In her previous life, Xiao Rongyan had given him her jade cicada to escape on her own, but she hadn’t left. Her whole body boiled with poisonous blood and venom of hatred – she only wanted to perish together with Prince Liang, fighting to drag him into hell with her, both jade and stone burning together!
The depth of her hatred for Prince Liang then matched the depth of her regret.
She didn’t want Dong Tingzhen to experience the same things she had, didn’t want her to end up like she had… regretting so much that she wanted to tear herself into pieces.
Subsequently, another shadow guard came to report that Gao Demao, the eunuch from the Emperor’s side, had gone to Prince Liang’s mansion. As for what was said… because Prince Liang’s mansion was guarded by imperial shadow guards and they couldn’t get in, it was unknown.
“However, after Prince Liang personally escorted the Emperor’s eunuch away, his expression didn’t look very good.”
Prince Liang’s expression didn’t look good.
Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. If so, Prince Liang probably couldn’t marry Dong Tingzhen as he wished. The Crown Prince’s contribution in this matter was undoubtedly significant.
“Understood, go! Keep a close watch on Prince Liang’s mansion!” Bai Qingyan said.
Although Prince Liang temporarily couldn’t marry Dong Tingzhen as he wished, if that girl Dong Tingzhen was determined to follow Prince Liang, who could stop her? Once a person got stuck in a rut and became stubborn, even several oxen might not be able to pull them back.
If some irreparable incident occurred, it would truly be beyond redemption.
Early tomorrow morning, she would return to Shuoyang. She feared that after she left, if something happened, she would truly be beyond reach. She needed to think of a way…
·
The matter of the Emperor sending Gao Demao personally to Prince Liang’s mansion was known to Bai Qingyan, and the Crown Prince also received the news.
As soon as the Crown Prince entered the palace, Old Fang sent people to watch Prince Liang’s mansion. Such a significant matter as Gao Demao, the Emperor’s favored attendant, going to Prince Liang’s mansion naturally had to be reported to the Crown Prince.
After returning to his residence, the Crown Prince had informed Old Fang of everything that had happened in the palace.
Old Fang stroked his goatee and asked: “Your Highness said… it was only after you mentioned that Minister Dong was not a frontier official wielding military power, otherwise you would suspect Prince Liang’s motives for wanting to marry Miss Dong even at the cost of ruining her reputation, that His Majesty became lost in thought?”
“I intended to make Father think of Dengzhou Prefect Dong Qingyue by saying that. Does Old Fang think there’s something inappropriate?” The Crown Prince washed his hands, took the handkerchief Quan Yu handed him, wiped his hands, and asked.
“Nothing inappropriate! It seems… His Majesty didn’t issue a direct decree but had Eunuch Gao from his side visit Prince Liang’s mansion. The marriage between Prince Liang and the Dong family daughter… at least currently cannot succeed!”
The Crown Prince nodded: “Naturally, Father has always been suspicious!”
“This old man’s meaning is to turn what Your Highness said… into solid evidence, making His Majesty believe that Prince Liang indeed has ulterior motives!” Old Fang sat under the lamp, his slightly clouded eyes extremely serious. “What if Prince Liang, knowing His Majesty has already forbidden this marriage, still spreads word about having the Dong family daughter’s accessories to force Minister Dong to marry his daughter to him? His Majesty already suspects Prince Liang’s intentions – what would he think upon learning of this?”
The Crown Prince thoughtfully accepted the teacup Quan Yu handed him, his brow furrowed: “I understand. Old Fang wants to block Prince Liang’s possibility of competing with me for succession in Father’s mind. But if this causes such a commotion, Minister Dong would have no choice but to marry his daughter to Prince Liang. Then Prince Liang and the Dong family would be related by marriage, so naturally for Dong Qingyue… Prince Liang ascending the throne would be more beneficial than my sitting in that position. Wouldn’t this push the Dong family to Prince Liang’s side?”
