Star Sky Professional

The palace gates.

A few young eunuchs displayed their waist plaques, indicating they were responsible for procuring supplies outside the palace.

They swiftly left the palace and entered various large commercial establishments to conduct transactions. During these transactions, several scrolls of paper quietly disappeared, only to reappear in different residences.

Prince Tai's Residence.

Prince Tai, Li Ruzhang, bore a striking resemblance to the emperor, both exuding extraordinary martial prowess.

Upon reading the scroll, he burst into laughter: "Restraining oneself and returning to rituals is benevolence, Father is implying that the Crown Prince lacks benevolence..."

Since ancient times, the world has been governed by loyalty and filial piety, beyond which there is righteousness.

This is a very serious accusation.

"Such a reprimand is nearly explicit, perhaps from now on, the court will have much turmoil..."

A scholarly middle-aged man in a blue robe sighed: "However... this is good news for Your Highness."

"Mr. Wu, do you think we should send someone to propagate this?"

Li Ruzhang stroked the refined steel ring on his hand.

Daqian relied on archery and horsemanship to seize the world and never neglected the education of the princes.

Li Ruzhang could draw a strong bow, his archery skills were exceptional, and was greatly favored by the emperor.

Moreover, he deeply resembled his father, unlike the somewhat scholarly Crown Prince, and thus received the emperor's utmost affection.

"This is unnecessary..."

Mr. Wu, being Prince Tai's strategist, shook his head, glanced around, and lowered his voice: "His Majesty is the founding ruler, with grand talents and strategies, and he also excels in meticulousness. It would be an exaggeration to say the Embroidered Uniform Guard controls the entire realm, but they certainly could in the relatively small capital. If discovered, it would be unseemly..."

Upon mentioning the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Prince Tai shivered: "Forget it, let's allow my dear brothers to probe... we will not participate in this matter this time."

"Exactly, currently, the princes can engage in disputes, it's His Majesty's tacit allowance, but they must not overstep..."

Mr. Wu pondered again and sighed: "I perceive that His Majesty still has some expectations for the Crown Prince, fearing it is mainly an intention to use him as a whetstone..."

"A whetstone? Humph... aren't they afraid they'll grind the person to waste?" Prince Tai sneered: "Moreover, this prince cannot retreat, does not want to retreat... once I do, it will be total annihilation."

Mr. Wu nodded; Prince Tai, though brave, was adept at accepting advice, making him feel as though he had met a wise ruler: "This struggle for succession cannot be rushed. His Majesty is still in the prime of life; we should let the Crown Prince face the forefront and take it slow..."

"Precisely, this prince has somewhat understood over the years; the position of the Crown Prince is a burning pit... yet, everyone wishes to sit there if only for a while."

Prince Tai laughed heartily, casually burning the scroll in his hand.

...

The Crown Prince was secluded in study, with nothing out of the ordinary.

Before anyone realized, three days had passed, and it was night.

"Tonight, the founding dragon shall perish..."

In the study, the whale oil candle burned brightly. Fang Xing held a scroll in his hand, yet his thoughts had already wandered far.

Since he had taken action himself, he naturally knew when the emperor would suddenly fall ill and die.

"Before the third watch tonight, news will inevitably be transmitted from within the palace..."

The vast majority of people are a silent majority, not seeking merit, but not wanting fault.

So, when faced with a sudden upheaval, what to do?

Immediate allegiance or rebellion is rare; most will follow protocols and procedures! That way, no one bears responsibility!

Therefore, when the old emperor dies, they follow the procedure to notify the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince ascends the throne... it's that simple!

This is the so-called power of 'rightful legitimacy,' plainly put, it's just that.

No one wants upheaval, and thus the world finds peace.

"However, if there are no transmissions from the palace after the third watch, then there will be amusement... it indicates the palace is isolated, news is not flowing... there may be palace servants, concubines, colluding with outside ministers, preparing to depose me and support another prince... it may even indicate the emperor long intended to depose the Crown Prince, and the Imperial Decree is already written and hidden."

"But none of these concern me, if no notification is received by the third watch, I'd immediately go to the Duke of Wei, the Duke of England's residences, announce the Emperor's death, then proceed to the Forbidden Army Camp, raising the troops under the Crown Prince's name to clear the king's side!"

This is actually very dangerous, it's well-documented rebellion by the Crown Prince!

If the emperor were still alive, and summoned with his founding ruler's authority, the Forbidden Army would surely immediately turn against, and the Crown Prince would face execution...

But Fang Xing was sure the emperor was dead, having laid his cards on the table, enjoying the clear sight of 'Heavenly Eye'.

A winning gamble naturally deserves an all-in!

'Even if there's some decree to depose me, it's definitely a forgery, surely unrecognized... Furthermore, it offers an opportunity to purge the inner palace and the court.'

As Fang Xing pondered, Chief Eunuch Ma entered, saluting: "Your Highness, there's an envoy from the palace."

"I shall go immediately."

Fang Xing put down the scroll and noticed a trace of concealed unease on Ma's face.

Evidently, a nighttime envoy arriving from the palace must mean something significant has occurred.

Perhaps... the Crown Prince is about to be deposed?

Fang Xing smiled slightly and walked out of the study.

Not long after, everyone in the Crown Prince's residence assembled.

Besides the Crown Princess Consort, there were officer Zhao Hu and others from the palace guard.

Especially Zhao Hu, recommended to the Crown Prince's residence by the late Duke of England, loyal to the core and brave, considered a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince.

If the Crown Prince were to rebel, this man would undoubtedly follow.

After all, with the Crown Prince's status, external family support, having a few Death Soldiers is not a major issue.

Fang Xing surveyed the attending officers, noting their fully armed state, secretly nodding in approval.

