TRBDM -Chapter 188 Lost

With Zhao Kuang gravely ill and on the brink of death at any moment, the struggle for the throne grew increasingly fierce.

If not for Zhao Lingchen’s protection, Zhao Jingheng was not even sure he would still be alive.

Because of this, he buried his longing for Dou Shuxin deep in his heart. Even meeting her once had become a luxury.

Zhao Jingheng preferred being alone in the dark. When he woke from dreams in the middle of the night, he was used to opening his eyes in the darkness and letting his yearning quietly flow.

He brushed aside the distracting thoughts in his mind and looked at Jiang Yuelin.

“Your Highness the Tenth Prince, ever since His Majesty fell gravely ill, the Third Prince has already begun eliminating his rivals. Lord Feng’s death was his doing.”

Jiang Yuelin’s words made Zhao Jingheng’s sword-like brows knit together, a layer of frost settling over his usually calm expression.

“Have you found evidence?”

“It is precisely because there is no evidence that I am even more certain it was him.”

As Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Jiang Yuelin handled cases strictly by evidence. His baseless accusation just now sounded like nothing more than an emotional outburst, devoid of proof.

Yet Zhao Jingheng agreed with him.

Zhao Jingyan was vindictive. At such a critical juncture, removing the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and cutting off one of the Crown Prince’s arms would intimidate the Crown Prince’s faction and make them all fear for their lives.

There were never many officials supporting the Crown Prince to begin with. Feng Yun had been the leading figure among them. With him gone, the Crown Prince’s faction was leaderless and easily thrown into disarray.

By contrast, the Third Prince’s faction had been steadily growing. Thanks to Zhao Jingyan’s iron-handed style and the powerful backing of his maternal family, more and more officials had thrown their support behind him.

Recently, many ministers had submitted memorials demanding the deposition of the Crown Prince and the reestablishment of the Third Prince as heir apparent.

Some had even secretly urged the Emperor to issue an edict passing the throne directly to the Third Prince.

Though the Crown Prince’s faction argued their case with reason, their voices were too few and too weak—less than a tenth of the opposing side.

The overall situation was overwhelmingly one-sided.

The Crown Prince had been going to Taihe Hall every day. It was said he often wept at Zhao Kuang’s bedside, complaining that the ministers bullied him and that each harbored treasonous intent.

Unfortunately, Zhao Kuang was lucid only briefly each day. Most of the Crown Prince’s tearful complaints never reached his ears.

The Chief Eunuch allowed him only the time it took for a single stick of incense to burn. Once the time was up, he would politely ask the Crown Prince to leave, citing the Emperor’s need for quiet.

Zhao Jingxuan knew full well the danger of his situation. Once Zhao Kuang was gone, even if he held an imperial edict in hand, how long could he truly remain on the throne?

Thus he was anxious as well. The moment he left Taihe Hall, he summoned all members of the Crown Prince’s faction.

Jiang Yuelin received an invitation too, but he declined, citing Lord Feng’s funeral as his priority.

“Your Highness the Tenth Prince, today the Old Madam of the Mingde Marquis Manor came to see me and told me something of great importance.”

Wei Zhaorong?

Zhao Jingheng looked puzzled. “What did she say?”

“She said she hopes the Court of Judicial Review will join forces with the Mingde Marquis Manor to assist Your Highness in ascending the throne.”

!

Zhao Jingheng had not expected Wei Zhaorong to be so bold as to utter such treasonous words so casually.

Amid his shock, he could not discern Jiang Yuelin’s intent and tested him carefully. “Lord Jiang, do you intend to report her?”

Jiang Yuelin shook his head.

“No. I very much agree with her idea. I am willing to support Your Highness in ascending the throne.”

Zhao Jingheng was stunned once more. “Lord Jiang, how can you also join in such nonsense?”

“This is not nonsense. It is the result of careful consideration.”

Jiang Yuelin’s tone was exceptionally firm.

