Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 718 Chapter 294: Ying Zheng—The Crown Prince Is Decided! I Have Found My Eldest Son! (Part 2)

"Qin's destiny holds two eras of great sovereigns."

"This fate remains unalterable."

"I need to ingratiate myself with the new Crown Prince to secure my peaceful days in the Royal Palace."

Zhao Gao pondered deeply.

As a mere temple servant, despite his inner ambitions, he had once plotted to elevate Hu Hai to the throne. Hu Hai proved manipulable, promising Zhao Gao vast authority if successful.

Yet in today's reality,

Hu Hai lacks any prospect.

Besides, the First Emperor thrives vigorously, and the destined Crown Prince emerges as another legendary ruler, far beyond Zhao Gao's grasp.

The infamous 'deer as horse' deception would never taint the Great Qin court.

However,

Ying Zheng continued speaking.

Hu Hai's spirits plunged into despair.

"Hu Hai shall not become the Crown Prince." Ying Zheng declared once more.

These words landed like thunder.

Hu Hai, who had brimmed with confidence moments ago, froze in shock.

The ministers backing Hu Hai, jubilant earlier, now mirrored the devastation felt by Fusu's supporters, their hopes crushed utterly.

In that instant,

dreams arrived swiftly and vanished even faster.

Shattered beyond repair.

With Ying Zheng's pronouncement,

nearly half the court officials fixed their eyes on him, brimming with curiosity and skepticism.

With neither Fusu nor Hu Hai in line, who could claim the throne?

"I shall reveal it to you all."

Yet again, Ying Zheng's words stirred the assembly.

Nearly half the ministers stared at him, puzzled and intrigued.

Who else but Fusu or Hu Hai?

"I shall reveal it to you all."

"The companion who endured trials by my side has come back."

"Moreover, she bore me an heir—the eldest among my imperial sons by birth."

"In status, I decree Efang as Empress of Qin, making her son the true eldest prince."

"He stands as my heir, the Crown Prince of Qin."

Ying Zheng proclaimed resoundingly.

These declarations sealed the matter irrevocably.

Comprehension dawned on everyone.

The First Emperor had resolved it firmly.

"First Emperor,"

"Even if Lady Xia from years past returns with an heir, absent from ancestral rolls and without an Identity Jade Butterfly, raised among commoners—can his bloodline be deemed pure?"

Ying Xi, rarely vocal in court, rose and challenged boldly.

Now, silence was impossible for him.

During Ying Zheng's early rule, the Ying Clan wielded great sway in Qin. But past intrigues against him shifted everything. Once in command, Ying Zheng favored outsider talents, diminishing the Clan's power.

The Clan had schemed against Xia Dong'er back then too.

Should she ascend as Empress and her son as Crown Prince, Ying Xi's future darkened.

Thus,

he refused to stay passive.

Invoking blood purity, he opposed Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Ying Zheng's face chilled at Ying Xi's words.

"Are you implying I cannot acknowledge my own flesh and blood?" Ying Zheng snapped coldly.

"This minister dares not."

"Yet the Great Qin bloodline and the First Emperor's lineage demand utmost scrutiny." Ying Xi insisted loudly.

"Efang exists truly, having borne a son to Emperor Qin Shi Huang."

"History has veered off course through my influence."

"Fusu won't claim the Crown Prince title, nor Hu Hai the throne as Qin Ershi."

"Qin Ershi shall be Efang's son instead."

"Such a massive shift."

"From Emperor Qin Shi Huang's words, Efang's heir has surfaced, though his identity eludes me. Valued so greatly, he must be under heavy guard now as Qin's future Crown Prince—no mistakes allowed." Zhao Feng mused inwardly.

At this juncture,

it unfolded like an epic drama.

Observing from afar, he stayed detached.

Court's tempests spared him entirely.

"My decision stands firm."

"None can alter it."

"Post-Mount Tai rites, I'll unveil his identity to the realm, crown the Empress, and install the Crown Prince." Ying Zheng swept a icy gaze across, his tone booming.

Dominion brooked no defiance.

With the realm conquered,

Ying Zheng grew indifferent to dissent.

Let opposition rise; it posed no threat.

Efang as Empress, Feng'er as Crown Prince.

Ying Zheng had anticipated this triumph long; none could thwart it.

No longer the powerless Qin King,

he reigned as Emperor Qin Shi Huang over all.

"Does the First Emperor scorn the ancestors?"

Desperate for self-preservation, Ying Xi bellowed recklessly.

"I command the world."

"Ancestors witness all."

"At Mount Tai's peak rite, I'll account to them myself."

"You must not proceed hastily."

"Withdraw."

Ying Zheng gestured dismissively.

His regard for Ying Xi remained scant.

"Blood purity upholds Qin's legacy."

"Should it falter, how faces the First Emperor our forebears?"

"I vow my life to guard the Qin bloodline's sanctity." Ying Xi proclaimed steadfastly, dropping to his knees.

"Reconsider, please."

"Royal blood must stay unsullied."

"Handle the Eldest Imperial Son with utmost care."

"Qin Royalty's lineage forbids taint."

"Reconsider..."

Echoing Ying Xi,

numerous officials rose in support.

Now,

they grasped his intent, driven by their own stakes to join the outcry.

"At Mount Tai's ceremony, atop the peak, blood recognition will confirm my son."

"Court adjourned."

Ying Zheng scanned the hall, then dismissed with a wave.

Truthfully,

he held no doubts, knowing Zhao Feng and Zhao Ying as his true offspring.

Efang had remained his alone, untouched by others.

Still, for their rightful Ying Clan status, blood rites proved essential.

As Ying Zheng departed,

unwillingness flashed in Ying Xi's gaze.

Yet he knew:

blood acknowledgment marked Ying Zheng's last compromise; proven paternity ended debate.

Amid the ministers' myriad expressions—disappointment, reluctance, turmoil—

Zhao Feng stayed utterly composed.

"What a spectacular drama."

Zhao Feng smiled lightly.

Then rose and strode from the hall.

"Son-in-law!"

Wang Jian hurried after, calling out.

"What's on your mind, father-in-law?" Zhao Feng grinned.

"Thoughts on that spectacle?" Wang Jian smiled back.

"Royal intrigues don't touch me."

"The First Emperor's private affairs." Zhao Feng replied smilingly.

"No curiosity about the Eldest Imperial Son?" Wang Jian probed with a grin.

"Curious, sure, but clearly the First Emperor conceals him tightly; else, this court harbors killers aplenty." Zhao Feng laughed.

He pierced the schemes swirling among the officials.

The heir's identity stayed veiled.

But revealed,

assassins would swarm.

Even under imperial guard, his demise tempted many—just expendable pawns sufficed.

"You speak bluntly indeed." Wang Jian chuckled.

"That ultimate throne stirs desperate moves."

"Forces their hand."

"Naturally, I remain uninvolved. Wars ended, I retreat home peacefully." Zhao Feng laughed, unconcerned.

Then moved to exit the grand hall.

"Lord Wu'an."

Han Fei interjected now.

Zhao Feng glanced back at the solemn-faced Han Fei approaching.

"Han Fei,"

"when did you turn so grave?"

Seeing Han Fei thus, Zhao Feng teased unavoidably.

...