Chapter 1 Yan Capital, Prince's Mansion

Lingxiang took the initiative to step forward and help Xiao Liu Zi put on his court attire.

Having just shed the naivety of a maiden, she exuded a wisp of tender charm, her eyes seemingly brewing a spring of just the right measure.

Xiao Liu Zi half-closed his eyes, propping himself up with his arms, seeming to greatly enjoy the moment.

"The Old Matriarch's birthday is coming up, isn't it?"

The Old Matriarch was the Lu family's Lady Fengxin, who had once been the current Emperor's wet nurse.

One of her sons, Lu Bing, was merely an inconspicuous minor official in one of the six ministries, seemingly a favor bestowed by the Emperor out of affection for his milk brother.

But in reality…

Xiao Liu Zi knew that his Imperial Father possessed more than just the overt Secret Intelligence Department; hidden beneath the Secret Intelligence Department was an even more loyal and purer deep-water agency.

The person in charge of that agency was very likely his Imperial Father's milk brother.

When he married, He Sisi was temporarily placed in the Lu family by Ji Chengjue to act as her maternal home. The Lu family had given him ample face, preparing a generous dowry and a host of servants. This Lingxiang had been Lady Fengxin's personal maid, given to He Sisi as a close servant. After He Sisi gave birth to Ji Chuanye, she was taken in by Ji Chengjue.

"Yes, Your Highness, it's on the eighth day of next month. Elder Sister has already been discussing the birthday gifts with me for the past few days."

Among wealthy and powerful families, true friendships were maintained by the masters of each household hosting banquets from time to time. Intimate families were distinguished by their sons interacting or the women of the households conversing in the inner quarters.

More commonly, and more typically, things were handled by the stewards of the households, reciprocating gifts according to the gift lists. People might not attend in person, but the gifts had to be returned.

It was not easy to live in the capital, which really referred to this "etiquette."

The Lu family was He Sisi's other "maiden home," so she would naturally be attentive.

Ji Chengjue nodded upon hearing this.

After dressing, he went to the inner quarters to check on his son. His son was already awake, wearing a doudu (a type of Chinese bodice), tumbling around on his own. He Sisi, who had become slightly plump after childbirth, was watching her son and laughing.

The more the mother laughed, the more energetically the son rolled around.

"Son."

Ji Chengjue bent down, picked up his son, pressed him against his face, and kissed him several times.

His son seemed to resist him, kicking him in the face repeatedly.

Ji Lao Liu was not angry. He laughed and put his son back on the infant bed.

"The Old Lady Fengxin's birthday gifts don't need to be extravagant. The imperial court is currently using troops nationwide, and times are difficult."

"Yes, Husband," He Sisi nodded, indicating that she understood.

"There's no need to wait until next month. Choose a day in the next two days, take our son to see the Old Lady in the Lu family, and spend more time talking with her. Just say I said it, that the Old Lady will live as long as the Southern Mountain and is full of good fortune, and that you must ask for a few items from her for our family's Chuanye to seek blessings and good luck. Whatever the Old Lady gives, you take, don't decline."

"Yes, I understand."

"Mm."

Ji Chengjue nodded, walked out, and got into the carriage driven by Eunuch Zhang, heading towards the Imperial Palace.

On the way, the carriage stopped.

"Master, it's the Fourth Highness's carriage."

Ji Chengjue sat in the carriage, propping his chin.

After a while, there was movement outside the carriage, and the curtain was lifted.

"I knew that Old Six had ice in his carriage!"

Inside the carriage was an ice basin with a large block of ice, still emitting white vapor.

After the Fourth Prince sat down, he opened his collar, clearly having been overheated earlier.

Ji Chengjue reached out, picked up the sour plum ice drink he had taken two sips of, and handed it to the Fourth Prince, Ji Chengfeng.

The Fourth Prince took it, not caring whether someone had drunk from it, and downed several large mouthfuls in a row, chewing on the ice cubes before finally feeling refreshed.

"Don't you think it's strange? This year's summer is especially hot and especially long."

Ji Chengjue nodded upon hearing this and said, "According to the Qintianjian (Imperial Observatory), when this kind of situation occurs, one side is hot and dry, while the other side will have incessant heavy rain."

"Ah."

The Fourth Prince was not interested in the Qintianjian or anything like that. He simply pointed at the ice basin in front of him and said,

"Old Six, the Imperial Father has stopped sending the daily ice blocks to the princes' residences every summer. This brother of yours really can't stand the heat these days. Could you maybe…"

"Go back and dig your own ice cellar, and after winter this year, go to the Lake-Heart Pavilion to knock ice and store it away. You can use it next summer."

