pdf-ebookys Chapter 160 It's all about timing and fate.
Chapter 160 It's all about timing and fate.
Lu Zhiheng went straight upstairs and entered a private room, where he found Shen Ran already waiting for him.
"Master." Shen Ran quickly bowed.
The two did not exchange many words. Fearing that the walls might be overheard, Shen Ran twisted the vase on the shelf, and a secret passage quickly appeared in the wall behind him.
Ling Xiao stayed in the private room and changed into Lu Zhiheng's clothes.
Lu Zhiheng followed Shen Ran down the secret passage and entered a secret room underground.
This Drunken Immortal Pavilion was no ordinary restaurant, but a stronghold set up by Qin Lou in Qinghe County.
"Why did you come here today, Master?" Shen Ran frowned slightly, sat up straight and looked at Lu Zhiheng sitting at the desk.
"Today in the imperial court, Pei Yuanling publicly announced that the mastermind behind the assassination attempt at the Xishan Palace that day was Zhang Xian's old party."
Lu Zhiheng's lips curled into a cold smile, feeling utterly ironic.
"What? How dare he!" Shen Ran was also shocked upon hearing this.
Since following their master, they had never carried out an assassination attempt. They were extremely cautious in their daily lives, fearing that their whereabouts would be exposed and jeopardize important matters.
Such a baseless accusation fell from the sky? This dog emperor really knows how to find scapegoats!
“Master, I have already investigated this matter and found out that it was the Wang family who did it! Two days ago, Pei Yuanling personally went to the Zhaoyu prison to interrogate those assassins and even sent people overnight to dump the assassins' bodies at the Wang family's villa.”
Shen Ran reported the events of the past two days in detail, his expression grave.
"Heh, the Wang family's assassination attempt wasn't aimed at Pei Yuanling in the first place, so it's no wonder he's so indifferent."
Lu Zhiheng scoffed coldly.
In his eyes, Qiao Qingling was ultimately just a substitute. How could she compare to the Wang family, who could help him?
Even if Qiao Qingyin had truly died at the bottom of the cliff, Pei Yuanling probably wouldn't have really done anything to the Wang family.
Throughout history, emperors have been known for their fickle nature. Even if they loved a woman dearly, how could she compare to their empire?
"Since the emperor so desires the remnants of Zhang Xian's faction to reappear, then we shall grant his wish."
A sly glint flashed in Lu Zhiheng's eyes as he tapped his fingers on the table, making a series of muffled sounds. "Shen Ran, arrange for some people to spread rumors throughout the capital these next few days, saying that Zhang Xian's old faction has been lying low for a long time and now seems to be making a comeback, especially in places where the emperor often goes. Make sure this news reaches his ears."
The young man standing before the long table was upright, exuding an air of arrogance and confidence.
If someone unfamiliar with him were to take a look, they might even see a hint of an emperor about him.
After all, they were of noble birth, true princes and grandsons of the emperor.
Shen Ran sighed inwardly, then quickly replied, "Your subordinate understands and will handle it flawlessly."
He paused for a moment, then frowned and hesitated: "But Master, this will inevitably cause panic among the people. If it alerts Pei Yuanling and he strengthens his defenses, wouldn't that be detrimental to our subsequent plans?"
Lu Zhiheng raised his chin, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "He has always harbored ulterior motives and wanted to smear us. The more chaotic the situation is now, the easier it will be for him to reveal his flaws."
"We only need to observe quietly from the shadows. When the court is in complete chaos, that will be the perfect time for us to make our move. You go and prepare, and keep a close eye on the movements of the court and the Wang family. Report back immediately if there is any disturbance."
"Yes, Your subordinate obeys." Shen Ran bowed and quickly retreated into the secret passage.
The lights were dim, and Lu Zhiheng sat alone in the secret room, his expression cold and solemn.
Pei Yuanling, Pei Yuanling, do you think that becoming an emperor means you can act recklessly and impose this fabricated crime on others?
This time, I'm going to make you reap what you sow and teach you a lesson!
***
Having been ordered to do this by Pei Yuanling, Wang Chengxun was exhausted and simply searched the private residences of many officials in the court, looking everywhere for traces of the so-called "Zhang Xian Old Party".
To this end, he did not hesitate to frequently mobilize troops, causing widespread panic.
In the end, Wang Chengxun had no choice but to hand over several of his confidants for the Emperor to deal with.
These were all his carefully cultivated undercover agents, and now he had destroyed them all with his own hands, which truly pained him.
