50

Finally Yuhong Xun learned that Nie Huanzhang and Zhou Chuyu did know each other. Nie Huanzhang and the Zhou family were even involved in business together. This revelation not only angered Yuhong Xun but also fueled his hatred. He began secretly observing Zhou Chuyu and noticed that he remained unchanged, diligently writing the sutra every day and praying at the temple on the first and fifteenth of each mother and maintaining the same attitude towards himself. Yuhong Xun found some peace in this, unaware that someone would climb the cliff at midnight to have a date with a fox spirit. This both infuriated and delighted Zhou Chuyu. Nie Huanzhang responded to him with teasing: "Should I come or not?" Zhou Chuyu was speechless but embraced Nie Huanzhang tightly and kissed him. 

However, Yuhong Xun didn't have much time to be angry with Zhou Chuyu at the moment. He was exhausted and frustrated due to recent challenges. His relationship with Wang Qing remained ambiguous, strictly professional despite Yuhong Xun's sincere efforts in assisting with state affairs. 

That day, Yuhong Xun had a bit of time to relax. Drinking alone, he glanced sideways at Zhou Chuyu who stared at the ground, devoid of expression as usual. With a finger, he lifted Zhou Chuyu's chin, bringing their faces closer. Staring at the scarred face with pale skin and lowered eyelids. Yuhong Xun lightly kissed him. Zhou Chuyu showed no reaction. Yuhong Xun deepened the kiss, still no response. Suddenly, Zhou Chuyu began retching, prompting Yuhong Xun to kick him away in anger. Zhou Chuyu, seemingly unaffected, continued vomiting. Yuhong Xun helpless said:

"Why? Can you give me a bit reaction? I really like you even if you're not the virgin with the disfigured face. I don't care these. Haha, I know you won't give me any response. I know you look down on me, just like now, disgusting me, despising me. But...." Yuhong Xun lay down, embracing Zhou Chuyu and continued, "Don't leave me, okay? Look at me, I have no one I like, no on likes me, no friends, no family. There is only you. I know your heart is soft and kind. Please show mercy on me, okay? Look at me, a prince, begging you so humbly. Please! Don't you feel moved? Please! Let me kiss each other like lover, okay? Don't bite me anymore. Please give me a bit reaction." Seeing Zhou Chuyu still unresponsive, seemingly indifferent, Yuhong Xun pleaded, "Hate me, right? I know I've destroyed everything to you. You mom died by my hands. It's not strange for you to hate me. I'm sorry for what I did to you. I'm not asking you to like me. I just beg you not to leave me. Let me like you. That is what I want. If...."

"Xun, Xun, there is a big problem, Xie..."

Yuhong Zhen rushed in anxiously. Upon seeing the scene, he wasn't surprised but didn't avoid it. Instead, he exclaimed: 

"Xun, it is so urgent now and you are still here being affectionate with this ugly guy."

Yuhong Xun glared at Yuhong Zhen with hatred, stood up and said to Zhou Chuyu:

"You can leave and go back to your room."

Zhou Chuyu stood up, bowed and walked out. He didn't linger to eavesdrop but went straight back to his yard, still feeling nauseous. Yuhong Xun said:

"What's the matter? Why did you rush into my house so anxiously?"

"Xie Guansan secretly returned to Jingdu and was protected by Uncle Yang. I heard that Wang Qing had been invited to the mansion of Uncle Yang's."

Yuhong asked weakly:

"We should have killed Xie Guansan back then. Why couldn't the ronins you found kill him?"

Yuhong Zhen explained:

"Unexpectedly, Xie Guansan was on guard. He not only spent money to hire bodyguard but also invited the garrison to protect their families. Several assassination attempts were thwarted by him, resulting in quite a few casualties. It's now challenging to find someone to do this job."

"Just offer more money. Money can make the devil turn the mill."

"Xun, we need the money but the only one department we can get money now is the Ministry of Revenue. Qian Dayou has loosened the purse strings and Shen Lijing has contributed a significant amount to our cause. In addition, Liao Yunxi in the Ministry of Works has also brought in substantial funds. A few days ago, Liao Yunxi even complained to me that the Fourth Prince is keeping a close eye on him and the money on his side has become tight."

Yuhong Xun sighed and said:

"It isn't easy. Wang Qing has never confided in me. Forget about the several ministers from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Military. Zhang Jin from the Ministry of Justice has never helped me, his son-in-law, a little. The ministers from the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Rites have never expressed their attitude. As for the garrison commanders, forget about Zhao Hai. I initially planned to use Nie Huanzhang to provoke the relationship between Princess Yun and Zhao Hai but, as you know, that ronin is so ignorant. How about on Qi Hui's side?"

"He is no problem but there is a decree from the palace, prohibiting any arbitrary movement of the garrisons. Anyone who violates it will be beheaded."

