Could Qian Xingzhi truly know the inside story? This... How was that possible?
Jun Fuying struggled to suppress his shock. Having been provoked and humiliated several times, the composure he had barely regained was on the verge of collapsing again. "Oh? Lord Qian, what brilliant insight do you have?"
"Your Highness knows even less about Consort Wen than I do," Qian Xingzhi said, making final adjustments to the Go board. "I'm willing to put aside past grievances and point you in the right direction, lest Your Highness find yourself in mortal danger."
Jun Fuying almost laughed aloud at her words. Trust Qian Xingzhi? Absolutely ridiculous.
Seeing his silence, Qian Xingzhi continued, "Consort Wen is ambitious and ruthless, capable of protecting herself even amidst scandal. But you, Your Highness—you had months to prepare, yet you kept delaying without counterattacking, not even informing Consort Wen in time, giving the Third Prince and the Crown Prince an opening."
Jun Fuying found no words to refute her, but Qian Xingzhi pressed on, "If all you do is hold her back, your good mother will eventually sacrifice you to save herself. As long as His Majesty harbors doubts about your parentage, you'll never ascend the throne—unless..."
Jun Fuying held his breath, hardly believing the absurdity coming from Qian Xingzhi's mouth.
"Unless all suitable candidates are eliminated, leaving His Majesty no choice but to pick you," she said, looking at the Go board where she had arranged a large smiley face, quite pleased with herself.
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