coobybook Chapter 282, Section 282: Clash
Chapter 282, Section 282: Clash
Chapter 282 Clash
After getting off the carriage, Chunyu Jing strode into the Prince of Nanping's residence, a faint smile on his face, looking extremely happy.
Ye Yingrou received the notification and waited outside the door early. When he approached, she gracefully bowed and followed Chunyu Jing into the house to help him change out of his court robes.
"Your Highness seems to be in a very good mood. Has something good happened?" Ye Yingrou asked with a smile.
Chunyu Jing glanced down at her and said, "This morning at court, Father bestowed upon Magistrate Feng the Imperial Sword, ordering him to thoroughly investigate Zhao Chengde's case. Magistrate Feng is an upright man and a protégé of Gongsun Zhan, so he will certainly examine this case rigorously. The Crown Prince is now unable to eat or sleep in peace, so how could I not be happy?"
Ye Yingrou smiled and said, "If we can strike a blow against that person and prevent him from ever regaining his power, that would be the best outcome."
"What I love about you is your innocent and naive appearance." Chunyu Jing pinched Ye Yingrou's cheek, a smile on his lips, but his eyes were icy cold. "You don't understand. In Father's eyes, the eldest son will always be the eldest son. No matter how useless he is, the throne will eventually be his."
"Is it possible that no one in the court objects to letting someone despised by the people inherit the throne?" Ye Yingrou asked softly. "This concerns the fate of the Great Xia Dynasty."
Just as Chunyu Jing was about to reply, someone outside announced, "Your Highness, the Left Prime Minister has arrived."
Gongsun Zhan actually came?
Chunyu Jing put his arm around Ye Yingrou's waist and pulled her towards him, his voice low and seductive: "Rou'er, the person you most want to get rid of has arrived. Would you like to come with me to see him?"
Ye Yingrou placed her hands on his chest and smiled, "Rou'er is now Your Highness's woman, so naturally I will obey Your Highness's orders."
Gongsun Zhan sat in the main hall of the Prince of Nanping's mansion, casually stirring the tea leaves in his teacup with the lid in his hand. His posture appeared very relaxed and at ease, but he inexplicably possessed an indescribable air of authority, making the servants of the Prince of Nanping's mansion dare not underestimate or neglect him in the slightest.
After an unknown amount of time, the tea leaves in the teacup had fully unfurled under the hot water, and Chunyu Jing, dressed in casual clothes, arrived late with Ye Yingrou.
"I never imagined that my Prince's mansion would one day welcome the Left Prime Minister. He is truly a rare guest."
Gongsun Zhan glanced meaningfully at Ye Yingrou behind Chunyu Jing, but instead of rising to greet Chunyu Jing, he casually put down his teacup and smiled:
"My status is special, and I don't want to cause any unnecessary trouble for Your Highness. It's best to keep a respectful distance from me in normal times."
"Oh?" Chunyu Jing tilted his head slightly, looking at Gongsun Zhan with a half-smile. "Since you were going to keep your distance, why did you come today?"
After saying this, without waiting for Gongsun Zhan's reply, Chunyu Jing continued, "Oh, I understand. My elder brother, the Crown Prince, is currently confined to the Eastern Palace and is about to lose Father's favor. Naturally, the Left Prime Minister must find a way out for himself. Am I right?"
Gongsun Zhan said, "How does Your Highness know that His Highness the Crown Prince will necessarily lose His Majesty's favor?"
Seeing his arrogant and confident demeanor, Chunyu Jing's guess was now clear.
Sure enough, despite the huge impact of Zhao Chengde's case, the deaths of so many innocent girls, and the fact that there was direct evidence pointing to the Crown Prince, the Emperor still chose to protect that good-for-nothing!
A surge of murderous intent welled up within him, and he wished he could summon assassins to kill Gongsun Zhan on the spot. However, Gongsun Zhan's identity was too special; if he were to die in his residence today, the news would likely reach the palace and inform the emperor in an instant.
Gripping the armrests beneath him and struggling to suppress his murderous intent, Chunyu Jing said coldly, "I have never doubted my father's trust in my elder brother, the Crown Prince. I was just a little surprised to see the Left Prime Minister visiting."
Gongsun Zhan smiled, picked up his teacup and was about to take a sip, but just as the rim touched his lips, he casually put it down.
"So, does Your Highness welcome this old man or not?"
"What are you saying, Prime Minister? You are a favorite of the Emperor. With such trust in you, how could I not welcome you?" Chunyu Jing smiled, making him look exceptionally handsome. "I just wonder what brings you here today? Perhaps you've come to cultivate a relationship with me?"
"I've come here regarding the Zhao Chengde case," Gongsun Zhan said calmly, not keeping anyone in suspense. "I heard that yesterday, during the trial of Zhao Chengde's case in Shuntian Prefecture, a young woman named Zheng Yan submitted particularly crucial evidence. Is that young woman currently at the Prince's residence?"
Chunyu Jing raised an eyebrow: "I was worried that she would be silenced if she stayed in Shuntian Prefecture, so I brought her back to the palace for protection. Is there something wrong with that?"
Gongsun Zhan said, "Of course there's nothing wrong with it; on the contrary, it's done very well. Regardless of whether the evidence that the girl presented is true or not, as long as the person behind the scenes believes that the evidence is true, they will definitely take her life. Compared to Shuntian Prefecture, Nanping Prince's Mansion is naturally safer."
"Is that so?" Chunyu Jing asked with a smile.
"However, I believe there is a safer place than the Prince of Nanping's residence."
"Oh?" Chunyu Jing asked, "Where?"
"Gongsun Mansion".
A glint of light flashed in Chunyu Jing's eyes as he asked, "Why the Gongsun family? Please enlighten me, Prime Minister."
"The Zhao Chengde case involves many officials in the court, and His Highness the Crown Prince may also be involved, which Your Highness is probably already aware of. Now that the Crown Prince is under house arrest in the Eastern Palace because of the river embankment in the three prefectures and the construction of the Qionglin Garden, this case is undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire for the Eastern Palace. As the Prince of Nanping, Your Highness should avoid suspicion. Keeping such a key person by your side will only arouse a lot of suspicion."
Chunyu Jing had guessed his purpose as soon as he opened his mouth. After listening, he pretended to think for a while, his brows furrowed, looking as if he was very troubled.
“What the Left Prime Minister said makes perfect sense. I was so focused on not letting this witness be silenced that I forgot about this connection. Very well, in that case, I will hand this person over to the Left Prime Minister and let the Gongsun family protect him.”
After saying that, Chunyu Jing looked up at Ye Yingrou and said in a very gentle tone, "Rou'er, go and bring that woman to the main hall."
"Yes." Ye Yingrou curtsied knowingly, then turned and left.
Gongsun Zhan's gaze followed her until her figure disappeared from sight, then he said meaningfully to Chunyu Jing:
"I heard that a few days ago, a major incident occurred at the Marquis of Anshi's residence during the celebration of Ye Yanxun's victory in the autumn imperial examination. My grandson and granddaughter were nearly killed in the lotus pond of the Marquis's residence by some wild girl of unknown origin. I wonder if Your Highness is aware of this matter?"