Chapter 549: Framing The Third Prince?

"Don't worry, master. I'm only like this when I'm with you. I act very normally in front of other people." Elder Ming stuck out his tongue and licked his hand. There was a suffocating aura of evil that blanketed his entire body. "However, I feel so uncomfortable in this suit of skin. When those monks start chanting, I'm afraid that I can't stop myself from devouring those humans."

Hearing this, the man in white flicked his finger. Following that action, an invisible seal appeared on Elder Ming's body. "With this seal, the monks can chant all they want without affecting you."

"I knew that Master would have a way," Elder Ming crooned as he twisted his neck back into a straight position. Still feeling a little wary, he said, "Regarding Baili Jia Jue..."

A glint flashed through the eyes of the man in white. "The more he cares, the more he will lose his composure. With how Elder Wu is going after Helian Wei Wei, Baili Jia Jue will surely do what it takes to protect Helian Wei Wei's soul, overlooking you in the process. What I want is for you to settle everything in this period. Go, go and bring Helian Wei Wei to me. With her blood, we can finally release the Divine Exorcism Seal..."

"Yes, Master!" An eerie grin appeared on Elder Ming's face. In the shadows, his eyes glowed with a demonic crimson that looked like blood...

Outside the hall, Elder Zhan looked back over his shoulder, finding the situation unusual after he thought about it. He voiced out his doubts, "Elder Wu, did you notice that this time, that guy seemed like he was keeping something from us when he spoke?"

Elder Wu's eyes darkened as he looked sideways toward the west. "His ways are often mysterious, so there's nothing special about that. However, this time we cannot just force out Helian Wei Wei's soul and consider that matter settled. The Third Prince had cut off most of our connections and resources at the provincial capital. If things continued on like this and he ascends to the throne one day, what do you think will happen to us? If he orders a thorough investigation of the palace fire that happened years ago, both of us won't be able to escape!"

"So you're saying that..."

Elder Wu's voice turned cold. "We're dragging the Third Price down with us!"

"I don't think we can just drag the Third Prince down like this, since he has the favor and protection of the Retired Emperor."

For the elders to achieve the status they have right now, every one of them had their own smarts and intelligence. Therefore, it was only reasonable that Elder Zhan would have his own thoughts about this.

Elder Wu chuckled before he lowered his voice, "What if the current emperor wants him dead?"

"You intend to use Helian Wei Wei's incident to accuse the Third Prince of treason?" Elder Zhan quickly understood what his peer meant. However, he felt that this idea was way too risky. "It's not going to be so easy, right?"

Elder Wu glanced back at him. "When there's a will, there's a way. The Third Prince married a possessed woman and brought her into the palace, which had already broken one of the most severe royal taboos. Adding that to his recent performance, it would be difficult for the emperor to tolerate this any longer."

He paused before continuing, "In recent years, His Majesty had been obsessed with immortality, like us, which was why he had been so engrossed in distilling elixirs. Everyone else may not understand his true intentions, but don't tell me that you can't perceive it! It is clear that he does not want to be like the Retired Emperor, who passed on the throne to the next generation when he grew old. Third Prince had performed exceptionally well recently, while the Fifth Prince and the empress are no more, which meant that there is no one left to help the emperor in maintaining the power balance in the palace."

Elder Wu's tone hardened as he enunciated his last sentence slowly, "Knowing His Majesty's character, it is unlikely that he did not have any intention to eliminate Third Prince right now. It was just like how he did not oppose it when we made a mess of the Helian family..."

Elder Zhan's eyes darkened when he heard that. "What do you have in mind?"

With this, Elder Wu knew that he had agreed. He leaned over and whispered something to Elder Zhan.

Upon hearing what the other whispered in his ear, Elder Zhan nodded lightly and praised, "You're indeed deserving of the title of elder. This is such an impeccable plan!"

"Well, this couple of days had been rough for the emperor. After the incident at the provincial capital, quite a number of ministers has been making noise about promoting the Third Prince to the position of crown prince. How is he going to sleep with ease like this?" Elder Wu started to laugh, as if victory was already in their hands.

"Currently, the Fifth Prince had been stripped of his title, while the empress is imprisoned in the Cold Palace. It is normal for a powerless prince to make his last bid on the throne by invading the palace with his troops, and it is certain that when that time comes, the Third Prince would mobilize his own troops to defend the palace. However, the situation is a lot trickier now. Since the emperor was already thinking of eliminating him, anyone could spearhead the defense of the palace but him. Anyway, once the Third Prince takes action, my people will sneak into his residence and plant a set of royal dragon robes there. After that, the emperor can launch an investigation and claim that the Third Prince is the one who has the true intention for treason!"

Elder Zhan stroked his beard as he countered, "What if the Third Prince does not mobilize even a single soldier? His actions are often carefully measured yet unpredictable. Even after so many years, I've never understood how that man works. This plan seems perfect, but it's a tad too hasty of us to implement it right away. There is a possibility that he will notice that something's off."

"If he doesn't mobilize his troops or step forward to assume command, choosing to just stand aside without doing anything, then the plan will run even more smoothly," Elder Wu replied smugly. "If that happens, I will speak up in court and point out that those so-called 'rebellious soldiers' are just using the Fifth Prince as a figurehead. The real culprit must be the Third Prince, otherwise why would he not mobilize his troops to protect the emperor?"

Elder Zhan could not help but give a thumbs up after hearing this. "This plan is foolproof indeed! If he takes action, then it amounts to treason; but if he doesn't take action, then it shows that he has other nefarious plans in mind. Unless there is someone who can fight off the invasion for him before he gets involved, but if otherwise, then the emperor would have the perfect reason to get rid of the Third Prince!"

"That is exactly my intention." A sinister smile blossomed on Elder Wu's face.

Elder Zhan thought for a while before saying, "This plan needs to be executed flawlessly. It is best if we can nail down the criminal charge on Helian Wei Wei, so that the Third Prince would be too busy trying to save her instead of thinking about anything else!"

"You don't have to worry about that, Elder Zhan," Elder Wu laughed. "On their wedding day, Helian Wei Wei did not reveal anything suspicious because of the Fire Qilin's appearance. For the chanting ritual tomorrow, all of us, including the Third Prince and Helian Wei Wei, will be inside the palace. Since the emperor is present, nobody is allowed to bring any sacred beasts with them. When that moment arrives, it will be the death of Helian Wei Wei..."

Clatter!

The emperor sneered as he tossed a report to the side. His voice was laced with a clear undertone of fury as he snarled, "Another idiot insisting that I appoint a crown prince as soon as possible. Heh, I'm still sitting on the throne, but they're already so bold!"

Crash!

With a swipe of his sleeve, all of the reports that were on the sandalwood table were swept unceremoniously to the floor.

Eunuch Gao, who was standing at the side, trembled in fear.

Everything was a sore sight in the emperor's eyes right now, especially a mere slave, so he gave the eunuch a vicious kick to release his anger. "Not only that, the Retired Emperor is also a senile old geezer! Instead of favoring me, his own son, he would rather favor his grandchild?"