Chapter 265 Killing Two Birds with One Stone
News of Qin Jinzhi's assassination attempt spread rapidly throughout the capital.
Upon receiving the news, the Cui and Yang families immediately applauded.
Cui Hao arrived at Prime Minister Cui's study in high spirits.
"Father, Qin Jinzhi is seriously injured and is currently unconscious. I heard that when she was carried back to the palace, she was barely breathing.
A faint smile appeared in Prime Minister Cui's eyes. "The Crown Prince wants Qin Jinzhi to remove obstacles for him and forbids me from touching her. He thinks that my alliance with him is a dead end. If Qin Jinzhi really helps him ascend the throne, what future will my Cui family have in this capital city!"
After hearing this, Cui Hao asked, "If the Crown Prince asks, how should Father answer? After all, on the surface, we are already allies with the Crown Prince."
Prime Minister Cui calmly sipped his tea, "Who said I was the one who did it?"
Cui Hao looked puzzled. "Weren't the assassins in the hunting grounds people arranged by Father?"
Prime Minister Cui looked at Cui Hao and said, "There are many people in the court who want Qin Jinzhi dead, and there are quite a few who want the Crown Prince dead. These two are like grasshoppers tied to the same rope. The moment the Crown Prince agreed to cooperate with me, it was destined that he would lose."
Cui Hao smiled and said, "Congratulations, Father, on eliminating a major threat!"
Prime Minister Cui waved his hand, "Qin Jinzhi is not dead yet. Have the people in the palace keep an eye on her. If Qin Jinzhi is lucky enough to survive, we will send her to reunite with the Qin family!"
"yes!"
Meanwhile, in the Sixth Prince's residence.
When the news of Qin Jinzhi's imminent death arrived, the entire Sixth Prince's residence was filled with joy.
Xiao Cheng said to Yang Xian, "Grandfather, you were truly farsighted! Your cooperation with Prime Minister Cui has indeed eliminated that scourge! We can finally avenge my uncle!"
Yang Xian remained serious. "No news of Qin Jinzhi's death has yet come from the palace. The wolf girl from Xiye has also been exposed to His Majesty. We only arranged for the wolf girl, not for assassins. If Qin Jinzhi had died from a wolf attack, it would have been a perfect cover-up. But now everyone knows that someone wanted Qin Jinzhi dead. Given His Majesty and the Empress's high regard for Qin Jinzhi, this matter will not end well."
The Sixth Prince was puzzled after hearing this. "Could it be that Prime Minister Cui sent assassins again to ensure everything went smoothly?"
Yang stroked his beard and said, "I'm afraid we're being used as pawns."
The Sixth Prince's expression turned serious upon hearing this. "You mean Prime Minister Cui is trying to be the mantis stalking the cicada?"
Yang Xian's eyes turned deep. "No women from the Cui family have entered the palace, and they have no imperial heirs and have always remained neutral. No one knows what Prime Minister Cui is really thinking. This time, he openly allied with the Crown Prince, but secretly cooperated with us to get rid of Qin Jinzhi. If this is exposed, Prime Minister Cui will not be among those punished."
The Sixth Prince was somewhat angry, "Prime Minister Cui wants to kill two birds with one stone, both to eliminate Qin Jinzhi and to cripple the power of my Yang family!"
Yang Xian looked at Xiao Cheng, who was beaming with joy, and said, "Cheng'er, your maternal grandfather has said many times that you will be sitting in a position above ten thousand people in the future. How can such a small matter make you lose your composure? The magnanimity of a ruler is to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapses in front of him, and not even blink at a deer running to his left."
Xiao Cheng stood up, "I will heed my grandfather's teachings."
Yang Xian was very satisfied with Xiao Cheng's attitude. "Don't worry, since Prime Minister Cui made the first move, we naturally have a backup plan as well."
Xiao Cheng smiled and said, "I'll have the palace staff keep an eye on Jiaofang Palace."
