Lan Shanyang looked up and nodded to Qin Kou'er, "The coroner has already examined it! He died by biting his tongue! Moreover, the imperial guards have already checked everything in his cell, and there was nothing unusual at all! He committed suicide in such a hateful way!"
After listening, Qin Kou'er looked down at the ground for a long time.
No one spoke; everyone seemed to be slowly processing the fact.
After a long silence, Qin Kou'er finally raised her head and looked at Lan Shanyang, saying, "Your Majesty, don't you find this matter very strange? Although Hu Tianyong is now out of options, you know he still has secret weapons! But he has surrendered without even using them. I feel this is completely out of character for him. According to his style, he should at least be prepared to die a gruesome death!"
Lan Linxue quickly nodded, "Yes, Father! I also think Kou'er is right! That bastard Hu Tianyong never gives up until he's completely cornered. How come he gave up so quickly this time? This is so unexpected!"
"What can we do?" Lan Shanyang sighed slightly. "I have already sent people to inquire. Hu Tianyong has not spoken to anyone since he entered the prison. Moreover, he has been even quieter since returning today and has not communicated with anyone. So, he is not playing any tricks on us at all, but has really left himself no way out."
Although all the evidence points to Hu Tianyong's death, a dead man is a dead man, and no one can do anything about a dead man!
Therefore, even though Lan Shanyang was so unwilling, he could no longer vent his anger on the dead Hu Tianyong.
Although Qin Kou'er still couldn't accept it in the end, she eventually gave up in disappointment after seeing Hu Tianyong's words and experiencing being in prison.
Hu Tianyong is indeed dead, and he died cleanly and decisively. He didn't utter a single word or even leave a single unnecessary gesture in the prison cell.
In the evening, Lan Shanyang kept Lan Linxue and Qin Kou'er in the palace to have dinner with him, and also invited Lan Qingtian and his wife to join him.
Shu Lingxi was very frustrated. She had originally prepared to have a verbal battle with Hu Tianyong, then deliver a fatal blow to him, and finally let him perish in despair.
Shu Lingxi had even prepared all the famous quotes and sayings she wanted to use, but now she had no chance to use them at all.
The well-laid plan fell through, which left Shu Lingxi feeling depressed for the entire afternoon.
Later, it was only after Lan Qingtian coaxed and persuaded her in every way that she calmed down a bit.
The family sat around the table for a meal, all in a somber silence; the scene was even more unbearable than the death of Hu Tianyong.
Finally, Lan Qingtian couldn't take it anymore. He frowned, looked around at the people, and said loudly, "The notorious villain Hu Tianyong has finally gotten his just deserts and died. This should be a good thing, but look at your expressions. They look worse than if you were hanging yourself. Do we have to hold a funeral for him now that he's dead?"
Shu Lingxi tugged at Lan Qingtian's sleeve, trying to urge him to shut up, because she found him speaking so disrespectfully.
However, Lan Qingtian winked at his wife, completely unconcerned about his own foul language.
Lan Shanyang sighed inwardly, then looked up at Lan Qingtian with a gloomy expression, before turning to Qin Kou'er and asking, "Kou'er, what are you planning to do next?"
Qin Kou'er slightly raised her eyes and looked at Lan Shanyang with a deep gaze, saying, "Your Majesty! I think that although Hu Tianyong is dead, Xu Ming, the villain who murdered the entire Qin family back then, is still alive. In order to prevent any accidents, why not give the Qin family another chance to overturn the case tomorrow as usual?"
At this point, Qin Kou'er said with an almost icy expression, "Hu Tianyong thinks that this matter will be over once he dies! He's thinking way too simplistically! The blood debt of the Qin family is such that even killing his entire Hu family wouldn't be too much!"
Lan Shanyang nodded, "I think the same way! This matter will not disappear because of the death of any one person. I will definitely make it known to the world!"
That's what Lan Shanyang said, and that's what he thought! He absolutely wouldn't allow such a tragedy to be easily forgotten while he was still alive.
Lan Linxue also felt that the atmosphere was too awkward, so she smiled and said, "Since Xu Ming will be dealt with tomorrow, this can be considered an explanation to the Qin family! Alright, Father, Kou'er, don't be upset about this anymore! Now that the bad guy is dead, we should think about the good days ahead! Let's talk about something happy!"
Shu Lingxi quickly followed Lan Linxue's lead and changed the subject: "Yes! Yes! In any case, everyone's wish has been fulfilled! Why don't we think together about how to marry Kou'er!"
Qin Kou'er has absolutely no interest in this matter now. All her plans of the past few years have gone down the drain, which is incredibly frustrating. How could she possibly care about getting married?
However, Lan Shanyang was clearly very concerned about this matter. He turned to Shu Lingxi and said, "Didn't I already entrust this matter to you yesterday? Is there anything else that requires my decision?"
Shu Lingxi quickly stood up and nodded: "Yes! Of course! Putting everything else aside, Lin Xue's identity alone needs to be changed!"
"Oh? Is there anything about my identity that needs to be changed?"
Lan Linxue stared wide-eyed at Shu Lingxi.
"Why wouldn't it need to be changed? You're just a prince now, living in the prince's mansion. If Kou'er were to marry you, she would have to pass through the main gate of the mansion. But if you were the crown prince, Kou'er would walk through the main gate of the Eastern Palace and become the crown princess directly! Think about it yourself, how much difference there is!"
Before Shu Lingxi brought it up, no one had thought of this issue. But after Shu Lingxi mentioned it, everyone, starting with Lan Shanyang, realized it was a problem.
Qin Kou'er looked at Lan Linxue, biting her lip, seemingly wanting to say something but swallowing it back.
Yes, for so long I've wanted to be this man's Crown Princess, but now that we've really reached the point of marriage, if I marry as a princess, I can't enter through the main gate of the palace. This is clearly contrary to my original idea. But now, it seems I can't say this directly; it's just too embarrassing.
Lan Linxue, however, understood Qin Kou'er's meaning perfectly.
He had once said that he would make Qin Kou'er his Crown Princess, and only on that day could he marry her openly and legitimately. However, if he were to use his status as a prince now, Kou'er would probably be deeply disappointed, even if she didn't say it aloud.
After thinking for a moment, Lan Linxue immediately turned to Lan Shanyang and said, "Father, I want to be the Crown Prince. Do you think this request is excessive?"
Lan Shanyang glanced at Lan Linxue and said irritably, "Tell me yourself whether you've gone too far or not?"
Lan Linxue thought for a moment, then nodded, "I think I went a bit too far!"
After saying that, Lan Linxue knelt down on the ground and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I wish to compete to become the Crown Prince!"
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