Chapter 72 — TVF Chapter 72

The Table-Flipping Old Father 12

Prince Haicheng would ascend the throne and change the regnal year next year, but he had already moved his luggage and his people into the palace one after another, and even given the Crown Prince’s Residence to his third son... The imperial family, noble clans, and court officials all voiced no objection.

Now, the Third Prince was a Noble Prince in the truest sense.

After a round of cleaning, there was no shortage of people inside and outside the palace rushing to curry favor with the Third Prince. But he remained clear-headed. Thankfully, his master had warned him in advance, otherwise, if he saw Imperial Consort Yang turning up with a child in her arms, he would surely lose his composure. This flock of eager flatterers had no idea that his dear father actually had no intention of passing the throne to his older son. Once these people figured out the Prince’s true thoughts, they’d probably turn on their heels and leave, or even report back to the Prince and accuse him of slander.

So, he accepted all who came, but it was nothing more than polite acceptance.

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, he pondered the matter and deliberately walked back to the Crown Prince’s Residence. Once his thoughts were organized, he ordered someone to summon his Master.

It had been two months since Qin Jingzhou and the Third Prince had saved the Emperor together, in full view, inside the Qianqing Palace. Apart from the decree allowing the Third Prince to move into the Crown Prince’s Residence and a few words of encouragement, Prince Haicheng gave no further reward—and as for Qin Jingzhou, he was simply assigned to the Third Prince, without even a word of praise.

Many thought they understood Prince Haicheng’s intentions: he knew he had little time left, and wished to wait until the Third Prince succeeded before bestowing rewards on Qin Jingzhou, thereby binding his heart once and for all.

In reality, Qin Jingzhou saw things clearly. Prince Haicheng simply adhered to a philosophy of “deeds neither rewarded nor punished,” and believed both his son and Qin Jingzhou would die before he did. Why go to the trouble of handing out rewards, only to find excuses to strip them away later?

Indeed, Prince Haicheng once had his bottom line, but as death approached, he inevitably grew dark and twisted.

Since the Third Prince had mentioned Yang Shi, Qin Jingzhou said, “There is an expert supporting Yang Shi behind the scenes. The former Emperor died too abruptly. I suspect there was deceit at play.”

Prince Haicheng’s white moonlight, Consort Dugu, favored muted, low-saturated Morandi colors. Yet, Prince Haicheng’s own taste was as flamboyant as they come.

There were several Consort Dugu ladies among his imperial concubines. They tried to dress with understated elegance to win favor, but the effect was lacking. Prince Haicheng wouldn’t grow angry, but neither did he ever seem interested.

Yang Shi was obviously an exception.

Qin Jingzhou spoke to the System: “This time, the task is to raise two generations of wise rulers. The Third Prince is mediocre at best, but since we have a master–apprentice relationship, I’ll at least see him die with some clarity.”

In the original story, after Prince Haicheng died of illness, the Third Prince never managed to put up a decent fight for his inheritance. In reality, he only had to rely on Zhou for lack of other options. So Zhou’s judgment of his lack of talent was absolutely fair!

The System was somewhat curious. “Brother Zhou, what kind of person qualifies as ‘talented’ in your eyes?”

“Someone who trusts me and follows my lead.”

The System pressed on: “So up till now, the most promising are your own illegitimate sons and daughters, plus a blindly obedient son-in-law?”

“That’s right.” Qin Jingzhou glanced at the Third Prince, whose face was a mask of forced calm. “Your Highness, as the saying goes, a man’s nature is hard to change. The Prince seems convinced that Yang Shi is the reincarnation of Consort Dugu... But on what grounds? Your Highness, you must beware the skills your predecessor, the former Emperor, was known for.”

He didn’t want to be enigmatic, but if he spoke plainly, the Third Prince’s first reaction would be to get rid of him, rather than gather strength or confront Yang Shi and Prince Haicheng.

The Third Prince sat in silence for a long time, and in the end, gave no instructions, merely offered tea with a frosty air, politely seeing Qin Jingzhou out.

Leaving the Danben Hall, the living quarters of the Third Prince, Qin Jingzhou returned to the Zhan Shi Office within the Crown Prince’s Residence. He sat for a while, then left for home as if there was nothing out of the ordinary.

At this time, his two sons, both safe after the Qianqing Palace upheaval, were each preoccupied. His eldest held a post at the military camp outside the Capital, his second son was “between jobs” at home, and his daughter and son-in-law, following Qin Jingzhou’s instructions, handed Si Family Fortress over to a taciturn fellow disciple and led several others to the Capital.

Today, the eldest son happened to be on a rest day. Qin Jingzhou convened a family meeting in his study.

Looking at his dutiful children and disciples, he spoke honestly, “The former Emperor’s health was always poor. Over the years, he became as good a doctor as any. I’m sure you’ve all heard something of this.”

