Overhearing the Full Story

As he spoke, Zhao Hongming cast a glance at Wang Bao behind him.

The eunuch Wang Bao understood at once and took a silver ingot from his sleeve, offering it forward.

Jiang Guanfu hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you mustn't, you mustn't."

He repeatedly declined, unwilling to accept no matter how Zhao Hongming tried to persuade him.

"Your Highness, there is not much to note, really. In a few days, the Empress will invite Huo Family Miss to the palace for a small gathering. At that time, Fifth Prince only needs to dress himself properly and attend. Also, prepare some more Fashionable Entertainment, so the two of you will not run out of things to say when alone together."

"So that is how it is. Thank you for informing me, Eunuch."

"Now that the message has been delivered, this servant shall not linger any longer."

"Take care, Eunuch."

After Jiang Guanfu left, he muttered to himself, "They all say Fifth Prince lives in straitened circumstances. Seeing it today, it truly is so."

Generally speaking, when he visited the residences of the other princes, setting aside precious items such as heavenly treasures, he would at least receive Martial Dao pills like Qi and Blood Pills.

Yet at Fifth Prince's place, there was only silver.

Within the Imperial Palace, he was now considered one of the Empress's favored men and was no longer short on silver. There was no need to offend someone over such Small Money.

They were Imperial Family, after all, and some face had to be given. So he simply chose not to accept the silver.

After Jiang Guanfu departed, Zhao Hongming pondered for a moment but did not take the matter to heart.

He planned to go listen at the Empress's wall again that night.

He would see whether he could find any useful intelligence or clues before deciding how to respond in the future.

In truth, he did not oppose a Marriage Arrangement.

When men came of age, they married; when women came of age, they wed. It was only natural and right.

There was no need to avoid it as though it were snakes and scorpions.

So long as the other party's temperament and appearance suited his tastes, and she could be trusted in the future, he could become Husband and Wife with her.

Moreover, now that he had the status of a prince, even if he wanted to remain single and devote himself wholeheartedly to Martial Dao, those beneath him might not agree.

If he later gathered a great many followers, having no Heir would become a Hidden Danger. It might even leave the group divided in heart and virtue, dealing a fatal blow.

Therefore, Zhao Hongming felt that he would probably marry in the future, though whether it would be this daughter of the Huo family was another matter.

Zhao Hongming casually arranged a few Miscellaneous Affairs, then returned to his bedroom to cultivate in earnest.

Seeing how diligently their prince devoted himself to cultivation, Chang Wubing and Wang Bao exchanged glances, both unable to keep from worrying.

They had noticed that ever since His Highness had been injured last time, he had thrown himself wholly into cultivation. He even attended the Imperial Academy less and less, seeming rather like he had begun to Give up on oneself.

Zhao Hongming did not know what his two Subordinates were thinking. Even if he had known, he would not have cared.

He was certain that through unyielding effort, he would steadily achieve his goal.

That was a fact no one could change.

That evening.

Zhao Hongming brought a dish of Peanuts and some Snacks to Kunning Palace.

He tucked himself into the shadows, placed the Snacks he had brought on the ground, sat Cross-legged, then silently focused his attention.

Having already reached Aperture Opening Fifth Rank, coupled with the Eight Desolations Eternal Youth Technique's enhancement of his Divine Soul, he could hear everything clearly even from some distance away from those inside the palace.

His luck was good today. The Crown Prince was still in the palace and was speaking privately with the Empress.

After chatting idly for quite some time, the two finally turned to matters concerning him.

"I heard that Mother Empress intends to match Fifth Brother with the Eldest Daughter of the Huo Family?" The Crown Prince's deep, powerful voice sounded within Kunning Palace. "Fifth Brother holds no power among the Princes. If he gains the Huo Family's Support, would that not give him the confidence to Contend for the throne? What profound meaning lies behind Mother Empress's arrangement?"

"Crown Prince, are you questioning This Prince's Actions?" Great Wei Empress Tu Lihua's tone seemed steeped in deep disappointment.

