Chapter 886 - 785: Shifting the Blame

Chapter 886: Chapter 785: Shifting the Blame

Prince Lu’s son opened his eyes wide, staring at the top of the tent. His body was very weak, with various wounds still unhealed, causing excruciating pain with every movement, reminding him how perilous the situation was.

If he ever found out who was responsible, he would surely tear that person to pieces, to appease the hatred in his heart!

Prince Lu’s son was both grieved by his father’s death and hateful of the person behind the scenes who destroyed everything that belonged to him. If his father became Crown Prince, he would eventually become the Emperor, and his son, Prince Lu’s son, would then be the Crown Prince.

Their lineage would be honored infinitely, blessings extending to their descendants for generations.

Yet now, recalling these thoughts, he only felt bitterness and fury.

In this Capital City, he and his father were outsiders, and though over the years his father had sent people to manage affairs here, they could not be too obvious nor overly grandiose; thus, their foundation was unstable.

The unstable foundation was what led them to be at others’ mercy, resulting in today’s disastrous fate.

So, who holds a stable foundation?

Prince Lu’s son stared with bloodshot eyes; indeed, there were quite a few: Prince Liang, Prince Zhuang, Prince Li...

It must be one of them who harmed his father, and this revenge must be exacted!

No, not just them; the entire court is well aware that this time the position of Crown Prince must come from one of Prince Lu, Prince Xin, or Prince Li.

Since Prince Li is under suspicion, how could Prince Xin not be?

When they were undergoing assassination, was there not a malicious servant from Prince Xin Mansion attempting poison that was unsuccessful?

If someone truly made a move, how could it be unsuccessful? It’s merely to obscure the truth and extricate themselves.

Just a slight movement caused Prince Lu’s son to wince in pain.

Grandfather dispatched the best Imperial Physician, but no doctor can revive his father’s life!

He is determined to make that behind-the-scenes culprit suffer the same pain he feels today!

"Someone come!" shouted Prince Lu’s son loudly.

Immediately, an attendant came over and said, "Princely Heir!"

Prince Lu’s son, with eyes soaked in deep hatred, said in a somber voice, "My Father’s body lays in repose in the mansion; who all have come to pay their respects?"

Through half the night, nearly the whole Capital had come to know of this news.

The attendant replied, "Several Prince Mansions sent people, and some Minister Mansions also sent people."

They had merely sent people here.

Prince Lu’s son’s gaze turned cold and devoid of any expression, he said indifferently, "Take my invitation, invite Prince Zhuang, Prince Li, Prince Xin, Prince Liang... Forget it, just invite those three!"

The attendant was momentarily stunned. Prince Lu’s son was merely a nephew; they might not come. However, seeing the bloodshot eyes and the ominous and brooding demeanor of the princely heir, seeming like he might devour someone, he quickly agreed and went to handle it.

Upon receiving Prince Lu’s son’s invitation, Prince Xin squinted and called over Prince Xin’s son, saying, "What do you think?"

Prince Xin’s son pondered, "Father, it seems he does not believe the poisoning incident involving our Mansion. Prince Lu was assassinated, and surely the cousin is emotionally disturbed, now he’s as if a mad dog latching onto anyone; we must not go!"

In front of others, he acts impetuously and rashly, concerning everything with Prince Lu’s son’s interests, seemingly listening to him implicitly, but in truth, becoming a Princely Heir couldn’t truly suit such a character.

Prince Xin said, "We must not, if we really don’t go, that kid will indeed lay this blame upon us."

Prince Xin’s son said, "Now that Prince Lu is dead, he’s just a princely heir, what can he accomplish?"

Prince Xin looked at him, "Precisely because he cannot achieve anything, but do not underestimate him; he might also make others unable to achieve anything. Didn’t you say he’s like a mad dog, with nothing to lose?"

Only then did Prince Xin’s son remain silent.

Prince Zhuang received the invitation in anger; he had just left the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor doubted him, and now this scoundrel dares to doubt him too? Angrily, he tossed the invitation to the ground.

Princess Consort Zhuang came over to pick it up, softly saying, "Prince, please do not become ill from rage. If you do not wish to go, then do not. He is merely a junior; what can he threaten you with as a senior?"

After venting his anger, Prince Zhuang took the invitation from the princess consort’s hand and sighed, "Let’s go see. If I don’t go, those who do go might heap all sorts of blame onto me. Who told me to have a prior conviction?"

Prince Li pinched the invitation, a complex expression on his face. How could he not know Prince Lu’s son’s intention?

Even though being a senior, having to be handled by a junior, that feeling is indeed unpleasant.

Yet he quickened in thought and happiness.

With Old Four, Old Six and himself, the top three competitors now have one less, increasing his chances from three in ten to five in ten, awaiting the final outcome whether it favors his or Old Six’s household.

Old Four failed at the cost of his life; irrespective of who acted, he indeed is the beneficiary.

In that case, let’s go see!

Prince Lu’s son prepared a fatal banquet at the Mansion, breaking ties with several uncles in front of Prince Lu’s coffin, making quite the spectacle; after all, these were nobility, each ordinarily more image-conscious than the other, yet now all are provoked to act like fighting bulls, neglecting decorum entirely.

The commotion even alerted the Emperor, who sent attendants to reprimand, scattering the group indignantly.

At this moment, on the southern border of Yan State, a cavalry escort of five hundred was escorting a train of carriages heading south along the official road. The carriages were exquisite, and one was more luxurious, adorned with tassels hanging down, a huanghuali wood body, iron-forged wheels, pulled by four horses, exuding elegance.

There were matrons and maidservants dressed in palace attire accompanying around the carriages, their attire refined, even walking showed they had undergone stringent training, each movement like carved from a mold.

The guards were clad in armor, solemn and silent, evidently a well-trained army.

Few travelers were on the official road, yet the convoy did not travel quickly.

Behind the armored guards, four plain-clothed men rode on horseback.

Suddenly a pigeon cooed, landing on the shoulder of a gray-clothed rider at the rear of the convoy.

This gray-clothed man was dressed in regular attire, lacking armor, appearing casual compared to the disciplined soldiers. With a deft motion, he captured the pigeon and removed a small rolled paper from its foot.

After unfolding it, he immediately urged his horse forward.

Amidst the uniform march of the convoy, his actions stood out, yet none turned to look here; the soldiers were well-trained, eyes straight ahead.

The gray-clothed man galloped past the most extravagant carriage, stopping before the next one, close to the window, quietly saying, "Young Master, there is news from the Capital!"

"Give it to me!" A young, lazy, and casual voice sounded from inside the carriage. Following this, the window opened, revealing a handsome face, pale in complexion, merely glancing indifferently over, with a few traces of coldness and aloofness in the eyes, deterring men from meeting his gaze.

Who else could it be but Huangfu Yuxuan, the Wedding Envoy accompanying the East Tang’s marriage proposal?