TRBDM -Chapter 215 How Arrogant

The struggle for the throne was approaching the moment when everything would be laid bare, and Zhao Jingheng was about to make his move.

As the future empress, Dou Shuxin was the one Zhao Jingheng should confide in regarding some details of the succession battle.

“Your Highness the Princess is willing to help Tenth Prince?” Dou Shuxin was both surprised and delighted. She trusted Wei Zhaorong’s words implicitly, yet she couldn’t hide her shock.

Tenth Prince could actually gain the favor of the Princess.

“Yes. And not only the Princess, but the Mingde Marquisate will also support him. So, Miss Dou, there’s no need to worry.”

For the first time in days, Dou Shuxin heard good news.

A genuine smile finally spread across her face. “Thank you, Madame Hou, for your help.”

Wei Zhaorong replied, “Tenth Prince is extraordinary in both wisdom and courage. To become his supporter is an honor for the Hou family.”

“Madame Hou need not be modest. Tenth Prince must be extremely pleased to have your support.”

Dou Shuxin’s words were sincere—Zhao Jingheng indeed felt grateful.

After discussing the main matter, Wei Zhaorong added, “Miss Dou, the bond between you and Tenth Prince is deep. There will be many days ahead for you to meet.”

Her words reassured Dou Shuxin. Though her cheeks flushed slightly, her tone was firm: “I hope so too.”

Dou Shuxin was never a fragile woman; she had her own steadfast choices.

Zhao Jingheng had faced danger many times, yet she had never hesitated to rush forward to help him. No matter how much he tried to stop her, she had never retreated an inch.

She asked for no return, only hoping for his safety.

Now, knowing that Zhao Jingheng had entrusted Madame Hou to protect her in such a dangerous situation, Dou Shuxin felt the love he had been unable to voice.

No wonder that night he had climbed over the wall into the Xiang residence.

Dou Shuxin felt happy.

Her secret admiration had been firmly caught and held by the other party.

When Dou Shuxin left, Wei Zhaorong watched her retreating figure with affection, thinking of the children in the household—each with their own paths of love—and felt both sweetness and envy.

Young hearts always felt things so intensely and purely. How wonderful.

She and Lin Juehui had once felt the same way when they were young.

Time passed, she had lived two lifetimes, yet sincere emotions still moved her.

“Madame Hou, I remember when you and the old Marquis were betrothed, and he went to Fulong Temple in Chuanzhou to distribute porridge and aid disaster victims, you worried just like Miss Dou.”

Wei Zhaorong squinted, recalling that truly was many years ago.

“Yes, I worried for days and nights without sleep, my lips blistered, and I took medicine for many days.”

“I remember, at that time, you still stubbornly refused to admit it was because of worry for the old Marquis,” Nanny Qi chuckled, teasing her.

Wei Zhaorong bore no grudge. “We were young and thin-skinned, afraid of gossip. In this regard, I am not as honest as Miss Dou. She bravely faces her heart, and that courage is admirable.”

“Yes, Miss Dou has a resilient character.”

Wei Zhaorong nodded. “It’s fine. Once this period passes and everything settles, the good days for Miss Dou will come later.”

Nanny Qi echoed, “Yes, the good days are still ahead.”

Under Wei Zhaorong’s guidance, the Mingde Marquisate remained low-profile and cautious.

Almost no one in the household went out, and from the outside, not a single person—or even a fly—could enter.

Every day in the court saw major events, as the Crown Prince faction and the Third Prince faction captured each other’s people within their power.

It was obvious that the Crown Prince faction was at a disadvantage.

Rumor had it that the Crown Prince barely dared to leave the Eastern Palace and couldn’t handle anything on his own, relying entirely on the Empress to keep things afloat.

Zhao Jingheng, though maintaining his usual low profile in the palace, did not mean Zhao Jingyan would leave him alone.

Jianxi and Wei Qing had been following him almost constantly for twelve hours straight, ensuring his safety.

