"So, Mr. Zhao's granddaughter is the Third Prince's concubine?" Su Ruojin asked.
“Yes, the Third Prince’s concubine, Zhao Jingyi, is the daughter of Zhao Jiuwen’s aunt, the son of Old Master Zhao. She married into the Third Prince’s household last year,” Xiao Yanchu explained.
Zhao Guangtao was married after Old Madam Lin stayed in Da Chu, and Old Madam Lin was not very clear about his offspring.
"For a concubine's daughter to become a secondary consort, this Third Prince must have quite the ambition," Su Ruojin remarked thoughtfully.
Xiao Yanchu nodded approvingly: "The Emperor of Yunqi Kingdom passed away last year, and the former Second Prince succeeded him. However, this Second Prince was injured when he was young and his health is not very good. He could have an accident at any time. There are undercurrents among the princes now."
The eldest prince, Yun Gan, was born to the Empress; the second prince, Yun Hao, was born to Consort Le, whose family was weak; the third prince, Yun Shao, was born to Consort Xian; and the other princes were still young and not a threat. Most of the court officials favored the eldest and third princes.
Xiao Yanchu succinctly explained the general situation of the Yunqi Kingdom's royal family in just a few words.
"Did Old Master Zhao come to Great Chu in secret?" Su Ruojin wondered, otherwise why would Yun Shao ask Xiao Yanchu to help find him?
Xiao Yanchu nodded: "I had someone check, and it's true that Mr. Zhao left without leaving any information."
Su Ruojin sensed something was amiss. The late Emperor Yunqi and Old Master Zhao had both passed away. Zhao Guangtao's search for his sister was nothing to hide, so why was he concealing it?
Xiao Yanchu added, "Old Master Zhao's son has passed away, and his only grandson, Zhao Tingyi, fell off a cliff a year ago and has been in a coma ever since. If Old Master Zhao were to have an accident now, the Zhao family would be handed over to his illegitimate grandson, Zhao Tingsong, who is the older brother of the Third Prince's concubine."
Su Ruojin suddenly realized.
No wonder Zhao Guangtao wanted to conceal his whereabouts.
It's so troublesome living in a wealthy and powerful family; you even have to be wary of your own relatives.
At this moment, she regretted letting her grandmother go back. Although her grandmother had met a heartless man, her life had been relatively simple over the years, without so many troubles. At least she didn't have to be on guard against someone trying to kill her.
However, since her grandmother was a married woman, it should be fine for her to go back to visit relatives. Thinking of this, Su Ruojin felt a little relieved.
"So, your men took Mr. Zhao away. Are you planning to hand him over to the Third Prince?" Su Ruojin asked.
If Zhao Tingsong and the Third Prince were in cahoots, and they secretly eliminated Zhao Guangtao in the Great Chu, wouldn't they be able to seize control of the Zhao family's assets?
It seems that Zhao Guangtao's assassination attempt on the road that day was inextricably linked to Zhao Tingsong and the Third Prince.
How could someone who comes up with such a vicious trick be a good person!
"Xiao Jin..." Madam Lin understood the key point and her eyes were full of worry.
From this perspective, it seems that the eldest brother is facing numerous crises in Yunqi.
Su Ruojin patted Madam Lin's hand to reassure her.
She needs to know Xiao Yanchu's attitude before deciding what to do next.
If Xiao Yanchu sides with Yun Shao and wants to hand over Old Master Zhao, then don't blame her for turning her back on him.
According to the Dark Alliance's intelligence, his nominal maternal great-uncle was a very philanthropist in Yunqi Kingdom, and now they had an additional kinship connection.
Now, with her grandmother's connection, she absolutely will not allow good people to go unrewarded.
Xiao Yanchu felt that the little girl's gaze had become somewhat sharp, as if the consequences would be dire if she didn't answer correctly.
She protected Zhao Guangtao like that.
He chuckled, "If I had such thoughts, I wouldn't be here. Zhao Guangtao is an upright man with a good reputation among the people of Yunqi. I would never hand such a person over to the Third Prince."
As the regent of the Great Chu Kingdom, Xiao Yanchu was well aware of the intricacies involved.
"Then you still accepted their Soul-Stealing Grass?" Su Ruojin asked, somewhat incredulous.
After all, the Soul-Snatching Grass could save his life. Sacrificing others for one's own life is commonplace for those at the pinnacle of power.
Xiao Yanchu replied matter-of-factly, "I didn't promise to find Zhao Guangtao for him. Besides, everyone else is plotting against me. It's not unreasonable for me to accept a Soul-Snatching Grass as interest."
If he were to hand Zhao Guangtao over to the Third Prince, and Zhao Guangtao were to die within the borders of the Great Chu Kingdom, it would very likely trigger a conflict between the two countries.
As the regent of the Great Chu, how could he remain uninvolved?
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