Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Prince Rui and King Qi's misuse of personal justice towards the Crown Prince resulted in the Crown Prince being severely injured.

Lu Fengyin ordered Lu Zhaoyan to return to the Crown Prince Mansion to recuperate and only return to the Ministry of Justice for investigation once out of danger.

This was in accordance with the rules and the law, and the officials had no objections.

"I am not seriously injured."

Lu Zhaoyan clutched his collar, adamantly refusing to let Liu Qingyun examine his injuries.

Liu Qingyun swiftly pushed him onto the bed and tore his clothes apart with quick movements.

When the house physician entered with the soup medicine, he immediately saw the frail Crown Prince lying under the imposing and domineering lady, his clothes shredded...

The scene was as shocking as one could imagine.

"I... I walked into the wrong place... Madam, please continue..."

Whatever happens, don't dampen the lady's spirit.

Everyone left and even covered their eyes as they retreated a few steps: "Your Highness is injured, I hope Madam exercises some restraint."

… Just don't end up dead.

Lu Zhaoyan: "..."

Liu Qingyun: "..."

-

After leaving the National Master Hall, Prince Jin did not as he said head towards the Ministry of Rites but instead went to the General Mansion.

"Your Highness."

In the study, Hu Lie bowed to him.

Prince Jin quickly supported his hands: "Uncle, there are no outsiders here, no need for formalities!"

Hu Lie nodded and pointed to the Taishi Chair: "Your Highness, please take a seat."

After Prince Jin sat down, Hu Lie sat beside him.

Prince Jin's expression was very grave: "Uncle, you must have heard about what happened during the day?"

Hu Lie nodded: "The Eldest Princess led troops into the city, it was quite a commotion."

Prince Jin said in a worried manner: "Third Brother is dead, Fourth Brother is missing, and now even Qi'er..."

At the National Master Hall, he did not discuss the whereabouts of Lu Qi with Gongsun Yanming, just as Gongsun Yanming did not mention Gongsun Yu's whereabouts to him.

It's not that he doesn't trust Gongsun Yanming; they're in the same boat, dependent on one another for life and death, there's nothing to hide.

It's just that the marriage between Lu Qi and Gongsun Liuying caused quite a stir, with rumors of Gongsun Liuying eloping to marry the Imperial Grandson spreading thickly.

He harbors some resentment.

Mentioning Lu Qi will inevitably lead to mentioning Gongsun Liuying.

He really doesn't want to bring it up.

Hu Lie pondered: "The Commandery Prince... might have already fallen into the hands of the Eldest Princess."

Prince Jin's expression changed slightly.

Hu Lie continued: "Has the Eldest Princess threatened Your Highness?"

Prince Jin shook his head: "No, just gave me a few warnings."

Hu Lie said dangerously: "Killing Prince Rui, forcing King Qi to leave, it's not just a simple warning, our Eldest Princess has developed quite an ambition."

Prince Jin asked: "Uncle, what should I do now? Qi'er is, after all, my only son, I don't want anything to happen to him."

This time, he was sincere.

After all, who wishes to have no descendants?

Moreover, it is not beneficial for his own ascension to the throne.

"Let's wait and see."

Hu Lie said, "For now, there's no need to send many people over to King Qi's, but we can't ignore it either, otherwise it would appear that Your Majesty, as the elder brother, does not care about family ties."

Prince Jin nodded: "Uncle is absolutely right."

Hu Lie continued: "In addition, the funeral for Prince Rui must not be neglected."

Prince Jin hesitated: "Father... 'his fate is uncertain', if we grandly handle Third Brother's funeral, wouldn't it... lack filial piety?"

Hu Lie said: "Courtesy cannot be discarded, moreover, filial piety is one thing, brotherly love and harmony between siblings is also a virtue. The public support that Your Highness lost to the Eldest Princess can be regained through this."

Prince Jin was suddenly enlightened: "I understand now, I will go to the Ministry of Rites shortly to carefully discuss the arrangements for Third Brother's funeral."

Hu Lie added: "Lastly, this Eldest Princess seems quite peculiar."

Prince Jin shared this sentiment: "Uncle, when you fought alongside her on the battlefield back in the day, was she someone both courageous and scheming, and adept at concealing her true capacity?"

Hu Lie recalled: "When defending Yu Zhou City, she did contribute a good strategy, repelling the enemy's three assaults. Most of the time, she stayed by the former emperor's and your father's side, picking up quite a few military achievements under their protection. But to say it was all handed to her wouldn't be entirely correct either."

"Battlefield situations change instantly, without some real skill, she couldn't have survived. Though she's not so cunning to the point of manipulating you and the two princes at her whim."

Prince Jin frowned: "So what exactly is happening in the fief?"

As they spoke, a Hidden Guard slipped in, kneeling on one knee before Hu Lie.

Hu Lie said: "Speak."

The Hidden Guard said: "Yes, Your Highness, I discovered a concubine named Zhu Huan beside the Eldest Princess. He entered the Princess Mansion about a month ago, being an orphan with a mute sister. After being taken to the Princess Mansion by the Eldest Princess, this Zhu Huan completely captured the princess's heart, even granting his mute sister the treatment of a high-born lady. This time returning to the city, the princess brought Zhu Huan with her."

Prince Jin asked in surprise: "Uncle, could the expert behind the Eldest Princess be this concubine named Zhu Huan?"

A glint of coldness appeared in Hu Lie's eyes: "If it's he causing trouble behind the scenes, we'll find out soon enough! Go capture this Zhu Huan!"

Prince Jin hesitated: "Uncle, but he belongs to the Eldest Princess—just capturing him like that—"

Hu Lie said sombrely: "Prince Rui was a Prince, yet she says he must die, and he dies. She wants to subdue Your Highness, intimidate the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion and the General Mansion with iron and blood tactics. We cannot allow her wishes to be fulfilled!"

Hu Lie was someone extremely resolute in temperament.

In terms of ruthlessness, he has never lost!

-

Kunning Palace.

The Empress was lulled into a sound sleep under Meng Qianqian's reassurance.

She genuinely entered the realm of dreams.

Meng Qianqian glanced subtly at the incense burner on the cabinet. This Calming Incense was specially made from Witch Mountain's herbs, ensuring the Empress a night's sleep until dawn.

Her mind flashed to the conversation she just had with the Empress.

"Fengyin, you and I are one family, you grew up under my watch, in my heart, you are no different from my own daughter, whatever you wish to ask, feel free."

The Empress's tone was gentle, her eyes sincere, inevitably reminiscent of an elder sister who is like a mother.

Meng Qianqian paused several times under her icy human skin mask, holding back words.

The Empress got a bit anxious: "Has something major occurred?"

Meng Qianqian said: "Sister-in-law, King Qi killed Prince Rui and absconded."

The Empress's expression changed dramatically: "How could this happen..."

Meng Qianqian continued: "Fengyin also finds it strange, I'm wondering if someone used Gu on King Qi, causing him to lose reason and mistakenly kill Prince Rui. I have no evidence and dare not make rash conclusions before the civil and military officials. I'm thinking, since King Qi was raised under your care, in case..."

The Empress understood, she helplessly closed her eyes: "In case he contacts me, I will let you know."

Meng Qianqian remarked solemnly: "Sister-in-law, you act with righteous principles!"

The Empress said: "Is that all you wanted to ask?"

Meng Qianqian replied: "There is one other thing, do you know if there's a hiding place in the Cold Palace?"

The Empress's eyes flickered slightly.