Part 3: The Gathering of Shadows
The Elector's Assembly continued its meaningless session the following day. However, due to the poisoning incident, no one dared to eat any food prepared by others, including the Palace staff. Therefore, the five Elector Lords brought their own food and drink into the chamber.
The mutual distrust was now public.
"It is truly unbelievable that such an impasse has never happened before. This is something we should seek to improve in the future."
This was the only "topic" discussed today, proposed by Hua Dan, the compromising Bronze Sparrow Lord. All the Lords collectively agreed, but it was just an agreement; as for how to concretely improve the situation, no one proposed anything, nor did anyone seem inclined to.
The issue of the Tiger Wing Lord's succession was tacitly shelved by both sides. Since both knew the issue would be easily stalled by the opposition, raising it was meaningless. This also meant that Li Junce did not yet need to participate in the Assembly. He could keep the Dipper Aureus Duke company in the White Chamber during the sessions.
"Are you truly not planning to go back and reclaim the Tiger Wing Lord's position?"
Li Junce shook his head. He only wanted Jade to grow up safely. Staying away from politics was the best way to preserve his life.
"You know, this nation is already stuck in the mud. Li Junce, would you consider coming to my side and declaring your utmost loyalty as a subject? If I had you, I would feel much more at ease."
This was a formal invitation from the Dipper Aureus Duke. Li Junce's integrity and loyalty were precious traits in this era.
"I suppose not. You truly are an upright man!" Facing Li Junce's silence, the Dipper Aureus Duke could only shrug.
"Even if it's a temporary lie of evasion, you won't speak when you choose not to. You are still the same as before, completely unchanged, just like that Fox is a Fox no matter where he goes."
Li Junce hesitated, casting a scrutinizing glance at the profile of his former classmate, this man who was both a Grand Duke and an Imperial candidate.
"You do not fully trust Mont Mentiel, do you?"
"In terms of ability, I trust him completely. As for loyalty…" A hint of bitter pain was mixed into the strained voice. "No, I correct myself. I should say I do not trust myself! Li Junce, yes, I do not believe I possess the capacity to secure the loyalty of the Raven Lord."
"But, aside from Your Grace, it seems no one else can truly manage Mont Mentiel's talents, can they? He does indeed have a dangerous side…" Perhaps struggling for words, Li Junce's voice trailed off here.
A sudden impulse rose in the Dipper Aureus Duke's heart.
Tell Li Junce. Tell Li Junce the fact that he murdered his cruel and wicked father. How would Li Junce react? Would he despise him as a great humanitarian criminal, or would he affirm the circumstances that forced him to act, perhaps even showing sympathy? He truly wanted to hear what his former friend thought of his true self.
The guilt of patricide oppressed the Dipper Aureus Duke at all times. He desperately wanted someone to share his pain. If there was anyone in this world the Dipper Aureus Duke could trust, this upright man before him might be the only one.
However, what he actually said was something else. The Dipper Aureus Duke was not yet strong enough to tell anyone this secret.
"Li Junce, what are you waiting for? You have abandoned this world. Surely you are not just waiting for the day you enter the grave?"
"I haven't decided yet."
The answer was simply this one sentence. If he had added two or three more words, he might not have been criticized as cold and arrogant, but Li Junce often spoke too little.
"If I become Emperor, I hope to bestow the Tiger Wing Lord's position upon you. Now that Wu Lie is dead, that land has become a country without a ruler. You are the deceased Lord's brother-in-law. If your son succeeds to the position after you, the Wu lineage will still persist in the Duchy. No one would have any ill words to say."
This was the Dipper Aureus Duke's promise to Li Junce, a grand vision that required a prerequisite to be realized. However, Li Junce was not particularly keen to accept this promise.
After all, Xi Min was no pushover. And the one who would ultimately have to fight Xi Min to the death was Li Junce, not the Emperor Dipper Aureus.