allonlinenovel Chapter 262 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (162)
Chapter 262 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (162)
If Ji Shuqin could find the Imperial Seal, how could it have been delayed until today, giving him time to plan and strategize!
Ji Shuling initially had some doubts about whether this was Ji Shuqin's scheme or Ji Shumin's scheme.
At first, he didn't believe that Ji Shumin could be of the same mind as his brother, whom he hadn't seen for many years and with whom he had no kinship.
In his mind, Ji Shumin was treacherous, cunning, cold-blooded, and irrational, and after becoming disabled, he was usually insane.
If he himself is not good, he will drag everyone else down with him. How could he possibly be willing to pave the way for his good-for-nothing brother, who somehow managed to occupy the most important position in the Emperor's heart!
At that time, he even felt that Ji Shumin was trying to trip up Ji Shuqin.
He couldn't get that position himself, and he felt resentful towards all those who were capable of competing for it.
During that period, Ji Shuling was extremely wary of Ji Shumin. Just by seeing the tragic end of the seventh brother, she knew that no matter what Ji Shumin became, he would be no pushover...
In Ji Shuling's mind, the affair between Consort Rong and Ji Shulie was definitely related to Ji Shumin, who must have interfered and fueled the flames.
He's a vengeful person!
Thinking about the grudges between him and Ji Shumin over the years, Ji Shuling became even more determined to rise to a high position.
Only by completely eliminating Ji Shumin could he finally feel at ease...
Otherwise, Ji Shumin would forever be like a venomous snake, watching him intently, lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce and bite him!
Ji Shuling both feared and dreaded Ji Shumin; it had become an obsession in her heart...
He had been jealous of Ji Shumin since he was young. He could only watch Ji Shumin ahead of him, but he could never catch up. No matter who said it or who said it, he and Ji Shumin could not be mentioned together. As long as Ji Shumin was still alive, no one could see him!
It wasn't until Ji Shumin fell from his position as crown prince and suffered both physical and mental damage that Ji Shuling truly felt he could hold his head high. He had thought he could swagger in front of Ji Shuling and repay all the injustices he had felt from Ji Shumin over the years.
But when he stood before Ji Shumin, even though Ji Shumin was in a wheelchair and could only look up at him, he still couldn't truly despise him...
He once scoffed at Ji Shuqin, thinking that his mild-mannered, incompetent elder brother had no vision or knowledge and didn't even understand the various rules of the court. What could he possibly use to compete with him?
Even if he has the Emperor's favor, how can the world be handed over to such a prince?
But unexpectedly... Ji Shumin actually offered him advice! Wasn't he always distant from the Empress?
Initially, Ji Shuling repeatedly tried to sow discord between Ji Shumin and Ji Shuqin. He had a good plan: to make Ji Shuqin distance himself from Ji Shumin so that he wouldn't have to deal with him.
Ji Shuling wanted to see Ji Shumin become deserted by everyone!
Don't think he was unaware that there was a deep-seated resentment between Ji Shumin and the Empress. His spies planted in the palace had reported to him more than once that the relationship between Ji Shumin and the Empress was nothing like that of mother and son…
But to his surprise, the two brothers didn't fall for his tricks! Ji Shuqin was like a coward, obeying Ji Shumin's every command, completely lacking his own opinions, ambition, and self-respect!
What kind of bewitching drug did Ji Shumin give him...?
Ji Shuling felt a sudden sense of crisis. Wasn't this a case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead? If these two brothers got mixed up together, what good would that do?
He felt he could see through Ji Shumin's wolfish ambitions. If Ji Shuqin, who lacked any independent thought, were allowed to ascend to that position, wouldn't it be easy for him to control him in the future?
That's exactly what Ji Shumin was planning!
Ji Shuling was anxious. He hadn't expected Ji Shumin to still be so persistent. He thought he could finally stop fighting Ji Shumin, but in the end, he still couldn't escape...
Ji Shuling hated Ji Shumin so much he wanted to grind his teeth.
What he could think of, Ji Shumin could also think of.
At first, Ji Shumin remained calm, but Ji Shuling suspected that he was waiting for her to take the bait.
But as time went on, there was still no news from Ji Shumin. Only then did Ji Shuling believe that not only could she not find the imperial seal, but neither could Ji Shumin and Ji Shuqin.
This gave Ji Shuling a different idea.
No matter how capable Ji Shumin is, if he makes Ji Shuqin's legitimacy questionable, all his previous efforts will be in vain. If his conquest goes smoothly, the throne will be his for the taking!
