Chapter 684 - 503: High Profile (Part 2)

Some matters require stepping outside the rigid confines of conventional thinking, looking down from above, to comprehend their true nature.

The Crown Prince, the heir to the throne, as long as his actions conform to etiquette and rules, no one can fault him.

The current concern is merely whether the news of the "Emperor’s stroke" is false; if the Crown Prince were to return to the capital without authorization, the consequences would be severe.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince are not only father and son but also rivals.

The Emperor has not had his fill of ruling; how could he be willing to give up his position, even if it is to his own son?

"But if His Majesty’s stroke is not genuine, the Crown Prince will be in a passive position!" Su Mobai still advised.

After all, this is possible. If someone were to manipulate information and give the Crown Prince false news.

"Passive, why passive?"

"Mr. Lin, you may not be aware, but the Crown Prince is on a mission out of the capital. Without an imperial decree, he cannot return at will; this is the rule. If His Majesty’s stroke were genuine, the Crown Prince’s return to the capital wouldn’t be a big issue, but if not, and the Emperor suspects the Crown Prince of ulterior motives, then it’s troublesome."

"Even if he’s gone out of the capital on official business, he should have personal freedom. Besides, the Crown Prince returned to the capital upon receiving news of His Majesty’s stroke. Even if the news is incorrect, as long as the Crown Prince doesn’t secretly return, the Emperor won’t suspect!"

"Mr. Lin, you mean as long as the Crown Prince doesn’t hide his whereabouts when returning, it shows he has no ulterior motives, and even if the news is wrong, the Emperor naturally won’t suspect?"

"Yes." Lin Miao nodded.

At this moment, returning secretly is not a good strategy; only by letting everyone in and outside the court know the Crown Prince is urgently returning to the capital upon hearing of His Majesty’s stroke can he fulfill his filial duty.

If he returns secretly, it gives the opposition an opportunity. The Crown Prince has held his position for twenty years; a secret return would be problematic.

If someone acts deviously, placing King Qi in the position of regent, reversing the situation later would be difficult.

However, if the Crown Prince returns openly, any attempt to elevate King Qi would be considered "treason."

Who would dare publicly support King Qi as regent at this time?

"The Crown Prince is merely concerned about the safety of his return to the capital." Lin Miao continued, "After this assassination attempt, the opposition has exposed much, and the Crown Prince can definitely take a battalion of Yulin Guard. Additionally, he can recruit some skilled swordsmen; of course, precautions against infiltrators are necessary. Therefore, with the Yulin Guard as the core, swordsmen on the periphery, ensure the Crown Prince’s protection back to the capital."

"But the opposition has two masters of the Tian Yuan level. If they act again, this time, the Crown Prince would have only Mr. Qin by his side!"

"Let Master Fahai accompany the Crown Prince once more. Additionally, I can request the esteemed elder Helian Wanwan from the Snow Mountain Sect to accompany him; she recently advanced to the Tian Yuan level." Lin Miao suggested.

"That would solve the problem, but Master Fahai isn’t easy to invite."

"I’ll go; Master Fahai and I have a decent relationship. If I request him, it shouldn’t be an issue." Lin Miao assured, "Additionally, the Crown Prince can request the Su Family to send some experts; I’m sure the Su Family would be willing."

"Very well, let’s follow Mr. Lin’s arrangements." Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze nodded; at this moment, he couldn’t hesitate any longer.

"Presumably, many of the Crown Prince’s guards are injured and should remain to recuperate. I suggest Mr. Zhuo accompany the Crown Prince back to the capital."

"With Mr. Zhuo accompanying, I naturally trust him." Zhao Yuanze glanced at Pei Jian, "Mr. Pei shouldn’t have any objections."

"How dare I have any objections."

"Then it’s settled; return to the capital as soon as possible." Zhao Yuanze instructed.

"Your Highness, you might consider taking someone with you. He might encounter some trouble staying in Dongshan." Pei Jian advised.

"Who?"

"Cui Xiang from the Ministry of Justice."

"Isn’t this Cui Xiang associated with Consort Xue?" Zhao Yuanze inquired.

