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With a cold face, Ye QingHuan placed a stack of secret reports in front of Jing-wang.
Ye-shizi was usually the friendly cordial. To place down the secret reports with this kind of gloomy expression, it made Li Yu, who was swimming back and forth inside the fish tank, stop what he was doing and fear that if he were distracted for even one second, he'd miss the news.
After the national banquet, the Emperor had Ye QingHuan and his father, ChengEn Gong, remain behind. Ye QingHuan was very cautious and controlled at the banquet; he himself didn't believe he stood out at all. Yet in the end, he was still chosen by the Emperor to marry the JinJue Princess. He can't help but admit, the originally unbelievable words in that letter were now, little by little, verifying their truthfulness through reality.
The Emperor wanted to have Ye QingHuan marry the princess, however, he still wanted to ask ChengEn Gong for his opinion. However, the political marriage counted as a state matter. Ye QingHuan was very clear that his father, ChengEn Gong, was extremely devoted to the Emperor and definitely wouldn't say anything in opposition.
Therefore, his marriage was settled down just like this. However, Ye QingHuan wasn't actually worried about married life. The letter had said, the 2nd Prince will frame him for killing the JinJue Princess. Clearly this Princess was going to suffer as well. Ye QingHuan decided that he won't let the 2nd Prince prevail. As for whether the JinJue Princess would remain willing to accept this marriage after the 2nd Prince was dealt with, he would have to see as they go.
Ever since he received the letter, he started watching the 2nd prince closely, as well as the 6th prince who was also mentioned in the letter.
The 2nd Prince had an estate outside of the Imperial Palace. Ever since Ye QingHuan's marriage was arranged by the Emperor, many of Mu TianZhao's subordinates started entering and exiting that place more frequently.
The 2nd Prince was definitely planning something.
With Jing-wang's occasional warnings, Ye QingHuan started to not only believe the content of the letter, but also treated it as reality. The closer it corresponded to reality, the more he became prepared. Very quickly, his people figured out the 2nd Prince's plans.
On the day Ye QingHuan and the JinJue Princess enter the Imperial Palace to thank the Emperor for this marriage edict, the 2nd Prince planned to trick the JinJue Princess into YanYu Pavilion and kill her. Then, he planned to trick Ye QingHuan over to take the blame. As soon as Ye QingHuan stepped into YanYu Pavilion, he would find his fiancee's dead body with his own sword pierced through her chest–
The 2nd Prince planned to have someone steal this sword from the ChengEn Palace Estate ahead of time and use it as hard evidence to prove that Ye-shizi had killed the princess.
At the same time, the 2nd Prince would lead a group of imperial guards and rush into YanYu Pavilion to 'take down' Ye-shizi at the scene of the crime. 'Caught in the act', Ye QingHuan would be unable to explain himself.
The 2nd Prince's plans to frame Ye QingHuan for destroying the marriage alliance and killing the princess matched up to a large portion of the content in the letter. However, there were things that didn't match up. The letter said that the 6th Prince also did something in the middle and wanted Ye-shizi to avoid trusting the 6th Prince easily.
Yet Ye QingHuan only managed to find information regarding the 2nd Prince; the 6th Prince didn't have any activity at all. In comparison to the 2nd Prince who loved to put on a performance all the time, as well as the 3rd Prince who practically wanted to fight with the 2nd Prince every single moment of the day, this 6th Prince was basically transparent. Even at such an important occasion as the national banquet, the 6th Prince didn't even attempt to look good in front of the Emperor. Ye QingHuan was even somewhat suspecting that maybe there was a mistake in the letter.
After all, seeing all of the misspelled words in the letter, it was already a miracle that Ye QingHuan had the patience to finish reading the entirety of the letter and understand everything.
However since the 6th Prince didn't do anything like the letter had mentioned, they couldn't figure out who the 6th Prince planned to harm. After some discussion, Jing-wang and Ye QingHuan decided to still have people watch the 6th Prince closely.
