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Just at that moment, an official from the faction of the eldest Prince approached Lin Xiuming, "Prince Qin invites you to a banquet at the Spring Moon Restaurant at noon today and hopes that General Lin will attend."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuming smiled. Nowadays, drawing people over had become brazen. In the past, Princes would never dare to invite a general with troops under his command to a banquet, as it would make people suspect they harbored thoughts of rebellion.

Lin Xiuming then said, "I appreciate Prince Qin\'s kind invitation, but I have other engagements at noon today and must decline."

Hearing this, the official wasn\'t surprised. Lin Xiuming\'s status was rather special; attracting him was not an easy task to begin with.

Afterward, the official returned to the Crown Prince\'s side, "Your Highness, General Lin says he has engagements at noon and won\'t make it."

The Crown Prince said indifferently, "It\'s already come to this point, and we haven\'t seen the Lin Family take a stand. Could it be that Prime Minister Lin is waiting for a result before making a choice?"

At this remark, the Crown Prince chuckled, "Quite the crafty old fox, but fence-sitters ultimately won\'t be entrusted with important tasks."

The Crown Prince didn\'t dwell on it further. He regarded the Lin Family as fence-sitters, not committed to supporting any Prince.

It was somewhat advantageous for him if Lin Gaoyuan remained neutral. It meant Lin Gaoyuan would not side with him but also would not support other Princes, preventing them from growing stronger.

As Left Minister, Lin Gaoyuan held significant prestige in the court and led his own faction. If he explicitly aligned with a Prince, officials from his faction were likely to follow suit and support that Prince.

Now that Lin Gaoyuan hadn\'t explicitly indicated his support for anyone, the Crown Prince saw an opportunity to win over officials from Lin Gaoyuan\'s faction.

Meanwhile.

Nurturing Heart Hall.

The Sum Emperor lay on his bed, pallid, his complexion bloodless, looking as though he was on his deathbed.

Lin Gaoyuan and Zhao Wenhan stood outside the dragon bed, reporting the latest developments.

At that moment, the Sum Emperor asked, "Any news from the North?"

Upon hearing this question, Zhao Wenhan and Lin Gaoyuan understood the Sum Emperor was inquiring about the North Prince\'s actions. Zhao Wenhan answered, "Your Majesty, it has been reported that the North Country has been discussing trade cooperation agreements with the Great Wu dynasty recently."

Hearing this, the Sum Emperor suddenly coughed violently, as if angered by the news.

Seeing this, Zhao Wenhan and Lin Gaoyuan exclaimed in unison, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health!"

After coughing twice, the Sum Emperor said, "I am fine."

Continuing, the Sum Emperor snorted coldly and added, "Signing a trade cooperation agreement, what\'s the difference between that and establishing independent relations with Great Wu? That unfilial son is increasingly disregarding me!"

The Sum Emperor then asked again, "Have the troops from the South been moved to Qi Country?"

Zhao Wenhan answered, "They\'ve been moved to the border of Qi Country and will enter its territory in a few days."

The Sum Emperor said, "I\'ve heard rumors lately in the Capital city that Zhuge Zhongguang has not truly broken through the Heavenly Human Realm. Have you heard about this rumor?"

Hearing this, Zhao Wenhan and Lin Gaoyuan exchanged glances. They were uncertain why the Sum Emperor was raising this matter now. Could it be that he was planning to take action against the North Country?

Take action at this time?

The Sum Emperor himself was critically ill, his life hanging by a thread, and yet he still contemplated eliminating the North Country?

Zhao Wenhan immediately said, "I have indeed heard such rumors, but I believe they must have been deliberately spread to make the imperial court lower its guard."

The Sum Emperor commanded, "True or not, have the frontline troops ready to suppress a rebellion at any moment."

Zhao Wenhan and Lin Gaoyuan responded in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty."

At that moment, Zhao Wenhan spoke up, "Your Majesty, there is unrest in the court, and senior officials have suggested establishing the Crown Prince early to stabilize the court."

Upon hearing this, the Sum Emperor coughed violently again. As Zhao Wenhan was about to say something, the Sum Emperor fiercely retorted, "Establish the Crown Prince, always about establishing the Crown Prince. Shuyun has just rebelled, and now you prompt me to appoint a Crown Prince, as if you wish for my early demise!"

Zhao Wenhan hastily knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I did not mean this. I am merely concerned that continued chaos in the court may lead to greater disasters."

After hearing Zhao Wenhan\'s words, the Sum Emperor snorted, "Disasters? What disasters? Is someone else planning to rebel?"

"Both of you go back and tell those ministers that I am not dead yet. I won\'t be establishing a Crown Prince so soon. Tell them to keep their petty thoughts to themselves."

Zhao Wenhan and Lin Gaoyuan said together, "As you command, Your Majesty."

The Sum Emperor waved them off, "If there\'s nothing else, you may leave."

"We take our leave!"

After Lin Gaoyuan and Zhao Wenhan spoke, they turned and left Nurturing Heart Hall.

Watching their departing figures, the Sum Emperor murmured coolly, "Finally, some can no longer sit still. I\'m curious to see how many will show themselves at this time."

...

Within the realm of Great Sum, in the capital of Zhao Country.

A man sat upon the throne in the great hall, listening to a kneeling soldier\'s report, and then burst into a wild laugh.