“Your Highness, this first step requires making His Majesty suspicious of Prince Liang! Your Highness mustn’t forget that Prince Liang once attempted to forge Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting’s handwriting to falsely accuse him of treason, and also harbored Gao Sheng, a remnant of the Second Prince’s rebellion party. This matter was hastily concluded back then, mostly because it involved Prince Xin, and His Majesty didn’t want to investigate further! But if His Majesty becomes suspicious of Prince Liang, we can use this opportunity to bring up this matter again and make it impossible for Prince Liang to compete with Your Highness for the throne!”
“Does Old Fang already have a plan?” The Crown Prince perked up, not even drinking his tea but setting it aside and cupping his hands to seek Old Fang’s guidance. “Please instruct me, Old Fang.”
“Serving Your Highness is this old man’s duty – how dare I accept your request for instruction! Rest assured, Your Highness. This old man has already sent people to investigate whether Gao Sheng still has close associates. When the time comes, through threats and inducements… with His Majesty suspicious of Prince Liang, whatever crime Your Highness wants Prince Liang to have, Prince Liang will have that crime!” Old Fang smiled after speaking. “Naturally, finding people is not a matter of one day or night. This old man has another method here, but I fear Your Highness won’t use it.”
“Please tell me, Old Fang.”
“Does Your Highness still remember when, before the Duke Zhenguo’s family left the capital, Left Chancellor Li Mao intended to have his youngest son marry County Princess Gaoyi, but ended up having his leg broken by the Princess of Zhenguo?” Old Fang lowered his voice, his eyes flickering.
The Crown Prince nodded.
Quan Yu, hearing these words, looked up at Old Fang.
Old Fang sat beneath the red sandalwood table with its glass lamp, leaning sideways to speak quietly with the Crown Prince: “Everyone knows that the Princess of Zhenguo treasures County Princess Gaoyi like the apple of her eye. If Prince Liang sets his sights on County Princess Gaoyi, the Princess of Zhenguo definitely won’t spare Prince Liang. If the Princess of Zhenguo does something harmful to Prince Liang to protect her sister, not only would His Majesty not suspect Your Highness, but he would also think carefully about… Prince Liang previously desired the Princess of Zhenguo and failed to marry her, then changed his tune to wanting to marry the Dong family daughter, while simultaneously attempting to ruin County Princess Gaoyi’s reputation to bring her into his mansion. What does this mean?”
The Crown Prince frowned as he looked at Old Fang, seeming somewhat disapproving.
But Old Fang didn’t stop, continuing: “Moreover, if Prince Liang sets his sights on County Princess Gaoyi, given the Princess of Zhenguo’s temperament, whatever she does to Prince Liang… that would all be reasonable. His Majesty definitely wouldn’t blame the Princess of Zhenguo, and it would let His Majesty and the Dong family know… Prince Liang’s heart is damnable! Thus, if Prince Liang goes to the Dong family to propose marriage… wouldn’t the Dong family hesitate? If Prince Liang seeks His Majesty to grant for a marriage, it would only increase His Majesty’s suspicions!”
After hearing Old Fang’s words, the Crown Prince slowly leaned back in his chair.
Unable to succeed in requesting a granted marriage, unable to succeed in proposing marriage personally – only this way could they completely cut off the possibility of Prince Liang marrying into the Dong family, making the Dong family, even if not participating in the succession struggle, turn against Prince Liang and even stand on his side.
Since Bai Qingyan had joined the Crown Prince’s faction, the Crown Prince increasingly relied on her, even repeatedly deferring to her objections. How could Old Fang tolerate this? In the long run… what position would he have with the Crown Prince?
If he could use this opportunity to create distance between the Princess of Zhenguo and His Highness the Crown Prince, it would be perfect for him.
Quan Yu, seeing the Crown Prince’s expression, felt his heart tighten. He lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and casually replaced the Crown Prince’s tea with a fresh cup, smiling: “Your Highness, Her Highness the Crown Princess has sent someone to invite you for dinner. They’ve been waiting outside for quite a while. What do you think…”