After being exiled for eighteen years, the prince returned to the capital as a veritable immortal.

The current Emperor Wu is Zhou Yi's grandfather.

Si Xuan broke out in a cold sweat instantly and paced around in a panic.

Like a Pekingese, it spins around and bites its own tail.

Your Highness is not taking him on a trip; you are clearly sending him to his death.

He knew his cousin's personality very well.

Kindness must be repaid, and so must vengeance.

After paying respects to his parents and the rest of his family, he will surely take revenge on his enemies.

Who is the real culprit in the case of the Crown Prince's family massacre?

First, there was Zhu Anshi, the chivalrous hero of Yangling, who falsely accused the crown prince; and second, there was Jiang Chong, the court jester who turned the false accusation into an "ironclad case."

The Emperor Wu's decision to exterminate the entire family was the biggest culprit.

Jiang Chong, who enjoyed the trust of Emperor Wu, rose to the height of his power and became the most important minister in the court.

Zhu Anshi was bestowed the title of "Sword Saint" by the Empress Wu for his meritorious service in exposing the Crown Prince, and now sits high as the leader of the martial arts alliance.

None of these three individuals could be contended with by the small Si family of Liangzhou.

Although Your Highness is exceptionally talented, you are only twenty years old.

In terms of martial arts alone, he is no match for his opponent.

The Martial Emperor had cultivated the Divine Dragon Seven Revolutions fifty years ago, advancing to the Grandmaster realm.

Zhu Anshi, the great hero of Yangling, is said to be at a level above that of a grandmaster, serving as the leader of the martial arts alliance.

Take a thousand steps back.

Even if Zhou Yi is willing to endure first and proceed slowly.

Given Empress Wu's suspicious and bloodthirsty nature, she would certainly not spare any princes who entered the capital without imperial decree.

Si Xuan suddenly felt that the assassination attempt on His Highness by the Mahayana Sect was not such a big deal.

At least, the rebels won't exterminate Si's entire family.

Bah! At least the assassination attempt by the Mahayana sect could be resolved.

Si Gao and Si Zeng were both deeply worried.

After a moment's hesitation, Si Xuan changed the subject:

"Your Highness Prince Yi, I have discovered new leads regarding the case of the sabotage of the martial arts examination."

"speak."

"After counting the corpses in the rear office, I did not find Feng Qing, the eldest son of Magistrate Feng."

"Just say he might still be alive!" Hu Die's eyes showed relief.

With an heir, the Feng family can at least provide some closure for Lord Feng Ji.

Your Highness will feel better now.

"Six other martial arts guards were also not among the dead."

"I remember he knew a bit of martial arts."

"Yes, Feng Qing is a third-grade cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining. The six missing guards are mostly at the late stage of Qi Refining as well."

Ninth level of martial arts:

First rank: Innate; Second rank: Body Tempering; Third rank: Qi Refining; Fourth rank: Foundation Establishment; Fifth rank: Golden Core; Sixth rank: Cave Abode; Seventh rank: Nascent Soul/Grandmaster; Eighth rank: Celestial/Half-Immortal; Ninth rank: Deity Transformation/Land Immortal.

Where are they?

“This…” Si Xuan hesitated, his expression very conflicted.

He glanced at Si Gao, who nodded, before saying:

"They...were kidnapped by the Mahayana sect and will be released at the martial arts examination venue."

The military examinations had the same regulations as the civil service examinations.

The county government held the preliminary examinations, and the prefectural government held the metropolitan examinations.

The military examination in Liangzhou will be held in three days.

In previous years, Zhou Yi personally presided over the event.

The Mahayana sect's intention was self-evident: to use Feng Qing to coerce Zhou Yi into carrying out the assassination.

With everyone watching, if Zhou Yi didn't save Feng Qing, he would be disregarding the life and death of his benefactor's son.

Those who are ungrateful will be despised by the world.

With the people's hearts turned away, the struggle for the throne had not even begun before Prince Yi was eliminated.

It seems.

There may be someone manipulating Mahayana Buddhism behind the scenes.

……

A gentle breeze blows, carrying the subtle fragrance of lotus blossoms.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment.

Unable to suppress the restlessness in his heart, Si Xuan broke the silence:

"Your Highness, why don't you... proceed with the martial arts examination as scheduled and save Feng Qing?"

As soon as he said it, his face flushed red.

Knowing full well that the Mahayana sect was planning an assassination, he still advised His Highness to preside over the military examination; this was truly not the way of a subject.

however.

Between assassinating the emperor and murdering the emperor in the capital, the Mahayana sect had to choose the lesser of two evils.

"Five days later..." Zhou Yi pondered for a moment and nodded slightly:

"I may not return to Liangzhou in the future. I will avenge the Feng family before leaving, which will put my mind at ease."

Five days after the Crown Prince's death anniversary, after the military examinations, one can still travel to the capital in time.

Never returning to Liangzhou?

The three Si brothers grasped the key words, exchanged glances, and inwardly groaned.

Is Your Highness determined to fight Emperor Wu to the death?

It's either rise to power or die.

Unsuccessful, they become benevolent.

Only in these two situations will they not return to Liangfeng.

too crazy!

For the safety of hundreds of members of the Si family, His Highness must abandon the idea of ​​returning to the capital.

