Chapter 355: The Struggle for the Crown Prince — It Has Always Been Thus

"Your Highness, Your Majesty already suspects us. If we continue to make moves, I fear what might happen on Your Majesty's side?"

Mr. Bai reminded him.

The Eldest Prince gave a cold snort. "The Seventh is dead, yet Father hasn't made the slightest move. He's already old, unable to control the dynasty. He should have stepped down long ago. He's dying—he hasn't much time left. Mr. Bai, do you still not understand?"

"If we don't act now, when else?"

"The Seventh is dead, Father is consumed by rage and grief, and hasn't many days left to live. I'm going to add fuel to the fire and let it burn completely. Father refuses to name me Crown Prince, so I'll seize that position myself."

"The throne isn't something bestowed by others—it's carved out by killing."

The Eldest Prince stood up, his overbearing aura spilling forth.

He was no longer the man he used to be, and Father was no longer the Father of before. Twenty years ago, he might have waited, might have feared Father moving against him. These past years, he had been building his strength all along, had been controlling the dynasty's armies all along. Many powers were in his hands—even the Black Dragon Guard was partly under his control.

The others knew how to choose. Father's life would not last much longer, and he was the one most likely to sit on that position. None of the other princes could compare with him. Besides, his strength was the greatest, and the military forces under his command were the strongest.

In the entire Wangdu, few could compare with him. Even his own Father would find it nearly impossible to move against him.

The situation had long since changed—the offense and defense had swapped.

"Your Highness, you should stay calm a bit. You only need to wait. Once Your Majesty passes, that position will naturally be yours." Mr. Bai hesitated, but still offered his counsel.

The death of the Seventh Prince had drawn the attention of many princes to them. Under the princes' state of alarm, they would naturally make moves against him—after all, no one wanted to die.

The youngest, the Seventh Prince, was dead. What would the other princes think?

What would the princesses think?

He hadn't even taken the throne yet, and he was already moving against his own people—and the Seventh, who posed no threat at that.

One could imagine how utterly deranged he was.

Mr. Bai was also afraid. This situation was beyond expectations. Though he had carried it out, continuing down this path would likely lead to accidents.

"Mr. Bai, I am well aware of the situation you worry about. I have no choice."

"Either don't act at all, or act without mercy."

"If they dare to resist, then I'll kill them all."

"Hmph—give them a hundred guts, and they still wouldn't dare."

Mr. Bai shook his head and sighed, "Your Highness, you should still be a bit careful regarding the Eldest Princess. She has been making quite a few moves lately. She seems to have her eye on that position as well."

The Eldest Prince burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Hahaha—Mr. Bai, you worry too much. She's a mere woman—how could she take the throne? It's impossible for anyone to support her."

"Any of the other younger brothers is a possibility. Only she is absolutely impossible."

"Even if Imperial Sister suspects me, so what? She wouldn't dare act. Father certainly wouldn't let her act."

Besides, he—Qimingtian—was no nobody, to be casually killed by anyone.

Her Highness the Eldest Princess lacked both the strength and the conditions to move against him.

Wangdu was entirely under his control. What did Imperial Sister have to fight him with?

Those younger brothers of his had even less chance of defeating him.

This was his confidence, and the reason he dared to act like this.

Everything was within his control.

"Your Highness, you…"

The Eldest Prince raised his hand and said arrogantly, "Mr. Bai, say no more. Everything is within my control."

"I have Mr. Sima and the State Preceptor's support. The Great Qi Dynasty is mine."

"I will sit on that position and become the supreme Emperor."

Mr. Bai dared not speak further. He knew that continuing would only make His Highness resent him.

There were things he could say, but not at this time.

In His Highness's heart, there was no longer room for any words.

He would have his way, no matter what.

The Second Prince's residence.

The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince had both come, gathered together.

The three princes gathered in one place, sitting together.

"Third Brother, Fourth Brother, I trust you've seen it too. Father is going to die, and Eldest Brother can no longer hold back from moving against us. Seventh Brother has been killed. Next, it will be one of us."

"Eldest Brother won't allow us to live. Our very existence is the greatest obstacle. If he wants to sit on that position, he will inevitably kill us ruthlessly. Only when we're all dead will he be at peace."

"We can't fail to guard against him, and we can't fail to act."

"Seventh Brother died for no clear reason. Father doesn't want to investigate the killer. Without even looking, we know who the killer is."

"Hmph."

The Second Prince was the first to speak, and he was furious.

That was Father's favorite son, yet… he had died just like that.

The Third Prince gave a cold snort. "Second Brother, Father has grown old and muddled. He doesn't want to avenge Seventh Brother. We cannot just stand by and watch Seventh Brother die in vain. We must avenge him."

The Fourth Prince clasped his hands. "What my two elder brothers say is quite right. Father is muddled, and Eldest Brother is ruthless. Then let them not blame us for being equally ruthless."

"We strike first, kill Eldest Brother, and take control of Wangdu. What do my two elder brothers think of this?"

The Second Prince stood up and extended his right hand.

The Third Prince hesitated for a moment, then extended his right hand.

The three of them stacked their right hands together.

They didn't want to die. They wanted to live. They wanted to avenge Seventh Brother. And so, Eldest Brother had to die.

The people behind Eldest Brother had to die too.

This was a contest—a contest between the people behind each of them.

The Great Qi Dynasty had to go through turmoil. Those who wanted to move against the princes would have to pay the price.

Though they envied Seventh Brother for being favored by Father, Seventh Brother was only seven, not yet of age, and posed little threat. If they would even make a move against a brother like that, would they not be even more ruthless toward them?

For the sake of their respective families, for the sake of their respective ideals, they had to act.

The same held true.

Eldest Princess's estate.

The Eldest Princess's face darkened; every lead had been severed.

Father's side would not allow her to continue investigating.

This matter ended here.

"Damn it, what is Father thinking? If Eldest Brother dares to lay hands on Seventh Brother, he dares to lay hands on us. Is Eldest Brother truly so important in Father's heart?"

"Since you value Eldest Brother so highly, why not name him Crown Prince sooner, instead of dragging it out all this time?"

"Seventh Brother cannot have died for nothing. Eldest Brother certainly will not spare me."

The Eldest Princess lowered her head in thought, her face growing ever darker.

Jing Yuheng sat to one side, not daring to make a sound.

After a long while, Her Highness the Eldest Princess looked up: "Yuheng."

"Here."

"Bring the Black Dragon Guard under my control. The Black Dragon Guard must be in our hands, otherwise, you and I are both in danger."

Jing Yuheng rose and cupped her hands: "This subordinate understands."

She was already doing so; her improved strength, combined with what happened last time, had made her realize she had to seize control of the Black Dragon Guard.

With various factions intervening, Your Majesty's control over the Black Dragon Guard had gradually slipped away.

With Her Highness the Eldest Princess's words, she could act without restraint.

"Keep watch on Eldest Brother for me."

"Yes."

The Eldest Princess turned, her voice drifting over slowly.

"The other princes—keep watch on them for me as well."

"Yes."