Chapter 19: The Snipe and the Clam in Conflict (Second Update, Seeking Recommendation Votes)

  "It's indeed a thief shouting 'stop thief', Second Brother, you're really hypocritical to the core." Zhou Fei let out another cold laugh and said.

  "Fourth brother, it's fine that you insulted me. But what's most important now is big brother's leg. If we use the country's resources to search for those spiritual medicines that promote limb regeneration, we can definitely find them. Also, we need to catch the real culprit and avenge big brother."

  Facing his brother's questioning, Zhou Feng's face was filled with indignation as he said.

  The two immediately clashed, and the group of ministers also wanted to join the battle, igniting the flames of this struggle for the crown prince's position.

  A soft and delicate voice rang out.

  "Older brother."

  Suddenly, a figure rushed into Zhou Jian's arms, and it was Zhou Jian's biological younger sister, Zhou Meng. The little girl's delicate face was covered with tears.

  A pair of arms tightly hugged Zhou Jian's waist, trembling with voice and asked: "Is brother's leg broken? Who is it, who is so ruthless?"

  Tender and sincere voice, instantly made this tense situation, for it dumbfounded.

  The courtiers, princes and princesses present were all driven by self-interest. Zhou Feng's hypocrisy was even more despicable. In the face of a naive child, everything seemed so hypocritical that it made all the courtiers, princes and princesses feel ashamed of themselves.

  Zhou Jian's heart was also infinitely moved, even in a world so cold, his younger brothers and sisters had to use him as a stepping stone, and even Zhou Zheng, who was supposed to be his father, detested him, hated him, and the courtiers also wanted to attack him.

  But as long as this sister is here, nothing else matters, nothing else matters.

  "It's okay, brother is fine, don't worry." Zhou Jian gently hugged Zhou Meng and stretched out his hand to wipe away the tears on her little face. But this silly girl couldn't stop crying, and the pearl-like tears kept falling down.

  Zhou Jian's heart ached, what kind of messy things were these, they had completely sullied his sister's ears. Everyone should just die.

  Zhou Jian's heart was in unbearable pain, but on his face, he managed to squeeze out a faint smile, embracing Zhou Meng's body, just like when they were young, holding Zhou Meng in his arms, the two siblings relying on each other for survival, just like in the past.

  "You all continue." He slightly comforted his sister and coldly raised his head to say.

  This time, it really made Zhou Jian's brothers and sisters blush. However, the drive for profit soon made them forget their shame. Compared to the position of Crown Prince Wang, what else mattered?

  "Second brother, take a good look. This is what real siblings are like. What's with your hypocritical face?" Zhou Fei fired the first shot, ridiculing Zhou Feng.

  "My brother and I are as close as limbs, our bond is thicker than water. No matter what you say, I am concerned about my brother." Zhou Feng tried to squeeze out some tears, but couldn't, so he let out a cold hum and said.

  "Haha, well said! We're like limbs that have been severed from our body, and our blood has dissolved in water. It's as if we're not even brothers with Big Brother."

  Zhou Fei burst out laughing and said with disdain.

  "Hmm."

  Zhou Feng snorted coldly and turned his face away.

  The two brothers had a falling out, and the courtiers did not dare to speak out of turn, while Zhou Chong, who was also qualified to contend for the position of Crown Prince, looked on coldly.

  Zhou Zheng was even more condescending, with a hint of mockery in his eyes, as if looking at a group of clowns.

  "Alright, alright. This leg is indeed broken, and the eldest son of the lonely king does not have the qualifications to be appointed as the crown prince. You all should consider whether to establish the elder or the virtuous one, or at least the benevolent one."

  Zhou Zheng spoke up and settled the situation with one sentence, Zhou Jian was no longer qualified, so he stepped aside. The position of Crown Prince is ultimately for whom, you can fight for it yourselves.

  "Your Majesty, as the Second Prince said, there is an old saying that goes 'the eldest son succeeds'. Since the Eldest Prince has lost his qualifications, among all the princes, with the Second Prince being the eldest, it is only natural to make him the Crown Prince."

  No need for Deng Kuang to come out, there are already officials from the Deng family who have stepped forward and recommended him.

  "Shut up." Zhou Feng's eyes widened in anger and he scolded. Immediately, he turned around again, lifted his robe, and knelt down to Zhou Zheng, saying sincerely: "Your Majesty, although my older brother has lost a leg, after all, he is still the older brother. The Emperor is still young and vigorous, with plenty of time to find the divine medicine to cure the older brother. I, your subject, do not dare to be born as a younger son, it should be me."

