Chapter 65 Prince Duan
"The selection of the Crown Prince's Consort." He drew out his words, each word saturated with the coldness and cruelty of the vortex of power. "A good choice would be the icing on the cake. A bad choice..."
He chuckled, and the unfinished words were like a sword hanging over his head, giving him a chilling chill.
"That's a death talisman."
"Your Highness," Lu Yuan said, his brows knitted tightly together, his rough fingers unconsciously rubbing the brass hilt of the sword at his waist. His voice was low, thick with confusion, "His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin has so little wealth that it can't even compare to that infant grandson of the Emperor in the Eastern Palace! What can he use to rob? Isn't this just walking on the edge of a knife, courting death?"
He raised his head, his gaze fixed on Chao Yinlong, who was sitting in the main seat, with the characteristic straightforwardness of a man of the Jianghu: "In my humble opinion, he might as well follow the example of Prince Duan and live a peaceful and prosperous life as a prince. At least he can have a good end, which is better than being beheaded in the future!"
"clang……"
A very light but extremely clear crisp sound interrupted Lu Yuan's words.
It was Chao Yinlong's fingertips, casually tapping the bottom of the warm white jade cup in his hand. The sound carried a certain cold rhythm in the silent study.
He didn't look at Lu Yuan. His gaze seemed to penetrate the tightly closed carved window lattice and landed on some empty distance. His thin lips parted slightly, and his voice was as flat as if he was discussing the weather:
"Yes, I am curious too."
He paused, the tapping of his fingertips suddenly stopped, and the bottom of the cup fell steadily back into his palm.
"What on earth does the Third Brother rely on?"
Lu Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding gripped him. He held his breath, waiting for the prince's next words.
Chao Yinlong tilted his face slightly, the light and shadow carving cold, hard lines across his angular profile. He looked at Lu Yuan, the corners of his mouth curling up very slowly, but the smile never reached his eyes, instead revealing a playful aura that sent chills down one's spine.
"so……"
"Isn't this giving him a loophole?"
These few light words, like ice-hardened needles, pierced Lu Yuan's ears.
Taking advantage of a loophole?
Lu Yuan's mind buzzed, as if a string had snapped instantly! That breathtaking scene this morning—the prince forcefully dragged Princess Xia Yujin deep into the rockery, their shadows practically touching...
It was like a red-hot iron suddenly burning in front of his eyes!
It turns out that the prince "accidentally" met the Crown Princess in the Imperial Garden today. He pulled and forced her without regard for their status, and even deliberately let the Prince of Jin's people catch a glimpse of her. It was all planned!
The Crown Princess Xia Yujin was simply the bait thrown by the prince to Prince Jin!
If the Prince of Jin is really like the prince expected, and is hooked by this bait and can't help but reach out, then the Crown Princess's situation...
Lu Yuan felt a chill run from the soles of his feet all the way to his head, and his blood ran cold. He suddenly raised his head and stared at Chao Yinlong in disbelief. His lips moved, but no words came out. Only horror and bewilderment remained in his eyes.
What exactly does the prince have in mind for the Crown Princess?
Lu Yuan's mind was a tangled mess. The twists and turns of the court struggles and the harem's secret affairs coiled around him like countless cold, poisonous snakes. He squeezed his eyes shut, a strong sense of self-mockery washing over him.
As expected, he was just a ruthless warrior, wielding a sword and hacking people to pieces. If the prince hadn't saved his life from the mass grave, he would never have set foot in this vortex of cannibalism. Here, he was like a fool, like a blind man, every step he took was based on bottomless calculations.
A deep feeling of powerlessness gripped him, and for a moment the only sounds in the study were the two people's suppressed breathing.
Chao Yinlong didn't seem to mind his confidant's shock and silence. He lowered his eyelids slightly, his gaze settling on his right hand, which rested casually on his lap. Its joints were distinct, and it was slender and powerful.
It's this hand.
Not long ago, behind the jagged rockery in the Imperial Garden, he had grasped Xia Yujin's slender wrist with irresistible force. He remembered the feel of the wrist bone, cold and delicate, trembling slightly in his palm.
He remembered how he had forcefully dragged her toward him, forcing her to stumble and nearly fall into his arms. He was so close, so close he could see the panic she was trying so hard to conceal beneath her thick lashes, and could smell the faintest, yet chilling fragrance of her hair that shook his very soul. In that moment, it felt as if he had truly claimed her for himself.
Jin'er...
Chao Yinlong's fingertips unconsciously curled, as if he could still grasp that ethereal chill. The beast that had been dormant in his heart for years was fully awakened by this brief touch, roaring and ramming into the cage.
