The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: I Don’t Want to Leave

This was originally the pain in Prince Li’s heart.

The words Father said while drunk echoed in his mind, like a mighty bell or drum, making him feel dizzy.

He pondered carefully, indeed, since the Third Brother had already made a plan, he would naturally take precautions. When it was Father’s birthday, he summoned all the Imperial Grandsons back to the Capital City to celebrate, and although it was not explicitly stated, the intent was clear.

Back then, Jinglun was much admired by Father, and if anything happened to the Eldest Brother, with Jinglun around, Father would consider him. It was only after Jinglun was no longer there that Father gave the position of Crown Prince to the Third Brother.

So all this was the Third Brother’s scheme!

Yet he actually thought it was his eldest son and third son vying for the position of Princely Heir, how wrongly the Eldest Brother died.

However, Prince Li thought about it a few times more, and a bit of doubt arose again.

All of this was just speculation.

He looked at Huangfu Yuxuan, his face was already calm, and said, ”Jinglun’s death is the pain in Uncle Nine’s heart, Uncle Nine will surely find out who did it to comfort his spirit in the heavens!”

Huangfu Yuxuan smiled and said, ”Uncle Nine does not believe, this is within my expectations. But Uncle Nine might take note, back then Uncle Nine was in the Capital, who else besides Jinglun do you think was outstanding?”

Prince Li thought for a moment, filtering through his mind, then said, ”Prince Cheng’s Heir?”

A hint of darkness flashed deep in Huangfu Yuxuan’s eyes, it seemed he was not the only one who found Huangfu Jingchen striking then, Prince Li noticed too. Yet on the surface, he said lightly, ”Indeed, he is outstanding, but he did not have the chance, because Uncle Cheng insisted on marrying Aunt Cheng, and Grandfather did not like Uncle Cheng, this is no secret. Everyone in the world knows!”

”Then who else?”

Huangfu Yuxuan lifted his cup with a smile and said, ”Uncle Nine is really impatient, what I have to say is still about Prince Cheng’s Heir. More than half a month ago, I got news from the Shadow Pavilion, Third Uncle has already sent out his Hidden Guards, heading in the direction of Liangzhou, to kill someone.”

”Kill whom?”

”Prince Cheng’s Heir!”

Prince Li laughed, shaking his head while laughing, raised his cup to drink tea, and said slowly, ”Didn’t you say so yourself? Everyone in the world knows, your Grandfather does not like Uncle Cheng, so even if Prince Cheng’s Heir is extraordinary, it is of no use.”

Huangfu Yuxuan also laughed and said, ”Uncle Li, I am merely confirming my hypothesis from the side. Even someone as impossible as Prince Cheng’s Heir needs to be removed, then if cousin Jinglun met his untimely demise, with such separation of the living and dead, what else could be impossible? If Uncle Nine does not believe, you might as well pay attention, then you will know whether I’m speaking truth or not!”

Prince Li’s expression changed again.

Yes, if confirmed indirectly, does it not explain the issue?

The Third Brother was scheming deeply, had long anticipated the possibilities; Jinglun died unjustly! Now the situation was settled, what more could he do? He had always thought it was a struggle for the Princely Heir, turned out it was the Crown Prince’s battle. After all, he was still too naïve, never thought of the Third Brother.

Huangfu Yuxuan said the information came from the Shadow Pavilion, Prince Li had no doubt, after all, no false information came from the Shadow Pavilion.

Huangfu Yuxuan watched Prince Li’s expression change without any urgency.

Prince Li said, ”Why are you telling me these things?”

Huangfu Yuxuan smiled and said, ”Firstly, I don’t want Uncle Nine to be kept in the dark; secondly, the Capital is such a bustling place, I do not wish to leave!”

”What do you mean?”

”My father is now Prince Liang, a Vassal King in the Capital! If Third Uncle drives Uncle Nine out of the Capital, the next would probably be my father. So I take action, assisting Uncle Nine.”

These words were straightforward, also honest, Prince Li thought for a moment, felt this was the truth,

He squinted slightly, ”Back then when your father committed a crime, the first one to report was the person I sent to escort him to the Capital! Would you still be willing to lend me a hand?”

Huangfu Yuxuan said calmly, ”Times change. Back then, Uncle Nine was working for Uncle Zhuang, diligent and dedicated, I can understand! But now Uncle Nine is a thorn in Uncle Zhuang’s eyes, you share the same fate as my father! If you and my father ended up in mutual destruction, wouldn’t it benefit the third party? By that time, I’m afraid you both will have to go to the Vassal Land, with no chance of staying in the Capital. I think this would not be something Uncle Nine wants to see!”

These words hit the mark in Prince Li’s heart. Although he was not working for Prince Zhuang at the time, but rather for his own ploys, he certainly wouldn’t admit in front of Huangfu Yuxuan nor correct him if his analysis was wrong.

Prince Li sighed, ”Yuxuan, Uncle Nine has made mistakes in the past, and you bear no grudge, I am pleased. But you know, your Uncle Nine’s capabilities are limited, apart from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, he knows little of other matters. That is why he was led by the nose, being played around. My lifelong wish has always been to make friends with music and chess, accompany with poetry and books, enjoy the beauty of wine and scenery, fulfill filial piety before Father, and I would be satisfied. I will not disclose a single word of today’s matter. Yuxuan, you are a capable and perseverant good child, rest assured, Uncle Nine will never hold you back!”

This is to detach himself.

Huangfu Yuxuan’s eyes flickered with a hint of coldness, a slight, faint sarcasm arose, he said, ”Uncle Nine really is a smart person, you do not want to offend the Third Uncle, I understand. Just don’t know whether the Third Uncle would understand, when he learns everything Uncle Nine has done beforehand?”

”You...what do you mean?”

Huangfu Yuxuan smiled faintly, ”As a prince, desiring that position, isn’t this normal? Uncle Nine having this thought, that is but human nature! But for Uncle Nine to hide so much before others is one thing; but before me, no need for such caution! After all, regarding that mine incident, Uncle Nine knows, and so does this nephew!”

Regarding that mine, Prince Li’s mansion indeed was not unaware; on the contrary, Prince Li had known for a long while, and had even nearly exhausted it. In order to maintain secrecy, he did not involve the Household Soldiers but had his confidants take care of it, hiding behind anonymity, while theatrically engaging some commoners and merchants for mining. This way, he could so easily shrug it off during treatment.

This incident, Prince Li had thought only he and his trusted thinking knew.

Indeed, even his eldest son Huangfu Jingwei knew nothing about it.

However, Huangfu Yuxuan’s hint was so apparent, he knew!

Not only did he know, he was threatening, blatantly so!

Prince Li was shocked, reevaluating Huangfu Yuxuan, that twenty-year-old young man whom he had underestimated, because his father and brother were both incapable.

This was truly a talented person.

Since he could promptly send word for Jingwei to handle the mine matter, ahead of the Third Brother, saving him from disaster, it was clear he knew perfectly well matters regarding the Third Brother and his Vassal Land in Ningzhou.

The mine matter was indeed salvation, yet it also provided leverage!

At present without a resolution, I’m afraid this handle shall soon reach Father’s desk. By then, the outcome would be far worse than being dealt with by the Third Brother.

A person like this, cannot be an enemy!