Lu Yurong fluttered away without a sound. The Protectors of the Imperial Residence of King An did not even notice.
Chu Li's martial arts skills improved by leaps and bounds. Lu Yurong did not stop either. She worked hard to improve herself, always wanting to catch up to Chu Li. Now, her martial arts skills were far better than before. The Protectors of the Imperial Residence of King An were not even worth mentioning in front of her.
Chu Li sat in the gazebo, deep in thought.
He had to think clearly about what he wanted to do. He could not act on a whim and help King Ping just because he pitied him. He could not view the world as a smooth road. Once King Ping became the Emperor, their past friendship might not be of any use. Instead, it would become a source of trouble.
Although the fight for the throne was exciting, it was also full of danger. One mistake could lead to a fatal disaster or even a tragic death. It could even implicate the Public House and the Temple of Autumn.
Since it was so dangerous, he should not be helping others. No matter how good King Ping was, he was still King Ping. In the future, he would not be able to influence King Ping. It was difficult for his efforts to be proportional to his gains.
The sound of footsteps could be heard. Xiao Qi, who was dressed in a white nightgown, walked in lightly and gracefully.
Chu Li raised his head and smiled at her.
Xiao Qi's hair was black and shiny, like black satin under the moonlight. It made her face look like white jade, and her eyes were clear. "Who's coming?"
"Lu Yurong," Chu Li said.
Siao Qi's eyes flashed.
Chu Li chuckled. "She's here to question me about how Consort Ping's maid is a disciple of the Holy Church of Light. Everyone is saying that King Ping is in cahoots with the Holy Church of Light and they're trying to destroy King Ping. Lu Yurong suspects that I'm the one who spread the rumor."
"Consort Ping's maid is a disciple of the Holy Church of Light?" Xiao Qi was shocked.
Her bright eyes swept across the surroundings. Seeing that there was no one around, she shook her head and said indifferently, "It can't be true, right? What is the Holy Church of Light trying to do? "
She knew Chu Li's identity as Zhao Dahe.
"Either to assassinate or to gather information," Chu Li said. "Being able to hide for so long is quite a feat."
"You didn't recognize him?" Siao Qi asked.
Chu Li shook his head. "Maybe it wasn't a problem at that time, but … Lu Yurong is leaving Fairy's Capital."
"She's leaving?" Xiao Qi frowned. "Could it be that the matter regarding the crown prince has been settled?"
Chu Li nodded slowly. "King Ping's matter will help the Emperor make up his mind. We must cut the Gordian knot quickly. If we delay any longer, there will be more trouble!"
"If that's the case …" Xiao Qi sat opposite him and muttered, "That's a good thing."
Chu Li nodded.
Xiao Qi sized him up. "What's bothering you?"
"I'm thinking about seizing the throne." Chu Li frowned and muttered, "Should I participate?"
"You want to help King Ping?" Siao Qi asked.
Chu Li shook his head. "I want to help Xu An."
Xiao Qi was startled, but she quickly said, "Xu An is one generation behind him, so I'm afraid there's no hope. There's still a sliver of hope if we help King Ping, but the hope isn't great. King Jing's situation is almost set in stone."
Everyone in the world knew that King Jing would be the next emperor.
"Where there is a will, there is a way." Chu Li smiled. "If King Jing and King Ping can't do it, and even King Cheng can't do it, why can't it be Xu An?"
"That's too difficult." Xiao Qi said, "Besides, it's too dangerous. It's a life-and-death struggle for the throne. Do you really want to go against King Jing and King Ping?"
Chu Li shook his head. "Let's take it one step at a time. How can we think of a way to complete it quietly and without any fanfare?"
"That's even more difficult," Xiao Qi said.
Chu Li smiled. "Isn't it boring if it's not difficult? Life is only interesting when there are challenges. It's too boring to sit in the residence all day long. We still have a long life ahead of us."
Xiao Qi said, "It won't be easy for you to go against Lu Yurong. She's too smart."
Chu Li smiled. "It'll be great if we can think of a way to rope her in. If we work together, our chances of winning will increase greatly."
"It's actually very easy for you to rope her in." Xiao Qi smiled faintly.
