Na Yan entered the palace and reported everything that happened today to King Huyi in full detail.

Not missing a single thing!

All to enrage him!

Sure enough, King Huyi flew into a rage and threw the porcelain bowl containing medicinal soup that was beside him.

This throw terrified all the servants in the bedchamber.

They knelt all over the floor.

Each prostrating with lowered heads.

Not daring to make a sound.

Na Yan did the same. He bowed down, a sinister, satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Just waiting for King Huyi to give the order.

To properly deal with that little brat.

King Huyi’s hands pressed on his knees, his arms trembling violently.

Fury rushing to his head, his face flushed red.

His two sons had caused him no shortage of trouble recently, and they loved to fight amongst themselves, battling to the death.

Today was even better—they fought openly!

Bringing troops to search a manor—if this got out, the royal family’s reputation would be utterly ruined.

“How did I give birth to you two worthless things!” King Huyi rebuked.

Everyone trembled.

Lowering their heads even further.

King Huyi caught his breath and instructed those servants, “All of you, leave.”

“Yes!”

The servants retreated one by one.

Na Yan said, “This son knows Father King has been worried about the matters between me and A Tuo recently. I shouldn’t have come to disturb Father King today, but I also didn’t want to conceal anything, lest gossip spread and reach Father King’s ears later. Therefore, I had no choice but to come personally, and I hope Father King can understand this son.”

This move was truly vicious. Clearly Na Tuo was at fault, but coming from Na Yan’s mouth, it had a different meaning. Even if King Huyi wanted to protect Na Tuo, after hearing these words, it would be improper to excuse him.

“I understand your meaning. Since A Tuo acted rashly and handled matters improperly in this matter, naturally he won’t be lightly forgiven. Pass on my decree—punish… A Tuo with five days of confinement to his manor, copying scriptures one hundred times, and he must not disobey the decree.”

What?

Na Yan thought he had heard wrong!

Only five days of confinement? Copying scriptures?

“Father King…”

“You need not say more. I have my reasons for deciding this. The court situation is currently unstable, and I could collapse at any time! Right now, countless eyes are watching our royal family, so matters between you brothers should not be blown out of proportion, lest people with ulterior motives interfere. I hope you understand this as well.”

Na Yan was unwilling in his heart!

But…

He couldn’t disobey.

He forcefully suppressed this grievance in his chest.

Saying, “Yes, everything… I will follow Father King’s wishes.”

King Huyi coughed once, his expression becoming stern, carrying a few traces of shrewdness. He said, “There’s one more thing I hope you’ll remember—as the saying goes, there’s no smoke without fire.”

Na Yan’s expression changed greatly, and he immediately responded: “Father King, this son absolutely did not do this deliberately.”

“Whether you did or didn’t, I don’t want to investigate anymore! In any case, my body is far worse than before, and I’m powerless regarding court matters. At this time, you two brothers should focus your thoughts on state governance, not on scheming against each other! There are some things I don’t say, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know. If I see you two brothers discord again and causing more disturbances, then both of you need not manage state affairs anymore—I will choose someone else.”

“This son wouldn’t dare. I will certainly follow Father King’s wishes.”

“That’s good then. If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw.”

“Yes!” Na Yan bowed and was about to exit.

His foot hadn’t yet stepped out—

“Wait.” King Huyi stopped him.

He obediently turned back.

“What other instructions does Father King have?”

King Huyi asked him, “Is there any news about the assassin incident from last time?”

It seemed to strike right at his spine.

A trace of panic and guilt arose in his heart, but his face remained calm and unremarkable.

He replied, “This son is incompetent—the assassin… has not yet been found.”

Regarding his answer, King Huyi wasn’t disappointed, as if he had expected it all along.

If the assassin had truly been found, Na Yan wouldn’t fail to mention it.

“But I also heard that there were assassins at your manor again yesterday! Did anything happen?”

Na Yan’s expression didn’t change, calmly replying: “I troubled Father King with worry—this son is at fault. But nothing happened at the manor. There was just a sudden fire, so the commotion was rather large. There was no… talk of assassins.”

Lying without his heart racing or face flushing.

King Huyi was somewhat skeptical but didn’t investigate further, saying, “Since it was just a small matter, that’s good.”

“Thank you for Father King’s concern.”

“Oh right, I suddenly remembered something—there’s half a month until the Year Sacrifice. In previous years, it was handled by the Ministry of Rites, but this year, I’ll leave it to you to manage.”

Every year on New Year’s Eve, Huyi held a Year Sacrifice. The Year Sacrifice had always been Huyi’s most important event of the year. In previous years, it was handed to the Ministry of Rites, then reviewed and planned by the Cabinet, and finally presented to King Huyi for review of the details. Those who could manage this affair were people King Huyi trusted. Now that this heavy responsibility was given to Na Yan, one could imagine this represented trust in him and also gave him an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities.

Even more, it was a tremendous honor.

Na Yan was secretly overjoyed in his heart.

He quickly accepted, saying with absolute determination: “Yes, thank you for Father King’s trust. This son will certainly do his utmost to handle this matter well and will absolutely not disappoint Father King.”

“With your word, I’m reassured. Alright, you may withdraw.”

“This son takes his leave.”

Na Yan withdrew.

Upon reaching the palace entrance, he let out a long breath.

It seemed his becoming the heir apparent was just around the corner!

…

Soon, the imperial decree arrived at the Third Prince’s Manor.

Confinement!

Copying scriptures.

Although the punishment wasn’t too severe, this was equivalent to slapping Na Tuo several times.

If word got out, naturally he couldn’t save face.

Though unwilling in his heart, he could only swallow this grievance.

A servant stuttered for a long while before saying: “Prince, there’s one more matter.”

“What matter?”

“Regarding this Year Sacrifice, the Great King didn’t have the Ministry of Rites continue handling it.”

“Not having the Ministry of Rites handle it? Then who did he give it to?”

“The Second Prince.”

Upon hearing this, Na Tuo slammed his hand on the desk with a “bang.”

He rose abruptly.

Eyes wide, unable to believe: “What did you say? Given to the Second Prince? Did Father King say this personally?”

“It was indeed the Great King’s personal words.”

He felt as if pierced by ten thousand arrows through the heart.

He collapsed into his chair.

It took a long while before he recovered.

…

The Princess Consort’s courtyard.

Several maids were quietly discussing this matter in the courtyard.

Suddenly they smelled a fragrance wafting from inside the room and entered one after another.

They saw Jing Xuan was in the room developing fragrances.

As soon as the maids entered, they smelled that fragrance.

“So fragrant!”

Several maids gathered around.

After being slapped several times by Jing Xuan last time, those maids’ attitude toward her had improved considerably, and they had been obedient for a long time. When Jing Xuan said one thing, they didn’t dare say another.

People in this world were just cheap—the better you treated them, the more you yielded, the more insatiable they became, and they would increasingly ride over your head. Conversely, they would become like fawning dogs, wagging their tails and begging for mercy from you.