Chapter 22 The Crown Prince Also Wants to Be Self-Willed

In another direction from the Celestial Prison, others were closely monitoring the standoff.

A youth clad in purple robes was gnawing on a bone with meat still clinging to it. A burly man hurried over, bowed with his fists cupped, and said, "Your Highness, Yang Zhan’s strength is far too formidable!"

The youth in silk did not even look up. He finished the meat on the bone before asking, "How strong?"

"Three first-rank masters were no match for him at all. Even his subordinates are second-rank warriors."

The youth in silk remained calm. "Did you think he could become the War God of our Great Xia without true strength? He is a powerhouse who stood his ground against the Barbarian Emperor and walked away unscathed!"

After speaking, he set down the clean bone. "Sending them was merely to test Yang Zhan's strength. However, the fact that even his subordinates are so capable is quite a surprise."

The youth stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the Celestial Prison amidst the reflective, snow-covered landscape. His eyes narrowed. "Father is unwilling to act personally, yet he has tasked me with this. Master Zhang, what do you think is the reason?"

A middle-aged man sitting nearby, who had remained silent until now, offered a faint smile. "His Majesty’s health is failing, and he has entrusted state affairs to you rather than the Crown Prince. Do you not yet grasp the implication, Your Highness?"

The youth looked at him. "What does that have to do with Yang Zhan?"

"Yang Zhan holds immense prestige in the military; he is the War God in the hearts of countless Great Xia citizens and the uncrowned king of the Northern Frontier. His Majesty is unwilling to bear the stain of executing a meritorious hero."

"So, I am to bear it instead?" The youth’s expression darkened.

The middle-aged man chuckled. "The Crown Prince has suddenly grown close to Yang Zhan..."

The youth interrupted him. "Do you think I truly care about their sudden closeness? Yang Zhan’s military prestige is too high, Father’s health is poor, and Yang Zhan’s ties to the Prince of Martial Arts are ambiguous. If something were to happen to Father... who could suppress him? Regardless, Yang Zhan must not leave the Imperial Capital alive!"

"Actually, His Majesty has further considerations in doing this."

"What considerations?"

"This is also a test for you, Your Highness. If you cannot deal with Yang Zhan, His Majesty will likely reconsider deposing the Crown Prince. If you succeed, it proves you possess the courage and methods to keep the Great Xia empire stable." The man looked at the youth intently. "If I am not mistaken, His Majesty is currently observing every movement here."

The youth laughed. "Father loves to set puzzles. The problem is, I am forced to solve them. The old man just loves to be mysterious."

The middle-aged man’s expression turned serious. "After all, Yang Zhan has guarded the north for over a decade. Having risen from a mere foot soldier, he enjoys high renown among the military and the common people alike—even the scholars hold him in high regard." He looked at the youth. "Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, you must not act openly, or you will face much backlash in the future."

The youth nodded. "I need no reminder of that. My father is unwilling to bear the shame of killing a hero, and I am no different. However, he must die—just not by the hands of the Imperial Court!"

The man nodded in satisfaction. "That is the right approach. But the army cannot be used, and the Imperial Palace experts cannot be used. That is the true test His Majesty has set for you."

The youth laughed. "Beyond the Imperial Court, there is still the martial world!"

The middle-aged man smiled. "Your Highness is wise!"

This was Yang Jin, the Third Prince, currently the most prominent figure in the Great Xia Dynasty. With the Emperor’s health failing, the Third Prince had been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of overseeing the state.

The Third Prince looked at Zhang Wuxiang. "Since this is a matter for the martial world, it should be handled by people of the martial world. Now that Yang Zhan’s strength has been gauged, Master Zhang, it is time for you to make the arrangements."

Zhang Wuxiang bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Highness!"

The Third Prince looked toward the distant prison. "Whether your alliance with the Crown Prince is real or feigned, you cannot be allowed to live. Otherwise, how can I ever be at ease?"

***

At the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Yang Xing sat by the hearth, his pale complexion flushed by the heat. The Crown Princess, Yu Shu, entered.

Yang Xing turned his head. "They have made their move."

