The Framed Tool-General 07

"Host, though I don’t quite understand, to put it in your terms—you truly have no shame," the System remarked.

Fang Zhiyi waved a hand dismissively. "Thanks for the compliment. No big deal. Did I really need to prove to him that I’m a good person? Why should I?"

The System replied, "Host, that wasn’t a compliment."

Liu Wenhui had also been captured and dragged back, covered in mud.

Fang Zhiyi began interrogating him in front of everyone. Liu Wenhui had initially planned to stay silent, but when a soldier lopped off one of his fingers with a single stroke, his attitude did a complete about-face. He confessed everything—how the new Emperor had ordered him to spread rumors that the Fang family was plotting rebellion, how he’d instructed his own daughter to poison the old General Fang, and even how they’d planned to arrest Fang Zhiyi upon his return to the capital for the funeral.

The court officials were stunned.

Wait, if that’s the case, then Fang Zhiyi’s retaliation was completely justified! Was the Emperor an idiot? The Fang family had been utterly loyal, yet he accused them of treason? Even if he wanted their military power, this was no way to go about it! What was he thinking?

They didn’t know Liu Guxia had played a role in this as well.

"Gentlemen, you’ve all heard it clearly, haven’t you?" Fang Zhiyi wore an expression of deep sorrow. "His Majesty wants my Fang family wiped out—root and branch!"

Several military governors were already seething with murderous intent. "General, it’s your call!" they declared, dropping to their knees. The surrounding soldiers followed suit.

"Host, are they… suggesting you declare yourself Emperor?" The System sounded shocked.

Fang Zhiyi narrowed his eyes. "My decision is this—we shall apologize to His Majesty. Someone, bring the Emperor back."

The entire court was thrown into chaos. What was Fang Zhiyi playing at? They’d all been ready to kneel before a new Emperor, and now he was talking about apologizing? Was this man insane?

Even Liu Wenhui, still restrained, looked utterly bewildered. Was the Fang family’s loyalty really this unshakable?

Soon, the Emperor was escorted back, accompanied by Liu Guxia. Both were seated on the imperial throne.

The Emperor, momentarily dazed, quickly regained his composure. "Fang Zhiyi! What kind of game are you playing?"

Beside him, Liu Guxia was equally baffled, eyeing Fang Zhiyi with suspicion.

Fang Zhiyi bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, my apologies for returning without notice. Starting today, you remain Emperor, and I’ll resume my post as the Northern Garrison General. Sound good?"

His tone was so casual it felt surreal to everyone present.

"General, this—!" One of the governors panicked. If they backed down now, everything they’d done would be for nothing—and they might even face retribution.

"Your Majesty! Save me!" Liu Wenhui cried out. If Fang Zhiyi wasn’t planning to usurp the throne, there was still hope for his life!

The Emperor opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a word, Fang Zhiyi waved a hand. "Take him away. Find out where my concubine is being held—let the whole family reunite."

"Yes, sir!" Soldiers immediately dragged Liu Wenhui off.

"General Fang… His Majesty hasn’t given any orders. Isn’t this overstepping?" an official ventured.

Fang Zhiyi turned lazily and gave a half-hearted salute to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, you heard that, right? We’ll proceed like this."

Finally, the Emperor realized—Fang Zhiyi didn’t want the throne. He wanted to be the power behind it, a regent controlling the Emperor like a puppet!

But before he could protest, Fang Zhiyi dismissed the court. Under the implicit threat of armed soldiers, the officials fled swiftly.

The next day, an imperial decree was issued: Fang Zhiyi was granted the title of Imperial Prince for his service in eliminating treacherous officials. His five governors were ennobled, and the entire Northern Army was rewarded for their merits.

Celebrations erupted among the Northern troops.

No one quite understood what had happened, but their General was now an Imperial Prince—the first in the kingdom’s history!

The two armies that had rushed to the capital’s aid received orders explaining that the Northern forces had only acted to quell internal strife. They promptly turned back. Meanwhile, many in the capital never woke up after going to bed that night.

The Emperor knew the balance of power had shifted. The palace maids and eunuchs had been replaced overnight, their gazes now cold and watchful, as if he and Liu Guxia were prisoners. At the next court session, his loyal ministers were gone, replaced by unfamiliar faces. No one raised objections—it was as if things had always been this way. The only difference was the new chair beside the imperial throne, where Fang Zhiyi now sat during court.

The Emperor no longer had the luxury of romantic dalliances with Liu Guxia. He needed a way to turn the tables, to make Fang Zhiyi regret sparing him.

He began secretly sending messages to his grandfather’s faction. But on the very day they were to mobilize, black-clad men stormed the estate. That night, a eunuch presented the Emperor with a wooden box.

"Your Majesty, Prince Fang says this gift will help you sleep soundly," the eunuch said respectfully, though his tone dripped with mockery.

Inside the box was his grandfather’s head.

The next day, Fang Zhiyi announced the establishment of a new intelligence agency under his direct command—to "ensure His Majesty’s safety." From ministers to street vendors, anyone could be one of his spies.

The court descended into paranoia.

A man who’d drunkenly called the Fang family traitors was executed the next day for corruption.

When the Emperor argued with Liu Guxia and lost his temper, a memorial arrived—Fang Zhiyi’s note reminding him to "stay composed and not embarrass himself."

Gradually, the rest of the Xia Kingdom’s armies came under the control of Fang Zhiyi’s newly promoted commanders.

In the imperial prison, Concubine Liu gaped at the news brought by a jailer. "Fang Zhiyi didn’t become Emperor? He’s just an Imperial Prince?"

The jailer spat. "Call His Highness by his name again, and I’ll give you an extra lashing today!"

Concubine Liu stared blankly.

"The Emperor’s nothing now. Everyone knows he can’t lift a finger without Prince Fang’s approval."

Nearby, Fang Wenyuan pressed against the bars. "My brother’s an Imperial Prince! Let us out!"

The jailer stepped back. "You’re lucky to be alive. Out? Don’t forget you’re guilty of murdering the old Prince!"

"Say that again?" Fang Zhiyi lounged as a maid massaged his shoulders, addressing the spy before him.

"Reporting to Your Highness, your concubine and her father are locked in the same cage, fighting like animals. Fang Wenyuan even bit him. Liu Wenhui couldn’t take on both—he was groaning on the ground when I left."

"Good. Keep updating them on the outside world. Don’t let them eat well, but don’t starve them either."