When Xiao Yinzi heard Zhao Hua's question, his face suddenly took on a secretive expression. He stepped closer and said in a low voice to Zhao Hua in the main hall:
"The Emperor has made a deal with Lord Dong's family. This can guarantee the safety of Imperial Consort Yun's mother's family and allow her to continue enjoying the glory of being one of the four consorts. The price is that Lord Dong must admit to something..."
He paused at the critical part, as if to emphasize how useful he, a eunuch, could be in obtaining information from the imperial court for Zhao Hua.
But Zhao Hua was not impressed and did not give him the slightest positive reaction. She coldly said:
"I dislike dealing with people who stutter. If you have something to say, say it all at once."
Xiao Yinzi was disappointed and respectfully continued:
"The Emperor made Lord Dong write a confession, stating that his act of occupying Jizhou and declaring himself king at the time was instigated by someone else."
Zhao Hua said: "Is this to pin the blame on the Ning family, to find a more justifiable reason for executing the Ning father and son back then?"
"No," Xiao Yinzi shook his head, his tone becoming increasingly chilling. "The Emperor made Lord Dong admit that all of this... was secretly instigated by Prince Rui."
"Prince Rui?" Zhao Hua was startled and quite shocked. "Prince Rui has been confined in the Imperial Clan Court for four years, and his family members, former subordinates, and students have all been executed. The Emperor is..."
Zhao Hua wanted to say more but stopped. Although she did not understand it, upon further reflection, she realized it made sense.
Xiao Jingheng was someone whose mind was more meticulous than a needlepoint or grain of rice. Shang Yang had once said that the world should have belonged to Prince Rui, but Xiao Jingheng killed his father, betrayed his ruler, colluded with officials, and falsified the imperial edict to 'steal' this prosperous land from Prince Rui.
Therefore, as long as Prince Rui was not eliminated, he would remain a thorn in Xiao Jingheng's side, a constant torment in his heart.
He had to completely exterminate Prince Rui's lineage before he could sit securely on the precarious dragon throne.
After a while, Zhao Hua regained her composure and asked Xiao Yinzi:
"When will action be taken?"
Xiao Yinzi said: "Today. Prince Jingyan has probably already gone to the Imperial Clan Court by now."
Upon hearing 'Prince Jingyan,' Zhao Hua's heart tightened, but she maintained her usual calm expression in front of Xiao Yinzi, only saying lightly:
"Prince Jingyan is the brother the Emperor trusts most. By letting him handle this matter, the Emperor can be at ease."
Xiao Yinzi agreed: "He is the brother the Emperor trusts most, and also the most well-behaved of the princes. A person like Prince Jingyan, who knows how to be a carefree prince, is truly blessed with great fortune."
Xiao Jingyan was indeed greatly fortunate. However, fortune and misfortune are interdependent. Until the very last moment, no one could say whether this great fortune would not turn into a blade piercing his vital points in the end.
After Xiao Yinzi left that day, Zhao Hua sat alone on the phoenix throne, lost in thought for a long while.
Xiao Fuzi even changed the hot tea in front of her twice, but she did not notice.
Xiao Fuzi rarely saw Zhao Hua so absentminded. After some hesitation, she asked softly:
"Your servant sees that Your Imperial Highness seems preoccupied. Did Xiao Yinzi say something to you earlier?"
Zhao Hua lowered her gaze, her brow slightly furrowed, and said: "The Emperor made Lord Dong's safety the condition in exchange for the Dong family admitting his act of occupying Jizhou and declaring himself king was instigated by Prince Rui. Now... he has sent my brother to the Imperial Clan Court to send Prince Rui on his way."
"He sent Prince Jingyan?" Xiao Fuzi was also extremely shocked. "For the Emperor to resolve the matter of Prince Rui, it would only require action from his secret operatives. Why make such an elaborate arrangement and have Prince Jingyan personally go?"
In Xiao Jingheng's eyes, Prince Rui's life could not be spared. But if he eliminated him silently, he would inevitably be criticized by the former officials.
Therefore, to eliminate Prince Rui, he needed a legitimate reason. Moreover, since Prince Rui was a prince, he could not be publicly executed to maintain the imperial family's dignity.
The most proper way would be to have another prince go to the Imperial Clan Court and personally send him on his way.
Xiao Jingyan naturally became the only choice for this task.
But the problem lay precisely in this.
Xiao Jingyan was the sixth prince, while Prince Rui was the fifth prince. The two brothers were close in age and had been the closest playmates when they were young.
Given Xiao Jingyan's character, to have him harm his own brother...
Zhao Hua was afraid he would not have the heart to take action, and might even create some trouble instead.
She shook her head repeatedly and sighed softly:
"We learned of this information too late. Now, even if we wanted to warn my brother, it is already too late. I can only hope my brother does not act foolishly. If he shows any pity for Prince Rui out of brotherly affection, then the great disaster that will befall him in the future... may well be him."
At the same time, in the Imperial Clan Court.
Xiao Jingyan arrived at the Imperial Clan Court in the afternoon.
Upon his arrival, Nalan Cuo, the warden of the Imperial Clan Court, was already waiting at the gate to welcome him.
Nalan Cuo was twelve years older than Xiao Jingyan, but because they were both lovers of painting, they had a close personal relationship.
Knowing that Xiao Jingyan would be coming that day, Nalan Cuo had prepared some premium pre-rain Longjing tea to serve him.
At this moment, they were sitting together in the main hall, and the tea they had brewed was neither too hot nor too cold, just the right temperature to drink.
Nalan Cuo laughed heartily and urged Xiao Jingyan to raise his cup:
"This tea was a gift from the Emperor. I have been reluctant to use it and was saving it until Your Royal Highness arrived, so that I could have the honor of drinking a pot with you. Your Highness, please try it and let me know how it tastes."
Xiao Jingyan took a sip and praised it profusely: "Anything gifted by the Emperor is sure to be of the highest quality."
Nalan Cuo said, "I have set some aside especially for Your Royal Highness. Although I know you have no shortage of such things, it is merely a token of my appreciation. A few days ago, I obtained an authentic work by Zhao Mengfu. I was planning to visit Your Highness's residence at my leisure to appreciate it together. Since an unexpected opportunity has arisen, I have already prepared fine wine and delicacies at my residence. After Your Highness has attended to the official matter today, please honor me with your presence for a drink."
Xiao Jingyan laughed heartily: "Nalan Ge's warm invitation is too kind for me to refuse."
After taking a few more sips of tea, he subtly changed the subject:
"Prince Rui has been under Nalan Ge's care in the Imperial Clan Court for these few years."
Nalan Cuo waved his hands repeatedly in denial. "Your Highness is too polite. In my early years, my father was punished. If not for Your Highness's intercession with the Former Emperor on my behalf, how could the Nalan family have attained such prosperity today?"
He sighed regretfully: "Alas... but now that the Emperor has issued an edict to send Prince Rui on his way, there is nothing we can do."
"Everyone has their destiny. The grave mistake committed by the Fifth Brother this time has led him to such a fate through his own actions."
Xiao Jingyan let out a short sigh and then stood up slowly, saying to Nalan Cuo:
"I should attend to the official matter now. Please lead the way, Nalan Ge."
