Meng Changdong poured him a cup of tea. "Your Highness, I've always understood that you have no great ambition. But the officials' eyes are sharp. Among all the princes, if there's anyone capable of challenging the Crown Prince, it is undoubtedly you. So after Prince Ning's death, his faction will surely lean towards you. It's a way to seek protection. After all, they've fought against the Crown Prince's faction for too long. Without Prince Ning's backing, they fear retribution."
"And the first to bear the brunt would be the Marquis of Qi Ying's estate."
Situ Yan suddenly felt his mood lift. He was quite vengeful. He recalled when he and Ouyang were investigating a case in Yangzhou, they had nearly been killed by Jian Deqiu.
After Jian Deqiu was killed by him, the Marquis of Qi Ying's estate had clung to him like a mad dog.
If he could watch the Marquis of Qi Ying's estate fall into misfortune, he would certainly grab a handful of melon seeds and watch the fun.
Meng Changdong shook his head, however. "The Emperor has always been soft-hearted. Prince Ning is gone, and the Marquis of Qi Ying's estate's strength has already greatly diminished. He will not add to their woes."
Situ Yan thought about Emperor Changwu's personality and nodded with some disappointment. "That's true."
"Enough digressing, let's get back to taking sides. Your Highness, if you can properly absorb Prince Ning's remaining power, it will be a great help to you. You can contend with the civil officials, and coupled with your prestige in the army, surpassing him will be a certainty."
Situ Yan waved his hand, listening. "Forget it. The death of Situ Jue has kept my father on his sickbed for so long. If I were to fight to the death with the Crown Prince, the old man might not be able to bear it."
Meng Changdong had considered many reasons for his refusal, but he never expected it to be Emperor Changwu's health.
He sighed. "Your Highness, you may not want to contend, but the Crown Prince may not think so. Two tigers cannot share one mountain. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, can you still live as freely as you do now?"
Situ Yan fell into contemplation.
Meng Changdong continued, "Your Highness, the Third Prince and the Sixth Prince should also have received invitations, but not as many as you. If you are inclined, you could try to befriend them."
"Forget it," Situ Yan waved his hand. "I will announce that Prince Rui's mansion will be closed to visitors."
"Your Highness!"
"Changdong, I understand what you mean, but I truly have no interest in that position. Contending for the succession sounds simple with just two words, but the meaning behind those words is too heavy. I didn't bring you all to the capital for you to risk your lives paving the way for me. The bloodshed and sacrifice on the battlefield are already enough. Let's not have any more pointless sacrifices in the court."
Meng Changdong: ...
He was stunned for a long time, then finally knelt and performed a deep bow. "Your Highness, no matter what decision you make, your subordinate will surely follow you, serve you with all my heart, and not rest until death."
"Don't be like that. Why so serious all of a sudden? Get up quickly. Instead of pondering these useless things all day, why don't you find a wife soon? Speaking of which, how old are you this year?"
"Just turned thirty."
"Just turned? People at thirty are already grandfathers."
Meng Changdong's vow of lifelong loyalty suddenly felt a little shaky. "Your Highness, you still have the mood to care about this?"
"Why not? If you're not married by next year, I'll have the Princess Consort arrange for Qingmiao to be with you. Neither of you wants to get married, and she wants to remain unmarried for life. No matter how you look at it, you're a perfect match."
"She's still a young girl."
"Not that young anymore."
Meng Changdong was so angry he didn't want to talk to him and finally stormed away.
Situ Yan breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and returned to his room to chat with his wife. The shock was too great; he needed to recover at his wife's side.
Unexpectedly, Lu Nianfu, after hearing Meng Changdong's analysis, nodded thoughtfully and praised, "Your Highness, I think you're much better than the Crown Prince."
Influenced by her past life, Lu Nianfu had never considered the possibility of Situ Yan seizing the throne.
But now, Meng Changdong's words had opened up her entire perspective. In her past life, Situ Yan had managed to stabilize the court in a chaotic world full of internal and external troubles. The situation in this life was much better than in her past life, and Situ Yan wasn't lame, so why couldn't he ascend the throne?
Situ Yan stumbled, his mouth twitching. "Wife, I'm only now realizing that you actually have such great ambitions of becoming an Empress."
Lu Nianfu blushed. "It's just that the conversation led to this. Your Highness, what do you truly think?"
"What else can I think? With the heir apparent in place, plotting to seize that position is rebellion. Am I mad? To gamble with the lives of my family, my wife, and my brothers."
"What if you win?"
"Madam, a gambler's mentality is not advisable. We'll close our doors to visitors tomorrow. We'll put on a proper show. Once Situ Jue's faction disintegrates, I'll find an opportunity to show my stance to the Crown Prince. I believe he shouldn't remain suspicious of me forever. After all, I have no maternal clan, and my wife's clan is not prominent. It's truly too difficult to forge a path to the succession in the capital."
"But your abilities are clearly far superior to the Crown Prince's."
Situ Yan was very open-minded. "Throughout history, when has the struggle for succession been about ability? It's about the times creating heroes, and it depends on who has the best luck."
Lu Nianfu smiled. "You're too indifferent to fame and fortune."
"What, are you disappointed you can't be Empress? Then think carefully. Once you're Empress, you can't be jealous. Are you sure you want to see your husband with a harem of three thousand beauties?"
"Forget it, forget it. It's good enough for you to be a Prince." Lu Nianfu decisively picked up a pastry and stuffed it into his mouth.