Chapter 0259: The Content of the Second Imperial Edict, Shen Yuan Who Draws His Sword Twice
Xie Jinyu let out a cold, faint laugh, the longsword in his hand trembling slightly from his intense emotions. “I naturally won’t tell you.”
He raised his sword and swung it, the icy glint of the blade flashing with killing intent, without the slightest hesitation. “Minister Shen, rest assured. After your passing, I will send you off with the highest funeral rites of the court. As for Second Brother, I will also provide a reasonable explanation, ensuring he is not grieved in the slightest.”
The cold blade angled toward Shen Yuan’s neck. Shen Yuan’s expression tightened as he raised his hand to block, but severe internal injuries prevented him from launching a counterattack. He could only dodge, evading the killing intent emanating from Xie Jinyu.
The sword struck a corner of the bed frame, causing the entire bed to sway precariously. Shen Yuan rolled off the bed, grabbed a wooden bowl from the table, and hurled it at the sword weaving through the air in a floral pattern, forcing it to change its trajectory.
He spoke rapidly, “Your Highness, have you considered this carefully? This life is different from the past. The Eldest Prince now holds significant power, with three thousand loyal elite troops at his side alone. He is not as easy to deal with as in the previous life. If Your Highness still wishes to secure the throne, you cannot kill me!”
Xie Jinyu’s sword paused mid-air, then pointed directly at Shen Yuan as he sneered, “I will issue an edict ordering him back to the border, never to return to the capital. If he disobeys, it will prove his treacherous intentions. What harm is there in eliminating a rebel?”
“It seems Your Highness has not seen the second imperial edict,” Shen Yuan stated confidently. “Your Highness might first verify the contents of the second edict with the Empress before making a decision.”
Xie Jinyu’s brow furrowed slightly. Having spent ten years together in their previous life, Shen Yuan knew Xie Jinyu’s temperament, and Xie Jinyu understood Shen Yuan just as well. If Shen Yuan dared to speak of it, the second edict must contain a legitimate reason for the Eldest Prince to defy the imperial order.
“Your Highness, why the rush? I am here and will not escape,” Shen Yuan said calmly, his composure easing Xie Jinyu’s agitation slightly.
Perhaps he should indeed see what the second edict contained.
Xie Shoujun was indeed a problem. In their previous life, due to the fierce battles against the Xiongnu, Xie Shoujun’s elite troops were completely wiped out. After returning to the court, he concealed his ambitions, secretly deploying private soldiers with his surviving subordinates and covertly collaborating with Hu Lai to cultivate a large number of death warriors for the Second Prince.
Now, although Xie Shoujun’s elite troops remained intact, his hatred for the royal family persisted. Allowing him to remain in the court was undoubtedly a significant threat.
Moreover, Xie Shoujun’s feelings toward Second Brother…
“I will spare your life for now. Shen Yuan, you have always known how to assess the situation. You should understand what to do,” Xie Jinyu warned, his gaze fixed on him. “Second Brother is not that person. If you dare lay a hand on him, I will not show mercy!”
Shen Yuan clasped his hands and bowed slightly, his expression unchanged. “I understand.”
Watching Xie Jinyu depart, Shen Yuan waited a moment to ensure he would not double back, then immediately rushed out of the Imperial Hospital and headed toward Cheng Huan Palace.
If he didn’t flee now, when would he ever?
Once the Crown Prince saw the contents of the second imperial edict, he would undoubtedly return to the Imperial Hospital in a rage, clamoring to kill him!
After all, what was written on that edict was—
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The universe is vast, and the principles of yin and yang are clear. As the sovereign of the realm and father to the people, I care deeply for the marriages of all living beings and seek harmony and prosperity throughout the land.
“Now there is Shen Yuan, a pillar of the state endowed with soaring talent and a heart set on serving the nation. His illustrious achievements shine like stars across the sky, and his virtue and righteousness are widely known both within and beyond the court. Additionally, there is Prince Regent Xie Chengze, a scion of imperial nobility, a phoenix among dragons. His remarkable accomplishments have earned him the myriad blessings of the people, making him a model for all officials and rulers under heaven.
