Chapter 565 - 463: The Emperor Wants to Protect King Qi (Part 2)

"I know, but is it possible to leverage this case to help His Highness Prince Jin, at least let him step out of that prison?" Pei Jian said with deep eyes.

Zhuo Qingfeng was taken aback upon hearing this. He clearly knew who his benefactor’s true allegiance was to and had always been trying to find a way to rescue that person.

"Mr. Dong, the difficulty of maneuvering this matter is quite high..."

"Actually, we don’t need to do much, just remind the Crown Prince, and it’s enough. The Crown Prince can choose not to cause trouble for King Qi with the Xue Family Manor case, but he can surely create some obstacles. Moreover, if King Qi manages to evade this, on what grounds should Prince Jin be detained without evidence? If the Crown Prince pleads with His Majesty to release His Highness Prince Jin, even if not reinstating his title, as long as he gains his freedom, things will be much easier to handle."

"But Prince Jin, he..."

Pei Jian understood that if the Crown Prince were to plead for Prince Jin’s release, it would be difficult for him to vie for the throne later on. At the very least, the stigma of ’ingratitude’ would lead to criticism.

The Crown Prince bears no grudge, saves him from captivity—how benevolent and magnanimous. And yet, if you repay kindness with hostility and compete for the throne, what kind of person would that be?

"His Highness Prince Jin originally had no desire for that position; it’s actually the intention of Consort Yi, and His Majesty also intends to foster competition by providing the Crown Prince with a rival. Prince Jin most desires to go to the frontier, to wage battles," Pei Jian said.

"I see." This kind of secret, if Pei Jian hadn’t voluntarily disclosed it, Zhuo Qingfeng would absolutely have no chance of knowing.

"Regarding this case, there’s actually someone who contributed more than I did, yet he’s unwilling to claim credit," Pei Jian said.

"Who?"

"Lin Chengde Lang, Mr. Lin. If it weren’t for his covert intervention that night, I might not have survived," Pei Jian said.

"What?"

"That night, Scorpio brought a team of the Profound Armor Army, along with over two hundred underworld ruffians. Though I had many sword-for-hires and city guards to aid me, we were no match for such force. Moreover, the Grand Elder of the Green Blade Sect led a surprise attack. I was expected to suffer a complete rout, but in the end, we won, except Scorpio managed to escape while everyone else remained. Such an outcome was beyond what I could have hoped for," Pei Jian said with a sigh.

"How could Lin Chengde Lang possess such formidable abilities?"

"I’m not sure either. It must have been the Snow Mountain Sect behind him. He had at least several high-level female cultivators by his side, and he could even single-handedly confront that Scorpio. We truly underestimated him," Pei Jian remarked, "Qingfeng, henceforth, we must treat Lin Miao with equal standing, and should never approach with ulterior motives again."

"Understood, Qingfeng comprehends."

Zhuo Qingfeng took a sip of wine, suppressing his shock. Had it not been from Pei Jian’s mouth, he would never have believed it.

"Also, the Su Family’s contributions to this case are not insignificant. Since Lin Miao does not wish to accept this credit, it can be partially shared with the Su Family. In the future at Dongshan, we’ll need the Su Family’s support as well."

"Understood."

"Qingfeng, how much do you know about our Imperial Envoy, Mr. Su?" Pei Jian inquired. Although they served in the same court, Pei Jian was in the Eastern Palace, while the other was in the court itself. Pei Jian didn’t need to attend court sessions, so they hardly met. Moreover, Lien’s faction wasn’t keen on befriending the princes, hence, people like Su Mobai naturally avoided him.

Thus, Pei Jian only knew of Su Mobai, but didn’t know him well.

Zhuo Qingfeng thought carefully and earnestly replied, "Mr. Dong, although I’ve had a few interactions with him on the way back, Mr. Su struck me as a cautious and meticulous person. He attends meticulously to his affairs and does not meddle in what doesn’t concern him. Our journey was hurried; he avoided any formalities of welcome or farewell. His lifestyle was plain, accompanied by just one old servant and having no bad habits; overall, he conducts himself uprightly both personally and officially."

To be upright and incorruptible, reaching the position of Minister of Personnel, indeed isn’t easy. But given that Su Mobai’s mentor was Lien, it makes sense.

However, with Lien gone, someone like Su Mobai, who devotes himself purely to his duties and can ignore the clear and covert struggles of the court, might find it difficult to survive.

Without some political acumen and tactics, his fate may not fare well. This time, His Majesty dispatched him to investigate this case.

Firstly, to use his integrity and incorruptibility to uncover something and lend credibility to the findings. Secondly, to see where the loyalties of those left by Lien lie.

If they persist in not affiliating with either the Crown Prince or King Qi’s faction, then they are still usable. But if they’ve changed allegiance as soon as Lien departed.

The ensuing purge is surely imminent.

"Mr. Dong, I’ve heard that Su Mobai was recommended by the Crown Prince as the Imperial Envoy to His Majesty," Zhuo Qingfeng said.

"What?"

Pei Jian was greatly astonished, wondering if Su Mobai might already belong to the Crown Prince’s faction.

It’s not impossible. Although the Crown Prince has yet to produce a grandson for the Emperor, he is the rightful Crown Prince. A Crown Prince is still a prince, better than King Qi.

When Lien was around, Su Mobai naturally didn’t have to rely on anyone. Now that Lien’s gone, his protégés are without a pillar. If he wants to preserve his glory and official position, choosing someone to be loyal to, the Crown Prince is naturally the civil officials’ first choice.