Na Yan inspected the sacrificial platform several times over.
He also ordered people to recount the materials needed for the annual sacrifice at various locations, to avoid missing anything.
He had to ensure everything was foolproof!
Only then did he leave at ease.
He didn’t leave the palace directly, but instead went to Prince Huyi’s sleeping quarters.
To report on the progress of the annual sacrifice.
Upon hearing this, Prince Huyi was quite satisfied.
“In previous years it was handed over to the Ministry of Rites. This year I entrusted it to you to handle, and I was somewhat worried. Now seeing that you’ve arranged everything properly, I’m relieved.”
This year’s progress was indeed much faster than before.
And every aspect was arranged very well.
It was clear that Na Yan’s handling of affairs was indeed reassuring.
Compared to that reckless Third Prince, it was like heaven and earth.
Clearly, Na Yan belonged to the former category.
Na Yan lowered his head, the corners of his mouth bearing a trace of a smile as he said: “Your son will certainly handle it well and absolutely not disappoint Father King’s expectations.”
Prince Huyi immediately said: “It’s not about expectations—I just see that you handle matters more steadily, so I’m letting you take over and see how it goes! After all, these years you’ve been leading troops abroad and rarely involved yourself in court matters. Fortunately these past few years warfare has ceased and you’ve finally entered the court—all aspects need to be intensified.”
“Yes, your son understands.”
At least Prince Huyi was willing to give him opportunities!
This was a very good beginning.
In truth, everyone in court knew that what Prince Huyi valued most was bloodline. Na Tuo was born of the Queen—he was the legitimate son. From the moment of his birth, his future was almost predetermined. Everyone waited for him to grow up and ascend the throne. Therefore, many supporters surrounded him. But until Na Yan returned to court, the entire situation underwent earth-shattering changes.
Duke Wangguo, who had originally maintained neutrality, saw the shifting tides and immediately pledged allegiance to Na Yan.
To help him become king.
And some clear-headed ministers also saw the situation clearly and believed the Second Prince had more hope of becoming the new Prince Huyi, even though… he wasn’t legitimate-born.
After all, since ancient times, the throne belonged to the wise!
Compared to Na Yan who had campaigned on battlefields for years, although Na Tuo had more nobility, he lacked the ambition to unify the realm.
Even as the legitimate son, there could be a day when he stumbled.
Moreover, Prince Huyi wasn’t foolish—surely he couldn’t hand over the realm to a legitimate son who only knew how to live in pampered luxury?
No doubt within a few years, the realm would have “holes”!
It was precisely because everyone saw this clearly that they switched allegiance to Na Yan.
Splitting what had been a one-sided situation in court into two.
Forming an opposing situation.
Na Yan surpassed Na Tuo in both talent and conduct.
And this time Prince Huyi having Na Yan manage the annual sacrifice further confirmed this point.
It remained to be seen who the throne would ultimately belong to.
After Na Yan finished reporting on the annual sacrifice, he didn’t continue disturbing Prince Huyi’s rest. After saying a few simple words, he hurriedly withdrew.
Just as he reached outside the hall, he saw a procession of inner palace guards passing by…
Immediately, his gaze fell on one particular guard.
He felt somewhat familiar.
For a moment he couldn’t recall.
So he asked the eunuch at the door: “What’s with those guards?”
The young eunuch replied: “In response to Your Highness, those are the Great King’s personal guards. Because the annual sacrifice is approaching, Minister Li instructed them to patrol outside the hall and not stray far.”
“Guards?”
“Yes.”
Na Yan narrowed his eyes, watching that procession of guards walk away.
Why did he always feel he had seen one of those guards before?
But he could be certain it absolutely wasn’t within the palace.
Prince Huyi’s guards had always been stationed inside the palace and couldn’t leave. If not seen in the palace, then where had he seen him?
The eunuch saw him gazing into the distance lost in thought and softly called: “Your Highness?”
His thoughts were pulled back.
He quickly composed himself.
Coughing lightly twice, he glanced back at the inner hall and instructed: “The annual sacrifice is approaching—you must watch carefully and don’t let anything happen.”
“This servant knows.”
“If you discover any abnormalities, you must immediately report to this Prince.”
“Yes.” The young eunuch bowed.
Na Yan then strode away.
Out of the palace.
As soon as he left, Li Qiao walked out from behind the great hall.
Gazing deeply in the direction Na Yan had departed.
A eunuch still followed at his side.
The eunuch asked: “Minister, this Second Prince shouldn’t have discovered anything, right?”
Li Qiao said calmly but with certainty: “He won’t have. If he knew, he would certainly have gone in to report to the Great King right now.”
“That’s true. Then the next step?”
“Everything in the palace has been arranged. We’re just waiting for the annual sacrifice. That day you’ll follow by the Great King’s side and must act according to plan.”
“This servant knows.”
Li Qiao made an “mm” sound.
Then entered the hall to see Prince Huyi.
Just upon entering, he saw Prince Huyi looking at a stack of papers filled with writing.
He waited at the side and asked: “Great King, what is this?”
Prince Huyi said: “This is the scripture I had A Tuo copy.”
“So the Third Prince has already finished copying it.”
“The handwriting is neat—he put effort into it.”
Li Qiao dared not say much, only saying: “This minister heard that the Prince feels regret, thinking that previously leading troops to storm the Second Prince’s residence was indeed reckless, so he spent several nights writing this scripture.”
Prince Huyi smiled.
He set aside the scripture in his hands, then asked Li Qiao: “Let me ask you—regarding A Tuo leading troops to storm the Second Prince’s residence, what do you think?”
“…This minister doesn’t understand the Great King’s meaning?”
“You’re so clever—how could you not understand?”
Li Qiao didn’t speak. In his heart he roughly guessed, but it wasn’t appropriate to voice it, so he chose to remain silent, waiting for Prince Huyi to speak himself.
Prince Huyi furrowed his brows, his expression serious as he said: “A Tuo grew up at my side since childhood. Though his actions are certainly impulsive, he’s never been skilled at scheming! This time word spread out of nowhere about a secret chamber in the Second Prince’s residence, but it turned out to be just an ice cellar! Some matters certainly don’t arise from nothing! It’s just that A Tuo was too anxious and fell into the trap.”
Only then did Li Qiao boldly continue, saying: “Does the Great King suspect this matter was fundamentally the Second Prince’s deliberate scheme?”
“Whether it is or isn’t doesn’t really matter anymore. It’s just that since someone committed an offense, there should be rewards and punishments! This time punishing A Tuo was a bit light, so the reward should be heavier to balance things out.”
Truly a thousand-year-old fox!
Li Qiao suddenly understood: “No wonder the Great King entrusted the annual sacrifice to the Second Prince to handle—it turns out you intend to settle this matter.”
“You actually guessed it in your heart long ago.”
“It’s because the Great King is sage.”
Prince Huyi was too lazy to pursue these matters further.
In any case, the matter had passed.
He didn’t want to stir up any more waves.
To avoid throwing the entire court into chaos.
In short, being able to settle things peacefully was good!
…
After leaving the palace, Na Yan remained deep in thought throughout the carriage ride back to his residence.
Still thinking about that guard he’d seen outside the hall earlier.
But he just couldn’t figure out why.
Perhaps… he was being too sensitive.
So he was seeing ghosts where there were none!
The annual sacrifice was such a major event—who would dare cause trouble in it!
He shook his head.
Organizing his thoughts!