Their original plan was to have the eldest prince restrain Xie Jingyin before Xie Jingyan gained power. However, they did not expect that the earthquake in Meizhou would implicate the eldest prince. Stealing and selling the stored grain in the granary was a serious crime. Once it was confirmed that the eldest prince was involved, the emperor would punish him severely, and the eldest prince would no longer have the possibility of being made crown prince.

With the eldest prince gone, the position of crown prince will be Xie Jingyin's for the taking. Wouldn't they be helping Xie Jingyin?

This is definitely not what Shen Wan wanted to see.

Compared to Shen Wan's worries, Xie Jingyan was quite relieved. "If the eldest prince dares to do such a thing, he must have a backup plan. Before the emperor makes up his mind to establish an heir, neither the eldest prince nor the Prince of Jin will be easily brought down."

This is the emperor's art of checks and balances, which he learned before he was twelve years old, and was personally taught by the emperor.

Shen Wan was relieved to hear Xie Jingyan say that.

Seeing Xie Jingyan stuff the note into his pocket, Shen Wan asked, "Are you and my older brother very close?"

Xie Jingyan looked at Shen Wan and asked curiously, "Don't you want me to have a good relationship with your older brother?"

Shen Wan shook her head. "I'm just a little curious. What if, I mean, what if, one day my older brother lies to you? What would you do?"

Xie Jingyan thought about it seriously for a moment, and under Shen Wan's eager gaze, he smiled and said, "He's your older brother, and you're my princess consort, so I'll definitely give you some face—"

"I'll let you choose a way for your older brother to die."

Shen Wan, "..."

I finally found a suitable opportunity to ask, but it turned out I should have just not asked at all.

Shen Wan looked at Xie Jingyan and said, word by word, "What if I was the one lying to you?"

Xie Jingyan looked at Shen Wan, making her feel guilty. She shrank back and said, "If you don't want to answer me, then forget it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Jingyan reached out, and Shen Wan's body involuntarily fell into his arms. Xie Jingyan's calloused hand touched her face. "Tell me honestly, have you already lied to me, or are you planning to lie to me?"