Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 760

Chapter 760: A Heavy Responsibility

Xu Wenyong sent assassins to kill the Emperor not only to disrupt the court but also to frame someone else. Now that Pei Que was in mourning at home, even though he was Xu Wenyong’s biggest enemy, he had no real power on the surface. Xu Wenyong would have to bring down several other obstacles.

Duke Cheng was upright and had a good reputation. Framed by Duke Cheng, it would not be convincing to the people.

But if it were the Wang family, it would be a different story.

Prime Minister Wang was second only to the Emperor, wielding power no less than the Cheng family. Moreover, the Prime Minister Wang was currently targeting the Xu family at every turn, and the Wang family was indeed arrogant; many people feared them. If the Wang family harbored any ill intentions, it could be used to appease the public.

Shuo Feng continued, “Lin Feng has already sent a message to Prime Minister Wang. They should be at Renzheng Hall by now.”

Pei Que had set a trap to lure Xu Wenyong in. Since he knew Xu Wenyong intended to assassinate the Emperor and frame the Wang family, he would clean up the mess as well. Therefore, on his way to the palace, Lin Feng sent the message.

Pei Que put down his cup, a slight smile playing on his thick eyebrows, a hint of amusement on his handsome face. He was in a very good mood.

“I hope Old Master Wang can try his best. I’ve already handed him the knife; it’s up to him how he uses it,” Pei Que said slowly.

Meanwhile, in Renzheng Hall, it was as quiet as if no one was there.

Duke Cheng had just fainted and had only just regained consciousness. The three of them stood at the lower level, the Empress Dowager wiping away tears with a handkerchief.

Prime Minister Wang knew some of the inside story. His men had already gone to the Imperial Garden ahead of him. Pei Que had sent him this message to make him take the blame for the assassin’s death so that others would not continue to speculate about other people.

The Empress Dowager sighed repeatedly, “A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, but the Emperor has no heir, there is still no news of victory in the Northwest war, and the military power in the capital is in the hands of Xu Wenyong. I’m but a woman, and I truly do not know what to do. You’re all pillars of our dynasty; please help me make a decision.”

Yun Xingbang was the most panicked and hurriedly spoke up, “Xu Wenyong is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He must have done what happened to the Emperor. Your Majesty, why do you not take advantage of Xu Wenyong’s current unpreparedness and send someone to the Xu Mansion to arrest him? As long as we destroy the Xu family first, we will surely be able to find evidence of his rebellion later.”

“Absolutely not!” Duke Cheng retorted. “Xu Wenyong controls the Forbidden City. Although the Xu family’s military power in the Imperial Guard and the city guards has been weakened since the imperial family entered the capital, if they were to resort to force and Xu Wenyong were to fight to the death, the combined military power of all the aristocratic families in the capital would not be a match for him. By the time reinforcements arrive from elsewhere, the capital will have already changed.”

“Duke Cheng is right,” Prime Minister Wang nodded. “Xu Wenyong has been plotting for years but has not acted yet, precisely to avoid leaving behind a legacy of infamy. He needs the capital to descend into chaos first, forcing others to rebel, so he can then purge the court of corrupt officials and rightfully ascend the throne—that’s his ultimate goal.”

The Xu family’s ambition became apparent after Pei Que was exiled.

However, some people felt that Xu Wenyong would not amount to anything, or they did not want to expend their energy dealing with him. Others, like Duke Cheng, tried their best but found themselves without any support and gradually became disheartened.

People only became alert when their own interests were threatened.

After listening to the three ministers, the Empress Dowager asked, “In your opinion, what should we do now?”

Prime Minister Wang slowly took a breath and replied, “Xu Wenyong’s assassination attempt on the Emperor was undoubtedly aimed at creating chaos in the capital. If we first appoint a new Emperor, and the other powerful families work together to maintain order in the court, even if Xu Wenyong tries to take advantage of the chaos, it will be unlikely.”

The Emperor’s death without a will had created a major problem: who should become the new Emperor?

The Empress Dowager’s delicate eyebrows rose slightly. She had specifically summoned her younger brother to the palace to discuss this matter.

“Of the late Emperor’s children, eight are still alive, and they are all in the capital. In your opinion, who should be placed on the throne?” the Empress Dowager asked again.

This was a question that everyone present had considered since the Emperor fell seriously ill. Moreover, everyone was aware of the Empress Dowager’s attitude.

However, Duke Cheng did not think the same way as the Empress Dowager. “The Seventh Prince is already an adult, with both strategic thinking and a kind heart. Moreover, the Seventh Prince’s maternal family is of humble origin, so there’s no possibility that his maternal relatives will become powerful in the future. As for the other princes, one of them cannot even recite the Four Books and Five Classics completely, and the other two princes are too young to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the country at this time.”

Everyone knew that the best choice for governing the court was the Seventh Prince, Li Xing.

Duke Cheng had no personal desires; his only aim was the best development for the Jin Dynasty.

But the others were different.

The Empress Dowager glanced indifferently at Duke Cheng, then turned to Prime Minister Wang. “What do you say?”

Prime Minister Wang had already ascended to a high position, with no possibility of further promotion. His own health was also poor; he was preoccupied with the future of the Wang family.

The Seventh Prince was indeed capable, but precisely because he had strong opinions, it was not good for a powerful family like the Wangs.

Prime Minister Wang offered a different opinion: “As for maternal families, the two young princes’ maternal families are quite humble, and they are still young, making them easier to cultivate. When the late Emperor was in power, the Seventh Prince did not have any outstanding qualities; in terms of ability, he was far from being qualified for the throne. For an emperor, being too benevolent is not a good thing.”

These words resonated with the Empress Dowager and the Yun family.

Yun Xingbang immediately echoed, “The Prime Minister is right. The Seventh Prince’s abilities are too mediocre; he’s not suitable to be Emperor. However, the Seventh Prince is indeed benevolent. With him as a regent, he will surely achieve something.”

During the late Emperor’s reign, the princes fiercely competed for power. Because the late Emperor had so many sons, it was easy to be overlooked if one did not stand out. Those who dared to compete either had mothers who were favored or were from powerful families. Those like Li Xing, who had nothing, could only live a low-key life.

After listening to the others’ words, Duke Cheng could not help but think of what Pei Que had told him some time ago: a century-old dynasty with too many people driven by selfish desires could not possibly achieve its best outcome. Unless, of course, the entire dynasty was reshuffled from top to bottom.

The Empress Dowager nodded approvingly upon hearing this, but she still wanted to consult Duke Cheng’s opinion: “What does the Duke think?”

“This old minister will heed Your Majesty’s suggestion,” Duke Cheng said, no longer offering any objections, knowing it would be futile.

At this moment, a guard entered, reporting that a group of assassins had been encountered at the pond in the Imperial Garden. They had been dealt with, and the guard who had let them pass had been captured. A confession had been obtained, pointing directly to the Xu family.

The person who had signed the confession had been killed. After reading the confession, the Empress Dowager’s tone was icy. “Have the Imperial Observatory ring the funeral bells,” she said, “and bring all four princes into the palace.”

Tonight, no one would be able to sleep peacefully.

T/N: Poor Duke Cheng is already so done with this.