"Son, Chen Ke, greets father...."
Sima Ke lifted his head, a flattering smile on his face, seemingly unashad of his current 'admitting a thief as his father,' but rather quite pleased.
Of course, this was not the original nature of Sima Ke.
Once, he was very self-assured, ambitious, and even sched against Chen Yuan, but ti and again, he was subdued by Chen Yuan, and afterward, when facing Chen Yuan, he presented his most comfortable posture.
After all, a person's bottom line is broken little by little.
He had already sacrificed everything, even giving up his mother consort, so under the shadow of a life-and-death crisis, was there any point in struggling over such trifles?
One must know, Chen Yuan had said he would leave no Sima Family mber alive....
He thought that if he didn't do sothing like this, he would surely follow in his father's footsteps.
He didn't want to die, he really didn't.
And before, a sentence his mother consort said marked the turning point for his swift transformation.
Previously, his mother consort had said:
"Nonsense, isn't your father standing right over there just fine?"
That was when he understood his mother consort's aning.
Whoever wins is the father!
With Sima Ke's words, the surroundings fell into silence, Noble Consort Yang kept her head down, saying nothing, while the Princess rely raised an eyebrow but did not say much.
It seed she thought it was rather right for her brother to say such a thing at such a crucial mont.
Yang Huatian looked at Noble Consort Yang with a half-smile, then shifted his gaze to Chen Yuan, with a aning that sotis only n could understand.
Li Su flashed his eyes, rembering the rumors about Chen Yuan, thinking they were false, only to find they were true, revealed by Sima Ke.
To be honest, if Jingtai had heard this, he would surely die with a grievance.
Who could endure such a profound humiliation?
However, Chen Yuan said nothing, not even hinting, because he felt it would be sowhat... lacking in grace.
Nor was it necessary.
Now Sima Ke had said this, making Chen Yuan pause for a mont, seriously assessing him.
"Brother Chen, could I say a word?"
Suddenly, Princess Pingyang spoke.
"Please speak freely, Princess."
Reflectively calm, Princess Pingyang had never opposed him, and previously even helped conceal his identity, so he was not in a hurry to push her down.
"Is Brother Chen now disinclined to lay siege to the Capital?"
"Why?"
"Haha, actually Brother Chen has long been prepared, but since you let speak, I'll share so conjectures. Attacking the Capital now is quite inappropriate."
"Where is it inappropriate?"
"First, Brother Chen's current reputation has reached its peak. Destroying the court now will only make you a target for all.
Inviting the siege of the world's ambitious heroes seeking to seize the world.
Second, though the court's foundation is exhausted here, it still holds so power, with large armies gathered in various parts of Central State, Bing State, Yun State, etc. If the court's central hub is obliterated, these armies will be absorbed by other forces, enhancing their strength, while Brother Chen's base is in the Southern regions.
Currently, it cannot reach the four states of the Central Plains, only to make wedding garnts for others.
Third, the Grand Ancestor of the Sima Family is still around. Though it's unclear why he hasn't acted, he must be planning sothing. But if the Capital is overthrown, he would likely take action.
After all, an Immortal is an Immortal, its power unpredictable, and Brother Chen, after two large battles, would pay a heavy price to kill an Immortal."
"Well said."
Chen Yuan nodded.
Princess Pingyang was praised as no less capable than n; if she were a man, no other princes of Jingtai could surpass her, and the points she made were not particularly profound.
But to see it all in such a short ti and list them out was indeed remarkable.
Yet Princess Pingyang showed no hint of complacency and continued:
"Therefore, I boldly ask Brother Chen to spare my mother and us three."
"Hmm..."
"The Emperor has fallen, the court grandees perished here, now for soone to ascend the throne, it would be no other than Second Prince and Fourth Prince. Previously constrained, my preparations were of no account.
But now, there is hope."
The Eldest Prince Sima Qian had already fallen in the fallout, and Princess Pingyang had been observing. Now, only Second Prince Sima You had escaped back to the Capital.
"Continue."
"If Sima You ascends the throne, he will surely muster forces to fortify Central State, creating an impenetrable fortress, and will use various forces to safeguard the kingdom.
Even inviting the Grand Ancestor, though Brother Chen might not care, it would still be troubleso.
However, if A Ke could ascend the throne, it would be different."
"How so?"
"Though A Ke would also imitate Sima You's actions, our true aim is to leave Brother Chen a complete and fertile land in Central State.
In the future, when Brother Chen's army advances into Central State, A Ke will abdicate to you, making it rightful and sparing losses."
After hearing this, Sima Ke's eyes suddenly sparkled with a glimr.
He... had hope to ascend to the throne?
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because Sima Ke is now called Chen Ke." Princess Pingyang looked directly at Chen Yuan and asked.
"Not enough."
"Because we have been left with the Prohibition by you."
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