Chapter 350 Father and Son, King and Minister
"Push it down!"
The emperor waved his hand suddenly, and the morning light shone through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on his majestic face.
The guards immediately stepped forward, their iron boots making dull sounds as they stepped on the shiny gold bricks, and dragged the assassins out.
As the palace door creaked shut, only the emperor, Lu Jiangnian and two trusted eunuchs were left in the Yangxin Palace in the morning.
The rising sun made the floating dust in the hall clearly visible, and the scent of ambergris mixed with the morning air.
"Bring the things up here so Lord Lu can have a look."
The emperor gave the order in a deep voice. His voice had returned to calm, but it was even more frightening than his previous anger.
A eunuch bowed and left, and soon returned holding a rosewood tray.
The morning light reflected on the bright yellow brocade covering the tray, giving it a soft luster. The eunuch carefully uncovered the brocade, revealing a set of well-made armor.
Lu Jiangnian's eyes moved slightly, and a look of doubt appeared on his face: "Your Majesty, this is..."
"Take a closer look."
The emperor picked up the celadon teacup with a few tender buds floating on the tea soup, but his eyes were fixed on the changes in Lu Jiangnian's expression.
Lu Jiangnian took two steps forward, held up the armor with both hands and examined it carefully.
His fingertips stroked the nail plates that were shining in the morning light. He paused when he looked at the lining, and his brows gradually frowned.
This set of armor was exactly the one that Xuanying had stolen as planned. The three small words "Murong Xiao" were clearly visible on the lining. Although its location was hidden, it could not escape the discovery of anyone interested.
"This..." Lu Jiangnian looked up suddenly, his eyes full of shock, "Isn't this the armor of the Second Prince?"
The emperor sneered and put the teacup heavily on the table, startling a sparrow on the branch outside the window: "You have good eyesight, this is indeed Murong Xiao's armor."
He stood up, his bright yellow dragon robe particularly eye-catching in the morning light, "Three years ago, I gave each of the princes two sets of armor, each with their name engraved on it."
Lu Jiangnian secretly praised Xuanying for his prudent work.
Of course, Xuanfeng is also good at his job.
Xuanfeng must have asked the emperor's people to find this set of armor after a lot of trouble. The timing and location were arranged perfectly.
"Could it be..." Lu Jiangnian's voice trembled slightly, "What the assassin said just now is actually true? The one who tried to assassinate me several times is really the Second Prince's man?"
He paused at the right moment, frowning, "But why would he do that?"
The emperor's mouth curled up in a sarcastic arc: "He has pretended to be indifferent to the world these years, but he has deceived everyone."
He walked slowly to the window, his back to Lu Jiangnian. The morning sun stretched his shadow very long. "What he is after is only my position."
The sound of guards changing shifts outside the hall broke the brief silence.
Suddenly, the emperor turned around, the morning light reflected a sharp light in his eyes: "Lu Jiangnian, do you think the prince was involved?"
Lu Jiangnian's heart shuddered. Although he had expected this, he still felt a chill when he heard the emperor ask this in person.
It is only natural for the crown prince to succeed to the throne, so why would he take such a risk?
The fact that the emperor asked this shows that his suspicion of the prince has been deepening.
He cupped his hands calmly, the sun shining through his fingers and casting a thin shadow on the ground: "I dare not speak rashly, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince have always been good friends, perhaps..."
He carefully considered his words, "This is just a trap set up by someone to frame the Second Prince. Please Your Majesty, please look into this matter carefully and do not let anyone off the hook."
The emperor's deep gaze fell on Lu Jiangnian as if it were real.
The hall was filled with the scent of sandalwood and fine dust was floating in the beams of light. Time seemed to have stopped at this moment.
Lu Jiangnian maintained his posture of bowing. He could feel the emperor's scrutinizing eyes lingering over him, but he remained calm and composed.
The sound of guards' armor colliding against each other could be heard outside the hall, making the silence inside the hall seem even more terrifying.
"you're right."
The emperor finally spoke, his voice a little tired, "Xiao'er is my son after all, I will naturally investigate this thoroughly."
Lu Jiangnian raised his head slightly and met the emperor's deep gaze.
In the morning light, the wrinkles at the corners of the emperor's eyes appeared particularly deep, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle.
"Lu Jiangnian, in your opinion, who is the most appropriate person to handle this case?"
Lu Jiangnian lowered his head again, and said in a steady and respectful voice: "I am a stupid and ignorant person, and I dare not speak rashly about such a big fact. I hope that the emperor will make a wise and decisive decision, and I will obey it."
The emperor suddenly chuckled, but there was not much joy in his laughter.
He raised his hand and rubbed his brow, and his bright yellow sleeves slipped down, revealing a string of red sandalwood Buddhist beads on his wrist.
"Forget it. You have indeed been wronged recently." The emperor's tone softened. "Two assassinations in a row. If it weren't for the ability of your subordinates, I would have lost a loyal minister."
"This matter is of great importance and should not be made public." The emperor suddenly emphasized the last three words, "Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Lu Jiangnian responded in a deep voice, his voice was not loud but every word was clear.
He felt the emperor's gaze linger on him for a moment, and then he heard the words "Step back".
Just as Lu Jiangnian was about to bow and leave the palace, he suddenly heard the eunuch's shrill voice outside the palace: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to see you--"
This report was like a stone dropped into a calm lake.
The emperor suddenly raised his half-closed eyes, and pierced Lu Jiangnian with a sharp gaze: "Have you informed the prince?"
Lu Jiangnian looked calm and shook his head calmly as the emperor looked at him. "Your Majesty, I have been recuperating in the other courtyard for some time and have not set foot in the Eastern Palace."
This statement is absolutely flawless.
His communications with the prince were indeed all secretly communicated through Xuanying, so he naturally had a clear conscience when answering at this moment.
The morning light shone through the window lattice, and Lu Jiangnian's well-defined face looked even more open and honest.
The emperor stared at him for a long time, and suddenly chuckled: "That's a coincidence. Since the prince is here, you stay and listen to what he did so early in the morning."
"I obey your order." Lu Jiangnian responded respectfully and stood aside at the side of the hall.
The palace door slowly opened, and the prince walked into the palace in a moon-white brocade robe.
The morning light gilded him, making him look even more gentle and smooth like jade.
The prince was also a master of acting. When he saw Lu Jiangnian, he paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes just right, and then he returned to normal.
Very natural, no trace of acting at all.
"I, your son, pay my respects to your father."
The emperor raised his hand and said in a gentle tone, "Fortunately, I didn't slack off today. You two came to the palace so early, you are disturbing me and making me unable to sleep."
The prince looked ashamed, "I am not thoughtful enough. I encountered a difficult matter last night and could not sleep well, so I came to the palace early this morning." When he raised his eyes, there was indeed a faint blue shadow under his eyes, "Please forgive me, father."
"Oh?" The emperor became interested and leaned forward slightly.
The teacup on the table gave off a curl of steam, forming a thin mist barrier in front of him. "What could have caused you such trouble?"
The prince has now become an independent figure and is well-known for his virtue in the court and the country. It is rare to see him so hesitant.
The emperor vaguely recalled that the last time the prince asked for help in this way was seven or eight years ago.
At that time, when the prince was dealing with the flood in the south of the Yangtze River for the first time, he encountered a difficult problem and stood in front of the palace anxiously to ask for advice.
In a blink of an eye, so many years have passed.
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