Rebellion Cont. (2)

Le Cheng Emperor glanced at him. As matters stand now, his entire person completely calmed down instead, calmly opening his mouth, “For rebelling against the emperor, and brutally murdering his brothers, he is to be stripped of his nobility, reduced to a commoner, confined under house arrest without pardon.”

“All listen to imperial father.” Rui Qinwang was incomparably obedient. “Imperial father, this imperial decree, when will it be issued and announced to the world?”

Le Cheng Emperor immediately rolled up the imperial decree, tossing it to the Chief Eunuch by his side, “Immediately go announce the decree. Additionally, this emperor has been lacking in energy lately, thus ordering the crown prince to supervise the country.”

Towards his own imperial father being this tactful, cooperating this much, Rui Qinwang expressed that he was quite satisfied.

“Your Majesty has been working hard day after day, so should ought to nicely rest.” Noble Consort Su softly said to the side.

Le Cheng Emperor glanced at her, his gaze incomparably sharp. However, this while, Noble Consort Su completely didn’t take him seriously. Perhaps because the dust has all settled, her spirit appeared very good, her face having a bit more color, her sickly look slowly fading, as if becoming several years younger.

Once the eunuch went out, Rui Qinwang then clapped his hands. A group of palace maids entered carrying trays. On each tray were four wine cups. “In the future, this prince still needs the younger brothers to help out lots, so here this prince will first toast you all a cup.”

Under his indication, Le Cheng Emperor’s every son and grandson that were present all got a cup. The Imperial Guards still haven’t withdrawn, so they naturally didn’t dare to refuse. However, even the pea-sized children all had a share, so to say there wasn’t anything wrong with this thing would be strange.

Li Hong Ming also had a cup too, raising it, “I will drink first as a show of respect.” He straightforwardly downed it.

The others hesitated, trembling, not daring to drink.

“Old three, in the future, as the heir apparent, you should have a magnanimous breadth of mind, harboring the world in your heart, and towards your younger brothers and nephews, you should love and protect.” Le Cheng Emperor said, heavily emphasizing every word.

“This son will bear in mind imperial father’s teachings.” Rui Qinwang said with a smile, “Cheers.”

He listened and agreed, but just didn’t take it seriously.

The various princes looked to one another in dismay, not knowing what exactly was wrong with this wine, but he probably won’t try to kill them at least, right?

“Peh, Li Hong Ming, stop trying to pretend over there, who knows what the hell is this thing, want to let this prince drink, no way in hell. You think that you’ve won this way? Let me tell you the truth, Qin Tian Ming is actually this prince’s person. Shen Shu Han has also made his move outside the palace, right? Then, let’s just see, between the two of them, who will be victorious.” Seeing Li Hong Ming’s expression finally change a little, Kang Qinwang elatedly bursted into laughter.

Towards this bit, Li Hong Ming truly didn’t think of, but he very quickly calmed down, “The Left Commander-in-Chief had gotten duped by you, thus momentarily became muddled, committing an error. Considering his contributions towards Qi Yuan in the past, believe that imperial father will be lenient. After explaining the situation clearly with him, believe that the Left Commander-in-Chief will certainly return to his senses.”

Kang Qinwang’s laughter came to a halt. The battle between them have already come to a conclusion, and Qin Tian Ming also wasn’t stupid. If learning the news here in time, he certainly won’t continue according to the plan. Li Hong Ming, Li Hong Ming, truly great calculations.

TN: All

“No need to keep wasting time, quickly drink, else if the matter outside isn’t handled in time, and if by chance Qin Tian Ming takes people to surrounded your respective manors, as well as the manors of the court officials, injuring the people inside, then it won’t be good.” Li Hong Ming continued gently.

A threat, and even a ‘needle hidden in silk’ kind of threat. If they don’t listen, the consequences will be serious. Moreover, if unable to stop Qin Tian Ming in time, he will just have all the blame pushed onto his head. It can be said to be very malicious.

That’s why, one after another, they could only harden their head and drink it.

And for those that were unwilling to drink, it just got directly forced down.

Le Cheng Emperor helplessly watched, “What exactly did you give them?”

“Merely infertility medicine. Don’t worry imperial father, it won’t harm the body.”

Le Cheng Emperor suddenly looked towards him. The anger that had already been pressed down once again boiled. Infertility, infertility, infertility, he’d never thought that this son of his could be insidious to this degree. Yes, he indeed didn’t kill anyone, but this move similarly ended future troubles. Without descendants, what was the point of fighting for the throne. No official would assist. He’d achieved his goal and also preserved his reputation. Good, good, good, Le Cheng Emperor must admit, in the past, he’d indeed underestimated him.

“Since that’s the case, this emperor hopes that you can give birth to a son as quickly as possible, else when time comes, even if you want to adopt from within the family, you won’t be able to find a candidate, no? Or could it be that after everything you’ve done, in the end, it’ll just benefit others in the clan? As long as it’s someone from the Li imperial clan, you won’t be considered letting down the ancestors.” Le Cheng Emperor mocked.

And Le Cheng Emperor’s words, sure enough, unintentionally stepped on Li Hong Ming’s sore spot, but this kind of thing can’t be exposed no matter what, else where will his face go?

“Imperial father’s words are actually just half right.” A voice that everyone couldn’t be more familiar with sounded from the doorway.

Everyone uniformly looked over.

Li Hong Yuan walked in against the light, dressed in a black long gown, the contrast making his entire person appear as if a deity had descended upon the mortal realm, peerlessly handsome. He neither quickly nor slowly walked in. His every step were like as if measured perfectly with a ruler.

