Qin Zhiyi knelt on Zijin Square for an entire night but failed to see Prince Qin even once. In the end, he was dismissed from his Southeast Canal Transport position by a single written decree, ordered to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors and examine himself at home.
Thus, Prince Yan Qin Zhiyi’s efforts of over ten years collapsed like a mountain, leaving him with nothing overnight. Outside Prince Yan’s mansion, the gates became deserted with no visitors. The Seventh Prince Qin Zhicheng and Ninth Prince Qin Zhimin, who used to follow him closely, also confined themselves at home and rarely ventured out.
Within the Great Qin royal family, the winds of fortune reversed in a single morning. Many years later, when future court historians recalled this secret Division 9 – Chapter of history, they would sigh silently with deep emotion. The four-nation standoff began to slowly crumble from this moment, as the turbulent winds and waves of chaotic times surged forth. On the eve of Qin Zicheng’s sixtieth birthday, the struggle for succession among the fourteen sons of the Qin court slowly began to unfold.
The skies were about to change, great chaos was approaching. What appeared as merely a small ripple under the historians’ brushes represented the destruction and defeat of millions of lives.
In the twenty-seventh year of Emperor Qin Gaozong’s reign, spring brought strange omens and disasters. The Wei River dried up, stone embankments collapsed, white fish swam upstream, well fish bore writings on their bellies, hundreds of fruits conveyed divine prophecies, and tens of thousands of birds gathered to pay homage. Prince Yan was confined, great power shifted hands, and all the princes stirred restlessly. This marked the beginning of the fourteen sons’ struggle for succession, known as the Spring Upheaval.
Spring rain is as precious as oil. With only five days remaining until Prince Qin’s sixtieth birthday, Prince Yan’s rebellion had finally been quelled. Looking at this first spring rain since early spring began, Qing Xia slowly set down the fruit wine in her hand. Lian Zhou’s reporting voice mixed with the sound of rain outside, becoming increasingly ethereal and unreal. She held a jade wine cup in one hand and embraced her shoulder with the other, her expression calm and wearing a plain white dress with scattered flowers at the hem, appearing as pure and elegant as a lotus emerging from water.
“Miss, Prince Yan’s faction no longer has any chance of recovery. It truly is as you said—mere rumors among the people can kill him.”
Qing Xia smiled coldly and said indifferently, “The most lethal invisible killer in this world is gossip and slander. When we returned to the capital, it was Prince Yan who orchestrated that grand spectacle of ten thousand people paying homage. Now we’ve simply returned the favor.”
Li Xian said with heartfelt admiration, “Sister Qing’s strategy was truly brilliant. Prince Qin is naturally suspicious, so making him suspect Prince Yan of building momentum for himself naturally made him intolerant. I doubt he’ll ever recover.”
Qing Xia shook her head and said gravely, “Even a wrecked ship has three thousand nails. Prince Yan’s excellence lies in returning to his mansion for confinement without making a fuss or causing trouble. Once such a person seizes an opportunity, he might well turn the tables. Now is the perfect chance to beat a dog that’s fallen in the water. Lian Zhou, how are things progressing with Minister Cheng from the Ministry of Works regarding the Wei River?”
“Everything has been prepared according to your instructions, Miss.”
“Good,” Qing Xia’s eyes turned cold as she said sternly, “Strike while he’s down and take his life. Let the Crown Prince’s faction and Prince Yan’s faction tear each other apart like dogs. Prince Xuan’s mansion will close its doors to guests, the entire household will maintain vegetarian diets and wear plain clothes, and we’ll invite all the temple abbots and monks from Baihua Temple to return and conduct rituals. Additionally, all idle personnel from the Yan Character Battalion should go out to search for the legendary physician from Shangqiu, making as grand a display as possible. I want to see just how high the winds and waves in this Xianyang City can rise!”
