Wang Jian prepared himself for the grand feast that the Emperor had organized to celebrate the victorious return of the Crown Prince from his battle against the demons.
The banquet was a highly significant event that would witness the attendance of all the high-ranking officials and nobles of the empire, and it was an occasion for displaying one's wealth, power, and prestige.
Wang Jian, being a member of the royal family, had to ensure that his appearance was impeccable and befitting his status.
He dressed himself in a luxurious silk robe of deep red, embroidered with intricate golden designs that displayed his wealth and taste.
Arriving at the banquet hall, he was greeted with the sights and sounds of grandeur - ornate decorations, the aroma of delectable food, and the melody of traditional music that played in the background.
As Wang Jian made his way to his designated seat, he overheard snippets of conversations around him.
Some were discussing the latest political developments, while others were talking about the impressive feat of the Crown Prince in securing the Yin Spring.
Just as he settled into his seat, the Emperor made his grand entrance, and the room erupted in applause. Wang Jian stood up respectfully and joined in, his eyes fixed on the Emperor.
The Emperor's voice boomed throughout the hall as he addressed the guests and raised the goblet in toast, "I thank you all for joining us today to celebrate the great victory of our Crown Prince against the demons. He has secured the Yin Spring, a feat that will go down in the annals of our history. Please enjoy yourselves and celebrate this momentous occasion."
The guests responded with a hearty cheer, raising their own goblets in salute. Wang Jian too raised his goblet and took a sip, his eyes fixed on the Emperor as he continued his speech.
"As we feast and make merry, let us not forget the sacrifices and bravery of our warriors who fought valiantly to defend our empire. Their deeds shall forever be etched in the annals of our history, a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people."
The guests nodded solemnly, their faces reflecting the somberness of the Emperor's words.
But as the banquet resumed, the mood gradually lightened, and the guests began to enjoy the sumptuous feast that had been prepared for them.
Wang Jian too dug into his plate, savoring the rich flavors and textures of the dishes.
After finishing his meal, Wang Jian strolled around the banquet hall, scanning the officials, nobles, and clan heads that had attended the celebration.
Most of them belonged to the Crown Prince's faction, and Wang Jian made sure to display his social grace by exchanging greetings and pleasantries with them.
As he passed by the Crown Prince's table, Wang Hao spoke up, "Congratulations on reaching the King Realm, Jian. I've heard the news."
"Thank you, eldest brother," Wang Jian responded with sincere smile.
However, the mood soon turned serious as Wang Hao brought up a troubling topic. "I have received reports that your faction has been carrying out assassinations within the capital. I trust you will put an end to this immediately."
Wang Jian's expression turned cold as he responded, "Eldest brother, I can assure you that I have no knowledge of any such actions. However, I understand the importance of maintaining peace within the capital and will ensure that any wrongdoing within our faction is brought to light and punished accordingly."
Wang Hao nodded, satisfied with his response. "Good. From now on, the Crimson Guards will be conducting investigations into any assassinations within the city. I expect your full cooperation in this matter."
Wang Jian nodded solemnly, "Of course, eldest brother. I will do everything in my power to assist in their investigations."
As Wang Hao and Wang Jian continued their conversation, the other individuals seated nearby couldn't help but pay attention to their exchange.
They could sense the tension in the air, and the experienced politicians among them could already see the subtle but palpable sparks between the two princes.
Despite Wang Jian's diplomatic response, it was clear that the two brothers were not on good terms.
It seemed as though Wang Hao was determined to assert his authority, while Wang Jian was equally resolved to stand his ground.
Some of them exchanged knowing glances, while others whispered discreetly to their companions.
Now that the Crown Prince had returned from the battlefront, they believed that the tensions were likely to rise between the factions.
Wang Jian, having had his fill of the festivities, excused himself from the Crown Prince's table and made his way towards the exit.
As Wang Jian strode out of the banquet hall, he heard the soft footsteps of someone following him. Turning around, he saw that it was his second sister Wang Ying, accompanied by her stunning aide.
With a sly smirk on her face, Wang Ying spoke, "…It appears that Hao got to you."
Wang Jian's expression hardened as he replied, "What do you mean, elder sister?"
