FBC – Chapter 247 A Brilliant Performance

When the three princes who had fallen into the water all climbed ashore, and the soldiers in the water were rescued one after another, everyone on the bank finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

Consort Jiang smiled sweetly. “Ze’er has not let His Majesty down—he’s taken first place just as expected.”

The Empress Dowager also relaxed. “Ze’er is a little older after all. He’s followed His Majesty for many years and naturally has become steady and sensible.”

The Emperor’s expression remained flat, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Prince Ping’an glanced around at the ministers gathered nearby, all of whom were eagerly echoing congratulations to the First Prince.

“The First Prince truly is the best of men, gifted in both intellect and—”

Left Minister Zuo Fengtian suddenly spoke up. “Victory and defeat are commonplace in military affairs. If one wants to win a battle, one must be prepared to use every strategy, both open and hidden.”

“Just now, when he stood proudly at the prow of the boat—his bearing vigorous, like a tiger descending from the mountains—truly unstoppable! He has the very air of His Majesty leading troops back in the day.”

Compliments followed in waves, each more excessive than the last, until there was hardly a word of praise left unspoken.

A number of officials, however, remained silent.

Then Zuo Fengtian spoke again, his tone calm. “Victory and defeat are routine for soldiers. On the battlefield, to win a single campaign, one must consider both overt and covert tactics—some impossible to guard against. Moreover, timing, geography, and human harmony all play a part. So, winning once does not mean you’ll win again, and certainly not forever.”

Once someone broke the ice, others followed.

Minister of Works Li Guitian said, “I think so as well. A wise ruler must act with benevolence, and harmony among brothers ensures the empire’s longevity. If a prince has only victory and defeat in his eyes—disregarding the common people, neglecting brotherhood—how could he ever rule with compassion, bringing peace and prosperity to all under heaven?”

Everyone had seen it clearly: it was the Fourth Prince, son of Virtuous Consort (Li Guitian’s daughter), whom the Second Prince had desperately pulled from the water and onto the boat.

And it was the Sixth Prince who had pulled the Third Prince to safety.

Voices of agreement soon followed one after another. Those who had just been praising the First Prince suddenly realized they might have spoken too soon and fell silent at once.

Prince Ping’an’s face darkened to iron-blue. “A competition is a competition! Colliding boats only means one’s skill was inferior! What—when His Majesty commands troops to war, should he value benevolence so much that he accepts defeat instead?”

Consort Jiang noticed the Emperor’s face growing cold and hastily said in a soft, coaxing voice, “Your Majesty, Ze’er was merely carrying out your command with all his focus. And with so many imperial guards and escort ships around, naturally there was no need for him to abandon your expectations just to save a few people.”

Gu Hua suddenly spoke. “This minister’s wife noticed that the Second Prince’s boat seemed to be leaking.”

The Empress quickly added, “This palace thought the same.”

Li Guitian immediately said, “Your servant also saw it. I shall go inspect it with the Ministry of Rites right away.”

He turned and grabbed the Vice Minister of Rites. “Come.”

The man looked in panic toward Prince Ping’an.

Prince Ping’an frowned deeply and glared.

The Vice Minister of Rites was just about to refuse when the newly promoted Vice Minister of Works, Jin Guyong, hooked his arm through the man’s and said, “Come, come. If there was a flaw in the shipbuilding, that’s on us. But if the Ministry of Rites failed to inspect properly, that’s on you. Let’s make the responsibilities clear.”

The Vice Minister of Revenue, Cao Liyu, chimed in, “We should also check whether anyone tampered with the ships.”

The surroundings fell silent for a moment.

If that were true, then the only ship to reach the finish line—the First Prince’s—was the most suspicious.

Consort Jiang grew anxious. “Lord Cao, you must not speak such nonsense!”

Left Censor-in-Chief, Lord Yan, immediately replied, “Your Ladyship, without investigation, how can you conclude Lord Cao is speaking nonsense?”

Consort Jiang was struck speechless.

The Emperor said slowly, “Have the Minister of the Imperial Guards and the Minister of Justice go inspect together.”

The two immediately bowed in acknowledgment and followed Li Guitian’s group out.

Consort Jiang’s face turned pale in an instant.

The Imperial Guards Minister oversaw such matters, and the Minister of Justice investigated criminal cases.

For the Emperor to send both meant he clearly suspected foul play.

