Chapter 664: Palace Coup

Palace gate.

Several junior eunuchs presented their waist tokens, identifying them as attendants responsible for procuring goods outside the palace.

They swiftly exited the palace, conducted transactions at major merchant houses, and as they handled the goods, several scrolls of paper quietly vanished, then entered different noble residences.

Prince Tai’s mansion.

Prince Tai, Li Ruzhang, bore a striking resemblance to the Emperor—equally martial and imposing.

Upon reading the note, he burst into laughter: “To restrain oneself and restore propriety is benevolence—Father Emperor is saying the Crown Prince lacks benevolence…”

Since ancient times, the realm has been governed by loyalty and filial piety, with benevolence and righteousness as the next pillars.

This is a grave accusation.

“Such a clear rebuke leaves little to the imagination—soon, the court will be rife with turmoil…”

A middle-aged scholar in blue robes sighed: “Yet… this is advantageous for Your Highness.”

“Master Wu, should we send agents to spread word of this?”

Li Ruzhang rubbed the steel ring on his finger.

The Great Qian dynasty seized power through archery and horsemanship, and has never neglected the education of its imperial sons.

Li Ruzhang could draw a powerful bow and was an exceptional archer, deeply favored by the Emperor.

Added to his uncanny resemblance to his father—unlike the Crown Prince, who appears frail—he is the Emperor’s most beloved son.

“That is unnecessary…”

Master Wu, Prince Tai’s chief strategist, shook his head, glanced around, and lowered his voice: “The Emperor is a founding sovereign—brilliant, strategic, and meticulous. To say the Embroidered Uniform Guard controls the entire realm is exaggerated, but within the capital alone, they certainly can. If they uncover this, it will only bring disaster…”

At the mention of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Prince Tai shuddered: “Enough. Let my good brothers test the waters—this time, we stay out of it.”

“Precisely. The Emperor tacitly permits the princes to compete—but not to overstep.”

Master Wu sighed again after a moment’s thought: “I believe the Emperor still holds some hope for the Crown Prince—his intent is likely to use him as a whetstone.”

“A whetstone? Hmph… what if he grinds him to dust?” Prince Tai sneered. “Besides, I cannot retreat—I do not wish to. One step back, and I am shattered.”

Master Wu nodded. Though Prince Tai was valiant, he was open to counsel, giving Master Wu the feeling of serving a wise lord: “This succession struggle cannot be rushed. The Emperor is still vigorous. Let the Crown Prince bear the brunt—we proceed slowly.”

“True. Over the years, I’ve come to understand: the Crown Prince’s seat is like sitting on a firepit… yet everyone still wants to take it.”

Prince Tai laughed loudly and tossed the note into the flame.

…

The Crown Prince shut himself in to read, and all remained quiet.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed—it was night.

“Tonight, the Dragon of Ancestors dies…”

In the study, whale-oil candles burned brightly. Fang Xing held a scroll in hand, his thoughts already far away.

He himself had orchestrated it—he knew precisely when the Emperor would die of sudden illness.

“Before the third watch tonight, the palace will send word…”

Most people are the silent majority—seeking no merit, only avoiding blame.

So, what should they do when an unexpected change occurs?

Immediate loyalty or rebellion are rare. Most follow procedure—then no one bears responsibility.

So, when the old Emperor dies, follow procedure: notify the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince ascends. That’s all.

This is the power of “legitimacy”—in essence, it’s simply this.

If no one wants to stir chaos, the realm remains stable.

“But if no word comes after the third watch, then trouble begins… it means the palace is sealed off, communications cut—eunuchs, imperial consorts, and outside ministers have conspired to depose me and install another prince… or worse, the Emperor may have already intended to remove me, and the decree is already written and hidden.”

“But I need not concern myself with any of that. If I receive no word by the third watch, I will immediately go to the Marquis of Wei and the Marquis of Ying, announce the Emperor’s death, then march to the Imperial Guard barracks and raise troops under the Crown Prince’s name to cleanse the court!”

This is extremely dangerous—the Crown Prince would be openly rebelling, with undeniable evidence.

If the Emperor still lives and raises his voice, his founding authority would instantly turn the Imperial Guard against the Crown Prince—and the Crown Prince would be executed…

But Fang Xing was certain the Emperor was dead. That was the advantage of holding the winning hand, of seeing the future.

A guaranteed win demands a full bet.

“Even if there is a decree to depose me, it will be a forged edict—I will not recognize it. And I can use this moment to purge the harem and the court.”

As Fang Xing pondered, Eunuch Ma entered, bowed: “Your Highness, the palace has sent an envoy.”

“I shall go at once.”

Fang Xing set down the scroll and noticed a faint unease on Eunuch Ma’s face.

Clearly, a messenger arriving in the dead of night meant something dire had happened.

Perhaps… the Crown Prince was to be deposed?

Fang Xing smiled and stepped out of the study.

Soon, all those in the Crown Prince’s household had gathered.

Besides the Crown Princess, there were Captain Zhao Hu and others from the palace guard.

Especially Zhao Hu—he had been recommended to the Crown Prince’s household by the late Marquis of Ying. Loyal, brave, and steadfast—he was a true diehard of the Crown Prince.

If the Crown Prince rebelled, this man would follow.

After all, with the Crown Prince’s legitimacy and support from the maternal relatives, maintaining a few loyal assassins was no great challenge.

Fang Xing glanced at the arriving squad leaders and saw their armor and weapons fully prepared—he nodded inwardly.

