TRBDM -Chapter 147 Killing Two Birds with One Stone

Zhao Jingtian was on the Third Prince’s side; he was assigned to keep an eye on the Imperial Academy.

For three years, Zhao Jingheng had been like a quail—submissive, obedient, achieving nothing. Zhao Jingtian had never taken him seriously.

But ever since the last time he was drugged, Zhao Jingheng had managed to escape the Imperial Academy on his own. Zhao Jingtian began to suspect that Zhao Jingheng might be a tough nut to crack.

He thought about the “Hehuan Poison”—the strongest aphrodisiac imaginable. Even the daughter of the Left Minister had been completely undone by it. Yet Zhao Jingheng had resisted. Could a mere human really do that?

Now he had a reasonable suspicion: Zhao Jingheng must be on the Crown Prince’s side.

At present, the princes were divided into two factions: the Crown Prince’s faction and the Third Prince’s faction.

There was no middle ground.

Zhao Jingheng’s refusal to join the Third Prince’s faction meant he had to be aligned with the Crown Prince.

Hah, he was good at hiding it—after three years, Zhao Jingtian still hadn’t discovered when Zhao Jingheng had secretly boarded the Crown Prince’s ship.

Before long, Zhao Jingheng came out wearing a brocade robe. “Eunuch, let’s go.”

“Your Highness, please.”

Passing by Zhao Jingtian, Zhao Jingheng kept his gaze straight ahead. Zhao Jingtian gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly.

Hmph. Acting all high and mighty. Once he returned to the Imperial Academy, he’d still be at Zhao Jingtian’s mercy.

Jianxi followed closely behind Zhao Jingheng, feeling uneasy.

Jianxi had once coveted power himself, but after three years of a stable, boring, and impoverished life at the Imperial Academy, he had grown somewhat resistant to palace life.

The deep palace, the high walls, the treacherous hearts—one wrong step and you might not even know where your life ends up.

Seeing the Deputy Chief Eunuch today, his legs shook with fear. Every word they spoke had to be carefully considered, lest a single misstep lead to disaster.

They moved in silence.

Entering the palace, hearts pounding, the three of them arrived at the Taihe Hall. Jianxi was stopped. The Deputy Chief Eunuch said, “Your Highness, you may enter alone.”

Jianxi immediately stepped back a few paces.

Zhao Jingheng nodded at his eunuch and walked straight in.

On the high dais, Zhao Kuang was reviewing memorials.

“Your son pays respects to His Majesty.”

Zhao Jingheng knelt and bowed.

Zhao Kuang didn’t look up. After finishing reviewing a stack of memorials, he put down his imperial brush and said casually, “Rise.”

By now, a whole incense stick’s worth of time had passed since Zhao Jingheng had knelt.

“Thank you, Father.”

Zhao Jingheng showed no resentment, standing straight and waiting quietly for Zhao Kuang to speak.

Zhao Kuang wanted to continue reviewing the memorials, but his headache worsened. He closed his eyes, and the Chief Eunuch quickly stepped forward to gently massage his temples.

Taihe Hall was silent; not even a breath could be heard.

After what felt like an eternity, Zhao Kuang waved his hand. “You may leave.”

He didn’t specify names, but Zhao Jingheng knew he meant himself.

“Yes, Father.”

From start to finish, Zhao Jingheng didn’t ask a single question.

Exiting Taihe Hall, the Chief Eunuch who had just been massaging Zhao Kuang followed him.

“Your Highness, the Emperor says the Imperial Academy is too far, and it’s not easy to meet you. He wants you to move back to Qingfeng Hall.”

The Chief Eunuch spoke without hesitation, and all the palace maids and eunuchs nearby heard him.

Zhao Jingheng’s expression remained unchanged. “Please convey my thanks to Father. I will move back to Qingfeng Hall tomorrow.”

“That will do nicely.”

Zhao Jingheng’s visit to the palace stirred the undercurrents.

All eyes and agendas suddenly shifted toward him.

At this critical juncture of the imperial succession, the Emperor had summoned him alone and publicly arranged for him to move back into the palace—it was impossible not to draw attention.