"I would not dare."

Outside, Zhao Hongming could still hear plenty of resentment in his Elder Brother's tone.

"Before coming here, did Crown Prince inform Zhou Bochuan, Zhou Zhan Shi, of this matter?"

"Not yet."

Empress Tu Lihua seemed to sigh helplessly. "If This Prince wished for the Huo Family to support your Fifth Brother, I could simply Bestow Marriage upon them. Why go through such troublesome lengths? Could Crown Prince not even think through this layer?"

Joy suddenly entered the Crown Prince's voice, as though some heavy burden in his heart had been lifted. "I ask Mother Empress to enlighten me."

"Think about it. The daughter of the Huo family is proud and arrogant—how could she possibly take a liking to your Fifth Brother? This is merely your Father Emperor's Compromise Plan to appease the Huo Family."

"Oh?"

"Fifth Prince Lost mother when he was young and had no one to care for him. He will soon be Fourteen years old, yet no one has paid attention to his Marriage Matters. That is This Prince's failure in duty, so it is time to Look for a suitable Daughter of a wealthy and noble family for him. As for whether it succeeds and how he pursues her, that is his own matter. So long as the Imperial Family makes its stance clear, the Huo Family will surely understand."

"Crown Prince, do you understand now?"

"This son understands. These are Troubled times, and stability must come first in all things. Father Emperor is using Fifth Brother to numb the Huo Family, making them believe that our Zhao Clan does not dare Make a move against them. By showing weakness to the enemy, the Huo Family will not develop a Restless heart. Once this period has passed, the day will come when we exhaust the map and reveal the dagger against the Huo Family."

"That is the reasoning."

"But what if Fifth Brother refuses to bow his head and pursue the daughter of the Huo family?"

"Then threaten and tempt him, force him to do it. As a Royal Scion, he must bear some responsibility."

"Then Fifth Brother is rather pitiful, becoming a tool for nothing."

"Crown Prince, it is certainly good that you possess a compassionate heart, but for one who holds the reins, it is fatal. Though Fifth Prince has no court officials watching him and no support from Martial Arts Forces, as long as you have not ascended the throne, he remains your competitor. If you show him mercy, you are being cruel to yourself."

"Mother Empress's lesson is correct. This son will remember it."

Outside the palace, Zhao Hongming picked up a peanut from the dish, put it into his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

He had also brought a bottle of rice wine and took a sip along the way.

Just as he had expected.

This matter was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Listening closely, the Empress's methods were indeed formidable. She had cast him bait laced with poison.

Great General Huo, Huo Yu, was now at Innate Fifth Rank. The Huo Family behind the Eastern Army wielded no small influence in court.

If it had been his former self, before cultivating Martial Dao, desperately wanting to change his circumstances, he definitely would not have let such a rare opportunity slip away.

Even if he had to cling and pester without shame, he would have wanted to forge ties with the Huo Family.

And that would have meant swallowing the Empress's bait.

Because the Huo Family had already been targeted by the Jian'an Emperor, and they could not avoid being reined in or even subjected to force.

When that time came, after giving everything he had, he would once again be left with nothing. Like drawing water with a bamboo basket, it would all come to naught, and he would return to square one.

This was an overt stratagem laid bare upon the table.

Zhao Hongming could not help sighing inwardly. He had clearly worked so hard to reduce his presence.

Yet within this imperial court, though the tree wished to be still, the wind would not cease.

I only want to cultivate quietly. Why must all of you force me?

Zhao Hongming knew that with his identity as a prince, he would never have peace and quiet.

What was even more helpless was that he appeared to have neither roots nor backing, making him the easiest target among all the princes.

He still needed to find a way to Leave the Palace as soon as possible.

Once he could Establish a Manor and Bestow a King Title, he would no longer need to suffer this foul treatment.

Zhao Hongming gathered the Snacks from the ground, tipped his head back and drained a flask of wine, then his figure vanished into the distance.

Please recommend and keep reading~