Emerging from the secret chamber.
Zhan Tianyu headed straight for the study.
A moment later, Li Decai emerged from the secret chamber.
After exiting, he stared at Zhan Tianyu’s retreating back, anger radiating from him, and said in a low voice to the person beside him, “It seems the Prince of Ning is becoming uncontrollable.”
“Uncontrollable? The Prince of Ning was able to successfully return to the capital of Yongning Kingdom only because of the General’s covert support. Otherwise, with his disgraced status after being expelled from the capital of Yongning, how could he have made such a swift comeback?”
Listening to the question from the person beside him, Li De frowned, his expression grave. “Once a person’s appetite is whetted, they are prone to forgetting their roots.”
“Then this subordinate will discreetly monitor the Prince of Ning’s every move.”
“Indeed. Keep an eye on his every move. Do not jeopardize the plan. This game has been played for many years; we absolutely cannot afford a mistake at this most critical juncture. No haste; only by proceeding slowly can we achieve total victory.”
“Understood!”
At this moment, Zhan Tianyu, seething with rage, entered the study.
The current Zhan Tianyu was devoid of any gentleness or composure.
In reality, the Prince of Ning the world saw these years was a persona crafted by Li De. When no one was around, Zhan Tianyu would reveal his true self, ensuring no one witnessed it.
Even his closest guards rarely saw Zhan Tianyu’s true face.
However, when consumed by immense anger, Zhan Tianyu struggled to control his emotions.
In the study, his expression gradually became sinister.
He walked to a bronze mirror and peeled off a piece of skin from his face.
This piece of skin only concealed half of his face, and that half was like a demon’s, a dense network of scars left by burns.
Years ago, after being expelled from the capital, his progress in his fiefdom was severely hindered. Someone had deliberately set a fire, but fortunately, he managed to escape from the inferno.
To hide this half of his face, he used human skin!
Even the best disguise artist in the world would find it difficult to discern any flaws on his face.
He stroked the burn scars on his face, his voice low. “No one will stop me. For years, I have yearned for this. If anyone dares to obstruct me, I will make them pay a devastating price!”
Through the bronze mirror, he seemed to glimpse the resplendent golden imperial throne.
That throne was what he had dreamed of since childhood. Zhan Tianhong, that little brat, had occupied it for far too long; it was time for him to have a turn!
Moreover, Li De and the others’ delay might mean they had discovered his long-hidden secret!
That is, the person who secretly had an affair with the Emperor of Western Xia all those years ago was not his birth mother!
Although he was unsure which concubine in the harem it was, it was definitely not his birth mother. His birth mother did have a secret affair back then, but her lover was his own maternal uncle!
Due to the taboo of their relationship, they had kept it hidden, and no one had discovered it.
They intended to usurp the throne, but the Emperor discovered them and their true relationship. Thus, he was implicated and driven out of the imperial palace, far from the capital. However, he concealed this secret when Li De approached him.
To prevent the scandal within the imperial palace from leaking to the world, the Emperor did not announce the relationship between his consort and her brother to the public. Therefore, he believed he could conceal it seamlessly, and indeed, he had received Li De’s full support over the years.
Even Jiang Luoxi, whom he heavily relied upon, was completely unaware of this hidden truth.
Now, Li De suddenly declared that they should pause and not act rashly, making him sense danger.
Even if Li De hadn’t said it, he had sensed it!
Perhaps they had found the illegitimate child of the true Emperor of Western Xia! And he, the imposter, would naturally become a disposable pawn!
He, Zhan Tianyu, would never be content to be a pawn!
He would control everything!
…
Prince Ye’s Mansion.
Qiu Lu entered.
By this time, the night had deepened.
However, Zhan Tianye was still engrossed in his work in the study.
“Your Highness, your subordinate has just received some news, delivered personally by a scout.”
Hearing this, Zhan Tianye looked up at Qiu Lu.
“The news just received is that the person lurking beside the Prince of Ning is a general from Western Xia named Li De. He has been by the Prince of Ning’s side for many years,” Qiu Lu said in a low voice.
“They wouldn’t support the Prince of Ning without reason. Continue investigating,” Zhan Tianye commanded.
“Yes!”
Zhan Tianye seemed to recall something. “Investigate the Prince of Ning’s lineage.”
Qiu Lu was somewhat stunned and surprised. “Your Highness suspects the Prince of Ning’s lineage?”
“Wasn’t it reported a few days ago that the Prince of Ning’s birth mother had an incestuous relationship with her brother? If this news is true, the Prince of Ning’s identity would also be questionable. Furthermore, carefully monitor all activities at the Prince of Ning’s mansion,” Zhan Tianyu said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Lu nodded repeatedly. “Yes! Your subordinate will have people investigate immediately. If the Prince of Ning’s lineage truly has issues, this is a major affair! However, judging from the intelligence subtly leaked by Jing Heng, there are some movements within the Prince of Ning’s mansion. It is likely that the Prince of Ning has lost his patience and might make a move at any moment.”
Zhan Tianye remained silent for a moment, then said, “Keep watch.”
“Yes, Your Highness! Oh, right, the dark guards just mentioned that Princess Sheng Yue secretly appeared in front of the mansion. This Princess Sheng Yue is truly a persistent nuisance!” The mention of Princess Sheng Yue’s name made Qiu Lu feel extremely annoyed.
Who gave Princess Sheng Yue the courage to be so thick-skinned and appear repeatedly?
His Highness had clearly stated his displeasure, yet she kept pestering His Highness time and again!
Truly bothersome!
Zhan Tianye, without looking up, commanded with a chilling voice, “Next time she appears, treat her as an assassin.”
“Yes! Your Highness’s command will be strictly obeyed!” Qiu Lu quickly agreed.
Treating her as an assassin would make things much easier!
To avenge Miss Yun the Second! Hmph! How dare she insult Miss Yun the Second! Princess Sheng Yue truly has shit in her mouth!
Qiu Lu mumbled to himself as he walked out of the study.
As Qiu Lu’s footsteps faded, Zhan Tianye looked at the various letters in his hand and frowned slightly.
A hint of foreboding flashed through his mind.
His heart gave a sharp pang.
He suddenly stood up and walked out of the study without a word.
He moved even faster than Qiu Lu.
Qiu Lu, watching Zhan Tianye walk past him, was utterly astonished. “Your Highness?”
What was going on? Wasn’t His Highness supposed to be reading a pile of secret reports? He had resolved issues swiftly when speaking with him earlier, so why was he suddenly leaving the study now?
“To the Yun Residence,” Zhan Tianye responded in a deep voice.
Qiu Lu was stunned, his jaw dropping. “To the Yun Residence?”
What was happening?
Did he suddenly miss Miss Yun the Second?
Didn’t they just meet yesterday? Is it a case of “a day away feels like three years”?
Qiu Lu blinked his large eyes.
Only after Zhan Tianye had vanished did he remember to quickly attend to his duties, as the prince’s orders had not yet been relayed.
A moment later.
The Yun Residence.