Chapter 348 - Waiting Game (1/2)

Prince Yi frowned at his friend but did not press any further. How Zhao Chang got here was not at all important, he could use this unexpected visit to discover how things were playing out on the outside. The guards here told him nothing and despite his calm demeanor, he had been itching to know what was happening.

”What about Princess Nalan? Did anything happen with her…?” Prince Yi carefully inquired. He was certain that something should have happened by now.

Before Prince Yi got on the carriage to leave for the palace earlier in the day, he had stopped and told Tian Ji to ”look after Princess Nalan on his behalf”. He was sure Tian Ji would have understood his message and would have acted accordingly. Therefore, something should have happened on her end.

”Oh, that!” Zhao Chang said with a snort, ”I heard she actually went mad in the inner palace, she went on a rampage looking for the prison, apparently to rescue you...”

Prince Yi nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips as he listened. She behaved just as he had expected. Even though he had acted too late in executing his own plan to claim the throne, Jun Kai had also acted too late in getting rid of him, because now he was tied to a very headstrong and important Princess.

While Zou on its own was not at all a threat to Long country, if their allies got involved it could pose a big enough problem. And while those allies did not act before when Prince Rui was taken, Princess Nalan was an entirely different matter altogether.

No one of importance other than the Zou king cared for Prince Rui. There was even speculation that the allies did not get involved in the war back then because of Princess Nalan's grandfather's influence blocking the way. Apparently the old man was angry that the Zou king had chosen Prince Rui was over his older brothers, his own grandsons - because he was scared of the old man gaining too much power. Therefore, that whole situation was set up for Prince Rui to fail so the other princes could have their chance to shine.

There was also the fact that two of those allies were married to Princess Nalan's very close sisters, while they might not have cared for Prince Rui's matter, the now Queens of their own country would definitely care for their ”greatly” wronged sister. The fervor of the ”unfair” treatment of this beloved Princess in Long country may even prove enough to rile their troops anger and nothing fueled strength and boosted morale quite like unified anger.

Therefore, thanks to this new wonderful ally of his, Prince Yi's formerly inconsequent death now meant war with at least, three countries.

And while Long country troops might still have the advantage of being battle-hardened and perhaps even in numbers, they would still have their hands full fighting off three countries. In such circ.u.mstances, if any little spark of civil war should happen within the country, then the empire would be finished. Being an empire of this size and having trampled through many nations and its people in recent years, it was no secret that there was a great amount of dissatisfaction in the nation, dissatisfaction that was searching for a point of weakness to erupt through.

If the Emperor were really as smart as everyone believed him to be, then he would know this. Therefore, Jun Kai presently cannot afford his death. So Prince Yi concluded that all this was just another show of power that would go nowhere in the end, he simply had to be patient.

”...It took an entire squad of Imperial guards to subdue her. They said she even threatened to end her life if anything happened to you...” Zhao Chang continued and Prince Yi listened with casual interest anda slight smile, ”...but then the Empress-”

”The Empress? What about her?” Prince Yi interrupted, eyes widening in surprise.

Zhao Chang dismissively waved a hand and said, ”... Apparently she promised Princess Nalan that she would help you”

”She did?” Prince Yi blinkingly asked, his face lighting up a bit with a smile as his heart lurched.

”En...” Zhao Chang obliviously responded, stroking his chin with knit eyebrows in thought, ”Although I can't say whether that helped or not. I don't think that Emperor would have liked that... Also, she wa sjust been saying it just to get Princess Nalan to calm down and end the show, we can't trust her words -”

”She's not like that.” Prince Yi indignantly said with a frown.

”Who's not like what?” Zhao Chang asked, blinking in confusion.

”She's not the sort to say things casually. If she says she'll do it, then she will.” Prince Yi said with rising irritation, ”Do not in-”

Zhao Chang scoffed, ”I didn't know you two were close -”

”We're not!” Prince Yi barked, causing Zhao Chang to jump, ”Mind your words.” He warned through gritted teeth, glaring at Zhao Chang.

”I know, I was just joking...” Zhao Chang awkwardly said, ”Anyway, I get what you mean. The Lei family are always uptight about everything. My point is that even she meant those words, what can she do if that Emperor won't listen? I mean, it's not like she'll be threatening to end her life for your sake like - what?” Zhao Chang suddenly stopped and asked when he noticed Prince Yi glaring daggers at him.

Prince Yi let out a deep breath and irritatedly said, ”Why are you here?”

Zhao Chang nodded and sheepishly scratched his head, he had almost forgotten he was not here for a casual chat. He glanced up and down the hallway to ensure the coast was still clear, Lei Yong's man was looking out for him but one never knows. He then lowered his voice and asked, ”So...what is the plan?”

”Plan?” Prince Yi asked with raised eyebrows.

Zhao Chang nodded, ”En, I'm here to help.”

Prince Yi looked at him for a bit and then slightly smiled and said, ”Thank you... But there is no plan.”