Prince Jiujiang's Heir

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir, Xiao Jing, is twenty-two this year, a time of robust strength and undiminished prowess.

He possesses a handsome, rugged face with sharp, sculpted features. Years of pampered living have imbued him with a mature, reserved demeanor, a noble and imposing presence that carries the charm of a middle-aged man.

Ever since the True and False Crown Prince case broke out, he had considered Xiao Qianyu a wasted pawn. He immediately submitted a memorial to the throne proclaiming his innocence, then pushed the Heir's Consort forward as a scapegoat.

Why was he so fearless? Of course, it was because his own father was the most powerful feudal lord in the Great Xi Dynasty, enfeoffed in Jiujiang Prefecture, controlling half of the vast and fertile Jiangnan region, and commanding an army of two hundred thousand.

If he moved, more than half the Great Xi Dynasty's territory would be thrown into chaos.

For the imperial court to punish him would be to punish the Prince Jiujiang's Estate. His father was safely ensconced in the royal palace of Jiujiang Prefecture. If they weren't afraid of his father raising an army in rebellion, they could go ahead and punish him.

As expected, Emperor Yongchang didn't dare utter a peep. He lightly punished Xiao Jing with house arrest and let the matter drop.

Initially, he regretted that a pawn he had nurtured for twenty years, on the verge of yielding results, had failed at the last hurdle. But in the blink of an eye, the situation reversed. His son had become a person protected by Heaven, a favored son of Heaven chosen by destiny.

Hahaha, that's right, Xiao Qianyu was his 'son.' After all, he was the one who orchestrated the switch of the true and false princes back then.

For many years, he had quietly watched Xiao Qianyu grow step by step, getting closer and closer to that supreme position. He reveled in watching everyone dance to his tune, manipulated within his grasp.

It was just infuriating that the wet nurse who escaped back then had the audacity to interfere and bring the true prince back to the palace.

She ruined his good deed. Even if that wet nurse hadn't committed suicide, he would have made sure she died without a burial place.

Fortunately, fate took a turn, and this game played itself out.

In the study of the Prince Jiujiang's Estate in the capital, the Prince Jiujiang's Heir excitedly rubbed his hands together, paced back and forth a few steps, then turned to look at his retinue of advisors.

"The Crown Prince will be returning the Heir's Consort shortly. Should I just tell him the truth directly?" he asked for their opinions.

He knew Xiao Qianyu was his son. The insiders who participated in the deception and were still alive knew. He suspected Emperor Yongchang might also have his doubts, but Xiao Qianyu himself didn't know!

Others would probably think it was a divine miracle, that Xiao Qianyu was undoubtedly of Royal Bloodline. But a miracle could also indicate another possibility—that Emperor Yongchang was unworthy of his throne, and the throne rightfully belonged to the Prince Jiujiang's lineage.

Excitement surged! Their lineage was destined to rule the world. In the future, he could become emperor, or at the very least, a retired emperor.

Therefore, under no circumstances could Xiao Qianyu mistake his identity and still believe he was the legitimate son of Emperor Yongchang and the Empress.

The truth must be told to him immediately. Their father-son relationship should also be cultivated.

The advisors of the Prince Jiujiang's Estate exchanged glances and nodded in unison: "Your subordinates also believe we should tell the Crown Prince the truth. We absolutely cannot let him continue to mistake a thief for his father."

Seeing that Xiao Qianyu was about to soar to the heavens, they felt they had followed the right master. Their future wealth and prospects were bright. Naturally, they wanted to get acquainted with Xiao Qianyu quickly, build a relationship, and have the opportunity to achieve great things in the future.

However, Advisor Fang Zheng reminded them: "Regarding the child swap, the Heir should speak cautiously. Do not let the Crown Prince develop resentment or misunderstand, thinking the Heir doesn't have him in his heart. And as for the Heir's Consort, we fear she might harbor resentment. The Heir should have a plan for how to handle this."

Speaking of which, the Prince Jiujiang's Heir was truly an unconscionable father, sacrificing his own son for his ambition. If not for the divine miracle, the Crown Prince would have already died on the executioner's block.

And the Heir's Consort, mother and son both became victims of the Prince Jiujiang's Estate.

Would they harbor no resentment or ill will?

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir wanted to win the Crown Prince's heart and gain his complete trust, which would likely require considerable effort.

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir pondered for a moment and nodded: "Mr. Fang's reminder is well-taken. I understand. The Heir's Consort has suffered injustice this time, and I will certainly compensate her well. As for the Crown Prince, I will open my heart to him. Whatever he wants, as long as I can provide it, I will agree. It is all for the great cause of the Prince Jiujiang's Estate. The Crown Prince is an intelligent person; he will surely understand me."

Fang Zheng felt a little worried, but seeing the confident look on the Prince Jiujiang's Heir's face, he didn't say anything further.

Indeed, once the truth was revealed, the Crown Prince would inevitably side with the Prince Jiujiang's Estate, knowing who his true support was.

Even if there was dissatisfaction, the Heir was not a fool and would surely make efforts to resolve it.

Thinking this, he felt refreshed, envisioning the glorious prospect of Emperor Yongchang being overthrown and the faction of the Prince Jiujiang's Estate dominating the imperial court.

With the plan decided, the advisors withdrew, leaving the Prince Jiujiang's Heir alone.

In an instant, a beauty emerged from a hidden secret room in the study. She glided gracefully towards the Prince Jiujiang's Heir and embraced him softly from behind, murmuring coquettishly, "My Lord!"