Chapter 735: Chapter 732: Confrontation_1
After the Emperor confined King Liang, Li Mingrui once met with the Emperor. He mentioned his familiarity with King Liang and the relief efforts at Yanwo, hoping to send some people to take care of King Liang. The Emperor thought Li Mingrui was mindful of his old friendship with King Liang and thus told the Hidden Guard to turn a blind eye while also advising the Crown Prince not to interfere.
Inside the mansion of King Liang, Li Mingrui claimed he feared that King Liang, in possession of Left Prime Minister Li Maoâs letters with his second royal brother, might drag someone down with him if he were to die. Thus, he added extra care, sending people to monitor him.
Because Li Mingrui frequently sent people to secretly deliver supplies and serve King Liang, the mansion was filled with Li Mingruiâs men. When the Hidden Guard saw the door to the side gate opening to let Wang Qiulu in, they didnât think much of it, assuming it was Li Mingruiâs people delivering something to King Liang.
This move by Li Mingrui was extremely deftâŠ
Old Fangâs hand resting on his leg twitched slightly. He realized that the Crown Prince did not suspect Bai Qingyan but instead turned his suspicion toward King Liang and Li Mingrui. He nodded imperceptibly: âExactlyâŠâ
âCould it be that this is a cunning plan by King Liang and Li Mingrui to drive a wedge between me and the Princess of Zhen? OtherwiseâŠwhy didnât Li Mingrui let you inform me of his involvement in this matter? Instead of having you warn me not to let the Left Prime Minister know!â The Crown Prince rested his elbow on the armrest, âNo matter how you think about itâŠitâs odd!â
âIf thatâs the case, we might as well summon Li Mingrui and the Princess of Zhen together for a confrontation!â Old Fang suggested.
The Crown Prince lifted his eyelids, looking at Old Fang, not hiding his displeasure at Old Fangâs relentless pursuit of the Princess of Zhen: âJust when I entered the palace to report the joy to Father, the Princess of Zhenâs condition turned critical. Mrs. Qin sought the Imperial Physician at the Crown Princeâs residence. How do you expect the Princess of Zhen to come here and confront you?! Didnât you know Quan Yu just summoned the Imperial Physician to the Princess of Zhenâs residence? Old FangâŠyouâre an old man now, why do you always get into it with such a loyal and self-sacrificing person like the Princess of Zhen!â
Hearing the displeasure in the Crown Princeâs voice, Old Fang hurriedly knelt and kowtowed: âYour Highness, my angerâŠI did not know the Princess of Zhen was unwell!â
âEnough! Enough! Your prejudice against the Princess of Zhen has long been deep-rooted! SomeoneâŠâ The Crown Prince called out loudly, âGo! Summon Li Mingrui to the Crown Princeâs residence immediately!â
The Crown Princeâs personal guards outside the main hall responded affirmatively.
The Crown Prince rubbed his aching temples, feeling that the vexing matters of the day were endless!
King Liang really knew how to stir up trouble, just like wild grass at the corner of a wall, never to be trampled to deathâŠ
Li Mingrui was also truly loyal to King Liang. Even after King Liangâs failed coup, he remained faithfully serving King Liang. Such a personâŠthe Crown Prince couldnât leave him around to cause trouble!
After all, Li Mingrui was the son of the Left Prime Minister. Who knew if the Left Prime Minister would eventually side with King Liang?
The Crown Prince suddenly paused, wondering if the Left Prime Minister had already pledged allegiance to King Liang?
âSend someone to summon the Minister of Judicial Review, Lu Jin! He lost people from the Court of Judicial ReviewâŠhe must give me an explanation!â The Crown Princeâs expression turned solemn.
âYes!â Ren Shijie quickly stood up to deliver the order.
âTake these three out! They vex me!â The Crown Prince pointed at the kneeling Wang Qiulu, the prison guard, and the gambler from Shuoyang.
The personal guards of the Crown Princeâs residence responded and entered to take the three away.
Only the Crown Prince and Old Fang remained in the main hall. Old Fang was still kneeling while the Crown Prince felt utterly exhausted: âAlright, alright, you may rise now!â
âThank you, Your Highness!â Old Fang supported himself on a chair beside him, trembling as he stood up.
Seeing the ever-loyal Old Fang in this state, the Crown Prince softened a bit and said: âOld Fang, itâs not that I want to reprimand you! Leaving aside that the Princess of Zhen is my savior, currentlyâŠDaliang is still at war! If you agitate the Princess of Zhen into some ailment, Bai Jinzhi, with her fiery temper, would come back and fight you even if it means defying my orders, do you believe it?â
Thinking of Bai Jinzhiâs straightforward temper, Old Fang nodded repeatedly: âThe Crown Prince is right!â
The Crown Prince sighed: âConsidering the frail state of the Princess of Zhen, there is no need for such vigilance. I doubt she can hold out until the end of the year! Even if she were in good health, and if you found the Princess obstructive and wished to eliminate her, now is not the time! Jin Kingdom and Daliang are still at war. We are counting on the Bai family. Not to mention, the Princess of Zhen is loyal to me! Even if she harbored ill will, I couldnât deal with her right now, do you understand?!â
Hearing this, Old Fang knelt once more: âItâs my fault for failing your trust, Your HighnessâŠI was merely worried about your growing trust in the Princess of Zhen, fearing she might deceive you. To be honest, Iâve always felt the Princess of Zhen is not entirely loyal to you.â
âOld FangâŠâ The Crown Prince suppressed the anger in his voice, âIâm not a fool. Do you think I would be manipulated by a woman?! Or do you believe I am an idiot?! Your constant fixation on the Princess of Zhen is wearing on my nerves, donât you know?!â
âPlease forgive me, Your Highness!â Old Fang immediately kowtowed.
âAlright, alright! Stand up! Stop kneeling!â The Crown Prince took a sip of hot tea. âIn the future, refrain from suspecting the Princess of Zhen over everything. I know youâre always so cautious for my sake. When Li Mingrui arrives, we can get to the bottom of this. NaturallyâŠwe canât just take his word for it. We also need to hear what the Princess of Zhen has to say.â
âYour Highness, I suggested bringing both the Princess of Zhen and Li Mingrui for a confrontation, not to make it difficult for the Princess of Zhen. Both Li Mingrui and the Princess are eloquent. Only by confronting them when they are unprepared can we uncover the truth! These are my heartfelt wordsâŠplease understand!â Old Fang kowtowed heavily.
The Crown Prince furrowed his brows and leaned back. Old Fang seemed to have a point. Bringing the two together for a confrontation might reveal who was truly behind the situation.
After all, Bai Qingyan wasnât entirely without motive. Wang Jianghai used the jade pendant of Bai Qingyanâs fourth uncle, Bai Qichuan, to lure Bai Qingyan into the Court of Judicial Reviewâs prison, seeking Bai Qingyanâs help to save his son, Wang Qiulu.
The Crown Prince touched his lips: âBut the Princess of Zhen is in such a bad state. It might be difficult for a confrontation!â
Old Fang was about to say something when a young eunuch came in, bowing to the Crown Prince: âYour Highness, Mrs. Qin, the younger sister of the Princess of Zhen, is outside requesting an audience, along with the nanny from the Crown Princess Consortâs side and the Imperial Physician.â
The Crown Prince sat up straight: âQuickly, invite them in!â
The young eunuch responded and exited the main hall to welcome Bai Jinxiu.
âYou may rise now!â The Crown Prince still wanted to save face for Old Fang.