"Is digging something I can just do at the princes' residences?"

"Dig it. Your nephews in later generations will be grateful to you for it."

"Heh heh, if I really dared to dig, the Imperial Censor would immediately impeach me for digging a cellar in the princes' residence, forging weapons, and raising dead soldiers!"

"Won't happen."

Ji Chengjue shook his head and said with certainty,

"Because Wang Rui of the Censorate is my man."

"........" The Fourth Prince.

The carriage continued onward.

The Fourth Prince continued to sip the ice drink, while Ji Chengjue continued to prop his chin.

After a long while,

The Fourth Prince spoke again, "The Ministry of Revenue is under a lot of pressure now, right?"

"The Ministry of War isn't idle either, is it?" Ji Chengjue asked in return.

The Fourth Prince had a bit of influence in the Ministry of War, but because of the downfall of the Deng family, now, only a little remained.

"How long will the war in the east have to be fought before there's an end? Batches of young men are being sent there, and money and grain are being transported there in chunks. We all know how much wealth Da Yan has. How can we withstand this kind of squandering?"

"You can say that to the Imperial Father when you see him later."

"I don't dare to."

The Fourth Prince said honestly,

"The Imperial Father issued an edict long ago, prohibiting anyone from commenting on the matter of conquering Chu."

"Then why are you even talking about it?" Ji Chengjue asked.

"Aren't I just chatting with you? At least I'm also surnamed Ji, right? It's okay for us brothers to chat privately, right?"

Ji Chengjue picked up a towel, soaked it in the ice basin, squeezed it, and then held it to his face,

Saying:

"There's no use in talking about it anyway, so it's better not to. Yesterday, a military intelligence memorial came, saying that Dongshan Fort and Xishan Fort had already been conquered by my Da Yan. Next, we'll be clearing up the remaining military villages and forts and truly attacking Zhennan Pass."

"Ah, I reckon that this battle will end once we take Zhennan Pass. At most, after taking Zhennan Pass, we'll send troops into Chu to loot and plunder, and whatever population and money we can replenish will be considered better than nothing.

Wanting to take advantage of the situation to destroy Chu in one fell swoop, I'm afraid that's not possible."

Ji Chengjue nodded, he knew that in military matters, his Fourth Brother was still capable.

But Ji Lao Liu had Zheng Boye's secret letters sent to him every once in a while.

"After taking Zhennan Pass, conquering Chu will actually be considered a success."

The Fourth Prince narrowed his eyes, somewhat surprised.

Ji Chengjue took off the towel from his face, which had warmed up, and let out a long breath, saying:

"With Zhennan Pass in the hands of my Da Yan, the Chu people will lose their northern gateway. At that time, my Da Yan's iron cavalry can go south into Chu whenever they want, and once they leave Shanggu Commandery, it will be smooth sailing.

Furthermore, the Chu people will not easily give up Zhennan Pass. If Zhennan Pass is taken, it means that the Chu border army's elite forces will suffer heavy losses. After losing both people and land, Chu will be greatly weakened. This piece of meat, we can slowly nibble on it later after we raise it again. It's just another Qian, and a Qian without three important border towns."

"Yes, yes."

The Fourth Prince silently reached out and took the towel from Ji Chengjue, threw it into the ice basin, washed it, wrung it dry, and wiped his face.

Originally, the princes' residences were still quite lively.

But now,

The eldest and Old Six have opened their own manors,

The second is in the Eastern Palace,

The third blocked a knife for the Imperial Father and died;

Old Five went to Wangjiang to repair the river,

In the vast princes' residence, only he was left.

"Old Six, do you know that every day in the princes' residence, this brother of mine feels empty in his heart? Isn't that clearly telling me that I'm the most useless of the brothers?"

Ji Lao Liu leaned back, not speaking.

"Why aren't you talking?"

Ji Chengjue smiled,

Said:

"Usually, I only interrupt to correct you when you're wrong."

"You……"

Ji Chengjue took out his favorite Buddha Hand Cabbage snuff bottle, sniffing while saying;

"Want to be sent out?"

"Want to."

The Fourth Prince didn't hide it at all.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere is fine. This capital, I'll leave it to you and Old Two to fight over. I won't participate."

The struggle for the throne had reached this stage, the situation was both intense and clear.

If the Yan Emperor still wanted to strike a balance, he should pull up another family, making a three-legged situation.

The Fourth Prince was originally waiting for this day, even if he was pulled up to make up the numbers first, it meant that he still had a chance.

But the conquest of Chu had reached this stage, and the Imperial Father didn't seem to have this intention at all. Instead, he had been leaving him in the princes' residence, ignoring him.

