Qin Junhao raised an eyebrow: "Prince Zhan, don't think too highly of Dongfang Heng. Everyone yearns for the emperor's throne, and he's certainly no exception!"
"Is your news true?" Dongfang Zhan suddenly raised his eyelids and looked at Qin Junhao.
“Prince Zhan also has his own power base. With a large number of troops returning to the capital, it’s impossible to keep it a secret. Your subordinates must already know, and it will soon reach you!”
As if to verify Qin Junhao's words, just as he finished speaking, a whooshing sound came from outside: "Your Highness, there is news!"
A small bamboo bucket floated through the window into the room. Dongfang Zhan reached out and caught it, took out a letter from the bucket, and examined it carefully, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
"See? Wasn't I right? Dongfang Heng is indeed plotting a rebellion!" Qin Junhao spoke with imposing confidence and eloquence: "Dongfang Heng also shares the surname Dongfang. His rebellion and ascension to the throne are both perfectly legitimate and will not incite discontent among the people..."
"Dongfang Heng suffers from a serious heart disease and won't live much longer!" Dongfang Zhan said in a low voice, his gaze suddenly sharpening. On Black Mist Mountain, Dongfang Heng was just like a normal person. Did the Ghost Doctor of Southern Xinjiang cure his illness or control his condition?
“No matter how long he lives, he will be the emperor once he ascends the throne, and he will decide who the next emperor will be. You and he are mortal enemies, and he will never pass the throne to you!” Qin Junhao shook his head and sighed, his eyes filled with surprise.
Didn't they say Dongfang Heng wouldn't live for more than half a month? He's lived for almost a month and is still fine. Did he take some kind of magic pill, or is his condition really under control by the Ghost Doctor of Southern Xinjiang?
He had witnessed the medical skills of the Ghost Doctor of Southern Xinjiang; they were truly extraordinary. Even if he couldn't cure Dongfang Heng's heart ailment, he should be able to extend his life by a few years.
Dongfang Zhan was unwilling to believe it, but he had to admit that Qin Junhao made a lot of sense. He was Dongfang Heng's mortal enemy, and the first thing Dongfang Heng would do after ascending the throne was to kill him. How could he possibly pass the throne to him?
"The army of Subei has three to four hundred thousand men. If a third of them return, that's still more than one hundred thousand. Add to that the thirty thousand guards of the imperial city, and they'll have more than enough to control the capital and force the emperor to abdicate in his favor."
After Dongfang Zhan stole the military tally, he did not stage a coup because he had no army. If he only had the 30,000 imperial guards, he would probably not be able to remain emperor for more than a few days before being wiped out by the Qingyan army that rushed to the scene.
Dongfang Zhan stole the military tally, but instead of harming Dongfang Heng, he actually helped him and fulfilled his ambitions!
"Prince Zhan, how do you plan to stop Dongfang Heng?" Qin Junhao rubbed his forehead. The 30,000-strong Imperial Guard was in Dongfang Heng's hands. Once the 100,000-strong army from Subei arrived in the capital, they would cooperate with the Imperial Guard from within and without. Dongfang Heng would immediately become the Qingyan Emperor, and Dongfang Zhan, as his enemy, would certainly not have a good end.
"While the Subei army is still halfway there, force Dongfang Heng to hand over the military seal!" Dongfang Zhan's eyes were cold as he spoke each word clearly.
The returning army must stop fifty miles away and may not enter the capital without being summoned. The capital has 30,000 imperial guards, plus 20,000 elite troops brought by the King of Yunnan, which is enough to deal with Dongfang Heng, provided that the imperial guards obey the emperor's command.
Qin Junhao's gaze sharpened: "Prince Zhan has come up with a way to deal with Dongfang Heng?"
“That’s right!” Dongfang Zhan nodded, his sharp gaze unfathomable. He had to strike first to seize the initiative and defeat Dongfang Heng. Dealing with Dongfang Heng wasn’t difficult; the challenge was finding a suitable person to pressure him.
June weather is unpredictable; one moment it's pouring rain, the next it's scorching hot. Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue sat in the pavilion, enjoying the cool breeze and eating sweet, chilled fruit, feeling relaxed and carefree.
The ancients had a unique method for chilling fruit: they would place the fruit in a basket, hang it in a well, and chill it with slightly cold well water. After taking the fruit out, it tasted exceptionally sweet. "Dongfang Heng, where is your army?"
