“What do you mean you and Father both knew?”

Li Qiao told him clearly: “Everyone in the manor, even outsiders, all thought Wenshu chose to become a nun because of Shilin’s death. But the truth is nothing like that! It was for Du Mubai.”

Uh!

Li Cheng felt his feet suddenly go weak.

His palms went numb.

His face was full of astonishment and shock: “You’re saying… you and Father knew early on that elder sister and Du Mubai…”

“Yes!” Li Qiao said. “Back then, Father and I both knew that Du Mubai was framed. We also knew the person who framed him was Xue He—it was Xue He who bribed several people to frame him. But Father, because he knew about the matter between Wenshu and Du Mubai, was very angry! He didn’t want their affair to spread, so he went with the flow and used the theft incident to revoke Du Mubai’s student status, banishing him from the manor. But he was also worried that if Xue He’s bribery was exposed, it would implicate our Li family, so he also removed Xue He’s student qualification at the same time. But all of this was Du Mubai’s own doing. His mistake was in not being content, vainly hoping to use Wenshu to achieve his goals! How could our Li family tolerate such a person? Over these years, how could we not know Wenshu’s thoughts? We just didn’t speak of what we knew.”

Hehe.

Li Cheng laughed coldly, his eyes moistening as he stumbled back several steps, saying: “Fortunately, fortunately… elder sister didn’t hear you say these things.”

For these six years, Li Wenshu had been like a fool, always keeping all her thoughts hidden.

But it turned out her father and elder brother had always known.

Simply ridiculous!

Laughable!

Truly laughable!

For a moment, Li Cheng seemed unable to accept it.

His head buzzed.

Seeing him like this, Li Qiao reached out and patted his shoulder: “I’ve said everything I needed to say. Rest early.”

Having said that, he left.

Li Cheng stood in place for a good while, then slumped onto the edge of the bed.

Head lowered.

His gaze not knowing where to look.

For a long time, he didn’t move.

Early the next morning.

The Third Prince’s Manor.

Ever since waking from his drunken stupor last time, Na Tuo had stopped being despondent.

He had also returned to normal.

No longer mentioning Gong Shilin’s matter.

The people in the manor also stopped mentioning it.

Afraid of inviting trouble.

Not daring to pluck hair from a tiger’s rear.

As soon as Na Tuo got up, someone from the manor reported: “Your Highness, the Great King summons you to the palace.”

It seemed quite urgent.

Na Tuo was in good spirits. His eyes turned, and he also knew it was about the assassins who had appeared at last night’s lantern festival.

He instructed: “Bring my court robes.”

“Yes.”

After changing clothes, he headed to the palace.

An incense stick’s time later, two carriages arrived together at the south gate of the palace and stopped.

Na Yan and Na Tuo each got off their carriages.

The snow on the ground outside the palace had mostly melted, but now a light drizzle was falling.

The two held umbrellas, standing in opposition.

Their gazes passed through the drizzle, confronting each other.

Then they walked together toward the palace gate.

The distance gradually closed until they walked side by side.

Both kept their gazes straight ahead.

Neither looked at the other.

After passing the south gate, Na Yan was the first to speak: “I really didn’t expect you could be so ruthless! To actually personally push your pawn into the fire. So the so-called brotherly affection, when faced with interests and power, is so fragile.”

Alluding to Na Tuo personally overseeing Gong Shilin’s execution.

After these past few days of silent drinking, Na Tuo had already emerged from that matter that tormented his mind.

He said expressionlessly: “To seek self-preservation, anyone would do the same.”

“Hehe, indeed. If it were me, I would do the same. After all, brotherly affection is something meant to be sacrificed.” As he spoke, Na Yan glanced sideways at Na Tuo.

And the meaning within these words, Na Tuo naturally understood.

Since ancient times, struggles within royal families had never involved brotherly affection.

It was so before, and would be so in the future.

Na Tuo merely let out a chuckle, not taking up this thread. Instead, he said coldly: “I heard you encountered assassins last night. Fortunately, someone blocked a sword for you! You must thank that person well. If not for him, you might already be dead.”

Already dead long ago!

Hearing these words, Na Yan’s face immediately turned greenish, though it passed in a flash. He wasn’t angered either. His steps didn’t stop as he continued walking forward, the corners of his mouth curving in a sinister smile as he said: “Because my life is hard—the King of Hell won’t take me. He’s keeping me alive specifically to fight well with those demons and monsters.”

Hehe!

Na Tuo sneered: “Then you’d better have that kind of life!”

“…”

Na Tuo quickened his pace and walked ahead, leaving Na Yan with his back.

Soon, the two arrived at the great hall. The King of Huyi sat inside, looking at the memorials sent up by the ministers one after another.

His brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

Seeing his two sons enter, he had all the eunuchs in the hall withdraw.

“Royal Father.”

The two stood in the center of the great hall.

Respectfully.

The King of Huyi put down the memorial in his hand, looked toward Na Yan, and asked sternly: “Have the assassins been found?”

Na Yan lowered his head: “Not yet.”

“With so many people in the city, you can’t even find a few assassins?”

“Your son has already dispatched people to intensify the search.”

The King of Huyi was dissatisfied: “This time those people wanted your life. If you don’t hurry to find them, if there’s a next time, who can guarantee there won’t be an accident?”

“Yes, your son understands.”

The King of Huyi said again: “Last time the Third Prince’s Manor had assassins, now assassins want your life. Truly troublesome times.”

Na Yan and Na Tuo looked at each other.

The former thought the one trying to kill him was the latter.

The latter thought the one trying to kill him was the former.

Each harboring their own thoughts.

But in front of their father, naturally they couldn’t show it.

The King of Huyi: “No matter what, now you two must join forces to find out who exactly is trying to harm you.”

Work together?

Wouldn’t that be like fire meeting earth?

But—

At this moment, who would dare say no?

They both agreed: “Yes, your sons will definitely find the person behind this.”

“You may leave.”

After coming out, the rain fell more urgently.

They stood under the eaves outside the hall, backs straight.

“What do you plan to do now?”

“That question should be mine to ask you.”

Na Yan: “Your words have hidden meaning.”

“Why beat around the bush? Tell me honestly—the two assassin incidents at my manor, was that your doing?”

Na Yan snorted with laughter, looking at him: “Na Tuo, do you think if I really wanted to kill you, I would wait until now? On the contrary, those assassins last night disappeared without a trace before they even escaped. In all of Gaoding City, the only one who could hide living people is you.”

Na Tuo replied: “I say the same to you. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t wait until now either. Moreover, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to kill you. There’s absolutely no need to take such a great risk by going to the lantern festival to kill.”

Mm… indeed!

The two fell into silence.

After a long while—Na Yan said: “So… there really is someone behind all this who wants us dead?”