That's why he later specifically ordered people to find a way to win over the An family.
To others, this plan seemed unbelievable, but Lord An, as the maternal uncle of Ji Shuqin and Ji Shumin, upheld justice and revealed the truth. He firmly pinned the accusation of imprisoning the emperor and wielding power without authorization on him, enough to silence public criticism…
Unless the two brothers can produce strong evidence to refute this, they will always be considered traitors and usurpers, guilty of usurping power and defying all reason!
He seized the opportunity to raise an army...
It's estimated that no one would have imagined that he would have such audacity and courage to raise an army and march directly towards the capital.
If Ji Shuqin and Ji Shumin do not surrender, then surround the palace and capture them!
Anyway, he has a legitimate reason for his actions. Once the dust settles and everyone supports him, no one will dare to say anything.
His father has passed away. As long as he can gain the upper hand in this battle, no one can do anything to him. At that time, he will be in charge of everything!
Ji Shumin's fate and what became of him were entirely up to him...
Just thinking about the feeling of having such power, being able to turn the world upside down and control the fate of others with a single thought, made Ji Shuling so elated that he couldn't fall asleep.
The imperial seal has disappeared without a trace. Whether or not the emperor himself hid it, it is heaven's help!
Without the imperial seal, how could Ji Shuqin have a legitimate claim to power?
He dared to resist, and they still had force on their side. No matter how you looked at it, they had blocked both of the other party's paths...
But what's going on here!
Ji Shuling felt a buzzing in his head. He stepped forward, trying to snatch the imperial edict from Decheng's hands.
However, he was stopped by the guards beside De Cheng.
"Seeing the imperial edict is like seeing the late Emperor himself. Second Prince, do not offend him!" De Cheng appeared respectful, but his tone was actually laced with sarcasm.
"This imperial edict must be forged! How dare Ji Shuqin act so presumptuously! You are the Emperor's close attendant, how dare you... how dare you associate with them like this!" Ji Shuling shouted.
He has no way out now. Whether the imperial edict is real or fake, it can only be fake now!
"Your Highness, please be careful with your words!"
"My father once secretly told me that my eldest brother, who was acting as regent, had imprisoned him and ordered me to protect him. But before I could rescue my father, he... he actually passed away! How could Ji Shuqin not be behind this!"
"A beast in human form! Father murder and regicide! Usurpation of power! Forgery of imperial edicts! Every single one of these acts is utterly heinous! Today, I will seek justice for my father... for all those who have been deceived by him! To restore a world of truth and justice!" The Second Prince raised his arms and shouted!
"Punish the traitors! Punish the traitors!"
"The Crown Prince is a beast in human form! He murdered his father and the emperor! His crimes are unforgivable!"
"We beseech the Second Prince to judge and eliminate this traitor! We beseech the Second Prince to lead us in punishing this rebellious traitor!"
A shout erupted from the people who came with the Second Prince, all saying the same thing, creating a powerful and imposing atmosphere!
De Cheng seemed somewhat panicked, his voice shrill: "Second Prince, this is the late Emperor's edict, how could you..."
“I said it’s fake, so it’s fake! Ji Shuqin imprisoned the Emperor, so how can this imperial edict be considered valid!”
"How could the late Emperor possibly..." Before De Cheng could finish speaking, the soldiers beside Ji Shuling moved forward, startling De Cheng so much that he retreated repeatedly.
"Your Highness, please don't do anything rash!"
"Guards! Close the palace gates immediately!" De Cheng shouted hoarsely.
The guards at the palace gates hurriedly sprang into action, and the guards also protected De Cheng, who was carrying the imperial edict, as they retreated, creating a chaotic scene.
It wasn't just the Second Prince's men who came to the palace gates; with the events unfolding in the palace, court officials spontaneously came to guard the palace gates, waiting for a result.
When the imperial edict was first heard, several officials who were nearby clearly saw that it was stamped with the cinnabar imperial seal.
Before they could see clearly, the second prince had already started saying that the eldest prince was plotting a rebellion!
This caused a commotion, and the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
Many people didn't even have time to react before hurriedly stepping back, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire...
The people in front were full of enthusiasm, as if they wanted to follow the Second Prince into the palace and force the First Prince to confess his crimes.
The group of people behind them stood in the cold wind, watching everything that had happened, and felt a chill run down their spines...
The two were completely different, and in this icy and snowy landscape, everyone had the same thought: things were about to get chaotic.
Ji Shuling was merely putting on a show to muddy the waters, preemptively accusing Ji Shuqin of treason. Without this accusation, Ji Shuqin's actions would be illegitimate.