Deep in his eyes, the calmness he had deliberately maintained suddenly shattered, and was replaced by an almost fanatical paranoia, burning like the fire of hell.
Jin'er.
He silently called out the name in his heart, filled with deep hatred and an even deeper, twisted possessiveness.
When you betrayed me first, broke your vow and threw yourself into the arms of the Eastern Palace, I swore—
You will come back to me eventually!
This move is a risky one, a dead end.
But you have no choice.
You can only keep me company.
Even if I am despicable and greedy, so what?
This dragon throne and you, Xia Yujin, are both in my pocket!
…
Inside Qimengxuan, the last few wisps of soothing fragrance from the incense burner slowly dissipated.
Concubine Li personally waited on the emperor for a rest, and then respectfully and meticulously escorted him out of the palace.
It was not until the bright yellow ceremonial procession completely disappeared around the corner of the vermilion palace wall that she let out a barely perceptible sigh. Her straight back relaxed slightly, and a trace of fatigue that was difficult to conceal crept into the corners of her well-maintained eyes.
Having accompanied the emperor for more than twenty years, every time he met him, it was like walking on a tightrope over an abyss, and he dared not slack off even for a moment.
“Da…da da…”
A burst of childish and cheerful footsteps, accompanied by the sound of babyish babbling, approached from afar, breaking the silence in the room like the beat of a small drum. Then, a small child in a bright red brocade jacket stumbled in, staggering and falling, and pounced directly on Concubine Li's skirt.
It’s the young master Chao Yunmo.
The ice and snow in Li Fei's eyes instantly melted away, and all her fatigue was swept away. Her eyebrows curved into a gentle crescent, and she leaned down, skillfully and lovingly picking up the soft little body, holding it in her arms, and rubbing her cheek against the child's tender and warm little face.
"Mo'er, do you miss your grandmother?"
At that moment, a subtle movement of light and shadow appeared at the doorway. Princess Rui, Zhan Ruyin, entered gracefully, her figure slender and her face as beautiful as the most vibrant crabapple blossom on a spring branch. She knelt before Concubine Li and said in a gentle voice, "Your daughter-in-law pays respects to your mother."
"Ruyin is here, come and sit down." Concubine Li held her grandson in her arms, the smile on her face deepened, and her tone was undisguisedly intimate.
Zhan Ruyin was the grandniece of her mother, Madam Sun, and she had painstakingly chosen her for her son, Yinlong, after carefully selecting her from among countless noble ladies. Her family background, character, and personality were all top-notch, making her the daughter-in-law she most desired.
Zhan Ruyin walked to the couch and sat down as she was told. Concubine Li habitually looked past her and towards the open palace gate behind her.
Empty.
The smile on Concubine Li's face faded slightly, and her brows knitted together imperceptibly. She looked at her daughter-in-law with a hint of inquiry: "Where is Yinlong? Didn't he come with you?"
Zhan Ruyin paused slightly as she teased the son in Li Fei's arms. She raised her beautiful face, which could eclipse all other flowers, but her brows were slightly furrowed, as if covered with a layer of unshakable melancholy.
In those autumn-water-like eyes, there was a clear and unresolvable sorrow flowing, and he seemed to be hesitant to speak.
Just this one glance!
The blood color on Concubine Li's face faded away completely in an instant, and the arms holding her grandson subconsciously tightened, and her fingertips instantly became cold!
Could it be that Yinlong—
Zhan Ruyin didn't nod or speak. She simply lowered her eyelids slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small, fragile shadow under her eyes, avoiding Li Fei's sharp gaze.
She stretched out her hand and gently took her son from Li Fei's arms, holding him tightly in her arms, as if he was her only support. Her fingertips unconsciously twisted the child's soft clothes, and her knuckles turned slightly white.
All her silence, all her complaints, all her actions, merged into a silent accusation!
Li Fei felt a chill suddenly rushing up from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, her vision went dark, and her chest was hit hard by a huge boulder called fear. The pain was so severe that she could hardly breathe!
Yinlong! This bastard! Has he completely lost his mind? Is he trying to kill himself?!
This morning, when His Majesty seemingly casually mentioned that Yinlong had concealed something about Prince Duan's residence, that intense, piercing sense of crisis suddenly erupted! The hidden dangers she had been secretly worried about had grown to such a maddening degree!
Her son, the son she had high hopes for and painstakingly planned to push to the supreme throne, had actually reached the point where he was unable to control his feelings for the widowed Crown Princess Xia Yujin in the Eastern Palace and was not concerned about his own life!
Li Fei's nails dug deep into her palms, and the sharp pain forced her confused mind to clear up for a moment.
Yinlong is a man destined for greatness! His path cannot afford any mistakes, let alone being completely ruined by a beautiful woman who should have been buried with the former crown prince!
