The Demon Lords-Chapter 786 - 172: Into My Trap_3

Others will naturally stand by your side, echoing your actions, then suppress your opponents for you.

Those who were meant to understand the meaning of the Crown Prince’s "care" would naturally understand.

After both sides had reseated themselves, the Minister of Rites, Ning Fangsheng, began to speak, "Your Highness, I heard that you hosted a feast in the East Palace the other day to entertain the scholars who passed last year’s examination?"

The Crown Prince responded solemnly, "Replying to Elder Ning, indeed I did."

The Crown Prince had assisted in administering Yan’s first imperial examination last year; at that time, he was not yet the designated Crown Prince. This year, by imperial edict, the Spring Exam would be presided over by the Crown Prince. After Yan had implemented the imperial examinations for two years, this heir to the throne was set to solidify his reputation as the grand master of all scholars in the land. It could be said that he, by imperial command, had raised the "Dragon Gate," allowing scholars from humble families to ascend to the imperial ranks.

Last year’s imperial examination was personally presided over by Ning Fangsheng, with the Crown Prince as his assistant. He was old now, and his current wish was to do more in literary affairs for the scholars from humble families, for the benefit of Yan. Fortunately, in this regard, the Crown Prince’s mindset was in complete accord with his own.

"Elder Ning, our Yan State is currently prospering," the Crown Prince stated. "We naturally need these scholars to fill our court and solidify Yan’s foundations. I hosted a banquet for them merely to inquire about their recent circumstances and to offer encouragement."

Such was the Yan Emperor’s magnanimity; he wouldn’t mind his Crown Prince socializing with civil officials or currying favor with these young officials newly entered into the court. Therefore, the Crown Prince hosted the banquet openly and spoke of it with ease. Were it any other emperor, their crown prince would certainly not be able to, nor dare to, act in such a manner.

After the Yan State cracked down on the noble houses, a serious "official shortage" had emerged in the Yan court. Although promoting clerks to official positions had somewhat alleviated the immediate crisis, it was ultimately not a long-term solution. Moreover, establishing the imperial examinations and recruiting scholars from humble families into official positions was the fundamental strategy to eradicate the influence of the established noble houses. Consequently, of last year’s successful candidates, those dispatched to posts outside the capital became, at the very least, local magistrates, while those who remained in the capital quickly rose to prominence within the Six Ministries. Ability was one aspect; more importantly, supporting them aligned with the current political climate.

Ning Fangsheng nodded with a smile, saying, "The Crown Prince is thoughtful." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Elder Ning, you overstate it," the Crown Prince replied. "This is merely my duty."

As he spoke, the Crown Prince flicked his wrist, instructing Li Yinglian beside him to hurry the imperial kitchen with their late-night meal. The matter of the treaty needed to be settled as soon as possible, so an all-nighter was inevitable. It was tiring, but there was also a sense of fulfillment in it.

The Crown Prince scanned his surroundings. Sitting in this position, as long as I don’t make a mistake, what can you do to me?

In the Crown Prince’s mind, he still remembered a particular scene. In that scene, he and his elder brother were kneeling on the ground, being reprimanded by their father, while a young Ji Chengjue was held by their father, sitting on his lap. On that day, something their father had said remained deeply embedded in the Crown Prince’s heart, like a thorn: "You all... you all... Never mind. Thankfully, at least little Chengjue is like me."

Ji Chengjue, you have no chance. None at all.

「...」

"Do you think you still have a chance?" the princess asked. She was leaning against the steps of the pavilion, tossing pebbles into the pond, while Ji Chengjue stood before her.

"Sister, I just arrived. Shouldn’t you offer me a cup of tea before asking such a heart-wrenching question?" Smiling, Ji Chengjue sat down on the steps opposite the princess, deliberately avoiding the question.

The princess extended her leg and kicked Ji Chengjue. She hadn’t held back much, and Ji Chengjue sucked in a sharp breath from the force of the blow.

"Stop pretending. Your facade is broken. Even if you continue, it won’t be as natural as before. I’m just curious, after playing the part of an idle, good-for-nothing prince for so many years, why the sudden change?"

"What act have I been putting on?"

"Be honest with me. I haven’t married your Second Prince yet; we can still talk normally for now."

"Shouldn’t we be even closer after you become my sister-in-law?"

"Closer, my foot! Believe it or not, the day after the wedding, I’ll have the Northern Army from outside the city enter your residence and arrest you!"

"Sister, are you planning a rebellion?"

"Too drastic a measure, you think?"

"Indeed."

"Fine. Then after the wedding, I’ll summon you to the East Palace, claim you tried to take liberties with me, and then conveniently have Seventh Uncle cut you down."

Seventh Uncle, who had just walked in and handed Ji Chengjue a cup of hot tea, merely smiled upon hearing this.

Ji Chengjue subconsciously touched his neck. He knew that this woman before him, however beautiful and captivating she appeared, could be truly ruthless when she set her mind to it. To this day, that fellow Zheng still vividly remembers the incident where this woman nearly had him discarded in the desert like fodder.

"Cheng Jue considers himself to have been very respectful towards you, Sister, ever since we were young. For festivals and New Year, the customary gifts have never been lacking. Logically speaking..."

The princess laughed. "Father once said you are the most like His Majesty."

Ji Chengjue was silent.

"So what? When I marry your Second Prince, helping him eliminate a threat—as a wife, isn’t that perfectly natural?"

Husband and wife are one. If you pose a threat to my husband’s throne, then I should just get rid of you.

Ji Chengjue nodded thoughtfully. "That does make sense," he said.

"Don’t call me heartless. Ever since spies from the Northern Army discovered, some years ago, that you even had operatives stationed outside my residence, I knew you were different from your fifth brother. If you had just kept pretending, it wouldn’t have been a big deal; I’d simply have kept a closer eye on you. After all these years, with all the valuable gifts you’ve presented, surely that’s enough to buy your life, isn’t it?"