I was chased by my sickly junior brother who had two lives

The imperial decree in the palace to demote Prince Jin to a commoner and imprison him was like a thunderbolt that shattered the sky. In an instant, the entire palace and even the capital were swept by this turbulent aftermath.

The Prince of Jin's mansion used to be a symbol of prosperity, with carved beams and painted buildings displaying the royal grandeur. But at this moment, it seemed to be shrouded in a dark curtain. The prosperity of the past was like a dream bubble, disappearing without a trace, leaving only an eerie silence and desolation.

The King of Jin sat slumped in the once magnificent but now empty and cold palace, like a statue with its soul taken away. The attendants around him scattered like birds and beasts after the decree was issued, leaving him alone, swallowed by endless loneliness.

The gorgeous brocade robe he wore, which once symbolized nobility and glory, now clung to his slumped body like a flag discarded by a defeated warrior. His hair was scattered messily on his shoulders, with a few strands of hair hanging down in front of his desperate face, swaying slightly with his heavy breathing.

His eyes were empty and desperate, as if they had lost focus. He just stared blankly ahead, as if staring at his own broken fate.

"How did I end up like this? I was originally a prince, only one step away from the supreme throne!"

His mumblings echoed faintly in the silent hall, and every word seemed to be torn out painfully from the deepest part of his heart. His trembling lips and heavy breathing seemed to spit his soul out of his body.

His hands kept shaking, and the fingers that he once used to control power and wealth could only helplessly grasp his hair now. He was like a drowning man struggling in the dark, trying to find a ray of hope for relief from his chaotic thoughts.

At the same time, inside the prince's palace, there was a completely different scene. On an exquisitely carved round table, there was a dazzling array of delicacies, and the rich aroma of wine rose up and filled the entire palace.

The prince was wearing a bright yellow suit with golden silk embroidered on it. Under the candlelight, it glowed softly and brightly, like the brightest stars in the night sky.

His face was filled with relief and joy, and the fatigue in his eyes, which had accumulated from caring about state affairs, was now completely covered by the light of victory, like the bright blue sky after the haze had dissipated.

Chen Jue and Chen Jia sat side by side, like a perfect couple. Chen Jue was wearing a moon-white gown, which was as smooth as silk and rose and fell slightly with his movements, perfectly outlining his tall and straight figure.

He has an elegant temperament, but his every move reveals a heroic spirit, like a sword hidden in a sheath. Although it has not been unsheathed, it can already make people feel its restrained edge. Chen Jia is wearing a light pink Luo skirt with delicate plum blossom patterns embroidered on the hem. The plum blossoms seem to sway gently in the breeze, exuding a faint fragrance.

Her hair was as black and shiny as ink, falling softly on her shoulders. A few strands of hair curled playfully beside her snow-white cheeks, making her look even more gentle and charming. She was like the peach blossoms blooming in spring, delicate and charming.

The prince picked up a glass of fine wine, which reflected colorful light under the candlelight.

He stood up swiftly, with a smile as bright as the sun on his face: "Chen Jue, Chen Jia, today we have finally succeeded in overthrowing the King of Jin. The road ahead was full of thorns and difficulties, and it was thanks to your wisdom and courage that we were able to cut through the thorns in this vortex of power and intrigue. Come, let us drink this cup together to celebrate this hard-earned victory!"

After saying this, he tilted his head back and drank it all. The wine flowed down his throat like a stream of clear spring water. He narrowed his eyes slightly, enjoying the taste of victory to the fullest. The joy in his eyes became even stronger, as if he was a triumphant general.

Chen Jue and Chen Jia also stood up and raised their glasses respectfully in response. Their movements were elegant and coordinated, as if they had practiced them countless times.

Then they drank together. After the wine went down his throat, Chen Jue put down the wine glass. His expression was solemn but revealed his unwavering determination: "Your Highness, overthrowing King Jin is just the beginning, just like tearing a tiny crack in the chaotic darkness. Now under the government, corrupt officials are like termites, quietly eroding the foundation of the Great Chu. Those corrupt officials in the local areas are as cunning as foxes, making up excuses and levying heavy taxes. The people work hard in the fields all year round, shed sweat and blood, but most of the year's harvest is plundered by them like hungry wolves, causing the people to live in misery and misery. The barren land in the fields and the dilapidated houses in the villages are all witnesses of their crimes."

