Unlike the prominent Yang and Zhao clans who controlled the court, since the Crown Princess’s marriage, no one from the Xie clan had held office in the capital. Those who previously held positions either resigned or were transferred to prefectural offices.

The sons of the Yang and Zhao clans, not to mention their names, even the sons of favored servants, were eagerly assigned official positions. Yet Xie Yanfang, such a renowned young master of the Xie clan, remained idle at home.

Over the years, the Crown Prince had proposed several times that Xie Yanfang should take office, but Xie Yanfang had always declined with various excuses. After so many refusals, the Crown Prince, who already had a bad temper, grew impatient.

“I allied with your Xie clan through marriage, not merely for procreation,” the Crown Prince said coldly, his eyes full of ferocity. “Xie Third Young Master, you said that being connected to me was your punishment. You seem too comfortable—this hardly looks like punishment.”

The Third Prince was becoming increasingly disrespectful, yet the Emperor continued to turn a blind eye. The Zhao clan grew increasingly arrogant, while the Yang clan was clearly at a disadvantage.

And the Xie clan was still hiding behind, enjoying their leisure.

He had granted the Xie clan the status of imperial relatives not out of kindness, nor because he was captivated by the beauty of Xie women.

It was so that the three factions would compete, making things easier for him as the one in power.

“Your Highness, this is unjust,” Xie Yanfang said, his expression helpless. “By not taking action now, we are providing Your Highness with the best assistance.”

The Crown Prince sneered. “Explain your twisted logic.”

“The Third Prince cannot be allowed to remain,” Xie Yanfang said.

The Crown Prince was startled, as if seeing the thirteen-year-old Xie Yanfang again. At that time, he had stood at the foot of the hill, looking up at the youth who had suddenly appeared. The boy had worn white clothes, holding a crossbow. Though he looked heavenly, the shock he brought was like that of a ghost.

Although the Crown Prince did not fear killing, and deeply despised this third brother, he had never dared to think of eliminating him—the Emperor was still alive, after all.

“Do you think he’s a chicken or a dog?” the Crown Prince rebuked. As if he could be eliminated so easily. “He is deeply loved by the Emperor, has the Zhao clan supporting him, and besides, he doesn’t think he’s just hiding away studying.”

Under the pretense of studying, the Third Prince was cultivating connections and reputation. The number of people and the amount of money in his control were unknown.

Xie Yanfang smiled and said, “That’s why the Yang clan is in the open, and I am in the shadows, allowing us to better serve Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince responded, “Oh? How so?”

“The Yang clan is prominent, with everyone watching them. There are many things they cannot do, many people they cannot befriend. That’s where we come in.” Xie Yanfang said, taking out a scroll. “These are the people I’ve visited over the years—renowned families, talented scholars living in seclusion, and some seemingly unremarkable individuals who will prove useful when needed.”

The Crown Prince reached out to take it, opened it, and a smile appeared on his face as the ferocity in his eyes dissipated. “Not bad, not bad. These are indeed things my uncle cannot accomplish. For instance, this person—”

He pointed to one of the names, both annoyed and amused.

“A few years ago, my uncle went to visit him. When he heard about it, he packed his belongings and fled over the wall in the middle of the night.”

The man might not have been unwilling to serve him, but he despised the Yang clan’s reputation and didn’t want to associate with them.

Compared to the Yang clan, the Xie clan indeed gave people a better impression.

As the Crown Prince was about to look away, his gaze passed over a name and paused.

“This Chu Li—”

Xie Yanfang knew the Crown Prince would question this.

The Crown Prince prided himself on his martial prowess but disliked those who were brave yet did not submit to him. Therefore, he would not like someone like Chu Li.

He explained, “This Chu Li, although greatly disrespectful to the Emperor and disobeying imperial edicts out of self-righteousness, resulting in the Emperor abandoning his service, has still maintained his position as Defense General for over a decade. This suggests that the Emperor must still have unresolved feelings for him. Such a person might, at a certain moment, say something that could have a significant impact. So he’s worth keeping in reserve—”

The Crown Prince laughed heartily. Sometimes, intelligence was not omnipotent.

“Third Young Master, everything you say is correct,” he said. “But Chu Li is dying.”

Xie Yanfang truly didn’t know this and looked surprised. “I’ve heard nothing about it.”

“It’s not surprising that you don’t know,” the Crown Prince said with a smile. “He’s always been a person of little note. Who would care about news of him?”

Even if Chu Li died, who would care?

Xie Yanfang asked curiously, “Your Highness, how did you come to know this?”

“The Emperor told me,” the Crown Prince said casually. “Let him die. He even had the nerve to write to the Emperor. What does he want? A posthumous title?”

It was laughable, and the Crown Prince roared with laughter.

Xie Yanfang didn’t laugh. His expression was thoughtful as he asked, “So, apart from the Emperor, no one else knows?”

The Crown Prince found this amusing. “What if others knew? Would he have the face to tell people he’s dying? Everyone just wishes he would die quickly.”

With a wave of his hand, he continued.

“Since you refuse to take office, just select someone from your family to replace Chu Li’s position in the border prefecture. It’s unimportant and won’t attract too much attention, preventing the Zhao clan from taking it.”

Xie Yanfang responded with an “Oh.”

Was that an agreement or not? The Crown Prince glared at him. This young man seemed distracted.

“What are you thinking about!” he demanded.

Chu Li… Xie Yanfang let the name roll through his mind before saying, “No wonder his daughter returned to the capital. She was bringing the young bird back to the nest.”

Still thinking about Chu Li? The Crown Prince waved dismissively. “Don’t waste your thoughts on him. He’s not worth the effort, an insignificant person.”

“No,” Xie Yanfang smiled. “Although he’s insignificant, this time he can be of use to Your Highness. You naturally know about the Third Prince’s literary gathering.”

The Crown Prince let out a cold laugh. “I even know that after this literary gathering, he plans to have these gathered scholars spread the idea that the crown should be bestowed based on virtue, not age.”

The Zhao clan and the Third Prince were growing impatient. The Emperor’s health was poor. If they waited until the Emperor truly passed away, the Crown Prince would legitimately succeed, and no matter how much they struggled, it would be useless.

Xie Yanfang said, “Your Highness need not concern yourself with these petty tricks.”

The Crown Prince laughed heartily. “Of course I’m not concerned. That incompetent child—what can he achieve with mere words? I’m just waiting for him to cause trouble. I’ve been looking for an excuse to kill those treasonous villains.”

Xie Yanfang nodded with a smile. “In the face of status, position, and power, favoritism is nothing. However, before that, Your Highness could also embarrass the Third Prince.”

The Crown Prince looked at him. “I wouldn’t stoop to disrupting his literary gathering.”

The more disrespectful the Third Prince became, the more he wanted to appear as a magnanimous elder brother. There was no need to displease the Emperor over a mere literary gathering.

Xie Yanfang said, “Your Highness need not get involved. Chu Li’s daughter has already acted on your behalf.”

Chu Li’s daughter? The Crown Prince was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Xie Yanfang smiled. “The Third Prince, whether prompted by someone or through some contrivance of Chu Li’s nephew, obtained an invitation to the literary gathering. But that invitation was publicly snatched away by Chu Li’s daughter, who berated her cousin as unworthy.”

He had learned of the commotion as soon as it started earlier today, and immediately recognized how this person and this incident could be used.

“When even a girl disdains the Third Prince’s literary gathering invitation, doesn’t that make the gathering laughable?”