Ji Haodian's trap had been aimed not only at the princes of Great Zhou. It was also a warning to the martial arts sects, telling them not to reach their hands too far.
The martial arts sects' members wore dark expressions. They had been thoroughly played this time.
Some of them had begun courting these princes years ago. By now, they had invested no small amount of resources, manpower, and wealth.
But now it turned out that everything had been a trap. Ji Haodian had never intended to hand over the position of Crown Prince, and all their schemes had come to nothing. Their losses had been considerable.
The members of the martial arts sects exchanged glances, then turned and left in anger. There was no need to hear any more.
Fortunately, Shaolin Temple had left early. Otherwise, if its monks had heard all this, they would probably have been furious all over again.
After the martial arts sects had departed, Ji Haodian looked coldly at the five princes. His icy expression made them feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
Ji Haodian said in a low voice, "Issue my decree. Summon Prince of Qi, Prince of Shu, Prince of Wu, and the other princes to the capital, to attend me."
Everyone present drew in a sharp breath, while Ji Yancheng and the other four princes went pale and nearly collapsed.
Ji Haodian did not intend to let them compete for the position of Crown Prince, but neither did he intend to give it to them outright.
Great Zhou had more than a dozen princes, and these five were the strongest.
The other princes had been sent to their own fiefdoms long ago to live as idle lords because they lacked strength. Each had only two or