That very evening, Minister Cheng Fangzhi of the Wei River Ministry of Works, who regularly spent money like water at Ruihong Tower, got into a fight with several street ruffians while completely drunk. In his disheveled state, he was detained by the unknowing city defense forces and sent to Lord Cao Qiu of the Outer City Military Commissioner’s office for questioning. During the body search, they unexpectedly discovered rubbings of the stone statue that had been excavated from the Wei River on this minor river works official.
One stone stirred up a thousand waves. The Prince Yan affair suddenly had another twist, and that very night it was placed on Qin Zheng’s desk. Ministers of Prince Yan’s faction, seeing a chance for reversal, swarmed forward in a desperate struggle, all pointing their accusations at a minor river worker by the Wei River. However, how could a mere river channel manager have the capability for such grand schemes? Everyone’s attention quickly shifted to the Eastern Palace, because Consort Cheng, who had just been elevated from palace maid to Crown Prince’s secondary consort two months prior, was none other than Minister Cheng Fangzhi’s biological sister.
In an instant, the five hundred writing brushes of the Censorate rose like agitated turkeys, attacking and defending, writing furiously. One hundred twenty-seven people claimed the Prince Yan case had hidden complexities and demanded thorough investigation; forty-eight accused river worker Cheng Fangzhi of framing Prince Yan, forging stone statues, and disrupting Great Qin’s government with ulterior motives; sixty-one accused the Crown Prince’s faction of eliminating dissidents, forming cliques, and instructing others to frame Prince Yan; one hundred thirty-five accused Prince Yan of trying to escape guilt by framing Minister Cheng Fangzhi, attempting to shake the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace position and scheme for Great Qin’s heir apparent position. Additionally, seventy-six people submitted memorials claiming Prince Qin had recently become obsessed with alchemy and neglectful of court affairs, causing the Prince Yan case to be decided before thorough investigation, and that Prince Qin should bear responsibility for the current reversal, reflect on himself, establish noon court sessions, and strengthen management of state affairs.
In less than a day, the battle of written accusations expanded further. Lord Cao Qiu of the Outer City Military Commissioner’s office was accused of involvement in framing Cheng Fangzhi and even the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, and was arrested by the Supreme Court. In an instant, the military was also alarmed and drawn into this upheaval.
A single thread moved the entire body. The Ministry of Revenue accused the Censorate of deliberately escalating the situation, causing river officials to neglect their duties and preventing money and spring taxes from reaching the capital via canal transport, delaying Prince Qin’s birthday celebration. The Ministry of Works submitted accusations against the Ministry of Revenue, blaming them for refusing to allocate funds, preventing the sacrificial platform from being completed on schedule. The Grain Department claimed that without Prince Yan’s signed authorization, eastern official grain had rotted and couldn’t be transported to the northern frontier for disaster relief. The Eighth Prince from the northern frontier even sent an urgent letter to court, stating that without grain supplies, the northern frontier could not be secured.
All civil and military officials immediately fell into chaos like a pot of boiling porridge. Military generals loudly berated the civil officials for making mountains out of molehills and disrupting government affairs. The five hundred writing brushes of the Censorate flew into rage, unanimously turning their attacks on the military officers, throwing the Qin court’s government into complete disorder.
At this point, finally some perceptive individuals awakened and saw clearly that the officials’ seemingly random boxing—punching east and west without strategy—indicated a mastermind directing from behind. Suspected targets focused on the Crown Prince, Second Prince, Fourth Prince, and even the Sixth Prince and Thirteenth Prince, but no one considered Qin Zhiyan.
These past few days, Prince Xuan’s mansion had been shrouded in gloom. The Yan Character Battalion nearly disbanded, searching the world for descendants of the legendary Shangqiu physician. Monks and Taoist priests gathered within Prince Xuan’s mansion, and Princess Min had thrice wept and pleaded outside Zijin Gate, requesting the Grand Elder to leave the palace. Finally, she nearly stormed into the Great Qin Imperial Palace in a carriage carrying the gravely ill Prince Xuan.