"Yes, this Cui Xiang has been opposing us, constantly causing trouble behind the scenes. Besides meddling in the Xue Family Manor and the Marquis Lingyang’s case, he’s also secretly disrupting the anti-epidemic efforts in Dongshan. Keeping such a person there is like a mouse spoilng the soup." Pei Jian explained.

"Alright, let’s follow Mr. Pei’s suggestion." Zhao Yuanze agreed without a second thought.

Lin Miao, however, intervened, "Your Highness, this is inappropriate."

"Mr. Lin, why so?"

"Cui Xiang is the assistant arranged by His Majesty for Mr. Su; if you forcibly take him away, His Majesty might suspect even more, so better let him stay." Lin Miao explained.

This reason was too tenuous.

Even Zhao Yuanze sensed the explanation was too perfunctory.

But Zhao Yuanze couldn’t ignore Lin Miao’s advice; bringing someone back to the capital was merely a word for him.

"Mr. Lin..."

"Mr. Pei, isn’t Mr. Cui infected with the ’measles epidemic’? Suggesting the Crown Prince take him back to the capital at this time is very dangerous."

"Cui Xiang is indeed infected with measles, right? Infected with the measles, my goodness, how did I forget this matter?" Pei Jian immediately understood Lin Miao’s intentions from his gaze.

Mr. Lin is quite ruthless.

This is to have Cui Xiang die directly in Dongshan.

Once he dies, the "measles" provides the perfect excuse; victims of the measles must be cremated immediately, leaving no evidence.

Once dead and turned to ashes, where’s the evidence?

Everyone present was a veteran and could easily read between the lines, just choosing not to speak openly.

Cui Xiang’s fate was essentially sealed with these few words.

Since the opposition made such a ruthless move, the Crown Prince’s side shouldn’t be constrained by rules or soft-hearted anymore.

In addition to cleaning house of disloyal members, eliminating the opposition is necessary, or else the Crown Prince wouldn’t be taken seriously.

All this, yet still dare not resist, kill to establish authority; who would still be willing to follow and support such a Crown Prince?

"Your Highness, allow me to handle this matter, ensuring neither Cui Xiang nor anyone he brought returns to the capital." Pei Jian pledged.

"Hmm, can Ye Shengyuan’s mouth be pried open?"

"Ye Shengyuan took the blame alone partly because he couldn’t escape death himself, but his family, involved in smuggling with Beihu, is surely doomed, yet the Ye Clan can survive, at least live on. But if implicated in the assassination of the Crown Prince, in treason, the Ye Clan wouldn’t survive. If he remains stubbornly silent, he’d be dooming his clan!" Pei Jian elaborated, "With Cui Xiang in the way, obtaining Ye Shengyuan’s confession against Marquis Lingyang was hard, but now it’s much easier."

"Mr. Pei, I heard Marquis Lingyang’s wife was intimately involved with Ye Shengyuan and even bore him a son. Is that true?"

"Mr. Lin also knows this secret?"

"Such a thing, Marquis Lingyang cuckolded by someone like Ye Shengyuan?" Su Mobai exclaimed; though an Imperial Envoy, much of what he knew came from dossiers devoid of unwritten details.

"This child is still in infancy, thus wasn’t imprisoned with Marquis Lingyang’s wife, and is being cared for by an arranged household."

"Cui Xiang is unaware, correct?"

"He should be unaware; those who know such things wouldn’t tell him, and neither would Marquis Lingyang’s wife or Ye Shengyuan." Pei Jian affirmed.

"Then we should let Cui Xiang become aware of this matter, and allow him the opportunity to report it to Marquis Lingyang."

"Mr. Lin’s intentions are truly cutting to the quick!" Su Mobai shivered as he spoke, this Lin Miao, truly a Physician, appeared more experienced and ruthless than him after decades in the officialdom!

"Mr. Su, you’re too kind; I’m merely acting in self-defense." Lin Miao smiled modestly.

"Self-defense?"

"Mr. Su may not be aware, Mr. Lin has had some grudges with both the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion and the Ye Family, nearly escalating to a life-and-death feud." Pei Jian hastened to explain.

"I see!"