THE HEIRS WAR
The dim glow of the evening lanterns filled the emperor's study as the three princes took their places around the weiqi board. The emperor himself sat at the head of the table, his face impassive, a cup of tea resting lightly in his hand. His sharp gaze moved between his sons, watching every movement, every expression, with quiet calculation.
"This is not just a game," he said, his voice cold and steady. "It is a test of strategy and foresight. Let us see which of you understands these principles best."
The First Prince smirked, cracking his knuckles before placing his first black stone on the board. His move was bold, staking an early claim to the center.
"Foresight is for those who hesitate," he said confidently. "Action is the mark of a true leader."
The Second Prince responded with a careful placement of his white stone, avoiding direct confrontation. "Action without understanding leads to ruin, Eldest Brother," he said softly, his voice measured.
The Third Prince, the youngest of the three, studied the board in silence. His face remained serene as he placed his black stone with deliberate precision, focusing on building a quiet, defensive structure.
"Patience prevents traps," he murmured, his tone calm but firm. "Only a fool rushes into battle without knowing the terrain."
The First Prince scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Words of a coward. Tell me, Third Brother, do you intend to win by waiting forever?"
The Third Prince met his brother's gaze, a faint smile on his lips. "Victory comes not from haste, but from ensuring your opponent defeats himself."
The emperor said nothing, but his eyes flickered with interest as the game continued. The First Prince's bold moves began to unravel as the Second Prince exploited his weaknesses, while the Third Prince steadily built his strength, feigning innocence with every move.
---
The Third Prince sat in his private study, a low-burning lamp casting shadows across the room. His trusted confidant, a young scholar gifted by Lady Seraphine, knelt beside him, reviewing the events of the day.
"Your brothers revealed much tonight," the scholar said, carefully arranging the weiqi board to reflect the final positions. "The First Prince is reckless, and the Second Prince overly cautious. You, however, My Lord, held your ground and watched them falter."
The Third Prince nodded, his fingers lightly tracing the edge of a black stone. "My mother always said the harem is a battlefield. She was right. But the court is no different. My brothers see the board, but they do not see the players beyond it."
The scholar hesitated. "My Lord, your mother's health remains fragile. Do you think her position can hold?"
The Third Prince's expression hardened. "That is why I must act. The harem's cruelty may have weakened her, but her lessons remain with me. I will not squander what she has sacrificed to teach me."
The scholar bowed his head. "What is your next move, My Lord?"
"Quietly strengthen alliances," the prince said, his voice low but decisive. "The Empress's grip is strong, but not unbreakable. We begin with those who resent her influence—officials she has overlooked."
The scholar smiled faintly. "As you command, My Lord. Your patience will prove your greatest strength."
That night, the emperor sat with General reuben in a secluded corner of the palace gardens. The soft chirping of crickets filled the silence as the emperor swirled his wine lazily.
"My sons," he said after a long pause. "Each one believes he is destined for greatness, but only one can ascend."
General reuben inclined his head. "And which of them do you favor, Your Majesty?"
The emperor's lips curled into a smirk. "The First Prince charges like an untrained soldier—brash, undisciplined. The Second Prince, though cautious, lacks the boldness to command. And the Third..." He trailed off, his gaze distant.
"Your Majesty?" General reuben prompted.
The emperor chuckled softly. "The Third hides his fangs well. Too well, perhaps. Ambition cloaked in humility is the most dangerous kind. We shall see if he has the strength to wield it when the time comes."
The general nodded, but his thoughts remained private. The emperor's words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning, as the night deepened.
---
In the dimly lit study of his private quarters, the Second Prince sat with his most trusted aide. A map of the city was spread across the table, marking key locations in bold strokes of ink.
Second Prince (calmly): "My elder brother thrives on indulgence, his arrogance blinding him to consequence. If I am to weaken his position, I need only ensure his folly is witnessed."
The aide nodded, placing a report on the table. "The brothel near the Eastern Market has a reputation for unruly patrons and loose tongues. If the First Prince is seen there, the rumors will spread like wildfire."
The Second Prince smirked, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. "Good. Make the arrangements. Ensure the right people see what unfolds and that the wrong people hear of it."
---
Later that evening, the First Prince, lured by whispers of a rare beauty, entered the brothel, his entourage in tow. The air was thick with the scent of incense and wine, the dim lanterns casting flickering shadows on the walls.
Unbeknownst to him, a trap had been laid.
A young brothel attendant, skilled in martial arts and secretly under the Second Prince's employ, purposefully provoked the First Prince.
Fueled by wine and his natural temper, the First Prince lashed out, overturning tables and shattering a vase.
First Prince (shouting): "How dare you speak to me in such a manner! Do you know who I am?"
The attendant, feigning submission, knelt but cast a defiant glance upward. "Your Highness, even princes must pay for what they desire."
The First Prince struck the attendant, the sound echoing through the room. Gasps filled the air as patrons and attendants froze, some slipping quietly into the night to spread the tale.
The altercation escalated until guards were called. By then, the damage had been done—broken furniture, terrified patrons, and the powerful rumor of a prince losing control in a house of ill repute.
---
By dawn, the scandal had reached the palace. Courtiers whispered in hushed tones, and even the servants avoided meeting the First Prince's eyes. The emperor, seated in the Hall of Justice, read the report with a stony expression.
Emperor (coldly): "Summon him."
The First Prince arrived, his head bowed, but defiance still flickered in his eyes.
Emperor: "A brothel? A public brawl? You are my heir, yet you disgrace this throne with your foolishness."
First Prince: "Father, it was a misunderstanding. The attendant—"
The emperor slammed his hand on the armrest, silencing him. "Enough! You are to remain in your quarters until I decide how to address this humiliation. Do not leave without my permission."
---
In his chambers, the Second Prince listened to the latest rumors with a satisfied smile. His aide bowed before him.
Aide: "The court is abuzz, Your Highness. Some say the emperor may reconsider the First Prince's position as heir."
Second Prince: "Let them whisper. A man does not need to wield the sword when his enemy is already cutting his own throat."
The Second Prince dismissed his aide, turning to gaze out the window. The scandal was only the first step. To secure the throne, he would need to continue exploiting the weaknesses of his brothers while ensuring his own image remained spotless.
In the imperial garden, the Third Prince sat reading, seemingly uninterested in the day's events. Yet when a servant brought him news of the scandal, his brow furrowed slightly.
Third Prince (to himself): "The Second Brother's hand is clear, but the First Brother's recklessness plays right into it. I wonder if they realize they are both puppets on the emperor's game.