I Accumulate Spirit Roots for My Next Life

Chapter 424 - 273: Colluding with the Enemy and Plotting Rebellion

Consort Zhen entered the monastery and recounted the events clearly.

The main branch of the Jin family had seven houses, but only three produced Nascent Soul True Monarchs. After Consort Zhen was chosen by Li Yuan to enter the palace, the head of the first house, Li Jizhou’s grandfather, became the Patriarch.

The year Li Jizhou was found to have an innate Wood Spirit Body, his grandfather, Jin Zhaoyu, was at the peak of his influence, having absolute authority in the Jin family.

However, with the birth of the Ninth Prince and the Crown Prince manifesting the Golden Core Dharma Aspect, Jin Zhaoyu’s influence declined.

Over the years, as he poured all his resources into supporting Li Jizhou, resistance grew stronger.

Now, the second and fifth houses of the Jin family have accused Jin Zhaoyu of collusion, selling a large amount of Red Phosphorus Gold Ore to the Demon Race of Nanling, and communicating with Qianji City and the Ten Thousand Poison Sect, both mortal enemies of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, with the intent of rebellion.

For an ordinary family, such charges are grave, deserving annihilation of the nine generations!

However, being part of the royal family grants certain privileges, so at most, only the chief conspirator would be executed.

Yet, with such an incident, the Seventh Prince’s reputation would naturally be affected, and even in Li Yuan’s eyes, his opinion of the Seventh Prince would naturally decline.

After listening to Consort Zhen, Li Jizhou understood.

It must be the work of the Dragon Aspect, seeing the Seventh Prince gaining favor, they wanted to weaken him, balancing with the Ninth Prince, to make Li Yuan hesitate once more.

But... three days have passed, and Li Yuan has still not taken a stance, holding back on issuing a decree. Is this to give me a chance?

Li Jizhou closed his eyes in thought.

Over three years, the Dragon Aspect’s setup would leave no traces.

The issue with grandfather Jin Zhaoyu is very likely true, whether deceived or kept in the dark, it would be difficult to overturn the case.

If I plead for leniency, perhaps I can save grandfather’s life, but Li Yuan’s opinion of me would naturally decrease, and due to this matter, he might think I allow my maternal family to squander the ancestral foundation, losing any hope of inheriting the throne.

If I do not plead, retreating and pretending indifference might not incur Li Yuan’s resentment, but... Consort Zhen’s personality and her feelings towards grandfather would ultimately be heartbroken.

Of course, if I stand in the court now, indignantly denouncing Jin Zhaoyu, my weight in Li Yuan’s eyes would increase, even if the ministers condemn me as unfilial, Li Yuan would definitely see me as the candidate for the throne.

"Does Long Ni really believe I wouldn’t uphold justice over familial ties?"

-------

"Your Highness, please calm down. The Saint Emperor has not issued a decree on Jin Zhaoyu’s collusion, which is beneficial to us," Long Huanzi said respectfully.

"What does the Dragon Aspect say?" Consort Rong asked indifferently, slightly disappointed with the Saint Emperor’s reaction to Jin Zhaoyu’s grand case.

Three years ago, after discussing with Long Huanzi, once Jin Zhaoyu’s crimes were confirmed, the Jin family, along with Consort Zhen and the Seventh Prince, would surely be punished by the Saint Emperor.

After planning for three years, now that Jin Zhaoyu’s case has come to light for three days, the Saint Emperor has been withholding judgment.

This suggests the Seventh Prince’s status in the Saint Emperor’s heart might be even higher than she thought.

"Grandfather says the Saint Emperor is furious and has already created a rift with the Seventh Prince," Long Huanzi replied with a smile.

Consort Rong sought to eliminate the Seventh Prince with a single blow, whereas the Dragon Aspect only sought to balance the positions of the Seventh and Ninth Princes.

"Just a rift? Three years ago, you claimed that with success in this scheme, my son’s destiny would be secured?" Consort Rong said, somewhat resentfully.

Long Huanzi shook his head with a smile, "Your Highness, be patient, and watch the Seventh Prince’s reaction. If he dares to plead with the Saint Emperor, he will certainly lose favor forever."

"Do you think the Seventh Prince would plead for Jin Zhaoyu?" Consort Rong asked.

Everyone knows that pleading would displease the Saint Emperor, and facing the dynasty’s future, she didn’t believe the Seventh Prince would do so.

