If Wanjun hadn't miscarried back then, her belly failing her, his schemes would have already... How could he be subjected to such humiliation today!
Over the years, he'd been feeling increasingly powerless, his influence in the court waning year by year. Though still the Minister of Revenue, his sway, even within the Ministry, was nowhere near what it used to be.
His own people, too, for various reasons – whether quietly promoted to obscurity, transferred elsewhere, or removed from important posts after being caught in a trap to protect greater interests – had been sidelined. By the time he realized it, it was too late.
Yuchi Zhao wasn't as easy to fool as the Late Emperor had been. When he had switched allegiance to him, he knew Yuchi wasn't simple, but at that time, with the Crown Prince backed by the strong support of the Former Empress Dowager and his power growing, he'd have missed his chance if he didn't switch sides then.
