mesbooks Chapter 175 Bound by Shared Interests
Chapter 175 Bound by Shared Interests
"Mother...Mother...Is it true that as long as I become emperor, I can trample all those hateful people under my feet, and then you will get better? Right?" Yuan Qian cried out with tears streaming down his face and his voice choked with sobs, as if he was trying his best to grasp the last glimmer of hope that could save his mother's life.
Consort Xiao's face was as pale as paper, and she coughed violently, each cough like a heavy hammer pounding on Yuan Qian's heart: "Cough cough... cough cough cough... child, don't... don't do anything foolish! The emperor... the emperor is not omnipotent."
Her seemingly random words surprised Yuan Qian, but at that moment he couldn't care less about anything else; all he could think about was how to save his mother.
As dusk fell, the setting sun, like blood, cast a poignant and beautiful light.
Yuan Qian walked slowly out of the palace, looking utterly dejected, like a walking corpse.
He walked alone on that dark and secluded palace path, his hands clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain.
He never had any ambition to vie for the throne; he only hoped to be a carefree and leisurely prince.
Once he receives a title, he can take his mother to his fiefdom and live a peaceful and tranquil life, free from worldly strife.
However, fate is always so cruel, and now even this small wish has become unattainable.
Not long ago, the imperial physician solemnly told Yuan Qian that his mother's health had already depleted to the extreme, and her vital energy was severely damaged. He feared that she would not be able to survive the coming winter months.
This news was like a bolt from the blue, instantly crushing Yuan Qian.
He simply couldn't accept that his mother was leaving him before he could even take her away from this cold and heartless palace.
Is God going to cruelly deprive us even of this last bit of warmth?
After leaving the palace, he returned to his residence with a heavy heart, tossing and turning all night, unable to fall asleep.
Moonlight streamed through the window onto the bed, but it couldn't illuminate the gloom in his heart.
It wasn't until the first light of dawn appeared in the east that he finally made up his mind. He hurriedly got up, ground ink, and wrote a secret letter to the residence of Minister of Revenue, Xiao.
It turns out that he harbored a shocking conspiracy—to use the powerful Xiao family to overthrow the current crown prince and ascend to the throne that did not belong to him.
However, the Xiao family members were all surprised when they received the letter.
Recalling the last time we met, it ended badly, and it's really puzzling why he would change his mind so abruptly.
At this time, the Xiao family had already planned to send their charming daughter into the palace to consolidate their family's position.
But now, supporting one more person is not a difficult task for the powerful Xiao family.
After all, the Xiao family cannot be allowed to fall easily.
What's puzzling is why Prince Rui suddenly changed his mind.
Just as the head of the Xiao family was deep in thought, he couldn't help but sigh, "It seems that no one can truly remain indifferent to the throne!"
In fact, if it weren't for his own limitations, he himself would have coveted that incomparably noble dragon throne!
Now that Prince Rui has ignited his burning ambition to seize the throne, things have become much simpler.
If you help Prince Rui successfully ascend to the throne, you can then send your daughter to the palace to be crowned empress, and you yourself can naturally become a regent or the emperor's brother-in-law, which is a wonderful thing.
Thinking of this, a smug smile gradually appeared on the face of the Xiao family head...
"Your Highness..." Minister Xiao frowned slightly, pondering this Crown Prince in his heart.
To be honest, the Crown Prince himself was not a difficult person to deal with. What really troubled him was the towering General's Mansion behind the Crown Prince!
Although the veteran general, who had distinguished himself in battle, had retired from the military, the military power he held was still considerable.
Although the imperial court had taken back most of the military power, the remaining portion was still firmly in the hands of the old general.
Such a massive military force, even if it is only a small part of it, is enough to make anyone dare not underestimate it.
However, the current emperor has long intended to depose the crown prince.
Unfortunately, due to the intimidating military power of the General's Mansion, no action has been taken.
Otherwise, the position of Crown Prince would probably have changed hands long ago, and it would have been the Xiao family's turn to take the stage.
Minister Xiao knew the crux of the matter: if he wanted to completely eliminate the Crown Prince, he had to first uproot the power behind him.
However, it remains unknown whether there are other hidden hostile forces besides the General's Mansion.
For this reason, Minister Xiao pondered for a long time and finally quickly drafted a detailed plan.
Meanwhile, Prince Rui, Yuan Qian, who was in another residence in the capital, also received a reply from the Xiao family.
Every word in the letter revealed the Xiao family's unwavering support for Yuan Qian.
However, the words also imply, either explicitly or implicitly, that if the Emperor were to ascend to the supreme throne one day, it would be only natural for him to marry a daughter of the Xiao family as his empress.
"Hehe... What an insatiable Xiao family! They are truly extraordinary."
Prince Rui, Yuan Qian, raised the corners of his mouth slightly and let out a cold laugh.
He stretched out his right hand and gently pinched the thin sheet of paper between his index and middle fingers, as if the paper were as heavy as a thousand-pound burden.
A subtle, cold glint flashed in his deep eyes.
Yuan Qian's hands clenched tightly without his notice, and his knuckles turned white from the excessive force.
Recalling the time when his mother warned him that the Xiao family harbored treacherous intentions and had ulterior motives, he had surprisingly disregarded it.
At that time, he naively thought that his uncle was a relative who had watched him grow up, so how could he not care about that deep family affection?
However, when he actually faced such a situation, he suddenly realized that so-called family ties were so vulnerable in the face of power and interests.
It's just a mere empress's position. Since the Xiao family is so eager for it, let's just give it to them.
Yuan Qian thought to himself: The Xiao family simply wants to take advantage of this opportunity to rise to prominence and achieve wealth and glory for the family.
For them, using their own abilities was clearly a safer and more reliable option than directly currying favor with the emperor who was high above them.
Thinking about this, Yuan Qian couldn't help but feel a deep sense of helplessness regarding the complexity of human nature.
Although the current situation has developed beyond his initial expectations, Yuan Qian still firmly believes that his uncle will ultimately make the wisest choice.
After all, in this treacherous court struggle, every move is a matter of life and death, and the slightest carelessness can lead to total defeat.
As the head of the Xiao family, his uncle's vision and strategy would certainly not disappoint him.
Everything seemed chaotic and disorderly, but in reality, it was all under Yuan Qian's control.