In addition, they also discovered that the 2nd Prince had secretly prepared arsenic, clearly planning to poison someone. Yet at the moment, they weren't clear who this person planned to poison. In any case, it was definitely not to poison the JinJue Princess, because the JinJue Princess must be killed by the sword of the heir of ChengEn Palace Estate for his scheme to work. The poison would be superfluous.
After Ye QingHuan made the corresponding arrangements over here, the Emperor's imperial edict for the marriage very quickly arrived on the same day as the Dragon Boat Festival. Also very quickly, Ye QingHuan needed to enter the Palace to give thanks.
On Jing-wang's side, he promised to enter the palace together with Ye-shizi. When it was the day to give thanks, Jing-wang got up early and put on some light and convenient clothes. On his head, he wore an ink black hair crown. Outside, he casually wore a blue-ish silver royal robe.
Normally when people entered the Imperial Palace, they were not allowed to carry swords.
However, as a Prince, Jing-wang not only carried a sword on his waist, he also calmly stuffed a dagger into his cloud-printed boot, looking very much like he was about to fight to the death with the 2nd Prince.
Li Yu swam back and forth anxiously inside the fish tank. He also wanted to follow. Now that Jing-wang hadn't gotten together with the little pampered wife, the premise of ChengEn Palace Estate aiding the 3rd Prince was moot. Would the 2nd Prince and the 6th Prince still act according to the original novel? Li Yu really wasn't sure at all. Not to mention, what if there were some details that he didn't notice while reading the book?
For example, Li Yu couldn't remember at all the name of the royal princess that died because of the 6th Prince. In the original novel, it was only mentioned in a passing sentence; she didn't even count as a cannon fodder. Therefore, he could only simply warn Ye QingHuan to pay attention to the 6th Prince. He believed that with Ye-shizi and Jing-wang's combined force, they'd definitely be able to stop the 6th Prince promptly if he really planned something.
Li Yu only wanted to stay by Jing-wang's side to obtain first hand information just in case.
Originally, he thought Jing-wang would bring him. Yet Jing-wang never took out the crystal bottle.
Without the crystal bottle, it meant that Jing-wang wouldn't be bringing him. If he couldn't enter the palace together with Jing-wang, he definitely couldn't enter by himself as a fish.
Li Yu waved his tail and jumped out from the crystal fish tank into a teacup. After jumping several times, he wanted to jump into the crystal bottle that was placed horizontally on the table.
However, this bottle was polished very smoothly. The completely wet little carp just pounced over; he couldn't even steady himself, before he started sliding off the bottle, almost falling to the floor head first.
Keen eyed and swift reflexes, Jing-wang grabbed the fish and placed it into a flower shaped teacup.
Li Yu: QQQ. Not putting him into the bottle, does this mean Jing-wang was determined not to bring him?
Li Yu jumped again. This time, he gathered the courage and jumped onto Jing-wang's shoulder, fish fins grabbing tightly onto Jing-wang's robe.
He felt like he transformed into a handsome eagle, one that can stand on top of its master's shoulder and help its master block the wind and rain. In actuality, the water moist fish fins very quickly got Jing-wang's shoulder all wet.
Jing-wang: "...."
Li Yu started to flail on Jing-wang's shoulder: Ahhhhh it's not like that!
Jing-wang wiped off the water drops on his cheek and picked the fish up.
After being a pet fish for so long, Li Yu was very aware that Jing-wang had become unhappy here. Jing-wang rarely picked him up by his head position. Everytime it happened was when something unpleasant had occurred.
Therefore, are you angry now, master?
The little carp, who made a mistake, pitifully used the tip of his tail to hook the other's fingers, trying to make Jing-wang happy. However, because his fish head was held too firmly, he really couldn't reach. So he could only change to rubbing the other's palm.
Jing-wang: "..."