But if no blood is shed, the emperor will probably not let it go.
At this time, Lu Zhiheng spread rumors that Zhang Xian's old party had made a comeback, and even bluntly stated that the case of Crown Prince Zhang Xian's witchcraft was a case of infighting within the royal family, that he was framed by villains, and that he was truly wronged.
For a time, rumors of the resurgence of Zhang Xian's old party were being discussed everywhere.
The people were filled with anxiety, and teahouses and taverns were filled with speculation about the situation.
The extensive search conducted by Wang Chengxun earlier made the rumors seem even more believable, and even many people in the inner palace believed them.
"Could this really be the work of the former faction of Crown Prince Zhangxian?"
Chu Qingyin remained nestled in Xingyue Palace, spending her days either playing with Little Snowball or sleeping.
At this moment, Xianglan told her the news she had heard from outside, and Chu Qingyin simply lowered her brows, her eyes filled with doubt.
"How could it be Zhang Xian's old party?"
She was only three years old when this happened, so her memory is not clear.
But I later heard my father mention that the Crown Prince Zhangxian was the eldest son of the Empress, and not only was he of legitimate status, but he was also kind, prudent and calm.
The court officials at the time greatly supported the crown prince, and even the common people praised Crown Prince Zhangxian.
Unexpectedly, one summer nineteen years ago, the then Prime Minister accused the Crown Prince of secretly practicing witchcraft and cursing the founding emperor.
Emperor Taizu was already old and at the age when he was seeking immortality and reluctant to die. When he heard his crown prince cursing him to die, he was immediately enraged and sent men to capture the crown prince and confiscate his residence.
Later, a straw doll embroidered with the birth date and time of Emperor Taizu was indeed found in the Crown Prince's residence. Emperor Taizu immediately ordered that the Crown Prince be deposed and reduced to a commoner, and imprisoned in his residence. The Crown Prince's supporters were either executed or exiled.
The crown prince refused to submit and attempted to rebel with his personal guards, which angered the founding emperor and ultimately resulted in the massacre of his entire family.
I heard that the Crown Prince's residence was soaked in blood, and even the five-year-old imperial grandson did not survive and died in the siege.
From then on, the lineage of Crown Prince Zhangxian was wiped out. Emperor Taizu showed no mercy and ordered that no one was allowed to mention Crown Prince Zhangxian again, under penalty of death by beating.
During that period, the people in the capital were filled with anxiety. Not long after, the founding emperor also passed away, and the third prince ascended the throne.
That is, the late emperor, Pei Yuanling's father.
At that time, the people were saying that the late emperor was not particularly outstanding when he was a prince, but unexpectedly, after the death of Crown Prince Zhangxian, he was able to take advantage of the situation and sit on the throne.
The court officials, however, used a more refined approach, simply stating that the lineage of the late emperor was the one destined by Heaven.
As for Crown Prince Zhangxian, it was a matter of timing and fate; he simply lacked good fortune.
That's what everyone outside is saying.
Xianglan's voice pulled Chu Qingyin back from her reverie. She continued, "It's just that His Majesty has ordered that this matter not be discussed anymore, so the rumors have subsided considerably."
"I see."
Chu Qingyin seemed to understand something. It turned out that Pei Yuanling had been extremely busy with this matter these past few days.
Although she has found herself to be carefree, as a concubine, she still needs to be perceptive and should show concern for His Majesty when necessary.
"Go prepare some pastries, I'm going to check on His Majesty," Chu Qingyin instructed.
Upon hearing this, Xianglan immediately went to take care of it.
Chu Qingyin wasn't idle either. She got up and went back to her room to change into a lake-green silk dress, tied a mandarin duck sachet around her waist, and went out in a simple and elegant manner.
Chen'an Palace.
"Your Highness, you've arrived! His Majesty..."
When the head eunuch Chen Zhongliang saw Consort Qiao approaching from afar, he hurriedly went to greet her, but said with a troubled expression, "Your Highness, why don't you go back first? His Majesty is currently discussing matters with the Grand Secretary and it is not appropriate for him to see you."
Chen Zhongliang never stopped him from seeing Pei Yuanling, so it seems there was indeed something important to discuss at this moment.
"That's because I came at the wrong time."
She looked up at the closed study door of Chen'an Palace and said softly, "In that case, I'll wait in the side hall for a while. I'm sure His Majesty and Lord Lu won't be discussing for too long."