The area outside the Jiaofang Palace was suddenly filled with spies.
Qin Ye stormed into the palace and caused a ruckus in the imperial study.
Before, it was just acting, but this time Qin Ye was genuinely angry.
He smashed all the porcelain in the imperial study.
As Qin Ye left the imperial study, he turned back with a sorrowful expression and said, "Brother, my entire Qin family has been wiped out. I only have this one granddaughter left. If I find out anything, I will give up everything."
The emperor felt a moment of disorientation when he heard Qin Ye call out "elder brother".
Watching Qin Ye's departing figure, a fierce glint flashed in the emperor's eyes. "Hong Dequan, have I spoiled these aristocratic families too much over the years?"
Hong Dequan was startled when he saw the look in the emperor's eyes.
Since he began serving His Majesty, it has become rare to see His Majesty displaying his emotions on his face.
He understood that His Majesty was truly angry.
When Qin Ye arrived at Jiaofang Palace, he saw Qin Jinzhi's pale face and somewhat hunched posture.
The Crown Prince was attending to the Empress when he heard that Qin Ye had arrived, and immediately went to Qin Jinzhi's room.
Qin Ye was sitting by Qin Jinzhi's bedside.
The crown prince walked over and knelt directly in front of Qin Ye.
"Uncle Qin, hit me if you want. If it weren't for me, Jinzhi wouldn't have been hurt."
Qin Ye looked at the Crown Prince and said calmly, "The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the country; it is inappropriate for him to kneel before a subject."
The Crown Prince replied, "You and the Emperor are like blood relatives. It is only natural for a junior to kneel before his elder."
Qin Ye looked at Qin Jinzhi on the bed and said, "If you really consider me an elder, then find the murderer. If you don't tear him apart, my hatred will not be appeased!"
The Crown Prince immediately said, "Uncle Qin, rest assured, I will definitely give you an explanation! I will never let Jinzhi suffer such a serious injury in vain."
Qin Ye waved his hand, "I want to spend some time with Jinzhi."
Upon seeing this, the prince stood up and said, "I will come to see you after I have caught the murderer."
After closing the door, the Crown Prince saw Liu Yiyi preparing medicine for Qin Jinzhi in the courtyard.
He stepped forward, "Imperial Physician Liu."
Liu Yiyi turned around and bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince raised his hand. "Don't bother with these formalities. I know you and Jinzhi have a close relationship. Tell me the truth, what is Jinzhi's condition? Why hasn't she woken up yet?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Yiyi pinched her soft flesh hard with her hand hidden in her sleeve.
She felt a sudden pain and a tear rolled down her cheek.
I used too much force, it hurts so much!
The Crown Prince frowned immediately upon seeing Liu Yiyi cry like this in an instant.
Then Liu Yiyi spoke up: "If the princess is not awake within three days after being stabbed in the heart, I'm afraid, I'm afraid..."
The crown prince's face immediately darkened.
"I understand. I urge Imperial Physician Liu to do everything in his power to save Jinzhi. I will find any precious medicinal herbs for her!"
Liu Yiyi sniffed, "Your subject will certainly do everything in my power!"
After watching the prince's hurried figure disappear, she immediately grimaced and looked at the spot she had pinched.
This is a work injury!
It won't be good without two big gold bracelets!
Just as everyone was surrounding Qin Jinzhi.
Some restless individuals within the Zhenbei Army have already approached Tu You.
After Tu You was flogged by Qin Jinzhi, many people used the pretext of visiting his injuries to inquire about his well-being.
Now that Qin Jinzhi's fate is unknown, if she dies, the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion will be without an heir, and these people will have to find a future for themselves.
If the previous visit was merely a test, the current visit to Tu You is much clearer.
However, these people are just small fry; Tu You and his ilk haven't made a move yet.
That very night, Qin Ye's four adopted sons received letters of amnesty from different powerful families.
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