Chapter 63 Defeated Before the Campaign Even Began

Zhao Guangyi was naturally overjoyed. After all, treason had always been a grave crime, the kind deemed unforgivable.

Let alone being caught red-handed in the act of administering poison.

Fortunately, through his own cleverness and resourcefulness, he had cheated death and saved his life.

He knew that such matters were most perilous right when they were first discovered.

It was entirely possible that Zhao Kuangyin might have beaten him to death on the spot.

Yet, once Zhao Kuangyin calmed down, bonds of family and brotherly affection would inevitably well up in his heart.

This would make him unable to bring himself to inflict a truly fatal blow on his own brother.

Besides, although he had indeed poisoned the wine, hadn't Zhao Kuangyin refrained from drinking it?

Wasn't he still alive and well?

At worst, it could only be counted as attempted murder.

As he let out a long sigh of relief, a sudden realization struck him regarding some rather peculiar phrasing in his elder brother's words.

What did he mean by seeing how he would govern once he became emperor?

And what did he mean by settling accounts later concerning how he would treat their fourth brother, along with those little whelps like Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang?

Why did all of that sound as though he, himself, was destined to become emperor in the future?

He wanted to ask for clarification, yet he dared not open his mouth.

He feared that the moment he spoke, that brute of an elder brother Zhao Kuangyin would beat him up all over again!

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, a sudden notion popped into his head.

Could it be... that the charlatan brought by Zhao Dezhao had told Zhao Kuangyin that he would ascend the throne?

Was that why Zhao Kuangyin had acted so out of character and meticulously plotted against him?

Once this thought surfaced, he chuckled bitterly at himself, feeling that he had overestimated that wandering fraud.

It was impossible, utterly impossible!

Merely a street swindler—how could he possibly accurately predict such events?

At the same time, he could not help but wonder: if he truly were to become emperor, how wonderful would that be?

With his grand ambitions and exceptional abilities, he could undoubtedly be described as possessing the appearance of a dragon and a phoenix, the noble countenance of the heavens itself.

Under his leadership, the Great Song would surely take on a completely new look, surpassing even the Han and Tang dynasties!

Yet as a result, here he was—the Song Taizong who should have been hailed on par with Emperor Taizong of Tang—being so abruptly and forcibly snuffed out...

Was this what they called meeting an untimely end before achieving one's grand ambitions, leaving heroes to drench their collars with tears?

Pondering this truly stirred a deep sense of sorrow...

...

The snow continued to fall, swirling and drifting without end.

Snowy weather always brought an extraordinary stillness, especially at night. If one listened quietly and intently, the faint, rustling whisper of snowflakes settling could be heard.

Wang Ji'en, draped in a cloak, stood quietly waiting beneath a corridor alongside several palace attendants.

His heart could no longer be contained; never had he felt time crawl at such an agonizingly slow pace.

After enduring such torment for a long time, he finally caught sight of some movement at the Wansui Hall.

Faint figures could occasionally be seen cast upon the windows, as if someone had risen from their seat.

Wang Ji'en instantly roused his attention to the highest level.

Calculations of time suggested that by now, Prince Jin should have already succeeded!

As he waited in such nervous suspense for a brief moment, faint sounds of weeping and cries of agony drifted over.

Such a commotion immediately stirred a ripple of unrest among the waiting palace attendants.

Some grew uneasy and instantly wanted to step forward to take a look.

At that moment, however, Wang Ji'en raised his voice.

"All of you stay standing right here, nobody is allowed to move!

Just now, His Majesty stated that he and his younger brother needed to speak of family matters. Until an order is given, who dares to step away?

Besides, His Majesty and Prince Jin are real brothers; what mishap could possibly occur?

Just wait here for further instructions!

The most important rule for surviving long in the palace is simply obedience.

Do whatever you are told, and on no account poke your nose into other people's business."

Among everyone present, Wang Ji'en held the highest seniority, the loftiest official rank, and was widely acknowledged as the favored intimate in the emperor's inner circle.

With Wang Ji'en having spoken, who dared to make a reckless move?

In an instant, the commotion was completely suppressed.

