.Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Li Chen first went to visit Wan Jiaojiao.She has woken up.Upon seeing Li Chen enter, he struggled to get up."Lie down. There's no need for ceremony."Li Chen sat...Chapter 328 The Royal Family Has Always Been Ruthless

Long Huaiyu didn't even know how he had been dragged back to the inn room by Long Tiande.

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling as though life had dealt him a major blow.

The previous confidence, the meticulous planning and calculations, now all feel like resounding slaps in the face.

This sense of shame made Long Huaiyu almost unable to bear himself.

"Huáiyù, you don't have to think too much about it."

Long Tiande sat down and said in a gentle voice, “The Li royal family has always been ruthless and selfish, and the current prince even takes this characteristic to its extreme. We miscalculated, but it's not shameful.”

"The only thing we should consider now is what to do next."

Long Tiandeng's expression was grave, his clenched fist betraying his anger. "That prince," he gritted out, "says it's simple, just return and become a wealthy man Even if my Dragon family is willing to give up our current status, even if he doesn't pursue this matter, will the others in Xishan Province be willing to do so If I just go back like this, how can I answer the questions of others when they ask about the outcome"

"They may seem to be completely loyal to the Long family, but if you touch their interests, the Long family's downfall could happen in an instant. A true leader is someone who commands obedience. If they are abandoned by everyone, that leader will have the most miserable end."

Long Huaiyu remained silent.

"Huáiyù"

Long Tiande called out, but Long Huaiyu remained lost in thought, his face pale and dejected. Long Tiande couldn't help but sigh softly.

He knew his son was talented, but because he had been too outstanding since childhood, he had hardly experienced any setbacks. Now facing a heavy blow in front of the prince, he felt so disheartened.

But this is fine too, now that I've made a mistake there's still time to fix it.

"You rest first, we'll set off from Beijing later."

Long Tiande spoke, then stood up and walked toward the door.

"Dad."

Just as Long Tiandé was about to reach the door, Long Huáiyù called out.

"We are not leaving."

Long Tiande turned around and looked at Long Huaishui with confusion.

Long Huaiyu got up from the bed, his expression resolute with a hint of ruthless determination.

"You're right. If we just go back like this, the Long family won't just fail to become wealthy, they'll be instantly overthrown and destroyed by all those local forces in Xishan province who supported us. This path is actually a dead end; we can't take it."

Long Huaiyu gritted his teeth and said, "There's still one way left."

"The prince, after all, is only a prince. Whether the throne will ultimately be his remains to be seen."

Long Tiande's face was shocked, "What do you mean"

"Prince Li Yinhu, the eighth son, was only recently given the title of king. Behind him stood the Chief Minister and the Empress."

Long Huaiyu narrowed his eyes and said, "The Long family has immense influence in Xishan Province. Had we not been resolute and refused to cooperate with the rebels, Xishan Province would be none other than a foothold for rebels today. As long as this influence remains, we have bargaining chips. If the Eastern Palace rejects us, then we shall seek out King Zhao!"

"It's a lost cause anyway, might as well break it and see what happens. You never know, you might even find a way out."

Long Tiande twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "Getting involved in the prince's power struggle is not a good idea. Behind King Zhao is Zhao Xuanji. That Zhao Xuanji has been controlling the government for over ten years, he is cunning and terrifying, he is not as easy to deal with as the Crown Prince."

"The Eastern Palace has already put stale buns in front of us, you and I. We can either eat them and be poisoned to death, or we can overturn the table, the worst outcome is still death, but there's a chance we could win, Father, now is not the time to hesitate!"of the palace maids.But at this moment, the maid struggled violently.She shook her head desperately, spitting out a filthy rag from her mouth that smelled of something unspeakable. She screamed in ter...