The eyes that were just filled with infinite love for their grandson suddenly froze, sharp as a knife, and filled with cold murderous intent.
Xia Yujin...this vixen can't be kept!
…
The capital city in the afternoon is like a piece of rice paper soaked in sunlight, warm and bright.
The streets are bustling like boiling water, with the sound of cars and horses rolling over the bluestone slabs, and the voices and laughter of people interweaving with the ups and downs of the vendors' shouts, merging into a steaming atmosphere of city life.
Luo Zhaohan was in the center of the hustle and bustle, but he seemed to be in a transparent glass cover.
Xinyi Zhaoyang's beautiful eyes were surprisingly bright, like a searchlight searching for rare treasures. She glanced at every young man who passed by with great interest, and whispered a few comments from time to time.
She tugged at Luo Zhaohan's sleeve, and with the other hand held Chao Yinzhen tightly, she walked briskly, wandering in front of teahouses, poetry societies, and calligraphy and painting shops where young talents gathered.
"Look at the young man in blue in the corridor over there. He has an elegant demeanor and embodies the style of ancient sages!" Xinyi Zhaoyang lowered her voice, her tone full of undisguised admiration.
Luo Zhaohan looked in the direction she pointed, only to see a blurry silhouette, and felt completely bored. She nodded slightly in response, her gaze expressionless. To her, this dazzling array of "talented men" was nothing more than a blur of flowing colors, unable to stir the slightest ripple.
Chao Yinzhen beside her was even more absent-minded. He didn't even bother to lift his eyelids. He looked bored and lazy. He only glanced at her perfunctorily when Xinyi Zhaoyang tugged at her sleeve.
The sun quietly set in the west amid the hustle and bustle. Xinyi Zhaoyang then led them up to another magnificent attic overlooking the street, where they leaned over the railing and looked down at the streetscape and the crowds below, trying to fish out a few more pearls from the sea of people.
Chao Yinzhen leaned lazily against the vermilion railing, his eyes wandering aimlessly, passing by a more elegant two-story building opposite - that was the famous chess building "Jingyixuan" in the capital.
A carved wooden window was half-open, revealing a tall figure standing by it. His lake-blue brocade robe shone softly in the light, making his figure stand out like a pine tree. He was concentrating on the chess game within the pavilion, his profile gentle and calm.
Chao Yinzhen's originally tired eyes suddenly lit up, like still water where a stone was thrown, instantly rippling with surprise.
"Brother!" She stood up suddenly, her voice as clear as a yellow warbler singing in the valley, raised her arms high, and waved them vigorously towards the opposite side.
The figure at the chess room window paused at the sound and slowly turned. It was Chao Yinzhang, the Prince of Duan. His deep gaze passed over the bustling streets and landed precisely on the three young women at the side railing.
He was already familiar with Xinyi Zhaoyang's bright and exotic appearance. His eyes only passed over his sister Chao Yinzhen's face, and then naturally stopped on the strange girl on her left.
She was dressed in a simple, elegant light purple dress, her figure slender, her head slightly tilted to the side, gazing downstairs. Chao Yinzhang's mind raced. The "Miss Luo" who had been so often mentioned by his sister these days, the one she praised to bits and pieces...could that be her?
The daughter of a military family who had thwarted a plot at the flower-viewing banquet and protected the reputation of the royal palace? With a plan in mind, Chao Yinzhang smiled gently. Across the bustling streets, he faced the three girls from afar, bowed calmly, and saluted.
Luo Zhaohan's heart skipped a beat. The thrilling moment of the flower-viewing banquet at the Princess's residence that day flashed through his mind. If the Prince of Duan hadn't acted decisively and stopped the Prince of Jin, who was drugged and on the verge of losing control, the consequences would have been disastrous.
She did not dare to be negligent, and hurriedly bowed and knelt, returning the greeting to the opposite side.
As she moved, a trace of inexplicable embarrassment crept up her ears. The emperor's half-hearted, half-joking remark this morning at Qimengxuan—"Zhaohan, I think there's something of a connection between you and that young man from Prince Duan's family"—had struck her heart without warning. She subconsciously knitted her delicate brows.
"Yinzhen, Zhaoyang," Luo Zhaohan's voice was deliberately steady, her eyes lowered, avoiding the gentle gaze opposite, "I'll go change clothes first, and come to find you later." Before she finished speaking, she turned slightly, just wanting to quickly leave this occasion that made her inexplicably uneasy.
"Hey, Zhaohan!" A warm hand grabbed her wrist even faster. Chao Yinzhen's face was full of undisguised bright smile, with a bit of cunning and irresistible intimacy, "What's the rush? Wait for me to talk to my brother, and then I'll go with you!"
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