Chapter 248: Down To Lingnan
And they had just come out of the Imperial Study Room when Jiang Kui sent an eunuch to pass a message asking him to come see him.
It was impossible that he didn’t know what happened in the Imperial Study Room.
His heart couldn’t help but feel vigilant; Jiang Kui’s power in the palace was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
The Second Prince picked up a chess piece and placed it on the chessboard opposite him.
“Doesn’t the Imperial Advisor already know everything? Why bother asking me unnecessarily?”
Jiang Kui didn’t beat around the bush and directly stated the purpose of calling him, “Is the Second Prince satisfied with his current situation?”
The Second Prince’s hand holding the white chess piece stiffened in mid-air, his face turning gloomy.
“Some things originally belonged to you, but now they’ve become the Crown Prince’s. Is the Second Prince really willing to just give everything up like that?”
The Second Prince gripped the chess piece tightly in his hand.
Suddenly, he tossed the chess piece into the chess basket, looking serious as he said, “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Jiang Kui unhurriedly placed the chess piece on the chessboard, looked up with a smile, and said, “I just want to discuss a deal with the Second Prince. I can take back what the Second Prince has lost and return it all to your hands.”
This temptation was great, but the Second Prince knew there was no such thing as a free lunch in the world.
“How to cooperate?”
“You help me retrieve the Tiger Tally, and I’ll help you take back everything. You also said that my father made such a big movement coming back just so my third brother wouldn’t be bullied down there. He has no malicious intent.”
The Second Prince’s mouth twitched.
What he said in the Imperial Study Room was just nonsense.
No one with a brain would believe those words.
He never expected to lift a stone only to drop it on his own foot.
But honestly, this temptation was huge.
Thinking about how he had been sidelined during this time, if he did nothing, that position wouldn’t be his anymore.
After a moment of silence, the Second Prince spoke, “Deal. I hope you keep your word.”
With that, he turned and left directly.
Watching his back, Jiang Kui’s face, which had been smiling just moments ago, suddenly turned gloomy.
“Idiot.”
He spat out the curse from his mouth.
* *
Wei Chang returned to the Crown Prince’s Manor and immediately had Yu Yi pack his luggage.
Thinking he might be gone for a long time, he still went to see Jiang Ruanxi.
Jiang Ruanxi was very surprised to see him.
“How do you have time to come over today?”
Normally, to avoid prying eyes, he would only come to see her in the middle of the night and stay with her until dawn before leaving.
Ever since they agreed to put on an act, he rarely came to see her during the day.
Wei Chang took her hand and gently squeezed it.
“I’m going to Lingnan.”
Jiang Ruanxi looked up at him in surprise, “Did something happen?”
“Mm.” Wei Chang nodded, stared at her for a few seconds, and finally said, “Jiang Minghuai is bringing 100,000 soldiers from the border toward the Capital, saying he’s returning to worship Jiang Rui.”
Jiang Ruanxi recalled that in her previous life, Jiang Minghuai had indeed returned with 100,000 soldiers, but it had gone quite smoothly at the time.
Later, Emperor Qin became wary of those 100,000 soldiers and treated the Jiang Family even more leniently.
Although there was no rebellion, his prestige in the Capital surpassed even Emperor Qin’s.
She never expected this scene to arrive so soon.
“Then what are you going to Lingnan for?”
Jiang Ruanxi was momentarily confused about what this matter had to do with Wei Chang going to Lingnan.
“They’ve arrived in Lingnan. Father Emperor wants me to take the Tiger Tally and persuade those soldiers to surrender.”
“Ah?”
Jiang Ruanxi hadn’t expected this to be the reason.
Soon, Jiang Ruanxi began to worry about him.
Because she knew how ruthless and merciless Jiang Minghuai was. Now Wei Chang was going to face him, and she feared something might happen to him. Looking at him with worry, she said, “Be careful in Lingnan. He’s not easy to deal with. Prioritize your own safety.”
In her previous life, when Jiang Minghuai returned to the Capital with 100,000 soldiers, Wei Chang had already died, so this hadn’t happened.
In this life, because of her, everything had changed.
Even the timing of Jiang Minghuai’s return to the Capital had been advanced by a lot.
Wei Chang’s heart warmed, knowing she was worried about him.
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I’m just not at ease leaving you in the manor, especially since you’re now carrying our child.” Wei Chang said worriedly.
“I’m fine. I’ll take good care of myself and our child. Besides, didn’t you leave many people here for me? Those people can’t bully me.”
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t tell Wei Chang about Sun Tina trying to harm her.
She just smiled to comfort him, not wanting him to worry about her.
Wei Chang was still worried, because in the previous incidents, even with those guards present, enemies had still found openings.
Jiang Ruanxi saw his worry and smiled to comfort him, “I’m really fine. Go without worry. After all I’ve been through, how could I be so easily bullied?”
Wei Chang wanted nothing more than to stay by her side at all times, but he knew some matters couldn’t be avoided. He could only grip her hand tightly, “If anything happens, have someone send me a message. You can also go to Grand Tutor Ling. He’s my man and will do everything to help you.”
Wei Chang didn’t yet know that Grand Tutor Ling and Jiang Ruanxi now had a good relationship.
“Okay.”
Wei Chang gave many more instructions before leaving with peace of mind.
As he walked out, his face immediately darkened.
He went to a corner and said coldly to the guards on the side, “While this palace is away, protect the Crown Princess well. If I find out she’s hurt even a hair, you won’t live.”
The guards all knew Wei Chang’s methods and knelt down, saying, “Yes, Master.”
Thinking of something, he instructed them, “Go spread the word that Young Master Jin is Lin Ningkun of the Lin Family, then find an opportunity to kill him. Don’t let him get close to the Crown Princess again.”
Lin Ningkun had harmed Jiang Ruanxi time and again; before leaving, he wouldn’t leave such a major hidden danger behind.
But killing him directly would be too easy on him.
He wanted to torment him thoroughly, make him lose all face, and then kill him.
“Yes.”
* *
Lingnan.
Inside the camp tent.
A man sitting in the seat of honor, wearing tight-fitting light black clothing, with a hard face and sharp features, was looking at the map on the table.
This man was none other than Jiang Minghuai, who was about to lead 100,000 soldiers to the Capital.
A man dressed as a soldier stepped forward and handed him a note.
“General, a letter from the Capital.”
“Hand it over.”
Jiang Minghuai looked up and took it.
After unfolding it and seeing the contents, he burst into laughter.
“They really are a bunch of idiots. Since they’ve prepared such a good excuse for me, I don’t even need to rack my brains.” Jiang Minghuai said while burning the note.
“General, what do you mean?” General Shenwei, his trusted aide, asked from the side.
“The idiots in the Capital actually say we’re bringing soldiers to the Capital because I’m going to worship Jiang Rui, to help him intimidate the spirits of the dead underground…”
Jiang Minghuai briefly explained the contents of the letter.