With only three days remaining until Prince Qin’s birthday, Prince Qin finally had to intervene to end this incident, issuing an edict forbidding further discussion. The chaotic Ministry of Works, Grain Department, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, and the self-destructive Censorate finally had a moment of peace.
As night fell, Qing Xia sat in her study’s soft chair, looking at the reports on her desk. The corners of her mouth curved slightly as she let out a cold laugh and said softly, “Was that satisfying? But I haven’t even begun yet.” With that, she heavily drew a line across the report with her brush.
Lian Zhou stood in the flower room at this moment, watching Qin Zhiyan carefully trim the leaves of the ink orchid in his hands, slowly saying, “The Crown Prince’s faction and Prince Yan’s faction are now locked in mortal combat. Both sides’ secrets are nearly exposed, and the eastern river blockage and severe drought have finally become known to His Majesty. Prince Yan’s days are very difficult.”
Qin Zhiyan smiled faintly and said, “Lian Zhou, what do you think of this matter?”
Lian Zhou was slightly startled, thought for a moment, and said, “I believe that regardless of how events develop, everything favors us. Whether His Majesty suspects Prince Yan of building momentum to seek advancement, or suspects the Crown Prince’s faction of forming cliques to eliminate his brother’s influence through deliberate framing, or suspects other princes of intentionally stirring conflict between the two factions, he won’t suspect Your Highness. By using illness as a reason to stay distant from the battlefield, you appear desolate but actually occupy the most advantageous position.”
Qin Zhiyan shook his head and laughed, “You only know one aspect, not the other. Yima’er’s move is designed to show Father Emperor the hidden power behind these two sons of his. As long as they want to rebel, all three dukes, nine ministers, and civil and military officials will join the commotion, immediately throwing Qin’s government into chaos and paralyzing the entire nation’s administration. Seeing this situation, how could Father Emperor not be shocked and secretly vigilant?”
Lian Zhou was stunned. He had only seen the chaotic court situation but hadn’t thought so deeply. He listened as Qin Zhiyan continued, “Actually, most of the Censorate officials and various ministry ministers remain loyal and devoted. They were simply swept up by circumstances and drawn into the chaos. But in Father Emperor’s eyes, they appear completely different. When the Crown Prince and Prince Yan have a dispute, all these old ministers jump out to create confusion with their misdirection, each having someone they want to protect. Father Emperor cannot help but be wary. After the birthday celebration, the Crown Prince and Prince Yan’s days will likely be difficult.”
“Naturally,” came a crisp voice from outside the door. Qing Xia walked in, holding the adorable snow-white Da Huang in one hand and a basket in the other, saying as she walked, “They bare their fangs and claws, relying on their favor and arrogance. Using their minor accomplishments as leverage, they don’t regard the Emperor seriously, each having their own troops and purposes. It would be strange if the Emperor weren’t wary. And what about our Highness? Serving country and people, humble despite achievements, never involving himself in factional struggles—he appears much more pleasing to the eye.”
Qin Zhiyan extended his hand to help Qing Xia sit in the rattan chair, smiling, “You’re still the clever one.”
Qing Xia smiled as she took out various bottles and jars from the basket, all sweet-smelling pastries with novel and exquisite designs that looked appetizing just by sight.
“Lian Zhou, sit down and eat together.”
Qing Xia beckoned, and Lian Zhou was startled, quickly waving his hands, “This subordinate doesn’t dare.”
“What’s there to not dare?” Qing Xia raised an eyebrow and said loudly, “Are you afraid I’ll poison you?”
Qin Zhiyan smiled and said, “No need for formalities. Sit down, and let me hear what plans you have next.”
Qing Xia said happily, “Next, I’ve prepared several grand gifts for your second brother. He’s sinister and extremely scheming, far more difficult to deal with than your eldest brother. Having finally schemed against him, I must ensure he can never recover.”