Chapter 1455: Planning to Eliminate Kesi

The great hall was in Silence.

The ministers held their breath, watching the three princes kneeling on the ground.

They could not believe their eyes; the First Prince Kelake, short-tempered and vengeful, would actually take the initiative to admit his guilt.

The Second Prince Kesuosi, full of schemes and never one to admit defeat, would actually bow his head.

This was not like them at all; the ministers looked at one another, and no one spoke.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi spoke slowly.

"You... have all thought it through?"

Kelake said.

"Yes, Father Emperor, this son has thought it through. This son should not have acted in a way that harmed the Imperium due to personal grievances."

Kesuosi said.

"This son has also thought it through; this son should not have conspired with Big Brother to force the palace due to unwillingness to accept the situation."

Kesi said.

"Father Emperor, the two elder brothers have already realized their mistakes and are willing to accept punishment; please, Father Emperor, show them mercy."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi looked at Kesi, complex light flickering in his four eyes.

"Kesi, was it you who persuaded them?"

Kesi said.

"Yes, Father Emperor. This son explained the pros and cons to the two elder brothers, and they listened."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi leaned back on his throne.

"Good. Since you know your mistakes, I will not punish you severely. But there must be a small punishment to serve as a warning: you are grounded for three months. After three months, I will decide whether to restore your original positions based on your performance."

Kelake and Kesuosi lowered their heads at the same time.

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi looked toward Kesi.

"Kesi, you have done well. You have merit in suppressing the rebellion; I will reward you."

Kesi said.

"This son dares not claim credit; this was all for the Keluoke Imperium."

The corners of Keluoke Ershisi Shi's mouth lifted slightly.

"Court dismissed."

The ministers bowed.

"Respectfully sending off His Majesty."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi stood up, walked down from the throne, and headed toward the side door.

Keluoke Imperium Imperial City, the Emperor's bedchamber.

The door was knocked on lightly.

"Enter."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi's voice was hoarse.

The door pushed open, and four trusted ministers filed in.

Walking at the very front was Kedixi, the old minister most trusted by Keluoke Ershisi Shi, who managed the court's supervisory affairs.

Following behind him was Kechasaili, responsible for the Imperial City garrison.

The third was Kedaolisi, responsible for intelligence gathering.

The last one was Daijisiluo, who managed the finances.

The four walked to the front of the bed and knelt down in unison.

"Your Majesty."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi braced himself against the edge of the bed to sit up, leaning against the headboard, his four eyes sweeping over the four people in front of him.

"I called you here because there is a matter to discuss."

Kedixi raised his head.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi spoke slowly.

"I want to get rid of Kesi."

The four ministers revealed expressions of confusion at the same time, and Kedixi spoke first.

"Your Majesty, this subject dares to ask... why? His Highness Kesi has just quelled the rebellion, the First Prince and Second Prince have already withdrawn their troops and admitted their guilt, and the court ministers are all praising his ability. Why does Your Majesty suddenly want to get rid of him?"

Keluoke Ershisi Shi looked up at the ceiling.

"I have no definite reason."

"Your Majesty, to get rid of a prince without a definite reason, and a prince who has just performed a great service at that, this..."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi raised a hand to interrupt him.

"I know. Without a reason, acting rashly will chill the hearts of the court ministers and also leave hidden dangers for the Keluoke Imperium. But I have a premonition that if Kesi takes over the Keluoke Imperium, the Keluoke Imperium will head toward its end."

The four looked at one another, and Kedaolisi was the first to break the Silence.

"Your Majesty, are you saying that His Highness Kesi is being manipulated?"

Keluoke Ershisi Shi shook his head.

"I do not know, but after he returned, everything changed.

The Kesi of the past was a playboy, arrogant, and acted without regard for the consequences.

The Kesi of now is calm, rational, and calculates every step clearly."

"He is too perfect, perfect to the point of being unreal. Furthermore, that Kelake and Kesuosi could be persuaded by Kesi, I would never have imagined, so, Kesi makes me feel terrified."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi caught his breath and continued to speak.

"I have no evidence, but I have a premonition that if the Keluoke Imperium falls into Kesi's hands, it will head toward destruction."

Kedixi remained in Silence for a long time, processing this earth-shattering information.

"Your Majesty, if His Highness Kesi truly has a problem, then the First Prince and the Second Prince might also..."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi shook his head.

"They should be fine; the main issue is Kesi. No matter what he is, he must disappear. The Keluoke Imperium cannot take the risk."

Kechasaili asked.

"Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?"

Keluoke Ershisi Shi said.

"First, weaken his power so he lacks sufficient supporters. Then, find an opportunity to eliminate him, but do not let anyone think it was done by me. It must be done cleanly, leaving no traces."

Daijisiluo spoke up.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Kesi is currently at the height of his popularity; moving against him requires extreme caution. If he truly has the support of ministers in the court..."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi said.

"That is why I called you here; you are the people I trust most. This matter can only be done by you."

The four people lowered their heads simultaneously.

"We, your subjects, are willing to serve Your Majesty."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi leaned back on the bed and spoke slowly.

"Go, act with caution, and do not let Kesi notice."

The four people stood up, bowed in salute, turned, and left.

Only Keluoke Ershisi Shi remained in the bedchamber.

His sons were all fighting for power, but the situation before him was becoming increasingly convoluted, exceeding his expectations. He had to end all of this before things went Out of Control, and only then consider the matter of the successor.

Kedixi walked out of the bedchamber, with the other three following behind, maintaining a subtle distance.

Not until they had passed a corner and confirmed there were no idlers around did Kechasaili lower his voice to speak.

"What do you all think?"

Kedaolisi said.

"His Majesty has no evidence, but His Majesty's intuition has never been wrong."

Daijisiluo said.

"No evidence means there is risk. If we act rashly, and it turns out His Highness Kesi has no... then we would be murdering an innocent prince."

Kechasaili shook his head and said.

"He is innocent? He is too clean, so clean that he does not seem like a prince; such a prince is often the most dangerous."

Kedixi stopped his footsteps and turned to look at them.

"There is no need to question; His Majesty has his considerations, and we only need to execute them."

The three nodded.

Kedixi continued.

"Kechasaili, you are responsible for the Imperial City garrison. Ensure the safety of the Imperial City; do not let Kesi's people infiltrate."

"Understood."

"Kedaolisi, you are responsible for intelligence. Keep an eye on every move Kesi makes; who he contacts, where he goes, and what he is doing—all must be known."

Kedaolisi said.

"Understood."

"Daijisiluo, you are responsible for finance. If Kesi wants to mobilize funds, ensure he cannot use the national treasury; block his purse strings."

"Understood."

Kedixi looked around at the three.

"What His Majesty wants is a clean and swift job, leaving no traces. We cannot let anyone know it was done by His Majesty; it is best to let Kesi make a mistake himself, or make it look like he was killed during a rebellion."

Kedaolisi said.

"Making the current Prince Kesi make a mistake is a bit difficult, isn't it?"

"Then manufacture one."

Kechasaili grinned.

"That, I am good at."

After clearly dividing the work, the four quickly separated.