Chapter 48: The Duke of Yong and the Duke of Yan

“Your Majesty, shall we inform Lord Han and Lord Xue of this matter?”

“They are both utterly loyal to Your Majesty, as clear as the sun and moon.”

“Though their words at today’s court session were sharp and may have offended Your Majesty, deep down they truly worry for the realm and its future.” Haining looked up at Zhao Zhen with eyes full of earnest emotion.

Zhao Zhen took a deep breath and shook his head repeatedly, a trace of helplessness etched between his brows.

“How could I not know their loyalty? Yet one is hot-tempered, the other straightforward to a fault, utterly lacking in subtlety.”

“If they learn of this, at the next court session, they will surely force me before all ministers to immediately establish Han’er as Crown Prince.”

“Han’er has grown up among the common folk, without the support of his maternal family or a strong faction within the court. I fear he will struggle to command respect. If one day I...”

His voice faltered, growing low, his eyes shadowed with boundless worry.

“I fear he will find it hard to win over the court. The imperial clan has long cast covetous eyes, and should they seek to harm him, how would he stand his ground?”

Haining shuddered at his words.

The phrase “axe’s shadow by candlelight” flashed through his mind, and a fine sweat broke out on his brow.

“Minister Hai, you are well past seventy, and Lords Han and Xue are also advanced in years.”

Zhao Zhen rose slowly, a resolute glint in his eyes. “I shall clear every obstacle for Han’er, so he may sit this throne with peace of mind!”

Haining’s expression turned grave. After a moment’s reflection, his voice trembled slightly.

“If the prince knew how tirelessly Your Majesty labored for him, he would be deeply moved...”

Zhao Zhen waved his hand dismissively. “Speak no more of this. After all, it is I who owe him so much.”

“Once his lineage is restored, I will make proper amends to him.”

“The hour grows late. Minister Hai, you should return and oversee him well at the Hanlin Academy on my behalf.”

Haining bowed deeply.

Just as he was about to leave the Wenhua Hall, in the corner of his eye, he caught a rare expression on Zhao Zhen’s face—a look of long-unseen relief and hope.

Night fell heavy and still under the bright moon.

In the main hall of the Prince Yong residence, candle flames flickered softly.

After hearing of today’s court events, unease quietly troubled Prince Yong’s heart.

“Everything was fine before. Why forbid ministers from discussing the matter of adoption and succession? What is the emperor truly intending?”

Below the hall, Liu Xingzhi and several ministers clearly aligned with Prince Yong furrowed their brows, their faces serious.

“Has any consort in the harem recently become pregnant?” Prince Yong asked in a low voice.

Liu Xingzhi shook his head repeatedly. “After the court session, I made inquiries at the Imperial Medical Bureau, but there was none.”

“Strange indeed. Just days ago, the emperor summoned me personally and said: ‘I have no offspring; you must strive for me.’”

“Who among the imperial clan now, besides myself and Prince Yan, stands any chance of becoming Crown Prince?”

Liu Xingzhi and his colleagues exchanged glances before bowing respectfully.

“At present, aside from Prince Yan, those relatives shrink away, barely daring to show themselves.”

“Those near the capital don’t even dare step outside their mansion gates lightly!”

“In my opinion, Your Majesty was likely infuriated today by those two old men, Han Zhang and Xue Pu.”

“Once he calms down in a few days, surely he still favors Your Highness.”

Before Zhao Han’s arrival, Zhao Zhen indeed leaned toward Prince Yong over Prince Yan.

Otherwise, he would not have entrusted Prince Yong to perform the Heaven Sacrifice rites, a task traditionally reserved for the emperor or the Crown Prince.

“Exactly. Your Highness need not worry. Prince Yan is nothing—illegitimate in name and claim!” a courtier quickly echoed.

Prince Yong stroked his beard, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

“Keep a close watch on my brothers and nephews. Should any prove restless, deal with them directly...”

He left the threat hanging, tapping the table with a dull thud.