The Emperor and the Empress Dowager sat solemnly in their places, the ministers and noble ladies seated to either side. But the atmosphere had soured; the dishes were cold, and neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager looked pleased. No one dared move their chopsticks or even breathe too loudly.

Everyone knew—something serious was about to happen.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, Li Guitian and his party returned, each wearing a different shade of expression.

Since the two ministers had been sent by imperial order, they were the ones to report back.

The Minister of the Imperial Guards cast a sidelong glance at Prince Ping’an.

But the Minister of Justice spoke first. “Your Majesty, we have found that the Second Prince’s boat was maliciously tampered with. Several holes were drilled into the hull, patched with wood and rice paste, then lacquered over so they couldn’t be seen. But once submerged for a time, the paste dissolved, causing leaks.”

The Emperor’s face darkened. “Only the Second Prince’s boat was tampered with?”

“Yes. All the others were normal.”

The Emperor laughed coldly. “Ha. So schemes—both open and hidden—have reached even my sons now.”

He turned to the Empress Dowager. “Mother, in your view, who won and who lost this contest?”

The Empress Dowager froze.

How had the ball been kicked into her court?

But now, she had to protect Zhao Yuze—otherwise the Jiang family was doomed.

And besides, as a woman, she was not supposed to meddle in politics. Even if she voiced an opinion, His Majesty could disagree without holding it against her.

She forced a smile. “It was just a playful competition among the children—no need to take it too seriously. But since His Majesty set the rules, they must be followed. Otherwise, in the future, who would take His Majesty’s decrees seriously? Don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”

The Emperor smiled. “Indeed, Mother is right. Truly worthy of one who once assisted me in ruling the court from behind the curtain—so attentive to rules.”

The Empress Dowager’s smile stiffened.

What did that mean?

Was he bringing up the past—her reluctance to relinquish power?

The Emperor’s gaze swept over the hall. “Then, as the Empress Dowager says, rules are rules. No matter what means were used, first place is still first place. Those who lost can only blame themselves for being outwitted.”

At these words, Prince Ping’an, Consort Jiang, and the Empress Dowager’s faces all changed.

No one in the court failed to understand the deeper meaning.

The Empress, suppressing a smile, added, “Mother is truly wise. I must learn from her.”

The Emperor nodded. “Exactly. You should go back and strictly discipline the Second and Sixth Princes. As for yourself—you must also know your place. Know what should and shouldn’t be done. Do not always let others handle matters of the inner palace in your stead.”

That last sentence was a slap to the Empress Dowager’s face.

The Empress rose immediately and bowed deeply. “Your Majesty’s instruction is right. This concubine shall keep to her duties and manage the inner palace with all diligence, never troubling my dear sister Consort Jiang again.”

Consort Jiang, who had been managing the Six Palaces in the Empress’s name, clenched her handkerchief so tightly it nearly tore.

The Empress Dowager was fuming as well.

So this was the Emperor’s way of saying she should not meddle in politics.

The Emperor continued, “The Second and Sixth Princes are compassionate and virtuous. Despite their boat leaking and being repeatedly rammed, they still ignored their own safety to save others—even extending help to the Third Prince, who crashed into them. They should be greatly rewarded.”

“Your Majesty!”

Consort Xian sprang to her feet in shock. “The dragon boat is difficult to steer—my son did not crash into them on purpose!”

The Emperor’s eyes turned icy. “Do you take me and all my ministers for blind men?”

Consort Xian’s face turned pale.

Gu Hua lowered her head, hiding the amusement in her eyes.

A month ago, the Second and Sixth Princes—both skilled swimmers—had been practicing daily with their crew, training in the freezing waters for an hour each day.

They had long since adapted to the icy March river.

The Fourth Prince, however, only trained in rowing.

Falling into such cold water would cause the body to lose heat rapidly; even the strongest swimmer could hardly keep control.

So once the boats capsized, it was inevitable that the Second and Sixth Princes’ crews would perform best.

As for the tampering of the Second Prince’s boat, Mu Junyan’s men had discovered it long ago—and decided to turn the situation to their advantage.

They even reinforced the patching, ensuring the boat would last long enough to stage a realistic chase with the First Prince’s vessel.

They added a few extra holes too, so when the leaks began, the water would pour in faster, making the scene even more convincing to those watching from shore.

Mu Junyan’s plan had never been for the Second or Sixth Princes—Zhao Yuxuan and Zhao Yuwen—to win first place.

All they needed was to perform the scene convincingly.

And indeed, the performance was brilliant.

Though defeated, they emerged with honor.