Li Hong Ming nearly jumped up from the shock, “When did you return?”

Li Hong Yuan laughed, “Such a brilliant play, if not returning to see and miss out, won’t it be a pity?”

And the people that were just as shocked as Li Hong Ming weren’t just one or two. Le Cheng Emperor also wasn’t any better.

“Imperial father probably still doesn’t know. This son that you just established as the crown prince actually had long gotten poisoned with infertility powder. For Liu-shi to have been able to get pregnant a third time, it was already an enormous fortune. To want to let him give birth to an imperial grandson for you, afraid it’ll be quite difficult.”

“Li Hong Yuan, ceases this nonsense.” To just this easily have his scars exposed, Li Hong Ming was unable to restrain his anger.

Li Hong Yuan lightly glanced at him, declining to comment, “Speaking of which, need to thank third imperial brother. What needs to be taken care of more or less have been cleanly taken care of, which saves this prince from doing it.”

“Bastard, you sure enough have the ambitions of wolves. This emperor had favored you and trusted you that much in the past, yet all in vain.” Le Cheng Emperor angrily roared.

“Trust? Favor? Who cares.” Li Hong Yuan indifferently responded, completely not having Le Cheng Emperor taken seriously, “For this prince, if not for you still having a bit of use, you think that you would’ve been able to live until now?” These words were even more blunt.

Le Cheng Emperor heavily heaved in anger. That sound was just like pumping a wind box[1].

“Li Hong Yuan, you actually dare to be this insolent! Sir Yu, kill him! With such arrogance, even if executing on the spot, imperial father absolutely won’t say anything either.” Li Hong Ming right now completely disregarded his reputation. If Li Hong Yuan doesn’t die, he will absolutely become a big threat in the future.

Yu Zhong Qing directly let go of Kang Qinwang and walked towards Li Hong Yuan with the blade in hand. Right when everyone thought that the two will immediately start fighting, Yu Zhong Qing sheathed his blade, “Greetings wangye.”

Li Hong Yuan casually waved his hand, and Yu Zhong Qing just walked behind him. Where he stood completely matched with the position where he would stand behind Le Cheng Emperor at certain times, very much a guarding stance.

Li Hong Ming’s vision flickered. They all miscalculated. Li Hong Yuan, Li Hong Yuan, this person was hidden even more deeply than they’d predicted.

“Li Hong Yuan, you think that this way you can just win? The Right Commander-in-Chief……….”

“Right Commander-in-Chief?” Before he could finish, another person entered behind Li Hong Yuan. Carrying a bit of curiosity, he boldly walked to the front, having the thing in hand casually tossed out in front. Landing on the ground, the black cloth on the outside unraveled, and a bloody human head rolled out. After staring for a moment, if not the Right Commander-in-Chief, then who?

“Even the Right Commander-in-Chief, yet so weak, can’t even counter three moves from this young master.” He Shi Hai furrowed his brows. Towards someone of this level being able to become a Commander-in-Chief, he very much doubted.

Li Hong Ming’s mind blanked, just leaving behind two words: ‘It’s over’. This time, it was thoroughly over. Although there was still Former Wei as the trump card, but if unable to get past this step, then Former Wei, that card, will also be equal to a useless card.

The shocking effect brought about by this human head was absolutely much more intense than previously when Kang Qinwang personally killed two of his younger brothers. Those were just young children after all, can it be the same as a General that held military power? Absolutely not!

Even Le Cheng Emperor’s scalp all went numb. When it comes to brutality, no one can compare with the living Enma.

Li Hong Yuan didn’t even bat an eye, “Originally thought that you would directly seize the throne, yet turns out, I’d underestimated you. You’re already rebelling, yet even want to keep your reputation, wanting to be legitimate. If your plan had succeeded, it indeed isn’t a bad idea, what a pity. In this way, it’s also not bad, saving quite a bit of trouble.”

Kang Qinwang had planned to seize the throne through military force. And to obtain the court officials’ acknowledgement, aside from having them captured, he naturally needed to control their families as well.

Rui Qinwang was preparing to let Shen Shu Han rescue them, letting the court officials be indebted to him. That way, after becoming the crown prince, the court officials will support him onto the throne step by step. Even if there are still many that remain from Li Hong Yi’s faction, it still won’t cause him any destructive harm. As such, the chains from Former Wei will also reduce by a lot.

Unfortunately, Qin Tian Ming was Li Hong Yuan’s person, so naturally won’t act according to Li Hong Yi’s plan, instead defending against Shen Shu Han, both sides all not touching those court officials’ homes. The two parties instead directly broke out into a fight.

————Unfortunately, it got ruined by you, you lowly spawn. Wait, Li Hong Ming thought of something.

“Li Hong Yuan, imperial father has already issued the imperial decree announcing me as the crown prince. Moreover, don’t forget, you’re a ghost child. How could the court officials agree to you ascending the throne?” Li Hong Ming became excited again. He felt that he’d grasped a key turning point.

Li Hong Yuan hooked the corner of his mouth, full of mockery, “Have the person brought in.”

Thus, the eunuch that went out earlier to announce the imperial decree got carried in like a baby chick and thrown onto the ground. Afterwards, a bright yellow imperial decree got handed into Li Hong Yuan’s hand.

“You mean this thing?” Li Hong Yuan lifted his hand and let go. The imperial decree landed on the ground, and a foot directly stomped on top.

[1] Basically an air pump used in ancient times next to stoves and furnaces.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com