Chapter 197 Xiao Ling's Pampered Favor
Then, looking calmly at Xiao Ling, he said, "After thinking about it carefully, there are indeed many strange things."
Your reasoning makes a lot of sense.
Then he asked, "So what do we do next?"
"My mother will go to observe more closely today to confirm."
Furthermore, we believe that if this is true, there must be an inside agent within the palace, and we should start with Consort Rong.”
Xie Yunyu suddenly spoke up: "It seems that the alliance between the First Prince and Prince Rui is not so solid after all."
The two turned their gaze to Xie Yunyu.
Xie Yunyu said, "Look at what Prince Rui did: he seized the throne without anyone noticing."
It's not hard to see from the conversation between the eldest prince and Ye Jing that he wants to rule the world alone and reclaim the northern territory.
Each side had its own agenda, and the alliance crumbled at the slightest provocation.
After pausing for a moment, he added, "Actually, it seems that the First Prince's brain is still not enough to compete with Prince Rui."
Xiao Ling nodded: "Prince Rui's use of the substitution tactic was indeed brilliant."
The prince scratched his head and said, "No wonder the battle report said that troops were being frequently moved around in the north and were gathering in the south."
However, there has been no further progress recently.
So these military affairs are just a smokescreen to cover up this grand conspiracy within the palace.
After saying this, the Crown Prince sighed, "Prince Rui is indeed more astute."
Xiao Ling continued, "We've been unable to deal with the Northern Border for so many years; it does have some skill."
Xie Yunyu stared at the Crown Prince for a long time, hesitating to speak.
The Crown Prince noticed his gaze: "Sister-in-law, now that things have come to this, just say what you want to say."
Xie Yunyu looked at the Crown Prince and said quietly:
"He lost two sons and has another one who is dying. Do you think he will retaliate?"
If it's a matter of retaliation, whom should be retaliated against first?
The crown prince sighed heavily.
"What happened yesterday was just an appetizer. From now on, Your Highness must be careful in everything you do."
Overt punishments will follow, but the hidden poison is what we need to guard against.
After all, he was very skilled at using poison.
"How can you guard against thieves for a thousand days?" the prince sighed.
"His Majesty's fate is currently unknown. As his son, you must not act rashly before we find him."
Xie Yunyu offered some words of advice.
The crown prince nodded.
He had considered going directly to the Imperial Study and killing that person.
However, considering that there is no conclusive evidence at present, it would be somewhat rash to do so.
Hearing Xie Yunyu's words, he regained his senses.
Yes, Father is still in their hands.
The three discussed their next steps.
Yesterday, the Crown Prince was troubled by the Emperor's inexplicable punishment, and today he is worried because the Emperor is deeply entangled with his enemies.
The three of them had just finished their conversation when a palace attendant came to deliver a message.
"Your Highness, His Majesty summons you."
Xiao Ling stood up and said, "I'll go with you."
“He hasn’t summoned you yet; if you go, he might find an excuse to punish you,” the prince said.
Xiao Ling shook his head: "If you go alone now, I'm afraid he'll find an excuse to kill you directly."
Besides, I've never been summoned before; I just go whenever I want. Everyone in the palace knows that.
Let's stick to the old ways, to avoid arousing his suspicion and vigilance.
As Xiao Ling spoke, he stood up and followed the Crown Prince outside.
Then, looking at Xie Yunyu, he said, "Wait here for a moment, we'll be right back."
Xie Yunyu nodded.
The two arrived at the imperial study. Upon seeing Xiao Ling, the emperor immediately asked:
What brings you here?
Xiao Ling and the Crown Prince were both amazed; the voices were exactly the same, with no discernible difference.
If this person is a fake, then he is truly a master.
Xiao Ling replied, "I've come to apologize to you. I was wrong to upset you yesterday."
Upon hearing this, the emperor waved his hand at him:
"Alright, I was just taking my anger out on you yesterday."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling looked up at the emperor and smiled.
"I knew you wouldn't have the heart to blame me, Uncle."
Xiao Ling's smile was so bright, like spring sunshine suddenly bursting forth, that it dazzled the emperor.
The moment Xiao Ling spoke, he carefully observed the emperor's expression.