Third Miss Si nodded. “I’ve tried to make connections with the Imperial Physician Aristocratic Families in the Capital. They’re always lamenting the former Emperor, and say that his recipe for the Yan Shou Pill has vanished too...”

Han Xuanfeng, the son-in-law, added, “The former Emperor could read the wind, and knew the end was near. Whatever happened, he had to die. I suspect he left behind some contingency... and Yang Shi did serve by his side for some time.”

Second son thought for a moment. “The Yang Clan was truly wronged—everyone knows it. But neither the former Emperor nor Prince Haicheng has ever cleared their name... There wasn’t even an edict to pardon or return the exiled members of the Yang Clan.”

Truly, none of the children had been taught in vain. Each saw through to the heart of the matter.

Qin Jingzhou approved. “The former Emperor and Prince Haicheng share the same failing: arrogance to the end. They both believed they could use members of the Yang Clan to control Yang Shi. As long as they showed her a little kindness, she would be grateful and loyal. Prince Haicheng even had a son with Yang Shi, and thus became convinced she was fully his, with nothing held back.”

He pitied both Yang Shi and her kin for their injustice—and regarded her quest for vengeance as natural.

All things considered, Prince Haicheng was only slightly better than the former Emperor, but when it came to being “both dumb and malicious,” they were truly family.

That was why, although Qin Jingzhou had deduced Yang Shi’s plan from the health of the Third Prince, he chose to quietly observe, giving only slight guidance so the Third Prince might at least die with his eyes open.

Without hurry, Qin Jingzhou revealed the truth. “Yang Shi used a secret medicine on the Third Prince, making him waste away bit by bit. She duped Prince Haicheng with the Yan Shou Pill, but actually gave him another secret medicine—one that causes hallucinations.”

His eldest son blurted out, “She’s quite a character!”

The others, though silent, were just as impressed.

Qin Jingzhou smiled and nodded. “Exactly. Remember to have restraint in all things, and don’t act recklessly. The former Emperor, Prince Haicheng, the Third Prince, and even the one who’s already dead, the Fifth Prince—all of them, who would ever imagine they’d end up directly or indirectly killed by a nobody like Yang? And those who helped the Fifth Young Master stir up trouble? It was Yang who gradually brought them, in groups, into Prince Haicheng’s army.”

The children and disciples all stood and bowed together. “Yes, Father!”

After that, Qin Jingzhou instructed his “between jobs” second son to take some men to the border to lay out their plans. Over the past three years, most of the graduates of the “crash course” had joined the army, many of them already showing some success.

His eldest son had no shortcomings, but second son lacked martial talent—not only did he pale in comparison to his older brother, he was even bested by Third Miss Si, who devoted most of her time to medical studies.

The second son had a clear sense of his own abilities and position. There was no need for his father to take him aside for a talk. He willingly accepted his lot, with no resentment. So when he was instructed to travel to the border, reconnect with old comrades, secretly recruit private troops, and look after members of the Yang Clan if possible, he cheerfully agreed.

The very next day, he packed up and, together with several fellow disciples, left the Capital for the border.

Of course, they left under the pretense of establishing a mercenary corps to make money and support the family.

At present, Qin Jingzhou was just a low-grade official at the Zhan Shi Office, while his eldest son was only a minor army officer. They could no longer recruit disciples to study martial arts, so relying on their salaries in the Capital was simply impossible. Building a mercenary corps therefore surprised no one.

The Third Prince was a little displeased. His Master living so frugally reflected poorly on him. He wanted to dissuade his Master, but couldn’t say it outright, so instead he summoned him and promised to offer generous support.

Qin Jingzhou only smiled, thinking, Not even through the “honeymoon period,” and you're already showing your true face. No wonder the mission employer had no faith in the whole lot of you and wants me to raise a new wise ruler from scratch.

But now wasn’t the time to openly quarrel with the Third Prince. “I understand, Your Highness. I will have them return immediately.”

As for the sincere confession and admission of guilt the Third Prince had hoped for... it never materialized.

He remembered what his wife said yesterday. The Noble Prince is so cautious, but Master Si... becomes impossibly arrogant. Now, perhaps not exactly arrogant, but if he stands in the way of Master earning money, Master certainly won’t be happy about it.

Once Yang Shi was dealt with, he could see to his Master at his leisure.

Sensing a flicker of murderous intent, Qin Jingzhou couldn’t help but smile—he was certain the Third Prince was as good as dead.

As luck would have it, he’d only just left the Crown Prince’s Residence when a young Inner Attendant slipped a note into his hand. The note-passing style was all too familiar. He shook his head, opened the scrap of paper, and saw a single line: “Are you feeling aggrieved?”

Qin Jingzhou couldn’t hold back a laugh. Right then and there, he pulled out a charcoal pencil from his sleeve pocket, and wrote his reply on the back: “See no evil, hear no evil.”

The System almost burst out laughing as well: Wasn’t this just “Hang in there, I’m rooting for you”?