Mrs. Zhang smiled faintly, her gaze directed towards Mrs. Du, the third wife.
Whether or not Fu Zhen is physically weak, no one else knows, but she and Mrs. Du certainly do. If she were a bit stronger, last ti at the Prince Manor, she probably wouldn’t have needed her father-in-law to step in; she could have handled tearing down the gate herself!
Indeed, recalling this incident is frustrating, but the Pei couple, Mrs. Zhang still needs to maintain ties with them. After all, aside from their status and power, it’s hard to find another pair who could cooperate so well with her to so swiftly deal with Yongping.
But today wasn’t the right ti to discuss these matters, so Mrs. Zhang sat for a while and then took the opportunity to leave when a servant ca to report an issue.
The Prince Manor hosted a banquet, and for the high-ranking officials like the Five Great General Mansions, separate tables were naturally arranged.
However, neither Fu Zhen nor Su Xinger planned to stay. After so casual conversation, it turned out that none of them intended to attend the banquet, so they all mutually invited each other to dine at Wanbin Building.
Among them, Cheng Chili’s mother, Mrs. Cheng, and Du Mingqian’s mother, Mrs. Du, were the oldest. There was no reason to take advantage of the younger ones, and they refused to let Fu Zhen treat them. The two decided to host together, and after sorting it out, they all got up and left the manor.
Guests ca and went in a continuous stream at the Prince Manor, but who could ever know the undercurrents hidden within?
Xu Yin was caught up in conversation with a few young officials under his command, and only after quite so ti was he able to extricate himself.
By the ti he erged, Lian Rong had been pacing under the shade of a tree for quite a while.
Xu Yin beckoned with a wave as they walked towards the Xu family ho: "What’s the situation?"
"The Crown Prince has returned to the palace!"
Xu Yin quickly glanced at him: "Did it succeed?"
Lian Rong nodded deeply: "The necessary ssages have been confird to reach the ears of those close to the Crown Prince. His Highness also returned to the palace without even touching the lunch prepared by the Princely Heir."
"Didn’t he leave anyone behind?"
"No."
Lian Rong shook his head. A trace of worry appeared on his face: "Though your actions were cautious, there’s no guarantee they will take imdiate effect. Half the day has already passed, and when the Prince starts asking questions..."
"Isn’t there still half a day left?" Xu Yin paused at the entrance of the house, frowning slightly, appearing sowhat displeased, "Why are you more anxious than him?"
Lian Rong quickly lowered his eyes: "I just felt perhaps we should reveal to the Prince that the fan is in Pei Zhan’s hands. That way, the Prince would naturally keep an eye on Pei Zhan, and you’d be relieved of the imdiate urgency."
"I’ve said that’s not a good idea." Xu Yin took a deep breath, "Why do I feel like you’re hoping for a confrontation between the Prince Rong’s Mansion and the Pei family? How does that benefit my plan?"
Lian Rong looked up: "The Pei family, being longti ritorious officials, will inevitably beco an obstacle to your advancent."
"Do I need that? I’m not at war with them; their status doesn’t hinder in any way."
Xu Yin stepped through the Ruyi Gate, leaving Lian Rong behind while signaling for a guard to enter.
Lian Rong stood at the gate, lips pressed into a tight line.
The guard, entered upon hearing, stood before him, silently pointing to the courtyard.
Lian Rong waved his hand, and only then did they nod and step inside.
...
The Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace and soon summoned several guards through Jin Bao.
"Investigate thoroughly where each person in the Prince Manor was and what they were doing the night Princess Rong died."
After sending the guards off, he picked up an inkstone from the table and toyed with it for a bit, then called Jin Bao back in.
"I recall people outside saying that the Prince Rong’s Mansion is very satisfied with Xu Yin as a son-in-law and has been very supportive, with relations remaining harmonious over the years?"
Jin Bao nodded: "Indeed."
The Crown Prince set the inkstone down: "The eunuch overseeing Yongping under the order at the Xu family, do you know him?"
Jin Bao replied: "I know him, his na is Tian Fu, from the Clan Office."
"Find him and ask him about the actual relationship between the Xu family and the Prince Rong’s Mansion. If he dares to lie, have him co see ."
"Understood."
Everyone had been dispatched.
The Crown Prince then began pacing within the hall.
After a while, he stepped out to Kunning Palace.
Just as he reached the entrance, he heard the Empress’s voice from inside:
"Scholar Shen is a learned man; listening to his lectures wouldn’t go amiss. I’ve also t Miss Shen, who is refined and knowledgeable, especially ticulous. I think she’s quite a match for you."
"Your son will follow the Empress’s wishes."
"There’s no need to heed entirely; for a lifeti together, it must be based on mutual consent.—Co on, the sun is setting, accompany to see your father the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince quickly stepped forward and signaled the chamberlain to announce his arrival.
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