Once he has control of the capital, his soldiers will surround the palace and capture Ji Shuqin and Ji Shumin. Who will care about the imperial edict then?
He said the imperial edict was fake, so it must be fake!
Having come this far, he had no way out...
The guards at the palace gate eventually closed the gate.
Before the palace gates closed, Ji Shuling arrogantly said to Decheng, "Go tell Ji Shuqin and Ji Shumin that if they don't surrender by dawn tomorrow, don't blame me for disregarding the last bit of brotherhood!"
De Cheng trembled, clutching the imperial edict tightly in his hand.
The moment the palace gates closed, his shoulders and back were still hunched, but his raised face held a cold, mocking expression as he looked at the closed gates in the night.
"I'll go back and report to His Highness the First Prince first," he said quietly. "Make sure to guard the palace inside and out, and make sure there are no mistakes."
"Yes!" The palace guards bowed their heads in response, showing no sign of panic.
The frantic scrambling to close the palace gates just now was all an act...
Ji Shuling looked at the tightly closed palace gate, a faint excitement rising in his heart. When he broke through this gate again, the world would belong to him.
He turned around and looked at the crowd behind him, those who had not yet adapted to the changes, and Ji Shuling looked at them.
Even if some people have doubts or grievances, they cannot speak out at this time.
The second prince had clearly planned this thoroughly and was just waiting for today to strike.
If this is the inevitable trend, what will happen to them if they resist now? What will happen to their families? So they can only remain silent and watch helplessly…
Ji Shuling was very satisfied that no one dared to question him. He led everyone away, waiting for the army to enter the city.
They thought no one would dare to stop them, but unexpectedly, He Diaoyu appeared out of nowhere.
Lord He, dressed in his official robes, remained as calm as ever. He personally led his men to guard the city gate of the capital. Standing on the city wall, he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the dark, gloomy place in the distance, where countless soldiers who followed the Second Prince were hidden.
Not only that, he also ordered his men to impose martial law in the capital. He even sent some of the prison guards to guard the city.
He carried a gong and banged it as he went, ordering the people of the capital to stay at home, not to go out, and not to open their doors to strangers.
This sound became the only noise on the streets of the capital. Even though it was still the end of the year, the capital was deathly silent. There wasn't a single person to be seen…
Ji Shuling was furious. He Diaoyu's actions were completely inciting the people of the capital to view the army about to enter the city as rebels who were breaking into the city, making the people of the capital think that he was the one who was breaking in and causing trouble.
He clearly wanted to announce to the world, to let all the people know that the eldest prince was the traitor, and that he was acting for justice, to purge the prince, and to protect the emperor!
He did publicize it, but the Crown Prince's various deeds since he became regent were also mentioned.
He sought justice for the people of Jiangnan, exonerated them, and imprisoned and beheaded those in power who had committed crimes.
Those who bought and sold official positions were sentenced, those who cheated in the imperial examinations were investigated, and the titles of those arrogant and domineering noble families were stripped...
Each and every one of these incidents has deeply resonated with the people.
In their hearts, the Crown Prince was already the embodiment of wisdom and benevolence.
Even if you beat drums and gongs right up to their ears and tell them that the Crown Prince is a bad person and a traitor, the people still refuse to believe it.
On the contrary, He Diaoyu's actions have caused the people to spontaneously regard the Second Prince's army, which is about to enter the city, as people who are here to do evil.
This unpopularity was something the Second Prince hadn't anticipated.
Ji Shumin... This is all Ji Shumin's scheme!
Ji Shuling still vividly remembers how popular he was when he was the crown prince. He never expected that he could still cause such a commotion now that he is behind Ji Shuqin!
Ji Shuling had no more worries at this moment and immediately had He Diaoyu invited over.
Lord He's authority remained undiminished, and those who went to "invite" him dared not make a move. Fortunately, He Diaoyu was sensible enough to come along on his own.
"Lord He, please have a seat." Ji Shuling extended his hand to He Diaoyu with a forced smile.
He Diaoyu sat down expressionlessly, showing no fear whatsoever.
"Does Lord He think I've caused trouble?" Ji Shuling asked deliberately. "Lord He has always been loyal to the emperor. How could you stand by and watch someone forge the late emperor's edict in an attempt to deceive everyone?"
He Diaoyu glanced at him, a slight smile appearing on his usually calm face.
The smile looked more like mockery to Ji Shuling, as if asking him: Who are you talking about? Are you talking about yourself?