"The Fourth Prince of the Chu State is serving as regent without ascending the throne?"
"Yes, Your Royal Highness. According to intelligence from Chu State, that is indeed the case. The signatory title on the imperial edict from Chu State, used by their envoy, is 'Regent of Chu,' not 'Emperor of Chu'."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince chuckled, turned to Ning Fangsheng, the Minister of Rites, beside him, and asked, "Elder Ning, what do you think this Fourth Prince of Chu truly intends?"
He had defeated the other princes vying for the throne and also secured the support of several great noble families in Chu State, those with Zhuguai. Yet, he surprisingly did not ascend the throne as expected, instead having himself declared regent.
Indeed, the adage 'tactically respect your opponent, strategically despise them' has existed since ancient times.