Chu Li asked, "What can I do?"
"You know." Xiao Qi flashed a smile that was as dazzling as the first light after a snowstorm.
Chu Li could not help but laugh. "Haha, you can be jealous too!"
"I'm not jealous." Xiao Qi pursed her lips and smiled. "I don't believe that she doesn't have feelings for you."
"You're thinking the wrong way," Chu Li said.
Xiao Qi said, "You don't have to explain. I understand that you two appreciate each other and have similar minds. You can be considered bosom friends."
Chu Li reached out and pulled her over to sit on his thighs. He felt the amazing elasticity of her thighs and smelled the refreshing fragrance on her body. "With you around, I don't have such thoughts!"
Xiao Qi said, "Men's nature is different from women. If you like one person, you can also like the other at the same time."
Chu Li changed the topic and smiled. "Does the High Duke's Public House have any ancestral teachings that forbid us from participating in the fight for the throne?"
Xiao Qi said, "The High Duke's Public House doesn't have to do these things. It's a thankless task. No matter who becomes the emperor, the High Duke's Public House will always be the High Duke's Public House. The Emperor is like water, but the High Duke's Public House is made of iron!"
Chu Li said, "That's good. I've decided to let Xu An be the emperor."
"It'll be difficult," Xiao Qi said.
"Where there's a will, there's a way." Chu Li said, "Otherwise, it'll become someone else's wedding dress. However, this matter can't be rushed. We'll have to wait until Xu An is a few years older."
"The throne doesn't wait for anyone," Xiao Qi said.
Chu Li smiled. "For now, let's make the situation more complicated. I'll have to inform King Ping first."
"King Ping wants the throne too. How can he agree to it!" Xiao Qi frowned.
Chu Li said, "I understand King Ping's thoughts. He doesn't want to be the emperor. He only wants revenge!"
"He won't pin his hopes on you," Xiao Qi said.
Chu Li smiled. "I'll try to convince him."
—
The next morning, Chu Li left King An's Imperial Residence and appeared outside King Ping's Imperial Residence.
After the protectors of King Ping's Imperial Residence informed him of his arrival, Chu Li entered the residence. King Ping personally welcomed him and the two of them went to the lake in the backyard.
Chu Li looked at his calm expression. He was not affected by the rumors.
The two of them sat in a gazebo on the lake. After the maid who served tea left, King Ping said, "You're here to comfort me, aren't you?"
Chu Li shook his head. "It's not a big deal. If nothing goes wrong, the emperor will appoint King Jing as the crown prince in the next two days."
King Ping nodded and quietly looked at the sparkling surface of the lake.
Chu Li said, "Your Royal Highness, I want Xu An to fight for the throne."
King Ping was stunned and turned to look at him in surprise.
Chu Li said, "I don't want to be controlled by others and be restrained by the emperor."
"You won't help me?" King Ping asked.
Chu Li sighed. "Your Royal Highness, your chances of winning are too small."
He had never figured out why the emperor did not pass the throne to King Ping. He only thought it was a personal preference. Now that he understood, he understood the emperor's helplessness.
"Xu An's chances of winning are even smaller, right?" King Ping frowned.
He was a little annoyed and felt betrayed. Chu Li wanted to help him seize the throne.
Chu Li sighed. "Although Xu An is young, his chances of inheriting the throne are higher than yours. If the emperor really wanted you to inherit the throne, he wouldn't have insisted on appointing King Jing for so many years. In terms of contributions to the Ji Dynasty, King Jing is far behind you. In terms of father-son relationship, the emperor likes you more."
King Ping frowned and nodded.
Chu Li said, "You should know the emperor's concerns."
"Ah …" King Ping sighed and shook his head with a bitter smile.
"It's different for Xu An." Chu Li smiled. "The Arhat of the Titanium Temple is mellow and intelligent. He won't have too much of a conflict with the Fu Dynasty. Ruling by doing nothing is the best for the Ji Dynasty."
King Ping said, "But Xu An is a generation younger. He doesn't have any advantages compared to Sixth Younger Brother."
Chu Li said, "If Xu An can get your support, Your Royal Highness, he will have an advantage over King Jing."
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