Peace Order
Chapter 368 - 159: Across the World, Strategists Clash, Chen Country’s Secret Treasure, The Foundation of the Nation_2

Chapter 368: Chapter 159: Across the World, Strategists Clash, Chen Country’s Secret Treasure, The Foundation of the Nation_2

"He killed Chen Yuyun."

Tantai Xianming’s brain whirred into action.

Emperor Chen said, "Do you know who Chen Yuyun is?"

Tantai Xianming was silent, then he said, "I know."

"He’s your illegitimate son."

The Ritual Eunuch was stunned; he thought this Prime Minister would deny it, play dumb, but he never expected Tantai Xianming to take the initiative to speak and reveal this deadly news. For a moment, he sensed a life-threatening atmosphere.

Clasping the horsetail whisk tightly in his hands, he bowed his head as though he wished to hide himself away completely.

Looking at the furious Emperor, Tantai Xianming said, "From the perspective of interest, my grandson, Your Majesty, your son, is the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne, and the future Emperor. As the Crown Prince’s grandfather, it would be reasonable for me to kill your illegitimate son to secure his ascension to the throne!"

"But such shallow reasoning, laid out for all to see, means that I am the prime benefactor from the death of your illegitimate son; do you think Tantai Xianming would engage in such a ploy?"

Tantai Xianming took half a step forward, the seemingly refined elder slowly said:

"Even if I were to kill him,"

"I would certainly not employ such an approach."

"If Your Majesty believes Tantai Xianming would do such a thing, then you are underestimating me."

Emperor Chen said, "Indeed, Tantai Xianming wouldn’t do such a thing, but what if even the impression that the Prime Minister gives to others is part of your strategy? To deliberately make people believe you wouldn’t employ such a crude strategy, yet to do so, isn’t it even more foolproof?"

"Isn’t it even more unfailing?"

Tantai Xianming said, "Your Majesty, I have yet another crime I haven’t disclosed."

"Xue Daoyong also knew about Chen Yuyun’s identity as an illegitimate son."

Emperor Chen burst into an angry laugh:

"Very well, so you suspect Xue Daoyong?"

Tantai Xianming calmly replied, "On the surface, the Crown Prince has the most to gain from the conflict with the illegitimate son, but both you and I know that’s not the case. The Crown Prince, he would never be Chen Yuyun’s true enemy..."

The refined elder slowly lifted his gaze, looking at the Emperor who was stunned and then even more enraged, and spoke deliberately, "After all, the strategists executing the plan did not know."

"Only Chen Yuyun and the son of Noble Consort Xue are your blood."

"The Crown Prince is not."

Emperor Chen stood up in fury, losing the composure that a schemer should possess.

He also lost the detachment and self-possession needed to control the situation, for no matter the reason, the facts Tantai Xianming revealed were an absolute and intolerable humiliation for any man. Emperor Chen drew his sword and shouted, "Silence!"

The Tantai who would usually flatter the Emperor to no end simply said indifferently:

"Silence?"

"You placed my daughter in bed and fed her a soporific; then you inebriated the Prince Puyang with strong liquor and the aphrodisiac from The World’s First Building, and taking the opportunity while toasting, you spilled the wine on him, prompting him to change into your clothes. You then sent him into my daughter’s chamber..."

"You knew about Prince Puyang’s bold character and also that he had no heirs."

"You knew even he would regret what he did, and that’s why he handed the Emperor’s Seal to you."

"So, you had the Seal, which allowed you to ally with many aristocratic families and civil and military officials. Thus, the Crown Prince has never really been your offspring, my lord. I have always known that you would not allow the Crown Prince to assume the throne."

"Therefore, the one with an absolute opposition to Chen Yuyun,"

"Is Xue Daoyong!"

"I told you to hold your tongue!"

Emperor Chen was furiously enraged, he drew his sword from his waist, the power brought forth by the Emperor’s Divine Skill roared, pressing down the atmosphere in the entire palace, which seemed on the verge of collapse. Tantai Xianming, at this moment, revealed the confidential secret that any man, let alone the Emperor, could not tolerate.

The Ritual Eunuch knelt on the ground, feeling dizzy in his head.

He feared his own life was no longer secure.

Emperor Chen’s sword touched the old man’s throat, almost piercing Tantai Xianming:

"Tantai Xianming!"

"You dare insult me! You actually dare insult me!"

Tantai Xianming said placidly:

"These are your own deeds; I merely spoke of them."

"So, you later took your sister-in-law, giving birth to Chen Yuyun, was it to compensate for the grief and unwillingness of sending away your wife, trying to prove you are still a vigorous man?"

"All this has passed."

"I mention these only to help clear the fog before Your Majesty’s eyes."

"And to tell you, I would not kill Chen Yuyun to help my grandson."

"Your Majesty is young and strong, in the prime of life. Even if Chen Yuyun died, there would be other sons; even if the son of Princess Xue is not made to ascend, others will. My poor grandson has never had hope."

"If we speak of the throne, it is only Xue Daoyong."

"Only he has a true, direct conflict of interest with Chen Yuyun. And Xue Daoyong, who is also one of the top Martial Artists, having heard up until now, Your Majesty..."

Tantai Xianming flicked his sleeve, his demeanor serene, looking at the furious monarch before him, he spoke softly:

"Do you think I am more likely to take action, or he is?"

Emperor Chen closed his eyes and sheathed his sword.

He did not strike down the Tantai before him, instead, he responded silently, "Everything has a cost. The Empress and I were childhood sweethearts. On that day, I too suffered greatly, not just once did I consider going to the chamber to take back my wife, but..."

Emperor Chen’s eyes showed genuine sorrow.