Chapter 257 Gomoku (Five in a Row)
Qin Jinzhi left the Imperial Academy and prepared to return to the Prince's Mansion.
He had just mounted his horse when he was stopped.
The man looked up, and Qin Jinzhi frowned slightly.
"Princess, His Highness requests your presence."
Qin Jinzhi arrived at a secluded villa outside the city.
They were led into the courtyard, where the Crown Prince was sitting in the pavilion with a chessboard in front of him.
Hearing footsteps, the prince raised his head.
"Jinzhi has arrived."
Qin Jinzhi walked over and sat down opposite the Crown Prince.
"Uncle, what's going on?"
The Crown Prince smiled slightly, “Commander Qin is now very powerful, and too many people are paying attention to you. There are too many people and too many eyes in the city. After thinking it over, it is more appropriate for you and me, uncle and nephew, to meet here.”
Qin Jinzhi raised an eyebrow. "I thought Uncle was afraid I would smash up the East Palace again."
The crown prince was taken aback, then burst into laughter, "Jinzhi is still so mischievous."
Wang Wei brought Qin Jinzhi some freshly brewed tea.
"I heard you thought this red bud tip was good. Your uncle got some, and I'll give it all to you when I leave."
A dark glint flashed quickly in Qin Jinzhi's eyes. "Last time you said Uncle wasn't well-informed, but it turns out Uncle just didn't want to hold it against me."
The Crown Prince has spies in the Sixth Prince's residence, and he even knows her conversations with the Sixth Prince.
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "We really are family. Uncle still loves me the most."
The crown prince's expression was gentle. "Take a look at this."
He pushed a letter in front of Qin Jinzhi.
Qin Jinzhi pulled out the letter.
She curled one corner of her mouth into a smile.
"Is Prime Minister Cui trying to pledge allegiance to Uncle? Then I must congratulate Uncle. Prime Minister Cui has always remained neutral. If he is willing to support you, there will be much less resistance in the court when Uncle ascends the throne."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Now everyone in the court knows that you are constantly fighting with him. He just wants to use me to deal with you."
Qin Jinzhi nodded, "Prime Minister Cui certainly knows how to choose. Of all the sons of my grandfather, I would never lay a hand on you."
The prince held a white piece, thinking, "If I were truly an incompetent fool, and he were to manipulate me, he might actually have turned the tide."
Seeing this, Qin Jinzhi picked up a black piece and placed it on the chessboard.
"So, Uncle summoned me here to warn me against Prime Minister Cui?"
The prince shook his head and placed his piece on a white stone.
"Prime Minister Cui has served as an official for many years. Your wise uncle has no reason to worry that you've managed to force him to this point. However, the Yang family has entered the capital."
The Crown Prince looked up at Qin Jinzhi and said, “Yang Xiu is Yang Xian’s most beloved son. You killed his son, and he will never let it go.”
Qin Jinzhi shook her finger, "I didn't kill him, Yang Xian killed him himself. I just switched my men out."
The Crown Prince's face turned serious. "Yang Xian has been lying low in Guanzhong for many years and is always ruthless. You must be careful."
Qin Jinzhi casually placed a black piece, "Uncle, why are you so worried? I will definitely eliminate the Yang family. Yang Xian has an army under his command. If my grandfather and I die, what will you use to deter the Yang family?"
The prince was taken aback, and said with a sad expression, "It's all because your uncle is incompetent. You have to bear so much at such a young age. Don't worry, your uncle will search the whole world and find the orchid grass for you."
Qin Jinzhi waved her hand dismissively, "Everyone has their own destiny. You've also heard the prediction the bald monk from Xiangguo Temple gave me: a short life. If you really don't live past twenty-one, then Uncle, you can only pray for your own good fortune. There's nothing I can do."
The Crown Prince immediately said, "Don't talk nonsense. You can't completely believe in the concept of destiny. Your uncle will never let anything happen to you."
Qin Jinzhi nodded. "Uncle, let's get our people out of the black market. I'm going to do something to avoid any collateral damage."
The prince was taken aback, then smiled and said, "I have some dealings with the owner of the black market. Since Jinzhi has spoken, there's no reason for me to refuse. However, I wonder what Jinzhi intends to do?"
Qin Jinzhi raised an eyebrow and placed the black piece with a pleased expression.
The prince was puzzled when he saw the five black pieces lying horizontally on the chessboard.
"What kind of move is this, Jinzhi?"
"It's a game that children play. If you can connect five pieces in a row, you win. It's called Gomoku. Uncle, you lost."
The Crown Prince laughed heartily at Qin Jinzhi's shameless expression, "You little devil."
He then said, "I will handle things with Prime Minister Cui for you. If the Yang family needs any help, just send me a message."
Qin Jinzhi stood up. "Eunuch Wang, is my tea ready?"
Once Qin Jinzhi left, the smile on the Crown Prince's face vanished.
Suddenly, the trees beside the villa began to sway.
A white chess piece flew through the air.
When Eunuch Wang saw Qin Jinzhi off, he happened to see her when he returned.
"Your Highness, is there anything amiss?"
The crown prince remained calm. "It's nothing. I was just being too suspicious. Come out."
The door to the house in the courtyard was open.
Prime Minister Cui came out from inside.
"Does Your Highness still think I am exaggerating?"
The Crown Prince calmly sipped his tea. “I know you have been in a high position for many years and it is very embarrassing for you to be forced to this position by a junior. But you have also heard that the Yang family has come to the capital. The Yang family has come to the capital not only to seek personal revenge, but also because Consort Xian and my sixth brother are making frequent moves. If the Yang family is not dealt with, how can I sit firmly in the position of Crown Prince?”
Prime Minister Cui sat opposite the Crown Prince. "Qin Jinzhi is so intelligent that she's almost demonic. If she uses the pretense of paving the way for Your Highness to harbor rebellious intentions, it will be too late for Your Highness then."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Have you forgotten that she won't live past twenty-one, and that you were the one who found the poison yourself?"
Prime Minister Cui frowned. "What if the poisoning story is false? She doesn't look like someone who is terminally ill."
The prince put down his teacup. “She has taken the Qulangdan pill and only has three years left to live. If the Lanzhi grass cannot be found after three years, even a golden immortal cannot save her.”
Prime Minister Cui looked at the Crown Prince and said, "Qin Jinzhi has many capable people under her command. What if she really finds them?"
The Crown Prince curled one corner of his mouth, "You said it yourself, this Orchid Grass is hard to come by. Father and the Qin family have sent out countless people to search for it. If they could find it, they would have found it long ago."
Seeing the Crown Prince's pleased expression, Prime Minister Cui slowly smiled.
"Your Highness is truly a member of the imperial family."
The Crown Prince stood up. “I agree to cooperate with you, but you cannot touch her before the Yang family is eliminated. I will handle the mess between you and her. Don’t worry, Prime Minister Cui, I am still waiting to continue the good story of the monarch and his minister.”
Prime Minister Cui stood up. "Then thank you very much, Your Highness."
The Crown Prince waved his hand, "Wang Wei, see Prime Minister Cui off."
Prime Minister Cui boarded his carriage and left.
Before long, the Crown Prince and his entourage also left the villa.
Before leaving, the prince looked at the swaying tree trunk, but there was nothing on it.
Wait until the carriage completely disappears.
A figure jumped down from a tree not far from the swaying tree.
Qin Jinzhi dusted off the dust on her body.
He stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the white chess pieces on the tree trunk ahead.
Qin Jinzhi raised an eyebrow; her uncle was truly a man of few words.
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