Jing-wang thought Xiao Yu wanted to go out and play. Perhaps because recently he brought this fish everywhere, this fish must think there's playtime every day.
However, tonight he couldn't bring it. He and Ye QingHuan might really get into a fight with the 2nd Prince's people. Bringing a fish was not only inconvenient, the fish itself wouldn't be able to handle it.
Jing-wang originally planned to temporarily leave Xiao Yu with Wang Xi. However, this fish not only jumped on the crystal bottle, it also even jumped onto his shoulder.
Hmph! Looks like it's been way too spoiled. It's really getting bold...
Jing-wang silently criticized the fish, thinking if he left the fish inside the estate, maybe the thief might come back stealing again while he was away. Since he needed to use his manpower inside the palace with this visit to the palace anyways, he definitely needed to go to Jingtai Palace. Why not just bring the fish and leave it at Jingtai Palace? Wang Xi can follow as well.
Jing-wang silently sighed and then yielded to stuffing the fish properly into the crystal bottle.
Then, he went to change his clothes.
Li Yu, who made a mistake but still managed to enter the palace as he wished: Ao ao ao!
Success!
Over here Jing-wang brought fish into the Imperial Palace; he bumped into Ye QingHuan at the Palace entrance. As he held the crystal bottle, Ye QingHuan also held onto Gale's leash.
Ye QingHuan smiled, saying: "I knew you'd bring your fish. I also brought Gale. While we're busy with our proper work, let Gale and Xiao Yu accompany each other."
Li Yu: ... no way??
He also needed to do proper work, not keep a dog company!
Ye QingHuan just finished speaking when Gale excitedly reached over with its dog head and used the tip of its nose to poke at the crystal bottle.
Although this crystal bottle was bigger than a teacup, Li Yu felt like if Gale opened its mouth wide, it can still bite down on the bottle. Plus, being licked through the thin layer of crystal wall, Li Yu felt like the dog's teeth were not far from him.
Even if he was very familiar with Gale, Li Yu still felt somewhat nervous.
Jing-wang handed over the crystal bottle to Wang Xi. Wang Xi cleaned out the porcelain fish bowl that the little carp had once used before inside Jingtai Palace and placed the fish inside it.
Li Yu let out a breath of relief, finally feeling safer.
Before entering the Palace, Jing-wang and Ye QingHuan already agreed to first ensure the JinJue Princess's safety and make certain she won't really be harmed by the 2nd Prince.
However, the JinJue Princess didn't really have any prior interactions with these two people so it wasn't convenient to send someone over. Inspired by the letter sender, Jing-wang ended up writing the JinJue princess an anonymous letter, stating there was someone secretly planning to hurt the princess. Jing-wang came up with the main idea. Ye QingHuan was in charge of sending this letter. Lately, Ye-shizi was responsible for the safety of the King and Princess of JinJue anyways. For him to send the letter, no one would know.
Reportedly, when the King of JinJue received the letter, he immediately became furious and summoned his loyal advisors to examine this letter. Because he didn't know the intent of this letter, and for the safety of his daughter, the King of JinJue had no choice but to summon skilled bodyguards to accompany the princess at all times, not even letting their guard down while entering the Imperial Palace to give thanks.
The Emperor didn't know the reason for this and only felt the King of JinJue was too cautious.
The Imperial Palace was pretty safe. However, this was only an insignificant small matter. The Emperor was too lazy to stop the King of JinJue on this matter.
Currently, there were easily 16 skilled guards beside the JinJue Princess at all times. And these were only the visible ones. The non-visible ones were probably even more.
As long as the JinJue Princess was safe, it would be impossible for the 2nd Prince's plans to succeed.
Also several days ago, the 2nd Prince's subordinates snuck into the ChengEn Palace Estate under Ye QingHuan's eyes. In order to give the 2nd Prince a huge present, Ye QingHuan chose a very special sword and purposely allowed that sword to be stolen in order to make the 2nd Prince think that everything was going according to plans.
