Chapter 412 This green hat must be given by someone else

Cui Lin's obvious threat was like a slap in the face of the Second Prince, and his contemptuous look made the Second Prince feel upset.

Murderous intent rose in his heart, and he wished he could just kill the old man in front of him, but when he thought of those people from the aristocratic families, he forced himself to hold it back.

"Don't worry, Mr. Cui. I won't act recklessly again. I will definitely discuss anything with you."

"As long as Your Highness knows."

Seeing how cowardly Cui Lin was, he became more and more disdainful. He didn't even bother to put on any pretense of help for the Second Prince. He just snorted and turned away.

The second prince clenched his fists in anger.

When Xiao Yan led Cang Lang out of the palace, he saw the Second Prince standing not far away under the moonlight, his face full of murderous intent. He turned to Di Tao who was standing nearby and said, "Go in, His Majesty wishes to see you."

"Just like that?"

"So what else do you want?"

“…”

Di Tao stuttered.

The spear he carried with him had been left behind in front of the palace gate. He felt a little nervous now that he had nothing in his hands, but looking at Xiao Yan's calm and indifferent face, he felt that if he ran away in the face of the enemy, Xiao Yan would definitely beat him up.

Di Tao whispered, "Then Governor Xiao, please wait for me outside. I left something at your house. I'll go get it with you later."

Xiao Yan knew that he was speaking to the palace maids on both sides, so he nodded and said, "Okay."

Seeing that Di Tao, who had been ruthless in killing enemies in the northwest but was now a little timid, he finally said something kindly to comfort him.

"Don't be afraid. Your Majesty is a kind and tolerant person. Marquis Wenxin is also inside. Just report to Your Majesty what General Di has instructed."

Di Tao: “…”

If he had not been outside the palace just now, listening to Emperor An's deafening roar inside, he would have believed Xiao Yan's lies.

Are all the people in Beijing evil-minded?

Di Tao muttered as he entered the hall. The Second Prince also noticed Xiao Yan coming out. When he saw him approaching, the Second Prince hurried forward and said, "Master Xiao, you're out now. Did the Emperor give you any trouble?"

"It's a good thing to be able to embarrass Your Majesty, but I'm afraid Your Majesty doesn't even want to be embarrassed."

Xiao Yan glanced at the stiff-faced Second Prince and said, "When I came out just now, I saw that His Highness was full of murderous intent. Who provoked His Highness?"

The Second Prince's face turned grim. "It's all because of that old bastard Cui Lin. He thought I was relying on them, so he neglected me in every way. He even dared to threaten me just now. If I didn't still need them, I would have..."

There was murderous intent in his eyes and brows, and it was obvious that he hated Cui Lin to the extreme.

Xiao Yan just watched him speak harshly without saying a word.

The second prince originally wanted to instigate Xiao Yan to teach Cui Lin and the others a lesson for him, but he didn't expect that there would be no response after talking for a long time. Meeting Xiao Yan's cold gaze, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

"I know I shouldn't be so angry, but Cui Lin is truly despicable. He acknowledges me as his master, yet he doesn't even show me the slightest respect I deserve."

"And I'm also feeling a little uneasy. Just now, before Governor Xiao arrived, my father rebuked me. He seemed extremely dissatisfied with me and even brought up my biological mother's low status."

"Lord Xiao, do you think our father has other thoughts?"

He was not afraid of anything else, but he was afraid that Emperor An already had someone else in mind.

When Canglang heard the words "recognize the master", he almost rolled his eyes.

Xiao Yan seemed not to have heard and just looked up at the Second Prince.

"If Your Majesty has any intentions, they cannot be hidden from this Governor. As for the rest, Your Highness has been hanging out with those people from the aristocratic families lately, and your behavior is even more high-profile and unrestrained. Don't you know why Your Majesty reprimanded you?"

The second prince's face turned pale. "I know that my father is wary of the officials from the aristocratic families, but if something unexpected happens in the court, how can I expect them to help me if I don't get closer to them..."

"Your Majesty is still on the throne. What do you want them to help you with? To help you seize power, or to help you usurp the throne?"

"Lord Xiao!"

The second prince was startled and shouted in a low voice.

Xiao Yan's expression was indifferent: "Since you have no intention of usurping the throne, Your Highness should understand what taboos are."

"I haven't been to court for just over a month, and Your Highness has completely forgotten everything I told you. Not only have you conspired against me, but you've also been colluding with court officials right under your Majesty's nose. You're eager to expose your ambitions. Who else should Your Majesty scold but you?"

The Second Prince was somewhat annoyed by what he said, but when he heard Xiao Yan talk about plotting against him, he immediately felt guilty: "I can explain the matter of Lingyun Temple."

"No need to explain. You and I both know what the Second Prince wants to do."

"Lord Xiao..."

The Second Prince was in a state of panic, and felt somewhat uneasy when he saw Xiao Yan was cold and severe.

Xiao Yan didn't want to break up with him, so he just said coldly, "Tang Ning didn't get hurt this time, so I won't bother with you. But if there's a next time..."

"Absolutely not!"

The Second Prince blurted out hastily, "I really was just confused for a moment and was instigated by someone. If Song Jinxiu hadn't told me that the Fourth Prince wanted to plot against Princess Xiangning and that he could take advantage of this opportunity to benefit you, I wouldn't have dared to get involved in this matter."

"And believe me, I really don't want to do anything to Princess Xiangning. Even if the fourth brother succeeds, I will protect her..."

As he spoke, he met Xiao Yan's expressionless face, and his voice gradually cut off. His embarrassed look revealed his unconcealable guilt.