"Please, Jian. Don't act naive," Wang Ying said, rolling her eyes. "Everyone in the Empire knows that your faction is behind the recent strings of assassinations. And now that Hao has spoken up about it publicly in the banquet, his faction will surely take strict action against you."
Wang Jian narrowed his eyes, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb, Jian. You need my help," Wang Ying said, still wearing a sly smile.
Wang Jian's tone was cold, "And why would I need your help, elder sister?"
Wang Ying's smile turned into a smirk as she replied, "Because you know that I can be a powerful ally. Together, our factions can become unstoppable."
Wang Jian shook his head, "I'm not interested in turning my faction into a weapon to be wielded by you, sister. I'll handle this situation on my own."
Wang Ying shrugged, "Suit yourself, Jian. But just remember that I am here if you need some help."
Wang Jian stared at his sister while wondering how he should subdue her. Her luck was extremely high, so it was impossible for him to be forceful with her.
After a moment of deep contemplation, a sinister idea sprouted in his mind. He also created a trap for Major Guan Yin of the Crimson Guards.
As Wang Ying and her aide Ou Rou walked through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, the latter asked hesitantly, "Princess, what do we do about the seventh prince? Your plan to use him has failed."
Wang Ying stopped in her tracks and turned to face Ou Rou, her expression composed. "This was to be expected," she replied coolly. "I was merely testing the waters to see if Jian had been cowed by Hao's threats."
Ou Rou nodded slowly but couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at her mistress's callousness.
"But what about the situation now?" she asked tentatively.
Wang Ying's eyes gleamed with a cold determination.
"It changes nothing," she said firmly. "We will continue with our plan. We just need to eliminate a few key individuals, and make sure the blame falls on Jian."
Ou Rou swallowed nervously, knowing what her mistress was suggesting. The thought of sacrificing innocent lives for the sake of political gain made her stomach turn.
But Wang Ying was resolute in her ambition. She would do whatever it takes to secure her power and influence, even if it meant deceiving her trusted subordinates.
Only through such ruthless measures would the Crown Prince's faction turn against Wang Jian's faction.
Wang Ying's eyes gleamed with malice as she contemplated her plan to frame Wang Jian's faction for more assassinations.
She had been keeping a close eye on Wang Jian's actions, and she knew that he had yet to carry out any assassinations among the members of the Alchemy Society who had made things difficult for the Xie Family.
But she had a list of members who had acted against her family, and she was more than willing to sacrifice a few of them to achieve her goal.
With a cold smile, she turned to her aide, Ou Rou, and said, "It's time to take matters into our own hands. We'll have to assassinate a few of the elders on our list and make it look like it was Jian's Night Dagger Clan that did it."
Ou Rou looked at her with concern. "But Princess, won't that be too risky? What if we're caught?"
Wang Ying shrugged off her concerns, "We have to take the risk. Once we succeed, we will greatly reduce Jian's fame. Even if he finds out that it was done by me, there won't be anything he can do without risking Hao coming after him."
She knew that the Crimson Guards wouldn't be able to take action against a Royal Prince like Wang Jian, but they could easily go after his clan.
And so, it would be Wang Jian's Night Dagger Clan that would be their first target. With a devious smile on her face, Wang Ying began to plan her next move.
Ou Rou, with a concerned expression on her face, asked, "What are we going to do about Ye Chen?"
Wang Ying understood the gravity of the situation. Ye Chen, being a sensitive link to her faction, could lead to public outrage if news of their association was leaked. She had to tread carefully to maintain her power.
"If we sever our ties with Ye Chen, we risk losing our hold over the various organizations that we have expanded into through him and his friends. It could potentially be disastrous for us," Wang Ying said, her voice laced with concern.
Ou Rou nodded in understanding, but still, the situation worried her. "But what if the news does get out? Won't we face severe consequences?"
Wang Ying's face remained calm and collected as she responded, "If the public does find out, we will have to take strict action against Ye Chen to quell their outrage. But for now, we must keep our alliance with him a secret, and use it to our advantage as long as we can."
She knew that it was a delicate balance she had to maintain. But with her strategic mind and cunning, Wang Ying was confident that she could keep control over the situation.
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