The key is, she knew well that the Seventh Prince wasn’t stupid, but rather very smart.

Long Huanzi slightly frowned, "Even the wisest can make mistakes. Our setup is complete, now it depends on how the Seventh Prince responds.

If he is deeply emotional and loyal, the Ninth Prince’s future is assured."

"And if he doesn’t plead?" Consort Rong’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed.

"Even if he doesn’t plead, Jin Zhaoyu is his grandfather, and the Saint Emperor’s favor towards him won’t remain much."

"And what if he is indignant and demands the Saint Emperor severely punish Jin Zhaoyu?"

"That is impossible! Based on our understanding of the Seventh Prince, his maternal family has greatly supported him, with Jin Zhaoyu as the biggest backer, and Consort Zhen has always been close to Jin Zhaoyu..."

"Hmph, with the throne ahead, what is family?" Consort Rong retorted.

"If this were true, the entire court would denounce him as unfilial!"

A flash of severity appeared in Consort Rong’s eyes. The court’s denunciation?

Would the Saint Emperor care about the court’s opinion?

After a pause, she suppressed her dissatisfaction with the Dragon Aspect and asked, "Is there a way to lure the Seventh Prince out of the Imperial City?"

"Your Highness, do not be rash!" Long Huanzi was shocked.

The Crown Prince has already lost favor; now, only Old Qi and Old Jiu are being used to contain Li Yuan and the Jiuli Map. How dare they let one side dominate?

"Hmph!" Consort Rong felt annoyed.

King Yun has been in the Celestial Prison for three years, and every day the searing sun tormented her mind.

She often had nightmares, waking up in shock during the night.

She didn’t want to suffer anymore.

"Please convey to the Dragon Aspect that they must find a way to get the Seventh Prince to Qingzhou, or else..." Consort Rong didn’t finish her threat, but a wise person would understand.

Long Huanzi felt a chill in his heart but remained respectful on the surface: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will certainly convey it."

However, in his heart, he thought with malice that once the Dragon Race’s plan succeeded, he would turn Consort Rong into his furnace, whipping her day and night!

He naturally understood what Consort Rong meant, wanting to lure the Seventh Prince out of the inner six prefectures, using the Crown Prince’s methods from years ago.

The Dragon Race would surely not let her have her wish.

------

"Mother, please rest assured, I will definitely protect grandfather’s life!" After a long contemplation, Li Jizhou gently comforted Consort Zhen, patting her back.

Consort Zhen suddenly looked up, her gaze somewhat puzzled as she looked at Li Jizhou.

She had just learned of the internal accusations within the Jin family three days ago and impulsively came to Li Jizhou.

However, after explaining the whole chain of events, she somewhat regretted it.

Li Jizhou was not only her child but also a prince of the Jiuli Dynasty, and one of the two princes most likely to inherit the throne.

The conspiracy behind this matter was undoubtedly deep.

Consort Zhen hailed from a small family in Qingzhou and was carefree from a young age. She didn’t favor scheming and wasn’t skilled at it.

She never expected Li Jizhou to do anything specific, only hoping he could live a relaxed life.

Years ago, when he was enfeoffed in Qingzhou, she was quite delighted.

"But, Qian’Er, just now I realized, if you plead for your grandfather, I’m afraid in the presence of the Saint Emperor..."

"Mother, you are my only family! And I naturally have a way for mutual benefits, no need to worry."

"Qian’Er..."

"Mother, it’s been a long time since you visited our maternal family, do you wish to return for a visit?" Li Jizhou interrupted Consort Zhen’s next words.

That day, an explosive scandal erupted in the court.

It was discovered that the Seventh Prince’s grandfather was colluding with the Demon Race of Nanling and the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, with intent for rebellion.

And, astonishingly, the Seventh Prince, without avoiding suspicion, requested in the presence of the entire court to be allowed to go to Qingzhou to investigate the cause.

All of a sudden, various factions were stunned.

Consort Rong was incredulous, her long-standing worries dissipated instantly, and she immediately invited Long Huanzi to thank him for his actions.

On the side of the Dragon Aspect, there was utter confusion as they believed the Seventh Prince should not have been so foolish.

That night, the Dragon Race’s special Divine Soul secret technique was activated again, but the discussions focused on ensuring the Seventh Prince’s safe trip to Qingzhou.