The Face-Slapping Journey of a Sword Cultivator Male God (QT) Chapter 016: The Rightful Heir's Retaliation in the Story of a Reincarnated Concubine's Son - Part 15

"Grandfather, which prince do you favor for the throne?" Xuan Yuan asked. He sat composedly on a wide mahogany chair, an early spring Longjing tea cradled in his hands. His gaze was intense, his demeanor reflecting an aura that was hard to decipher.

Old Master Li, engrossed in deep thought behind his desk, jolted at Xuan Yuan's words, nearly toppling the inkstone before him. A wry smile stretched across his aged face, a landscape of wrinkles betraying his helplessness. "Zhu'er," he implored, "Don't approach such subjects so lightly."

The levity in Xuan Yuan's voice, his unperturbed demeanor, as if discussing not the crown, but rather some trifling matter, struck Old Master Li as starkly discordant. This, coming from a man who had dedicated his life to the monarchy, made it difficult to accept Xuan Yuan's casual tone.

Xuan Yuan lifted his gaze to briefly meet that of Old Master Li. "Alright, grandfather," he answered amiably. After a moment of silence, Xuan Yuan asked again, "Which prince does grandfather intend to back?"

Old Master Li: ...Oh dear, is his grandson being thoughtful or not? Yes, the question was posed differently, but why does it still unsettle him so?

Old Master Li stroked his beard, a deep sigh escaping his lips. His face bore the telltale signs of fatigue, a testament to his forced confinement in the palace due to the Emperor's critical condition and the volatile court politics. Finally free after the Emperor's recovery, his expression was wrought with worry and concern. "I don't intend to back any of them," he admitted, "The Emperor... he's still alive!"

He turned to Xuan Yuan, his tone grave as he offered counsel. "Zhu'er, I don't know what you've unearthed this past year, or why you've taken the actions you have." Whether it was the crown prince's hostility toward the Li family or the Emperor's fatigue, Old Master Li had no desire to inquire. At times, ignorance can indeed be bliss.

"But as a subject, loyalty is paramount. Gaining favor from the dragon isn't a simple task," Old Master Li said, his eyes filled with concern as he studied his grandson. "At times, it's wiser to remain steadfast."

The Li family had always been unwavering royalists, steadfast purists, rejecting overtures from any princes and abstaining from succession squabbles. Their loyalty was pledged solely to the emperor.

Despite the risk of being labeled as antiquated and obstinate, they found safety in their stance. While it might prevent them from garnering the dragon's favor, they also wouldn't incur any significant resentment from the new emperor upon his ascension.

The Li family had always maintained such a stance, keeping a safe distance from the crown prince and rejecting overtures from other royals. Their loyalty remained quietly, but staunchly, with the emperor. If not for the original plot's narrow-minded and inept crown prince, coupled with Lin Yingjie's interference, the Li family might have avoided their eventual downfall and destitution.

Xuan Yuan's lips pressed together, neither affirming nor rejecting his grandfather's counsel. He listened to the advice in silence, though it was unclear how much he truly internalized. "If grandfather has no preferred candidate," he finally spoke, "I do have a remarkable monarch in mind."

Old Master Li massaged his throbbing temples, overwhelmed by his grandson's growing savvy and elusiveness. "Zhu'er, you haven't even entered court service yet. Why concern yourself with such matters? By the time you do, all will have been resolved."

For the current cohort of imperial civil service examinees, including Lin Xuanzhu, it's been a period of mixed blessings. Because of the emperor's illness and the crown prince's rebellion, the top grade imperial exam has been indefinitely delayed. They remain tribute scholars, unable to fully ascend to the rank of imperial scholars and, hence, unable to enter the court. It's an unfortunate twist of fate.

On the other hand, their deferred court entry inadvertently shields them from the throes of the princes' power struggle, thereby preserving their safety.

Once the court situation stabilizes and the top grade imperial exam can proceed, the aftermath of the succession battle would likely leave a significant number of positions vacant. This could pave the way for ample opportunities for this cohort of imperial scholars.