A tree dies when moved, a man lives when moved. This was also true for the princes.

It was impossible for him to really live in the princes' residence all the time. Thinking an impious thought, if he continued to live in the princes' residence until the Imperial Father died and his brothers ascended the throne, he might not even get a prince's manor!

"You should talk to Second Brother about this matter. He's the Crown Prince."

"I don't want to go to Old Two, I'm looking for you. I know that Oldest Brother was also arranged by you, otherwise, with Oldest Brother's temperament, it would have been impossible for him to do something like crashing into the pillars of the main hall if he didn't get his way.

What I care about the most,

Is that when we were drinking with Old Three that night,

The Crown Prince didn't come."

Inside the carriage,

Silence fell.

Ji Chengjue played with the snuff bottle, licking his lips.

The Fourth Prince looked at Ji Lao Liu and said, "We brothers, we can joke around and quarrel, but whether you believe it or not, I don't have any intention of that position anymore. Unless Old Six, you screw up in the future and give me a chance, I will never think about those things.

We're not going to learn from those bastards in Chu, knowing that we're not a match for the Chu Regent and still causing trouble together. What's the point?"

"Northern Border County, you can't go. The Northern Border Marquis originally intended for Second Brother to be his son-in-law. If you go, the Northern Border Marquis will be unhappy. Before Second Brother ascends the throne, Northern Border County can't tolerate a second prince.

You can't go to Southern Overlook City either. Oldest Brother is in charge there. If you go, you can only be a counselor by his side, unable to command troops or even go to the battlefield, because if something happens to you, it will be difficult for Oldest Brother, and it will also be difficult for me.

Following Fifth Brother to repair the river and manage the laborers is also not possible. Throughout history, there have been countless examples of laborers rebelling while repairing rivers. You're different from Fifth Brother. If you go there, Zhao Jiulang and those other ministers will not agree.

So……"

"Going to the battlefield to conquer Chu is also fine!"

"Ah……"

Ji Chengjue gently tapped his leg with his hand, saying:

"The problem is, others might be polite to the princes, but the Jingnan Prince won't be. If Fourth Brother goes, it's very easy to die in battle. Even if you die in battle, no one will speak up for you. Instead, they'll celebrate with gongs and drums, celebrating the return of the ancient tradition of my Ji family's sons dying for the righteousness of the country."

Everyone knew how Old Three was deposed in the beginning.

It was just one day before the Jingnan Marquis annihilated his entire family.

The Ji family was indebted to the Jingnan Prince;

One Third Prince might not be enough to fill the gap.

Even if another prince was thrown in, with the Jingnan Prince's current merits, no one would think it was unfair.

Most importantly, in this world, besides the Imperial Father, no one could control what that Southern Prince would do.

"Then where can I go?"

The Fourth Prince was completely dumbfounded.

It was funny to say,

He was a prince in name, and even understood military affairs,

But as a result, he had fallen to the point where the world was so big, but there was no place for him to stand?

"There's a place that's quite suitable for you."

"Where? Old Six, tell me quickly, don't be a tease."

Ji Chengjue pointed down,

Saying;

"The capital."

"........" The Fourth Prince.

"Don't get me wrong, Li Liangchen's road will have to be moved sooner or later. He should go to Yin City to support Oldest Brother or to facilitate entry into Jin. It's too wasteful to keep him outside the capital all the time. He's still a border army iron cavalry from a town.

After Li Liangchen leaves, the Jing Camp will need a commander. My Da Yan has always had the tradition of princes commanding the Jing Camp.

In the early years, Oldest Brother commanded the Tiancheng Commandery's troops, and Second Brother nominally controlled the Imperial Guards of the capital.

Fourth Brother, you're actually suitable for this position."

"The safety of the capital, entrusted to me?"

The Fourth Prince seemed to have heard a big joke.

"Then who should it be entrusted to? To Second Brother? Or to me? Then, it's entrusted to you. If it's entrusted to you, the Imperial Father will be at ease."

Ji Chengjue bent down again,

The Fourth Prince handed the towel over,

Ji Chengjue didn't take it, but instead took out a new one.

"Uh…" The Fourth Prince.

Soaked it in ice water,

And handed the iced towel to the Fourth Prince again.

The Fourth Prince took it,

Ji Chengjue spoke;

"It's quite suitable. You can be the arbiter while Second Brother and I fight."

"Can it work?"

"I'll arrange a memorial tomorrow. You don't have to do anything. Watch the Imperial Father's intentions. After all, you're still the Imperial Father's son."

"Yes, after all, I'm the Imperial Father's son."

