"We haven't received any news," Xiao Zhuzi replied.
Zhao Bi was indeed quite capable, managing to escape from Huguo Temple, truly worthy of being the successor to the throne in his previous life.
Zhao Shu yawned, feeling a little sleepy. "It's late, go and rest. Make sure Xiao Zhu delivers the letter." She gave him a final reminder.
Xiao Zhuzi agreed, curtsied, and left to deliver the message. Zhao Shu then called Green Luo and the others to wash up and prepare for rest.
Inside the palace, Wang Jiyang and Sun Tangshi walked out side by side. The moonlight was bright and shimmering, and as it approached its zenith, their shadows had shrunk considerably and were trampled underfoot.
There was no one following behind him, only dim palace lanterns on both sides, which were not as bright as the moonlight, and the imperial guards on patrol passed by from time to time.
Qiu Tang gazed at the bright moon in the sky and softly asked Wang Jiyang, "Between the Yan family and the Huo family, who do you support?"
"Prince Jing or the Crown Prince, who do you choose?" Wang Jiyang asked.
Qiu Tang looked at the bright moon, his steps uninterrupted. The palace gates were unlocked, whereas they would have been locked long ago. But now, in order to welcome the Yan family, the Emperor had specially decreed that they would only be locked after 9 PM.
Prince Jing and the Crown Prince—this was a difficult question to answer. Qiu Chengshi was unable to answer it, and Wang Jiyang also silently asked himself: in terms of talent, the Crown Prince was far inferior to Prince Jing, but the Crown Prince was the legitimate heir and had the majority of supporters. If the two were to fight, there would surely be bloodshed.
Fortunately, the time was not yet ripe. King Jing had not yet revealed his ambitions and was a wise king who was well-behaved and made no mistakes.
Once outside the palace gates, Qiu Tang let out a long sigh, "Now is not the time to think about these things."
"Well, the Fourth Prince was assassinated in Nanshan. What do you think, sir?" Wang Jiyang said as he boarded the carriage outside the palace gate, seemingly without needing Qiu Tangshi's reply.
Qiu Tang did not answer at first. News had already arrived that the Crown Prince was in Prince Jing's hands, and that members of the Yan family in Jiangnan and the Huo family in Bianzhou had entered the capital. These two families would serve as officials and would redistribute power in the court. Therefore, the fate of the Fourth Prince was no longer important.
If the fourth prince is clever enough to take advantage of the chaos, he might have a chance to compete in the future.
At the Liu residence, Liu Huan paced back and forth in his study. His advisor, Gu Bozhou, said anxiously, "My lord, no matter how anxious you are, it's no use. The Crown Prince will not return safely. I heard that Young Master Huo has entered the capital and is currently staying at Prince Yong's residence. Why don't we prepare generous gifts and go to Prince Yong's residence to see Young Master Huo tomorrow? Isn't he your cousin? I'm sure he will be willing to go and find the Crown Prince."
"What do you know? The Huo family members have sworn never to enter the court since they can remember. As the eldest son of the Huo family, Cousin Baichuan would never violate the ancestral precepts. If you want him to save the Crown Prince, I might as well pray for a miracle!" Liu Huan was so anxious that he spoke in a fit of anger. "The third son of the Wang family was rumored to be dead, but he is still alive and well. It can be seen that sometimes the news is not accurate. I'm afraid that the Crown Prince is not actually in Prince Jing's hands."
“Your Excellency is right.” Gu Bozhou listened and agreed wholeheartedly, then frowned and said, “Could it be that other vassal kings deliberately spread this news? Prince Jing has always been indifferent to fame and fortune, and is exceptionally intelligent. He doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would imprison the Crown Prince at this time.”
Speaking of Prince Jing's temperament, Liu Huan suddenly sat down. "You're right. Prince Jing doesn't seem like the type to act at this time. And Prince Jing's residence is like an ironclad fortress; it's impossible for others to get the news easily. There must be some twists and turns involved. Well then, since Lord Wei has returned to the capital, the case of the imperial examination fraud will be handed over to Lord Wei, Lord Wang, and Lord Qiu. I will personally go to find the Crown Prince." He nodded after he finished speaking, as if he were making a promise to himself.
Gu Bozhou waved his hands repeatedly, "My lord, you mustn't. You finally gained the power to oversee the imperial examinations, and now you also manage the Ministry of Justice. If you relinquish it, you will never be able to take it back in the future. My lord, please think it over."
Liu Huan was well aware of this simple truth, but he had no other choice. The Fourth Prince had left Huguo Temple and would certainly not return anytime soon. Once the Fourth Prince came out, who knew what trouble he would cause? If the Crown Prince did not return, the power in the court would be re-divided, and when he returned, there would be nothing left. The price to pay for subduing those forces would be immeasurable.
However, if he leaves, the real power he loses will be immeasurable. All things considered, the crown prince has lost.
Just then, the servant outside the door said, "Master, a messenger from Prince Yong's residence has arrived with a message."
Liu Huan jumped up and rushed over to open the door himself. "Did the Huo family send this?"
Unconsciously, the corners of his mouth turned up, his heart filled with anticipation. It must be someone from the Huo family, it must be someone from the Huo family!
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