Having made up his mind, Si Xuan dropped another bombshell:

"Your Highness, rumors are circulating in the capital that His Majesty intends to... re-establish the Crown Prince."

He looked up at the grandson of the emperor, his eyes filled with worry.

Zhou Yi, on the other hand, still picked up the fragrant tea, took a small sip, and his eyes remained calm and undisturbed.

Hu Die's expression suddenly turned serious, and she abruptly stood up:

"Establish a new crown prince? Are you sure this isn't about re-establishing an heir?"

Crown Prince and Heir Apparent were both titles held by Zhou Yi's deceased father.

To re-establish a crown prince is to establish a new heir apparent.

However, establishing a new crown prince does not necessarily mean re-appointing a new crown prince.

The succession to the throne follows the principle of primogeniture and legitimacy.

Although the eldest crown prince has passed away, the eldest grandson of the emperor is still alive.

According to ancestral rules, the position of crown prince should be passed on to the eldest grandson of the emperor.

That is, Zhou Yi.

If Emperor Wu intended to pass the throne to Zhou Yi, he should have appointed a crown prince.

The appointment of a crown prince means that he will pass the throne to another prince.

"This humble general confirms that it is the establishment of the Crown Prince." Si Xuan's face showed resentment.

Hu Die secretly kicked the stone table pillar to hide the resentment in her eyes, and said:

"Your Majesty is as strong as an ox and in the prime of your life. Why then is the Crown Prince being appointed at this time?"

If the selection of an heir is postponed for a few years, Prince Yi's competition will inevitably be stronger.

Following in the footsteps of their fathers, it is Her Highness who should inherit the throne.

Hu Die was unwilling, and so was Si Xuan.

The entire Si family was filled with resentment.

When Empress Wu established her heir, Zhou Yi, as the eldest grandson of the emperor, still had some hope.

Once another prince ascends the throne, the imperial lineage will be passed down to that prince's branch.

Zhou Yi will forever lose the possibility of inheriting the throne.

Fortunately for the three brothers.

His Highness Prince Yi's expression remained largely unchanged, as if he didn't care.

That's right, this cousin is only twenty years old.

His calm and composed demeanor was even more serene than that of his father, who was a prefect, and more unperturbed than that of his ninety-year-old grandmother.

"The Martial Emperor's body..."

Si Gao carefully considered his words and said cautiously, "It's just a rumor... it might not work."

"Your body is failing?" Zhou Yi's calm eyes revealed surprise for the first time.

"how is this possible?"

Hu Die's pretty face was full of disbelief, and she blurted out, "His Majesty is a seventh-grade Nascent Soul cultivator, and he's only over eighty years old?"

A seventh-rank martial artist has a lifespan of five hundred years.

As a Grandmaster, Emperor Wu was not yet a hundred years old and was indeed in the prime of his youth.

How could a Nascent Soul Grandmaster, who is immune to all diseases, possibly have a weak body?

This was something that Si Xuan also couldn't understand.

He shook his head with a wry smile and whispered:

"The news is probably true. Several princes have heard about it and are frantically building up their own power bases."

"This is also the reason why Mahayana Buddhism suddenly went from the shadows to the open and openly confronted the imperial court."

"Oh." Zhou Yi regained his composure and looked towards the direction of Kyoto. "We should head to the capital... as soon as possible."

"As soon as possible?" Si Xuan and Si Gao exchanged a glance, inwardly groaning.

This is like lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot.

"Your Highness, what I mean is that we don't need to rush to the capital."

The old emperor is nearing the end; why bother fighting to the death?

Could it be that Your Highness aspires to the throne?

This audacious idea sent chills down the spines of the two brothers.

The small Si family was far inferior to the power behind the other princes.

Unless Empress Wu personally approves the ascension of her grandson to the throne.

otherwise.

His Highness Prince Yi, and his Si family, are utterly incapable of vying for the throne.

"Your Highness, the throne... His Majesty refuses to grant it to us, and we are powerless to contend for it."

Worried that his cousin might misjudge the situation, Si Gao spoke even more bluntly.

Hu Die nodded in agreement, a hint of worry showing in her beautiful eyes.

"The throne?"

Zhou Yi glanced at the three brothers with a puzzled look, then at Hu Die, "If you like it, that's fine too."

His expression and tone made it seem as if he were talking about something insignificant.

If you want it, you can reach out and take it.

"Butterfly wouldn't dare!"

"The general will not dare!"

"My subordinates dare not!"

Hu Die and Si Xuan looked at each other, filled with regret, wishing they could slap themselves.

Their intention to stop His Highness from coveting the throne seems to have instead fueled his delusions.

Only Si Zeng's eyes lit up.

"Wow, the throne..." Before he could finish speaking, Si Gao stuffed a piece of pastry into his mouth.

"With me here, there is nothing in the world that I dare not do."

Zhou Yi lightly clenched his fists and said calmly, "With strength in hand, I have the world at my command!"

Over the years, he has devoted himself to martial arts, without any distractions.

He had no intention of associating with powerful figures, nor of secretly building up his own power base.

He believed that as long as he was strong enough, he could rule the world.

Plant cypress trees, and phoenixes will come.

"Brother, go and take charge of the martial arts examination."

Zhou Yi waved his hand and said, "I'm fine here."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Si Gao clasped his hands in farewell and left, dragging Si Zeng away with him.

The heavily armored cavalry remained to guard the royal palace.