After Ji Wuyi fainted, no one else dared to cause trouble. The eunuchs carried him away toward the Royal Medical Institute within the palace.
Cao Shu glanced over and noticed a young girl accompanying Ji Wuyi. Her eyes were rimmed with tears, her features delicate, her figure graceful, her skin flawless like jade.
Dressed in a light green gown, she looked radiant and youthful, full of vitality.
Cao Shu remembered her background well. She was the granddaughter of the Duke of Ning, a Golden Core powerhouse, and also Ji Wuyi’s consort.
Such a beautiful girl… what a pity.
[Thinking about the prince’s consort, obtained 100 Hatred Points.]
Cao Shu: “…”
His face flushed red instantly.
What do you mean “thinking about”? Who taught you to phrase it like that?
Ji Wuxin completed a series of mourning rites in front of the dragon carriage before dismissing the officials to prepare their mourning clothes. He then followed behind the carriage into the palace.
Soon, news of the old emperor’s death swept through the capital. However, what people discussed more was the succession to the throne.
The Eldest Prince, Ji Wuxin, had unexpectedly obtained the throne. The common people did not question it, only feeling that the ruler’s will was indeed unpredictable.
But compared to the debauched and incompetent old emperor, it did not matter much to them which prince ascended… as long as their lives improved.
Cao Shu returned to his marquis residence.
Entering the vast estate, the servants greeted him respectfully. He walked straight into one of the courtyards.
A burly middle-aged man with slightly graying hair stepped forward to greet him. “Marquis, you’ve returned.”
This was Old Jia, the steward. He had once been a capable subordinate of the previous marquis, possessing cultivation at the 9th stage Foundation Establishment Realm. He had watched Cao Shu grow up and had always served him faithfully.
“Mm.”
As soon as he approached, Old Jia frowned and covered his nose. “Marquis, what is that smell on you?”
Cao Shu sighed helplessly. “It’s a long story…” After spending so many days on a boat with dead abalone, it was impossible to avoid the smell. On his way home, people avoided him wherever he went… he had become the most eye-catching presence on the street, enduring everyone’s “friendly” gazes.
Old Jia asked again, “Don’t tell me you’ve been trying some new trick again?”
Cao Shu immediately grew displeased. If not for Old Jia’s loyalty, he would have slapped him already. “What new trick? I can’t be bothered to explain. Is there hot water in the residence? I need to wash this stench off.”
The smell clinging to him made him uncomfortable all over. He didn’t even know how he had endured those days on the boat.
The moment he returned, his only thought was to get clean.
“Yes,” Old Jia replied.
“Good. Have someone bring hot water and a bath barrel to my room.”
“Understood.”
“And one more thing,” Cao Shu added. “Drive out all the unreliable ones in the residence… those who slack off and cause trouble.”
Old Jia looked puzzled. Why start expelling people the moment he returned? “Marquis, why is that?”
Cao Shu said calmly, “What we’ll be doing from now on is dangerous. I won’t allow trouble to arise from within.”
He had no intention of fighting battles outside only to be stabbed in the back at home. This had to be dealt with thoroughly.
Old Jia still looked confused as he studied the young marquis. His serious expression made it seem like he was about to undertake something significant.
But considering the marquis’s usual personality—someone who only knew how to indulge in pleasure—this was probably just another passing whim.
It wasn’t the first time he had stirred things up within the residence, only to lose interest a few days later and return to his carefree lifestyle.
After thinking it over, Old Jia decided to send some servants away first. Once the marquis returned to normal, he could always recruit them again.
The moods of powerful people were truly unpredictable… always stirring up trouble.
“Very well, I’ll handle it shortly.”
“Mm.” Cao Shu nodded. He trusted Old Jia with this matter.
At that moment, a servant responsible for announcements hurried in and said respectfully, “Marquis, the Eldest Prince wishes to see you. He is currently waiting outside.”
Hearing this, Old Jia frowned. Cao Shu had just spoken of doing something significant, and now the Eldest Prince had come… could there be a connection?
A smile appeared on Cao Shu’s lips. He had barely returned when Ji Wuxin followed right after. Zhao Si had done his job well.
This was naturally part of his plan. Altering the royal edict to seize control of the Great Zhou Empire was only the first step. Drawing Ji Wuxin to seek him out was the second.
“I understand. Tell His Highness that I just returned and am bathing. Ask him to wait a moment.”
Old Jia was stunned. Wasn’t this attitude too arrogant?
That was a prince… and he was being told to wait?
The reporting servant was equally confused and looked toward Old Jia for help. In this residence, only he could advise Cao Shu.
Old Jia hesitated before saying, “Marquis, even if it is the Eldest Prince, making him wait… isn’t that inappropriate?”
Cao Shu smiled. “That’s exactly why he must wait. If he doesn’t wait a while, how will I see his sincerity?”
Ji Wuxin had come seeking his help. Naturally, he had to show sincerity.
Wasn’t there a story in ancient times of Liu Bei visiting Zhuge Liang three times?
Zhuge Liang stayed inside, refusing him twice before finally agreeing to help.
Cao Shu was confident that his advice would make Ji Wuxin willing to wait outside.
Old Jia’s expression turned awkward. Had the marquis grown arrogant after traveling with the emperor?
Was this really how one treated a prince?
Was he not afraid of offending him?
“Didn’t you hear me?” Cao Shu said.
“Yes, yes.” Old Jia quickly nodded, then instructed the servant, “Go inform the Eldest Prince. After I deliver the hot water, I’ll come immediately.”
“Understood.” With Old Jia backing him, the servant hurried out.
Cao Shu turned to leave, then suddenly remembered something important. “Almost forgot. Prepare mourning clothes. His Majesty has passed away… we’ll need to go to the palace to keep vigil for the next few days.”
Although he had no blood relation with the emperor, Cao Shu wasn’t foolish. As a subject, he would still observe proper etiquette.
The emperor’s funeral would last a long time. With so many officials, nobles, and royal relatives, the main hall could not accommodate everyone. Typically, people would keep vigil for two or three days as a formality before returning home.
Skipping it entirely wasn’t impossible… but it would give others something to use against him.
“Oh, right.” Old Jia was still thinking about the Eldest Prince and did not pay much attention at first. A moment later, realization struck, and his expression changed drastically.
“His Majesty has passed away?!”
“Yes. It’s not surprising you’re only hearing it now. The news has just reached the capital.”
Old Jia sucked in a breath. The emperor’s death… this was a monumental event for the Great Zhou Empire.
The emperor had gone out with the marquis… and returned as a corpse?
Wasn’t that too sudden?
As he processed it, the more something felt wrong.
With the emperor dead, power was shifting. The capital was bound to be in turmoil. And now one of the potential successors—the Eldest Prince—had come to see the marquis…
A chill ran down his spine. His throat felt dry, his heart pounding.
This was no small matter… this was truly something enormous!
Old Jia asked cautiously, “Marquis… the Eldest Prince coming to see you… does this mean the throne has gone to the Second Prince? And the Eldest Prince intends to…”
Cao Shu replied, “No.”
Old Jia let out a breath of relief. He had thought the Eldest Prince wanted to drag the marquis into rebellion. “That’s good, that’s good.”
Cao Shu walked toward his room. “I’m going to bathe. Bring the hot water quickly.”
“Yes, yes.” Old Jia nodded repeatedly.
A moment later, realization struck him again. His pupils shrank sharply.
“What?!”
Old Jia felt as if struck by lightning. The old emperor had only two sons. If the throne hadn’t gone to the Second Prince… then it must have gone to the Eldest Prince.
And the marquis had just made the future emperor of the Great Zhou Empire wait outside his door!