Chapter 962 – The Plot Unveils
The Liu, Xu, and Huang clans formed an alliance, causing not only the various lords within Dongqing to feel anxious, but the Northern Border Royal Court was also in continuous turmoil.
In addition to external factors, the Northern Border itself was riddled with hidden dangers.
First, the nine Northern Border princes schemed and betrayed one another, followed by the Northern Border King’s declining health, resembling a river running dry.
“Cough cough cough—Bring, bring someone—bring someone—get my medicine—”
Frequent consumption of Cold Food Powder, coupled with ongoing outbursts of anger, had nearly drained the Northern Border King’s health.
He was no longer the formidable ruler he once was.
What stood before them was clearly a once-mighty lion now flickering at the edge of life, weak and frail, unable to even bite through its prey’s skin.
How could the Northern Border King accept such a fate?
The more it was like this, the more he leaned on the invigorating effects of the Cold Food Powder—
Clear-headed and full of energy, as if he had returned to his youthful prime.
He called out several times, and after a while, a Beloved Concubine finally entered the room.
“What, what’s happening outside—why did you take so long to come?”
Since taking the Cold Food Powder, the Northern Border King’s temper had become increasingly volatile; a little dissatisfaction meant he would punish the slaves to vent his anger.
He raised his hand to sweep aside the tray, gripping the Beloved Concubine’s wrist tightly, his eyes wide open, heavy breath hitting her face.
“Spare me, Great King! Spare me—”
The Beloved Concubine pleaded, her voice trembling.
“Tell me!” The Northern Border King maintained for a moment before collapsing back, chest heaving, “Tell me—”
It seemed the Beloved Concubine had accustomed herself to the Northern Border King’s rage; she knelt, collecting the remnants and preparing a new dose of medicine.
Having consumed copious amounts of Cold Food Powder, the Northern Border King was lost in a delightful, ethereal state, wearing a strange yet satisfying smile.
The Beloved Concubine nearby felt a shiver run down her spine, as though she had plunged into an icy cellar.
She watched for a while, and when the Northern Border King’s breathing finally steadied, she carefully retreated with the tray.
Just as she left the main tent, she felt a sudden tightening around her waist; before she could scream, someone covered her mouth forcefully.
With a flushed face, she whispered, “Ninth, Ninth Prince—this is not appropriate—”
The Ninth Prince sneered, “What’s inappropriate? The old man is bedridden; no matter how loud you scream, he won’t react!”
The Northern Border King’s favored concubine reminded him, “Ninth Prince, do you remember the Sixth Prince?”
Hearing about the Sixth Prince, the Ninth Prince immediately lost interest, his face darkening as he pushed the girl away.
“Bringing up the Sixth Prince now is really bad luck.”
The Sixth Prince thought the Northern Border King was gravely ill and that the throne was certainly his for the taking, so he shamelessly enjoyed the company’s concubine. He never expected the Northern Border King to wake up at that moment, causing a fierce outburst that nearly cost him his life.
A lesson from the past.
The Ninth Prince couldn’t afford to fall into the same trap again.
“One should steer the ship carefully; there’s still plenty of time ahead, so no need to rush into anything.”
Compared to the Ninth Prince’s reckless nature, the concubine remained much calmer and clearer-headed.
“Why be so cautious? Other than the Fourth Prince, who could threaten me now?”
The Ninth Prince chuckled, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Oh Fourth Prince, do you truly believe Sun Wen is wholeheartedly aiding you?
He and Halencha are merely using you as a target to clear out the visible enemies for me.
The concubine chimed in, “But aren’t there still the Third Prince and Fifth Prince?”
The Ninth Prince snorted dismissively, “Those two? Though they share the same mother, their personalities clash, and they’ve been at odds since childhood.”
The Third Prince was unfortunate indeed.
He studied under Wu Libai, so ideally, he shouldn’t have hit rock bottom, but he had a backstabbing little brother—the Fifth Prince.
