Chapter 534: Be on Guard Against Others

Qian Zexi was surprised when he heard this.

"Standing against the Crown Prince? Yan'er, are you serious?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Yan lowered her head and spoke helplessly.

"Brother, Yan'er thought twice before coming to see you. Jun Moye and his wife want to kill the crown prince. I met Su Hanchu a few days ago."

Qian Zexi whispered something when he heard this.

"Have you met City Lord Su?"

Qian Yan nodded upon hearing this.

"She said she has a doctor who can cure my illness, but the condition is that you go to the Bai residence to talk to Jun Moye. I think you have already guessed what they want."

Qian Zexi's face turned heavy when he heard this.

"Now that the Crown Prince has contracted this disease, it will be very difficult for him to recover. The Emperor will definitely not allow someone with a serious illness to continue to be the Crown Prince. He hasn't deposed the Crown Prince yet probably because he has some concerns. However, our Qian family has long been tied to the Crown Prince's Mansion. It will be difficult to completely remove them."

Qian Yan spoke upon hearing this.

"Brother, perhaps I've been too worried lately, so I haven't thought things through. If you find it difficult, just pretend Yan'er never came. This is a matter concerning the entire Qian family, so we should prioritize their future. It's okay, Yan'er."

Upon hearing this, Qian Zexi's eyes were filled with heartache for his sister.

"What nonsense are you talking about? The Qian family is important, and you are important too. If the Qian family hadn't been suspicious and wanted to form an alliance with the Crown Prince, they wouldn't have let you marry into the Crown Prince's mansion. Now you've suffered such a hardship. Please allow me to think about this matter carefully. Don't worry, Yan'er, as long as there is a doctor who can save you, I will not give up."

Qian Yan nodded when she heard this, with tears in her eyes.

"Yan'er believes in my brother. I don't want to go back to the Prince's Mansion tonight. Can I stay at home?"

Qian Zexi hurriedly spoke upon hearing this.

"Why not? I had the yard cleaned for you before you got married. It's spotless, so you can move in directly. Even the furnishings inside will remain the same as before."

Qian Yan was touched when she heard this. Over the years, due to her status as the Crown Princess, which had too many rules and regulations, she had never stayed overnight at her parents' home since she entered the Crown Prince's Mansion.

"Yan'er thanks you, brother."

Qian Zexi looked at her and spoke.

"It's late, go back and get some rest."

Qian Yan nodded and took Xing'er back to her own yard.

A night passed.

The next day, after the morning court session ended.

Jun Moyong came to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Jun Moyong knelt on the ground as soon as he entered the door and spoke with a respectful look.

"Your son pays his respects to your mother."

Upon seeing this, Concubine De hurriedly stood up and helped him.

"Hurry up and get up. I already said that when there are no outsiders around, there is no need for us, mother and son, to be so polite."

Jun Moyong stood up and spoke solemnly.

"Mother, I have something to ask of you today."

Upon hearing this, Defei asked with concern.

"Ayong, what happened? It's rare for mother to see you like this."

Jun Moyong explained the whole story one by one, including his father's order to him and the Dali Temple to investigate the case of the prince buying and selling official positions.

"Mother, this is the situation. The conflict between my son and the Crown Prince must now be brought to light."

After hearing this, Concubine De frowned and thought for a moment before she spoke slowly.

"Ah, I never thought that in the end, my mother and I would be involved in this battle for the throne. Ayong wanted my mother to restrain the queen."

Jun Moyong nodded upon hearing this.

"Yes, mother. The last time the Crown Prince was under house arrest, the Queen only said a few words and Father untied the Crown Prince's feet. As long as the Queen is still in power, she can protect the Crown Prince. If we want to completely bring down the Crown Prince, we must bring down the Queen as well. However, the Queen has been managing a huge power for so many years, and the Hua family behind her has many forces. We must act with caution."

Upon hearing this, Defei spoke.

"Ayong, you are right. It has been said since ancient times that a mother's status is due to her son, but it can also be the case that a son's status is due to his mother. The Queen's methods can indeed protect the Crown Prince. Moreover, the Queen's power is enormous, and we cannot underestimate her. However, you can rest assured that your mother will do her best to help you."

Jun Moyong lowered his voice and spoke after hearing this.

"Mother, I have a plan. I wonder if you would listen to it."

Upon hearing this, Concubine De spoke in surprise.

"You've actually already figured out a plan to deal with the Queen. Tell it to Mother."

Jun Moyong spoke thoughtfully after hearing this.

"Mother, no child has been born in this palace for many years. If someone were to become pregnant right now, my father, in his old age, would surely be delighted. But if the Empress were to take action against this child, my father would already be utterly disappointed in the Crown Prince. Now that the Empress has made such a grievous mistake..."

Upon hearing this, Concubine De frowned and looked at Jun Moyong.

"Ayong, tell me the truth. Did you come up with this plan yourself, or did someone tell you about it? This is a tactic used in palace intrigues."

Jun Moyong didn't think of hiding anything from his mother.

"This strategy was suggested by my cousin's wife."

Upon hearing this, Defei frowned and murmured.

"City Lord Su..."

I thought of the unbridled woman I had met at the emperor’s birthday party.

After a moment, Concubine De began to give instructions.

"Ayong, you must remember that in the vortex of power, there are no eternal enemies or eternal friends. Only interests are eternal and unchanging. It's okay for you to get close to City Lord Su and his wife, but you must be on guard against them."