“Your Highness, you and I both know what will happen if the Third Prince ascends the throne. Anyone who opposes him will be executed. Lord Feng is a living example.”

At the mention of Feng Yun, Jiang Yuelin clenched his right fist.

“The ancients say that taking a step back opens up a vast sea and sky. But if behind you lies a bottomless abyss, how can you retreat? Rather than be crushed to pieces, it is better to make a desperate gamble.”

Zhao Jingheng stood where he was, silent for a long time.

It was not that he lacked courage.

He had simply never considered it before.

Becoming the Son of Heaven had never been his dream.

But at this moment, hearing someone say they were willing to spare no cost to lift him up left him dazed.

Was he really worth the risk of Madam Wei and Jiang Yuelin staking everything—risking their entire families being confiscated—to fight for the throne on his behalf?

He had always been a marginal figure in the struggle for the throne. No one had ever believed in him—not even himself.

Why, then, had Consort Wei chosen him so firmly and without hesitation?

“Your Highness, Tenth Prince, rest assured. The Court of Judicial Review does not go back on its word. Once spoken, a promise stands. As long as you nod your agreement, I will certainly give it my all.”

Jianxi stood to the side, trembling like a leaf.

Lord Jiang was terrifying. He wished he could cover his own ears.

Every word he had just heard filled him with dread.

Ascend the throne? Why on earth would they want to ascend the throne?

To oppose the Third Prince—did they still want to live?

In the entire imperial palace, who could possibly be a match for the Third Prince?

Fighting him would be like an egg striking a stone—only the egg would shatter, while the stone remained as steady as a mountain.

Anyone with the slightest bit of sense would never utter such treasonous and foolish words.

Lord Jiang was pushing the Tenth Prince straight into a pit of fire.

Jianxi’s mind was in turmoil. A thin sheen of sweat seeped from his back, soaking through his clothes.

Don’t agree. Don’t agree… Please, Your Highness, Tenth Prince—whatever you do, don’t agree.

He prayed silently.

Yet it was obvious no one cared about Jianxi’s thoughts.

Zhao Jingheng said, “Give me a day. I want to discuss it with someone.”

Discuss it? With whom?

In the entire capital, there was only one person Zhao Jingheng could consult about competing for the throne—Zhao Lingchen.

And Zhao Lingchen was precisely the person Jiang Yuelin and the others intended to win over.

Jiang Yuelin smiled. “Very well. I await Your Highness’s reply in one day.”

After seeing Jiang Yuelin off, Jianxi shook himself, his goosebumps still standing on end. In a hoarse, trembling voice he said, “Your Highness, you mustn’t listen to Lord Jiang. Fighting for the succession… this… this is far too frightening.”

Jianxi had always been timid. After being poisoned once, he treasured his life even more.

Life alongside the Tenth Prince might not be as wealthy or luxurious as serving other princes, but it was easy and comfortable.

If the Tenth Prince insisted on wading into these troubled waters, no one could predict the outcome—but his peaceful days would certainly be over.

He still had thirty-six taels of private savings he hadn’t spent yet. What a tragedy that would be—to lose his life before spending his silver. That would truly be the worst loss of all.

Zhao Jingheng clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the window. He stood there, looking at the willow trees swaying in the wind in the distance.

“Jianxi,” he asked, “who do you think is qualified to ascend the throne?”

The answer seemed obvious to Jianxi.

“The Crown Prince, or… or perhaps the Third Prince.”

“Wrong.”

“Ah? Where did this servant go wrong?”

“As long as a prince possesses legitimate imperial blood, he is qualified.”

Jianxi suddenly understood.

That was true!

The Tenth Prince was qualified by birth.

Though he kept a low profile and had no powerful backing, he carried the blood of the Dachong imperial family. That alone granted him the right to inherit the throne.

“Then, Your Highness… will you heed Lord Jiang?”

“I don’t know.”

Zhao Jingheng truly did not know.

He felt lost.

Tomorrow, he would go to see Zhao Lingchen.