"The Imperial Father can't stand seeing his sons doing nothing and eating for free."

"........" The Fourth Prince.

"Master, Your Highness, we've arrived at the palace gate."

Ji Chengjue got out of the carriage, and the Fourth Prince followed closely behind.

Originally, the Fourth Prince's carriage had been following behind Ji Chengjue's carriage. His attendant also came running over to help him tidy up his collar.

"Do you regret it, appearing at the palace gate with me?" Ji Chengjue asked with a smile.

"We weren't going the same way anyway, weren't you deliberately waiting for me?" The Fourth Prince didn't mind.

"Alright, Fourth Brother, go ahead, and I'll follow behind. Etiquette can't be messed up."

"Okay."

Today was a family banquet.

In fact, this family banquet was held once a year, with the purpose of remembering past bitterness and thinking about the difficulties of the ancestors in starting and maintaining their business.

Originally, it should have been held in the spring, but there were many things to do at the beginning of the year, and later it was delayed because of the conquest of Chu, so it was chosen on this day of rest.

The place for eating was in the Imperial Study.

Compared to previous years, there were fewer people today.

Little Seven didn't need a nanny to lead him anymore. Because he was still living in the palace, he arrived the earliest, sitting obediently in his seat.

Ji Chengjue and the Fourth Prince also took their seats one after another.

After waiting for a while,

The Crown Prince came and took his seat.

The Crown Prince's face was much thinner than before, but he no longer had the desolation of the beginning of the year. He had become more calm and capable.

After the princes had all arrived,

The Yan Emperor walked out from the side hall behind the Imperial Study and sat down behind the imperial desk.

A group of eunuchs brought up the meals: corn porridge, cornbread, and pickles.

The emperor and the princes ate the same thing.

"Let's eat."

The Yan Emperor picked up his silver chopsticks.

"Thank you, Imperial Father."

"Thank you, Imperial Father."

The princes all began to eat.

The Crown Prince ate the most elegantly, Ji Lao Liu ate the most casually, and in the middle, he asked the eunuch to add a dish of pickles for him;

The Fourth Prince ate the quietest, still thinking about the Jing Camp in his heart.

Little Seven ate the most painfully. Every mouthful he swallowed was a great torture for him.

But his fathers and brothers were all eating, so he didn't dare to be presumptuous and could only continue.

Suddenly,

As the Yan Emperor was about to use his chopsticks,

The chopsticks in his hand suddenly fell on the table,

The silver chopsticks made a crisp sound, echoing in the Imperial Study.

The Yan Emperor lowered his head and looked at his right hand, which was trembling slightly.

A flash of anger appeared in the depths of the Yan Emperor's eyes.

This supreme ruler of the world could issue an edict to have millions of soldiers and civilians open up territory for him, could let the Jingnan Prince lead the expedition, could let the Northern Border Marquis guard the desert, could make the Qian Emperor lower his head, and could make the barbarian prince recognize him as his uncle;

Now,

He couldn't control his right hand,

To pick up the chopsticks again.

For a time,

In the Imperial Study,

Everyone's heart was stagnant because of the sound of the chopsticks falling.

But soon,

The Crown Prince continued to pick up pickles, placing his left hand under his chin, holding it up and sending it into his mouth, chewing slowly, as if nothing had happened.

The Fourth Prince, on the other hand, was astonished. When he looked up ahead, his body trembled, and he accidentally knocked over the bowl of porridge beside him, causing it to fall to the ground.

Immediately,

The Fourth Prince immediately left his seat and knelt on the ground, his forehead touching the green bricks of the Imperial Study.

Ji Chengjue sighed, put down the chopsticks in his hand, got up, walked to Little Seven, took the chopsticks from Little Seven's hand, and placed them on the table as well.

Then,

He took the ignorant Little Seven to the Fourth Prince's side and knelt down with Little Seven.

The Crown Prince, who was continuing to eat, also put down his chopsticks.

Little Seven asked in a childish voice, "Sixth Brother, what's wrong?"

"The Imperial Father is angry," Ji Chengjue replied.

Little Seven raised his head in surprise and looked at the Yan Emperor sitting above, asking;

"Imperial Father, why are you angry?"

Ji Chengjue replied:

"Because we brothers are useless, unable to solve the Imperial Father's worries in national affairs, just a bunch of stupid rice sacks who only know how to eat. The Imperial Father sees us and gets so angry that he can't even eat, so he dropped his chopsticks."

The Crown Prince got up, left his seat, and knelt down.

Immediately,

The princes all said in unison:

"We, your sons, are incompetent and have failed to live up to your holy grace. Please quell your anger, Imperial Father!"