Chapter 357

Yu Zhaoan, who was being talked about, was now inside the Wang Fu.

He made no effort to hide or avoid anyone, entering the Wang Fu openly and boldly. Even with a crowd of Embroidered Uniform Guards trailing behind him, he showed no restraint.

His arrival stirred upheaval throughout the Wang Fu, causing chaos for some time.

Fear!

Yu Zhaoan was like a walking bomb—especially for the recently impeached Prince, who hated him and feared him, loathing him to death and trembling with terror.

The Prince thought: Is he here to take my life? When did I ever offend that man Yu?

Why must everyone torment me? What have I done wrong? Depriving me of the Crown Prince title isn't enough—do they truly intend to drive me to death?

"Your Highness seems afraid of me?" Yu Zhaoan sat down loudly, without the host's permission. "You shouldn't fear me—you ought to thank me. Your Highness, do you know that with Prince Chu's rebellion, your position hangs by a thread? The court needs someone to step forward, bear the blame, and shoulder the slander. That person cannot be Chancellor Li, nor the Emperor. Only you, Your Highness. The blame for Prince Chu's rebellion rests entirely on you."

"Absurd! I did nothing! I am the victim! Why should the blame for Prince Chu's rebellion be pinned on me? Chancellor Yu, I don't recall ever offending you—why are you framing me so cruelly?"

The Prince spoke with indignation, yet dared not press too hard, forced to swallow his grievance alone.

Had even one court official shown him a shred of kindness, his situation would not have sunk so low.

"Your Highness holds a profound misunderstanding of me! You just asked why the blame for Prince Chu's rebellion is placed on you—because the Emperor wishes you to bear it, and I merely hastened that step. After all, it was the removal of the Crown Prince that gave Prince Chu the courage and influence to rebel. Your Highness, I am truly helping you! How can you fail to appreciate it, and instead turn against me?"

Yu Zhaoan wore an expression of heartbroken dismay, as if the Prince were a block of wood, utterly incapable of understanding his noble intentions.

"You impeached me—and now you demand I thank you? Chancellor Yu, how shameless you are!" The Prince's composure shattered. How could such a brazen, shameless man exist? He would corrupt the court! This man in office would surely bring ruin to the realm. The Emperor is blind—how could he appoint such a villain as Chancellor?

The Prince felt deep sorrow, misunderstood and isolated by the world, yet he clung to his conscience, never forgetting his original purpose.

But Yu Zhaoan spoke with unshakable certainty: "Think carefully, Your Highness—if I had not impeached you, what would happen when the Emperor himself shifts the blame onto you? Your Highness, you stand on the brink of death and still don't realize it. I am saving you!"

The Prince stared blankly. How insane had the world become? How could a villain like Yu Zhaoan rise to such power?

"Do you think I'm merely frightening you?" Yu Zhaoan sneered. "Then let me tell you: as long as you live, you are a constant reminder to the Emperor of the enormity of his error—of how he will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame and held responsible for the empire's collapse. Do you still think I'm threatening you?"

The Prince opened his mouth, hesitated several times, then finally said, "You are threatening me right now."

Yu Zhaoan: …

A rotten log cannot be carved.

The Prince asked next, "May I ask, Chancellor Yu, what is your purpose in coming to this mansion? I see no need for us to speak—it will only invite outside speculation. By now, rumors must already be spreading."

Yu Zhaoan chuckled. "I've been here this long, and not even a cup of tea has been offered. Is this the Wang Fu's way of treating guests? Hmph, truly disappointing. Very well, very well—who am I to refuse kindness? I braved court criticism, sacrificed my reputation, and impeached you to save your life. Now I ask for compensation. Being an official is hard; being a capable one is harder."

What nonsense?

The Prince looked stunned. "You—you openly demand a bribe from me? Yu Zhaoan, how dare you! As Chancellor, head of all officials, you dare demand a bribe? And you have the audacity to claim you saved my life? You—you—you deserve to die!"

The Prince was furious.

Though no longer Crown Prince, his thoughts and conduct still bore the bearing of one. He must think of the court, of the Great Qian empire—how could he allow a villain like Yu Zhaoan to continue corrupting the realm?

"Even if I must sacrifice my life, I will impeach you. I will go to the palace and petition the Emperor. If you dare openly demand a bribe, I will not rest until you are destroyed."

The Prince was beyond rage. How long had it been since he left the Donggong? Already, such a villain had risen to become Chancellor?

Heaven above! Open your eyes! The sky of Great Qian cannot remain this dark.

"Good! Very good! Keep this anger, and go straight to the Emperor to file your complaint. If you don't, you're a coward. Also, you owe me ten thousand taels—put it on record."

"Absurd!" The Prince gasped, fury swelling in his chest. Had his lifelong upbringing not restrained him, he would have rushed forward and torn off Yu Zhaoan's smug smile.

"Get out! Get out! Even in my lowest state, I will never tolerate your villainous ways—not a single silver tael will I give you. To demand a bribe from me? Dream on!"

The Prince pointed to the gate, issuing a furious dismissal.

Just then, a figure slowly stepped out from behind the screen.

"Wei Lao?" The Prince was clearly startled. "How did you come here?"

Yu Zhaoan turned his gaze and saw an old eunuch. Instantly, his hairs stood on end—he felt as if facing a deadly foe. With his own peak third-rank cultivation, he could not fathom the old eunuch's level—was he a ninth-rank warrior? Or even a Grandmaster?

He suddenly recalled rumors he had long thought forgotten.

He immediately bowed slightly, cautiously. "Are you, by any chance, Eunuch Wei?"

Wei Wubing stared at Yu Zhaoan. "Do you know me, Chancellor Yu?"

"This is my first time meeting Eunuch Wei. I've heard tales of a few Grandmasters in the palace. To see you now is a blessing of three lifetimes. Allow this junior to pay his respects."

"Chancellor Yu, stop!"

Yu Zhaoan's body, already bent halfway, froze in place. Cold sweat broke out—he could only slowly straighten. "Thank you, Elder, for your kindness."

Wei Wubing spoke slowly and calmly: "Chancellor Yu, you are too courteous. You are the current Chancellor; I am merely a nameless, idle eunuch. Don't bring shame to the court's dignity."

"I pay my respects as a junior in the martial path," Yu Zhaoan replied, implying he spoke only of martial status, not court rank.

Wei Wubing grunted. "Chancellor Yu, sit. The servants here are poorly trained, lacking manners—forgive the rudeness. Your Highness, calm your anger. Sit and speak. I believe Chancellor Yu's visit here holds deeper meaning. Money is but a trivial matter."