As Lu Fan was conversing with the Heavenly Emperor, the Grand Tutor suddenly arrived at the imperial palace, his face beaming with pride, as if he had something special to report.
"Grand Tutor Wen, coming to the imperial palace so late at night, is there some urgent matter?"
The Heavenly Emperor frowned. He was in the midst of a discussion with Lu Fan, trying to uncover the mastermind behind recent events. The appearance of Grand Tutor Wen seemed rather coincidental.
"So the King of the Northwest is also here!"
Grand Tutor Wen glanced over, a cold smile playing on his lips, a chilling aura emanating from him, clearly showing his animosity.
"Grand Tutor Wen, your words seem to carry a hidden meaning. I don't quite understand!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly, "Could it be that your visit, Grand Tutor, is directed at me!"
"I never expected the King of the Northwest to possess such profound insight. Truly admirable!"
Grand Tutor Wen chuckled coldly, "But speaking of which, now that things have reached this point, there's no need for you to pretend any longer!"
"Pretend?"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, a cold glint appearing within them, "I don't know what you're talking about, Grand Tutor, or if you have any grievances with me!"
"I have already investigated. When you dealt with the Seventh Prince's Estate, you did not use your full strength!" Grand Tutor Wen said coldly.
"The Seventh Prince's Estate has been destroyed, and this matter has come to a close. Why dwell on it!" the Heavenly Emperor waved his hand, "Grand Tutor Wen, I believe you are rather idle!"
"Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, you may not be aware, but someone within the Seventh Prince's Estate was not eliminated. This poses a grave crisis for the entire imperial family!" Grand Tutor Wen stated, cupping his fists.
Lu Fan's brow furrowed slightly. He hadn't expected Grand Tutor Wen to know this. This was certainly not good news for him.
"Speak plainly if you have something to say!"
The Heavenly Emperor frowned, "What exactly is going on!"
"His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor may not know, but before the Seventh Princess Consort died, she gave birth to a child. This child was not killed; instead, he was kept alive and nurtured!" Grand Tutor Wen declared directly, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan, "And that person is him!"
The Heavenly Emperor's heart trembled. He abruptly looked at Lu Fan, his eyes filled with a fierce glare, "King of the Northwest, is what the Grand Tutor says true?"
"Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, the hostage is innocent. Moreover, I have already taken him as my adopted son and named him Lu Tian. In the future, he will not know that he is of royal blood!"
Lu Fan clasped his fists and said, "No matter what, he is your imperial nephew. Must you truly hunt him down to the last!"
"King of the Northwest, you rely on your great merits and do not show respect to His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor. Have you considered the consequences!" Grand Tutor Wen's words were sharp.
"Grand Tutor Wen, you are truly scheming. To come here so late to lodge a complaint, all to bring me down!" Lu Fan said with a wry smile, "Although I have committed a crime, what I have done is absolutely the most appropriate!"
The Heavenly Emperor stood rooted to the spot, his mind racing. He was acutely aware of the implications of this matter. If not handled properly, it could very well lead to public gossip.
With this thought, the Heavenly Emperor's expression grew solemn. He dared not show any negligence. In the blink of an eye, he turned his gaze to Lu Fan, "King of the Northwest, I know you are kind-hearted, but this matter concerns the royal family and cannot be allowed to remain. Otherwise, it will be a great threat to our imperial clan!" Su Dan Novel Network
Lu Fan stood still, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. He had never imagined that this matter would be exposed. As for the Heavenly Emperor's reaction, he could understand.
"The Seventh Prince's only bloodline, if it were to perish like this, it would also be a great loss to the imperial family!"
Lu Fan said with a wry smile, "Since His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor insists on his execution, I will resolve him completely in your presence!"
"Do you think this will allow you to escape punishment?" Grand Tutor Wen sneered, "You have deceived heaven and earth, your crime is unforgivable, and you deserve to be beheaded."
"It seems Grand Tutor Wen's visit today is not for the sake of the imperial family, but to put me to death!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, "Could it be that when I visited your estate last time, I offended you, Grand Tutor, and that's why you hold a grudge and say such things!"
"Hmph!"
Grand Tutor Wen snorted coldly, a surge of imposing aura accompanying it, "Now that things have been said, there is nothing more to discuss. Everything is up to His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor's decision!"
Faced with these words, Lu Fan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Heavenly Emperor, his expression appearing indifferent.
"You are both pillars of the Heavenly Dynasty. Why must you be so confrontational!" the Heavenly Emperor waved his hand, then looked at Lu Fan, "Since things have come to this, King of the Northwest, you need not take it to heart. As for that imperial nephew, you may foster him!"
"This..."
Grand Tutor Wen was startled, "Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, this absolutely cannot be! If he is truly kept alive, it will not be good for the entire imperial family!"
"He is but an infant. Even if he grows up and learns the truth, what of it?"
The Heavenly Emperor displayed a detached smile, "Could he possibly rebel!"
Grand Tutor Wen gave an awkward smile, "Of course not. Even if he had the audacity, he would not dare to do so, nor would he have the ability. It is merely that the roots are not removed, and they will sprout again with the spring breeze!"
"Enough, you need not say more!"
The Heavenly Emperor waved his hand. It seemed he had already made his decision on this matter.
Grand Tutor Wen nodded slightly, not daring to say more. The turn of events had truly surprised him, as this was no trivial matter.
After leaving the imperial palace, Lu Fan returned to his own King of the Northwest's Estate. Within the estate, Bei Cheng had been waiting for a long time.
"Why are you here?" Lu Fan glanced at him.
"It's rare for me to return to the capital. If I, your old friend, don't come to see you, wouldn't that be too unfeeling!" Bei Cheng smiled, "I heard that you have a secret mission this time back in the capital."
"That's right. The First Prince last time was merely a scapegoat. The true mastermind has not yet appeared!" Lu Fan shrugged.
"Really?" Bei Cheng looked surprised, "Could it be that among the many princes, there is someone manipulating everything from behind the scenes?"
"Naturally, there is!"
Lu Fan nodded, his gaze serious, "You may not know, but this person has played us all like puppets. But you are still young!"
"Then who is it!"
Bei Cheng looked astonished, "Among the numerous princes, there are not many who possess such capability!"
"This person is both near and far away!" Lu Fan smiled, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upwards.
At these words, Bei Cheng's expression stiffened slightly. He then chuckled and said, "You kid, why do I feel like you're implying something about me?"
"What are you saying! How could I possibly imply anything about you!" Lu Fan smiled faintly, "I am stating it directly, not implying. Young Master of the Hell Dynasty!"
"I think you're deliberately picking a fight, kid. How could I be the Young Master of the Hell Dynasty!" Bei Cheng chuckled awkwardly.