Meanwhile, at Prince Yan’s residence, unease gripped the prince as well.

The rivalry between the two princes had long reached a life-or-death impasse.

Whoever became Crown Prince would first eliminate the other.

Prince Yan’s tutor, Qiu Zheng, whispered beside him, “His Highness is deeply calculating; he likely still hopes for a prince to be born to the harem.”

Prince Yan’s heir, Zhao Ce, lifted his chin and snorted disdainfully. “A prince? At His Highness’s age, such dreams are futile!”

“Indeed, with His Highness’s health, that hope is doomed to shatter,” Qiu Zheng agreed.

“In my opinion, His Highness will not appoint a Crown Prince until the very last moment,” Qiu Zheng said gravely.

He and his brother Qiu Jing, then Prefect of Kaifeng, had staked their fortunes and lives on Prince Yan.

Once Prince Yan ascended, the Qiu family would rise as the new dynasty’s foremost nobles, enjoying boundless wealth and honor.

“The imperial clan is mostly filled with mediocre men. Prince Yong, despite his legitimate birth, is but a fool.”

“If the realm falls to him, it will be on the brink of collapse!”

Prince Yan sighed lightly. The flickering candlelight cast his already grim features into sharper relief.

“Your Highness is right. For the sake of the Great Zhou dynasty, Prince Yong must not succeed.”

Qiu Zheng stroked his beard with a flattering smile.

Zhao Ce clenched his fist. “We have men among the Five City Military Command and the Three Offices. Even if His Highness wishes to appoint Prince Yong as Crown Prince before his last breath, we have ways to counter it.”

Prince Yan cast a heavy glance at Zhao Ce.

The thought of forcing the issue had lingered in their minds for years.

Over time, they had painstakingly placed loyalists within the Imperial Guard and cultivated influence in the auxiliary troops—as a safeguard against any eventuality.

Early the next morning, as usual, Zhao Han arrived at the Hanlin Academy at the first hour.

After greeting his colleagues and about to take his seat, Haining strode into the main hall.

“Greetings, Minister Hai,” all the officials rose and cupped their hands in salute.

Haining’s eyes were calm as a still well. After scanning the room, they finally rested on Zhao Han.

He smiled gently, his voice soft as spring breezes over Lugu Lake. “Zhao, do you have any familiarity with the academy’s affairs?”

At this, the hall fell utterly silent. The fourth-rank academician Wang Que’s teacup cracked sharply against the desk.

Several colleagues instinctively cast pitying glances at Zhao Han.

Having worked with Minister Hai for years, they had never seen this gentler side of him.

When things are not as they seem, something hidden must be amiss. A chill ran down their spines.

“What offense has Zhao made that Minister Hai must frighten him so?”

“No one knows. Zhao handles documents with more clarity than any of us and is faultless in conduct.”

“...”

Several officials quietly whispered as they organized books nearby.

Nearby, Yao Anshi, nearly fifty and responsible for drafting routine documents with the rank of sixth grade, sighed softly.

“Minister Hai, Zhao has only been at Hanlin two days. Give him time; there’s no need to be so harsh.”

Haining paid no heed, his gentle gaze fixed solely on Zhao Han.

Zhao Han straightened his robes and replied respectfully, “Minister Hai, I have begun to familiarize myself.”

“Very good!”

“If you have questions, seek advice from your colleagues or come to me.”

With that, Haining patted Zhao Han’s shoulder, glancing sideways at the half of a concentric pendant hanging at his waist.

Recognizing it as the matching piece to the one the emperor had handled yesterday, his smile deepened.

“Thank you for your concern, Minister Hai. I will remember your words well.”

Satisfied, Haining nodded and proceeded to the side chamber.

Those remaining in the hall exchanged incredulous looks, hardly able to believe what they had witnessed.

“Congratulations to Zhao. To have earned Minister Hai’s favor is no small feat.”

“Zhao’s prospects are boundless!”

“...”