Prince Xiang slammed his fist on the table and hissed, “He can dream!”
The mere thought of the one who had ruined his chance to soar high now ascending to the clouds himself made him want to vomit.
This was also why he was so determined to help the Fourth Brother.
Staring at the spilled tea spreading across the table, Prince Qi’s voice softened to a murmur, “Indeed, how could one be content?”
“Fourth Brother, do you have any countermeasures?” Prince Xiang had regained some composure, but his face was still very unpleasant.
Prince Qi saw this and was quite satisfied.
The more the Eighth Brother hated the Seventh Brother, the easier it would be for his plan to succeed.
Prince Qi reached into his robe and took out a small porcelain bottle, pushing it across the table.
“This is—”
Prince Qi looked up at Prince Xiang, enunciating each word clearly, “A drug.”
Prince Xiang didn’t touch the small white porcelain bottle, his tone hesitant, “What kind of drug?”
Prince Qi’s lips curved into a smile, “This drug is colorless and odorless. It can dissolve in wine, and the person who drinks it will lose control within a quarter of an hour at most, doing inconceivable things…”
Prince Xiang stared at the white porcelain bottle, silent for a long time.
Prince Qi decided to speak plainly, “Eighth Brother, the Seventh Brother is a great threat to both of us. Naturally, we should bring him down before his wings are fully grown, and this task falls to you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. This drug can make people lose control. What better occasion than the Empress Dowager’s birthday?”
Prince Xiang furrowed his brows, “It would be good to make the Seventh Brother lose face on such an occasion, but how can we poison him?”
Prince Qi smiled at this, “The reason I’m asking Eighth Brother to do this instead of doing it myself is not to stay out of it, but because Eighth Brother has a better opportunity.”
Prince Xiang pressed his thin lips together, waiting for Prince Qi’s explanation.
Prince Qi played with the small white porcelain bottle, speaking unhurriedly, “As Eighth Brother has seen, the Seventh Brother hardly pays attention to me normally. If I were to offer him a toast, he might just refuse. But if the Eighth Brother just mentions going to the palace together that day, I think the Seventh Brother would be willing to drink this consolation cup with you. After all, the Seventh Brother is the type who likes to show off after stepping on someone…”
Prince Xiang’s eyes flickered, somewhat tempted.
If he could poison the Seventh Brother and get away unscathed, he wouldn’t mind trying.
After all, everything has risks, and the Fourth Brother needed a helper who was willing to do more than just reap the benefits.
But if he failed—
Prince Qi knew Prince Xiang’s concerns and smiled, “This drug dissolves instantly in wine. The Eighth Brother just needs to slip it in while offering a toast. Afterward, I will also offer a toast to the Seventh Brother, and others will follow. Even if the Seventh Brother goes mad, he won’t be able to trace it back to this cup of wine. Eighth Brother can rest assured.”
Seeing Prince Xiang’s continued silence, Prince Qi sighed, “If Eighth Brother feels it’s too difficult, we can forget it and find another opportunity in the future. It’s just that if Father Emperor could suddenly register the Seventh Brother under the Empress’s name today, he might suddenly give the position of heir to the Seventh Brother tomorrow. By then, it would be much harder to shake the Seventh Brother’s position…”
Prince Qi’s words finally prompted Prince Xiang to make up his mind. He gritted his teeth and said, “Hesitation will only bring more trouble. Let’s do it.”
Helping the Fourth Brother was also helping himself. If they succeeded, he could rest easy in the future.
At an occasion like the Empress Dowager’s birthday, everyone would be offering toasts. Who could trace it back to his cup of wine?
Moreover, once the Seventh Brother lost control, given the Father Emperor’s regard for the Empress Dowager, he would likely just throw the Seventh Brother out without even a chance to explain. What could be investigated?
Prince Qi smiled and patted Prince Xiang’s shoulder, “Then I’ll leave it to Eighth Brother. When it’s done, I’ll be sure to thank you properly.”
Prince Xiang grinned, “Fourth Brother, don’t be so formal. We’re brothers, no need for such talk.”
The two clasped hands, exchanging smiles.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the Empress Dowager’s birthday. Yu Jin and Jiang Si got into the carriage, heading towards the imperial palace together.
In the carriage, Yu Jin leaned lazily against the wall, smiling as he asked, “A’Si, do you think there will be any unexpected turns at today’s birthday banquet?”