Marquis Pingyang had concerns.

His expression was tense as he said, “It’s not that I won’t help—it’s that I cannot help!”

Li Qiao frowned.

He was somewhat surprised by his father’s sudden decision.

Marquis Pingyang said, “In the current situation, whoever helps would be showing contempt for Huyi’s laws! It would also be openly defying the King.”

“But we’ve had decades of friendship with the Gong family. Are we really going to abandon them at this critical moment?”

“I already told you—we cannot help.”

“I just don’t understand why the King refuses to relent. This morning, Left Chancellor Gong knelt in the hall, willing to trade his own life to save Shilin. No matter what, Left Chancellor Gong is an important minister. Over these years, even if he has no great merit, he has endured hardship! Moreover, back then as the Northern Campaign General, he established tremendous military achievements for Huyi. Now he only wants to save Shilin’s life, yet the King brings up the law and nearly accused him of a crime. Your son is also confused by this.”

Li Qiao pondered for a while but couldn’t understand the reason.

He truly couldn’t comprehend why the King was so heartless.

Even if he had said “I’ll consider it further,” Left Chancellor Gong wouldn’t have vomited blood and fainted in the great hall.

But Marquis Pingyang had seen through everything.

He said in a low voice, “You’ve served by the King’s side for so many years, yet you can’t even see the hidden agenda.”

“Hidden agenda?”

“Currently in the court, the Third Prince and Second Prince each have their own forces, but during this period, the Second Prince has suffered setbacks one after another! His influence has been affected, while the Third Prince clearly has the upper hand! Although Left Chancellor Gong and I haven’t openly chosen sides, the King’s heart is clear as a mirror. And given the King’s nature, he likes to control everything. If the Third Prince’s power continues to surge, do you think the King won’t be on guard at all? Once a young lion grows up, it cannot be controlled, and the final result is that it takes over the entire forest! So if the King wants to control him again, the only method is to suppress those who support the Third Prince. Therefore, he’s taking advantage of Gong Shilin’s incident to dampen Left Chancellor Gong’s sharpness, so that both sides’ forces can be balanced!”

Li Qiao suddenly understood, “So that’s how it is.”

Marquis Pingyang continued, “So now, whoever dares to speak up is digging their own grave.”

“But… no matter what, it was Acheng who arrested Shilin. In the future, Left Chancellor Gong will definitely turn against us, and we’ll have another enemy in the court! Father…”

Marquis Pingyang patted Li Qiao’s arm and said, “Better to have one more enemy than to throw ourselves into a pit of fire!”

“Father!”

“Enough. This matter should only be discussed at home—don’t speak of it outside. Now, I still have something to attend to!”

Li Qiao asked, “What matter?”

“A trip to the Third Prince’s residence.”

“The Third Prince’s residence?”

Marquis Pingyang’s expression was serious as he said, “Now is exactly when the King wants to control the Third Prince’s power. But if the Third Prince fights desperately to save Gong Shilin, do you think the Second Prince’s side will let this opportunity pass? The Second Prince will definitely join forces with Duke Wangguo to seize the chance to bring down the Third Prince. When that happens, once the Second Prince gains power, the ones who will suffer in the end will be us! That way, the losses outweigh the gains.”

“So Father is going to find the Third Prince to persuade him not to interfere in this matter?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. You should hurry and enter the palace, stay by the King’s side, and if anything happens, send someone to notify me immediately.”

Li Qiao replied, “Yes.”

Marquis Pingyang changed his clothes, left the residence, and rode in a sedan chair all the way to the Third Prince’s residence.

Last night, after returning from the prison to his residence, Natuo had been extremely anxious!

He kept waiting for Left Chancellor Gong to petition the King to pardon Gong Shilin from the death penalty.

Who could have known that the news received early this morning was that Left Chancellor Gong had vomited blood and fainted in the great hall.

And the King made no mention of pardoning, instead using Huyi’s laws to silence Left Chancellor Gong.

Now, it was clear they intended to sentence Gong Shilin to death!

How could this be allowed?

Natuo would never let anything happen to him under any circumstances.

Just as he was frowning in distress, a young servant from the residence came to report, “Your Highness, Marquis Pingyang requests an audience.”

At the mention of this person, Natuo’s brows immediately furrowed together.

He still had the nerve to come?

If it weren’t for his son Li Cheng doing such a thing, how could Gong Shilin have been arrested?

Natuo waved his wide sleeve, “Call him in.”

Call!

Not invite.

Marquis Pingyang hurried over and bowed upon entering, “Your Highness.”

Natuo glared at him fiercely, “Marquis, you’ve truly raised an excellent son.”

“In this matter, it was indeed my unworthy son’s carelessness.”

“Carelessness? More than just carelessness! You clearly knew that Gong Shilin was Left Chancellor Gong’s son and also this Prince’s good friend. Before you acted, didn’t you consider any of this?”

He questioned loudly.

But Marquis Pingyang remained very calm, “What’s done is done. At present, we can only think of ways to resolve it.”

“Resolve it? How to resolve it? Left Chancellor Gong petitioned the King to no avail. What method could there be now? This Prince wanted to bring people to break into the prison to take Shilin away, but he absolutely refused! Tell me, what other method is there?” Natuo was so agitated his entire face turned red.

Even though it was winter, he felt like a furnace.

Unbearably hot!

Facing the current situation, Marquis Pingyang had to remain calm.

He couldn’t lose his composure.

He said, “It’s not that there’s no solution, but… it’s not about how to save Gong Shilin, but rather…”

Natuo’s expression darkened as he pressed, “But rather what?”

Marquis Pingyang met his puzzled gaze and said seriously, “But rather how to protect ourselves!”

Protect ourselves?

What kind of situation was this?

Natuo had a question mark in his mind, “What does saving Shilin have to do with protecting ourselves?”

“The person… cannot be saved.” Marquis Pingyang stated directly.

“Cannot be saved? What do you mean? What do you mean cannot be saved? Marquis Pingyang, what exactly are you selling in your gourd? Tell this Prince all at once.”

He was anxious.

So Marquis Pingyang explained the stakes of this matter and the reasons why the King wouldn’t agree to pardon, one by one.

In summary, it was just one sentence.

“The King intends to use this to suppress Left Chancellor Gong. In other words, to control Your Highness’s power. Therefore, Your Highness absolutely must not interfere anymore!”

Natuo finally understood!

He staggered back two steps, slumped into a chair, and his hands gripped the armrests tightly, his face full of disbelief.

“No! This Prince cannot watch Shilin die. Absolutely not!”

His voice trembled slightly.

Marquis Pingyang tried hard to persuade him, “Does Your Highness truly want to risk your position as Crown Prince for the sake of one Gong Shilin?”

Ah!

Natuo froze!

Before, when Gong Shilin had asked him, his answer was that he chose brotherly affection.

But now, with Marquis Pingyang asking this question, he felt somewhat hesitant!

The position of Crown Prince was something he had been fighting for since birth. Now, to give up a bright future for one person—he asked himself countless times, was it really worth it?

Was it really worth it?

He remained silent for a long time—then raised his eyes and asked, “Then what did you mean earlier by ‘resolve’?”