However, the assassin was swinging at air! The Third Prince was not at the Blue Mountain Temple at all!
The news returned to the East Palace, and the Crown Prince was anxious inside.
“The Third Brother must have received the news and returned to the capital already!”
If he didn’t take action soon, that throne might end up in the hands of the Third Prince!
The Crown Prince urgently gathered everyone, preparing to rush to the Emperor and force him to abdicate!
The Third Prince had indeed snuck back into the capital, planning to find an opportunity to enter the palace and see the Emperor, to gauge the current situation.
But before he could take action, he caught wind that the East Palace was making a move! The Crown Prince barged in with a group of officials, clamoring to see the Emperor!
The Third Prince was afraid that if he was one step late, the throne would fall to the Crown Prince. He quickly summoned his people and broke into the palace.
Zhang Fang led over a thousand Imperial Guards to block the officials outside the Emperor’s chambers.
The Crown Prince coldly questioned Zhang Fang: “I am the Crown Prince and have not seen my father for many days. I am worried about my father’s health. Are you, Steward Zhang, obstructing me because you have something to hide?”
Zhang Fang stood straight as a bamboo, facing the Crown Prince’s accusations without bowing. He directly charged the Crown Prince with a crime: “Your Highness leads so many officials to intrude into the palace at night. Isn’t that an act of rebellion?”
“You rascal! I am concerned for my father and have come especially to see him!” The Crown Prince rebuked Zhang Fang angrily.
“If the gates of the palace are locked at the end of the hour, to intrude at night is as serious as rebellion! Your Highness and the ministers have stormed the palace at night. If that is not rebellion, are you trying to force an abdication?”
Under the bright moon, a chilling wind blew, and the flickering firelight cast shadows on Zhang Fang. His calm tone carried a pressure that was undeniable.
The Crown Prince attempted to excuse his actions, pressuring Zhang Fang to let him in to see the Emperor.
The two sides remained at a deadlock when suddenly, small snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
The snowflakes landed on Zhang Fang, whose face was as beautiful as jade, resembling an immortal descended to Earth.
Many officials were mesmerized at the sight; it must be said that Steward Zhang was indeed breathtakingly handsome!
The Third Prince finally caught up! He hurried over with a large group, panting heavily. Upon seeing the scene, he understood that the Crown Prince was blocked by Zhang Fang outside and could not enter to see the Emperor!
It was unclear whether the Third Prince owed his opportunity to Zhang Fang blocking the Crown Prince or if it was merely the enchanting scene that captivated him; whatever it was, the Third Prince found Zhang Fang quite pleasing to the eye!
The Third Prince thought quickly and pointed at the Crown Prince, angrily rebuking: “I heard that the Crown Prince leads a large number of officials to intrude into the palace at night to force our father to abdicate. I have come specifically to save him!”
The Crown Prince was amused by the Third Prince’s shamelessness and unsheathed his sword, pointing it angrily at him as he coldly scolded, “Now that things have come to this, you and I know the truth! I, along with the officials, am worried about the safety of our father and have come to seek an audience with him!”
The Third Prince unapologetically drew his sword, pointing it back at the Crown Prince. The tension in the air was thick; it felt as if battle were about to erupt at any moment, causing a great unease.
The two factions appeared poised for conflict, ready to break into a fight.
Zhang Fang calmly observed them, his voice steady as he commanded, “The Crown Prince and the Third Prince lead their ministers to intrude into the palace at night; take them down!”
The Imperial Guards received Zhang Fang’s order and immediately surrounded the Crown Prince and the Third Prince’s people.
As the two brothers prepared to engage in battle, they turned abruptly and glared angrily at Zhang Fang.
Crown Prince: “Zhang Fang, how dare you!”
Third Prince: “Zhang Fang, you scoundrel!”
Zhang Fang stood still, the firelight dancing, and the gentle snowfall creating a mesmerizing scene around him, his jade-like visage exuding an ethereal icy charm.
Damn he looks good! Damn he is charming!
Even though the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were furious, confronted with this scene and this person, they couldn’t help but restrain their tempers.
The Crown Prince suppressed his anger, maintaining his composure, and pressured Zhang Fang: “Father has not held court for over a month. I have heard that the petitions have all been handled by Steward Zhang, and he has taken charge of the palace guards. As a loyal subject, I am concerned for my father’s safety. How can you, Steward Zhang, obstruct my audience with our father with such an attitude, unless you have something to hide?”
The Third Prince was also unwilling to back down and pressed Zhang Fang: “Tonight, if we cannot see our father, it will be hard not to suspect that Steward Zhang has committed some serious disrespect against him!”
With matters now at this point, the officials behind both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince began to murmur, scrutinizing Zhang Fang with doubtful gazes.
Faced with the collective pressure, Zhang Fang remained unfazed, responding coolly: “Your Highness and the Third Prince wish to see the Emperor; why must you lead so many ministers to intrude into the palace at night? Such an act equates to a forced abdication. As the commander of the Imperial Guards, my duty is to protect His Majesty. If I offend the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, that too is part of my responsibility.”
Look at how arrogant Zhang Fang is! How infuriating!
The faces of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were ugly as they glared at Zhang Fang.
In terms of verbal sparring, they were certainly no match for Zhang Fang, as he held the moral high ground. However, they had to meet the Emperor to ascertain the outcome!
Thus, despite their anger, both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had to temper their fury and adopt a more submissive posture as they pleaded with Zhang Fang: “Steward Zhang, our father has been unavailable for over a month. All of us are worried for his wellbeing. Please, allow me a moment to see him!”
Saying this, the Crown Prince knelt before Zhang Fang and his men.
The Crown Prince’s faction knelt in unison, echoing the Crown Prince’s request to let him see the Emperor.
Seeing this, the Third Prince grit his teeth and also knelt with his people, demanding to see the Emperor together.
Zhang Fang looked down on this group of people, his finger twitching slightly, and after a moment, he finally spoke, allowing the Crown Prince and the Third Prince to follow him to see the Emperor.
The Crown Prince and the Third Prince swiftly rose to their feet, jostling to follow Zhang Fang into the Emperor’s chambers.
The Emperor lay on the dragon throne, with people continually reporting what was happening outside. He had initially feigned illness, but now he was being angered to the point of a headache by his two rebellious sons outside.
Zhang Fang let the Crown Prince and the Third Prince wait outside the sleeping quarters and directly pushed the door open to enter.
Such an action demonstrated how much trust and importance the Emperor placed in Zhang Fang! The Crown Prince and the Third Prince felt an unprecedented fear towards Zhang Fang. It was fear of power! As a close advisor to the Emperor, Zhang Fang held significant authority. Now he was reviewing petitions on behalf of the Emperor and commanded the palace guards. If Zhang Fang engaged in a factional conflict, he would determine the next Emperor’s fate!