"Quickly inform Master Du to speed up his search for the mine's ledger. If the Ninth Prince returns to court, this move might be wasted. Madam Hua has always been cunning; she's managed to fool us twice when investigating internal traitors. But if she becomes determined to uncover the truth, our little tricks won't hold for long before being exposed."
"Yes! This old servant will arrange it immediately!"
At this moment, Feng Jin Hao was unaware that the matter of Qing Yan Hua had been exposed in the Eastern Capital, and that the eldest branch had already sent word to Madam Hua.
He was contemplating making a move at the mine, but Madam Hua had already begun investigating Qing Yan Hua, the He Yu family, and the Ling Gui Kingdom.
The path to ruin had begun, and he was completely oblivious to how deeply he was already ensnared.
By the time he realized it, it would be too late to turn back!
In the Eastern Capital, at the residence of the Eldest Princess of Chang Lin.
Upon returning to his residence, Wen Xing Lu had employed every means to regain his position by the Eldest Princess's side.
Although his leg injury affected his agility somewhat, it was not noticeable when he walked slowly.
Yin Can Wen, who had passed the imperial examinations in the same year, became the top scholar and was sent to Liang Zhou. He also recognized Elder Xu as his grandfather. How could such good fortune not make Wen Xing Lu envious?
The Wen family, which had caused his downfall, was now in ruins. However, he had not forgotten the Wei family and the Eldest Princess of Chang Lin, who had stood by and watched.
Now, in serving the Eldest Princess, he was exceptionally "sincere."
Chang Lin believed he was fawning over her because the Wen family had fallen into decline. Little did she know that Wen Xing Lu was secretly digging a pit for her, waiting for her to fall to the bottom!
One day, after they had been intimate, both the Eldest Princess Chang Lin and Wen Xing Lu looked content.
It had to be said that Wen Xing Lu was truly skilled. Since Chang Lin had grown accustomed to being with him, she had not favored anyone else.
As Wen Xing Lu massaged her, he whispered in her ear.
"Princess, I hear the Ninth Prince is returning to court with his victorious army. With this victory, he will likely be enfeoffed as a prince."
"Yes, I heard my imperial brother mention it last time. Yun Li has indeed been very capable. He managed to win that difficult battle in the northwest. No wonder the Empress looked rather displeased these past few days when I saw her at the palace."
She maintained good relations with both the Empress and Consort Wei, but she had never shown favoritism to either side.
To this day, the reason she could stand firm was precisely because she did not take sides.
Therefore, when Wen Xing Lu said this, the Eldest Princess Chang Lin turned to look at him, her eyes full of allure.
"What? Are you interested in Yun Li today?"
"When I was staying at my uncle's residence before, he had many dealings with the Wei family, so I always knew more about the Ninth Prince's affairs."
"It's a pity about your uncle's move. If not for Yin Can Wen and Elder Xu's interference, the glory today would have belonged to the Wen family."
Externally, the person who benefited most from this matter was Yin Can Wen.
He had challenged so many powerful figures as a scholar from a humble background, and even caused the Wen family to be executed. Now, he was not only the top scholar but also recognized as Elder Xu's grandson, truly an unprecedented honor.
Chang Lin's words, while seemingly comforting Wen Xing Lu, were actually a test.
After all, the matter of Wen Yu Wei's public accusation in court had spread. She did not believe that Wen Xing Lu was not behind it!
However, she found the ruthlessness of her nephew and niece, who had turned against their own family for righteousness, rather appealing.
She was a person who neither loved to be bound by worldly constraints nor disliked those who acted outside the norm.
Wen Xing Lu was incredibly perceptive. During their time together, he had already noticed this. Therefore, when the Eldest Princess Chang Lin mentioned the Wen family, he deliberately let his eyes reveal his hatred and disgust.
This made her like the extreme Wen Xing Lu even more.
"Alright, alright, I won't mention it if you don't like hearing it."
"The Wen family's fate is their own doing; they have no one to blame. However, this incident taught Xing Lu a lesson. The strong prey on the weak. If Yin Can Wen had backed down, the Wen family would have continued to leech off scholars from humble backgrounds. Who knew he was fearless and would overturn the Wen family? Therefore, only the strong can forever stand undefeated. What do you think, Princess?"
"Are you suggesting that this Princess should ally with Yun Li?"
Chang Lin raised an eyebrow and asked him curiously.
"Not ally, but cooperate! His Majesty is in his prime, but all his princes are eyeing the throne. If one wrong step is taken, the throne might change hands. Since a change is inevitable, why doesn't the Princess take the initiative? By supporting the Ninth Prince to ascend, wouldn't the Great Jin be yours to command in the future!"
His eyes were filled with encouragement and a thirst for power, which also excited the Eldest Princess Chang Lin. "You are quite bold to speak so casually about your imperial brother's life and death."
Finding Chang Lin's sensitive spot, he continued to provoke her.
"Princess, the Ninth Prince and Consort Wei are both foolish. What can the aging Duke Wei achieve alone? But you are different. When Duke Wei passes away and Consort Wei dies, the Ninth Prince will have no one to rely on but you, won't he?"
In his words, he had arranged for two more people to die.
This ruthlessness was quite to Chang Lin's taste. She bit his chin lightly and said,
"You make even discarding a tool after its use sound so interesting. I fear I might fall into your hands one day."
Wen Xing Lu pulled her close to his chest, tracing her features with his fingers, and seductively said,
"Aren't the most dangerous things the most captivating?"
After a burst of silvery laughter, they once again fell into a tender embrace.
The next day, Duke Wei received a letter from the Eldest Princess Chang Lin, inviting him to meet at the pavilion by the polo field outside the city.
Although Duke Wei was wary of this matter, he could not refuse the Eldest Princess Chang Lin.
For so many years, he had tried to probe her, but his efforts had yielded nothing. Now that she was actively seeking cooperation, it was unexpected.
However, the news of the Ninth Prince's triumphant return had already spread like wildfire throughout the capital.
A wise bird chooses its tree to nest in; it was a normal course of action.
Thus, he attended the banquet that afternoon and met Wen Xing Lu, who had not appeared in public for some time.
His eyes showed much approval.
Indeed, he had fulfilled his promise and brought the Eldest Princess Chang Lin into their camp.
Although they had lost the Wen family as an ally, gaining the Eldest Princess Chang Lin brought many more opportunities!
Especially with Wen Xing Lu's involvement, it was like adding wings to a tiger.
After their detailed discussion concluded, the Eldest Princess Chang Lin rose to change her attire. Duke Wei saw this and raised his cup to Wen Xing Lu, saying,
"This wine is in honor of the驸马 (Consort to the Princess). Although His Majesty decreed that the Wen family would not hold official positions for three generations, times change with each emperor. Once the Ninth Prince ascends the throne, I will certainly petition for a noble title for you, so that you may be worthy of the Princess!"