The second prince was a little scared and didn't dare to mention the matter of Lingyun Temple anymore. He just changed the subject.

"Oh right, when Cui Lin came out just now, he said he was going to investigate the Lu family. He also asked me to go to the Imperial Prison to see the Fourth Brother and tell him that the Lu family burned down Fengxi Palace and wanted to kill Queen Lu."

Xiao Yan didn't hold him back, but simply asked coldly, "What do you think, Your Highness?"

The Second Prince said, "I think we can go. After all, the Fourth Prince has been close to Lu Chongyuan for so many years, and he knows a lot about the Lu family better than outsiders. Maybe we can pry something out of him."

Xiao Yan: "Then Your Highness, go. Just remember not to mention me or anything else to him. Just let him know that tonight was dangerous and Queen Lu almost lost her life."

Seeing that the Second Prince was puzzled, Xiao Yan explained,

"I have a personal grudge against the Lu family. If the Fourth Prince knew that the Lu family burned down Fengxi Palace to deal with me, he might not be so resentful."

The Second Prince reacted quickly and said, "I understand. I won't mention anything else. By the way, the Inspector's injury is better now..."

"My injuries are no longer serious. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Xiao Yan replied, and then seemed to recall something before saying, "By the way, His Majesty forbids others from interfering in the affairs of the Lu family. Your Highness had better remember this and not send anyone to contact the Lu family privately, to avoid any trouble."

"I see."

The second prince agreed readily on the surface, but after saying goodbye to Xiao Yan and turning to leave, he was thinking something else in his mind.

The Lu family has a very deep foundation and holds many good things. Moreover, after the Lu family falls, someone will have to take over the interests left behind by the aristocratic family.

Cui Lin and his men had long considered the Lu family a sure thing, but the Second Prince was also extremely envious. He had been in contact with several other families that were slightly inferior to the aristocratic families in the capital without telling Xiao Yan. If he could get those who supported him to gain the benefits of the Lu family and replace the Lu family as one of the eight great families, then he would also have a trump card that truly belonged to him.

The Second Prince felt that Emperor An did not allow others to interfere and only allowed Xiao Yan to investigate. This must be because he did not want the things in the hands of the Lu family to fall into the hands of others. Even Xiao Yan's warning to him was probably out of selfish motives.

He would not miss such a good opportunity. If he could get hold of the Lu family's evidence before Xiao Yan, he might be able to get a share of the profits.

Although I feel a little sorry for Xiao Yan, if a man does not care for himself, he will be punished by heaven and earth.

…

Watching the Second Prince disappear into the dark corridor, Cang Lang couldn't help but step forward and asked, "Master, why did you remind the Second Prince?"

"If I hadn't reminded him, how could he have tried so hard to investigate the Lu family?"

Most people in the royal family have a common problem of being conceited, and always think that they are smarter and better than others.

The second prince looks honest, but he actually has a lot of ulterior motives. They are not satisfied with just him and the Cui family, and have secretly recruited a large number of people.

Cui Lin has been coveting the Lu family for a long time. The second prince has had close contact with him and naturally covets the things of the Lu family. Seeing that the Lu family has been defeated and it is the time to divide the benefits, how could he let it go easily.

The more he tried to stop him, the more the Second Prince wanted to dig deeper.

Anyone who dares to covet and plot against Tang Ning must be punished.

Xiao Yan glanced at the brightly lit hall behind him, and remembered that Emperor An seemed to have noticed something and had specifically told him to handle it "low-key". He raised his lips coldly.

"Your Majesty, you have to find someone to take away this green hat. I think the Second Prince and Cui Lin are suitable candidates." He wouldn't feel sad even if he died after taking care of the green hat.

Cang Lang: “…”

He shouldn't have doubted the Governor's conscience.

Xiao Yan glanced sideways: "What are you mumbling about?"

Cang Lang's face was full of flattery, and his white teeth were exposed in his smile: "I said that the governor is wise, no wonder the girl cares about you so much."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan asked, "How do you know she cares?"

Cang Lang paused. How could he know anything? But seeing his overseer's serious eyes, he held his face up and acted confidently.

"Of course I know. The girl cares about you the most. She asks you every day if you've replied. Later, I saw her several times at Yueli Terrace, crying while holding your things..."

Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, his heart softening to the core.

"Hey, Lord Governor, where are you going?"

"Go back home."

"But General Di..."

Canglang waved his hand and before he could finish his words, his governor had disappeared. His hand froze in mid-air, and he looked at the governor who seemed to have returned home with a silent face.

Otherwise, he should not go back these days and just live in the Privy Council, as he is afraid of being beaten to death by the Governor.

After a long time, the door at the back of the palace opened, and Di Tao and Wen Xinhou came out together. They were still talking in low voices about the battle in Beiling.

When they reached the palace, Marquis Wenxin asked, "Where will General Di rest tonight?"

"I have some things with Governor Xiao. I'll stay at his house tonight and go to the posthouse tomorrow."

"Then I'll give you a ride?"

"No need, Governor Xiao is waiting for me..."

Di Tao confidently rejected Marquis Wenxin and turned around to call Xiao Yan, but the palace was empty. Apart from the guards and eunuchs standing by his side, there was not even a ghost in sight.

Di Tao: He’s such an old uncle?!

The palace eunuch said, "General Di, Commander Xiao has ordered that he should go back first due to important matters, so you should go by yourself."

Di Tao: “…”

Seeing the young man beside him with a gloomy face, Wen Xinhou was silent: "General Di, I have a carriage in front of the palace gate, why don't you give you a ride."

Di Tao: He hates the capital!