"We've covered one-fifth of the journey. In a little while, we'll arrive in the capital!" Seeing that Shen Lixue liked to eat small fruits, Dongfang Heng picked up a few glistening little fruits from the basket and put them into her mouth.
"The return of over 100,000 troops to the capital is no small matter. Those who have heard the news are all shocked!" Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow at Dongfang Heng. With so many soldiers being transferred back to the capital at once, many people suspect that Dongfang Heng is planning a rebellion. They wonder if the emperor will become suspicious of him.
Dongfang Heng smiled faintly, his gaze unfathomable: "The most shocking person is the one who stole the military tally for me!" With an army of over 100,000, the momentum was immense; Dongfang Zhan must have thought he was planning a rebellion.
A guard stepped forward: "Your Highness, Your Highness, the Duke of Wen requests an audience!"
Duke Wen? What's he doing here? Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng exchanged a glance: "Please come in!"
The guard obeyed and led the Duke of Wen to the pavilion.
Duke Wen was dressed in plain clothes, his face was somewhat haggard, and he was also very tired. Thinking about it carefully, he had been taking poison for more than ten years, and his body had been almost completely eroded by the toxins. Even if he was detoxified, it would take a long time for his body to recover its vitality.
His beloved wife didn't love him and was constantly plotting against him. His cherished daughter wasn't his biological child but a beggar. His happy and fulfilling family vanished in an instant, and he could no longer have any offspring. A series of blows followed one after another. Anyone in his shoes would be devastated.
"Your Highness, Your Highness!" Duke Wen called out softly to the two, his voice steady and neither humble nor arrogant.
"I wonder what brings Duke Wen here?" Dongfang Heng had no connection with Duke Wen, so he was somewhat surprised that Duke Wen had come to visit the Holy King's Mansion.
Duke Wen chuckled softly: "Is the old prince at his residence?"
"Grandpa is recuperating at the foot of Black Mist Mountain and hasn't returned to the manor yet. Does Duke Wen have something to discuss with him?" Dongfang Heng looked at Duke Wen. His grandfather hadn't been involved in affairs for a long time. Why did Duke Wen suddenly think of coming to see him?
"It's nothing serious, I just wanted to see him." Duke Wen's eyes dimmed slightly, and he sighed softly, "Since the old prince isn't here, I'll take my leave!"
Duke Wen turned and walked out of the mansion, his figure desolate and his steps somewhat unsteady.
Shen Lixue frowned: "Dongfang Heng, don't you think Duke Wen is acting a little strange today?"
“That’s really strange!” Dongfang Heng’s gaze deepened. He had no connection with the old prince, yet he suddenly came to see him, which was strange in itself.
Shen Lixue looked at the shimmering water: "What's going on with Dongfang Zhan?"
"There's no sound at all, just complete silence!" This is the calmest moment before the storm arrives; the quieter it is now, the more violent the storm will be!
A guard hurried over: "Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to the palace!"
Dongfang Heng raised an eyebrow and a faint smile appeared on his lips, full of sarcasm. "So you've already lost your composure so quickly?"
"Dongfang Heng!" Shen Lixue tightly grasped Dongfang Heng's fingers with her fair hand, looking at him with worry. Possessing military tally and illegally mobilizing troops are both serious crimes. The two crimes combined are unforgivable. He should be immediately taken out of the Meridian Gate and beheaded.
Dongfang Heng leaned down and gently kissed Shen Lixue's forehead, smiling as he said, "Don't worry, wait for my news!"
"Take care on your journey!" Shen Lixue nodded, looking at Dongfang Heng with tender eyes, earnestly reminding him that he was the person she loved and she hoped he would return safely.
Dongfang Heng nodded, squeezed Shen Lixue's small hand comfortingly, and turned to instruct, "Zimo, prepare the carriage!"
The emperor's summons was urgent, and Dongfang Heng rode in a carriage to the palace as quickly as possible. Led by a eunuch, he entered the imperial study.
Besides the Emperor, the Imperial Study also housed the Prince of Huai, the Crown Prince, the Prince of Zhan, and... the Duke of Wen!
Dongfang Heng's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Duke Wen out of the corner of his eye, then slowly walked to the center of the room. His steps were steady and firm, and he bowed deeply, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty, Imperial Uncle!"
"Rise!" The emperor's voice was cold, his gaze sharp, displaying the majesty and imposing presence befitting the supreme ruler.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Dongfang Heng stood up and looked directly at the emperor.