Li Qingyan raised an eyebrow, her luscious red lips parted slightly:
"A wager?"
Xu Yuan spoke slowly:
"Although I'm reluctant to admit it, Li Zhaoyuan's cunning and tactics are exceptional, if I were your emperor father, to say I wouldn't be tempted would be a lie.
"However, you also know his background is less than ideal. Hmm... Compared to the mother of you three siblings, his mother was merely a palace maid. For a prince born of her to ascend to the throne is as likely as my fourth sister someday taking charge of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"Your eldest brother has been regent for over a decade, diligently and fairly administering the government every day. At The Imperial Court, with the exception of the Prime Minister's faction, it is the Crown Prince's faction that is most powerful.
"The path through The Imperial Court has been completely blocked, leaving Li Zhaoyuan with no choice but to find another way."