Chapter 604: Pressing the Advantage
Chapter 604: Pressing the Advantage
Rui King and Qi King had severely injured the Crown Prince by torturing him.
Lu Fengyin ordered Lu Zhaoyan to return to the Crown Prince's Mansion to recuperate, and to return to the Supreme Court for investigation once he was out of danger.
It was both proper and legal, and the officials had no objections.
"I'm not badly hurt."
Lu Zhaoyan clung to his shirt, refusing to let Liu Qingyun examine his injuries.
Liu Qingyun pushed him onto the bed and swiftly tore his clothes apart.
When the physician entered the room with medicine, he saw the usually gentle and helpless Crown Prince being pinned down by his fierce and domineering wife, with his clothes in shreds.
The scene was as shocking as it was disturbing.
"I... I must have taken a wrong turn... Please continue, my lady..."
He couldn't ruin her mood.
After he left, he covered his eyes and took a few steps back. "Your Highness is injured; I hope, my lady, you will show some restraint."
...Just don't kill him.
Lu Zhaoyan: "..."
Liu Qingyun: "..."
---
Prince Jin did not go to the Ministry of Rites as he had said after leaving the Grand Sorcerer's Hall. Instead, he headed to the general's residence.
"Your Highness."
In the study, Hu Lie bowed to him.
Prince Jin quickly held his hands. "Uncle, there's no one else here, no need for such formalities!"
Hu Lie nodded and pointed to the armchair. "Your Highness, please take a seat."
After Prince Jin sat down, Hu Lie joined him.
Prince Jin's expression was grave. "Uncle, you must have heard about what happened today, right?"
Hu Lie nodded. "The Grand Princess led troops into the city, causing quite a commotion."
Prince Jin spoke helplessly, "My third brother is dead, my fourth brother is missing, and now even Qi'er..."
In the Grand Sorcerer's Hall, he had not discussed Lu Qi's whereabouts with Gongsun Yanming, just as Gongsun Yanming had not mentioned Gongsun Yu's whereabouts to him.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Gongsun Yanming. They were in this together, and their fates were intertwined, so there was nothing to hide.
However, the marriage between Lu Qi and Gongsun Liuying had been a disaster, and rumors of Gongsun Liuying fleeing to marry Huang Changsun were rampant.
He couldn't help but feel some resentment.
Mentioning Lu Qi inevitably brought up Gongsun Liuying.
He really didn't want to bring it up.
Hu Lie thought for a moment. "The Duke... may very well be in the Grand Princess's hands."
Prince Jin's face changed.
Hu Lie continued, "Has the Grand Princess threatened you in any way?"
Prince Jin shook his head. "No, she's just given me a few warnings."
Hu Lie said ominously, "Killing Rui King and driving Qi King away is not just a warning. Our Grand Princess has grown quite ambitious."
Prince Jin asked, "Uncle, what should I do now? Qi'er is my only son, and I don't want anything to happen to him."
This time, he was sincere.
After all, who would want to be left without an heir?
Moreover, it would be detrimental to his ascension to the throne.
"Wait and see for now."
Hu Lie said, "As for Qi King, we don't need to send too many people, but we can't ignore it either. Otherwise, it would seem that Your Highness, as an elder brother, doesn't care about family ties."
Prince Jin nodded. "Uncle is right."
Hu Lie added, "Also, the funeral arrangements for Rui King should not be neglected."
Prince Jin hesitated. "Father Emperor is... 'of unknown fate.' If we hold a grand funeral for my third brother, wouldn't that be... disrespectful?"
Hu Lie replied, "Rituals must not be abandoned. Besides, filial piety is one thing, but brotherly affection is another virtue. Your Highness can regain public sentiment by handling this matter appropriately."
Prince Jin suddenly felt a flash of insight: "I understand. I'll head to the Ministry of Rites shortly to discuss the funeral arrangements for my third brother in detail."
Hu Lie added, "Lastly, there's something suspicious about the Grand Princess."
Prince Jin agreed: "Uncle, you fought alongside her on the battlefield. Is she a brave and strategic person, someone who keeps her true abilities hidden?"
Hu Lie recalled, "When defending Yuzhou City, she did come up with a brilliant plan that repelled the enemy's three attacks. Most of the time, she was by the side of the late emperor and your father, protected by them. She accumulated quite a few military merits this way. But it's not entirely fair to say she just reaped the benefits. The battlefield is unpredictable. She wouldn't have survived without some real skills. But she's not devious enough to manipulate you and the two princes."
Prince Jin frowned: "So, what exactly happened in her fief?"
As they spoke, a dark guard silently entered and knelt before Hu Lie.
Hu Lie said, "Speak."
The dark guard reported, "Yes, sir. I discovered that the Grand Princess has a new favorite named Zhu Huan, who entered the princess's residence about a month ago. His parents passed away early, and he has a mute sister. After the Grand Princess brought him to the princess's residence, Zhu Huan won her heart completely, and his mute sister now enjoys the treatment of a noble lady. On this return to the city, the Grand Princess brought Zhu Huan with her."
Prince Jin asked in surprise, "Uncle, could this Zhu Huan be the mastermind behind the Grand Princess?"
A cold light flashed in Hu Lie's eyes: "We'll see if he's the one pulling the strings! Bring this Zhu Huan to me!"
Prince Jin hesitated: "Uncle, he is the Grand Princess's favorite—just binding him—"
Hu Lie's gaze was heavy: "The Rui King was still a prince, yet she had him killed without hesitation. She wants to intimidate Your Highness, the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion, and the General's House with iron-fisted tactics. We won't let her get her way!"
Hu Lie was a man of extreme determination.
He had never backed down from a challenge!
---
In Kunning Palace, the Empress drifted into a deep sleep under Meng Qianqian's soothing presence.
She truly entered the realm of dreams.
Meng Qianqian glanced at the incense burner on the cabinet. This calming incense, made from herbs from Wushan, would ensure the Empress slept soundly until dawn.
Her mind replayed the conversation she just had with the Empress.
"Wind Chant, you and I are family. You grew up under my watchful eye. In my heart, you are like my own daughter. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
The Empress's voice was gentle, her eyes sincere, evoking the image of a caring elder sister.
Meng Qianqian, wearing her cold, emotionless mask, hesitated several times before speaking.
The Empress grew anxious: "Is something serious happening?"
Meng Qianqian said, "Sister, the Qi King killed the Rui King and fled to avoid punishment."
The Empress's face turned ashen: "How could this happen..."
Meng Qianqian continued, "I find it suspicious too. I wonder if the Qi King was bewitched, causing him to lose his mind and mistakenly kill the Rui King. I have no evidence, so I dared not speculate in front of the court. I also think the Qi King was raised under your care. If anything—"
The Empress understood and closed her eyes in resignation: "If he contacts me, I will inform you."
Meng Qianqian said earnestly, "Sister, you are truly principled!"
The Empress asked, "Is that all you wanted to ask?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "There is one more thing. Does Sister know of any hiding places in the Cold Palace?"
The Empress's eyes flickered.
Thud, the update has dropped. (End of Chapter)
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