Chapter 898: Chapter 898: The Old Emperor’s Schemes
“Since Father Emperor has long known that the matter of the Third Prince was the doing of the Crown Prince, why has he always allowed him to act freely?” Prince Jing was puzzled.
Looking back at the time when the old Emperor secretly suggested changing the Crown Prince to him, it seems he had known about this matter for quite a few years.
However, until now, apart from a sudden dislike for the Crown Prince back then, Father Emperor has never taken any substantial action.
“Do you think Father Emperor wants this?” The old Emperor said sadly, “Back then, when the old Prince of the War Prince Residence suddenly died in battle, I had no choice but to support the Wang Family. The year your third brother died, the Wang Family’s power happened to increase significantly. At that time, how could I act against the Crown Prince?”
“What about later?” Prince Jing was doubtful, “After Sikong Mo inherited the throne, he retracted a lot of power, and the Wang Family was no longer as powerful as it once was. Father Emperor, don’t tell your son that you haven’t had a chance to punish the Crown Prince all these years!”
The sorrow on the old Emperor’s face receded, “Punishing the Crown Prince would undoubtedly crush the Wang Family, and then Dongyue would return to the dominance of the War Prince Residence again. Fourth child, do you want to see our Qin Family’s reign being controlled by those with the surname Sikong?”
In the heart of the old Emperor, personal grievances were always outweighed by the state and the nation.
“Then isn’t Father Emperor afraid that by making your son the Crown Prince, the War Prince Residence will grow too strong?” Prince Jing countered.
“You are different.” Since the old Emperor had this plan, it was naturally well thought out, “The Wang Family has more than just the Crown Princess Consort as a daughter. I thought back then, given your good relationship with Sikong Mo, if you were willing to become the Crown Prince, even though Sikong Mo has disappeared, the people of the Sikong Royal Residence would still give you some assistance for his sake. As for the Wang Family, we can aggrieve Princess Consort Jing to take a step back for now. She might not necessarily become the Empress in the end. Once you have power, who is higher or lower is merely a matter of your word!”
Even Prince Jing had to admit, the old Emperor’s calculation was indeed perfect.
Unfortunately, what he hadn’t anticipated was that, back then, he really had no interest in the throne.
Even now, he remains uninterested, yet the Crown Prince has gone too far. Reflecting on the past fate of the Third Prince’s Residence, if the Crown Prince indeed ascends in the future, given his current relationship with him, the Jing Prince Residence might be in danger.
“Then what does Father Emperor mean…”
“Clear out those little ones below; as for now, the only ones with competitive power are you and the second brother. The second brother has already been deposed. If you are willing, the position of Crown Prince is yours. If you are unwilling, right now, there’s really no one else who could take on this burden other than you!”
People always say it’s best to be the Emperor, but only when you truly ascend the throne do you realize, being Emperor is the hardest.
Just like the old Emperor, his whole life he never truly had anyone he could trust, whether it be those at his pillow or his own biological sons, all were guarded against by him.
The reason he so doted on Prince Jing was because, to date, Prince Jing was the only one who never constantly coveted the chair under him.
And it was also because of his old age now that he became somewhat sentimental, growing increasingly displeased with the Crown Prince. Beyond the things the Crown Prince had done, he also worried that after his own departure, once the Crown Prince ascends, the offspring he leaves behind might not survive.
When a new emperor ascends, the first task is to eliminate dissent—something he experienced in his time as well.