Therefore, after that idiot Jing Hua gloriously ascended to the crown prince position, their position in the imperial court took a change. Those people who they had gathered almost all switched to the crown prince’s camp.
It could be seen that the imperial court was composed of a bunch of opportunists. Concubine Xiao clenched her fists and hit the table when she recalled the unexpected result of that fight for the crown prince position.
Sang Lan did not dare to speak. She had served Concubine Xiao for many years and knew the other’s sore spots. As time slowly ticked away, Concubine Xiao finally looked at Sang Lan with squinted eyes. “Get up.”
“Thank you, your Ladyship.” Sang Lan got up.
“Xuan’er, that girl… Did she obediently stay in the palace?” asked Concubine Xiao.
“Reporting to your Ladyship. The princess… she went out of the palace.”
“Did she go to Prince Rong’s residence?”
“That is highly possible.”
Concubine Xiao spoke in anger, “That girl! Always outside causing mischief.”
Amongst the four princes, the crown prince Jing Hua is a smooth talker without a brain. His eloquence only amounts to empty flattery. The third prince, Jing Yi, is a reserved person. Furthermore, he is intelligent and cunning. A man that handles everything impeccably and the one who resembled the emperor the most. The fourth prince, Jing Xian, became sick more than 10 years ago and his health had quickly deteriorated. As years passed by, he remained in his palace hall and rarely went out. Finally, the seventh prince, Jing Rong, is a careful but taciturn man. He is steady and dependable. Someone who does not lose his calm. He never showed interest in the crown prince’s position. His lack of presence caused people to be unable to decipher his real intentions.
Jing Rong’s mother died because of a palace battle. Due to the crime she committed, the relationship between the emperor and Jing Rong became estranged.
However, Concubine Xiao was a master at reading people and there was one thing of which she was clear – Jing Xian was a waste. There was no need to waste time on him. Besides, bringing down Jing Hua was an easy matter. However, if she wanted to help her son gain the crown prince’s position, the strongest competitor would be Jing Rong in the end.
Even if the emperor did not value Jing Rong, he was like a patient willow branch that grows longer as time passed, becoming sharper with time. Sooner or later, that crown prince’s position would be within his reach. She had to prevent it before it even happened. She must cut the weeds and destroy the roots!
At that moment, a eunuch’s announcement timely interrupted her thoughts. “Prince Yi has arrived.”
Prince Yi, dressed in a gown with wide sleeves, strode in. He respectfully greeted his mother, “Son pays a visit to imperial mother.”
“Get up quickly.” Concubine Xiao gently smiled and quickly pulled her son near her. Her son was truly pleasing to look at.
“Did you want to see your imperial father? He went to the imperial court just now.”
“Son is coming to see imperial mother.” Jing Yi’s expression twisted.
It appeared that the matter was incredibly serious. Immediately, Concubine Xiao sent all the servants out of the room, leaving only Sang Lan. Her heart suddenly gave birth to some doubts and anxiety. She quickly inquired, “What’s the matter?”
Jing Yi was clearly restraining the fear in him. He spoke in a low voice, “Today, the capital governor found a corpse. The deceased is the old General Li’s granddaughter. It’s related to the missing girls case.”
“And?”
“That Teacher Ji has taken over the case.” A sense of crisis could be felt from his tone.
Concubine Xiao nodded. “I understand.” She quickly added, “Relying on just one person, can that man solve the case? The deadline is in two months. From what I see, his ability is over exaggerated. Besides, I don’t believe that the person Jing Rong found can solve this case.”
‘In this world, can such a talented person exist?’ She suggested the missing girls case to be given to that Teacher Ji only as a means to suppress Jing Rong.
But Jing Rong said to her, “Imperial mother, you should know that this move of yours is a mistake.”
This only served to fuel her anger. ‘A mistake? How could it be a mistake?’