The fine, continuous rain weaves together to conceal everything in the world.
Although it was already noon, the heavy haze blocked out the sunlight completely.
The banks of the Qinhuai River were already packed with people. Countless armored guards of the Crown Prince stood on both sides with cold expressions, like fierce beasts, silently lurking and watching their prey.
Jiang Ming, along with the officials of all ranks in Jiangnan, waited respectfully for Lan Linxue's arrival, filled with an indescribable sense of oppression and fear.
In the distance, below the riverbank, many fishermen and villagers were struggling to plug the breach in the dam. The deafening noise contrasted sharply with the eerie silence on this side.
When Lan Xiuyuan arrived in a sedan chair, he saw a scene even more oppressive than the weather.
When Jiang Ming saw Lan Xiuyuan arrive, he quickly went over and anxiously whispered something to him.
Lan Xiuyuan's pale face was completely expressionless, as cold and hard as the stones by the river.
As Jiang Ming spoke anxiously, he listened with a cold gaze, remaining unmoved. No one knew what he was thinking.
Jiang Ming finally stopped talking and couldn't say anything more.
Lan Xiuyuan glanced at Jiang Ming one last time, leaned back in his seat, and sighed softly, "If it's going to rain, it's going to rain; if it's going to remarry, it's going to rain."
Jiang Ming immediately panicked, "Fifth Master, this is no joke. The Crown Prince is furious and has already arrested all the officials from Jiangnan. Moreover, he just returned to report that the Crown Prince sent men to open the treasury. If that happens, our scheme will be exposed..."
"What business do we have?" Lan Xiuyuan suddenly glanced at Jiang Ming indifferently, then turned back and said coldly, "What business could a prince like me have with people like you!"
Upon hearing Lan Xiuyuan's words, Jiang Ming immediately became anxious, "Fifth Prince, you can't say that! The silver in the treasury was all handled according to the Prime Minister's instructions..."
Before Jiang Ming could finish speaking, Lan Xiuyuan gave him a cold look, and Jiang Ming immediately stopped talking.
Lan Xiuyuan turned his head indifferently, continuing to gaze into the distance. "Lord Jiang, you've been an official for quite some time now. There are some things I don't need to teach you now. What should be said, what shouldn't be said, what you understand, and what you don't understand—I don't need to repeat such simple things over and over again. Yangzhou is currently in such a mess. Shouldn't Lord Jiang be sharing the Prime Minister's burdens instead of pouring cold water on him?"
Jiang Ming was so frightened that cold sweat dripped down his back. He quickly lowered his head and said, "Yes, yes, I understand! It's just that the Crown Prince is pursuing us too closely, I'm afraid..."
"What are you afraid of?"
Lan Xiuyuan felt a thousand kinds of disgust from the bottom of his heart. These people were only good at greedily hoarding money for themselves. When they were actually useful, they would run away faster than rabbits. They would turn on their masters before the most critical moment even arrived. If this country were really to be conquered by them, it would be thinner than paper.
Lan Xiuyuan gave a mocking smirk, not even glancing at Jiang Ming, and continued, "Afraid that Lan Linxue will confiscate your property and exterminate your clan? Do you really think the Crown Prince would do something so foolish? However, I must also remind you, Lord Jiang, if you let things slide, not only will your official position be in danger, but your head and your reputation will also be at risk. You know the Prime Minister's temper better than I do, don't you!?"
Jiang Ming felt even more flustered. He secretly glanced at Lan Xiuyuan, but dared not say another word. He just kept saying yes with his head down.
Lan Xiuyuan felt annoyed watching them, so he waved his hand and shooed everyone to the front. He then rested his chin on his hand, quietly watching the wind and rain outside, lost in his own thoughts.
When he heard that Lan Linxue and Qin Kou'er had fallen off the cliff, no one could imagine how distraught he was.
However, when his subordinates told him that evening that they had not found Qin Kou'er and Lan Linxue's bodies, Lan Xiuyuan surprisingly breathed a sigh of relief and felt a faint sense of joy.
She's not dead! She must be alive!
The mere thought that Qin Kou'er was still alive filled Lan Xiuyuan with a surge of joy that far outweighed the frustration of his failed plan.
Lan Xiuyuan felt that he might be sick, or perhaps he had been poisoned by that woman, but so what? The thought of seeing her gentle smile and wise eyes again made it seem that no failure in the world was so unbearable!
As for Lan Linxue, Lan Xiuyuan sighed when he thought of her.
Lan Linxue was born in the Year of the Cat and has nine lives.
Lan Xiuyuan sometimes wondered if the throne was destined for Lan Linxue, and that whatever he did was just wishful thinking! Otherwise, why was he always the one who failed in the end, while Lan Linxue not only escaped death but also became even stronger than before?
Lan Xiuyuan even thought that Lan Linxue's current power might have been created by their meddling.
Others may not know, or perhaps Lan Linxue is hiding it very well, but Lan Xiuyuan knows that Lan Linxue's sphere of influence has already stretched far and wide, like an octopus with tentacles.
Although Lan Linxue always appeared as a carefree and irresponsible prince who ignored the facts, he had unknowingly gained control of several truly capable ministers in the court.
These people are experienced in their work and are all adept at navigating officialdom. Most importantly, they are loyal and young.
On the contrary, Hu Tianyong's subordinates were all incompetent like Jiang Ming, who could do nothing but embezzle money.
Lan Linxue has not only cultivated most of the pillars of the court, but also has a considerable number of iron-willed soldiers following her in the army.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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