The figure at the doorway paused, his expression turning extremely unpleasant. He turned back to the desk, clenched his fist, and forcefully slammed it onto the table, causing everything on the surface to rattle. His gaze then turned malevolent as he looked at the completely disheveled young man before him.
"I can't wait any longer. My wedding day is just a few days away, and I must take him down on that very day."
The Prince of Beijin spoke with venom.
"Do you know that Yu Yan had my father enter the palace yesterday?" Chu Qianyi spoke again, this time slightly reining himself in. A chilling, dark glint shot from his peach-blossom eyes, and a cold sneer curled his lips.
The Prince of Beijin looked up at him, asking curiously, "Hmm, why would he enter the palace?"
"To hand over the Chu family's military power. My naive sister actually persuaded Father to hand over the Chu family's military power, which is laughable, isn't it?" Chu Qianyi snorted coldly, his face looking rather displeased.
He hadn't expected Yu Yan to pull this stunt, but whose idea was it? The Emperor wouldn't say such things to Yu Yan, so it must have been the Empress's idea.
That woman? Thinking of what she did that day, his face became terrifyingly grim. The consequence of her actions that day was the addition of a concubine to the Chu household. He, Chu Qianyi, had always disliked being bound, and now there was an unwanted concubine in his household. This was all thanks to that woman.
"What? Something like this happened? The Right Prime Minister wouldn't actually listen to the Consort's words, would he?" The Prince of Beijin raised his eyebrows in disbelief. If the Right Prime Minister really did this, it would be too disheartening. He furrowed his brows, staring intently at Chu Qianyi.
"Yes, he listened to Yu Yan's words and intends to hand over military power and retire to his hometown."
Chu Qianyi spoke unhurriedly, but his words lacked warmth, carrying a chilling edge.
Upon hearing Chu Qianyi's words, the Prince of Beijin couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Although he had his own faction, his greatest power lay with the Chu family. This Right Prime Minister had always insisted on supporting him to the throne, yet now, knowing his mother was under house arrest, he was preparing to lay down his arms.
Was he to be left to struggle alone? The Prince of Beijin's pupils were filled with intense animosity.
"Damn it, what about his vows back then? The unwavering commitment he made to help this prince? I never expected him to back down at the last moment. Damn it, even without him, I believe I will succeed."
This time, the Prince of Beijin was thoroughly enraged. He waved his large hand, sending out a powerful gust of air that knocked over the few objects in the study, scattering them across the floor.
Chu Qianyi watched him vent his anger without rushing. Only when his fury had somewhat subsided did he speak unhurriedly.
"Why are you panicking? Isn't there still me? The Chu family still has me, and I will help you."
As soon as these words were spoken, Murong Liu Mo's eyes flickered with doubt. What capability did the consistently debauched Eldest Young Master Chu possess to help him?
His dark eyes held deep suspicion. Chu Qianyi was not anxious; he slowly sipped the tea in his hand, the only complete and flawless item in the study.
"How will you help? What is your motive?"
The Prince of Beijin did not believe this fellow was acting out of pure kindness or because of their deep friendship. He was more inclined to believe this man had ulterior motives or ambitions.
"The world only knows Chu Qianyi as dissolute and only interested in pleasure. I will show them that I can achieve something. My help today has a purpose: if you take the throne, please grant my father's position to me."
Chu Qianyi spoke with a serious expression, his demeanor unlike his usual self, conveying a sincerity he had never shown before.
The Prince of Beijin, Murong Liu Mo, was not a fool and did not fully believe such a person without reason. However, at this moment, he could only trust him. Still, what capability did this man possess? His slender eyes narrowed.
"What ability do you have to help me?"
"To help you, I have sacrificed a great deal. My father, the Right Prime Minister, is already incapable of speaking or acting properly, but only you and I know this. Others are unaware. I will send someone to inform the court that my father is taking leave. The Emperor will at most assume my father wishes to retain military power and avoid meeting anyone, unaware that he can no longer act independently. During this period, I will help you win over those who depend on the Chu family. Then, we can conquer the world in one fell swoop."
As Chu Qianyi finished speaking, Murong Liu Mo's eyes gleamed. A flush of excitement appeared on his pale face, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes and quickly disappeared.
He hadn't expected Chu Qianyi to be so astute. He had to handle this man with extreme caution, lest he be like dealing with a tiger and end up like a dog.
"Good, let us make thorough arrangements. On my wedding day, we will take down that person in one decisive move and have him issue a decree to establish me as Emperor."
The Prince of Beijin and Chu Qianyi smiled at each other, each harboring their own intentions, like two foxes. After smiling, Chu Qianyi spoke with a solemn expression.
"I doubt the wedding day will be feasible. He will surely anticipate what you are planning and make meticulous preparations. It would be a pity if it all comes to naught," Chu Qianyi said worriedly. He did not wish for the Prince of Beijin to be so easily eliminated.
"No, if it's not on that day, I fear I will never have another chance. He has already become suspicious after the Moon Meditation Temple incident and is now trying to find proof. I must either live or die, and besides that day, I fear there will be no turning back."
The Prince of Beijin spoke darkly. That person was not to be trifled with. Steward Ning had moved those hidden guards several times, yet that person kept dispatching the Imperial Guards to search the surroundings.
If he were to find all those hidden guards, what hope would he have? The Chu family's situation was uncertain, and although Chu Qianyi claimed to help him, it was likely with ulterior motives. He dared not be careless.
Chu Qianyi knew that Murong Liu Mo was not wrong. Strike first to gain the advantage. Even if that day was perilous, it could lead to a fight for survival.
However, whether they could truly fight for survival or not depended on the Prince of Beijin's luck. As for him, he merely wished to stir up trouble in this murky water. Although Emperor Xian was exceptionally wise, even the most meticulous plan can have flaws. He refused to believe that not a single loophole could be found. For now, their meticulous planning and careful defense were indeed necessary, but it had to be done in secret, not openly.
A hidden smile flickered across Chu Qianyi's face.
In the study, the two began to plot meticulously.
In Fengluan Palace, Mu Qingyao lived a life of carefree freedom, showing no dissatisfaction with the Emperor's punishment.
In reality, she knew this was a very light punishment. She had trespassed into the martial training grounds, disrupted Ximen Zhenghao's trial, and even threatened General Ximen on the spot. Each of these offenses was enough to warrant her banishment to the cold palace.
Now, the Emperor had merely confined her for three days, and she was happy for the leisure.
However, even while staying in Fengluan Palace, her heart still lingered on the remaining individuals involved in the Moon Meditation Temple case.
How the Emperor would handle them, and after her disturbance, she believed the Emperor would consider it somewhat.
Mu Qingyao leaned against a soft, long-haired couch, reading a book. Her gaze, however, was not on the pages but fixed elsewhere as she spaced out. Mao Xueqiu, the little fellow, was nestled in her arms, sleeping soundly.