Chapter 58 Brothers and Ministers
Although the "pollen" incident in the Eastern Palace came to an end with the cleaning of palace servants and the replacement of expenses, the shadow it brought will linger for a long time.
The second prince Liu Cong's nerves were even more tense. He almost regarded the Eastern Palace as his second royal palace.
Apart from necessary military duties and reporting to the emperor, he spent most of his time here.
He was no longer just "assisting" the prince in handling government affairs, but was almost his "close guard".
When Liu Xiao was reading, he would be cleaning his sword or studying military strategies.
While Liu Xiao was reviewing memorials, he sat quietly below, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, but actually listening attentively to everything around him.
Even when Liu Xiao was eating, he would personally check the silver needles, and occasionally he would even "take the opportunity" to taste a dish first.
This kind of meticulous and even overstepping protection made everyone in the Eastern Palace feel an invisible pressure, but no one dared to say anything.
After all, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn't seem to object.
Liu Xiao did not object.
After going through so much, he has long understood that there are dangers everywhere around him, and his second brother is his most solid barrier.
However, Liu Cong's tangible protection and the pair of bottomless eyes that followed him at all times always gently plucked the sensitive string in his heart, causing ripples.
He could sense that after that uncontrolled handshake, his second brother was desperately trying to make amends and cover up, trying to maintain the appearance of being a "brother and subject."
But the surging emotions beneath the surface seemed even stronger.
When the two of them were alone, the silent, tense atmosphere filled with unspoken words often made Liu Xiao feel a palpitation and...
On this day, news about the "middleman" finally came from Han Feng.
Based on the kidnappers' description and secret searches throughout the city, they locked onto a matchmaker who frequently frequented the black market at the docks and specialized in gray business.
According to intelligence reports, this matchmaker has been spending lavishly recently and seems to have had contact with some people of unknown origin.
Liu Cong immediately ordered the secret arrest of the matchmaker.
However, when Han Feng and his men rushed to his hiding place, they found that it was too late.
The fortune teller died in her own house, her throat cut by a sharp knife, and she was killed by the knife. The house was in a mess. It was obvious that the other party had taken the initiative to silence her and was trying to find or destroy something.
The clue seems to be broken again.
"It was cleaned up very well."
After inspecting the scene, Han Feng reported to Liu Cong with a serious expression, "It was the work of a professional killer. However, we found this in the secret compartment under the bed."
He handed over a small, unassuming iron plate with a strange image of a flying bird engraved on it.
"This is..." Liu Cong took the iron plate and looked at it carefully.
This pattern is not the common gang symbol in Beijing, and it exudes a cold and strange aura.
"My subordinates have checked, and no one recognizes this pattern. But according to several old hands, it vaguely resembles... the mark of a mysterious organization that was active in southern Xinjiang many years ago, but that organization is said to have been destroyed many years ago." Han Feng whispered.
Liu Cong's brows were tightly furrowed.
Things seemed to be getting more and more complicated. Could it be that the conspiracy from that year also involved the remnants of the previous dynasty?
He immediately reported the matter of the iron plate to the emperor.
After hearing this, the emperor was silent for a long time.
"I understand. This matter... I will have someone investigate. You continue to monitor the movements in the capital, especially... watch out for any unusual people or things related to Southern Xinjiang."
The emperor's tone was a little strange, but he didn't say much.
Liu Cong was full of doubts, but seeing that his father did not want to say more, he could only accept the order and leave.
He vaguely felt that his father seemed to know something but was hiding it.
Cui Jun, who was secretly placed in the second prince's villa, suffered a complete mental breakdown after experiencing the shock of kidnapping and torture.
He cried and laughed, talked nonsense, knelt down and begged for mercy, shouting "Mother, spare my life", and then huddled in a corner and muttered "I can't say it, or I'll die."
After the doctor made the diagnosis, he shook his head and said that the patient was in a semi-crazy state due to excessive fear and confusion in his mind.
Liu Cong went to check it out in person once.
