C15 The will of the Emperor

"Your Highness, you're too kind. In this vast capital, there are plenty who surpass me!" Chen Dutian said with a modest wave and a smile.

Though Chen Dutian didn't think much of those from noble families, he knew there were hundreds of experts at the Astral Wandering level in the capital. The elder from the Yan family, who guarded the city, was a formidable Skyflight master. Until Chen reached the Skyflight level himself, he was cautious about revealing his true strength.

"In past Harvest Festivals, the Crown Prince's people always took the lead. But with your help, Mr. Chen, I, Yan Beichen, won't fear him this time!" Yan Beichen declared, raising his glass with excitement before taking a hearty sip.

The next morning, Chen Dutian donned the fine clothes Yan Beichen had specially prepared for him. After a simple breakfast, the two left Sunlit Palace. The sons of officials, summoned to attend the Harvest Festival, arrived at the city gates on horseback and in carriages. Chen accompanied Yan Beichen on a tour inside the capital before reaching the gates.

A row of ceremonial officers stood with lists in hand, loudly announcing the names of those allowed entry. The entrance was crowded with over a hundred people, some familiar faces among them. Two hundred Imperial Guards, clad in golden armor and armed with swords, maintained order. Each person called had to step forward for a search, ensuring no one carried weapons with ill intent.

Chen Dutian immediately spotted Pang Yuan in the crowd; the guy was just too noticeable, with his bulk nearly bursting out of his fancy clothes.

“Pang Yuan!” After quite a while, an official finally called out his name.

The people at the gate of the palace stepped aside as the towering Pang Yuan slowly squeezed his way to the official.

Everyone knew Pang Yuan didn’t have any special abilities, a well-known fact in the capital. If it weren't for Yan Chen's decree, Pang Yuan wouldn’t have bothered coming.

Two guards approached, giving Pang Yuan a once-over before frisking him...

“Pang Yuan greets Your Highness!” After the search, Pang Yuan, panting, made his way over to Chen Dutian and the others, bowing to Yan Beichen.

“Please, rise. Mr. Chen often mentions you. How is your father, the Minister of Revenue, doing these days?” Yan Beichen asked warmly, helping Pang Yuan up with a friendly smile.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My father is in good health!” Pang Yuan replied, a bit taken aback by Yan Beichen’s friendliness.

“Don’t just stand there. The Harvest Festival banquet won’t start until noon. Let me take you to Sunlit Palace to relax for a bit!” Chen Dutian chuckled, giving Pang Yuan a pat on the shoulder. It had only been a few days since they last met, and Pang Yuan seemed to have gained even more weight.

"I have some matters to attend to with my father, so I won't be able to stay!"

Watching Yan Beichen head toward the Crystal Palace with a few attendants, Pang Yuan leaned closer to Chen Dutian and whispered, "It seems like Yan Beichen treats you quite well. How have you been these past few days in the capital?"

"This isn't the place to talk. Come with me," Chen Dutian replied softly, glancing around. A few Imperial Guards in golden armor were watching him closely. He gently pulled Pang Yuan away from the palace gates.

Once they reached the Sunlit Palace, Chen Dutian led Pang Yuan into his room. They sat down with smiles, and Pang Yuan was the first to speak, "I haven't congratulated you yet! Congrats on being appointed as the prince's reading partner! Now you're someone who comes and goes from the palace. If you ever make it big, don't forget to help me out!"

Chen Dutian rolled his eyes and gave Pang Yuan's chair a light kick, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "A reading partner... it's really just being a hostage in this palace."

Pang Yuan's heart skipped a beat, remembering that Lord Protector Chen Dou was returning soon, and he immediately understood Chen Dutian's meaning.

"They say Yan Beichen has no interest in competing for the throne. Aren't you wasting your talents by staying by his side?"

Currently, most of the officials are siding with Yan Nantian. Although Yan Beichen is also a prince, he doesn't have the emperor's favor and holds no power at court.

Yan Chen assigned Chen Dutian to be Yan Beichen's study companion, partly to keep him confined within the capital as leverage against the soon-to-return Lord Protector, Chen Dou. Additionally, it serves as a warning to all officials to avoid getting too close to the Lord Protector. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, all of Yan Beichen's loyal followers will be eliminated, and the Chen family will inevitably be implicated.

"Heh, you're underestimating Yan Beichen! Born into the royal family, if he lacks the ambition of an emperor, he can't control his destiny. Do you think the Crown Prince will tolerate Yan Beichen once he's on the throne?" Chen Dutian grinned. From the moment he met Yan Beichen, he sensed that Yan Beichen harbored ambitions to rival the Crown Prince.

However, without influence at court and lacking Yan Chen's favor, Yan Beichen had to play the part of an unremarkable figure to avoid trouble.

Pang Yuan's eyes widened at this, and he whispered to Chen Dutian, "Are you saying... Yan Beichen wants to use the Lord Protector's power to vie for the throne?"

"Exactly! The current emperor is suspicious of my family, and neither the Crown Prince nor Wang Xuanyang will tolerate my father. Instead of leading the Red Banner Army in rebellion, it's better to support someone who can protect the Chen family and help him ascend the throne!" Chen Dutian's smile turned sly.

In his past life, Chen Dutian had encountered countless brilliant individuals. Before possessing the power to command respect across the land, the only way to protect his family within the Phethia Dynasty was to ensure the person on the throne answered to him.

Pang Yuan stared at Chen Dutian in shock, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He smacked his lips a few times and rubbed his chubby hands together, speaking in a low voice, "My father always said not to get involved in the succession battle between the two princes. As long as the Crown Prince hasn't ascended, the outcome is unpredictable. How confident are you in betting on Yan Beichen this time?"

Chen Dutian smiled confidently, stood up, and walked to the window with his hands behind his back. He replied calmly, "I'm completely confident. The day my father returns will be the day Yan Beichen takes the throne."

Pang Yuan shot to his feet, his face full of shock as he moved next to Chen Dutian, incredulous. "Isn't that a bit too fast? Nearly all the civil officials are loyal to the Crown Prince. Even though the Lord Protector has the 500,000-strong Red Banner Army, don't forget there's also the Jademanes within the Phethia Dynasty!"

Chen Dutian chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "The Jademanes won't make a move against the Chen family!"