Good News and Bad News

Speaking of the second piece of news, even Xia Hong, as deeply scheming as he was and as quick to change his expression as he was, could not help showing a few traces of surprised scrutiny.

Duàn Yì's heart stirred, and he instantly understood why Xia Hong's attitude toward him had changed earlier.

The key lay in the Imperial Clan Court recognizing both his royal bloodline and his status as the Heir Apparent of the royal mansion.

For him, this was immensely good news. For Xia Hong, however, it was bad news that he had no choice but to guard against cautiously.

This must have been the handiwork of the current Crown Prince behind Chen Xing. His moves were certainly swift.

Judging by the timing, this Crown Prince had likely already begun acting before Chen Xing came to see Duàn Yì, and he had not needed Duàn Yì's nod of approval at all.

This also showed that whether Duàn Yì accepted the Crown Prince's goodwill or not, the other party intended to raise him to this position, give him greater leverage, and make him a genuine threat to Xia Hong, King of Zhenbei.

To put it bluntly, if Xia Hong were carelessly assassinated one day, Duàn Yì could simply ride the tide and ascend the throne directly. It would be reasonable, justified, and lawful, with no one able to find the slightest fault in it.

Even the old King of Zhenbei would have to pinch his nose and accept it. After all, Duàn Yì was not an outsider, but his own legitimate grandson. Their blood relation could not be faked, and there was no way to smear his inheritance rights.

With Xia Hong's intelligence, how could he fail to see that Duàn Yì now showed every sign of turning from