It seems that Chapter Twenty has come to an end.

Against everyone’s expectations, a morning court session rife with saber-rattling and swordplay ended abruptly with Emperor Huizong Zhao Ji’s dismissive words: “Utter folly.” There was no punishment for Gao Qiu, nor any censure for Prince Yi, Zhao Yu. No one could fathom what His Majesty truly intended. Yet, after this incident, the flamboyant Prince Yi, gifted with a performer’s flair, had formally entered the court’s gaze.

What sort of dynasty breeds what sort of sovereign? Only a ruler such as Huizong Zhao Ji, prodigal among all the emperors of old, could squander a realm so thoroughly. Naturally, his thinking defied convention. From that morning’s court session, Zhao Ji suddenly realized the Crown Prince’s power seemed quite mature—troubling, to say the least. His own health was still robust; state affairs had not yet devolved to the point where the heir need speak out of turn.

What surprised Zhao Ji more was that his eighth son was not so simple either. The impeachment attempt against Gao Qiu revealed that some ministers had already begun to place their bets on this son. Moreover, Zhao Ji noticed a cleverness in him he hadn’t seen before.

This was a good thing. The court needed balance—look at the Cai family, father and son, setting an excellent example with their constant sparring, the very model for their peers.

When the ministers set the tone, should the princes not learn as well?

With this intent to muddy the waters, Zhao Ji refrained from punishing either side. After the session, he issued two edicts to rebuke Zhao Yu and Gao Qiu, then left it at that. This time, he didn’t even return for a nap, but plunged directly into his Daoist palace, engrossed in his quest for immortality.

As sovereign, his every word and deed was a mighty weather vane. Naturally, the ministers analyzed his actions from every angle, then acted according to their interpretations.

Even Zhao Yu himself hadn’t expected that, from this moment on, his previously quiet Prince Yi’s Residence would suddenly bustle with activity. Many officials—most of whom he neither knew nor had heard of—began to arrive bearing gifts and paying their respects.

Naturally, the most agitated was Zhao Huan. Zhao Yu had thrown royal dignity to the wind, mingling with street ruffians, yet faced no punishment for such a grave offense. What was their father thinking? Was he, Zhao Huan, merely a foundling, and Zhao Yu the true son?

Though indecisive and petty, Zhao Huan’s mind worked quickly. It was clear their father intended to give him a rival.

Storming back to the Eastern Palace, he immediately summoned Yang Xu, needing someone to vent his anger upon.

Seeing Zhao Huan’s dark expression, Yang Xu cautiously prepared to inquire about the matter, but Zhao Huan spoke first.

“Master Yang, what exactly were you thinking? You actually encouraged me to send someone to impeach Zhao Yu? Are you trying to sow discord between brothers? And now, not only has Father shown him no punishment, but all the ministers can see he favors him over me! Get out—I never want to see you again!”

Royal decorum was paramount; all princes were raised from childhood to cultivate self-restraint above all. Zhao Huan was usually refined and courteous, extending respect even to his servants. Thus, his sudden outburst left Yang Xu utterly stunned.

Staring blankly at the prince’s contorted face, Yang Xu suddenly realized he was only now truly seeing the Crown Prince for who he was. This was the one to whom he’d pledged his loyalty? Completely incapable of withstanding adversity, blaming others at the first sign of trouble—he must have been blind...

Consumed by fury, Zhao Huan wouldn’t even look at Yang Xu and turned away.

In truth, Zhao Huan usually wore his mask well; today, he had simply been pushed too far by Zhao Yu. Zhao Yu, for his part, might well feel wronged—Zhao Huan’s own pettiness was his to bear, yet he laid the blame at Zhao Yu’s feet. Serves him right to be so vexed...

After a moment, Yang Xu, cheeks flushed from Zhao Huan’s rebuke, recovered his composure. He bowed deeply to the prince’s back, then strode away without a backward glance.

Zhao Huan had been named Crown Prince early. Other than a lack of maternal affection, his path had been smooth and untroubled. Now, suddenly faced with the possibility that his most despised brother might threaten his position, he found himself utterly at a loss.

“Your Highness, Lord Liang requests an audience!”

Upon hearing that Liang Shicheng had arrived, Zhao Huan’s eyes brightened. “Quickly, show him in!”

Zhao Huan knew that, in his father’s eyes, Liang Shicheng’s standing was even higher than Cai Jing’s, and Liang was firmly on his side. His arrival brought Zhao Huan a measure of reassurance.

Meanwhile, at the Duke of Wei’s estate, in Cai Jing’s study, after listening to his son Cai Tao’s account of the morning session, Cai Jing frowned slightly, less than satisfied with the outcome.

Cai Tao, oblivious to his father’s displeasure, was still bubbling with excitement. “Father, your wisdom is unmatched! A mere hint to Prince Yi, and he turned the tables completely. If I’m right, it won’t be long before Prince Yi comes to our door seeking guidance.”

Cai Jing had meant for someone to remind Zhao Yu to plead guilty before the emperor, but this move—bearing a birch rod in apology—had clearly exceeded his expectations. Dimly, Cai Jing sensed that Prince Yi was not so easily controlled as he’d thought.

After a moment, he spoke slowly: “On the surface, we must not appear too close to Prince Yi. It’s enough that he knows our family stands behind him.”

Cai Tao didn’t quite grasp his father’s meaning and frowned. “Father, the matter seems clear—His Majesty intends to cultivate a rival for the Crown Prince. Shouldn’t we strike while the iron is hot?”

Cai Jing shook his head helplessly, as if wanting to say more but swallowing the words. After a long pause, he finally said, “A tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled. Remember, some things are best left for others to do.”

Cai Tao, slow to catch on, suddenly understood after his father’s guidance. Delighted, he replied, “Thank you for the advice, Father. I know what to do now.”

Cai Jing was almost blind; his muddied old eyes seemed to see nothing, yet as if they could pierce the very fabric of the world.

Thus, a dispute sparked by Gao Kan’s demotion fizzled out under Emperor Huizong’s conciliatory hand. The emperor himself may have thought little of it, but any minister with a head on his shoulders knew it was only the beginning—now the matter involved both the Crown Prince and Prince Yi, and touched on the very foundation of the nation.

As for the incident of Gao Qiu’s abduction, afterward, not only did Gao Qiu seal his lips, but his subordinates acted as if nothing had happened, and even the Prefecture of Kaifeng issued no wanted notice.

Of those directly involved, Lin Chong vanished from the world, disappearing without a trace along with his family.

What none of the ministers expected was that, following the emperor’s tacit approval, Prince Yi suddenly closed his doors to visitors. Especially for those officials hoping to curry favor, he refused to receive even one, as if telling both the court and the Crown Prince, “I wish only to live quietly as a wealthy prince; spare me your ambitions.”