The court of Southern Chu had not yet descended into chaos, but several major events had taken place in Great Liang. One of them was the death of the Grand Empress Dowager.
After receiving the news, Mei Changsu knew he could not go pay his respects before her coffin. He decided to perform a ritual in the mountains at Plum Ridge for the Grand Empress Dowager and the Chiyan Army, and would not return to Jinling for the time being.
Prince Jing, whom he had been worried about, was unexpectedly rewarded by Emperor Liang and given control of Jinling's city patrol battalion. This was good news for Prince Jing's followers, and at last, Prince Jing had stepped into the limelight.
Prince Jing's promotion infuriated both Prince Yu and the Crown Prince. But compared with Prince Yu, the Crown Prince understood better: now that Prince Yu had a new rival, it would not be long before he himself was deposed. Disheartened, he indulged in pleasure during the period of national mourning and was caught red-handed by Emperor Liang. He was confined to the Eastern Palace.
After placing the Crown Prince under house arrest, Emperor Liang also planned to formally set Prince Jing and Prince Yu against each other. Unfortunately, Prince Yu was too impatient. He summoned the ministers and demanded that Emperor Liang explain why the Crown Prince had been confined, thoroughly enraging the emperor.
Emperor Liang immediately declared the Crown Prince unfilial, stripped him of his position, and made him Prince Xian instead. At the same time, he made Prince Jing a prince of the blood, allowing him to enter the palace whenever he wished.
Prince Yu had never expected all his efforts to come to nothing, with Prince Jing benefiting instead. He was furious, but there was nothing he