There was also the original Commander of Imperial Guards, Xie Yuchang, who had been implicated in the Wude Gate rebellion. Due to his poor supervision of subordinates, the Emperor had issued an edict stripping him of his official position, leaving him idle at home.
But Xie Yuchang had managed the Imperial Guards for many years. Even though he had been dismissed, he still held an extremely strong influence among the Imperial Guards.
Perhaps Xie Yuchang could help the Crown Prince survive.
Among the people Fan Yuhuai had won over, there were also those that eldest sister had arranged to be placed there. But these people could not be revealed to the Crown Prince, otherwise… when the capital was pacified in the future, the Crown Prince would certainly suspect the Bai family and suspect eldest sister.
At this moment, Bai Jinxiu was caught in an even deeper dilemma – she didn’t know whether her eldest sister intended to support this Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne, or… intended to change heaven and earth.
Although the eldest sister had never spoken explicitly, Bai Jinxiu had vaguely sensed the eldest sister’s intention to change heaven and earth. Eldest sister’s determination to unify the world was stronger than any of the Bai family ancestors, yet the Crown Prince was not a ruler with grand ambitions.
If the ruler’s aspirations lay in defending territory, then as a minister… one could not have overly ambitious goals. Too ambitious… and one would be feared by the ruler. She believed eldest sister understood this point very well.
Therefore, Bai Jinxiu guessed… the eldest sister intended to replace the Lin imperial power.
Then, this time… the Crown Prince must die, but he could not die too early. The crime of rebellion had to be firmly pinned on Prince Liang, and then let them fight each other in this capital until they were completely exhausted.
·
Prince Liang’s mansion.
Prince Liang sat behind his desk, completely lacking his usual cowardly and timid appearance. His elbow rested on one side of the chair’s armrest, half his face illuminated by candlelight, appearing cold and sinister.
“Military reports from Liang also take time to arrive. At the speed Princess Zhenguo is attacking cities and seizing territory, who knows – perhaps Princess Zhenguo has already taken Jiangdu, Yangjiang… or even captured Yuegu and Han City!” Li Mingrui’s voice was deep. “Your Highness cannot delay any longer! Only when His Majesty and the Crown Prince are dead, and Your Highness legitimately ascends the throne, will Princess Zhenguo… or Liu Hong have no choice but to submit and never again cause any trouble!”
As he spoke, Li Mingrui looked toward Fan Yuhuai, who had lost an eye: “Before coming to Prince Liang’s mansion, I had already sent people to notify Master Fan to replace all the capital’s defending soldiers with our people. Your Highness… now the Imperial Guards and half the patrol battalion are in our hands, and Princess Zhenguo and Liu Hong are too far away to help. Now is the time!”
Prince Liang’s fingers caressed the armrest of his chair. During the last Wude Gate rebellion, if not for Bai Qingyan’s presence, he would certainly already be the lofty emperor by now.
Li Mingrui was right. Currently, the main forces of Jin’s army were all in Liang, and at this time in the capital… the Imperial Guards were in Fan Yuhuai’s hands, and Fan Yuhuai had also won over half the patrol battalion. It could truly be said they had the right time, place, and people.
As imperial blood, as long as he settled the great matter now and imperial edicts reached Liu Hong and Bai Qingyan’s hands, the overall situation would be decided.
Otherwise, if the deed was not yet accomplished when Liu Hong and Bai Qingyan returned with troops, it would be too late.
After the last Wude Gate rebellion, even though there was a favored concubine in Prince Liang’s palace who spoke well of him, his trust with the Father Emperor was far less than before. If he didn’t take advantage of this opportunity to launch a military coup, it would be difficult for him to ascend to that supreme position again.
Having made up his mind, Prince Liang raised his head toward Fan Yuhuai: “Then, everything is entrusted to Master Fan!”
“Prince Liang, rest assured!” Fan Yuhuai bowed to Prince Liang.
Li Mingrui’s expression showed a smile: “Master Fan is a hero who saved the emperor during the last Wude Gate rebellion. If Master Fan declares publicly… that the Crown Prince has imprisoned His Majesty and is commanding the realm in the emperor’s name, the Imperial Guards will certainly believe without doubt! When Prince Liang ascends the throne… Master Fan will be our Jin nation’s Protector General!”
