Protect Our Chief

Chapter 1070: Chapter 69: I Will Overturn the Heavens! Mastermind Wang Shouzhe (Part 5)

"Indeed, it seems like there’s a lot going on. I’ve just returned to Upper Capital City, and I heard of so many chaotic affairs," Prince Deshun’s face was somewhat displeased, "I was just thinking of talking to His Majesty."

Before Prince Deshun could find someone to report, Old Yao stepped forward first, smiling as he greeted, "Your Highness Prince, you’re truly a rare guest. His Majesty, upon knowing of your arrival, sent me to welcome you and invite you for a chat in Zhuozheng Pavilion."

"Old Yao, it’s been many years, and you don’t seem to age," Prince Deshun greeted with a smile, appearing quite familiar with Old Yao.

Uncle Zhao Hongbo, standing aside, clasped his hands and said, "Since Prince Deshun is here for important matters with His Majesty, we won’t disturb him. Let us seek an audience tomorrow instead."

Coming today to apologize, the intention was naturally to deal with things discreetly; how could they share the stage with Prince Deshun?

"Oh, no~~"

Being here "under orders," Prince Deshun certainly wouldn’t let them leave.

He immediately and enthusiastically grabbed Zhao Hongbo’s arm, saying, "Hongbo, you are a grand Chief Minister, having waited outside for two hours. You must have urgent matters to discuss with His Majesty. I’m just here for some trivial matters, mainly to visit the Ancestor, and I won’t impede you."

Saying this, he forcefully dragged Zhao Hongbo into Zhuozheng Pavilion. Zhao Zhikun’s face looked unsightly, and he felt frustrated but dared not say much, following closely.

After some formalities.

"Seeing the Ancestor’s health well, I am relieved," Prince Deshun, despite his age, portrayed a "I’m just a child" demeanor, which indeed looked somewhat shabby and shameless.

He was truly striving for Prince Anjun’s position as Emperor’s Son.

Previously, because Prince Anjun had too low a chance, Prince Deshun didn’t think much and naturally went with the flow.

But now things were different.

Since that rigid brat Mingyuan got involved with Wang Shouzhe, fortunes turned, rising step by step, with more and more voices of support, vaguely showing a trend of competing with Prince Kang.

And now, there’s an opportunity to deal a fatal blow to the opponent, how could Prince Deshun not be excited? At this moment, he seemed as if he had been injected with adrenaline, full of fighting spirit, ready to risk his old face and dignity.

Emperor Longchang loved this demeanor; hearing Prince Deshun speak so, he laughed until his face was full of wrinkles, then "spat" at him, scolding, "Your face is full of wrinkles, yet you keep saying ’child, child.’ Rest assured, my mood has been reasonably good lately, my health is strong. But you, Deshun, should take good care of your health, don’t die before me."

Though scolding, Deshun remained his offspring, and due to his strong abilities since childhood, Longchang took good care of him, naturally holding deep affections.

Among the Imperial Family, currently, there are only eleven princes, one being a son-in-law, so Emperor Longchang treats them fairly well.

Living to Emperor Longchang’s age, the number of descendants is so many that even he can’t keep track. Unless one is a Celestial Pride, one would rarely get to meet the Emperor during a lifetime.

Only those like Wu Xue Ning, the young Wu Han Heng, and the promising future Great Celestial Pride Wu Yingji can get the Emperor’s true attention and enjoy his benevolent side.

"Indeed, state affairs are a priority." After "acting spoiled," Prince Deshun said to Zhao Hongbo, "Prime Minister, after waiting for two hours, surely you have important matters to discuss with His Majesty. Please state them first."

Even someone as deeply scheming as Zhao Hongbo couldn’t help but twitch an eyelid, almost tempted to curse.

He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said, "Prince Deshun, rarely visiting Upper Capital City, let’s resolve your matters first."

He planned to wait for Deshun’s matters to be resolved, then claim to have confidential matters to report, to send him away first.

Such matters surely are best known to as few as possible, especially since Deshun is the biggest "political adversary."

"Alright then." Suddenly, Prince Deshun’s face turned solemn, and he began to tearfully complain to Emperor Longchang, "Your Majesty, I heard that the Changning Wang Family not only evades taxes but even smuggles and colludes with the enemy! Such heinous acts must be thoroughly investigated and punished promptly, especially the chief culprit Wang Shouzhe, who must be severely punished and not simply let off, Your Majesty."

"What? Thoroughly investigate and punish the Wang Family?" Emperor Longchang looked dumbfounded.

He originally thought Prince Deshun traveled so far to Upper Capital, intending to plead for leniency for the Wang Family, but unexpectedly, he came to demand severe punishment?

Not only Emperor Longchang, but even Zhao Hongbo and Zhao Zhikun looked sideways at Deshun in disbelief.

Weren’t your Prince Anjun and the Wang Family close like wearing the same pants? Not pleading for them is one thing, but demanding severe punishment, what sort of madness is this?

"Your Majesty." Prince Deshun looked inexplicably indignant, with righteous fervor, shouting, "What kind of people is my Desun lineage? Each one is diligent and devoted to the country and its people, especially that child Mingyuan, who is honest and loving all people in his heart. How could he be surrounded by the likes of Wang Shouzhe and Wang Zong’an, such villainous advisors who constantly beguile and incite? Please, Your Majesty, deal swiftly and harshly with them."

Both Zhao Hongbo and Zhao Zhikun drew in a sharp breath.

Isn’t Prince Deshun too cold-hearted? Your Prince Anjun could rise, clearly due to the Wang Family’s full support.

Now that Prince Anjun has risen, and Wang Family is in trouble, not only do you not help, you’re even striving to sever ties, putting them to death!

For a moment, even Zhao Zhikun was shocked by Prince Deshun’s shamelessness.

Just as Emperor Longchang’s face grew increasingly grim.

Zhao Hongbo suddenly felt his heart sink, thinking this was bad.

The Zhao Family now intended to cover up the matter, admitting guilt first, trying to define the matter before it was fully exposed, and to dissipate follow-up effects invisibly. Yet Prince Deshun had to jump out at this moment, clamoring for severe punishment of the Wang Family.

Just being delayed by Prince Deshun for a few days, the matter would certainly escalate.

And once they couldn’t admit guilt ahead of time, once Meng Yuanbai exposed the truth, it wouldn’t just be Zhao Zhikun’s issue, the entire Zhao Family would be dragged into the mire.

Seeing Zhao Hongbo’s changing expression, while Prince Deshun scolded Wang Shouzhe, he also inwardly admired the unseen Wang Shouzhe a bit more.

That kid truly seemed miraculous.

Even calculated Zhao Family’s plan to sacrifice the pawn to protect the knight.

As Wang Shouzhe said, the Zhao Family’s thinking was too naive. Since the situation has already been pushed to this extent, how could they simply let them pass by sacrificing the pawn to protect the knight?

This time, his goal wasn’t simply to sever an opponent’s arm.

A series of plans had just begun.

What he aimed for, was to completely overturn the Struggle of the Imperial Sons, a single round to decide victory!

That Wang Shouzhe had such tremendous ambition, his first time in Capital City, without moving one step from Four Seasons Garden, he’s already prepared to turn the skies upside down.

...