Rebellion Cont. (1)

After the things were brought over, Kang Qinwang practically tossed it before Le Cheng Emperor, “Write!”

In this lifetime, Le Cheng Emperor’s greatest setback was probably just the Imperial Noble Consort’s matter. Everything else, for the most part, were all just smooth sailing. As such, getting forced like this, he naturally wasn’t willing, angrily gritting his teeth, clenching his fist, his temples bulging, the veins on the back of his hand protruding, glaring at Kang Qinwang.

“Imperial father really won’t write? Then, don’t blame this son for being merciless.” Picking up the blade, he just walked towards those younger brothers of his.

Earlier, he’d already slashed two, if he kills again, killing all the brothers, no one would find it strange. As such, they subconsciously just wanted to hide. However, even if they can hide from Kang Qinwang, they still can’t hide from the numerous imperial guards. However, there was one among them that was still composed, calmly sitting there, and that was just Rui Qinwang, Li Hong Ming. And as Kang Qinwang’s number one opponent, Kang Qinwang’s first target naturally was him. Walking up to him, the blade directly propped against his neck, looking down from above.

Kang Qinwang once got ruthlessly suppressed by Rui Qinwang, even making him feel as if it was hard to breathe. He was very clear, even among those officials that were secretly loyal to him, there were some that felt that he won’t be a qualifying emperor. Supporting him was nothing more than due to interest. They actually further praised Li Hong Ming. But, so what? Right now, wasn’t he still waiting to be slaughtered by him? That kind of delight was comparable to when he directly retorted Le Cheng Emperor, “Li Hong Ming, you probably never thought that there would be today.”

Rui Qinwang met with him face to face, his line of sight slightly shifting a little, seeing Yu Zhong Qing already soundlessly walking over, yet this good older brother of his didn’t detect in the slightest. He inwardly sneered, but on the surface, remained exceptionally calm, “Indeed didn’t think of.” And there’s more that you didn’t think of coming up. “As the saying goes, ‘the ruler is the head of the subjects, the father is the head of the son[1]‘. You, as the subject, as the son, yet this disgraceful, even if you succeed today, what can you do? To be this lacking in virtue, even if ascending the throne, how many days can you last?”

“Li Hong Ming, don’t be this high-sounding and righteous, don’t say that you don’t have this thought. Having fought for this many years, who doesn’t know who.”

“This prince admit, this prince wants the throne, but this prince merely wants to prove oneself to imperial father, letting imperial father feel that this prince is the most suitable candidate. Only when imperial father gives will one want, and if he doesn’t give, one absolutely won’t complain either. Such disgraceful conduct like yours, hmph……..”

“Even at death’s door, you’re still this pretentious, who are you pretending for?” Kang Qinwang pressed the blade in hand into Rui Qinwang’s neck, tearing open a cut. He also didn’t have the patience to continue wasting his breath with this defeated opponent. Turning towards Le Cheng Emperor, “Imperial father, if you don’t write, then this son can only have the younger brothers all sent off first. When time comes, with only this son left, can you even have the throne passed to an outsider?”

Le Cheng Emperor glared in anger, and afterwards met with Li Hong Ming’s upright and honorable gaze, his heart strangely turning sour, tremblingly picking up the brush. In the end, he still wasn’t able to just watch his eldest son have his other sons all killed, and he himself also didn’t want to die. That’s why, he could only compromise.

Noble Consort Su looked towards the Empress, “Empress sure raised a good son. Sure enough, the son resembles the mother.”

Knowing today’s matter, even if sickly, the Empress still won’t miss out, forcibly enduring the whole time, “Can’t compare with Noble Consort.”

Ever since collapsing, the Empress just didn’t have the energy to interfere in Kang Qinwang’s matters. If her thoughts increase, then the amount of medicine will just increase along with. Her sickly body also wore away her ambitions. Her last extravagant wish was probably just the Empress Dowager position. That way, she can at least die with a bit more dignity. However, in this very moment, compared to that son she looked down on, she nevertheless wasn’t that excited, even faintly feeling somewhat uneasy inside. Everything else aside, this Su-shi was truly too calm. This wasn’t what a fish on the cutting board should look like.

The Empress’s gaze landed on Yu Zhong Qing. This Commander of the Imperial Guards was also a bit unusual. And when she saw Yu Zhong Qing swiftly drawing the blade, swinging upwards to block her stupid son’s blade, turning his hand, and having the blade propped against her son’s neck, she thought to herself, ‘sure enough’. She couldn’t even warn in time. However, even if she’d opened her mouth, it still can’t change anything. This time, she finally gave up. Even if there were also other arrangements, she still wasn’t optimistic.

She looked towards Noble Consort Su, “See, in reality, indeed can’t compare with Noble Consort.”

Compared to the Empress immediately accepting reality, the great majority of the rest were nevertheless very dumbstruck. Kang Qinwang who just now was still showing off his might, in a blink of an eye, just became the fish under someone else knife?! This turnaround, wasn’t it a bit too sudden?

As for Kang Qinwang, after being dumbstruck for a moment, it very quickly turned into anger. He was a bit stupid, but it didn’t mean that he was completely brainless. Would he still not know what the situation was currently? “Yu Zhong Qing, you actually dare to betray this prince! How dare you, how could you……” These words were strikingly similar to Le Cheng Emperor’s words previously.

TN: All

“Eldest imperial brother, save your breath.” Rui Qinwang rubbed his neck, then looked at his fingertips. It was dyed with fresh blood, but he knew that the wound wasn’t serious, waving his hand, unconcerned. He nonchalantly tidied his sleeves, standing up, “What betraying and whatnot, the one Sir Yu is loyal to from beginning to end is just imperial father. It was nothing more than knowing that you wish to rebel, forcing imperial father to abdicate the throne, thus followed along the plan with this prince, acting out such a good play.”

