Words must be startling, or they are better left unsaid!
Cui Xichen grew more and more agitated as he spoke, while his mind grew increasingly clear.
It was as if a scroll were slowly unfurling before his eyes, telling him a story that had been hidden for many years.
He was utterly certain that what he had said was the truth.
"When the Former Emperor was young, he was already close to your eldest son. They were not brothers, but confidants. They slept and studied together, and cultivated the Martial Path together. Even the plaque for the Library Pavilion your eldest son used was personally written by the Former Emperor when he was still the Crown Prince. Everyone in Tiandu City knew about this.
"Because he spent so much time fooling around at your residence, the two of you became close as well. He treated you as an uncle, and you treated him as a nephew. Unfortunately, good times never last. After the Former Emperor ascended the throne, he repeatedly executed your subordinates and stripped you of your Military and Imperial Power, causing your relationship to grow increasingly tense and hostile. What ruler would like a minister who commanded massive forces and was arrogant and unruly?"
"Going from being as close as family to becoming mortal enemies—everything had a reason, and it all seemed perfectly logical. Your relationship with the Former Emperor grew more and more distant. Your eldest son even severed ties with him, and the Former Emperor did not set foot in your residence for more than a decade. Some watched coldly from the sidelines, while others kicked you when you were down. But the empire's foremost military man, who commanded a million troops, being at odds with the ruler was something everyone was happy to see.
"The