"Of course, I desire a seamless career in the officialdom," Xuan Yuan replied to his grandfather's query. As he took a sip of his cooling tea, he responded as if it was an offhand remark.

His gaze, deep and composed, disappeared within the swirling tea steam, leaving his intentions inscrutable.

Old Master Li found himself almost exasperated with his elusive grandson. "Do you still intend to mislead me? A seamless career in the officialdom, indeed! Do you think the prestige of the Luoning Marquis Manor and our Li family is just for show?" He knew that as long as Lin Xuanzhu possessed the ability, opportunities for his advancement would not be scarce.

He hailed from a distinguished lineage, and his mother's family also wielded substantial influence. Who, in their right mind, would dare suppress him without considering the consequences? Clearly, his claim was a smokescreen.

Xuan Yuan's lips turned up in a subtle smirk at Old Master Li's words. Without a chuckle or reply, he deftly redirected the conversation. "In my opinion, the Seventh Prince shows great promise as a wise ruler."

Old Master Li's eyes widened in astonishment, his brows knitting into a frown as he regarded Xuan Yuan with uncertainty. Finally, he managed to ask, a faint tremor in his voice, "The Seventh Prince?"

Xuan Yuan nodded casually. "The third, fourth, and fifth princes have been tainted by association with the deposed crown prince's rebellion. The emperor is unlikely to consider them again.

The second prince was appointed as a king in his youth and has been stationed far from the capital for nearly two decades. He has lost his ambition. The sixth prince, due to his physical disability, is ineligible for the throne. Thus, it seems the Seventh Prince is the most suitable candidate."

"But the Seventh Prince is merely twelve years old!" Old Master Li protested, his furrowed brows betraying his concern. The Seventh Prince's tender age was the very reason he had managed to steer clear of the deposed crown prince's rebellion. "How can he match the maturity of the third, fourth, and fifth princes? Wouldn't the emperor fear the potential instability his choice might ignite within the court?"

Xuan Yuan set his teacup down on the desk with a resounding clink, his lips curling into a smirk. "Grandfather," he retorted, "you speak as if the court is a picture of stability at present."

Following his sarcastic jab, Xuan Yuan's expression sobered, his tone grave as he continued. "The third, fourth, and fifth princes wield comparable influence. The succession struggle is nearing an open conflict, their hostility reaching a point of no return. Whichever prince eventually ascends the throne, the others' fates will be bleak at best."

"Why let the three princes duel to the death when we could install the Seventh Prince? This would, in fact, offer the third, fourth, and fifth princes a better prospect," Xuan Yuan asserted, his tone detached. "The deposed crown prince has already met his fate. If the emperor still harbors even a sliver of paternal affection, he won't willingly send his remaining sons to their downfall."

Old Master Li fell quiet, appearing to mull over Xuan Yuan's words. After a thoughtful silence, he directed an intense look at Xuan Yuan, posing a question, "Zhu'er, you're not intending to exploit the young emperor's lack of governing experience to pave your way as an influential and high-handed official, are you?"

"Grandfather, how could you think that?" Xuan Yuan looked at Old Master Li, feigning surprise at his question. "My only aspiration is to serve as an upright, selfless, and diligent official. While I indeed desire to make an impact through my career, every action I take is for the welfare of the people and the country. It's not about a quest for power."

Old Master Li: ... Whether you believe it or not, I don't.

Regardless of Old Master Li's belief or skepticism, having laid out his position on the succession struggle, Xuan Yuan took his leave from the Li Mansion. As fate or karma would have it, while passing through East Main Street, Xuan Yuan crossed paths with Princess Chaoyang once again.

Regrettably, the once haughty and noble princess no longer bore her initial commanding demeanor. Her palanquin moved through East Main Street, giving off an air of melancholy.

Observing the scene from his carriage, Xuan Yuan's slender fingers twitched, drawing the carriage curtain. His face betrayed no emotion as his carriage brushed past Princess Chaoyang's palanquin.

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