The subordinates next to him also began to get anxious, because their families were all under unified management, which made it easier to control them.
If something happens to Liu San's family, then their families are likely doomed as well.
"Master, what about our families?"
They were very anxious and couldn't wait to go out and ask.
The Third Prince gave him a cold look, but considering how much they had suffered with him, he didn't make things difficult for them. He simply said, "Your families aren't with them, so they're safe for now."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. That's right, they almost forgot that the master manages his family members separately; it's impossible for all his subordinates' families to be raised together.
They used to think this method was a bit excessive, but now it seems that it has averted a lot of disasters.
"Your master is wise!"
Several people knelt down to express their gratitude, but Liu San remained immersed in his own pain.
Why is it that all his family members died while these people's families are still alive and well?
Why didn't their master tell them that their family members were all gone? Why didn't he let them take care of the funeral arrangements?
Ultimately, it's the master's fault.
Therefore, it is understandable that he and his brothers betrayed him.
Thinking about it this way, I instantly felt much better.
"If you reveal who's behind this now, I might let you go back and offer incense to your family. Otherwise, I'll have their graves dug up when you get back!"
He had made a tough decision; he didn't want to make things too difficult for those poor people, but since Liu San had done such a heinous thing, he didn't need to be too merciful.
After learning the truth, Liu San aged more than ten years in an instant. He lost his fighting spirit and saw no need to cover anything up for his new master.
He said directly, "It's the Fifth Prince."
"Fifth brother!"
The Third Prince slammed his hand on the table, uttering those two words almost through gritted teeth.
The Fifth Prince was the son of the Imperial Concubine, and was the Emperor's second favorite son after him.
Now that he's in this situation, his father will definitely place all his hopes on the fifth prince. No wonder the fifth prince is so bold as to directly turn his people against him.
"Master, what should we do now?"
Xinran felt uneasy, sensing that the situation was becoming increasingly complicated.
“My people are not someone he can turn over so easily. If they dare to mess with me, they should be prepared to suffer the consequences.”
The Third Prince snorted coldly and said, "Take Liu San away and take good care of him."
Since I promised, as long as he mentions it, I will let him go back to his family's graves to offer incense, so of course I will keep my promise.
However, we can't let him live too comfortably; he has to pay the price for his mistakes.
As for the fifth prince, having obtained his Pangu Jade, he could either hand it over or keep it for himself. The third prince felt that the fifth prince was not so selfless and would not offer it directly to his father. It would be easier to retrieve it later.
As Liu San was leaving, perhaps out of a sudden pang of conscience, he said, "The Fifth Prince's men are still in the capital of Bei Yan."
The Third Prince was naturally not going to let such a good opportunity slip by, but he did not immediately give instructions to anyone to carry it out. Instead, he dismissed everyone and said that he needed to rest.
Xinran and the others withdrew to continue gathering information outside. When the Third Prince woke up, Xinran told him, "The Crown Prince's illness was cured by He Jiuniang."
This was another piece of bad news for the Third Prince.
Having been in the hands of Lu Baichuan and his wife for so long, the Third Prince had come to realize that if he wanted to achieve his goals, he could not afford to be their enemy.
But no one expected that He Jiuniang would treat the Crown Prince. Could it be that the Lu family wanted to help the Crown Prince seize the throne?
If the Crown Prince has the Lu family's help, wouldn't he become a clown?
It wasn't that he looked down on himself, but rather that he had truly experienced the woman's methods and knew he was no match for her.
No, he had to go and ask in person.
He got up and headed towards the Lu family home with Xinran in his arms.
Although he was still in shackles, he was free in the capital and could live like a normal person, but he could not easily leave the capital or return to Dongting.
The Lu family knew that he would come to visit as soon as he was released from prison, so they naturally refused to see him.
However, having already guessed why he had come, Lu Baichuan still sent someone to deliver a message to him.
"My general said that treating the Crown Prince is just my wife's kind-hearted act and will not interfere in the struggle for the throne in the Eastern Court. Please rest assured."
The Third Prince came seeking nothing more than an answer. Although he hadn't seen the person yet, he was satisfied with the answer and returned with Xinran.
"Master, is it possible that the Lu family is lying?"
Having been tricked by Qin Jian and his group before, Xinran was always worried about them, fearing that her master would be fooled again.
The Third Prince shook his head and said, "No, they wouldn't stoop to lying to me about something like this."
She nodded happily, without saying much, and simply followed obediently behind the Third Prince.
After a while, the Third Prince said again, "Send someone to find out where the Fifth Prince's men are."
"yes."
The Fifth Prince's men did not expect their people to come knocking so quickly, and their lack of preparedness naturally led to another contest.
The Crown Prince and the Northern Yan people watched from the sidelines, only then realizing just how powerful the Third Prince truly was.
Even though he has been captured for so long, and even though there have been betrayals, his strength is still not to be underestimated. After returning to Dongting, he will be an opponent that cannot be taken lightly.
Meanwhile, negotiations between Bei Yan and Xi Teng Nan Tai were also underway. However, their interactions were merely normal business dealings, and they got along fairly well. Only the matter of Princess Xi Teng Kaya's marriage to the emperor was temporarily put aside.
In the capital, there were constant events, both big and small, keeping everyone busy. Meanwhile, on the border, Prince Jing's situation was also quite precarious.
Lu Baichuan and his wife guessed correctly. After writing the letter and sending it to the capital, Prince Jing planned to investigate the enemy's situation again, but he was captured as soon as he arrived.
It has been more than a month now.
Because he did not tell the generals when he investigated these matters, and only wrote a letter to He Jiuniang about what he had found out, the guards around him did not know the specific details.
So nobody knows where he went, or whether he's still alive.
The generals naturally sent people to search for him everywhere, but they found nothing.
Ultimately, having no other choice, he had to write back to China and report the situation.
However, at that moment he was squatting in an earthen cell, drawing circles with a small wooden stick.
At this time, he was disheveled, dressed in rags, and even had lice growing on his body.
This past month or so has completely worn away his pride as a prince.
These people didn't care about his identity at all; as long as they ensured he wouldn't starve, they would send him to curry favor with their masters when they arrived.
"Help! Is anyone there? Someone come and talk to me, I'm so bored I'm going crazy..."
He sighed, then lowered his head and continued drawing circles.
He now deeply regrets not telling his subordinates what he was really doing when he was showing off, otherwise he wouldn't be suffering so much now.
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