Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 720 Chapter 295: Ying Zheng: Zhao Feng, What Do You Think of the Eldest Imperial Son? (2)

"But for you, my eighteenth brother, no need to overthink it."

"After all."

"Father has already settled on that position deep in his heart." Fusu offered a faint smile, looking utterly at ease.

After his words.

Ignoring Hu Hai's darkened face, Fusu leisurely stepped out of the hall.

As he exited the hall, his steps felt lighter for the first time, brimming with relief.

Gazing at Fusu's retreating silhouette.

Huai Zhuang's gaze then turned to Zhao Feng, the focal point of all eyes, a flicker of reluctance in his stare.

He didn't dawdle and headed toward the hall's exit.

Seeing this, Chunyu Yue trailed after him.

"Fusu."

"You're fine yielding the Crown Prince seat, but I refuse to accept it."

"I've battled for that position over so many years; I won't abandon it now."

"I'll absolutely hunt down that so-called Eldest Imperial Son and slay him." Hu Hai's gaze overflowed with killing intent.

Within a corner of the royal palace.

Inside Huai Zhuang's carriage.

He faced Chunyu Yue directly.

"What should we do next?"

"Mr. Fusu has lost his shot at Crown Prince."

"All our years of backing have gone to waste."

"A mysterious Eldest Imperial Son pops up out of nowhere; it's far too suspicious." Chunyu Yue vented his deep frustration.

"Who'd have thought Xia Dong'er survived, and even bore the Great King a son."

"Ying Xi, what an idiot."

"If you were set on killing her back then, why leave her half-alive?"

"You allowed that woman to survive and destroy our long-laid schemes."

At that instant, Huai Zhuang's heart surged with intense reluctance.

Yet soon.

Facing Chunyu Yue's eager look, Huai Zhuang declared slowly: "The Prime Minister is gone, and with an Eldest Imperial Son now revealed, staying idle will leave us forsaken by the court ahead."

"You hoped Mr. Fusu would revive Confucianism in Qin and elevate its teachings."

"Without him as Crown Prince, it's all for nothing."

"The Great King leans toward Legalists and Military Strategists."

"Your Confucianism stands no chance of rising."

"Me, as Right Chancellor though I am, age weighs heavy on me."

"I must secure paths for my family's heirs too."

Chunyu Yue furrowed his brow: "I grasp your words, but what options remain for us?"

"Only one path to crown Mr. Fusu as Crown Prince."

"Locate that Eldest Imperial Son and eliminate him." Murderous light gleamed in Huai Zhuang's eyes.

"The Great King named him, so guards will surround him tightly; from the Great King's words, he's known of him for ages yet concealed him—if the Great King shields him purposefully, who could strike?" Chunyu Yue shook his head.

"Start by dispatching men to scour for traces; clues must exist."

"If untraceable, bide time until he emerges, then strike at the moment."

"I refuse to believe any guard is impenetrable."

"His death clears the way—Mr. Fusu becomes Eldest Imperial Son, unmatched for Crown Prince." Huai Zhuang's eyes burned with killing intent.

"Indeed." Chunyu Yue nodded in agreement.

He banked on Fusu to resurrect Confucian learning; despite many Confucians in court, they held no sway, stuck in rituals, nowhere near his grand dream of revival.

He yearned for Confucianism's total resurgence, the world immersed in its ways.

That defined true revival.

Yet his revival vision lay distant now; absent Fusu as Crown Prince and future Qin King, it turned to mere fantasy, empty chatter.

Within the Morning Discussion Hall!

Court officials slowly scattered.

Zhao Feng at last wrapped up affairs.

"I even lowered my own rank."

"Still, crowds flock to flatter me."

"Mighty as the King's favor is, only one Emperor Qin Shi Huang exists!"

As officials departed, Zhao Feng sighed inwardly.

"In Great Qin's court, none outshines your fame."

"You'll grow accustomed soon enough."

