Chapter 53: Chaos

Wang Li left the Third Prince’s residence with a displeased expression on his face. At first, he truly had no idea about these matters and was so anxious that he almost lost his mind.

Then, Lü Xian, who happened to be passing by, helped him analyze and clarify the situation, which suddenly made everything clear to him.

As he left, he glanced back at the Third Prince’s residence, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

‘That little brat, hmph…’

He was very unhappy with Wang Yi, extremely unhappy.

‘Does he really think he has me cornered? Let him be proud for now. With no power or influence, does he really think being emperor is so easy?’

Was Wang Yi’s advantage really that great?

At first, after hearing the analysis of such an extraordinary woman like Lü Xian, Wang Li indeed felt that Wang Yi had a significant advantage, especially since after Emperor Li’s death, he was the only prince left.

As a member of the imperial faction, Wang Li was also caught up in the turmoil surrounding Emperor Li’s death. If Wang Yi, after ascending the throne, were to lend him a hand, Wang Li, as an imperial uncle and veteran minister, would out of gratitude become Wang Yi’s loyal supporter to help suppress the civil and military nobility at court.

But all of this depended on Wang Li voluntarily helping him. If he had been unaware earlier or had no other options, he might have had no choice but to proceed that way.

But with Lü Xian by his side, he already had a plan.

Wang Yi’s methods were decisive and impressive, but the problem was that he was too inexperienced and too ruthless—the two were not mutually exclusive.

If a powerful prince had acted this way, it would have been fine, as they had enough achievements and retainers to adjust, but Wang Yi did not.

His maternal clan was weak, and due to his own circumstances, his influence at court was minimal, which was why he needed an old minister like Wang Li to assist him.

“My wife, she really does favor outsiders.”

Wang Li’s wife, of course, was his officially wedded principal wife. He had seen how kind she was to Wang Yi earlier, thinking it was just an investment.

But he never expected that despite his repeated warnings not to reveal Chen Xiyi’s existence, she ultimately disclosed it and even helped Wang Yi plant a dead soldier near Emperor Li, causing harm to his entire Prince Zhuang’s Mansion.

Because of this, he began to consider divorcing her.

Was being tricked once not enough? Did she want to be tricked again?

On the other hand, he thought very highly of Lü Xian; she was simply a virtuous and helpful partner.

As for her questionable reputation?

Hah, to be chosen by an immortal—how could she be an ordinary person?

Now, she had devised strategies to help him break free from the predicament, proving that Lü Xian’s intelligence and abilities far surpassed his own.

When marrying a wife, one seeks virtue; when taking a concubine, one seeks beauty.

Now that his principal wife lacked virtue, he could divorce her.

“Change course, head to the Imperial Clan Court.” Wang Li got into his sedan chair, escorted by a large contingent of mansion guards heading to the Imperial Clan Court.

Being cautious, Wang Li naturally brought a large number of soldiers and attendants, armed not only with weapons and armor but also with powerful bows and crossbows, fearing that Wang Yi might be foolish enough to strike at him.

Of course, this was also on Lü Xian’s advice.

“The Imperial Clan Court, the Imperial Guard, the noble houses, the high officials.” Wang Li repeatedly reviewed the plan that Lü Xian had discussed with him.

Everything was progressing smoothly, especially since Wang Yi was the one taking action.

“Regent? But Wang Yi is a young tiger that hasn’t fully grown. Is being regent really that easy?”

Wang Li recalled Lü Xian’s meaningful words, which made him feel that the plan might not end there. This extraordinary woman was probably waiting for him to make a certain decision.

Sitting in the sedan chair, his breathing became somewhat hurried. He seemed to understand what that decision was.

But he still couldn’t bring himself to make up his mind.

‘I’ll decide when we reach the Imperial Clan Court. She…’

…

Chen Xiyi still sat fishing by the Landscape Lake, his face hidden by the Alloy Helmet, showing no emotion.

A woman pushed the door open and entered without announcing her name or anyone reporting her arrival in advance.

[Bai Qing, Wife of the Prince, Health Points: 100%, Status: Anxious, Nervous]

[Ability 1: Needlework]

[Ability 2: Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting]

[Experience]

[July: Attempted to persuade Immortal Fuyao to support Wang Yi’s ascension to the throne. If unsuccessful, planned to find a way to eliminate him.]

[July: …]

[July: Wang Yi proposed to honor her as his adoptive mother. Upon success, she would reside in the Cining Palace and recognize Wang Li as Father Counsellor.]

[July: …]

[July: Wang Yi disclosed his conspiracy to her, causing her inner fear and unease.]

[July: Expressed dissatisfaction with Wang Li’s closeness to Lü Xian, Hostility Level towards Lü Xian +1]

[July: …]

Seeing this, Chen Xiyi understood that Wang Li’s household was in disarray—even his wife had been swayed away.

He located Wang Yi on the map, labeled as [Wang Yi, the Prince].

He suspected that Emperor Li’s death was likely connected to this Wang Yi.

Wang Li, Prince Zhuang, had already gone to deal with the matter. The chaos was just beginning but had not yet reached a point where Chen Xiyi needed to intervene.

“Great Immortal…”

“I know what you want to say. Leave or die.” Chen Xiyi coldly interrupted her.

To be honest, if she had only the first part—persuading Chen Xiyi to support Wang Yi’s ascension—Chen Xiyi’s attitude wouldn’t have been so poor, and he might have been willing to chat with her.

But she also had the latter part—wanting to eliminate him.

That meant she was threatening his life. How could Chen Xiyi tolerate that?

It was true that as a player, he could respawn, but as a player, how could he let himself be controlled by an NPC?

Chen Xiyi’s decisiveness made Bai Qing’s expression turn sour. She knew her husband had said that this Immortal Fuyao was mysterious and unpredictable, but from what she learned from the servants, this so-called Immortal Fuyao did nothing but fish every day and didn’t seem impressive at all.

That was why she wanted to test the waters, but she never expected him to cut her off without even listening.

“Great Immortal, please hear me out. If you agree to this, you will be offered the position of State Preceptor. Then, you would be second only to one person and above thousands—wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Bai Qing thought that he might not be aware of the conditions Wang Yi had proposed; otherwise, why would he refuse?

Chen Xiyi glanced at her, thinking that she was either not very bright or too naive. Did she really think Wang Yi’s promises would come true?

Once Wang Yi secured his power, he would likely purge Prince Zhuang’s Mansion first, especially since Emperor Li died there—a very convenient excuse.

Then, the entire household might face execution.

Without even looking, Chen Xiyi knew that this Wang Yi was probably a prince without power. Otherwise, why would he resort to such desperate measures?

If he had influence, he could simply crush his opponents openly and honorably.

“Ah~ Someone, throw her out.” Chen Xiyi sighed, completely ignoring her, and called out loudly.

The servants outside came in, but Bai Qing put on the airs of the mansion’s mistress: “Who dares? This is Prince Zhuang’s Mansion. How dare you defy your superiors?”

At that, the servants outside really didn’t dare to move, caught between two authorities they couldn’t afford to offend.

“If you don’t want to be thrown out, then you’ll have to be carried out dead.” Chen Xiyi said with some resignation.