Moreover, he was now closer to the throne than ever before.
As Yuwen Song’s thoughts began to wander, Yuwen Luanfei spoke up, "I invited you both here today indeed to seek cooperation, not peace talks. There is a reason for this cooperation, so please listen carefully to what I have to say."
Yuwen Luanfei had someone bring over the secret documents, but at that time, both Yuwen Song and Yuwen Jun were unaware of what Yuwen Luanfei was plotting. The mysterious air about him inevitably set them on edge.
After they finished reading the scroll, they couldn’t help but be stunned: "What is this?"
The scroll contained the truth about the pandemonium in the Imperial Palace from years past and the secret of Fahua Temple harboring rebel forces.
Yuwen Song’s eyes widened in shock: "Are you saying... All this was orchestrated by the Fifth Imperial Uncle?"
Yuwen Luanfei nodded.
"Impossible," Yuwen Song stood up abruptly and stuttered, "He clearly..."
Yuwen Song seemed about to say something but suddenly stopped and then shook his head in denial again and again.
"The evidence is conclusive, and the facts speak for themselves. Moreover, the Dowager Consorts were all present at the time. If you do not believe me, you can ask them yourselves after the banquet is over."
Yuwen Luanfei looked solemnly at the two: "Now, only us three brothers remain in the Royal Family. If we continue to harbor suspicions and engage in internal strife, the world will change hands sooner or later. The Fifth Imperial Uncle has all along been lying in wait, ready to reap the benefits when we weaken one another."
Compared to Yuwen Song’s shock and disbelief, Yuwen Jun was initially surprised but quickly regained his composure.
Knowing that Bai Junjun’s father was framed by the Fifth Imperial Uncle rather than actually rebelling, he looked at Bai Junjun with complexity.
However, Bai Junjun, who now appeared indifferent, as if an outsider to the situation, showed no sorrow and had evidently moved past her grief.
"Ninth brother, what do you think?"
With Yuwen Song still in disarray, Yuwen Luanfei turned to ask the seemingly more composed Yuwen Jun.
Yuwen Jun, when called upon, first paused, then nodded coolly: "I will follow my elder brothers’ lead."
"Good, good, ninth brother truly understands the bigger picture," Yuwen Luanfei said relieved.
As Yuwen Luanfei was moved to toast Yuwen Jun, Bai Junjun was astonished on the sidelines.
Could Yuwen Jun really cooperate so easily?
If she didn’t know about the strategy Yuwen Jun had secretly laid out—a man capable of quietly orchestrating events across Thousand Miles and Humming Abyss—would he go with the flow so simply?
This man clearly had his own plans.
Could it be that he wanted to wait for these fools to eliminate the Fifth Prince and then overturn them to take the crown for himself?
It seemed... indeed a viable strategy.
Bai Junjun felt as if she suddenly grasped Yuwen Jun’s intention.
However, Yuwen Luanfei hadn’t thought that far, and at that moment, he looked at Yuwen Song with earnest hope: "Elder brother, what about you?"
"What do you propose we do?" Yuwen Song, having finally regained his composure, now addressed his second brother, who was more given to pleasures than to affairs of state.
"I hope we can form an alliance, raise an army to march on the Northern Lands and take down the Fifth Imperial Uncle to reveal his true face to everyone," Yuwen Luanfei declared.
"And then what?" Yuwen Song was more concerned about how the spoils would be divided after victory.
"Honestly, I’m not suited for that position. Once the Fifth Imperial Uncle is dealt with by the law, I will relinquish military power. At that time, you can discuss and decide either to distribute based on military achievements or to let the court officials and citizens elect a new king."
Yuwen Luanfei’s words were noble and selfless, yet they surprised both Yuwen Song and Yuwen Jun.
Yuwen Luanfei nodded.