Yu Shu nodded. "I have heard. Yang Zhan is truly worthy of being the Great Xia War God—he is invincible!"

Yang Xing shook his head. "The fact that they dispatched so many experts on the first attempt shows how much they fear him. This was merely a probe."

"A probe?"

"Yes. They still do not truly know how strong Yang Zhan is."

"They used three first-rank warriors for a probe; they certainly hold him in high regard."

Yang Xing smiled. "Yet, Yang Zhan must have shocked everyone. Three first-rank warriors defeated so cleanly, and even his subordinates are incredibly capable!"

Yu Shu said worriedly, "If they have probed his strength, the next wave will likely be even stronger. Even if he can withstand a few waves, he is ultimately alone. I fear..."

Yang Xing leaned back in his chair, hands interlaced. He said softly, "Then tell me, why do you think Yang Zhan does not leave the capital secretly?"

Yu Shu was stunned. "Indeed, why? If he wanted to leave, no one could stop him."

Though frail, Yang Xing’s eyes were bright. "Because if he fled the capital, he would be a defector. Would he be willing to live under an assumed name? If he could retire honorably, perhaps, but he is not a man who would skulk in the shadows. He refuses!"

He narrowed his eyes. "Therefore, he must leave the capital openly, even with an Imperial decree!"

"How could that ever happen?" Yu Shu was astonished.

Yang Xing took a deep breath. "Of all the heroes of past and present, he is the only one I admire."

"But it is impossible. Why would His Majesty issue such a decree?"

Yang Xing closed his eyes. "My father’s intentions are deep and unfathomable. Until the very last moment, no one can know."

Yu Shu frowned. "Who do you think sent these people today? The Fenglin Kingdom? Or someone else?"

"Not Fenglin. If they had infiltrated so many experts, our Nine Provinces Hall would be useless."

"Could it be... His Majesty?"

Yang Xing shook his head. "Father refuses to act personally to avoid the label of killing a meritorious hero. If he were to act, it would not be a mere probe."

"Could it be..."

Yang Xing laughed. "Besides my third brother, who wants to prove his worth and show off his methods and resolve, who else could it be?"

Yu Shu sighed. "In that case, we have actually harmed Yang Zhan by sending Green Willow and myself."

Yang Xing shook his head. "It has nothing to do with us. No matter what we do, it will not change the outcome." He then called out, "Chen Shu!"

"I am here, Your Highness!" Chen Shu replied from outside the door.

"Tomorrow, select guards from the Eastern Palace and go to the Celestial Prison to assist Yang Zhan!"

"As you command, Your Highness!"

Yu Shu stared at Yang Xing for a long time, then suddenly smiled. "Your Highness, if you do this, His Majesty will not be pleased."

"In the last two days, I have come to a realization."

Yu Shu was startled. "What do you mean?"

"If I am not to be the Crown Prince, so be it. Being one is stifling anyway. Now that I’ve let go, I have fewer scruples. Yang Zhan has saved us; he is in danger. As long as I am still the Crown Prince, I will help him. Even if it is ultimately in vain, I will have a clear conscience."

Yu Shu’s eyes turned red. She took his hand. "Yes, let it be. I never wanted to be Empress anyway—it is too tiring."

"Hehe... since you say so, I have even fewer worries. By the way, I heard the Internal Affairs Department is withholding the monthly stipends of the prison guards, leading to disputes. Tomorrow, take my seal and go to the Internal Affairs Department. Give them double the pay, and bring the leader of those who caused the trouble to me to answer for their crimes!"

Yu Shu said helplessly, "Your Highness, times are different now. Can I still command them?"

Yang Xing smiled. "I am still the Crown Prince, and you are the Crown Princess. Can we not discipline a few eunuchs? If they refuse to listen, behead them!"

Hearing the final sentence, Yu Shu’s brows arched, her eyes bright. "Your Highness, I think you look like a real Crown Prince now."

Yang Xing stretched, feeling quite content. "After years of being a cautious, stifled Crown Prince, in the end, I would like to be a bit willful!"

"Very well, I shall go. I will ensure the prestige of the Eastern Palace is felt!"