Hearing the name Li Yu piqued your curiosity.

Duan Qian likely had connections to Li Yu behind the scenes.

You questioned Hu Zhongxuan carefully about this.

Hu Zhongxuan explained that during his escape, Li Jiang had been forced to flee into Li Yu's territory, where he was accidentally exposed and captured by Li Yu.

One day after capturing Li Jiang, Li Yu submitted a memorial to Li Anlong explaining the situation and immediately sent people to escort Li Jiang back to the capital.

However, Li Yu himself didn't accompany them, remaining obediently in his own fiefdom of Yangling Prefecture.

You pondered this and felt there might be something suspicious about Li Yu.

Capturing the deposed crown prince was such a significant merit that he could have waited for Li Anlong's summons to the capital to receive rewards.

Yet he simply sent Li Jiang away as if it were a trivial matter.

You thought the royal family's schemes were too convoluted.

But this wasn't necessarily bad for you—it indicated Li Yu and Li Anlong weren't particularly close.

This meant you could freely investigate Li Yu's background without worrying about offending the formidable Li Anlong.

The next day, inside the palace:

Li Anlong leaned on the dragon throne, resting with his eyes closed.

Soon, Chief Eunuch Wang Jin hurried in.

In his high-pitched voice, he bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, the rebellious crown prince Li Jiang has been delivered to the capital by Prince Yongning's men."

Li Anlong slowly opened his eyes, gazing silently at Wang Jin.

A flicker of confusion passed through Wang Jin's eyes before he immediately understood.

Trembling slightly, he bowed even lower. "Your Majesty, the Earth Source on the rebellious crown prince has also been returned. Additionally, Prince Yongning submitted a secret letter."

"Present it."

Wang Jin quickly approached, handing a palm-sized Earth Source bowl and a letter to Li Anlong.

Li Anlong glanced casually at the Earth Source and nodded slightly.

Simultaneously, disappointment flashed in his eyes—he hadn't expected Li Yu to resist such temptation.

Li Anlong then opened the secret letter.

Surprisingly, it had already been opened. Startled, Li Anlong's sharp gaze turned to Wang Jin.

During this, Wang Jin had already retreated respectfully to stand below the throne.

Seeing Li Anlong's look, Wang Jin said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Prince Yongning's men said the letter was already opened when they received it from him."

Li Anlong's expression calmed as he read the letter's contents.

His face shifted constantly while reading—sometimes frowning, sometimes deep in thought.

The letter wasn't from Li Yu to Li Anlong, but from the Jin Yue Nation to Li Yu.

Jin Yue promised to provide Li Yu with an Earth Source to help him, at the peak Grandmaster level, achieve Ultimate Grandmaster status.

They also pledged full support for Li Yu to overthrow Li Anlong and become emperor of Great Qian.

In exchange, Li Yu would cede five southern prefectures below the Cangwang Desert to Jin Yue as territory.

Li Anlong placed the letter on the desk, rhythmically tapping the dragon throne's armrest.

He understood Li Yu's intention in submitting this letter was to prove his loyalty.

After a long silence, Li Anlong murmured, "My grandnephew... the more you reassure me, the less assured I feel..."

After some thought, Li Anlong looked at Wang Jin and ordered:

"Prince Yongning's martial arts are exceptional—he's a rare talent of our Li family. Assign Liu Yanhao to protect him from any accidents."

Wang Jin bowed lower. "Your Majesty, although Minister Liu is an Ultimate Grandmaster of immense power, his temperament... might offend Prince Yongning. Is this appropriate?"

"Send Liu Yanhao."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Regarding rewards for Prince Yongning's merit in capturing the rebellious crown prince..."

"Rewards?" Li Anlong snorted, his voice turning solemn. "Prince Yongning assaulted the crown prince and should be punished. Considering it's his first offense, confiscate a thousand hectares of his estates as warning!"

"Ah?" Wang Jin gasped in surprise. "Your Majesty, this... might breed resentment in Prince Yongning?"

Li Anlong said quietly, "That's exactly what I want—for him to hate me. The more hatred, the better!"

At Hu Zhongxuan's residence:

"Minister Hu, until next time!"

"Gentlemen, take care. I won't see you out." Hu Zhongxuan bid farewell to the third group of visiting officials that day.

You happened to emerge during a break from cultivation, noticing the recent influx of visiting officials.

Approaching, you asked, "Uncle-Master, with so many visitors recently, they're practically wearing out your doorstep. Is another storm coming?"

Hu Zhongxuan smiled. "The storm has already passed—now it's raining, and they're seeking shelter under the right roof."

You immediately understood—with Li Jiang deposed, the crown prince position was vacant.

Li Anlong's imperial grandsons naturally grew ambitious, each wanting to try being emperor to see if it paid well.

Given Li Anlong's lifespan, even if they won the crown prince position, they'd likely remain crown princes for life.

But being crown prince was a level above ordinary princes—even if they never became emperor, their descendants could inherit the throne, making it immensely tempting.

For the court officials, with the imperial grandsons competing, they had to place their bets and choose sides.

Most ordinary-lived officials would never see their supported crown prince ascend.

But as officials, who wouldn't join a faction?

Once their faction chose a side, the officials naturally followed.

They could choose to remain loyal only to Li Anlong, swearing undying allegiance.

But that would make their lives difficult.

By choosing a side, they only had one enemy—the opposing faction. Remaining neutral meant having two enemies—both factions.

Thus, officials recently scurried about campaigning for their preferred imperial grandsons.

Currently, the most popular was the eldest son of the second prince, Li Zhanji.

Li Jiang's lineage had been eliminated after gathering three imperial grandsons.

By order of succession, it should be Li Zhanji's turn.

Moreover, Li Zhanji himself was benevolent and non-confrontational—perfect as a crown prince who would never ascend.

As the second-in-command of the Ministry of War and a core power holder, Hu Zhongxuan naturally received many visitors seeking alliance.

After hearing Hu Zhongxuan's explanation, you nodded knowingly.

Though a commoner, you had your own insights into state affairs.

Back in your hometown, after a few drinks, you could grasp the world's geopolitical landscape with ease.

Whether it was President Pu or President Trump, with a keyboard at hand, you could make them step aside.

Clearing your throat, you prepared to share your imperial family analysis.

In a low voice, you told Hu Zhongxuan, "Ahem, Uncle-Master, I believe spaghetti should be mixed with No. 42 concrete... no... I mean, I don't think Li Anlong will appoint any of these imperial grandsons as crown prince."