Duke Wangguo’s Manor.

After the incident with Gong Shilin, the relationships throughout the court became extremely tense. Two factions emerged in clear confrontation, contending for power.

Those forces that had originally followed Prime Minister Gong all withdrew completely, forming independent powers before rallying once again to the Third Prince. This was equivalent to Prime Minister Gong losing both his wings. Though he still held the empty title of Prime Minister, his position in the court was now extremely precarious!

To avoid being implicated by this matter, Natuo requested to personally supervise Gong Shilin’s execution. This already made his attitude clear—this move was a complete severing of ties with the Gong family.

Prime Minister Gong was now isolated and helpless. The Third Prince didn’t want him, and the Second Prince wouldn’t take on his “mess” either. So, in order to avenge his son, he had only one choice left—to cast aside these two sides and choose a third party.

Then, who was this third party?

What he regretted most was that years ago, for his own selfish interests, he had helped the current Huyi King besiege the palace and commit regicide. If he hadn’t done that, perhaps… the one sitting on the throne today would still be the Former King.

So what he should do now was, on one hand, make amends for the mistakes he made back then, and on the other hand, avenge his son.

At this time, the most suitable third party in his mind was…

Marquis Nanguo!

Only by cooperating with Marquis Nanguo would he have a chance to avenge his son.

…

Duke Wangguo’s Manor.

Duke Wangguo Zhao Bing had also been extremely anxious recently. The Second Prince had repeatedly been suppressed by the Third Prince, his power restricted!

So naturally, he who served the Second Prince was terribly worried, thinking about how to win in this risky situation?

Indeed, the Second Prince had personally come!

The Duke ordered people to prepare fine tea.

They discussed this matter together.

Nayan said, “I truly never expected that Natuo would sacrifice the advantageous chess piece that is Prime Minister Gong in order to protect himself. It’s truly eye-opening.”

Between his words was nothing but sarcasm.

The Duke was also very surprised. Gong Shilin and Natuo had grown up together since childhood, but before interests, their bond had become so fragile, vulnerable at a single blow.

He said, “Actually, if it were Your Highness, you would do the same.”

Nayan thought for a moment, picked up the tea before him and took a sip, saying, “Indeed so. If this prince truly encountered such a situation, I would definitely sacrifice the chariot to save the commander. Only this way can one avoid the troubles that would come in the future.”

The Duke: “Exactly right.”

At this moment, Nayan suddenly had an idea. He said: “How about…”

However, these words hadn’t even left his mouth yet, barely reaching his lips, when the Duke immediately interrupted him.

“Your Highness should dismiss this notion.”

“What does the Duke mean?” Duke Wangguo said directly: “Although the Third Prince has already abandoned Prime Minister Gong, and Prime Minister Gong is now isolated and helpless in the court, having had both wings broken, now is indeed the best time to take him under one’s command. However, even the Third Prince doesn’t want this chess piece anymore. The pros and cons are obvious. Once Prime Minister Gong develops disloyalty toward the King, then at that time, whoever shares common cause with Prime Minister Gong will lose everything. The Third Prince cannot bear such a risk anymore. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have actively requested to supervise Gong Shilin’s execution to completely distance himself from this matter.”

The Second Prince also came to his senses, sighing heavily and saying: “I was still too hasty! I nearly disrupted the plan.”

Duke Wangguo made a suggestion: “Your Highness, actually what’s most important now is to recruit new talent.”

“Recruit new talent?”

The Duke picked up the teapot and refilled the tea that he had drunk to the bottom, saying as he did: “Now the court’s power is divided in two. There’s no possibility of anyone switching sides. So if we want to bring in talent, it can only be newcomers about to enter the court.”

“Newcomers?” Nayan understood quickly, his expression grave. Holding his tea, he drank it all in one gulp. Then he narrowed his eyes, and after calculating in his heart for a while, said, “Currently, there’s less than a month until the metropolitan examination. The future top three will definitely emerge from it. If we can recruit one or two, it will be of great help to this prince’s future actions.”

“Previously, the reason Your Highness took in Xue He was for future convenience, wasn’t it? Now that Xue He is dead, Your Highness cannot simply give up. You must recruit a new retainer before the Third Prince does.”

“Yes, it should be so.”

Right at this moment—

A servant hurried over from outside, saying: “Master.”

He called out anxiously.

The Duke’s expression immediately changed, his gaze glaring at that servant: “Don’t you know His Highness is here?”

The servant trembled, lowering his head: “I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

Nayan was rather indifferent, instead asking: “Has something urgent happened in the manor?”

“Yes…”

“Is it that because this prince is here, it’s inconvenient to speak?”

“No, it’s just…”

The servant hadn’t even finished speaking when a voice could be heard from far away in the courtyard.

“Father.”

Zhao’er’s voice was thin and soft.

Mixed with anxiety.

Looking toward the sound, they saw Zhao’er’s face covered with tear stains, lifting her dress as she ran over from outside.

The servant had originally wanted to reach out and stop her, but Zhao’er was running too fast to stop.

That small figure had already rushed into the room.

Seeing this, Duke Wangguo’s face was full of fury. He slapped his hand on the table.

“What kind of behavior is this!”

Even though he doted on this youngest daughter very much, for the little girl to rush in so rashly was naturally against propriety.

Zhao’er’s eyes brimmed with tears. She raised her sleeve and wiped her face, immediately kneeling down and saying: “Father, please save Mother.”

Jiang Shi?

Duke Wangguo’s expression changed drastically!

But because the Second Prince was still present, it really wasn’t appropriate to fly into a rage, so he restrained himself and asked: “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Zhao’er said: “Mother is dying. Father, they say that if you refuse to speak up, no one can go fetch a physician. But Mother is truly gravely ill. If this continues, I’m afraid she won’t be able to hold on. If it’s any later, it will be too late. Father, please save Mother.”

She cried tears streaming down.

It had been who knows how long since anyone had mentioned Jiang Shi in front of him.

That woman was incompatible with his destiny!

If it weren’t for what the fortune teller had said back then, he wouldn’t have married that woman. Ever since Zhao’er was born, he had placed her in a remote courtyard. Without his orders, Jiang Shi was not allowed to leave Luo Courtyard. Her every action and word were restricted.

She lived a life worse than a servant girl’s!

Moreover, Duke Wangguo had also issued an order throughout the manor forbidding Zhao’er from seeing Jiang Shi.

Now hearing from Zhao’er’s mouth the news that “Mother is ill,” it was clear that Zhao’er had been going to see her mother quite often.

In other words, the people in the manor had not completely followed his orders.

How could Duke Wangguo, who always regarded rules as paramount, overlook this point?

Fire rose in his chest. He couldn’t be bothered to say anything to Zhao’er. His gaze turned to the doorway as he ordered the servant standing outside with a sharp voice: “Why haven’t you taken the Second Miss away yet?”