After Jing-wang and Ye QingHuan settled each of their pets, they started to wait.
Not long afterwards, a loyal servant came to report that some unknown person attempted to get close to the JinJue Princess. They were seen through by the princess's guards, captured, and beat up severely.
Jing-wang and Ye QingHuan crossed gazes. They both guessed that this person was definitely sent by the 2nd Prince to trick the JinJue Princess away.
"About time." Ye QingHuan said softly.
It's time to go to YanYu Pavilion to meet the 2nd Prince.
Jing-wang gave Wang Xi a nod and stroked the little carp on the forehead. Then he brought his people and walked into the darkness of the night with Ye QingHuan.
Li Yu watched as Jing-wang left, staying inside the fish tank. He quickly analysed the situation right now. How come the 6th Prince didn't make any moves? Perhaps it's related to the fact that Jing-wang and Chu YanYu didn't get together. The 3rd Prince and 6th Prince haven't obtained ChengEn Palace Estate's strength yet; therefore, there was no need to take the risk of getting rid of it.
In other words, this should be the 2nd Prince's solo play. But Li Yu didn't really understand very well himself: even the 6th Prince withdrew, why was the 2nd Prince still obstinately attempting to implement this scheme?
Perhaps narrow-minded, petty, short-sighted people always made the same decisions no matter what?
Li Yu was just thinking he probably had to wait for news inside Jingtai Palace when he suddenly heard a 'kacha' sound. Gale, who was laying down near the fish tank and seemingly asleep, vigilantly raised its head.
...It wasn't Wang Xi.
Li Yu somewhat recognized Wang Xi's footsteps. Also, this sound came from the window.
Wang Xi definitely wouldn't climb a window inside Jingtai Palace.
With the light from a lit candle, Li Yu saw a black shadow jumping through the window.
Who was it?
Li Yu immediately recalled the female assassin from before and started to tremble all over.
Gale was definitely worthy to be called a fish-guarding watchdog. It immediately started barking wildly. The figure dallied in front of the table for a while and then came over. Gale immediately pounced with a growl and bit the person bravely on the hand, making that person unable to bear the pain.
"What's going on?" Wang Xi's voice traveled over. The guards in the surrounding were also alerted. The black figure saw the situation go downhill, instantly pressed down on their injury and returned where they came from.
Wang Xi didn't manage to catch the person and was very frustrated. Fortunately, the fish and dog were both fine. Wang Xi grabbed a box of fish food from the table in relief and brought it over, planning to feed the two masters.
Gale waved its tail and barked extremely happily. Wang Xi poured the fish food on a jade plate.
Gale was just about to take a bite when Li Yu recalled that the black figure did something in front of the table for a while. A strange feeling rose in his heart.
Li Yu immediately swung his tail and hit a sapphire pearl that he usually played with at the jade plate. With extreme force, the pearl actually flipped the jade plate over and knocked the fish food to the floor.
The little carp very rarely 'threw a fit' like this. Wang Xi said in surprise: "Master Xiao Yu, what's the matter?"
Wang Xi's gaze immediately landed on the fish food on the floor. Then, he seemed to have thought of something. Could it be...
Wang Xi quickly pulled out a silver needle from his pocket.
No one would specifically test fish food for poison. Wang Xi was only afraid of something happening; he'd rather this him overthinking things.
The silver needle stabbed into the fish food. After a while, Wang Xi pulled it out. The tip of the needle was black.
Li Yu: !!!
The fish food was poisoned! QQQ. he was almost poisoned to death! How terrifying!!
Because this thing was mostly for him to eat, Li Yu can bet that someone planned to harm him.
Wang Xi also very quickly thought of this. Now that Jing-wang wasn't here, Wang-gonggong decisively ordered people to switch
Master fish and Gale into a room without windows. He stood guard at the door himself, determined not to allow anyone else to sneak inside and take advantage of the situation.
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