"Drop that notion of demoting to Baiyue—the First Emperor won't allow it."

Wang Jian chuckled to Zhao Feng.

"A military leader wielding national might, lingering in Xianyang grants excessive power." Zhao Feng replied helplessly.

"Doesn't the First Emperor trust you yet?" Wang Jian sighed.

"The First Emperor endures it, but his heirs?"

"Father-in-law."

"Under thirty still, with years ahead; such a youthful powerhouse unnerves most rulers—I must prepare ahead."

"Safeguarding my kin's safety, at minimum." Zhao Feng stated gravely.

These words.

Only to Wang Jian would Zhao Feng reveal them.

To others.

Silence reigned.

Fearless though he was, no point courting needless woes.

"Suppose that Eldest Imperial Son can't stomach you?" Wang Jian grinned teasingly.

"Never laid eyes on him; what manner of man could he be?"

"Besides..."

"I never entrust my fate to others' hands." Zhao Feng shook his head.

"And if that Eldest Imperial Son shows you exceptional favor?" Wang Jian laughed lightly.

"We'll cross that bridge when it comes." Zhao Feng brushed it off with a laugh, unwilling to dwell.

Save Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

No heir would claim Zhao Feng's loyalty.

His current might filled Zhao Feng with pride; he'd never bequeath his skills to outsiders, much less offer them freely.

Control stayed firmly his.

Right then!

"Lord Wu'an."

"The Great King calls for you."

Beyond the hall.

Zhao Gao approached with measured steps, voice full of deference to Zhao Feng.

"As expected, it reached this."

Helplessness crossed Zhao Feng's features.

Each court return brought the Emperor's summons, stalling his homeward journey.

He'd hoped time might spare him, but wishful thinking.

Clearly, Zhao Gao had waited outside!

"Father-in-law, until next time."

Zhao Feng saluted Wang Jian with clasped hands.

Then trailed Zhao Gao to Zhangtai Palace.

En route.

Zhao Gao hunched low, shuffling in tiny steps.

Toward Zhao Feng trailing him, he spoke sparingly, avoiding idle words.

After all.

In court circles, he knew Zhao Feng's true status.

Qin's Eldest Imperial Son, tomorrow's Crown Prince.

Offend at peril.

Good fortune he hadn't clung to Hu Hai's side fully, or death awaited.

Likely slain that day in Zhangtai Palace.

Reading winds.

Zhao Gao navigated wisely.

"Lord Wu'an."

"The First Emperor awaits within."

At Zhangtai Palace's doors, Zhao Gao bowed deeply.

"Mm."

Zhao Feng nodded, striding in.

"Should Lord Wu'an need anything, command this servant directly." Zhao Gao added respectfully.

"This Zhao Gao..."

Zhao Feng shot him an odd glance, then acknowledged with a nod.

He entered the hall.

Per usual.

Ying Zheng occupied the throne, poring over memorials.

"Your servant reports, my lord."

Zhao Feng arrived, saluted, and sat nearby.

"You grow ever bolder in your ease, lad."

Ying Zheng glanced up at Zhao Feng, tone mildly chiding.

"No outsiders present, so your servant relaxes." Zhao Feng grinned.

"True, none but us."

Ying Zheng laughed softly, warmth in his heart.

Such closeness with Zhao Feng brought Ying Zheng immense solace.

"Your thoughts on today's court session?" Ying Zheng asked smilingly.

Hearing this!

Zhao Feng laughed, "Answering the First Emperor, your servant merely observed from his seat."

At these words.

Ying Zheng paused briefly, momentarily speechless.

"Quit your cheek, young one."

"I mean, your view of my eldest son?" Ying Zheng feigned annoyance.

"Your servant hasn't encountered this Eldest Imperial Son. Bring him next time, and I'll see for myself." Zhao Feng answered with bright cheer.

"Seems curiosity grips you?" Ying Zheng probed with a grin.

...