Strangers would be somewhat affected by his smiling face, except for the emperor.
Because they had been used to seeing emperors since they were children.
When no one provokes Xiao Ling, he usually greets the emperor with a smile.
At that moment, Xiao Ling noticed that the other person was looking at his smiling face and seemed a little dazed.
This made them even more suspicious of the person's identity.
The emperor quickly recovered and said to Xiao Ling in a calm tone:
"Alright, I have something to discuss with the Crown Prince. You may go now."
Xiao Ling pursed her lips upon hearing this, then stared innocently with wide eyes and asked:
"Uncle, can't I stay? I'll grind ink for you."
He stepped forward, ready to grind ink for the emperor.
If this person is the real emperor, then Xiao Ling's action is undoubtedly a way of pleasing him.
The emperor greatly appreciated Xiao Ling's closeness and did not consider it an overstepping of boundaries; on the contrary, he indulged him.
Xiao Ling went to Xiyun Temple when he was very young, and only returned home on major holidays before he was seven years old.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival of his first year at Xiyun Temple, Xiao Ling returned looking thin and indifferent.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the emperor held Xiao Ling in his arms in full view of everyone and sat on the dragon throne.
Therefore, everyone in the court knew how much the Prince of Shou'an was favored by His Majesty.
I've never seen anything like yesterday's kneeling punishment.
To test him, Xiao Ling began to use the same coquettish methods she used with the emperor.
Sure enough, before he could even take two steps, the emperor's expression darkened.
"Nonsense! This is the Imperial Study; how dare you be so disrespectful!"
Upon hearing the emperor's words, Xiao Ling showed a surprised expression, stopped in his tracks, and his face fell.
The emperor then said, "Go out quickly, I have important business with the crown prince."
Xiao Ling composed himself, touched his nose, and pretended to be embarrassed, saying:
"Oh, then I'll take my leave."
After saying that, he lowered his head, obediently turned around, and left.
Before leaving, Xiao Ling subtly shook his head at the Crown Prince.
Even without Xiao Ling saying anything, the Crown Prince himself could see that the Emperor's handling of the matter was abnormal.
After Xiao Ling came out, the Crown Prince honestly apologized to the Emperor, and then the two chatted.
A quarter of an hour later, the Crown Prince came out and saw that Xiao Ling was still waiting for him at the door.
He said expressionlessly, "Let's go."
After saying that, he loudly addressed the eunuch beside him:
"Go and summon the Third Prince to the Eastern Palace."
Le Shou was slightly taken aback when he heard this, then turned around and went to do it.
Xiao Ling immediately understood what was going on.
When the two returned to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince only said one sentence:
"His Majesty has decreed that, starting tomorrow, the Third Prince will assist me in handling state affairs."
They said you weren't feeling well and shouldn't overexert yourself, so they asked the Third Prince to help share the burden.
Xiao Ling curled his lips into a cold smile: "Why not the Second Prince? The Second Prince did nothing wrong before."
"Perhaps it was due to selfish motives."
After saying that, he asked Xie Yunyu, "Is there any news from your aunt?"
Xie Yunyu replied, "My mother sent someone to say that His Majesty is indeed in the wrong."
She's currently at Chunhua Palace with the Empress, and has already sent someone to the Imperial Study to keep His Majesty occupied.
Xiao Ling belatedly realized, "I was wondering why there were so many people gathered outside that door just now, all waiting to be received."
The Crown Prince and Xiao Ling cannot enter the inner palace at will; this matter still needs to be handled by the Eldest Princess and the Empress.
The three continued their discussion, and Xiao Ling said:
"His failure to withdraw his men to intercept the Crown Prince indicates that he intends to kill the Crown Prince."
As for the fact that the northern army has not been reorganized, it is probably just for show for the eldest prince.
Because he knows that now both the people of the North and our people are at his command.
Without his orders, the fighting would never have started.
At that moment, he felt he had succeeded, that he was already in that position, that the world was in his grasp.
He finished speaking and gave a mocking laugh.
Xie Yunyu also spoke up: "He wants the Third Prince to be involved in court politics, and he wants to swagger around and plant a thorn in the side of the Eastern Palace."
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