If His Majesty won, Xue Jinqiao would be just a married-out daughter, unable to implicate the Xue family. Moreover, with Xue Bi’s insufficient abilities, he would never hold a position of real power in the future, so His Majesty wouldn’t need to eliminate the Xue family.
If the Eastern Palace won, Xue Jinqiao would serve as a connection. As long as Xiao Huayong considered Shen Xihe’s face, he wouldn’t make things difficult for Shen Yun’an. At most, the Xue family would be demoted, but their lives wouldn’t be in danger.
“Xue Heng’s days are likely numbered,” Xiao Changqing had figured it all out, “The Crown Prince’s actions are clearing the path. He wants to support someone else to replace Xue Heng. The Minister of Revenue, Minister of Justice… making the Six Ministries retreat, it’s for Censor Tao!”
“He’s supporting her maternal grandfather!” Xiao Changying was shocked, “Is this paving the way?”
Xiao Changqing laughed lightly and shook his head: “I rather think he’s sincerely trying to please Princess Zhaoning.”
“If so, isn’t he afraid that the imperial in-laws will become too powerful in the future, undermining his imperial authority?” Xiao Changying asked, lowering his eyes.
“Perhaps it’s confidence…” Xiao Changqing mumbled, as if talking to himself, “Or perhaps he’s willing to accept it…”
Confident that he would never be controlled by Shen Xihe, or willing to be controlled by her.
Something struck hard at Xiao Changying’s heart, and he tightened his jaw: “Brother, how should we deal with the Crown Prince in the future?”
Should they submit, or continue to oppose him?
“As we’ve done before, so shall we continue,” Xiao Changqing said casually, “We’ll do our things, he’ll do his. Neither deliberately sabotage nor intentionally flatter.”
Their interests didn’t conflict much, and his goal was to deal with His Majesty, which to some extent aligned with Xiao Huayong’s purposes.
The Crown Prince didn’t need their submission, and they had their pride. As for when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, if he wanted to be a wise ruler, he would naturally distinguish between gratitude and grudges, and wouldn’t make things difficult for them. If he couldn’t tolerate them, then no matter how much they tried to please him now, death would be inevitable.
“Then… the position Xue Heng will vacate…”
“Let them fight for it. We’ll watch the show, and I’ll see how many people dare to try snatching food from the Crown Prince’s mouth, and what their fate will be,” Xiao Changqing said leisurely, flicking his robes.
Not only did the brother Xiao Changqing keenly sense something amiss, but Prince Zhao and the Fourth Prince also detected that changes were inevitable in court, and all began eyeing Xue Heng’s position. Thus, after the busy New Year’s court assembly on the fourth day, there were major shifts among court officials.
“Your Highness, these people are all making moves,” Tianyuan presented a list to Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong glanced at it casually, his moist lips curving into a mysterious smile: “The spring examinations are in another month.”
“This servant understands,” Tianyuan responded.
They had been preparing for these spring examinations for a long time, determined to clean up practices and, incidentally, refresh the ranks of civil and military officials, sending His Majesty more capable talents.
As for these people who didn’t know their limits, they would all be drawn into the spring examination matter.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?” Tianyuan asked softly, watching Xiao Huayong sketch and write.
“For the Lantern Festival, I made plans with Youyou to view the lanterns. Last year I gave her a lantern in the first month, today I’ll give her another,” Xiao Huayong was naturally busy preparing Lantern Festival gifts for Shen Xihe.
Tianyuan felt he shouldn’t have asked. Just as he was about to silently turn and withdraw, someone came in saying: “Your Highness, Eunuch Liu has arrived.”
Liu Sanzhi’s sudden arrival made Tianyuan and Xiao Huayong exchange glances. The spirited Xiao Huayong’s face turned pale when he saw Liu Sanzhi, his eyes losing some of their vitality and energy.
“Your Highness, this servant comes on His Majesty’s orders to request your presence at Mingzheng Hall,” Liu Sanzhi bowed.
“*cough* *cough* *cough*… Eunuch Liu, please lead the way,” Xiao Huayong didn’t hesitate.
At Mingzheng Hall, the Youning Emperor had a guest—none other than the Third Prince of the Turks, Munuha.
Seeing Xiao Huayong, the Youning Emperor directly raised his hand to excuse him from bowing: “Seventh Son, Third Prince says you look familiar. He once saw someone with exceptional martial arts skills, capable of hitting a target from a hundred paces, who resembled you.”
Xiao Huayong turned to look at Munuha: “*cough* *cough*… When and where did the Prince see this person? Those who have seen me all praise my unparalleled appearance, but this is the first time I’ve heard of someone… resembling me. This person must be found…”
The Youning Emperor’s gaze moved from Xiao Huayong, and he nodded solemnly: “Prince Munuha, you must look carefully. If there truly is someone in this world who resembles our Crown Prince, this person cannot be left unchecked. If exploited by those with ill intentions, it would surely lead to great disaster.”
On New Year’s Day at the grand court assembly, Munuha had seen Xiao Huayong and was shocked. He had been investigating Xiao Huayong these days, but the information he gathered couldn’t match his impression of that eagle-like brave person at all.
But Xiao Huayong’s appearance, as he said, was unparalleled. Xiao Huayong did resemble the Youning Emperor, especially in the forehead, clearly showing their father-son relationship, so his identity was certainly not in doubt. Yet that person that day had left a deep impression on Munuha.
“I hear Your Majesty’s sons have extraordinary martial arts skills. Munuha wishes to spar with the Crown Prince,” Munuha performed a Turkish bow to the Youning Emperor.
“Hahahahaha…” the Youning Emperor laughed upon hearing this, “Seventh Son is the heir apparent, the heir to the celestial empire. He doesn’t need to practice martial arts—he has brothers skilled in martial arts at his disposal. Prince Munuha, if you wish to spar, how about Our Ninth Son, who is two years younger than Seventh Son?”
The Youning Emperor saying Xiao Huayong didn’t practice martial arts truly surprised Munuha. His deep blue eyes studied Xiao Huayong for a while before saying: “Then I request Prince Lie’s guidance.”
The Youning Emperor sent for Xiao Changying, and everyone went to the palace training grounds. The Xiao family sons not only valued horsemanship and archery but also martial arts. Except for Xiao Huayong due to illness, every prince, including the Twelfth Prince Xiao Changgeng, was skilled in martial arts.
Hearing about the sparring match with the Turkish prince, from Prince Zhao Xiao Changmin to the Twelfth Prince Xiao Changgeng, all princes participating in the capital’s governance came, each eager to participate.
The Youning Emperor instructed the two to spar lightly and not damage the relations between the two countries.
Munuha was the most valiant of the Turkish princes. His strength was immense, each punch powerful, not just brute force but also agile in response.
Xiao Changying’s martial arts skills were outstanding among the princes; in the Youning Emperor’s eyes, only Prince Jing Xiao Changyan could match him.
Xiao Huayong stood to the side, occasionally coughing lightly, watching the two exchange moves, from bare hands to each taking up weapons.
The sword in Xiao Changying’s hand flashed like fleeting shadows, broken cold light occasionally flashing in the eyes of distant observers.
Munuha wielded a curved saber, sweeping horizontally with fierce power, his wrist turning with forceful strength. The curved saber seemed to merge with his hand, especially when he raised it to block Xiao Changying’s sword. Suddenly, from below, he spun out a smaller curved blade.
The two fan-like blade edges scraped against Xiao Changying’s sword in a twist, sparks flying, the powerful force knocking the sword from Xiao Changying’s hand!