The news of Prince Xin being slapped in the face in public spread like wildfire.
During this period of time, everyone in the capital had their eyes on Prince Xin and Prince Qi. If something were to really happen to them, no one would be able to hide it.
Moreover, this had happened in broad daylight and the process was very simple. There was no need for too much guesswork.
Although not everyone knew about the relationship between the Chen Clan and Prince Xin, many officials and nobles in the capital knew about it.
Chen Qing was Prince Xin's uncle. Compared to King Shu, Prince Xin should be closer to the Chen Clan. However, a long time ago, the Chen Clan had firmly stood on King Shu's side.
There was no such thing as closeness in the imperial court. Back then, the power that Prince Xin possessed was far too different from King Shu's. The Chen Clan's choice would decide the clan's rise and fall for the next several decades. Therefore, they naturally had to choose a good tree to live in.
Therefore, the Chen Clan ended up in the current situation.
Seeing that the Chen Clan had fallen to such a state, Prince Xin, who had been given up on by the Chen Clan back then, was now a popular candidate to fight for the position of crown prince. It was normal for him to kick the Chen Clan when they were down.
It was not strange for him to be slapped in the face when he was down.
With His Majesty's previous decree, it wouldn't be a problem for County Marquis Li to beat up a few people in the capital. Although this person was Prince Xin, wasn't there still the precedent of King Shu?
Some people felt that it was strange. Prince Xin and the Chen Clan did not have a good relationship, but the Li family and the Chen Clan seemed to have a deep feud. To think that they would stand up for the Chen Clan and slap Prince Xin … It was really hard to distinguish the complicated relationship.
There were also people who felt that Li Yi was arrogant and condescending, relying on His Majesty's favor and trust to look down on even the princes. Such a person would be a sycophant in any dynasty. When the new emperor took over, he would definitely not have a good ending.
Of course, there were even more people who felt that Prince Xin would not be able to fight for the position of crown prince this time around.
Although that legendary County Marquis Li often did shocking things, he had never been a rash person.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to reach his current position over the past few years.
This meant that he was not afraid of Prince Xin's revenge. It was because Prince Xin was just Prince Xin. Prince Xin, who was going to start preparing to return to his conferred land after the imperial court meeting.
This was a piece of news that shed a bright light on the confusing struggle for the throne.
…
Qi Manor.
The Prince of Qi was pacing back and forth in his residence. Hearing the sound of footsteps coming from outside, he hastily walked out and asked a servant, "Has it been confirmed? Is this matter true?"
That servant said agitatedly, "Your Highness, this matter is absolutely true. I've already verified it a few times. That Lord Li has really made a move against Prince Xin!"
"Haha, as expected, as expected!"
Laughing maniacally, the Prince of Qi declared, "Prepare a generous gift for I and deliver it to Official Li's residence."
"Yes!"
That person immediately retreated. He was thinking about how generous and heavy the gift was …
…
Before the hysteria broke out, Li Yi had already predicted the impact of this incident.
The situation in the capital was very complicated, and the current situation was very chaotic. If something were to happen to Prince Xin, it would cause quite a big commotion.
What followed after was all sorts of guesses. There were so many princes in the capital, and these two slaps had eliminated a wrong answer for them. Those small clans who had submitted to Prince Xin early on would be able to immediately look for another ruler. They would definitely feel especially grateful toward him.
The facts proved that his guess was right. Very soon, someone came to deliver a gift.
Fang, who had not been seen for two days, walked in and asked, "Young Master, are you going to accept the gift from the Prince of Qi Manor?"
Li Yi waved his hand. "No."
One must have a bottom line. He understood the reason why the Prince of Qi had sent a gift. The two princes who had been in the limelight during the fight for the throne in the capital were the Prince of Qi and Prince Xin. Now that Prince Xin had been eliminated as the wrong answer, the Prince of Qi was confident and naturally wanted to send a gift to express his gratitude.
However, the Prince of Qi was also a wrong answer. If Fang Xingjian were to accept his gift, wouldn't it give him the misconception that he was already halfway to the throne?
"Alright, I'll get them to bring it back." Fang took a few steps, gave it some thought, and then turned back to ask, "Are you really not going to accept it? Is the gift from the Prince of Qi very heavy?"
This was a matter of principle and not a matter of whether the gift was heavy or not. Li Yi hesitated for a moment, looked at Fang, and asked, "How heavy is it?"
…
In a certain aristocratic manor in the capital …
A servant ran into the study anxiously and said anxiously, "Old Master, bad news! Lord Li has accepted the Prince of Qi's heavy gift!"
"As expected?"
"As expected!"
"For real?"
"For real!"
…
"Prince Xin isn't a good person. Prepare the carriage. I'm going to pay a visit to His Highness the Prince of Qi immediately!" In the study, a man hurriedly changed into casual clothes and was about to leave.
