ng: "Jiaojiao thanks His Highness for his grace on behalf of her foster father."Li Chen said: "In the end, he asked me to treat you well.""I'm sure even in heaven, he wouldn't want to see you so sad."...Chapter 697: There's No Other Way

"If successful, the three clans will enjoy another century of wealth and prosperity. If unsuccessful, the worst that can happen is that our entire clan will be wiped out. However, over the years, they have enjoyed all they were entitled to, more than enough."

Zhao Xuanji's expression gradually became ferocious. He stared coldly at the two of them and said, "Most importantly, if we do nothing, the result will be even worse. It's like a high-stakes gamble. For us, it's either a complete victory or the predetermined outcome doesn't change!"

Zhang Biwu and Fu Yuzhi are not fools; they understand what is being said.

Even without Zhao Xuanji's explanation, they knew this was the only path they had to take.

The crown prince of the Eastern Palace is too powerful and rose to prominence too quickly. He's destined not to be a puppet controlled by the cabinet.

And once power falls into the hands of the Crown Prince, retribution will only be a matter of time.

As the holders of political power and benefits for over a decade, they will be the first to be held accountable.

It's like being poisoned, with a pill in front of you. Swallow it and there's a 50% chance you'll die, but also a 50% chance you'll be cured. If you don't take it, you're going to die anyway, just later.

Anyone knows what to choose.

"Grand Old Man, we understand what needs to be done."

Seeing Fu Yuzhi's statement, Zhao Xuanji finally nodded and said with a slightly relaxed expression: "Go back and prepare early. The days to come will be hard."

Fu Yuzhi and Zhang Biwu looked at each other, then got up to say goodbye.

Fu Yuzhi went first, Zhang Biwu followed behind.

After Ding Yuzhi bid farewell and left, Zhao Xuanji stopped Zhang Biwu.

"Zhang Xiong, next, this old man has many important things to attend to and is too busy to spare any time. There's one thing I hope you can do for me."

Zhang Biwu immediately said, "Just tell me what you want me to do, sir."

Keep a close eye on Fu Yuzhi.

Zhao Xuanji's emotionless words left Zhang Biwu utterly astonished.

"What the Elder Lord means is that he may not be on our side But what would be in it for him And he just stated his position clearly..."

Zhao Xuanji said calmly, “The biggest difference between him and us is that he’s already old and has long been thinking about retirement. He doesn’t have many children or relatives, and they are all settled. In other words, he no longer has the ambition and drive. What we need to do next, however, is to be determined to go all out, but he doesn’t.”

Zhang Biwu let out a sigh and said, "We have been colleagues for so many years, always advancing and retreating together. Now Wang Tenghuan is dead, I hope Brother Fu won't go astray. I will take care of this matter."

Zhaoxuanji nodded and closed his eyes slightly, saying: “Thank you.”

After bowing, Zhang Biwu exited the study and left Zhao's residence.

The study fell silent once more, and Zhao Xuanji continued to close his eyes in meditation.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in the dimly lit study.

The voice was devoid of any emotion, reporting in a numb, mechanical tone: “All the imperial guards have been replaced. The head guard on duty at Taihe Palace has been killed. Earlier, the prince went to Fengxi Palace, dismissed everyone, and stayed for half an hour before coming out. After that, all the guards, maids, and eunuchs in Fengxi Palace were replaced.”

Moreover, the prince in Fengxi Palace, seemed to... show excessive familiarity towards the Empress.

This remark made Zhao Xuanji, who had been completely unresponsive to everything said before, suddenly widen his eyes and angrily exclaim: "What did that scoundrel do to Qinglan!" take it seriously coming from Li Chen's mouth.Nodding, Wu Ban Shan replied, "That's right. It is precisely because of the existence of Yueya Pass that the imperial borders can enjoy a measure of peac...