Luo Ye said: “Perhaps after the general discovered this plot, they knew the young prince was on guard and stopped poisoning him, but my third brother was not so lucky.”
Pan Xian responded: “Your Highness is right.”
Luo Ye sighed: “What a pity to lose the general’s support. He was not only highly skilled and loyal but learned military strategy and tactics from Yi Gao Zi. Now the young prince feels like he’s lost an arm.”
Pan Xian said: “I tested the Yi lady last night. She is Yi Gao Zi’s only daughter. One would assume he taught her other skills as well, though it’s unclear how much she learned.”
Luo Ye pondered: “This woman might be useful. Find a way to keep her. Even if Yi Yao has no skills, winning over Yi Gao Zi would be a great gain. However, if Yi Gao Zi really comes out of retirement, Pan Xian would become dispensable. This thought cannot be shared with him for now.”
Pan Xian replied: “Yes.”
Luo Ye continued: “You’ve been searching for spies all night without rest. Since the poisoners are unlikely to appear again, go and rest. Don’t exhaust yourself.”
Pan Xian was touched: “Thank you for your concern, I will go rest briefly.”
Luo Ye disapproved: “A brief rest is not enough. You don’t need to come to the study today. Just rest for a day and night.”
Before Pan Xian could respond, an announcement came from outside: “Your Highness, Master Yu Wen requests an audience.”
Luo Ye called out: “Invite Master Yu Wen in.” He then smiled helplessly at Pan Xian: “It seems we’ll need to trouble you to stay a while longer.”
Pan Xian hurriedly responded: “Not at all. Your Highness relies on and cares for this unworthy servant so much. I can only try my best to repay your grace with my meager abilities.”
At this moment, Yu Wenxin was stepping through the doorway, with his bodyguard Xia Yuan and a cloaked person behind him. Hearing Pan Xian’s last sentence, Yu Wenxin couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, walking to about ten steps in front of Luo Ye and bowing in greeting: “Incompetent Yu Wenxin, paying respects to the Second Prince.”
Lou Ye, however, was staring only at the cloaked person. By rights, as a prince, this person should have removed their hood before entering the room, let alone greeting him while wearing a hood – which would be extremely disrespectful. Who was Yu Wenxin? He couldn’t possibly be accompanied by such an uncouth man, and certainly wouldn’t bring such a person when paying respects.
Therefore, the identity of this cloaked person was quite intriguing.
Lou Ye exchanged a glance with Pan Xian, who seemed to have the same thought. He didn’t expose anything, instead asking Yu Wenxin: “Master Yu Wen, what brings you here today?”
Yu Wenxin stood up straight and asked, “Does the Second Prince know about what happened at the Third Prince’s residence last night?”
Lou Ye thought to himself that claiming ignorance would seem too contrived, as rivalries between princes were well-known. He chuckled, “I’m afraid not just I, but the Fourth and Fifth Princes already know as well.”
While speaking to Yu Wenxin, his gaze remained fixed on the cloaked person. The figure slightly lowered their head, revealing half a face that looked extremely familiar. Suddenly, a thought flashed through Lou Ye’s mind – could it be that person? But wasn’t he on the brink of death after being poisoned?
Yet here he was, accompanying Yu Wenxin and brazenly not removing his hood in front of him. Besides the Third Prince, who else could this be?
This realization, coupled with Yu Wenxin bringing bodyguard Xia Yuan, further confirmed his suspicion. Xia Yuan and Xia Di had always been inseparable from Luo Zhan.
Seeing Lou Ye’s look of sudden understanding, Yu Wenxin smiled slightly and said, “I have confidential matters to discuss with the Second Prince. May I request that others be dismissed?”
Lou Ye waved his hand, and everyone except Pan Xian and two personal guards exited the room.
At that time, the Third Prince said: “Second Brother is different from Fourth Brother. When he discovers that the attendant who came with the master is the Young Prince, he will consider the consequences and won’t immediately kill us. Second Brother will definitely think that since the Young Prince dared to disguise himself as an attendant and enter his residence, he must have a backup plan. He won’t make a move before understanding what backup plan the Young Prince has left.”
In the end, what actually convinced Yu Wenxin was this sentence – “If only the master goes, Second Brother would not agree to form an alliance.” Yu Wenxin then agreed to proceed this way, but what the Second Prince meant was to leave the Third Prince as a hostage. The Third Prince had miscalculated!
Thinking of this, a layer of cold sweat emerged on Yu Wenxin’s back.
Meng Qing leaned close to Yu Wenxin’s ear and whispered: “Ask about General Xiang’s matter.”
Yu Wenxin was stunned. He had only heard about General Xiang’s death that morning and didn’t know the specific cause.
He was puzzled about why the Third Prince wanted him to ask about General Xiang, but he had no choice and could only follow the Third Prince’s instructions. Yu Wenxin tried to make his tone appear calm and asked: “Second Prince, may I ask how General Xiang died?”
Luo Ye’s star-like eyes narrowed. General Xiang had died because he discovered that Fourth Brother was planning to poison him and the Third Prince. Last night, he did not inform the Third Prince about the poisoning. Does he already know? Yu Wenxin suddenly asking this question must have a reason. The Third Prince had arranged everything – if something happened in his residence, it could spread that “the Second Prince knew about the danger to his brothers but did nothing.”
Once this matter became public, the Second Prince would be labeled as unrighteous. Even if he could secretly eliminate his rivals today, he could no longer righteously ascend to the throne. Ascending to the throne through such means would mean that after his death, he would likely be recorded as cruel and tyrannical by historians.
The atmosphere in the room became stiff, and no one spoke.
Pan Xian coughed lightly, his face showing grief: “General Xiang was harmed by villains and died innocently. The Second Prince is devastated and just instructed to properly arrange a burial for General Xiang.”
Meng Qing pulled the corner of his mouth and said in a low voice: “Let’s go.” Then he walked towards the door.
Yu Wenxin hurriedly bowed to Luo Ye: “I shall take my leave.”
Luo Ye hummed from his nose, displeasedly: “No need to see me off.”
After leaving the Second Prince’s residence, Yu Wenxin touched his forehead, which was wet and cold with sweat. They had just walked through the gates of hell. He now realized that General Xiang’s death was definitely unusual, but how did the Third Prince know about it?
After getting into the carriage, Yu Wenxin asked: “Your Highness, there’s something I don’t understand.”
Meng Qing said: “I was just guessing too.”
“Ah?!” Yu Wenxin was truly stunned this time.
Meng Qingxiao laughed, “Indeed, an outsider sees things more clearly.”
Bao Taishi waved his hand and said, “But that was my past impression. Observing the Third Prince’s actions today, I no longer feel any lack of spirit. Moreover, the Third Prince has overestimated the Second Prince’s chess skills. While the Second Prince’s chess is indeed the most skilled among the princes, being too strong can lead to humiliation.
A true gentleman does not aggressively push forward, lacking benevolence. How can one govern a country like that? Looking at the Third Prince’s chess, though not the most skillful, each move is played with integrity. Chess skills can be improved, but if one’s character is not right, it cannot be corrected. In fact, I am more optimistic about the Third Prince’s future chess skills.”