The recent Zhe Ying death incident dragged the Third Prince down, leading to his plummeting reputation.
To stem the damage, he could only lie low, plotting for the future.
However, the Fifth Prince was unwilling to allow that, constantly biting at him like a mortal enemy instead of a blood brother.
These two brothers fought fiercely, and Sun Wen secretly pushed them both out of the game easily.
Now, only the Fourth Prince, supported on the surface by Sun Wen, and the Ninth Prince, backing them up in the shadows, remained among the Northern Border’s nine princes.
“Thank you for your strategic planning, my lord!”
Recently, the Fourth Prince was riding high, showering Sun Wen with priceless gifts without a care.
He shared the same mother with the Ninth Prince, but the old Ninth had none of those nurturing experiences, just the son of a female slave—his bloodline was quite lowly.
In the Fourth Prince’s eyes, the Ninth Prince was inconsequential; the throne of the Northern Border was as good as his.
Sun Wen smiled, “Fourth Prince, it is only as destiny wishes; I am merely following the will of heaven.”
The Fourth Prince felt completely at ease after those words.
He replied, “When I ascend the throne, I hope you will continue to assist me in unifying the Northern Border and combating the Liu Thief!”
Having the throne didn’t mean he could take it easy; the other brothers all returned to their respective tribal fiefs, posing a constant threat.
Sun Wen grinned, “Naturally, I will exert myself for the Fourth Prince, giving my all till death.”
After a show of loyalty, the Fourth Prince was overjoyed, gripping Sun Wen’s hand tightly.
With unparalleled strategy, if he could wholeheartedly assist him, the Fourth Prince wouldn’t fear his brothers, nor the lurking threat of Liu Xi.
As long as the old Ninth was out of the picture, he could be the next great king of the Northern Border!
Sun Wen frowned and admonished, “Fourth Prince, you can’t let your guard down. Although the Ninth Prince isn’t as capable as you, he is the youngest, and the Northern Border King dotes on him most. The Ninth Prince often hides behind others, letting them take the risks; you never know how much power he’s been gaining secretly. You should be cautious to prevent him from seizing the chance to usurp the throne first—”
The Fourth Prince’s expression sobered as he became serious, “Thanks to your guidance, my lord, I almost became overly complacent.”
The Ninth Prince, usually silent, was cherished by the Northern Border King, receiving preferential treatment.
After all these years, who could say what cards the old Ninth was holding?
A few days later, the Fourth Prince received confidential reports—The Ninth Prince was gathering troops for an impending coup.
With only two princes left in the royal court, the Ninth Prince had clearly sensed pressure and was impatiently preparing to make a preemptive strike.
“My lord, what should we do? The Ninth Prince is indeed attempting a coup—”
Given the Northern Border King’s favoritism towards the Ninth Prince, it might indeed lead him to pass the throne to him.
Sun Wen calmed him down, “Fourth Prince, don’t rush.”
“Why shouldn’t I rush?” the Fourth Prince asked anxiously. “After all my plotting, do I have to make a wedding garment for the Ninth Prince?”
Sun Wen laughed, “Fourth Prince, don’t be anxious; this is an opportunity served right to us.”
With that, the Fourth Prince’s emotions were instantly soothed.
“The words of my lord are indeed wise—” The Fourth Prince momentarily lost focus, heart racing, “The Ninth Prince has really made a blunder!”
The Ninth Prince, unable to bear the pressure, initiating a coup was absolutely a desperate move.
If he succeeded, the Northern Border King’s throne would fall into the Ninth Prince’s hands, but if he failed, the Fourth Prince would emerge as the ultimate victor.
Sun Wen suddenly frowned and questioned, “Fourth Prince, is this news credible?”
The Fourth Prince replied, “Of course it’s true.”
The Ninth Prince could never imagine that his most trusted confidant was actually under the Fourth Prince’s command.
