Jing Chengyu had said these words to sow discord before.
However, the blood relationship between the Sixth Prince and Jing Chengyan at that time was as solid as Mount Tai, without even a single crack.
So those words are just heard and forgotten, and will not cause any impact at all.
But now, Jing Chengyan has developed a rift with the Sixth Prince because of the incident between the palace soldiers and Sima Man.
Those provocations that could not penetrate in the past are like maggots that have set their sights on a cracked egg. They try their best to drill in, tear open the fragile eggshell, eat away at the egg liquid inside, and make the crack bigger and bigger.
The reason why provocation is successful is not necessarily because the other party is so smart, but because the other party's words happen to bring out the dark suspicions hidden in your heart.
Just like at this moment, Jing Chengyan couldn't help but recall the regret and heartache he felt when he learned that Man'er was not willing to stay with him.
That was the first time he had ever desired power.
However, he did not want to hurt the relationship between him and his brother. He thought that as long as he could keep Maner, he could have the best of both worlds.
But he was wrong.
What can truly keep Maner is not the person, but the status.
It’s a pity that he only understood this truth today.
On the side, Jing Chengyu saw that Jing Chengyan's face was gloomy, no longer as casual and humble as before, and the smile at the corner of his lips was vague.
He calmly moved Jing Chengyan's hand that was holding his collar away and said, "I've been out for a long time. I'm leaving now."
-
main hall
As Jing Chengyu returned to the table, a humble servant poured him a glass of wine and whispered, "Your Highness, is the Ninth Prince's address ready?"
Hearing this, Jing Chengyu gripped the wine glass a little harder.
"If you weren't so incompetent, why would I have to go through all this trouble?"
Although Jing Chengyu said this in a calm tone, his back still bent inch by inch, and he no longer had the confident look that he had used to force Su Man to jump off a cliff.
"My subordinates are incompetent."
Someone happened to come over with a glass of wine in hand to start a conversation. Jing Chengyu smiled and said, "Master Zhou."
This Lord Zhou was only a fifth-rank official, and all he talked about was his daughter. Jing Chengyu was not interested at all. He just gave perfunctory responses but his eyes were fixed on the door.
Until Jing Chengyan's figure appeared in sight, Jing Chengyu sent Mr. Zhou away with a few words and concentrated on watching the show.
Jing Chengyan walked very fast, but his steps were heavy.
He ignored the adults who came to greet him and chatted with him, and walked towards the Sixth King step by step.
At this moment, the Sixth Prince was talking with an old minister. It seemed that another person was about to join the Sixth Prince's camp.
The Six Kings were very serious when they were serious, and they were also good at winning over old ministers.
After all, those who fight in the imperial palace and court would definitely have ulterior motives.
It’s just that some people use it more and some use it less.
If he had encountered such a situation in the past, Jing Chengyan would have avoided it on his own, but this time he did not hesitate and walked directly in front of the Sixth King.
"Where is Maner?"
The Sixth Prince was startled by the sudden sound beside him. He was so busy talking to the old minister that he didn't notice when Jing Chengyan came in.
Seeing Jing Chengyan's expression was not right, the old minister bowed and said, "Since the two princes have something to discuss, I will not disturb you."
"My lord, please stay."
Seeing that the favorability is about to be filled up, the Six Kings will not let their old minister go away.
He gave Jing Chengyan a warning look, and said it to the old minister as well as to him.
"Cheng Yan and I see each other every day, so there's no need to rush. We brothers can talk after the banquet is over. I still have something to ask you, sir."
The old minister smiled and said, "Then..."
"Where the hell is Maner?"
Jing Chengyan suddenly growled.
He did not control the volume, and not only the old ministers, but all the guests around him fell silent.
The Sixth Prince cursed Jing Chengyan in his heart. He gritted his teeth and said, "Come here, the Ninth Prince is drunk. Take him away."
Several discerning servants came over quickly and said, "Your Highness the Ninth Prince, let's go to the side hall and rest first."
"Get lost."
Jing Chengyan pushed the servant away, his eyes cold, "Brother, I still call you brother now, but if you keep hiding it, then you and I can no longer be brothers."
“…”
Not far away, a few people with sharp ears had already heard half of the conversation between the two and gathered together to discuss it in secret.
Even if you sit far away and can't hear it, you can still guess a thing from the tense atmosphere between the two of them.
The emperor had just praised the Sixth Prince for his benevolence and righteousness, and for his brotherly love and respect for his younger brother, when the Ninth Prince and the Sixth Prince started arguing.
If someone with ulterior motives were to use this matter to make a fuss, it would be enough to make the six kings very upset.
The Sixth Prince knew the seriousness of the situation and could only take a deep breath and suppress his anger.
In front of so many people, he couldn't admit that he had tied up his brother's concubine. He gritted his teeth and said, "I don't know what you are talking about, brother. You are drunk. I will personally take you to the side hall to rest."
"No need, just tell me where she is, and whether she is..." Jing Chengyan choked for a moment, then spoke in a rough voice, "whether she is alive."
He has no time left. Man'er's life or death is unknown. The sooner he finds her, the sooner she can escape danger.
Now that they were at the banquet, the Sixth Prince was worried that the guests might tell him the truth. If they were taken to the side hall, the Sixth Prince would have someone tie him up, let alone tell him where Man'er was.
The Sixth Prince was really irritated by the Ninth Prince this time, his face turned pale, "Jing Chengyan, do you even know what you are talking about?"
When Jing Chengyan saw the disappointment and condemnation in his brother's eyes, his heart ached, but he did not back down, and the people behind him would not allow him to back down.
He spoke each word clearly, "She is my bottom line, brother, you have crossed the line."
“…”
Just as the two brothers were confronting each other, a voice, neither loud nor soft, was heard.
"Sixth and Ninth Brothers, there are things that cannot be discussed between brothers. Isn't it because Sixth Brother doted on Ninth Brother's concubine too much that he drove her out?"
Jing Chengyu said teasingly, "If you ask me, Sixth Brother, Ninth Brother isn't a child anymore. Even if you're afraid of hurting the old general's feelings, you should still discuss this with Ninth Brother. Ninth Brother is kind and obedient to you. He won't disobey you."
These words were ostensibly meant to persuade peace, but in fact they pointed out that in order to win over the old general, the Sixth Prince used his own brother as a tool and even wanted to interfere in his brother's harem.
It would be a laughing stock if such a dignified prince did something so shameful that it would be known to the public.
Not to mention the brotherly love and respect, it was all a show forced by the Six Kings to act like Jing Chengyan.
Everyone present was a shrewd person. They quickly understood Jing Chengyu's meaning and looked at the two brothers with meaningful eyes.
Especially the Shangshu, his expression was particularly ugly.
Even Jing Chengyu's supporters echoed him.
"Yes, it is indeed inappropriate for the Sixth Prince to do so. Since this is the Ninth Prince's harem, it is better to let the Ninth Prince handle it himself."
"It would be really unpleasant if word got out that a great prince was detaining his brother's concubine."
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