On the carriage back to the Imperial Academy, Jianxi carefully asked, “Your Highness, what did the Emperor say to you?”

Zhao Jingheng said nothing.

Jianxi immediately fell silent, saying no more.

Suddenly—

The carriage jolted, and the horses, startled, reared their front hooves.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Zhao Jingheng steadied himself, lifted the carriage curtain, and suddenly saw Zhao Jingyan on horseback, looking down at him from above.

“Third Brother?”

Zhao Jingyan’s lips curved with a cruel smile. “Tenth Brother, what a coincidence.”

Indeed, it was a “coincidence.”

Zhao Jingheng had just left the palace when Zhao Jingyan arrived.

“Since it’s such a coincidence, why don’t we have a drink together? We, as brothers, have never had a private drink before.”

Who would dare drink at a feast like the Hongmen Banquet?

Who knew if Zhao Jingyan might set another trap like at Hehuan Pass?

But Zhao Jingheng had no choice.

“Thank you, Third Brother.”

“Heh, then let’s go.”

The pair went to a tavern. Zhao Jingheng looked up and realized it was the same tavern the Princess had booked last time.

Zhao Jingheng’s arrival was sudden. There were many guests inside, but since the Third Prince wanted the place cleared, who would dare stay? Everyone was hurriedly driven out, and soon the tavern was empty.

“Your Highness, welcome! Please, right this way!”

The tavern owner bowed low, his face full of flattery.

Zhao Jingyan didn’t even spare him a glance, stepping inside.

Zhao Jingheng followed, and the two entered the premium private room.

Meanwhile, just a street over, Zhao Lingchen was at the Qin Family dessert shop, waiting for Xie Yu to finish school.

She had tasted every dessert in the shop, and the recipes were all adjusted to Xie Yu’s preferences.

The imperial chef made them fresh daily—both nutritious and delicious.

Even waiting was a kind of happiness, and Zhao Lingchen’s brows curved in a gentle smile.

Suddenly, a shadowy guard emerged from the darkness.

“Princess, there’s urgent news.”

Zhao Lingchen’s smile faded. “Speak.”

“Today the Emperor suddenly summoned the Tenth Prince to the palace, held a private discussion for half an hour, and then instructed him to move back to Qingfeng Hall. Just as the Tenth Prince left the palace, he was intercepted by the Third Prince. At this moment, they are drinking at a tavern in the capital.”

Zhao Lingchen’s brows knitted. Her father would not concern himself with Zhao Jingheng for no reason, after all, he was hardly noticeable.

This move was tantamount to pushing Zhao Jingheng into the fire.

Neither the Crown Prince nor the Third Prince would let him go.

Zhao Lingchen did not wish to interfere in the struggle for the throne, but she had promised Zhao Jingheng she would ensure his survival.

“Protect the Tenth Prince. If necessary, you may take action against the Third Prince.”

“Yes.”

Inside the tavern’s private room.

Once the door closed, Zhao Jingyan’s feigned patience vanished entirely.

“What did Father say to you today? Tell me everything—don’t leave out a single word.”

Zhao Jingyan had a bad temper and cunning methods; he had no need to hide his arrogance and domineering presence.

“Father didn’t say anything,” Zhao Jingheng replied.

Crack!

Zhao Jingyan crushed a cup in his hand.

“Zhao Jingheng, don’t play games with me. I’m giving you only one chance—speak!”

Zhao Jingyan was not Zhao Jingtian. Zhao Jingtian was all bark and no bite—a paper tiger. But Zhao Jingyan was a lion in the wild. When he opened his bloody maw, the scent of iron and blood could almost be smelled.

“Third Brother, I’m telling the truth.”

Indeed, Zhao Jingheng had nothing to report.

But at this moment, he understood Zhao Kuang’s intention.

Whether Zhao Kuang had said anything or not, his actions had already dragged Zhao Jingheng to the center of the vortex.

He had become a living target.

The arrows of both the Third Prince and the Crown Prince would be aimed at him.

Sacrificing a neglected prince to ease the conflict between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince—it was, after all, the perfect double strike.