Chapter 126

Chapter 126: Poison Powder After receiving word that they were to return victorious to court, Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng made their preparations to return to the capital. Once General Xiang Haijun of Northwest Fortress-City learned that they were leaving, he specially prepared a feast to see them off. At the banquet, Xiang Haijun raised his cup and said to Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng, “This time, it is all thanks to the two of you coming to Northwest Fortress-City. Otherwise, I fear this border frontier would have been left devastated, with countless lives lost. I cannot put into words how much I admire you both. I offer this humble cup of wine to see you off. May the two of you have splendid prospects ahead and find success in all you do.” Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng replied, “The fact that Northwest Fortress-City has been able to hold out until now is because of all of you. Having generals like you guarding the border frontier is a blessing for Dayi. We should be the ones expressing our admiration for you.” That night, everyone got drunk. The feelings of sharing a battlefront and fighting side by side could not be understood without experiencing them firsthand. The soldiers, Ling Jiayue, and the others all drank until they were completely intoxicated. The next morning, Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng set out for the capital. They had more important matters to attend to upon their return. After many days of traveling, Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng were finally about to reach the capital. Meanwhile, after learning that Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng were returning, the Third Prince in the capital was so furious that he smashed everything within reach that could be smashed. Just then, the Third Prince received word from the black-clad agent that Chu Chaoci wished to meet with him in three days. Upon receiving the news, the Third Prince revealed a cold smile. Ever since he had been secretly drugged, Mu Yuyang had become increasingly deranged. He muttered to himself, “Ling Jiayue, Mu Yuheng, don’t think that returning to the capital means everything will be fine. I will certainly prepare a grand ‘surprise’ for you.” Feng Yu watched Mu Yuyang’s crazed appearance from the side and could not help sighing deeply. He thought to himself: Third Prince, if you had not insisted on colluding with the enemy and betraying the nation, how would you have ended up like this? However, Feng Yu merely sighed secretly at the side. The Third Prince had no idea what he was thinking. The Third Prince instructed Feng Yu, “Feng Yu, in three days I am going to meet with the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom. Come with me. With you accompanying me, I will feel at ease.” After speaking, the Third Prince glanced at Feng Yu. The look in his eyes was truly icy. Seeing that cold gaze, Feng Yu merely answered, “Yes,” and quietly lowered his head. Three days later, the Third Prince, Mu Yuyang, led Feng Yu to a private room at the inn. As soon as the innkeeper saw the Third Prince arrive, he immediately went forward to greet him respectfully. “Oh, Third Prince, would you like a private room today as well?” “Yes. The usual room will do,” the Third Prince said coldly. The innkeeper immediately called for a waiter to lead the Third Prince to the private room. The Third Prince went upstairs, and when Feng Yu saw him go up, he did not dare delay and followed after him. When the door to the private room opened, Chu Chaoci was already waiting inside. Chu Chaoci gestured for him to sit, and the Third Prince dropped himself into a seat without ceremony. Unhurriedly, Chu Chaoci poured the Third Prince a cup of tea, picked it up, and handed it to him. The Third Prince accepted the cup and said, “The Sovereign of Ye Kingdom did not invite me here merely to drink tea, did he?” Chu Chaoci lazily took a sip of tea and said blandly, “Naturally not. I heard that the campaign in the Northwest border frontier ended in a great victory, and that Mu Yuheng and Ling Jiayue are returning. So I came here especially to see you and ask what you think, Third Prince.” The Third Prince snorted coldly. “What can I think? With them back, it will be even harder to make a move. Presumably, that is not a sight the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom wishes to see either.” “Third Prince, you understand me. Neither of us wants to see Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng return alive. Should we not take action, then? Are we simply to watch them come back? Third Prince, you are in Dayi. Dayi already has the Emperor and the Crown Prince—and now Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng, who are returning with military achievements.” Chu Chaoci paused, then continued, “Once the two of them return, you will have no foothold in court whatsoever. You have deep-seated grievances with them, and now they will likely not tolerate you either.” After saying this, Chu Chaoci studied Mu Yuyang with his eyes. Having heard those words, Mu Yuyang felt as though every sentence were stabbing directly into his heart. He shouted angrily, “Even if I am in a disadvantageous position, I absolutely will not allow them to rise above me!” A faint smile appeared at the corner of Chu Chaoci’s lips. “What lofty aspirations, Third Prince. If Dayi were placed in the hands of someone like you, it would surely become even richer and stronger. I have an excellent plan. If you dare carry it out, Dayi will be yours for the taking.” Hearing this, the Third Prince asked curiously, “What plan does the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom have? If it can help me eliminate Ling Jiayue and the others and seize the throne, I will be immensely grateful.” Chu Chaoci sneered inwardly: A mere clown, yet he dares indulge in such delusions. Still, Chu Chaoci needed this clown to do his bidding, so he continued to entice him. “I have heard that at the welcome banquet for Dayi’s returning generals, the Emperor accepts toasts from the generals.” “That is true. What of it?” The Third Prince naturally knew this, but he did not understand what it had to do with his ascending the throne, so he asked curiously. “I have a bottle of poison powder here. Mix it into the wine that Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuyang offer to the Emperor. Once the poison takes effect, Dayi’s Emperor will lose consciousness and appear to be dead. At that time, Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng will be the murderers who plotted against the Emperor, and the Crown Prince will not escape involvement either. You will then be able to clear away every obstacle and ascend the throne.” Chu Chaoci paused, then continued, “At that point, all I need to do is give you the antidote. Once you awaken the Emperor, you will become the most loyal and filial son in his heart. Wouldn’t taking the throne of Dayi then be as easy as reaching into your pocket?” Chu Chaoci spoke slowly and deliberately. When the Third Prince, Mu Yuyang, heard this, he was immediately seized by fear. He had only wanted Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng dead; he had never considered plotting against his Imperial Father. To do so would make him disloyal, unfilial, inhumane, and unrighteous. Even if he ascended the throne, how could he win the people’s support? As though he had seen Mu Yuyang’s hesitation and worry, Chu Chaoci continued to manipulate him. “The ones plotting against the sovereign are Ling Jiayue, Mu Yuheng, and the Crown Prince. Third Prince, you are merely eliminating these traitors. If you ascend the throne, the people will love and respect you, because you will be the wise sovereign who rid the nation of its traitors.” Feng Yu listened from the side, his heart filled with dread. He had never imagined that the imperial family could be so terrifying. Was the Dragon Throne truly that important? Yet when he looked at the Third Prince’s expression, it seemed that Chu Chaoci had convinced him. After finishing his words, Chu Chaoci did not hurry him. He simply waited quietly for the Third Prince to decide. At last, the Third Prince appeared to have made up his mind. “Fine.” Hearing the Third Prince agree, Chu Chaoci smiled and pressed the poison powder into his hand. “Then I shall await good news from the Third Prince.” After saying this, Chu Chaoci rose and left. The Third Prince clutched the poison powder in his hand, his expression dazed. At last, his gaze hardened, as though he had finally made his decision. He tucked the poison powder away and returned. Feng Yu followed behind the Third Prince the entire way back to the Third Prince’s Residence. However, he still seized an opportunity to report the matter to the Crown Prince.