Xi Ying entered the Imperial study room and found the Emperor reading a book just like the day before.
"This subject greets Your Majesty."
Hearing his voice, the Emperor's hand that was about to turn the page stopped and he raised his head to look at him.
"Sit."
The Emperor signed him to sit on the chair in front of himself.
Xi Ying sat down without saying anything. And as soon as he was seated down, he heard the Emperor's cold voice asking him
"Prime Minister Xi, Zhen believes that you must have some reason for not taking the Crown Prince's side, today, in the Imperial Court. However, Zhen still wishes that you should have taken Zhuang Chen's side today because your one move could help Zhen in snatching all the power of Li Clan."
Staring at the cunning Emperor, Xi Ying chuckled coldly.
"Why doesn't Your Majesty says directly that Your Majesty doubts this subject?"
Zhao Wang Lei was startled. He indeed was suspicious of the young Prime Minister but how did he get to know about this.
For a moment, his eyes were filled with wariness towards Xi Ying. His thoughts…no should be able to read them.
After all, he was an Emperor.
But Xi Ying didn't mind his detached behavior, instead he said
"Your Majesty, This subject has not expected the Crown Prince to think of such a foolish scheme."
Inside his heart Xi Ying smiled when he saw the tightened jaw of the Emperor at his words.
Why wouldn't he be angry? In the end, Xi Ying was calling him a fool instead of the Crown Prince because all of the planning was done by him solely.
Clenching his fists under the table, Zhao Wang Lei pretended to look calm and asked
"Why does Prime Minister Xi think that Zhuang Chen's scheme was foolish?"
Releasing a sigh, Xi Ying comfortable leaned down on the chair. The Emperor was already used to his cold and indifferent behavior so he didn't mind his action. Instead, he was more curious to know his thoughts.
"This subject doesn't know if Your Majesty even knows how popular the Li Clan has become after Your Majesty has passed the Imperial decree stating Yun Clan's execution. The stain on Yun Clan has proved to be a pearl for Li Clan.
If at such a time, Li Clan's military power was snatched and given to Imperial Clan then, this subject is sure that this time not only the soldiers even the ordinary people would come on the road to fight for Li Clan.
So Your Majesty, whatever this subject did was in favor of the Imperial Clan only."
After Xi Ying finished, the Imperial study room was silent. Zhao Wang Lei just coldly stared at the wall in front of him.
A few moments later, he finally said
"Prime Minister Xi indeed did the right thing."
In response to this praise, Xi Ying humbly bowed his head showing his fake respect. However, his lips couldn't help but turn upwards as he sneered silently.
Just at this moment, the Imperial study room's door was kicked and Zhao Zhuang Chen entered inside. Eunuch Wang was trying to stop him but the old Eunuch's strength was not comparable to the young Crown Prince.
Zhao Zhuang Chen was already very angry after facing the defeat in the large Imperial Court so Eunuch Wang's constant pleading while asking him to stop only angered him further.
Irritated with the obstacle, Zhao Zhuang Chen directly threw the old eunuch on the floor and said
"How dare you, a mere servant, touch this Crown Prince?"
As he did this, he didn't notice the Emperor's cold gaze on himself. Instead, his eyes caught Xi Ying who was sitting in front of his father.
"You…"
Pointing his finger at Xi Ying he pounced on him but before he could even touch him, Xi Ying directly kicked him away resulting in Zhao Zhuang Chen's collision with the wall.
The force of the kick was so much that Zhao Zhuang Chen couldn't stop the blood coming out of his mouth.
Looking at the blood dripping down from his chin, he was furious. He raised his head to look at the Xi Ying who was standing arrogantly and wished him to tear in pieces but he also knew that he was no match for the Young Prime Minister who was an expert in martial arts.
However, he could use his position and mouth to humiliate him.
"Father Emperor, look at him. He dared to kick me, the Crown Prince of Xin today. What is the guarantee that he will not do the same thing with Father Emperor tomorrow?"
Zhao Zhuang Chen had expected that his words would provoke his father's anger against Xi Ying but Zhao Wang Lei remained silent and stared at him coldly.
It was Xi Ying who spoke instead of the Emperor.
Looking at the Emperor, he said without any remorse and guilt.
"Your Majesty, my father, and my grandfather have always worked for Imperial Clan selflessly and this one is also following down their steps. However, while doing this, Xi Ying shall never compromise with his self-respect. Xi Ying doesn't feel any fear in saying that if Crown Prince did this again then I will do the same I did today.
If Your Majesty finds it wrong then Xi Ying can resign from the Imperial Court."
Zhao Wang Lei didn't say anything to Xi Ying and his son. Instead, he walked towards his old Eunuch who has been serving him for so many years.
He personally helped him in getting up from the floor and even asked
"Are you fine Eunuch Wang?"
Eunuch Wang was overwhelmed with the Emperor's care and said again and again that he was fine with His Majesty's blessings.
After that, Zhao Wang Lei asked the old Eunuch to go out and send two Imperial guards.
Looking back at his son, his eyes were filled with coldness.
"A Crown Prince becomes an example for other Princes but you are bent on bringing shame to Zhen."
When the guards entered and bowed their heads in front, he said
"Get the First Prince out of our study room."
Zhao Zhuang Chen's eyes were wide with shock as he saw the guards walking towards him and dragging him out towards the door.
"No…you stop…Father Emperor."
When he looked back, Zhao Zhuang Chen's eyes caught Xi Ying's eyes again and he shouted
"Father Emperor, he is a traitor, He is betraying you. In truth, he is planning everything to save Li Clan…Father Emperor."
Zhao Zhuang Chen's shouts could be heard for a few more minutes. When they finally disappeared, Xi Ying sighed and said
"Your Majesty, this subject thinks that the Crown Prince is a bit na?ve. Just because this one didn't take his side in the Imperial Court today, he accused Xi Ying of treason."
Looking at the Emperor's cold face, Xi Ying smirked.
He already knew what was going to change from tomorrow because he has heard the 'First Prince' instead of 'Crown Prince' from the Emperor's mouth.
"Your Majesty must have other works to handle. Xi Ying will not disturb Your Majesty any longer."
After saying these words, Xi Ying took his leave.
Just as he left, Zhao Wang rubbed his temple with a cold face and called Eunuch Wang inside the study room.
"Bring the old Taoist tonight in Zhen's chamber."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
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