Anything that entered Zhao Jingheng’s possession—even a cup of plain water—Jianxi would test for poison in advance.

Zhao Jingheng, fearing he might be poisoned again, forbade him from doing so.

Jianxi immediately knelt: “Your Highness, this servant is unskilled and useless. I cannot be of great service to you in the palace. This is the only thing I can do. Please, Your Highness, do not stop me.”

Zhao Jingheng’s face remained impassive, but the crease between his brows suddenly deepened. “Jianxi, rise.”

Hearing the unusual tone in Zhao Jingheng’s voice, Jianxi nervously stood up.

“Leave the poison testing to others. You have another task.”

Another task!

All traces of his earlier anxiety vanished. With utmost devotion, he asked, “Your Highness, what task requires this servant? I will go through fire and water, without hesitation.”

Jianxi’s expression was one of absolute readiness to sacrifice himself, as if Zhao Jingheng were about to send him into battle.

Zhao Jingheng said expressionlessly, “My boots are dirty. Have them cleaned.”

“Ah? That’s it?” Jianxi scratched his head.

“That’s it. It’s urgent. Go quickly.”

“Oh, yes, Your Highness. This servant will go immediately.”

After Jianxi left, Wei Qing stepped forward. “Your Highness, I have someone for the poison testing.”

Wei Qing had chosen a small eunuch from Qingfeng Hall.

“I’ve observed him for many days. He is loyal and wholeheartedly devoted to Your Highness. He can be trusted.”

Zhao Jingheng nodded. “He’ll do.”

Qingfeng Hall needed to ensure that everyone inside was completely reliable, so that they could work together and ultimately win the battle for succession.

Zhao Jingheng changed clothes and, with Wei Qing, headed to Qianqing Palace.

The late emperor’s body had been lying in state for fifteen days, and in two days he would be buried in the imperial tomb.

The matter of the deposed crown prince would be addressed the day after the funeral.

On the way to Qianqing Palace, Zhao Jingheng encountered the Ninth Prince, Zhao Jingtian.

A familiar figure was at his side—Nangong Hai.

“Zhao Jingheng.”

Zhao Jingtian suddenly blocked his path.

“Ninth Brother,” Zhao Jingheng stopped, looking at him coldly.

“Oh? Moving back from the National Academy to Qingfeng Hall really changes a person—you’ve gotten arrogant, huh?”

Zhao Jingtian lifted his chin, smirking.

Unfortunately, he was shorter than Zhao Jingheng, so just in terms of presence, he was already overshadowed.

“If Ninth Brother has nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”

“You dare leave?” Zhao Jingtian threatened. “Do you still recognize me as your royal brother, or are you being arrogant?”

He was charging Zhao Jingheng with the “crime” of arrogance, which made Zhao Jingheng almost want to laugh.

Earlier, he had chosen to keep a low profile and avoid confrontation—that was his choice. It didn’t give Zhao Jingtian the right to step all over him anytime, anywhere.

“Ninth Brother, choose your words carefully. Father has passed away, and as princes, we should pay our respects at his spirit. If I go to Qianqing Palace to guard the coffin and my actions are slandered as arrogant and insolent, Father, were he aware, would be heartbroken.”

“You!” Zhao Jingtian pointed at Zhao Jingheng.

Nangong Hai thought he was about to attack and grabbed him: “Ninth Prince, calm down. The Third Prince has ordered that no inappropriate actions are allowed before the late emperor’s spirit.”

Zhao Jingtian impatiently shook off Nangong Hai and glared at Zhao Jingheng. “Just wait. In two days, I’ll have you kneeling before me, begging!”

“Fine. I’ll wait.”

Zhao Jingheng replied lightly, without looking at Zhao Jingtian again, and continued toward Qianqing Palace.

Zhao Jingtian ground his teeth in hatred. “Zhao Jingheng, I will make you kneel before me and kowtow, begging for mercy!”