Arriving at the main hall, he saw the envoy was actually Eunuch Su, who served by the emperor's side.

"Eunuch Su, what decree do you bring?"

Fang Xing frowned and asked.

"There is an imperial decree, summoning the Crown Prince to enter the palace."

Eunuch Su's attitude was much better than in previous days, but Fang Xing, with his keen senses, noticed a faint trace of fear and anxiety deeply hidden in the man.

"An incomplete decree... Whose decree? What exactly happened?"

Fang Xing asked with 'shock and anger.'

Eunuch Su gave Fang Xing a deep look, feeling that the mandate of heaven was still present. Remembering that eventually the Crown Prince would ascend the throne, even with prior instructions, he still leaked a bit of information: "An edict from the Empress Dowager, His Majesty's health is unwell, inviting the Crown Prince to enter the palace to care for the illness..."

As for more details, he would rather die than reveal them.

"This..."

Fang Xing seemed somewhat frightened, then gritted his teeth: "Since Father Emperor is ill, as his minister, I naturally must go... Where is the Eastern Palace Guard?"

"Crown Prince, please give your order."

Zhao Hu immediately knelt down.

"Gather the Eastern Palace Guard, one team will stay to guard the Crown Prince's residence, the other four teams will follow me!"

Fang Xing said through gritted teeth.

To outsiders, this looked purely like he was taking a risk, and if the Emperor found out afterward, there would be much suffering, and he might even be deposed.

But Eunuch Su looked up in astonishment, did not stop him, and instead sighed in his heart: 'At this crucial moment, the Crown Prince is so courageous, quite reminiscent of His Majesty's demeanor... truly worthy of the Dragon Series!'

Entering the Imperial Palace did not mean everything would go smoothly.

There might be ambushes at the palace gate, like at Xuanwu Gate.

Even if not, once inside the deep palace, even a few eunuchs and palace maids could kill a person.

Han Xin and Ao Bai must be very distressed...

Although Fang Xing was not too fearful, he did not want to reveal his extraordinary nature, as it was his greatest card, and must remain hidden.

Therefore, he chose to bring most of the Eastern Palace Guard.

At the very least, they needed to control a route at the palace gate, for there must be a place to escape to if anything went wrong.

Although this possibility was slim, it couldn't be ignored.

Not long after, under the worried gaze of women like the Sun Family, the Crown Prince's procession set off, slowly heading towards the palace gate.

...

Prince Tai's mansion.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Prince Tai, Li Ruzhang, was awoken in the middle of the night, quite irritable upon waking, and nearly kicked the servant to death: "What happened?"

"Mr. Wu has arrived overnight, saying our people have discovered unusual movements at the Crown Prince's residence."

The servant, knowing Prince Tai's temper, quickly reported.

"The Crown Prince's unusual movement? Quickly to the study!"

Prince Tai hurriedly dressed and went to the study, where he saw Mr. Wu: "Mr. Wu must be tired, I have already ordered ginseng soup from the kitchen, please have a bowl first..."

"Your Majesty..."

Mr. Wu, usually elegant and calm, appeared anxious: "The Crown Prince's procession has gone to the palace gate... The palace is always locked at night, something big must have happened!"

"What?"

Prince Tai dropped the golden bowl in his hand: "In the palace... what has happened in the palace?"

The Imperial Palace is strictly curfewed, locked at night and not opened until dawn.

Moreover, although the Prince's mansion had been diligently establishing informants in the palace, it was newly founded, still full of vigor, not yet riddled with holes, and closely watched by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. None, be they princes or ministers, dared to go too far.

Especially those placed in critical positions, if discovered, it would be the death of the whole family.

At most, they could facilitate some personnel in procurement, and never dared to transmit overly secret information, merely inferring from the daily usage in the palace.

"What... what should I do now?"

Prince Tai's face turned pale, looking like an ordinary young man in the candlelight, with dark circles from late nights, showing no majestic and divine demeanor.

"Currently, the urgent matter is to ascertain what happened in the palace... According to the situation now, it must be something concerning the Empress Dowager or the Emperor..."

Otherwise, even if some noble consort or Prince died suddenly, it wouldn't disturb the Crown Prince at such a late hour.

"My Imperial Grandmother is still in good health, and Father Emperor suddenly ailing... why, why has it come to this?"

Prince Tai's voice carried a sob, foreseeing bad news.

"Indeed... too urgent, too urgent."

Mr. Wu felt bitter inside, he had predicted the Emperor would live for many more decades and had set a plan for a slow advance, who could have expected the Emperor's sudden deterioration?

'Could it be, this is the mandate of heaven?'

'No... the mandate of heaven still requires man's decision, I want to... defy the heavens and change fate!'

Mr. Wu quickly paced, then said: "Now, there are three strategies: superior, middle, and inferior... The superior strategy is to enter the palace immediately, Your Majesty's biological mother is a noble consort, if you can persuade the Empress Dowager to change the heir, then the major issue can be settled..."

Prince Tai's biological mother was of noble birth, and in the absence of a set Empress, she already controlled most of the palace power, suggesting that if they fought to the death, there was still a chance.

"My Father Emperor is blessed, he might not be in trouble, what is the middle strategy?"

Prince Tai shrank his neck.

If his Father Emperor wasn't dead, doing so would be considered rebellion, resulting in either death or lifelong imprisonment.

"The middle strategy is to hold your forces motionless and watch for heaven's fate to unfold."

"After all, Your Majesty and the Crown Prince are brothers, and while there have been conflicts, it hasn't reached an irreconcilable level. If it truly reaches that point, as long as you humbly repent, you can still live a wealthy and idle life in the future."

Mr. Wu said: "Furthermore, if Your Majesty has the mandate of heaven, and tonight instead the Crown Prince is involved in palace intrigue..."