Nalan Cuo's words stopped there, as he did not go into many details when explaining to Xiao Jingheng.
But people from the secret service had already given Xiao Jingheng a detailed account earlier,
including every word Prince Rui had shouted about not wanting to die before his death, which reached Xiao Jingheng's ears verbatim.
Xiao Jingheng knew of the friendship between Xiao Jingyan and Prince Rui, so he was shocked for a long time after learning that Xiao Jingyan had personally killed Prince Rui.
However, after hearing Nalan Cuo's account, he was almost certain that Prince Rui had committed suicide,
but if it was suicide, then who was the audience for the "mutually destructive" spectacle between the two of them?
In other words,
if Xiao Jingyan was truly innocent, why would he cooperate with Prince Rui to stage such a performance?
People are motivated by self-interest,
and the deeper Xiao Jingheng pondered, the more he felt that something was amiss about this matter.
As he deliberated, he kept caressing the jade ring on his thumb, his brows gradually darkening with an increasingly somber expression.
After a long while, he finally snorted coldly:
"We have imprisoned Xiao Jingran in the Imperial Clan Residence, yet Prince An has secretly instructed you to take good care of him? Ha, he is quite considerate towards a mere criminal."
Nalan Cuo hurriedly said, "Perhaps it is not consideration. In my humble opinion, Prince An values the bond between brothers deeply, treating Your Majesty as such, and Prince Rui likewise. Thus, he entrusted me to look after Prince Rui."
Xiao Jingheng said coldly, "Then the spectacle of them turning against each other that you witnessed yesterday, whose brotherly bond was Prince An upholding?"
Nalan Cuo could not answer this,
and could only stand below the hall with his head lowered in trepidation.
Until he heard Xiao Jingheng's sigh,
"As my brothers grow older, I find it increasingly difficult to understand what they are truly thinking."
Seizing the opportunity, he hurriedly said:
"Does Your Majesty harbor doubts about Prince An?"
Xiao Jingheng said, "Among royal brothers, there are too many potential conflicts of interest. When our late father was alive, Prince Yangwang rebelled - in that battle, how many commoners in the capital lost their lives? The rivers of blood from that day are still vivid in my mind."
Upon hearing this, sensing the timing was right, Nalan Cuo hurriedly voiced the thoughts he had long harbored:
"If Your Majesty has concerns about Prince An, you could perhaps place your own people around him. Not only would this allow you to monitor the activities of Prince An's residence, but also serve as a check on Prince An himself."
"My own people?" Xiao Jingheng raised his voice. "Who do you have in mind?"
"Prince An is already twenty-four, well past the age for marriage. With the selection of consorts imminent, Your Majesty could choose one of the candidates and betroth her to Prince An, making it an official arrangement."
After saying this, Nalan Cuo suddenly stepped back and bowed deeply to Xiao Jingheng,
"If Your Majesty requires it, this humble servant can have his daughter enter Prince An's residence to serve Your Majesty's interests."
"Oh?"
Hearing these words, Xiao Jingheng's gaze shifted, scrutinizing Nalan Cuo with a hint of doubt and darkness,
"Others hope for their daughters to be selected and serve in the palace, benefiting their families. Yet you are willing to send your daughter to a prince's residence, solely to act as my spy?"
He smiled meaningfully, then lowered his voice in a probing tone,
"Lord Nalan, I recall that you dote on your only daughter above all else."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he saw Nalan Cuo suddenly kneel on the ground, kowtowing towards the dragon throne:
"This humble servant loves his daughter, but loves his country and loyalty to Your Majesty more. My father was punished by the court, and during our late lord's reign, I was merely a minor official in the Imperial Clan Residence. Without Your Majesty's support, how could I have attained my current position as Minister of Rites? My entire Nalan clan owes Your Majesty's patronage and protection. If I now have the opportunity to repay this imperial grace, it is a blessing for me, my daughter, and the entire Nalan clan!"
At the Feng Luan Palace.
A few days ago, it had rained twice, and Chenghuo had caught a chill, exhibiting symptoms of diarrhea today.
The sick child was very fussy, so Zhao Hua could not leave his side,
only able to take a brief respite after the little one finally fell asleep in the late night.
Caring for a child is an arduous task, leaving Zhao Hua with an aching back and feeling utterly drained.
After washing up, she had intended to rest early.
However, at this moment, Xiaofuzi arrived with news from the palace.
"Your Ladyship, a messenger just delivered a note."
At the time, Zhao Hua was reclining on a side-couch, her right hand supporting her head as she rested her eyes with a weary expression.
Hearing Xiaofuzi's words, she did not open her eyes, merely uttering a single word indifferently,
"Speak."
Xiaofuzi said, "Nalan Cuo told His Majesty that Prince Rui likely committed suicide, but deliberately staged it to appear as if Prince An had killed him. This act was perhaps intended to deepen His Majesty's trust in Prince An, causing His Majesty to doubt Prince An's motives, saying that if Prince An was truly innocent, he would have no need for such deception..."
Halfway through, Zhao Hua suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze sharpening with gravity.
Xiaofuzi continued, "Afterwards, Nalan Cuo suggested to His Majesty that he could betroth one of the palace ladies selected for the harem to Prince An. In other words, have his daughter become His Majesty's informant within Prince An's residence, monitoring all activities there..."
Zhao Hua expressed disgust, "Sending his own daughter to be a spy? Is Nalan Cuo not renowned for doting on his daughter? Yet he would agree to this?"
"Perhaps this is his way of showing love for his daughter?" Xiaofuzi speculated. "Entering the palace to vie for the Emperor's affections among the consorts is no guarantee of success. But by avoiding the palace and instead becoming His Majesty's informant, she could be of use to His Majesty and bring glory to the Nalan clan. Moreover, Prince An is renowned for his charm and has countless admirers in the capital - marrying him would hardly be a bad outcome..."
Zhao Hua was well aware of how many influential families in the capital hoped their daughters could marry Xiao Jingyan, as his sister.
However, she also understood her brother's true feelings.
Her brother was the epitome of a dual nature -
outwardly a philanderer, yet at his core, he was more devoted than anyone else.
His entire heart was devoted to Rongyue, leaving no room for others.
But if Xiao Jingheng truly issued an imperial decree to betroth a woman to Xiao Jingyan,
forcing someone into his life even if their coexistence was peaceful,
would still be utterly vexing.
Zhao Hua fell silent for a moment, then said:
"I recall my brother once mentioning that he was on good terms with Nalan Cuo. Yet now, regardless of whether Nalan Cuo aims to flatter the Emperor or truly cares for his daughter, he should not wrong someone who genuinely values him. My brother has a kind heart, but I will not allow anyone to take advantage of those I care about."
The corners of her ravishing lips curved into a sinister smile as she mocked:
"Nalan Cuo wants his daughter to marry my brother? Ha, he dreams too sweetly. I shall ensure his daughter is selected for the palace, to become the Emperor's bedmate. Let him know that his selfish schemes stand no chance before me."
With that, she beckoned Xiaofuzi closer and whispered instructions in his ear:
"Go handle a task for me."
