Chapter 425: Kill Them All 1
Hearing Zhao Hua's question, Xiao Yinzi's expression suddenly became secretive.
He took two steps forward and whispered to Zhao Hua in the hall:
"The Emperor made a deal with the Dong family. It can protect the lives of Concubine Yun's mother's family, and also allow her to continue to be one of the four concubines and enjoy the glory. The price is that Master Dong needs to admit one thing..."
He paused at the key point, as if to show that he, as the eunuch, could be of great use to Zhaohua in obtaining information from the imperial court.
But Zhao Hua didn't buy it. He didn't even look kind to him and said in a cold voice:
"I don't like dealing with people who stutter. If you have something to say, please say it all at once."
Xiao Yinzi was so embarrassed that he could only say respectfully:
"The Emperor asked Lord Dong to write a letter of confession, saying that he was instructed by someone to occupy the land and claim the throne in Jizhou that day."
Zhao Hua said, "Are you trying to pin the blame on the Ning family and find a more reasonable reason for him to have killed the Ning family father and son that day?"
“No.” Xiao Yinzi shook his head, his tone gradually becoming colder, “The Emperor asked Lord Dong to admit that all this… was done by Prince Rui who secretly instructed him to do it.”
"Prince Rui?" Zhao Hua was stunned, quite shocked. "Prince Rui has been imprisoned in the clan house for four years. His family, old subordinates, and students have all been executed. Your Majesty, what is this..."
Zhao Hua hesitated to speak. Although he was puzzled, when he thought about it carefully, he felt that this made sense.
Xiao Jingheng is such a person whose mind is smaller than a needle tip.
Shang Yang once said that the world should have belonged to King Rui, but it was Xiao Jingheng who killed his father and the king, colluded with court officials, and tampered with the imperial edict, and only then "stole" this beautiful country from King Rui.
Therefore, as long as Prince Rui is not eliminated, he will be a demon in Xiao Jingheng's heart for the rest of his life.
He must completely wipe out the lineage of King Rui before he can sit safely on the empty dragon throne.
After a while, Zhao Hua calmed down and asked Xiao Yinzi again,
"When will we start?"
Xiao Yinzi said, "It will be today. I guess His Royal Highness Prince An should have gone to the clan residence by now."
Hearing the words "Prince An", Zhaohua's heart tightened.
But facing Xiao Yinzi, she still acted as usual, and just said lightly,
"Prince An is the emperor's most trusted brother. Let him handle this matter, and the emperor will rest assured."
Xiao Yinzi echoed, "He is the emperor's most trusted brother, and the most obedient among the princes. Someone like Prince An who knows how to be a free and easy prince is considered a very blessed person."
Xiao Jingyan is very lucky.
However, fortune and misfortune are interdependent. Until the last moment, no one can tell whether this great blessing will turn into a sharp blade that stabs his vitals.
After Xiao Yinzi left that day, Zhao Hua sat alone on the Phoenix Throne, silent and stunned for a long time.
She didn't even notice when Xiao Fuzi changed two cups of hot tea in front of her.
Xiao Fuzi rarely saw Zhaohua so absent-minded. After hesitating for a while, he asked in a low voice:
"I see that the Queen looks very worried, but what did Xiao Yinzi say to you just now?"
Zhao Hua lowered his eyes, his eyebrows slightly raised, and said, "The emperor wanted the Dong family to be safe in exchange for the Dong family's safety. He wanted the Dong family to pin the matter of him occupying the land in Jizhou on Prince Rui. Now... I have asked my brother to go to the clan house to send Prince Rui off."
"Send His Royal Highness Prince An down?" Xiao Fuzi was also extremely shocked when she heard this. "If the Emperor wants to get rid of Prince Rui, it will only take a few moves by the Anbu. Why bother to send His Royal Highness Prince An down in person?"
In Xiao Jingheng's eyes, Prince Rui's life could not be saved.
But if he was killed without any noise, he would inevitably be criticized by the officials of the previous dynasty.
Therefore, in order to eliminate King Rui, there must be a legitimate reason.
Moreover, Prince Rui was a prince, and to save the royal family's reputation, he could not be executed in public.
The most respectable way would be to ask a prince to go to the clan house and personally send him off.
And Xiao Jingyan naturally became the only choice.
But that's where things went wrong.
Xiao Jingyan is the sixth child and Prince Rui is the fifth child. The two brothers are of similar age and were best friends when they were young.
According to Xiao Jingyan's personality, he would kill his brothers...
Zhao Hua was just afraid that he wouldn't have the heart to do it and would end up causing trouble.
She shook her head from time to time and sighed quietly:
"We learned the news too late. It's too late to remind brother now. I hope brother won't be confused. If he thinks of the brotherhood and feels a little pity for King Rui, I'm afraid he will be the one who will be in great trouble in the future..."
*
At the same time, the clan house.
Xiao Jingyan rushed to the clan house after noon.
When he arrived, Nalancuo, the chief of the clan affairs office, was already waiting at the door to greet him.
Nalancuo was twelve years older than Xiao Jingyan, but because they both loved painting, they had a close personal relationship.
Knowing that Xiao Jingyan was coming today, Nalancuo prepared the best pre-rain Longjing tea to entertain him early in the morning.
At this moment, they were sitting in the main hall. The tea, which had been poured for three times, was neither too hot nor too cold, just right for drinking.
Nalancuo laughed and urged Xiao Jingyan to raise his glass.
"This tea is a gift from the Emperor. I have been reluctant to use it, and I am only waiting for Prince An to come, so that I can drink a pot of it. Your Highness, please taste it and see how it tastes."
Xiao Jingyan smiled and sipped the food, praising it repeatedly, "The things given by my royal brother are of course excellent."
Nalancuo said, "I have reserved some for His Majesty. Although I know His Majesty does not need these, it is still a token of my gratitude. A few days ago, I got an authentic scroll of Zhao Mengfu's work. I was thinking of visiting His Majesty's residence when I have time to enjoy it with His Majesty. It is better to do it today than to wait for a day. I have asked my humble wife to prepare fine wine and delicacies at His Majesty's residence. After His Majesty finishes his business today, I hope you will do me the honor of drinking with me!"
Xiao Jingyan laughed and said, "Brother Nalan has invited me so kindly, I would be disrespectful to refuse."
After taking two more sips of tea, he changed the subject subtly:
"During the past few years that Prince Rui has been in the clan residence, Brother Nalan has taken good care of him."
Nalancuo waved his hands repeatedly, "Your Highness, it is too polite to say this to me. My father was convicted in the early years. If Your Highness had not pleaded for me to the late emperor, how could the Nalan family be so prosperous today?"
Then he sighed helplessly, "Alas... But this time the Emperor has personally ordered His Royal Highness Prince Rui to go on his journey, and there is nothing we can do."
"Everyone has his own destiny. Fifth brother made a serious mistake this time. It's all his own fault that he ended up in this situation."
Xiao Jingyan sighed briefly and slowly stood up, saying to Nalancuo:
"It is time for me to take care of my business. Brother Nalan, please lead the way."
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