The imperial examinations had passed.

Prince Yi’s grand wedding had also passed.

Emperor Qizhen originally thought that from then on, Prince Yi’s heart would be settled, and after letting him win over the two Ji family brothers, he would peacefully be a prince.

Who would have known—

Just when he thought everything had calmed down, a document was urgently sent from Yufu to the capital.

Immediately the court exploded into chaos.

The characters on that document were written very beautifully.

Dense writing covered several pages, but it boiled down to one point—the case of the relief silver in Yufu County could not be solved.

It was precisely because of this scorching hot document that it became a fuse in the imperial family’s factional struggle…

This time, since Jing Rong couldn’t investigate the relief silver matter, he would probably never be able to return to the capital in this lifetime.

Therefore, the ministers who had originally hoped for Jing Rong’s return to the capital all despaired and gave up, preparing to sacrifice pawns to protect the king, uniformly aligning themselves in formation toward Jing Yi.

They all began to support Jing Yi.

For Jing Yi, this was undoubtedly an auspicious wind.

So—

During morning court!

Among the civil and military officials, someone memorialized, “Your Majesty, the relief silver of Yufu County would not disappear for no reason. There must be great intrigue in this.”

“What does Minister Li mean?”

“Since the silver was lost in Yufu, it can certainly be found in Yufu. It’s just a question of whether Prince Rong has the ability to find it. Moreover, this case was one Prince Rong volunteered to investigate. This minister believes Prince Rong should continue to remain in Yufu to investigate this case, and only return to the capital after uncovering the whereabouts of the relief silver.”

Immediately, someone else stepped forward to agree. “This minister believes Minister Li’s words are extremely reasonable. The case in Yufu County has been investigated for several years without any clues. Court officials also all died on their way back to the capital. In order to clarify this matter as soon as possible and avoid bringing trouble to the court, this minister also suggests Prince Rong continue to remain in Yufu.”

“This minister also thinks so.”

…

Ministers in court spoke one after another!

Emperor Qizhen on the dragon throne had an extremely unpleasant expression. He swept his gaze over everyone one by one, finally landing his eyes on Jing Yi.

He asked, “Jing Yi, what are your thoughts?”

Jing Yi bowed and stepped forward, standing in the middle of the hall.

“Jing Rong went to Yufu several months ago. The relief silver matter has been investigated for so many years without any leads. If Jing Rong cannot uncover anything, it’s also understandable. Regardless, Jing Rong is ultimately a prince. If we truly keep him in Yufu, it would also be somewhat improper.”

“So your meaning is for me to issue an edict granting him permission to return?”

“This son does think so, however…” He paused, then continued, “What all the ministers say is not without reason either. The relief silver cannot be delayed further, lest this matter implicate the court. So this son also believes that since Jing Rong personally volunteered to go to Yufu, and his character is stubborn, he won’t be willing to give up without uncovering some clues. Even if Father Emperor truly summons him back to the capital, he may not be willing to return. Moreover, in past years, officials investigating this case all met with misfortune on their return journey. This son worries about Jing Rong’s safety, worries something might happen to him on the journey back to the capital. Rather than that, let him remain in Yufu. First, he can continue investigating the case. Second, Father Emperor also knows that Jing Rong has always preferred a carefree life. If Father Emperor could grant him this, Jing Rong would certainly desire nothing more.”

The implication was that while he spoke of hoping for his return, he analyzed the pros and cons, hoping he would remain in Yufu instead.

Emperor Qizhen could be said to have understood clearly.

He also understood clearly another matter—that at this moment, everyone in the court hall was forcing him, Emperor Qizhen, to issue an edict not allowing Jing Rong to return.

All the ministers held their breath, waiting for Emperor Qizhen to make his decision.

Faced with the pressure from the assembled ministers, plus the fact that Jing Rong was indeed incompetent.

Emperor Qizhen turned toward Ji Li in the court.

“General Ji, what is your view?”

Eh!

If it weren’t about matters of military deployment or palace security, the Emperor generally wouldn’t ask Ji Li’s opinion. Now, what was this about?

Ji Li secretly glanced toward Jing Yi. What met him in return were Jing Yi’s deep and warning-filled eyes.

His own younger sister had already married into Prince Yi’s manor. Moreover, if Jing Yi were to reveal what had happened when Ji Muqing’s virtue was destroyed, the entire Ji family would also be finished. Thinking of this, he had no choice but to stand on Jing Yi’s side.

Stepping forward, he bowed. “Your Majesty, this minister also believes Prince Rong should continue to remain in Yufu until he investigates the relief silver matter.”

When even Ji Li, who held military power, said such words, what more could Emperor Qizhen say?

In the end—

He issued an oral decree.

“Convey my edict. Prince Rong must continue to remain in Yufu and may only return to the capital after clarifying the relief silver matter. If he defies the edict, he will be dealt with according to Great Lin’s laws.”

The voice echoed within the great hall.

Resounding and powerful!

Jing Yi smiled secretly.

Objective achieved.

Thinking to himself, Jing Rong, you’ll never be able to return to the capital in this lifetime.

Coming out of the court hall, several ministers surrounded Jing Yi and began circling around him.

“Prince Yi, this time Prince Rong cannot return to the capital. Presumably in the near future, Your Highness will successfully ascend to the position of heir apparent.”

“Your Highness is the destined heir apparent, and has the appearance of a true dragon.”

“Indeed, we ministers congratulate Prince Yi in advance.”

…

A bunch of demons and monsters pulling obsequious and treacherous faces, like clowns.

Jing Yi was naturally happy in his heart, but on the surface he didn’t show it. He narrowed his eyes at everyone. “Ministers, don’t flatter this prince. What heir apparent? What true dragon? Right now Father Emperor still has no intention of establishing an heir, so all you ministers must watch your words. Be careful not to say what shouldn’t be said.”

“In the current situation, the only person who can become heir apparent is you, Prince Yi.”

“Indeed, furthermore, Prince Yi married the legitimate daughter of the Ji family as Princess Yi. The Ji family brothers must also stand on Your Highness’s side. The true dragon ascending the throne is just a matter of time.”

Everyone used to watch their words, but now that Jing Yi had firmly secured the throne, they no longer needed to be cautious.

Jing Yi only smiled, his expression not revealing any joy.

He saw that Ji Li had also come out of the great hall, so he dismissed those demons and monsters around him and called out to Ji Li.

“Does Your Highness have business with me?”

“Just now in the court hall, it was precisely because of one sentence from you, Magistrate Ji, that Father Emperor issued the edict. Indeed, before Father Emperor, the only one who can speak effectively is you, Magistrate Ji.”

“Your Highness overpraises me. This minister only spoke the truth.”

Jing Yi smiled. “Regardless of whether Magistrate Ji spoke the truth or had some other reason, in the end you helped this prince.”

Hehe.

Ji Li maintained a serious face, his brows tightly knit.

Seeing his appearance, Jing Yi moved closer to him and lowered his voice. “This prince has said before—if this prince wins, it is your victory. If this prince loses, it is your defeat.”

Having said this.

Jing Yi left.

Ji Li stood in place, an unfathomable emotion flashing through his eyes.

Being subordinate to another was not Ji Li’s way.

And not far away, Minister of Personnel Peng Yuanhai just happened to see this scene. His eyes tightened, and he turned to leave.

But he didn’t leave the palace—instead, he headed toward Jing Xian’s Tongren Hall.