White-Robed Chief

“How could it be King Cheng?” Lu Yurong looked pensive. “Is King Cheng after the throne?”

Chu Li burst into laughter. “Why wouldn’t King Cheng want the throne?”

Lu Yurong opened her mouth but soon shut it tight.

Every prince had a chance to be emperor. Although King Jing had the highest possibility, it did not mean the other princes did not stand a chance. It was indeed tempting for these princes to be just a step away from being emperor.

The taste of power was not a temptation any man could refuse.

Chu Li continued, “However, there is a possibility that the Holy Church of Light’s trying to muddy the waters to buy some time for the Li Dynasty. They’ll have it good if they’re able to restrict King Ping.”

“As long as King Ping isn’t the mastermind,” Lu Yurong answered.

The way she saw it, King Ping posed the highest threat while the rest of the kings were no cause of worry. Tried as King Cheng might, he stood no chance as long as King Jing did not ruin it for himself.

Chu Li smiled. “No matter how urgent it is, there’s no need to come over in the middle of the night, right?”

“I had to avoid arousing suspicion,” Lu Yurong listlessly replied. “There’ll be a lot of attention drawn during the day. Who knows what people would say?”

Chu Li smiled. “King Jing wants you to keep a distance from me?”

Lu Yurong gently shook her head. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

Chu Li was surprised. “You’re still leaving with this happening?”

“It’s of little account,” Lu Yurong answered.

It would be a potential pitfall if this matter was not taken care of but it would not affect the status of the crown prince. The Emperor had made up his mind and would not allow anyone else, especially King Cheng, to be the crown prince.

The word being spread would urge the Emperor to make a call soon. It would have originally taken a bit of time since it needed to first be discussed in court so that momentum would be built until eventually, the rightful crown prince would be announced when the time was right. It seemed everything would be sped up now.

Chu Li said, “It’s a shame Lu Guangdi will only be taken care of in a month later. You won’t be able to see it since you’re leaving now.”

“I don’t have to see it with my own eyes.” Lu Yurong faintly smiled. “I trust you to thoroughly humiliate him so he’ll never be able to hold his head high again.”

Chu Li smiled and nodded. “Don’t forget Gu Yu.”

“He won’t be Commander for long,” Lu Yurong dully responded. “King Jing will talk about Gu Yu to the Emperor after he becomes the crown prince.”

Chu Li frowned. “It might not affect Gu Yu. The Secret Guardians Hall is the eyes and ears of the Emperor, not the crown prince.”

“If the Secret Guardians Hall can’t be the eyes and ears, what authority does a crown prince have?” Lu Yurong retorted. “I believe the Emperor will pass down the Secret Guardians Hall to the crown prince.”

“Mm, I guess so,” Chu Li mumbled before nodding his head with a smile. “It seems you’ll be living up to your end of the bargain.”

“Even if the Emperor refuses, I still have some tricks up my sleeve,” Lu Yurong answered. “Gu Yu’ll be sent away, trust me.”

Chu Li asked, “Are you returning to the Public House to lie low until everything blows over?”

“I’m heeding your advice,” Lu Yurong listlessly commented.

Shaking his head, Chu Li burst into laughter.

Though the pair of them have been in constant strife, Chu Li was oddly reluctant for Lu Yurong to leave. Contesting with a well-rivaled person did fill one with a sense of fulfillment, after all.

Lu Yurong replied, “I think you’re getting too close with King Ping.”

A smile graced Chu Li’s face as he looked at her.

Lu Yurong explained, “King Ping may have ditched his military authority and stopped attending to affairs but he’s still King Jing’s biggest threat… He’s willing to do anything to take revenge. Who knows what he’ll do if King Jing doesn’t allow him to seek vengeance in the future. You might be dragged into it. Your King An’s Imperial Residence won’t be able to handle the fall. You should stay away from King Ping for the sake of King An’s Imperial Residence.”

Chu Li burst out into roaring laughter.

Lu Yurong retorted, “What are you laughing about!”

Chu Li answered, “You’re attempting to give me a taste of my own medicine!”

“Am I not making any sense to you?” Lu Yurong snorted.

Of course she knew Chu Li would see through her effort. She was trying to drive a wedge in his relationship with King Ping to free King Jing of his apprehension.

However, a great manipulator was someone who, despite knowing the other party’s ill intentions, would still find sense in it and be obliged to take it to heart just as how Chu Li once told Lu Yurong to keep a distance from King Jing.

Chu Li smiled and shook his head. “Don’t worry, I have no intention of helping King Ping seize the throne.”

“You’re willing to just sit by and watch?” Lu Yurong snorted.

Chu Li replied, “It doesn’t matter who takes the throne. King An’s Imperial Residence will still be King An’s Imperial Residence.”

“That might not be the case,” Lu Yurong commented. “King Ping’s a general. The country will be in turmoil if a military man runs the country. Judging by his stubborn-headedness, he’ll definitely strike Fu Dynasty. Once that happens, Ji Dynasty will be plagued with wars and instability!”

Chu Li raised an eyebrow.

Lu Yurong made sense. King Ping had the character of a military man for he was blunt and firm with his actions. He probably would not stand for Fu Dynasty’s nonsense as an Emperor and resort to extreme measures, ultimately destroying the peace in Ji Dynasty.

No matter how righteous the reason for starting a war, it would be tormenting for the civilians either way. It was better to be a dog in a peaceful time than a man in a chaotic period.

Lu Yurong said, “Chu Li, you and I are different, we understand the people’s pain. We won’t put the people in misery for our own selfishness, right?”

Chu Li burst into laughter. “I can’t influence the world. King Ping understands the danger of war better than King Jing. He’ll act with discretion.”

“Hmph, so you’ve revealed your intention!” Pointing at him, Lu Yurong snorted. “You do carry thoughts of helping King Ping seize the throne!”

Chu Li waved his hand and smiled. “I’m only refuting you… There’s still ten years to go. It’s too early to talk about this. Who knows who would be assassinated tomorrow?”

“Of course we must be wary of assassins.” Lu Yurong frowned. “King Ping really isn’t on high alert since he allows a Holy Church of Light disciple to lurk around that long. Fortunately, it’s his consort’s maid. Wouldn’t it be awful if it was his Protector?”

Chu Li fell silent.

He was wondering if the consort’s assassination had anything to do with the Holy Church of Light.

Lu Yurong replied, “Regardless, King Ping made a huge mistake this time. The Chancellors won’t let this slide.”

Chu Li nodded.

Apart from the military, the remaining government offices were in support of King Jing. They would not let an opportunity to take down King Ping slip away. King Ping must be feeling dejected to be the punching bag this time.

Lu Yurong said, “I’ve said what I’ve needed to. I’ll be leaving.”

Chu Li uttered, “Take care. The Holy Church of Light must have their eyes on you now.”

Lu Yurong gently snorted. “Let’s see if they dare to come!”

Chu Li asked, “What would King Jing do if they killed you and put the blame on King Ping?”

“They’ll have to kill me first.” Lu Yurong grinned.

Chu Li shook his head. “Don’t underestimate the Holy Church of Light!”

“Fine, I’ll be careful.” Lu Yurong nodded.

She had seven maids alongside her. With the seven of them joining forces, no master could come forth for them. Hence, she was confident.

As she had taken his advice, Chu Li stopped bending her ear. However, his mind still wandered for he pondered if he should pay Li Dynasty a visit now that the outcome was inevitable.

King Ping had already lost his chance, regardless of whether or not he was involved. King Ping was the biggest loser with no hope of ascending the throne.