Such a grave crime, with ironclad evidence, was a challenge to the Imperial Authority, leaving the Youning Emperor no choice but to swiftly execute justice.
Shen Xihe did not believe the Crown Prince was behind it. Surveying the entire situation, the Crown Prince seemed more like a pawn.
Because of his prior involvement and his uncertain fate, no one dared to speak up in defense of Chen Zhong. When Chen Yi's case and Chen Zhong's embezzlement were later exposed, still no one dared to plead for them.
Had it not been for the Crown Prince's involvement, even if other charges had been impeached, someone would have surely called for a thorough investigation. The Youning Emperor could then have considered these opinions and further delayed accordingly.
"Investigate Qu Yanguang. Perhaps we can deduce who is masterminding this conspiracy," Shen Xihe instructed Mo Yuan.
Not only did Shen Xihe send Mo Yuan to investigate Qu Yanguang, but even the Youning Emperor shared her thoughts—or rather, all the astute minds in the capital believed that the Wanping Count's household had been targeted for a long time, and the one orchestrating the scheme was the person behind Qu Yanguang.
However, since his father's death, Qu Yanguang had been separated from the Wanping Count's household and had been observing mourning for three years. He rented a thatched cottage in the countryside, tending to medicinal herbs daily, reading and writing, with no interaction with others.
After the Wanping Count's household affair concluded, the Youning Emperor restored the title that had been delayed for Qu Yanguang. His younger brother was sentenced to three years of penal servitude for bribing officials.
Upon returning to the Wanping Count's residence, Qu Yanguang devoted himself entirely to exam preparation, never leaving home and having no contact with others.
"Your Highness, I discovered that Qu Yanguang's thatched cottage is just over a mountain ridge, less than half an hour's journey from the estate of the Fourth Prince, Prince Ding."
Shen Xihe: "Who did you say?"
"The Fourth Prince, Prince Ding," Mo Yuan replied.
"So it's him..." Shen Xihe was somewhat surprised, yet it made sense. A trace of pity flickered in her misty, distant eyes.
Xiao Changtai, the Fourth Prince and Prince Ding, was widely known as a prince who cared nothing for court affairs, preferring instead landscapes and a carefree, reclusive life.
His consort was Ye Wantang, once one of the Nine Unrivaled Talents of the Capital. The couple's deep affection for each other was the envy of many.
He did not involve himself in politics. The Youning Emperor had offered him official positions several times, but he declined them all. He spent most of the year away from the capital, traveling with Ye Wantang to enjoy scenic sights.
Though Ye Wantang and Gu Qingzhi had contrasting personalities, they got along remarkably well. Ye Wantang had more than once spoken to Gu Qingzhi about her own good fortune.
Suddenly, Shen Xihe's gaze sharpened. She had always felt that the person impersonating Hua Fuhai must be someone with freedom to come and go, able to associate with people from all walks of life. This Prince Ding fit the description perfectly.
Recalling how he had once jokingly proposed to marry her, Shen Xihe felt indignant on Ye Wantang's behalf.
"Your Highness, in three days, Prince Ding is hosting a banquet at his residence to celebrate his consort's birthday. Will you attend?" In the past, Biyu would have simply dismissed such invitations, as Shen Xihe had instructed her to decline them all.
But today, after Mo Yuan mentioned Prince Ding, Biyu remembered.
"I will go," Shen Xihe nodded.
She would go and confront Xiao Changtai.
"This birthday banquet of the Fourth Prince is bound to be lively. I'd like to join in the fun as well," said Xiao Huayong, lying on his sickbed after seeing off the imperial physician. He rested his head on one hand, staring idly at the canopy above.
Tianyuan's legs went weak, and he knelt directly. "Your Highness, have mercy on your servant."
If this continued, he didn't know about others, but he would be the first to be worn to death by his master.
Xiao Huayong's eyes shifted, noticing Tianyuan's distressed expression. He turned on his side, propping his head up with one hand. "I won't go in person."Tianyuan no longer wore a bitter expression, but he still spoke with earnest concern: "Your Highness, why must you go?"
