The Qi Ying Marquisate showed signs of decline after Situ Jue's death. However, it was still a prominent family with deep roots, and Lu Nianfu had expected it to last for at least a few more years. She hadn't anticipated its downfall so soon.
Situ Yan shrugged. "I didn't expect that even after Situ Jue's demise, the Crown Prince would continue to pursue the Qi Ying Marquisate so relentlessly. He attacked them the moment he returned to the capital. I originally thought his primary objective would be to suppress me."
"Situ Jue fought with him for so many years. He's probably still furious. But to attack the Qi Ying Marquisate while in such a precarious position himself shows he's vindictive." Lu Nianfu couldn't help but worry, "Ah Yan, if he finds an opportunity in the future, our family won't fare well."
Situ Yan sighed helplessly. "It's too late to withdraw now. With my father's support, as long as I'm careful and cautious, I should be able to contend with him. Besides, I still have you."
"What use am I?"
"You bring good fortune to your husband."
Lu Nianfu couldn't resist pinching him. "Be serious."
"Being serious won't help in this matter." Situ Yan spread his hands. Honestly, in his entire life, he had never lacked confidence in something as he did now.
If you don't accept it, fight. At worst, you'll be a hero again in eighteen years.
But that wasn't an option now. The struggle for succession involved more than just him. He had to muster all his energy.
Lu Nianfu took his hand and forced a relaxed smile. "Don't worry. At worst, you can take our three children and live in seclusion in the mountains. With your skills, hunting alone would be enough to support the family."
Situ Yan chuckled. "That sounds nice. I'll hunt, and you'll weave. Speaking of which, can you weave?"
Lu Nianfu: ...
Excellent. The conversation died again.
Court affairs were constant, and significant events were not to be outdone.
After the start of the plum rain season, the rain fell incessantly. The sky over the capital was always a dull gray, oppressive and suffocating.
This sense of gloom reached its peak when news of the Yellow River's breach arrived in the capital. While the number of victims had yet to be tallied, the refugees were already causing headaches for local magistrates.
During the morning court, officials argued fiercely about disaster relief.
Situ Yan, listening to them bicker incessantly about the amount of relief funds, couldn't help but tap the imperial desk. "My lords, why don't we first consider who should be sent to oversee the disaster relief?"
Disaster relief was a task that, if done well, brought great merit and popular support. In previous years, this responsibility was either snatched by the Crown Prince or fell to Prince Ning. However, this time, the Crown Prince nominated Prince Rui, Situ Yan.
The ministers were bewildered. Was the Crown Prince suggesting this, thinking Prince Rui was a fool?
Who would abandon their duties overseeing court affairs to travel a thousand miles for disaster relief? No matter how good the reputation, it couldn't compare to actual power. Moreover, leaving the capital at this time was no different from leaving an opening for the Crown Prince to exploit.
Situ Yan raised an eyebrow. Ouyang Wen was the first to speak up. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Rui is incredibly busy. I fear he may not have the time. Why doesn't Your Highness undertake this task yourself? After all, you have overseen disaster relief many times in previous years and are experienced. You will surely be able to quell the disaster immediately."
The Crown Prince sighed. "If it were any other time, I would have readily accepted. But unfortunately, my leg ailment has flared up recently, which the imperial physicians attribute to the damp environment during the plum rain season. It's bad enough here in the capital; if I were to go for disaster relief and be constantly immersed in water, my legs might not be saved."
Limping would prevent him from ascending the throne, so the ministers agreed it was indeed unsuitable. They then turned their gaze to the Third Prince, Situ Feng.
Situ Feng, being astute, stepped forward and was about to volunteer when he heard the Crown Prince say, "Seventh Brother, you are from the military, yet you now oversee court affairs. If your only achievements are from when you were a commander, it may be difficult to convince everyone."
The Crown Prince's voice was gentle, but everyone could hear the underlying doubt. This was the beginning of resistance.
Situ Yan suspected the Crown Prince had gone mad, actually comparing himself to him in terms of achievements. Just as he was about to speak, someone beat him to it.
Censor Cheng Beiyu stepped forward, holding his court tablet. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Rui's achievements are not limited to his years as Commander of Jiangnan. I have been away from the capital for a long time, yet I have heard of Prince Rui's reputation. The recovery of the silver used for minting, the suppression of the Shanxi bandits, and the bringing back of the peace treaty from Huihe – are these not all accomplishments? As for Your Highness..."
Cheng Beiyu hissed and didn't continue, but his questioning gaze was undisguised, as if he were asking, "And what accomplishments do you have?"
The officials in the court gasped. This was too direct a slap in the face.
A mere fourth-rank censor dared to challenge the heir apparent in such a manner. It seemed Censor Cheng was determined to stand with Prince Rui.
"How dare you, Censor Cheng, openly contradict the Crown Prince in court! Do you know the penalty for such an offense?" The Grand Censor, bracing himself, reprimanded. He was a neutral party, and if he saw his subordinate insulting the Crown Prince without intervention, he would be labeled as belonging to the Prince Rui faction.
He was old and did not wish to be dragged into the succession struggle before retiring.
Cheng Beiyu showed him great respect. Upon hearing this, he bowed to the Crown Prince again. "I have been accustomed to the wildness of the outside world and have always spoken my mind. I beg your Highness's forgiveness for any offense caused."
Then, he obediently returned to his place in the ranks.
However, this incident inevitably led the courtiers to compare the Crown Prince's achievements with those of Prince Rui.
Even if they didn't show it on their faces, they all had their own calculations in their hearts.
The Crown Prince's face turned ashen. While making a mental note of Cheng Beiyu's transgression, he also noted his maternal grandfather. Seeing that he remained silent even when bullied by a small censor, he was utterly convinced that Fu Lingyun had abandoned him.
In the past, when he wanted to do something, he only needed to initiate it in court, and followers would help him advocate for it.
But now, not a single person voiced support. He couldn't boast about himself, and he stood in the hall, at a loss for what to do. The gazes that fell upon him, faint as they were, pierced through the truth like sharp arrows.
He, the Crown Prince of the Great Yin Dynasty, had lost his influence. His plan to use the disaster relief opportunity to send Situ Yan out of the capital had backfired, becoming a case of lifting a rock only to drop it on his own feet.
"By imperial decree, summon the Crown Prince Situ Yan to the Imperial Study." Li Furui's shrill voice shattered the awkward silence in the hall, successfully rescuing the indecisive Crown Prince. Seeing him hurry away with Li Furui, Situ Yan felt a pang of regret. He had wanted to press his advantage and directly dispatch the Crown Prince to the Yellow River.
Alas, ever since his return to the capital, those demons and ghosts had begun to stir. Although they couldn't cause significant damage, the tedious affairs had clearly increased, and even the memorials were more infuriating than usual.