Still, Prince Adrian Cao's spirits seemed pretty good.
"So, what did you want to see me about?" Ian Song sat down across from Adrian.
Adrian picked up the wine pot and poured Ian a cup, then filled his own. After they clinked glasses and took a sip, Adrian finally spoke: "Back when I was still the Prince of Yan, my biggest wish was to become emperor. But after actually becoming emperor, I realized it's exhausting. Aside from you and Chloe, everyone treats me with nothing but awe. Maybe that's why past emperors liked to call themselves 'the lonely one' or 'the solitary one.'"
"Thinking of stepping down?"
Ian grinned and asked.
"Honestly, I've been thinking about it. If I keep this up, I'll either turn into a useless ruler or just die from sheer exhaustion!" Adrian said with a wry smile.
"Heh!" Ian chuckled, recalling a line from a book he'd read in his previous life: marriage is like a fortress—those outside want in, those inside want out.
"Which of your sons do you think is best suited to succeed you?" Adrian asked.
Hearing this, Ian couldn't help but smile playfully. The Yan Empire already had a Crown Prince, so Adrian asking this clearly meant he wasn't satisfied with the current one.
Crown Prince Cao Yi was already in his early forties, with only mediocre talent. If he weren't the eldest son, he wouldn't have become Crown Prince at all. Most importantly, Cao Yi loved pleasure: since becoming Crown Prince, he'd taken over ten concubines—outdoing even his father Adrian, who'd only married three in the past six years.
Thanks to his indulgence in wine and women, Cao Yi was just past forty but looked more like he was fifty.
Naturally, Adrian was quite dissatisfied with Cao Yi, and had even considered stripping him of the Crown Prince title.
"You favor Prince Wei?"
Ian asked.
"Yeah," Adrian nodded.
Prince Wei, Cao Ge, was Adrian's fifth son, just past thirty. Back when Adrian first rose up, Cao Ge led a separate army and took a prefectural city in only two days—his military talent was undeniable.
But Cao Ge's personality was ruthless—he'd do whatever it took to win.
He'd always been unhappy that Adrian made Cao Yi Crown Prince. If Cao Ge became emperor, his brothers probably wouldn't have an easy time. If not for the ministers' opposition, Adrian would have already replaced Cao Yi with Cao Ge.
Ian could easily guess Adrian's worries.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Just do what you think is best. I'm still here, aren't I? As long as I'm around, Cao Ge won't dare get out of line!"
"Ha! Good! Come on, let's have another drink, just the two of us!"
Adrian laughed heartily. This was exactly why he'd invited Ian to the palace—to get this promise from him. He hadn't expected Ian to agree so readily.
The next day.
Adrian summoned Prince Wei, Cao Ge, to the palace and showered him with rewards.
When the Crown Prince's faction heard the news, they panicked.
But Prince Wei's supporters were thrilled.
Many of the court officials began to side with Prince Wei. For a moment, his prestige soared.
Then, on the following day—
The Crown Prince tried to see Adrian at the palace, but was turned away.
For several days after, the Crown Prince went to the palace daily, but Adrian refused to meet him. Finally, word spread that Adrian had scolded Crown Prince Cao Yi.
Suddenly, the court's direction was clear—the emperor was almost certainly going to depose Cao Yi.
For a while, Prince Wei's faction grew even stronger.
Three days later—
Prince Wei, Cao Ge, was attacked on the street.
Prince Wei was only lightly wounded, and all the dozens of assassins were killed by his manor’s guards.
When Adrian heard about it, his expression turned grim.
The very next day—
Crown Prince Cao Yi went to the Carefree Prince Residence to see Ian Song.
As soon as they met, Cao Yi burst into tears. "Brother-in-law, save me!"
Ian Song might have been just a leisure prince with no official power, but his influence over the court and the military was unmatched.
Not to mention that the current Chief Cabinet Elder is his father-in-law.
And among the Provincial Governors, eight of them were once his subordinates.
By the way, Chris Chen has now been promoted to Provincial Governor, and his cultivation has reached the Grandmaster realm.
So, with Ian Song's support, Cao Yi’s position is stabilized by at least a third, which is exactly why he pitifully came to plead with Ian.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?"
Ian was a bit speechless—Cao Yi really was too spineless.
He was just curious—who advised him to come and seek his help?
"Brother-in-law, I wasn’t the one who sent those men to assassinate Prince Wei yesterday!"
Cao Yi said.
"I know!"
Ian nodded. Cao Yi simply didn’t have the guts for such a thing. In his view, yesterday’s assassins were either a ‘bitter-meat’ ploy by Cao Ge or another prince fishing in troubled waters, but it definitely wasn’t Cao Yi—he just didn’t have the nerve.
"Brother-in-law, it seems Father wants to depose me. Could you go plead with him on my behalf?"
Cao Yi pleaded again.
"Your Highness, are you actually satisfied with your current life?" Ian asked.
"Pretty satisfied!"
After thinking for a moment, Cao Yi nodded. He was never very ambitious and had little desire for the throne.
Ian said, "Being emperor isn’t nearly as enjoyable as you might imagine. Living as a leisure prince would be much freer. Instead of waiting to be deposed, why not resign on your own initiative? That way you’d owe Prince Wei a favor—after all, you’d be giving up the throne to him. Would he really have the face to persecute you later?"
"But what if Prince Wei still won’t let me off?"
Cao Yi said worriedly.
"Don’t forget, you still have me. If he dares ignore brotherly ties, I’ll take care of him myself!"
Ian promised.
Half an hour later.
Crown Prince Cao Yi left the Carefree Prince Residence.
Meanwhile, Prince Wei, Cao Ge, also received news that the Crown Prince had visited the Carefree Prince Residence. His expression turned grim—he knew very well the weight Ian Song carried in the Yan Empire. If Ian were to back the Crown Prince, their father, the Emperor, might not depose him after all.
"No, I can’t just sit here and wait for disaster!"
Prince Wei decided to summon his advisers for a strategy session.
Just then, a report came in: the Crown Prince was visiting.
Prince Wei was taken aback, but immediately led his attendants to personally welcome Cao Yi inside.
"Fifth Brother, I want to talk to you."
As soon as they met, Crown Prince Cao Yi got straight to the point.
"Everyone else, leave us."
Cao Ge waved his attendants away, then smiled, "Your Highness, please speak freely."
"Fifth Brother, tomorrow I’ll submit a memorial to Father, resigning as Crown Prince and recommending you as the new heir," Cao Yi said.
Prince Wei was stunned, then feigned alarm, "Big Brother, what are you saying? I have no designs on the Crown Prince’s position!"
Cao Yi smiled, "Don’t worry, Fifth Brother, I’m not testing you. I mean every word—I have no ambition, and you’re far more suited for the throne. I just hope you’ll remember our brotherly bond in the future."
Seeing Cao Yi’s sincerity, Cao Ge finally nodded.
The next day.
Crown Prince Cao Yi submitted his memorial to resign the heirship, shocking the entire court.
Emperor Adrian approved, deposing Cao Yi as Crown Prince and enfeoffing him as Prince Fu.
Three days later, Adrian issued a decree appointing Cao Ge as the new Crown Prince.
Soon after, Emperor Adrian issued another decree, citing ill health and granting the Crown Prince regency powers to act as supervising ruler—a clear sign that he was preparing to pass the throne to Cao Ge. Once Cao Ge fully took charge of the court, Adrian would abdicate.
Having received such great authority, Cao Ge was overjoyed and began handling major state affairs the very next day.