Moreover, upon reflection, these people felt that what Wang Ji'en said did indeed make sense.

Indeed, with the Emperor and Prince Jin conversing together about their own family matters, what could possibly go wrong?

This truly was not something lowly servants like them ought to worry about.

Having righteously halted the others from investigating Wansui Hall, Wang Ji'en's heart was already soaring.

Good! Splendid! It's done! The deed has truly been accomplished!

His gamble had paid off!

He had known that Prince Jin using poison against Zhao Kuangyin would be utterly foolproof.

Zhao Kuangyin might be on guard against anyone else, but he would never be on guard against Prince Jin.

The faint cries of agony and pain drifting over could only mean one thing: after consuming Prince Jin's poison, Zhao Kuangyin was beginning to suffer.

He had witnessed what people looked like when they died of poison.

The moments before death were exceptionally agonizing, and the sounds reaching them now precisely confirmed his suspicion—Prince Jin had succeeded!

Splendid, everything was settled now!

He was soaring to great heights and wealth!

His gamble had won! Serving under Prince Jin was bound to be far more advantageous and secure than defecting to Zhao Dezhao's side!

Merit from the founding of a new reign! This was the supreme merit of a new dynasty's founding!

Thrilled by these thoughts, he waited a while longer, but the faint cries of pain still echoed, refusing to cease.

This left Wang Ji'en somewhat startled and suspicious.

Who on earth had concocted this poison for Prince Jin? At such a crucial moment, why was it so unreliable?

Even taking someone's life was taking this long, allowing him to wail for so much time? It was truly maddening!

He was almost tempted to go over and lend a hand.

Prince Jin had never set foot on a battlefield and was a scholar by training. When a real crisis struck, he still lacked the competence and wasn't skilled at murder.

Since the poison had already taken effect and the emperor hadn't died straight away, why didn't he hurry up and grant him a dignified end so he would stop howling?

Otherwise, once a massive commotion broke out, it would be no laughing matter!

Fortunately, he had stayed outside to manage the situation and keep everyone in check.

Otherwise, exposure would likely have already occurred!

After waiting a moment longer, listening to the lingering cries of agony, gazing at the tightly sealed hall doors, and then looking at the palace attendants around him—some with varied expressions and many itching to try their luck at the Wansui Hall side—Wang Ji'en finally lost his restraint.

He had to hurry over there, give Prince Jin a hand, send Zhao Kuangyin on his way quickly, and stop him from carrying on like a mourner at a funeral!

"All of you stay here obediently! This eunuch will go and see what on earth is happening!

Without my command, no one is permitted to wander about on their own.

Anyone who disobeys will be dragged out and beaten to death!"

Wang Ji'en turned back to address the attendants, his face brimming with murderous intent as he reached the final words.

A chill struck the hearts of the dozen or so attendants, and they hurriedly lowered their heads and bowed to signal their compliance.

Wang Ji'en flicked his horsetail whisk, quickening his pace as he headed toward Wansui Hall.

After taking a few steps, however, the muffled sounds of agony from Wansui Hall abruptly vanished.

Joy surged in Wang Ji'en's heart; it seemed Prince Jin had finally finished off the emperor!

He approached the door, intending to press his ear against it to listen for any movement inside.

At that very moment, the door swung open, revealing a figure stepping out.

Without even raising his head, Wang Ji'en immediately bowed and offered his greetings.

"This humble servant pays respects to Your Highness Prince Jin, and congratulates Your Majesty upon ascending the supreme throne. Your Majesty is truly one blessed with profound fortune."

He spoke the title of "Your Majesty" in a hushed tone because, although Zhao Kuangyin was supposedly dead, Prince Jin's ascension had not yet been officially decreed, and he feared being overheard and disrupting the plan.

From his perspective, there were only two people inside Wansui Hall.

Zhao Kuangyin was already dead, so the person emerging must naturally be Prince Jin.

"Indeed, We truly are one blessed with profound fortune."

Holding a jade axe, Zhao Kuangyin gazed coldly down at the bowing Wang Ji'en and spoke in a chilly voice.

Wang Ji'en: ? ? ? ! ! !