Saying it this pleasantly, yet who would believe? Inherently, wasn’t it still the same as Li Hong Yi.

Kang Qinwang’s complexion turned dark from anger. He originally thought that everything was in hand, yet never thought that a problem would occur at this critical juncture. The place that, in this view, most likely won’t have any problems just had a problem!

Kang Qinwang was furious, unwilling to accept, vigorously struggling, but that bit of strength of his, how can it compare with Yu Zhong Qing, this Commander of the Imperial Guards. When unable to struggle free, he just started cursing, not having the slightest elegant bearing to speak of. This appearance, even the Empress can’t help but to suspect, her offspring, just got switched at birth? Never mind not resembling her in the slightest, he was even worse than his old man. That’s why, towards the final outcome, the Empress actually long predicted. Starting from when she first got schemed against to when she fell ill, she just had a similar feeling. However, the Empress inwardly sneered. Whose hand the deer will fall into in the end was still unknown.

Who their true opponent was, everyone was actually already well aware inside. All making a move today, the goal was probably also the same.

Right now, Rui Qinwang occupied the upper hand, but compared to Kang Qinwang’s smugness earlier, he appeared much more elegant. However, no one would think highly of him because of this. Kang Qinwang’s brutality was on the surface, while his ruthlessness was in the bones. This kind of person made one fear even more.

Li Hong Ming no longer paid this older brother of his any attention. Because of some things previously, he just no longer had him viewed as an opponent. This kind of person truly wasn’t worth him putting in the effort. When winning, one should just have the look of a victor, and not make people feel it was a despicable person being smug. That appearance truly was a bit unsightly.

He calmly walked towards Le Cheng Emperor, crouching down beside him, lightly supporting Le Cheng Emperor’s arm, seemingly wanting to correct his rather embarrassing posture, “To have let imperial father be startled, it was this son’s fault.” Afterwards, he picked up the brush that had fallen because of the shock, placing it in Le Cheng Emperor’s hand. “However, imperial father, forgive this son’s insolence. As the saying goes, the country cannot lack a ruler for a day, so for the sake of the country’s prosperity, and the people’s peace, as well as the stability of the imperial court, should quickly establish the heir apparent. Why don’t imperial father write down an edict establishing the crown prince today. Regardless who you pick, this son will fully support imperial father’s decision.”

It would be strange to actually believe him! Le Cheng Emperor turned to look at him. Although there wasn’t a blade propped against his neck, his feeling right now wasn’t much better than earlier when nearly getting chopped by his eldest son. In fact, it was even more chilling, freezing to the bones. Towards his eldest son, he could still angrily scold, but right now, he was unable to speak.

“What’s wrong? Imperial father feels there’s something wrong with this sons’s words?” Rui Qinwang continued speaking softly, putting on quite the stance, “Look, if imperial father had long established the heir apparent, then we all wouldn’t need to fight and scheme against each other all day, no? However, right now actually isn’t too late either. Regardless who imperial father picks as the crown prince, believe that the other brothers all won’t disobey imperial father’s decision, fully supporting the crown prince, letting our Qi Yuan dynasty becoming even more prosperous.” Li Hong Ming looked towards his brothers, “Don’t you all think so too?”

The Imperial Guards’ blades were still blatantly pointing at them, so would they dare say no? Aside from a specific few, the others naturally immediately expressed their stance, echoing Li Hong Ming’s words.

“Imperial father, look, everyone all think this. We brothers have always been friendly and respectful towards one another. Even if having a bit of small conflict, it also won’t be taken seriously, just forgetting about it afterwards. After all, we’re all blood-related. In this world, there’s no one as close as us, no? That’s why, what else is there still for imperial father to hesitate about?” Rui Qinwang grasped Le Cheng Emperor’s hand that was holding the brush.

“You, you, you’re very good, really, incredibly good………” Le Cheng Emperor tremblingly said.

“Many thanks for imperial father’s praise. In the future, this son will certainly work hard and be even better, so as to not let down imperial father’s expectations.”

To be pretentious and shameless to this degree, it truly was rare.

Le Cheng Emperor tremblingly began writing the imperial decree. Having the throne given to such a son was also good. In any case, in terms of ability, among all his sons, he was also relatively top-notch. Although lacking in temperament, but once he becomes the emperor, it won’t be anything. If truly for the sake of reputation, he can be pretentious for a lifetime, it wasn’t necessarily impossible for him to do a bit of good in the world.

Le Cheng Emperor mockingly thought as such.

Rui Qinwang watched Le Cheng Emperor complete every character one by one, carrying a smile from beginning to end, and after confirming it was him, the smile in his eyes clearly became much more sincere. When the final character was finished, Rui Qinwang had the jade seal brought over. Le Cheng Emperor didn’t hesitate anymore, straightforwardly imprinting the seal.

“Imperial father’s trust, this son won’t let down. Just, imperial father, how should eldest imperial brother be dealt with?”

[1] 君为臣纲，父为子纲 – This phrase isn’t really an idiom but more just a common understanding towards relationships in ancient times. The word 纲 here is actually the same word used to describe the head rope of a fishing net. It has the symbolic meaning of giving guidance, so the phrase can be interpreted as the ‘ruler gives guidance to the subjects, the father gives guidance to the son’.

T/N: Kang Qinwang’s real name comes up so little in the latter half of the novel that I almost forgot it. Thinking about it now, I actually completely forgot Gong Qinwang’s real name, don’t even remember if it was ever mentioned. Li Hong Ming’s name definitely appear the most out of all the brothers throughout the novel. Most the other princes are all unnamed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com