This time, Xiao Huayong had even calculated himself into the scheme, turning himself into a pawn to divert the trouble eastward and push Prince Ding into the spotlight. Now, everyone probably believed that Xiao Changtai, who usually appeared carefree and detached, was actually the most formidable one.
"Youyou is going," Xiao Huayong said with a slight curl of his lips, his gaze gentle.
A few days ago, he had received intelligence from the Tao family that Shen Xihe's childhood name was Youyou. "Youyou, the deer calls"—like a deer, lively and pure—it suited her perfectly.
Tianyuan resisted the urge to cry. His Highness, whenever it concerned the princess or matters related to her, acted as if possessed by a ghost.
"By exposing the fourth prince's ambition this time, Youyou is bound to misunderstand. If I don't go, she might mistakenly attribute Hua Fuhai's actions to the fourth prince in the future. What if the fourth prince notices and exploits that?" Xiao Huayong argued convincingly.
Tianyuan: ...
He really wanted to shake his master. If the princess were so easily fooled, would you still cherish her so much? Would you still need to be this cautious?
He admitted that Prince Ding was also a cunning old fox with centuries of cultivation, but when pitted against the princess, who would come out worse off was still uncertain!
His Highness was truly contradictory. When the princess was with him, he remained vigilant, never showing his tail.
Once she was out of sight, he thought her weak, innocent, and kind-hearted, believing that anyone could bully her.
What kind of logic was that?
"Your Highness, the position of the Court of State Ceremonial is now vacant. You should consider who to appoint," Tianyuan urged, hoping that focusing on official matters would keep his master from being obsessed with the princess and clouding his judgment with infatuation!
"When did I ever say I wanted to seize this position?" Xiao Huayong asked.
Tianyuan: !!!
Forgetting propriety, Tianyuan looked up and saw that Xiao Huayong didn't seem to be lying. Despair washed over him, and he made a last-ditch effort: "Your Highness, you clearly said to vacate the Court of State Ceremonial position so it could be used for your purposes..."
Xiao Huayong stated matter-of-factly: "I did not."
Tianyuan felt the world spinning. He had relayed those orders to his master's advisors and followers. Everyone had done their part and was waiting for rewards. If his master reneged, wouldn't he be the one to take the blame? Would they think he had falsely conveyed the decree?
Those hungry wolves would tear him apart!
"Hahahaha..." Successfully driving Tianyuan to despair, making him wish to hang himself with his belt, Xiao Huayong laughed heartily. "Alright, alright. The Court of State Ceremonial position isn't suitable for our people. Whoever takes it now will be suspected by His Majesty."
Tianyuan stared pitifully at Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong then asked, "Three days from now, at Prince Ding's birthday banquet, can I go or not?"
Tianyuan gave him a resentful look: "This subordinate will definitely guard the Eastern Palace well."
Xiao Huayong nodded in satisfaction. "Have them assist the Right Vice Minister of Rites in ascending to the Court of State Ceremonial. Then, promote the Doctor of the Ministry of Personnel to fill the Right Vice Minister position in Rites. Place our person in the Ministry of Personnel as a Doctor. Leverage favors to have the new Court of State Ceremonial promote one of our people into the Court as a Registrar."
His Majesty was currently in his prime; rising too early wasn't advantageous. These people were still young and impulsive; they needed to be tempered step by step. In seven or eight years, they would be ready for greater responsibilities.
Tianyuan was stunned. Was this even possible?
This way, how would His Majesty ever figure out who belonged to whom?
"Dismissed. Relay the message to them," Xiao Huayong waved his hand.
"Acknowledged."Tianyuan respectfully withdrew. Just as he stepped out of the palace hall, he heard Xiao Huayong's musing voice, as if speaking to himself: "The Grand Tutor's daughter is exceptionally tall. If I were to dress as a lady, would she grow closer to me?"
Tianyuan stumbled and nearly fell.
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