Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine

pondered and straightened out the thoughts in his mind.

 

   Even though he had waited for an entire shichen in the early morning, then booted out before he could say anything, this trip couldn’t be said to be useless.
At least, Jin Wang was able to gather quite a bit of information.

 

   “What are your thoughts?”

 

   It was clear that Liu Da had been reflecting as he listened, since he immediately replied, “From what this subordinate can tell, the last part was excessive and superfluous.
Not at all like Yong Wang’s handiwork.”

 

   Li Maotian interjected, “What if he was so angered by us that he made a rash mistake?”

 

   “From what I can tell, that doesn’t seem to be it.
It’s more like someone fishing in troubled waters.
What if it was Lu Wang, that silly imp who went mad and made such a move?”

 

   “This subordinate is more inclined to believe it was done by the eldest imperial grandson.”

 

   Liu Da’s words instantly caused everyone to look over at him.

 

   “Incidents happened to the Eastern Palace one after another.
First, it was the crown prince, then the crown princess.
It’s clear that they’re on their last straws.
Poisoning His Majesty under the current circumstances would undoubtedly be self-destruction, but it’s different for the Eastern Palace.
After all, since the crown prince hasn’t been abolished, if His Majesty died, the throne would pass to him.
But for anyone else, it would be tantamount to ruining years of hard work so no one would be willing to do such a stupid thing. 

 

   “His Majesty has always been fond of the eldest imperial grandson to the point of suppressing the crown prince, causing a lot of resentment.
The incidents that happened to the crown prince and the crown princess would have a huge effect on the eldest imperial grandson but we mustn’t neglect the fact that external influences can also make an impact.
As for His Majesty, although he is the ruler of a country, he is still a grandfather.
The eldest imperial grandson was brought up by him ever since young and everyone knows how much His Majesty favours the eldest imperial grandson.
It’s more accurate to say that the eldest imperial grandson was raised by His Majesty to be his heir and he meets all his expectations.

 

   “How disappointed His Majesty is with the crown prince and the crown princess is how much he feels sorry for the eldest imperial grandson.
What had happened is undoubtedly a splash of filth on what was an originally unblemished piece of cloth.
Everything must be done to an appropriate level, overdoing something is not always good.
If it was only the affairs that happened, at worst it would be the crown prince and crown princess having loose morals.
But now that poisoning is added to the mix, it’s clear that someone is out to destroy the Eastern Palace and the eldest imperial grandson.
At this time, what would His Majesty think?”

 

   Liu Da’s rhetorical question finally allowed the others to understand.

 

   Everyone knew the answer to this question.
Emperor Hongjing’s affection for the eldest imperial grandson would undoubtedly rise and he would sympathize with the Eastern Palace.
He would also loathe whoever was the culprit behind all this.
With the favour of Emperor Hongjing, would Zhao Zuo still be afraid of losing power? What the imperial sons and grandsons were fighting for has always been the favour of His Majesty.

 

   “So the person who tried to poison His Majesty was the eldest imperial grandson?”

 

   Liu Da flapped his fan and smiled.
“Poisoning is but a tactic and there’s no way that His Majesty would actually get poisoned.
It’s inevitable for the truth to be eventually exposed.”

 

   Both Mr.
Hei and Li Maotian were lost in thought

 

   After a while, they cupped their hands at Liu Da and praised, “You are indeed wise.” 

 

   As one of the members of Jin Wang’s think tank, this was why Liu Da was able to sit firmly in the top spot.
Everyone else had no choice but to retreat.

 

   Liu Da’s mind was ingenious and unparalleled.

 

   The three of them looked at Jin Wang.
Jin Wang was still as calm as usual with no ripples on his face.

 

   “You all look down on His Majesty too much.
He did as well.”

 

   This ‘he’ was naturally referring to the eldest imperial grandson.

 

   Liu Da hesitated, “Your Highness means– “

 

   “Father Emperor is definitely suspicious of him.”

 

   “This– “

 

   Jin Wang leaned back in his chair, and said, “No matter what, the current situation is favourable for this prince.
Unless this prince is mistaken, the next step His Majesty will take is to abolish the crown prince of his position and have the rest of the princes remain in the capital.”

 

   There was another sentence that Jin Wang did not say which was that the original intention of this farce wasn’t to defeat the Eastern Palace.
The Eastern Palace was one of them.
What was more important was for the princes to remain in the capital, but for that to happen, they must have a valid reason.

 

   This was why the crown prince and the imperial concubine as well as the crown princess and the imperial guard had an affair.
Although the last move of attempting to poison the emperor seemed to be superfluous, the truth was that even if the eldest imperial grandson did not do it, someone else would pick up the knife.

 

   Only when Emperor Hongjing was suspicious of the eldest imperial grandson that he had raised himself and held doubt, disappointment, and fear towards the Eastern Palace would the rest of the princes have a chance.

 

   With a bang, the sky outside suddenly darkened.
Just a moment ago, the sky was clear and the sun was bright but then in a flash, it was as if night was approaching.

 

   It was spring thunder, like an omen for what was to come.