Yes, that was the primary reason.
Any officials or nobles willing to involve themselves in the struggle among imperial sons and grandsons harbored, more or less, the desire to follow a dragon. Yet not every imperial son or grandson had a chance at contending for the throne.
Besides whether one was born of the legitimate line or held the mantle of orthodoxy, one needed advantages in age, influence, supporters, and achievements for others to feel there was a future in following them.
Other than a somewhat legitimate identity, Duke of Dai had nothing else. He was younger than the two princes, had no heirs even now, held little influence at court, had virtually no supporters, had entered court only recently, and had not earned many merits. Even his title was merely that of a duke. How could he compare with imperial princes who already had heirs, had observed government affairs for years, and possessed numerous supporters?
What was more, the emperor had directly ordered Duke of Dai to take command of the Imperial Feather Guards. Such parachuted appointments had always been the most detested. Having accepted the task without any preparation, Duke of Dai had revealed some flaws because of it. The imperial decree had caught him off guard, and many people did not think highly of him.
If Duke of Dai were made Prince of Dai, the feeling of an imperial prince commanding the Imperial Feather Guards would be utterly different from that of a duke commanding them. His power would greatly increase, enough to trade blows with the two princes and buy more time to refine the Great Restoration Elixir.
But whenever the emperor thought of granting him the title of prince, unease churned in his heart, accompanied by resistance and wariness.
In the end, the Crown Prince's