Arriving at the main hall, he saw the envoy was none other than Eunuch Su, who served the Emperor personally.

“Eunuch Su, what is the imperial decree?”

Fang Xing frowned and asked.

“There is an edict: the Crown Prince is to enter the palace,” Eunuch Su replied, his demeanor noticeably better than in recent days—but Fang Xing’s heightened senses detected a deep, hidden fear and anxiety.

“No context, no explanation… whose decree? What has happened?”

Fang Xing feigned shock and anger.

Eunuch Su gazed deeply at Fang Xing, feeling fate still favored him, and remembering that the Crown Prince would eventually ascend—he broke his orders and revealed a fragment: “The Empress Dowager’s verbal order: the Emperor’s health has deteriorated. The Crown Prince is summoned to attend to him.”

Beyond that, he would say nothing—even under torture.

“This…”

Fang Xing appeared startled, then clenched his teeth: “If the Emperor is ill, as his subject, I must go… Where are the East Palace Guards?”

“Your Highness, give your command.”

Zhao Hu immediately knelt.

“Muster the East Palace Guards—one squad to remain at the Crown Prince’s residence; the other four, follow me!”

Fang Xing gritted his teeth.

!

To outsiders, this was pure recklessness—if the Emperor learned of it later, punishment would be severe, perhaps even deposition.

But Eunuch Su looked up in astonishment, saying nothing—instead, he sighed inwardly: ‘At this critical moment, the Crown Prince displays such courage—he bears the Emperor’s spirit… truly, a dragon’s offspring!’

Going to the palace did not guarantee safety.

There might be an ambush at the Xuanwu Gate, waiting to kill him at the gate.

Even if not, once inside the deep palace, a few eunuchs or maids could easily kill him.

Han Xin and Ao Bai must be weeping…

Fang Xing was not truly afraid, but he did not wish to reveal his extraordinary nature—this was his greatest trump card, and must remain hidden.

Thus, he chose to bring most of the East Palace Guards.

At the very least, he must control one palace gate route—otherwise, if trouble struck, he’d have nowhere to flee.

Though the likelihood was low, it could not be ignored.

Soon, under the worried gazes of Lady Sun and the other women, the Crown Prince’s procession set out, slowly heading toward the palace gate.

…

Prince Tai’s mansion.

“Your Highness, Your Highness…”

Prince Tai Li Ruzhang was roused from sleep, irritable and nearly kicked the servant to death: “What’s happened?”

“Master Wu arrived in the night—he says our people have noticed unusual activity at the Crown Prince’s residence.”

The servant, knowing Prince Tai’s temper, hurriedly reported.

“Unusual activity by the Crown Prince? To the study—immediately!”

Prince Tai hastily dressed and entered the study, where he found Master Wu: “Master, you’ve worked hard—I’ve ordered ginseng soup to be brought—have some first…”

“Your Highness…”

Master Wu, usually composed and elegant, now appeared frantic: “The Crown Prince’s procession is heading toward the palace gate. The palace gates are locked at night—something major must have happened!”

“What?”

Prince Tai dropped his golden bowl: “The palace… what has happened in the palace?”

The palace enforced strict curfew—gates locked at night, not reopened until dawn.

Moreover, though the princely mansions had tried to plant spies within the palace, the dynasty was newly founded, still brimming with vigor—not yet riddled with corruption. The Embroidered Uniform Guard watched closely; no noble or minister dared overreach.

Especially when placing agents in critical posts—discovery meant death for the entire family.

The most they could manage was placing people in procurement roles, and even then, they dared not relay highly secret information—only guessing broadly from daily palace expenditures.

“What… what should I do?”

Prince Tai’s face turned pale. In the candlelight, he looked like an ordinary young man—dark circles under his eyes, no trace of majesty or martial brilliance.

"The urgent matter now is to determine what has happened in the palace... Judging by the current situation, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor must have met with misfortune..."

Otherwise, even if an Imperial Consort or an Imperial Prince died suddenly, it would never warrant disturbing the Crown Prince in the dead of night.

"My imperial grandmother is in good health, and my father has always been robust... How, how could it have come to this?"

Prince Tai’s voice trembled with tears; a dread premonition gripped him.

"Yes... too sudden, too sudden."

Master Wu felt bitterness in his heart—he had assumed the Emperor still had decades to live, hence he devised a slow, patient strategy. Who could have foreseen the Emperor would suddenly collapse?

"Could this be Heaven’s will?"

"No... Heaven’s will must still be shaped by man. I will... defy Heaven and alter fate!"

Master Wu paced swiftly, then said: "Now, there are three strategies—upper, middle, and lower. The upper strategy is to enter the palace immediately. Your Majesty’s mother is an Imperial Consort; if you can persuade the Empress Dowager to change the heir, the matter will be settled."

Prince Tai’s mother came from noble stock; in the absence of an Empress, she already controlled most of the palace’s power. If they fought to the death, there was still a chance.

"My father is blessed by Heaven—he may not be dead. What is the middle strategy?"

Prince Tai shrank back slightly.

If his father was still alive, such an act would be treason—he would be imprisoned for life even if he escaped execution.

"The middle strategy is to hold your ground and wait to see how Heaven’s will unfolds."

"Your Majesty and the Crown Prince are brothers. Though there have been tensions before, they never reached the point of irreconcilable enmity. If it truly comes to that, a humble plea for forgiveness may still spare you a life of wealth and ease."

Master Wu said: "Moreover, if Your Majesty is destined by Heaven, tonight might even be the night the Crown Prince’s palace is seized..."

(End of Chapter)