Chapter 235: In a Difficult Position
The capital in late autumn seemed particularly quiet, especially within the deep palace.
The Imperial Consort pulled the Eighth Prince aside and instructed him earnestly, "The situation is becoming more and more unfavorable for us. The Crown Prince's sudden search of the city last time cut off many of our wings. We cannot sit idly by and wait for death. We must move faster than him."
The Eighth Prince toyed with a jade ruyi scepter and said listlessly, "Mother Consort, why must you tire yourself out so much? Being an idle prince, being granted a kingship, and raising a few more beautiful concubines-wouldn't that be wonderful? Being emperor is such a headache. Today you worry about not having silver for war, tomorrow you worry about not having silver for disaster relief."
The Imperial Consort truly hated him for his lack of ambition. "That power and those beauties-only by having power first can you have beauties! My son is no worse than that Crown Prince, so why should you be subservient to others? Right now, your Father Emperor only favors me so much because he is wary of our family's influence. If one day the Crown Prince really ascends the throne, he will surely suppress us. At that time, forget about being an idle prince, I'm afraid we won't even keep our heads!"
The Eighth Prince was impatient. "I know, I know."
The Imperial Consort: "Mother has made some moves on the Crown Princess's side. It won't be so easy for her to get pregnant. You need to hurry up on your end, too. Touch fewer of those messy women and get your official wife pregnant sooner. Your Father Emperor's birthday is approaching. Mother has found a treasure for you. Take it and give it to your Father Emperor then, to make him happy."
"There are many ways to please Father Emperor..."
"There may be many ways, but I haven't seen you act on any of them! You just cause a pile of trouble, and I have to clean up your mess every time."
"Does Mother Consort really want me to go please Father Emperor?"
"Of course."
"Fine! You're the one who said it. If I do something to please Father Emperor, don't you sing a different tune." The Eighth Prince's eyes flashed.
"If you actually know how to please your Father Emperor, Mother will be overjoyed!"
"What's so difficult about that?"
The next day, in the imperial court, the Eighth Prince suddenly volunteered to lead troops into battle. Everyone was shocked.
Everyone knew the Eighth Prince was the most famous dissolute fop among the princes. Bullying women was one thing, but leading troops into battle was a joke.
However, the Eighth Prince's mother, the Imperial Consort, came from a general's manor. The Eighth Prince had the blood of a warrior in his veins. His abnormal request to lead troops wasn't entirely inexplicable.
The Emperor was naturally pleased by the Eighth Prince's sudden change. Any son who could share his burdens was a good son. He immediately promised the Eighth Prince that he could speak up about which army he wanted to command.
Unexpectedly, the Eighth Prince opened his mouth and picked the army commanded by the Crown Prince.
Everyone was shocked once again...
Wasn't this a blatant provocation?
The Crown Prince had been leading troops in battle outside for many years. How could his subordinate generals and soldiers possibly be handed over to the Eighth Prince?
The Emperor frowned, troubled. He rejected this unreasonable request almost without thinking. "This is not appropriate... You have never led troops into battle. In Zhen's opinion, why don't you start as a deputy commander to get some practice? After you have experience, Zhen will allocate a contingent of troops for you to lead. How about that?"
"Not good!" The Eighth Prince openly disrespected the Emperor. "Father Emperor, you are not treating us equally! The Crown Prince can lead troops, so why can I only be a useless deputy commander?"
Before the Emperor could even get angry, the Crown Prince smiled, stepped forward, and spoke up for the Eighth Prince. "Since my Imperial Brother has such a sincere heart for protecting the nation, why not fulfill his wish? If he wants to manage my troops, let him manage them. Consider it training."
Although the discord between the two princes wasn't public, everyone privately understood that one mountain couldn't hold two tigers. For the Crown Prince to speak up for the Eighth Prince, and even be willing to hand over command of his own troops... what kind of game was this? Was it a feint?
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