HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 583: Prince Jing's Hidden Depths

Chapter 583: Prince Jing’s Hidden Depths

During the An’nan rebellion years ago, the Pei family was nearly wiped out, with only Xiao Langyan’s uncle Pei Zhan surviving. Pei Zhan had only one son, Pei Ce, who had served as military advisor and deputy general alongside Xiao Langyan, guarding An’nan City.

With Pei Zhan’s death in the Northwest, His Majesty couldn’t possibly leave the sole heir Pei Ce in An’nan City. As the closest nephew, Xiao Langyan couldn’t avoid returning for Pei Zhan’s burial arrangements. The fact that he remained in the capital suggested he wouldn’t return to An’nan City.

“What would Eighth Brother like to know?” Xiao Huayong asked warmly, fully embodying the role of a good brother.

Xiao Langyan met Xiao Huayong’s gaze directly: “Where did Uncle die, and how did he die?”

“That day, Minister Pei came to find me, saying His Majesty had ordered him on an external mission. I didn’t ask much and approved it. Due to travel fatigue, I took to bed upon reaching Tingzhou. The next day, I heard Minister Pei had been ambushed at Danxia and unfortunately lost his life,” Xiao Huayong said slowly. “I ordered Prince Xun to handle Minister Pei’s remains. As for why Minister Pei left and how he died, I truly don’t know.”

“Why did Your Highness go to Tingzhou?” Xiao Langyan asked.

“It’s a long story…”

Xiao Huayong sighed before explaining how Shen Yueshan had accidentally discovered his right-hand man’s betrayal, and to maintain stability in the Northwest, they had to fake death to capture this traitor. Shen Yunan was aware of this and followed after Geng Liangcheng went to Tingzhou.

Due to the confidential nature of the matter, the Shen father and son hadn’t informed others. When the heir went missing, everyone was anxious. Someone reported seeing the heir’s traces, and with the situation urgent and Shen Xihe needing to remain in the royal city, he had gone in pursuit.

He hadn’t planned to bring Minister Pei along; Pei had volunteered himself.

Xiao Langyan’s expression remained neutral. As someone who had experienced battle, even standing still he resembled a straight sword – having tasted blood and been sharpened, he exuded a sharp, oppressive presence without doing anything.

“I’ve heard of General Geng’s betrayal. The Northwestern King and his heir’s careful planning was indeed necessary.” Xiao Langyan could understand this point, but then he changed tack: “The Crown Princess is a married daughter, and the matter was secret. Even to mislead others, not informing her would have been reasonable.

However, if the Northwestern King and heir were so cautious, and the heir knew the Northwest so well, shouldn’t they have been extremely careful on the road to Tingzhou? Yet someone discovered their traces? Weren’t they concerned this information would reach Geng Liangcheng’s ears, making him realize it was a trap?”

Listening from the side, Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows slightly, thinking how sharp Xiao Langyan’s mind was.

Since these events had occurred, many clever people had been involved, yet none had noticed this slightly illogical hole. Yet Xiao Langyan had pointed it out precisely.

Xiao Huayong seemed to seriously consider this: “I don’t know why this happened. Perhaps the heir deliberately had someone he trusted leak information to the royal mansion, or perhaps someone seeking a reward happened to get it right? Time was pressing, and I could only err on the side of belief rather than doubt.”

Xiao Huayong’s two explanations were reasonable. Shen Yunan couldn’t directly reveal such crucial information, so finding ways to hint at it made sense. If it truly was Shen Yunan’s trap, since he dared to do it, he must have had ways to keep it from Geng Liangcheng.

Seeming to accept Xiao Huayong’s answers, Xiao Langyan didn’t pursue this further but raised another question: “Geng Liangcheng was battle-hardened, a fierce Northwest general who had been stationed in Tingzhou. If he were colluding with the Turks, he wouldn’t have failed to find ways to take Tingzhou, rather than letting people in through the city gates.

Moreover, if he were colluding with the Turks, he shouldn’t have pretended to fall into Turkish hands immediately upon reaching Tingzhou without making any preparations!”

“Eighth Brother makes excellent points.” Xiao Huayong remained calm and composed. “Regarding this, after Madam Geng proved her loyalty through death, the Northwestern King, along with the Tingzhou Protector and several generals, investigated. Geng Liangcheng’s collusion with the Turks happened after his capture; he had already secretly pledged allegiance to our elusive royal uncle.”

Xiao Langyan’s gaze deepened: “So, Crown Prince Brother means that Prince Jiachen was plotting behind the scenes, Geng Liangcheng was turned by him, the Northwestern King faked his death to draw out the snake, and then Prince Jiachen instigated the Tingzhou chaos, with General Geng volunteering to join forces with him?”

“That’s what I believe,” Xiao Huayong nodded.

Xiao Langyan looked at Xiao Huayong for a long while before cupping his hands in salute: “Thank you, Crown Prince Brother, for clearing up my doubts. I won’t disturb you further. Please allow me to take my leave.”

“Eighth Brother, please go ahead,” Xiao Huayong didn’t try to keep him.

After Xiao Langyan left, Shen Xihe said: “I thought Prince Xin was clever and Xiao Changtai cunning, but it seems Prince Jing is the one keeping his abilities hidden.”

Every question Xiao Langyan had asked was probing, yet his tone and demeanor showed no sign of testing or suspicion toward Xiao Huayong, though each point hit the mark.

“Without me, those three could have put on quite a show,” Xiao Huayong chuckled softly.

If Xiao Changtai hadn’t fallen into his hands, he wouldn’t have been forced into this position so early. Perhaps only Xiao Changqing in the entire court had noticed something off about Xiao Changtai’s facade, but exposing it wouldn’t be easy.

In a three-way standoff, if Xiao Changqing also had designs on the throne, it would surely have been a thrilling struggle.

Xiao Huayong’s words showed a complete dismissal of dealing with these people. Usually, Shen Xihe would remind him not to be complacent, but now she couldn’t be bothered. Neither His Majesty nor Xiao Changtai had gained any advantage over him.

Considering herself intelligent, Shen Xihe wondered how this man’s mind worked, truly able to turn situations as easily as clouds and rain, using the realm as his game board and all under heaven as pieces, achieving whatever he wished.

“Is Prince Jing staying in the capital now?” Shen Xihe asked.

“Yes,” Xiao Huayong nodded. “The Pei family only has his cousin left. If he doesn’t stay, he fears Pei Ce will become the next Pei Zhan.”

“He’s willing to relinquish control of An’nan City just like that?” Shen Xihe felt it wasn’t so simple.

Xiao Huayong smiled: “If your father and brother came to the capital, could the Northwest fall into others’ hands?”

“Not for two or three years.” After that, it was uncertain.

“He’s already cultivated enough trusted subordinates in An’nan City, he doesn’t need to oversee it personally. His wings are now fully grown – if he doesn’t return to the capital now, he’ll hardly find another chance to spread them. Besides, Pei Zhan’s death is also an opportunity for him,” Xiao Huayong smiled mysteriously.

Shen Xihe didn’t need to ask further, thinking briefly: “Minister of War.”

The Minister of War position had been used by Xiao Changqing to trouble His Majesty and remained unfilled. His Majesty felt guilty about Pei Zhan’s death, and Xiao Langyan had military achievements to his name.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Chapters