Looking at the second master of the Marquis' Mansion who once lived a life of luxury, and now looked emaciated, with a dull look in his eyes and drooling, he did not feel much sympathy, but became more vigilant.
Cui Jun's madness was indeed pitiful, but it also temporarily preserved the terrible secret of the Marquis' Mansion.
But how long can this secret be kept? Will the mastermind behind this plot use a madman to stir up trouble again?
He assigned more people to guard Cui Jun, strictly restricted anyone from visiting him, and ordered: "Watch him carefully, don't let him die, and don't let him run around or talk nonsense."
Just as Liu Cong was trying his best to track down the clues about the iron plate and guard the Eastern Palace, a delegation from a small vassal state in southern Xinjiang arrived in the capital with this year's "tribute".
This is a tradition that happens every year and has not attracted much attention.
The delegation submitted their credentials and presented tribute according to the procedures, which included some local rare animals, spices and gems.
However, when counting the tribute, officials from the inner treasury discovered that several spices presented this year seemed to be particularly rich and special.
One of the powders is called "Butterfly Fragrance", which has a unique fragrance that makes people feel refreshed.
As per the rules, officials took some samples and sent them to the Imperial Medical Service for record and examination.
A young doctor from the Imperial Hospital accidentally sprinkled some "Midiexiang" powder into a basin of water during an examination.
It was discovered that after it came into contact with water, its color became extremely light, almost colorless and odorless.
He didn't take it too seriously and just recorded it.
It was the birthday of Crown Prince Liu Xiao.
Although state affairs were busy and the crisis was still ongoing, the emperor still decided to hold a grand palace banquet for his beloved son.
Firstly, it was a celebration, and secondly, it was used to show the stability of the court and deter evildoers.
The palace banquet was prepared with great fanfare, and all officials and nobles above the third rank in the capital were required to attend.
The second prince Liu Cong naturally took on the overall responsibility for security. He mobilized almost all the forces he could mobilize and guarded the palace like an iron barrel.
Every dish and every drink was strictly inspected, and even every guest entering the palace was secretly monitored.
Liu Xiao was wearing the crown prince's formal attire, sitting below the emperor and accepting congratulations from all officials.
He behaved well and had a gentle smile, showing the demeanor of a crown prince.
But only Liu Cong, who was sitting diagonally behind him, could see that he occasionally frowned slightly.
Liu Cong's heart was in a knot.
He knew that Xiao didn't like such noisy occasions, and he knew even more about how much murderous intent was hidden behind this prosperity.
His eyes swept over everyone present like a hawk, not missing any abnormality.
Halfway through the banquet, there was singing and dancing, and the atmosphere was lively.
As guests, the Southern Xinjiang delegation also performed their dance.
The dancers are dressed in colorful costumes and wear strange masks. They jump and spin to the beat of the drums, their movements unrestrained and mysterious.
The lead dancer had a particularly graceful figure and charming dance moves. She wore a butterfly-shaped mask inlaid with gems on her face, revealing only a pair of deep and seductive eyes.
Her gaze seemed to drift towards the prince on the high seat several times, seemingly inadvertently.
Liu Cong's eyes suddenly became sharp!
He calmly made a gesture, and immediately the secret guards stepped up their surveillance of the dancer.
The dance reached its climax and the drum beats became more rapid.
The lead dancer spun and moved closer and closer to the throne.
Just as she tossed her sleeves in a gorgeous gesture, an extremely elegant, almost imperceptible fragrance quietly diffused as her sleeves fluttered!
Liu Cong had an extremely keen sense of smell and immediately noticed the strange fragrance!
It's not the ambergris or sandalwood commonly used in the temple, but a kind of... strange fragrance with a hint of sweetness and charm!
He stood up suddenly!
Almost at the same time, he saw Liu Xiao on the high seat.
His body swayed slightly, and he subconsciously raised his hand to support his forehead, his brows furrowed, and a look of discomfort appeared on his face!
Liu Cong's heart was filled with alarm!