  Zhou Feng is a man of great moral integrity, who uses retreat as an opportunity to advance, demonstrating his strong sense of ethics and morality.

  "Well said." Another official stepped forward and immediately bowed to Zhou Zheng, saying: "Your Majesty, the Second Prince is a legitimate son of the emperor and does not dare to covet the position of Crown Prince. His virtues and merits surpass those of all other princes, whether it be by seniority or by talent, he should be appointed as the Crown Prince."

  "Didn't I tell you to shut up? Elder brother is the elder, and also the legitimate one. How can I compete with him? You are framing me as unrighteous, wanting to put me on the fire to roast, what's your intention?"

  Zhou Feng's voice and expression were both stern, as he directly rebuked the ministers. Immediately after, he turned his head and bowed to Zhou Jian, saying: "Big brother, rest assured, even if your legs are broken, I, little brother, will not be remiss, and will definitely assist big brother, in order to prevent those petty people from coveting the crown prince's position."

  "Your Highness."

  Many officials shouted in unison, and many people shed tears, seemingly moved by this scene. Chancellor Deng Kuang also revealed a smile, thinking to himself, "Well done."

  Zhou Chong, Zhou Fei, Ming Yuan, Guan Xing, Zhao Wen, Zhao Deng, Xiao Yun and others secretly cursed in their hearts, "You wicked son!"

  However, at this time Zhou Feng was indeed in the right, and had even knelt down to his elder brother. They really couldn't launch another attack, or else what would be their intention?

  Just when all the other competitors were at a loss for what to do, and in the eyes of the ministers, Zhou Jian was the one who had no chance and should not have spoken out, yet he opened his mouth to speak.

  "Second brother, since you respect me as your elder brother so much, I have a word of advice for you. A man has gold under his knees; is it worth kneeling down for someone just to get the position of a prince?"

  Zhou Jian stood tall and looked down, with a slight curl at the corner of his mouth, coldly smiling.

  Zhou Feng's expression was momentarily stagnant, Deng Kuang furrowed his brow, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes, and silently cursed in his heart, "Looking for death."

  But most of the literary and martial arts people secretly rejoiced. Zhou Jian's attitude gave many people hope.

  "Your Majesty, I humbly think that the most urgent matter at hand is not to establish the crown prince, but to first investigate who is secretly harming the Grand Temple. Otherwise, wouldn't establishing the crown prince without a clear understanding be ridiculed by the people of the world?"

  Xiao Yun finally couldn't bear it anymore and stood up, speaking to Zhou Zheng.

  Xiao Yun then very solemnly lifted the hem of his robe, knelt down in front of Zhou Jian, and kowtowed: "Please, Your Highness, speak your mind freely. Even if it means risking my old life, I will make sure that the person who harmed you pays the price."

  "Please, Your Highness, speak your mind freely."

  After Xiao Yun, some old ministers in the court also knelt down.

  Zhao Wen and Zhao Deng exchanged a glance, then both knelt down together.

  Ming Yuan and his sons, Ming De and Ming Dian, exchanged a glance and smiled slightly. They led some of the nobles to kneel down in front of Zhou Jian and said: "Establishing the eldest son as heir is an ancient principle. If the Crown Prince's legs were intact, this position would naturally belong to him, and we have no objections. However, unfortunately, the Crown Prince was harmed by treacherous people without clear reasons. Please, Your Highness, speak your mind, and we will certainly help you regain justice."

  Not only that, but Guan Xing's expression changed slightly, and in the battle for dignity with the prince, he made a choice. He gritted his teeth and also yielded to the circumstances, kneeling down to Zhou Jian.

  Also said a few words of support and implied that he would avenge Zhou Jian.

  Zhou Chong and Zhou Fei exchanged a glance, stepped forward, and knelt down in unison before Zhou Jian, saying: "Please speak your mind freely, big brother. We will definitely support you."

  But it was a case of the snipe and the clam fighting, and in the end it still depends on Zhou Jian's attitude. In order to curry favor with Wang Erzi Zhou Feng, his competitors, the eight civil and military officials in the court, knelt down for this fallen crown prince.

  Zhou Jian's mouth corner raised a sneer. It is said that the eldest son should be established as the heir, does this count as meeting everyone's expectations?