The Emperor had been indulging in elixirs for a long time without holding court, pushing all government affairs entirely onto the Crown Prince – this was known to everyone.
Fan Yuhuai’s face flushed with what Li Mingrui said. He nodded and bowed to Prince Liang: “This minister will arrange it immediately!”
“Before tomorrow morning court, the Crown Prince will certainly first enter the palace to pay respects to His Majesty, then go preside over morning court…” Li Mingrui looked at Prince Liang. “We’ll wait until after the Crown Prince enters the palace, then at Prince Liang’s command, we’ll capture the Crown Prince and pin the crime of regicide on him!”
“Master Fan, act according to plan!” Prince Liang said to Fan Yuhuai.
Fan Yuhuai stood up and bowed deeply: “Your Highness, rest assured!”
Fan Yuhuai came out from Prince Liang’s study, his expression full of excitement. When Prince Liang ascended the throne… he would be the Protector General!
His fist clenched tightly at his side. During the Wude Gate rebellion… Grand Princess had once said that His Majesty would not forget Master Fan’s life-risking rescue and would certainly reward him heavily! She had also said his future was boundless.
But he had fought for his life and lost an eye, only to receive a position as Commander of Imperial Guards from the Emperor. Fan Yuhuai felt indignant in his heart, but had to pretend to be happy accepting it.
Serving the Crown Prince loyally, he estimated it would be difficult to advance in this lifetime. But Prince Liang was also the Emperor’s son… as long as Prince Liang ascended to the throne, he who helped Prince Liang ascend would certainly be heavily relied upon! Bringing glory to the Fan family name was just around the corner.
·
After Bai Jinxiu watched Shen Baizhong leave with her mother and Wang Ge’er from the side gate of Princess Zhenguo’s mansion, she had the mansion’s guards escort Nanny Luo to the Qin mansion, while she rode swiftly to the Crown Prince’s mansion.
On the way to the Crown Prince’s mansion, Bai Jinxiu passed by the Xie mansion and happened to encounter Xie Yuchang, who had just returned home from outside…
When Xie Yuchang heard Bai Jinxiu speak of Fan Yuhuai and Li Mingrui following Prince Liang, possibly intending to kill the Crown Prince and force the palace to usurp the throne, Xie Yuchang did not show any expression of surprise.
Xie Yuchang bowed to Bai Jinxiu: “I won’t hide it from Madam Qin – subordinates in the Imperial Guards who have close relationships with me have come to the Xie mansion to tell me about this matter.”
“Commander Xie was implicated by the Wude Gate rebellion and is still idle at home. They say that troubled times produce heroes. Although this is a crisis for the capital, it’s also an opportunity… an opportunity for Commander Xie to redeem himself through merit. Commander Xie… as long as you protect the Crown Prince’s safety, Commander Xie will be a great hero!” Bai Jinxiu spoke calmly and composedly to Xie Yuchang.
Looking at the Bai family’s Second Miss Bai Jinxiu, Xie Yuchang thought of Princess Zhenguo. If it were women from other families hearing such news, they would probably panic beyond measure!
Right… this Bai family Second Miss had also been to battle with Princess Zhenguo. The women of the Bai family were all extraordinary!
Xie Yuchang pressed his lips together, hesitated for a moment, clenched his fist, and spoke hesitantly: “It’s just that I don’t know… whether the Crown Prince would still be willing to use me!”
“This matter is easily resolved. If General Xie Yuchang is willing to protect the Crown Prince, go immediately to the Imperial Guards and gather your former subordinates! This matter must be done secretly!” Bai Jinxiu’s palm tightened. “If my judgment is correct… Prince Liang, Li Mingrui, Fan Yuhuai, and others might take action tonight.”
Xie Yuchang nodded: “They must have heard news that Princess Zhenguo was about to capture Han City. They fear that if it’s any later and Princess Zhenguo, Princess Gaoyi, and General Liu return with troops, they’ll never have another chance!”