Chapter 58: Inviting Zhao Guangyi into the Trap

"Is what you say true?"

Zhao Guangyi looked at Wang Ji'en to confirm.

Though he knew this matter could not possibly be false, it was simply of such paramount importance to him that he could not afford even the slightest carelessness.

"This is the personal decree of His Majesty, absolutely true and certain. Even if this humble servant were given a hundred chunks of courage, I would still not dare to utter a single word of falsehood."

Wang Ji'en said solemnly, his face plastered with devotion.

Hearing this, Zhao Guangyi felt as though joy had descended straight from the heavens.

What did it mean when someone handed you a pillow just as you grew drowsy? This was precisely it!

To tell the truth, although he had already finalized his strategy and arranged all the necessary plans to get rid of that old dog Zhao Kuangyin, he had still been racking his brains over how to enter the palace under a plausible pretext to meet his imperial brother, how to drag the time out until evening, and how to prevent that old dog from harboring any suspicions beforehand. He had already been mulling over a plan in his heart.

That plan was to seek an audience with Zhao Kuangyin within the next few days, stay overnight in the imperial palace to converse through the night, and seize the opportunity to strike.

Yet for him to initiate it himself would still lack a certain natural justification. And right at this moment, Wang Ji'en had been sent by that old dog Zhao Kuangyin to deliver this very message.

How could Zhao Guangyi not be overjoyed?

It was truly as if Heaven itself was willing his success!

Unwilling to countenance the series of shameful deeds committed by Zhao Kuangyin, Heaven was helping him eliminate Zhao Kuangyin so that he could lead the Great Song toward a glorious future!

His question to Wang Ji'en just now was not merely to confirm the news. As he spoke, he had exchanged a meaningful glance with Wang Ji'en.

Wang Ji'en's response had remained unwavering, and upon finishing, he had given him a subtle look of reassurance.

This proved there were no traps hidden within this matter; Zhao Kuangyin genuinely wanted to summon him for a meeting.

"Grand Eunuch Wang, please wait a moment. I shall go freshen up and immediately accompany you into the palace."

Zhao Guangyi treated Wang Ji'en with utmost courtesy, knowing that in the impending events, Wang Ji'en would have to exert great effort and play a crucial role.

"Your Highness, please take your time."

Once Zhao Guangyi departed, someone in the Prince of Jin's mansion promptly served Wang Ji'en the finest tea available.

Returning to his study, Zhao Guangyi unlocked a small, exquisitely crafted box.

Inside lay a dozen identical, thumb-sized porcelain vials.

These small vials contained none other than the legendary poison, "Pulling Engine" (Qianji Yao).

The effects had already been tested by him, and they were indeed formidable. Just a fraction of the contents from a single vial was enough to cause a person to perish instantly.

He picked up one vial, carefully tucked it into the inner pocket of his sleeve, and secured it properly.

This was his ultimate trump card to achieve a surprise victory and dispose of that old dog Zhao Kuangyin; he could not afford the slightest oversight.

"Tap, tap, tap."

At that moment, a soft knocking sound echoed.

Zhao Guangyi immediately closed the box and locked it securely.

"Who is it?"

"Your Highness, it is this humble servant."

Hearing Cheng Dexuan's voice, Zhao Guangyi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He spoke, "Enter."

Cheng Dexuan pushed the door open and entered.

"Your Highness, do you suppose... could the Emperor have sensed something? This timing is simply too much of a coincidence."

After offering a salute, Cheng Dexuan stepped close to Zhao Guangyi, lowered his voice, and expressed his anxieties with cautious apprehension.

Hearing this, Zhao Guangyi's face broke into a smile.

"Rest assured, there is absolutely no problem whatsoever. This is no Feast at Hong Gate; this is the celebration banquet for our impending success! Even if it were a Feast at Hong Gate, I should be the one hosting it for him in reverse!"

His words radiated absolute confidence.

Seeing that Cheng Dexuan still harbored lingering doubts, he proceeded to offer a further explanation.

"What kind of temperament Zhao Kuangyin possesses, I know better than any of you. Regardless of his reasons for suddenly choosing Zhao Dezhao this time, he cannot possibly feel comfortable inside. He is filled with guilt toward me. Summoning me into the palace for a meeting at this juncture is the most natural thing in the world. He needs to use this matter to properly explain things to me, to appease me, and to lecture me on grand principles so that I won't overthink. He wants me to swallow this bitter pill willingly, thereby alleviating some of the guilt in his heart. It is the exact same logic as when he previously had Zhao Dezhao welcome Li Yu and sent Zhao Dezhao straight to my mansion afterward. Put your heart completely at ease; there is no need for any worry. There is only one outcome to this trip, and that is the death of Zhao Kuangyin!"

With that, he patted Cheng Dexuan on the shoulder, strode out of the study, went directly to Wang Ji'en, and entered the palace in his company.

He was unwilling to wait even a single moment longer. He only wanted to see Zhao Kuangyin quickly and dispatch him to the netherworld, so that he might ascend to the throne that rightfully belonged to him...

Cheng Dexuan and several retainers of the Prince of Jin's mansion stood outside the estate to respectfully send off the Prince of Jin and Wang Ji'en, who had come on an imperial errand.

Only after their entourage had receded into the distance did they straighten up.

Watching the procession as it was about to vanish from sight, Cheng Dexuan's previously unsettled heart finally calmed down.

He concluded that he had indeed been overthinking. When it came to understanding Zhao Kuangyin, none of them could compare to the Prince of Jin, his own younger brother. Moreover, based on the information he had gathered, the reigning sovereign truly treated the Prince of Jin quite well, sharing a deep fraternal bond.

The reality could only be as the Prince of Jin had said: after choosing Zhao Dezhao, Zhao Kuangyin felt a lingering sense of guilt toward his younger brother. That was why he had specifically summoned the Prince of Jin into the palace tonight to offer an explanation regarding this affair.

How should one describe Zhao Kuangyin... as an elder brother, he was qualified; as a father, he was acceptable; and as an emperor, he was beyond reproach. Cheng Dexuan could actually understand Zhao Kuangyin's choice in this matter. If he were in Zhao Kuangyin's position, he probably would have enfeoffed his own son as a prince and named him crown prince long ago, rather than hesitating like Zhao Kuangyin. What father wouldn't want to leave the best things to his son rather than passing them to his younger brother?

Yet... wasn't it simply a matter of occupying a different seat?

He was working under the Prince of Jin and had placed all his bets on him. Naturally, facing these actions of Zhao Kuangyin, he felt resentment.

Shaking his head to banish his idle thoughts, he returned to his quarters, buying half a braised pig's knuckle and half a roast duck along the way to slowly snack on, waiting for his own moment of glory to arrive...

At this time, heavy clouds blanketed the sky, and the sunlight had long since vanished. Consequently, the evening grew increasingly dim and gloomy.

By the time Zhao Guangyi's party arrived before the palace gates, frozen drizzle and sleet were already pelting down.

Zhao Guangyi gazed at the sleet falling onto his palm and melting instantly, flicked his sleeves, and strode resolutely into the imperial city.

After tonight, this imperial city would belong to him!