Murong Li knew it must have been last night when mother went to the Regent’s mansion to plead with Ninth Uncle, since both he and mother knew that Sister Bai had already given birth to two children for Ninth Uncle!

However, what mother didn’t know was that Sister Bai and Ninth Uncle hadn’t truly fallen out as she wished—everything was just an act!

Although this time, after Ninth Uncle and Sister Bai had “fallen out,” mother’s demand for Ninth Uncle to serve as envoy to Great Zhou was somewhat excessive, but in reality it should have hit right at Ninth Uncle’s heart. After the two children were born prematurely, Ninth Uncle had never seen them and must be deeply concerned!

Murong Li didn’t object. He stood up and bowed deeply to Xiao Rongyan: “Ninth Uncle, rest assured. A’Li will protect Yan! Moreover… A’Li once lived in the capital and knows the Great Zhou emperor’s character. As long as our Yan shows sufficient sincerity and uses the people’s suffering to persuade the Great Zhou emperor, A’Li believes we can succeed. This trip… will trouble Ninth Uncle!”

The uncle and nephew performed their act with great coordination.

Since the emperor had spoken thus, even if the Regent’s faction officials standing below had many complaints and reluctance, they could only remain silent. But they were truly worried!

Although outsiders all said Yan’s regent was ruthlessly brutal and monopolized government power, these court officials who followed the Regent knew that Yan’s ruler was young, and the Regent was merely doing brutal things on behalf of the young lord to pacify the Wei state.

Back when the late emperor Murong Yu was still alive, the Ninth Prince hadn’t interfered in government for many years, staying secluded in his mansion. Later, if not for the need to destroy Wei… the Ninth Prince probably still wouldn’t have wanted to leave his mansion. Then the Ninth Prince used thunderous methods to pacify Wei, the late emperor passed away, and only then did the Ninth Prince shoulder Yan’s heavy burden alone.

If the Great Zhou was determined to attack Yan and kill the Ninth Prince… what would happen to Yan?

After court, His Majesty, the Ninth Prince, and Zhong Xingxiao went together to visit the Empress Dowager in her chambers. The court officials walked down from the white jade steps with worried expressions.

The Regent’s faction gathered together, discussing going to the Regent’s mansion today to try persuading the Regent to see if they could make him abandon this trip to Great Zhou.

“I reckon last night, the Empress Dowager traded her governing authority with the Regent. If the Regent goes to Great Zhou to finalize this matter without deposing the emperor and maintains His Majesty’s dignity, the Empress Dowager will never again interfere in our Yan’s government affairs! That’s why the Ninth Prince decided to make this trip to Great Zhou.” One official said quietly.

“Yes, this morning, when the Empress Dowager suddenly said she would seclude herself for recuperation, I found it surprising. Thinking about it this way… It’s probably exactly so!”

“But having the Ninth Prince go to Great Zhou is too dangerous! If… if the Regent meets with any misfortune, His Majesty is young and can’t handle the situation or make decisions, and the Empress Dowager… has limited vision. Our Yan would be in danger!”

What Yan’s court officials didn’t know was that Murong Li wasn’t incapable of making decisions, but that Xiao Rongyan kept Murong Li hidden behind him, determined to bear the infamy himself. He would forge a path through the mud for Murong Li, allowing him to become a clean and universally praised, wise, and enlightened ruler in the future.

“Actually… we needn’t worry too much!” An elderly minister spoke slowly. “After all, our Ninth Prince once led troops to rescue Jiangzi City and saved the Great Zhou emperor. The one who betrayed the Great Zhou emperor’s brother wasn’t the Ninth Prince, but the Empress Dowager acting behind his back. So… no matter what, the Great Zhou emperor should give the Ninth Prince some face! Just as the Ninth Prince said, only he, as regent, carries enough weight to show Great Zhou our Yan’s sincerity!”

“True, Great Zhou surely knows that our Yan’s court is ruled by the Regent. To negotiate this two-country merger strategy with Great Zhou, sending just a Wang Hanbing wouldn’t suffice! Even if Wang Hanbing spoke, Great Zhou probably wouldn’t believe it!”

“We just don’t know which ministers the Ninth Prince will bring to Great Zhou this time. If he brings the Empress Dowager’s faction, we won’t be at ease with the Great Zhou. If he brings our people, the Yan court will probably be dominated by the Empress Dowager’s faction!”

“Didn’t the Regent just say he would issue an edict after discussing with His Majesty? Let’s wait! We’ll find out eventually!”

·

Zhong Xingxiao followed half a step behind Murong Li and Xiao Rongyan, his posture respectful.

“Minister Zhong is quite capable! Originally, the Empress Dowager disagreed, but Minister Zhong could persuade her to enter the Regent’s mansion to convince this prince! This alone shows exceptional ability!” Murong Yan looked ahead, his voice carrying some mocking laughter. “Having a sister-in-law use whether this prince trusted the mother’s policies could defeat the Great Zhou to provoke this prince—that was also Minister Zhong’s handiwork, wasn’t it?”

“Regent, please forgive me…” Zhong Xingxiao bent his waist even lower. “This minister… this minister only felt that currently, besides His Majesty’s proposed two-country merger strategy that might win Yan a way out, there’s no other method. This minister truly cannot influence the Empress Dowager’s decisions—I merely patiently explained His Majesty’s strategy to her.”

“Then…” Xiao Rongyan’s lip curve grew more pronounced, his gaze cold, “Having this prince serve as envoy to Great Zhou—was that also Minister Zhong’s idea? Does Minister Zhong think… with this prince gone, you could control Yan’s court?”

Hearing this, Zhong Xingxiao immediately fell to his knees with a thud and hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, Ninth Prince… even if you gave this minister a million times the courage, this minister wouldn’t dare think such things! This minister knows his capabilities… Your Majesty can testify—if the Ninth Prince isn’t at ease… this minister can refrain from participating in government affairs while the Ninth Prince serves as envoy to Great Zhou, staying home to recover from illness! This minister’s loyalty to Yan’s court is unwavering—heaven and earth can bear witness!”

Murong Li looked back at Zhong Xingxiao, wondering if this was Ninth Uncle deliberately warning Uncle Zhong before leaving, ensuring he wouldn’t think he could incite Mother to cause trouble behind the scenes while the Ninth Prince was away.

“Minister Zhong is skilled at socializing—staying home sick would be a waste!” Only after Zhong Xingxiao expressed his loyalty did Xiao Rongyan get to the point. “Since Minister Zhong is so loyal to Yan, then accompany this prince to Great Zhou this time. Use your socializing skills to finalize the two-country merger strategy for His Majesty… for our Yan!”

Zhong Xingxiao was stunned hearing this, but quickly concealed his emotions and kowtowed: “This minister is honored that Your Majesty and the Ninth Prince value these insignificant abilities. As long as Your Majesty and the Ninth Prince find them useful, this minister will gladly sacrifice everything!”

Having said this, Zhong Xingxiao kowtowed heavily to Murong Li and Xiao Rongyan.

“Uncle, please rise quickly!” Murong Li hurriedly stepped forward to help his uncle up, saying with a smile, “With Uncle and Ninth Uncle going together, this matter will surely succeed!”