Yuhong Xun replied:

"We don't know what kind of illness our father has. He sealed off the palace, restricted entry and exit but Uncle Yang, dragging it on for so long. There is no news from our father directly now. Actually, I worry about him."

Yuhong Zhen nervously glanced at Yuhong Xun and mumbled:

"Our father was poisoned."

Yuhong Xun exclaimed:

"What did you say? Poisoned? Is it you?"

"I want you to take over the throne as earlier as possible. Although Yuhong Xuan seems uninterested in the throne, he still holds significant prestige and the military power. Yuhong Lun has a good reputation in the central government. Although he has taken advantage of his status to bully others, he works diligently and has indeed done many things beneficial to the people. Only you, due to health reasons, have never been able to engage in the state affairs. I know you have kept in touch with some officials for many years. Our father has a good health. Wasn't I a bit anxious? So I found some old people from mom's palace, spent a bit of money and they began to poison them."

Yuhong Xun asked in surprise:

"Them? Apart from our father, who else? Concubine Xian?" Yuhong Zhen nodded and Yuhong Xun continued to say angrily, "Did it work? No. Now it seems our father can still issue the decrees. Aren't your alerting him and making him suspicious of us?"

To this, Yuhong Zhen said nervously:

"To be honest, I now doubt whether our father is still alive or not. Maybe it is Concubine De and Uncle Yang who have sealed the palace secretly without informing us."

"Your meaning..." Yuhong Xun looked at Yuhong Zhen, who nodded. Yuhong Xun continued, "But that's not right. If our father has really passed away, why would he appoint me as the regent? No, something isn't right. If you're talking about Concubine De and Uncle Yang who sealed the palace, then it should wait for Xuan coming back. But Xuan has been here for so long time but he doesn't have done anything to us."

"Maybe he has no intention of going back Liangzhou now. He might be waiting to see what we'll do and then deal with us one by one."

"Be careful!. We can't be too hasty and can't make a bit mistake. Is everything okay with Qi Hui?" 

"No problem. I promised him the position of Grand Marshal after you take the throne. He is willing to be our reinforcement if necessary. Xun, what should we do about Xie Guansan coming to the capital? And what did the undercover agent in Nanyue find out? How much evidences did he has been gathered? And how is Shen Lijing doing now? Where is he now? We don't have found out anything yet."

Yuhong pondered for a while and explained:

"We need more people to help us so you continue keeping in touch more officials even if spending more money. There are many things which don't have been clarified. If Xie Guansan has any evidence to be shown to Wang Qing, I think he's definitely tell me because, after all, I'm in charge of this country now. By then, we'll know how much evidence he has. I'll try to handle it. Maybe I can delay to investigate them before we have the solution. Regarding to Nanyue, it is a bit troublesome. Zhao Hai doesn't have the authority to decide on this matter. If our father or Uncle Yang knows this so the investigation will be continued, the evidences and witnesses must be escorted to the capital and handed over to Wang Qing. So it's crucial to win Wang Qing over. Otherwise, it'll be a big problem. Don't worry. I'm here to handle this." 

After speaking, he patted Yuhong Zhen on the shoulder. Once Yuhong Zhen left, Yuhong Xun immediately let Ouyang Liang come and instructed:

"Look into our connections with Yuhong Zhen, how deep they go. Investigate thoroughly, cut ties as soon as possible, destroy any evidence and kill people that could implicate us. Be discreet, don't let Yuhong Zhen notice." 

"Yes, Your Highness. Should we accept the persons who belonged to the Fifth Prince?"

"If they are useful and loyal to me, we can accept them but not too much but don't make it too obvious. We have to wait for the result whether Zhen can get through this hard time or not."

"Yes, sir."

Ouyang Liang left and Yuhong Xun felt restless. It didn't expect Yuhong Zhen to be audacious enough to poison the Emperor, their father. Regardless of whether their father was still alive, Lord Dun, Yuhong Yang would definitely investigate. However, considering Lord Dun's personality, he has no this capability to find anything. Since this matter wasn't handed over to Wang Qing and the poisoner was definitely someone within the palace, the investigation should focus on the palace's persons. Since Wang Qing wasn't allowed into the palace and the Ministry of Justice didn't have received any orders, who was conducting the investigation, and what progress had been made? Who investigated this case in the palace? Suddenly, he remembered that a few people from the palace had been sent to exile a few days ago. At that time, he didn't pay much attention. Thinking about it now, he immediately called Ouyang Liang again: 

"Hurry up! You must send people to investigate the matter of some people from the palace being sent into exile a few days ago. Keep it secret! Let me know immediately if you find anything."

After giving the orders, Yuhong Xun felt exhausted. He wanted to continue the intimacy with Zhou Chuyu that was interrupted earlier, so he headed towards Zhou Chuyu's yard. However, upon arrival, he noticed that the lights were already extinguished, indicating that Zhou Chuyu had gone to sleep. He sighed and returned to his own yard.