At this point, he unconsciously clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, as if he was holding the throats of those corrupt officials in his hands. "If we want the Great Chu to prosper, we must root out these cancers and not leave any alive, only then can we restore a clean and clear Great Chu."

Chen Jia nodded slightly, her eyes revealing wisdom and calmness, and then said: "Your Highness, in the past, there were many obstacles in the investigation of corrupt officials, as if we were stuck in a quagmire and had difficulty taking a step forward. This is because they colluded with each other, and officials protected each other, forming an impenetrable network of relationships. Just like the matter of Prince Jin this time, if we had not persisted in investigating and not let go of any clues, many corrupt officials would still be at large and continue to do evil in this court. Therefore, in the future, we should establish a more rigorous and fair supervision method, like a sword hanging high, always deterring those who have evil intentions."

The prince frowned slightly and fell into deep thought. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes were solemn and worried: "I know this truth very well. However, it is not a one-day or one-night job to eliminate corrupt officials, and every step must be taken with extreme caution. I want to start with the selection of supervisory officials. These people must not only have upright character, like pine trees and cypresses, not afraid of wind and snow, but also be familiar with the pros and cons of officialdom and have insight into the undercurrents. Only in this way can we accurately identify those who hide very deeply and make them nowhere to hide."

Chen Jue's eyes lit up, like a shooting star across the night sky: "Your Highness is wise. At the same time, we must not be lenient in punishing corrupt officials. In the past, due to various reasons, there were often cases of lenient sentences, which made some people feel lucky, like cunning mice, spying on opportunities in the dark. We should formulate strict laws. Once corruption and bribery are verified, no matter their official position or background, they will be severely punished according to the law, and their property will be confiscated to fill the national treasury, so that they will pay a painful price for their crimes and dare not commit them again."

Chen Jia gently stroked the edge of the wine glass. Her fingers were slender and white, and her movements were gentle and graceful. "Your Highness, the nepotism in the officialdom must also be cut off. Many corrupt officials are promoted or protected by relying on family, in-laws and other relationships, just like vines entwined around trees, absorbing nutrients that do not belong to them. A fair official selection system should be implemented, and only the talented should be promoted. Let the truly capable and virtuous people take on important tasks, rather than being swayed by relationships. Only in this way can fresh and pure blood be injected into the court of Da Chu."

The prince paced back and forth, his footsteps echoing in the palace. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I plan to set up secret reporting points in various places to encourage the people to report corrupt officials. The people are at the grassroots level, like the foundation of the earth, and they are most able to know the good and evil deeds of officials. Of course, in order to prevent malicious false accusations, a rigorous verification mechanism must also be established, like a solid line of defense, to filter out real and useful information."

Chen Jue replied, "Your Highness, this is a very good plan. This will allow corrupt officials to be caught in the vast ocean of public supervision and become the target of public criticism. Furthermore, those officials who have colluded with the King of Jin must not be tolerated and must be investigated one by one. Even if the implications are widespread, this evil trend must be completely eradicated, as cleanly and neatly as autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves."

Chen Jia looked at the Crown Prince and Chen Jue, his eyes as firm as a rock: "Your Highness, Xiao Jue, although this road is difficult, like climbing a steep mountain, for the future of Da Chu and for the people of the world, we have no choice but to do it. Even if it will affect the interests of many powerful people and encounter many obstacles, like a surging wave rushing towards us, we must move forward bravely and never retreat."

The prince stopped and said resolutely: "I have made up my mind. This country of Chu is the foundation left by our ancestors, and it cannot be destroyed by corrupt officials. I will join hands with you to rectify the administration of officials with iron-blooded means, restore the court to a clean and honest state, let the people live and work in peace, and restore the prosperity of Chu in the past."

At this moment, the three people's eyes met, and they all saw determination and fearlessness in each other's eyes. That was the determination to fight for justice and the future of Da Chu. In this palace, it seemed as if an invisible but powerful force was condensed, enough to break through all darkness and obstacles, like the dawn, illuminating the way forward for Da Chu.

Inside the Duke's Mansion, the lights were on, and the warm yellow candlelight flickered, shrouding the entire courtyard in a warm atmosphere. Chen Jue and Chen Jia walked into the mansion hand in hand. Along the way, their steps were light and cheerful, as if there was wind under their feet, and every step was filled with the joy of victory and longing for the future.