Chapter 467 - 467 464 Battle for Position_1

Chapter 467: Chapter 464: Battle for Position_1 Chapter 467: Chapter 464: Battle for Position_1 In her previous life, Xiao Rongyan had given her the jade cicada to escape, but she did not leave. Her whole body was boiling with the poisonous blood and venom of hatred, only wanting to perish together with King Liang, dragging him into hell with her, perishing together!

The more she hated King Liang at that time, the more she regretted it.

She did not want Dong Tingzhen to experience the same as she did; she did not want her to regret and hate herself so much that she wished to tear herself to pieces in the future.

Soon after, a Hidden Guard came to report that the eunuch Gao Demao beside the Emperor had gone to King Liang’s mansion, but as for what was said… because there were Imperial Guards in King Liang’s mansion, they couldn’t get in and didn’t know.

“However, after King Liang personally sent off the eunuch beside the Emperor, his face didn’t look good.”

King Liang’s face didn’t look good?

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes and sighed in relief, thinking to herself… King Liang probably couldn’t marry Dong Tingzhen as he wished, and the Crown Prince must have played a significant role in this.

“Got it. Go now! Keep an eye on King Liang’s mansion!” Bai Qingyan said.

Although King Liang couldn’t marry Dong Tingzhen as he wished for now, if that girl Dong Tingzhen was determined to be with King Liang, who could stop her? Once someone becomes stubborn and obsessed, not even several bulls could pull them back.

If any irreparable situation arises, it would be a real disaster.

Tomorrow morning, she would return to Shuoyang. She feared that after she left, something might happen, and she would be genuinely powerless. She had to think of a way…

·

The issue of the Emperor sending Gao Demao to King Liang’s mansion was known by Bai Qingyan, and the Crown Prince had also received the news.

As soon as the Crown Prince entered the palace, Lord Fang sent someone to keep an eye on King Liang’s mansion. Given the significance of the Emperor’s favorite, Gao Demao, going to King Liang’s mansion, it naturally had to be reported to the Crown Prince.

The situation in the palace had been fully explained to Lord Fang after the Crown Prince returned to the mansion.

Lord Fang stroked his goatee and asked, “Your Highness, did you say that… Lord Dong wasn’t a frontier commander with military power? Otherwise, wouldn’t His Majesty wonder why King Liang would go so far as to tarnish Miss Dong’s reputation just to marry her?”

“I wanted Father to think of Dong Qingyue, the governor of Dengzhou, when I said that. Is there anything inappropriate, Lord Fang?” The Crown Prince washed his hands, took the towel handed by Quan Yu, and wiped his hands before asking.

“There is nothing inappropriate! I think that’s why… His Majesty did not issue a direct decree but sent his confidant, Eunuch Gao, to King Liang’s mansion. The marriage between King Liang and Miss Dong… at least for now, cannot succeed!”

The Crown Prince nodded. “That is to be expected. Father has always been suspicious!”

“My suggestion, Your Highness, is to turn your words into solid evidence, making His Majesty genuinely believe that King Liang harbors ulterior motives!” Lord Fang sat under the lamp, his eyes, though slightly cloudy, were extremely serious. “If King Liang knows that His Majesty has already disallowed this marriage, yet still publicizes that he possesses Miss Dong’s personal accessory, forcing Lord Dong to marry off his daughter to him, what would His Majesty, already suspicious of King Liang’s intent, think upon learning of this matter?”

The Crown Prince received the tea handed to him by Quan Yu, deep in thought, his brows furrowing. “I understand. You want to close off King Liang’s path to the throne, but if this happens, wouldn’t Lord Dong have no choice but to marry his daughter to King Liang? In that case, King Liang and the Dong family would become in-laws, and for Dong Qingyue, it might be more advantageous for King Liang to ascend the throne than for me to hold this position. Isn’t that pushing the Dong family towards King Liang?”

“Your Highness, the first step is to make His Majesty suspicious of King Liang! Do not forget that King Liang once tried to frame Bai Weiting for treason by imitating his handwriting and sheltering the remnants of the faction that once attempted a coup, including that guard named Gao Sheng. The matter was vaguely resolved at that time mostly because it involved King Xin, and His Majesty didn’t want further investigations! But if His Majesty doubts King Liang, we can seize the opportunity to bring this matter up again, making it impossible for King Liang to vie for the throne with you!”

“Does Lord Fang already have a plan?” The Crown Prince perked up, setting his tea aside and respectfully asking for guidance. “Please, Lord Fang, enlighten me.”

“Serving Your Highness is my duty; how dare I accept the term ‘enlighten’! Your Highness, rest assured, I have already sent someone to investigate whether that Gao Sheng still has close associates. When the time comes, we can use threats and bribes to make King Liang, who is already under His Majesty’s suspicion, guilty of any charges you wish!” Lord Fang finished with a smile. “Of course, finding the right people is not a matter of a day or two. I have another plan, but I’m afraid you won’t want to use it.”

“What is it? Please tell me.”

“Your Highness, do you remember that incident before the Princess of Zhen’s family left Dadu, when Left Prime Minister Li Mao tried to marry his youngest son to Commandery Princess Gaoyi, and the Princess of Zhen broke his legs for it?” Lord Fang lowered his voice, his eyes flickering.

The Crown Prince nodded.

Quan Yu, upon hearing this, looked up at Lord Fang.

Lord Fang, sitting under the redwood high table with the glass lamp, leaned sideways and whispered to the Crown Prince, “The Princess of Zhen cherishes Commandery Princess Gaoyi like a treasure. Everyone knows this. If King Liang shows any interest in Commandery Princess Gaoyi, the Princess of Zhen will not let him off. If she does something unfavorable to King Liang to protect her sister, His Majesty will not suspect you and will also consider… that King Liang once admired and failed to marry the Princess of Zhen, then turned to Miss Dong, and simultaneously tried to ruin Gaoyi’s reputation to include her in his mansion. What does this mean?”

The Crown Prince frowned at Lord Fang, seemingly not approving of the idea.

However, Lord Fang continued. “If King Liang shows interest in Commandery Princess Gaoyi, given the temperament of the Princess of Zhen, anything she does to King Liang is reasonable. His Majesty will certainly not blame the Princess. It will also make His Majesty and the Dong family realize that King Liang’s intentions are evil. So if King Liang asks the Dong family for marriage, won’t they hesitate? If he asks His Majesty for a decree, it will only deepen His Majesty’s suspicions!”

The Crown Prince listened carefully to Lord Fang, slowly leaning back into his chair.

If the marriage request to His Majesty fails and personal proposals to the Dong family are rejected, it would completely sever King Liang’s chances of marrying into the Dong family, making them enemies rather than allies, even if they do not support any side in the throne dispute.

Since Bai Qingyan had entered the Crown Prince’s faction, he relied increasingly on her. He had even rejected Lord Fang’s ideas several times because of her. How could Lord Fang stand by idly? In the long run, what position would he hold with the Crown Prince?

If the Princess of Zhen and the Crown Prince became estranged due to this, it would be most beneficial to him.

Quan Yu, noticing the Crown Prince’s demeanor, felt a tightness in his heart. He thought for a moment and then handed the Crown Prince a fresh cup of tea, smiling. “Your Highness, the Crown Princess Consort has sent someone to invite you for dinner. She has been waiting outside for a while now. Will you go…?”