The servant asked out of curiosity, "Old Master, since Lord Li has accepted the Prince of Qi's gift, does this mean that His Highness the Prince of Qi is the crown prince that His Majesty and the officials have decided on?"
"What do you know?!" The man waved his hand. "If not, why would Lord Li accept the Prince of Qi's gift? Could it be that he covets those things?"
Qin Manor …
Qin Xiang looked at the letter in his hand, shook his head slightly, and mumbled, "This matter is already muddy enough. Does he still want to stir it up further?"
Prince Xin Manor …
"He really accepted it?" Prince Xin slumped weakly onto the chair, his countenance pale.
That person had slapped him in the face and accepted the Prince of Qi's gift. Was there a need to say more about the meaning behind this?
He had lost. He had completely lost.
"Li … Yi!" Prince Xin's gaze looked toward the empty space outside the door. He gritted his teeth and revealed a venomous expression in his eyes.
"Prepare the carriage. We're going to the Prince of Qi Manor!"
…
"Lord Butler, just send me off here …" A man smiled and walked out from the Prince of Qi Manor, saying, "In the future, I'll definitely follow His Highness's lead!"
He walked down the stairs, and a luxurious carriage happened to stop at the manor's entrance.
"Prince … Prince Xin …"
When the man saw the young man who came down from the carriage, he broke into an awkward expression. After all, he had just said that he would follow Prince Xin's orders at the Prince of Xin Manor yesterday. Today, he was at the Prince of Qi Manor's entrance, and he was even seen by the person involved …
Women who had two hearts were not likable, and men who were fickle and two-timing were not good people either. The middle-aged man lowered his head and immediately left in shame.
Prince Xin did not look at him. His gaze turned toward the Prince of Qi Manor and said, "Bring me to meet Brother Qi Manor."
The Prince of Qi Manor was seated in the main hall. It was only when Prince Xin walked in that he raised his head to take a look.
After Prince Xin walked over, he knelt down on one knee and said loudly, "Greetings, Brother!"
The Prince of Qi Manor was stunned for a moment, but he instantly understood what Prince Xin meant. He broke into a victorious smile, walked over, and gently helped Prince Xin up. He smiled and said, "There's no need to be so polite between us brothers."
Since it was a fight for the throne, there would naturally be people who would succeed and people who would fail. Those who failed would usually not end up well. For Prince Xin to have done such a thing before the results were announced, the meaning of him surrendering was very clear.
"I've heard about what happened today," the Prince of Qi Manor looked at him and said slowly. The Prince of Qi Manor looked at him and said slowly, "That Li Yi is really going overboard. Slapping Brother's face is the same as slapping the royal family's face. It's the same as slapping my face …"
Prince Xin knew that the Prince of Qi Manor's words were filled with righteous indignation and might be feeling very happy inside. Therefore, he did not continue on this topic. He knelt down once again and said respectfully, "Since I've lost, I'll be at Brother's disposal in the future. I only hope that Brother will spare my life on account of our past relationship."
The Prince of Qi Manor's countenance was a little grim. He helped Prince Xin up once again and said unhappily, "What are you saying? Since we're both princes, it's inevitable for us to fight for the throne. No matter who wins or loses, we're still brothers. Do you think that I, the Prince, will do something so disgraceful and immoral?"
Of course, part of the reason why the Prince of Qi Manor's countenance was not very good was because his thoughts had been seen through.
Although the Prince of Qi Manor had won against Prince Xin for now, there was no guarantee that Prince Xin would not have such thoughts in the future. The simplest and most convenient method was of course to kill him and end everything once and for all. However, if Prince Xin were to do something like this right after he ascended to the throne, it would be a source of ridicule for others. Moreover, Prince Xin knew how to adapt to the circumstances, so the Prince of Qi Manor could not go overboard.
"Thank you, Brother." Although Prince Xin did not dare to do this, he still said respectfully, "I'll congratulate Brother in advance!"
The Prince of Qi Manor smiled. The truth was already very clear, and there was no need for him to hide it anymore.
"Although this is a great joyous occasion for Brother …" Prince Xin looked at him and said, "There's one person that Brother must be on guard against."
The Prince of Qi Manor looked at him and asked, "You're talking about … Li Yi?"
Prince Xin nodded and said, "This person has already made a name for himself in the imperial court and is able to influence the situation in the imperial court. He's also arrogant and despotic. To think that he doesn't fear the royal family now. I'm just afraid that when the time comes … he'll be a threat to Brother."
The Prince of Qi Manor fell silent for a moment before suddenly patting Prince Xin's shoulder and saying with a smile, "Don't worry. The day Brother ascends to the throne will be the day that crafty subject dies."
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