We observe these two men to be like twin blossoms of masculinity, fully embodying the essence of manhood. By this decree, We specially bestow upon them the blessing of a harmonious union, hoping they will compose a long song of partnership to build the path to our Jian’an golden age.
When shall the wedding be solemnized? When shall the Crown Prince ascend the throne!
So be it!”
In Kunning Palace, Xie Jinyu clutched the imperial edict with trembling hands, his entire body shaking. After a long moment, he laughed in fury and hurled the edict to the ground. “My esteemed father truly gives me no peace even in death!”
The entire edict contained one hundred seventy characters, and aside from the mere seven words that concerned him, every other character praising his second brother grated on his eyes, infuriating him beyond measure.
Cao Qingran calmly picked up the edict from the floor. “As long as Shen Yuan and the Prince Regent marry, you can rightfully ascend the throne without facing public condemnation.”
Xie Jinyu sneered, “Since when has Her Majesty the Empress feared public condemnation?”
Cao Qingran’s hand, holding the edict, paused slightly as she looked at Xie Jinyu with surprise.
Although Xie Jinyu rarely addressed her, he usually maintained propriety by calling her “Mother Empress.” This was the first time he had called her “Her Majesty the Empress.”
Moreover, he did seem different from his usual self today—somehow…
Gloomier and more irritable, giving the impression not of a young Crown Prince with shallow experience, but of one already tempered by the storms of court politics.
But Cao Qingran didn’t mind.
She said indifferently, “After the late emperor’s funeral and burial, you shall arrange the wedding ceremony for Shen Shilang and the Prince Regent. By then, the court officials will have no grounds for objection. The Prince Regent has no interest in the throne, so you should focus on being emperor—promote the military examination top candidate and other generals, suppress the Grand Prince’s military power, and ensure you firmly hold the throne.”
As if hearing a ridiculous joke, Xie Jinyu laughed coldly in scorn. “I will never arrange their wedding!”
Cao Qingran paused. “So then?”
“Killing one of them will suffice.”
Thinking he meant to kill Shen Yuan, Cao Qingran frowned. “Shen Yuan is an irreplaceable talent. Killing him would be a waste.”
Xie Jinyu sneered, “Is that so? What exactly would be wasted?”
That you won’t be able to use him later to kill Second Brother?
The murderous intent swirling in Xie Jinyu’s eyes made Cao Qingran’s heart tremble with alarm. She involuntarily stepped back and rebuked sharply, “A minister of such importance cannot be killed so casually! If you kill Shen Yuan, you’ll be giving Xie Shoujun a legitimate excuse to rebel!”
Especially at such a sensitive time!
“Do you wish to become a tyrant by killing Shen Yuan?” Cao Qingran’s brows furrowed as she scolded sternly.
“I don’t care.”
He had already been a tyrant once; he didn’t mind being one again.
But Second Brother would certainly disapprove.
So, he could spare Shen Yuan, but the “Prince Regent”… must die.
When Shen Yuan arrived at Cheng Huan Palace, thick smoke billowed from a raging fire. Palace servants hurried to fetch water to extinguish the flames. Amid the cries of “Fire!” came several panicked, desperate wails: “The Second Prince! The Second Prince is still inside! Where are Lord Wuhen and Lord Wuji? Quickly, save His Highness!”
Shen Yuan’s composure faltered for a moment, but he quickly steadied himself.
This great fire must be the Crown Prince’s doing. If Xie Chengze is truly in Cheng Huan Palace, with the protection of Wuhen and Wuji, how could anything happen to him?
Still, just in case, Shen Yuan raised his hand to his lips and blew a strangely melodious whistle.
Moments later, two figures landed before him. Wuji’s longsword pressed against Shen Yuan’s neck as he studied him with an inscrutable gaze, “How do you know how to whistle like this?”
This was the unique whistle their master had taught them for sending messages. Those with internal strength and martial arts could hear it even from great distances.
Shen Yuan lied without changing expression, “The Prince Regent taught me.”
Then he took the initiative to ask, “Where is the Prince Regent? Is he in Cheng Huan Palace?”