The next day.
Everyone departed.
That day, Wen Panshi also came to see them off. He bowed deeply to Ji Yunshu.
“Young Heir, we await your news.”
As long as you discover that the Linjing Case is connected to the Emperor, just send word, and we’ll lead one hundred thousand troops and storm the capital.
Blood will flow like rivers, at any cost.
Of course, he didn’t say these words directly.
Ji Yunshu returned the courtesy.
In the end, she said nothing.
Lady Wen also came, stuffing a box of freshly made pastries into her hands, tears glistening in her eyes. “Young Heir, these are your favorite treats. Take them to eat on the road.”
“Thank you.”
“About what happened last time, I hope you won’t take it to heart. I drugged the pastries because I was thinking of your wellbeing.” Lady Wen looked apologetic.
Ji Yunshu didn’t mind these matters.
She shook her head. “I can understand what Lady Wen did.”
“On this trip to the capital, Young Heir must take good care of yourself. Wen Xian and Zhao Huai will accompany you, escorting you all the way to the capital. If anything happens or you need help, tell them, and the message will be sent back to the Defense Office.”
“Mm.”
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while longer.
On the other side, Qiao Zheng from the Qiao family arrived.
He pulled Jingrong aside and bowed in salute.
Jingrong was puzzled. “Has Lord Qiao also come to see this Prince off?”
“Yes, but not entirely.” Qiao Zheng got straight to the point and asked, “Your Highness’s return to the capital this time—is it by the Emperor’s decree?”
“Mm.”
“A secret decree?”
This old fox had guessed it right away.
Jingrong didn’t hide it. “Since Lord Qiao already knows, why ask this Prince?”
“Actually, this official just wanted to give Your Highness a warning.”
“A warning?” Jingrong studied him for a few moments and laughed. “What kind of warning?”
Qiao Zheng’s expression turned serious. “When Your Highness returns to the capital, you will inevitably become involved in factional struggles. But Prince Yi now has the support of all the court officials. If Your Highness returns, you’ll only be walking into the tiger’s den. So this official wanted to warn Your Highness to prepare early!”
“This Prince is all ears!”
“Since Your Highness has decided to return to the capital, you’ve naturally resolved to engage in conflict with Prince Yi. But Prince Yi holds the military authority of the Ji brothers, while Your Highness has nothing except the guards in your household.” Qiao Zheng’s tone was worried.
These words shouldn’t have been spoken by someone who had resigned and returned to his hometown, but he had no reservations about what should or shouldn’t be said.
He laid it all out.
Jingrong wasn’t surprised. He only looked at him coldly and said coolly, “What Lord Qiao is saying—does it mean you plan to stand on this Prince’s side?”
Qiao Zheng bowed again. “If Your Highness is willing, this official is willing to dedicate himself entirely to Your Highness’s service until death.”
Good heavens!
This fence-sitter switched sides really fast.
Jingrong showed disdain, his gaze looking elsewhere as he slightly raised his chin. “Right now, the one with power is Prince Yi, not this Prince. Lord Qiao is taking sides so quickly—shouldn’t you reconsider more carefully?”
Qiao Zheng said, “This official has already told Your Highness before—this official has served in court for many years and understands the pros and cons of the court situation. Prince Yi has been too impatient. Extremes lead to reversal—it’s only a matter of time. That’s why this official resigned and returned home, to avoid being drawn into the whirlpool. Today’s results have proven that this official’s concerns were not wrong. The court officials recommending Prince Yi as Crown Prince are actually forcing the Emperor’s hand. Your Highness should understand what kind of person the Emperor is. Overstepping authority and suspending authority are both great taboos. Even if the position of Crown Prince is in Prince Yi’s pocket, so what? As long as he commits a great taboo, the Emperor will definitely make another choice! Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t have issued a secret decree this time, so urgently summoning Your Highness back to the capital.”
Old foxes will be old foxes!
Students of the venerable Master Luo Chongyang are truly exceptional!
Jingrong’s expression grew serious as he sighed. “What a pity that Lord Qiao doesn’t serve as an official!”
“If Your Highness decides to participate in factional struggles with Prince Yi, then… you must plan early.”
“Why are you certain this Prince will compete with Prince Yi?”
“If that weren’t the case, Your Highness wouldn’t return to the capital.”
Jingrong was slightly surprised.
It must be said that this old fox Qiao Zheng was indeed very shrewd. He had long since thoroughly understood the court situation, so he resigned and returned home, finding an excuse for a graceful exit.
Very impressive!
But such a person was also very dangerous!
Since he had volunteered himself and actively wanted to join Jingrong’s camp, Jingrong smiled. “Very well, then this Prince will drink the cup Lord Qiao is offering.”
You want to take sides? Fine, go ahead!
Qiao Zheng’s anxious heart finally relaxed at these words. He immediately asked, “What plans does Your Highness have?”
“Lord Qiao need not concern himself with that.” He remained somewhat guarded. “If there’s somewhere this Prince needs Lord Qiao in the future, this Prince will naturally tell you.”
“Yes, this official will certainly complete the task with utmost dedication.”
The appearance of a loyal subject.
No, a treacherous subject!
Lang Bo came over and said, “Your Highness, it’s about time. We should depart.”
Jingrong nodded.
Qiao Zheng bowed. “Respectfully seeing Your Highness off.”
Everyone then boarded the carriages.
The carriage convoy moved forward slowly, with Wen Xian and Zhao Huai’s people following behind.
Maintaining a certain distance.
If the carriages in front moved fast, they moved fast.
If the carriages in front moved slow, they moved slow.
Soon!
They left Yufu County.
Inside the carriage, from the moment Ji Yunshu boarded, she noticed Jingrong’s expression was slightly tense, his mind heavy with concerns.
She wasn’t a curious person, but still couldn’t help asking, “What did that Lord Qiao say to you?”
Jingrong replied, “He reminded this Prince of a few things.”
“Reminded?” Ji Yunshu was puzzled and pressed further. “But I think it’s not because of what he said, but that you have other concerns, right?”
Wow!
Jingrong looked at her in surprise, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting slightly. “Nothing can be hidden from you.”
“What’s really wrong?”
He paused slightly before saying, “It’s about the court officials submitting memorials recommending Jing Yi as Crown Prince.”
“You’re worried about this matter?”
His brows furrowed deeper. “Jing Yi is no fool. He just married the legitimate daughter of the Ji family and obtained those two talismans of protection from the Ji brothers. Why would he be so impatient as to incite the court officials to submit memorials for him? And there was that matter of the Personnel Ministry impeaching this Prince, which happened right during those few days when the assassins were sent to the Supreme Court. All arrows point to Jing Yi. He’s a clever person—he would never make such a mistake. Although Lord Qiao said that the Personnel Minister Peng Yuanhai was acting to avenge the First Imperial Prince, deliberately submitting the memorial to frame Jing Yi, think about it—how could a Personnel Minister who just took office dare to impeach a prince? And frame another prince? Adding this incident, this Prince is even more certain that behind this enormous whirlpool, there must be a puppet master. Moreover, that person is someone who can control the entire Personnel Ministry and manipulate the court’s direction.”
The more Jingrong spoke, the greater his suspicions grew.
And they grew deeper!
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out who that person behind the scenes was.
Besides the Emperor and Jing Yi, who else in court now could stir up such huge turmoil?