He didn't care about any etiquette and rushed forward, blocking Liu Xiao and shouting at the audience
"Protect the emperor! Capture the dancer! Seal off the hall! No one is allowed to enter or leave!"
His voice was like thunder, instantly breaking the joyful atmosphere of the banquet!
Everyone was stunned by this sudden change!
The guards reacted immediately and pounced on the dancers from Southern Xinjiang like wolves and tigers!
The lead dancer saw that the situation was not good, and a hint of ruthlessness and determination flashed in her eyes. She suddenly pulled out a thin, poisonous hairpin that was tempered with blue light from her hair.
His figure was like a ghost, bypassing Liu Cong and stabbing straight at Liu Xiao, who seemed a little dizzy!
"Xiao'er!" The emperor was so frightened that his face turned pale and he stood up suddenly!
The poison hairpin was about to pierce Liu Xiao!
In a flash, Liu Cong pulled Liu Xiao behind him without thinking, and blocked it with his arms!
"Swish!" The poison hairpin cut through the fabric on his arm, bringing out a streak of blood! A numb feeling instantly spread from the wound!
Liu Cong groaned, but without stopping, his other hand grasped the dancer's wrist tightly like an iron clamp and twisted it hard!
"Crack!" A teeth-grinding sound of bone breaking was heard!
The poisonous hairpin fell to the ground with a clang!
The dancer screamed and was held down by the guards who arrived shortly afterwards.
"Royal brother!" Liu Xiao was completely awakened by the sudden change. When he saw Liu Cong's bleeding arm, his face turned pale instantly.
She held him up and said, "How are you? Call the doctor! Call the doctor quickly!"
Liu Cong ignored his own injuries and grabbed Liu Xiao's arm tightly, looking him up and down anxiously.
"I'm fine! How about you? Are you feeling unwell? Were you dizzy just now?"
His voice trembled slightly with fear and dread, and his intense concern and undisguised nervousness were once again exposed to everyone.
There was dead silence in the hall.
All the officials watched this thrilling scene in amazement. The second prince disregarded his own safety to block the knife for the crown prince.
The Crown Prince's undisguised concern for the Second Prince
Their arms tightly clasped together and their eyes staring at each other...
The emperor's shock gradually faded away as he looked at his two sons huddled together in front of him.
Liu Cong's bleeding arm and Liu Xiao's pale face and eyes became extremely complicated and indescribable.
Liu Cong also instantly realized his own loss of composure and the strangeness of the current situation. He suddenly let go of his hand, took a step back, and wanted to kneel down to apologize:
"Father, I…"
"That's enough!" the emperor interrupted him, his voice filled with a hint of fatigue and unquestionable majesty.
"Let the imperial physician treat your injuries first! Thoroughly investigate this matter! All those involved will be rigorously interrogated! Anyone who dares to reveal a single word of what happened today will have their tongue ripped out!"
The palace banquet ended hastily in a state of depression and panic.
The assassination at the prince's birthday banquet was like another heavy hammer hitting everyone's heart.
The entire Southern Xinjiang delegation was detained, and the dancer was even thrown into the Sky Prison.
After examination by the imperial physician, it was found that the poison Liu Cong was infected with was quite tricky. Although it was not immediately fatal, if it was not cured, it would gradually erode his internal strength.
Fortunately, he received timely treatment and was not seriously injured.
After investigation, it was found that the dizziness that Crown Prince Liu Xiao had experienced before was actually caused by a slight hallucinogenic effect caused by the mixture of some kind of incense in the hall and the special fragrance of the dancer!
The purpose is to make the prince slow to react at the critical moment!
The truth is chilling.
The other party's calculations were so interconnected, taking advantage of tributes, palace banquets, and people's senses!
After this incident, Liu Xiao's dependence and trust in Liu Cong reached its peak.
The mixed feeling of gratitude, worry and inexplicable emotions became even more turbulent.
Liu Cong, after experiencing the fear of almost losing Axiao again, the suppressed emotions were almost about to burst out.
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