Lu Xiaolian's rooms
"Young master Lu is here your highness" Bie liu said.
"Elder brother is here" Lu Xiaolian said smiling and raising up her gown, ran out of the room. she was already out of the house and at the courtyard when she saw her elder brother standing at the entrance. He had already seen her and was smiling widely. She ran and standing in front of him said joyfully
"Elder brother"
"Your highness" he said with a slight bow. He brother Lu Xiaozu had always been very proper in his actions.
"Elder brother how have you been" They both walked into her rooms. Lu Xiaolian seated on the master's seat and directed the servants to get refreshments.
"I have been well, I just returned from my trip and decided to pay you a visit" Lu Xiaozu replied.
"Hmm, stepmother informed me of your absence during my last visit home" the servants had already served the refreshments when she signaled them to leave together with Bie liu. She didn't want anyone to overhear their conversation hence she had Bie liu supervise them.
"I had someone look into Lady Six and it was just as you predicted, She was the second daughter of a Northern noble family now in decline. She was sold to Jiangxi casino by her father to pay off his gambling debt"He said when it was just both of them in the room.
"How sad" She said.
"I wouldn't feel sad for her if I were you, she isn't some wronged pure Miss. She manipulated her way into being the host of the Casino. It's even rumored she serves the owner of Jiangxi casino privately" He raised his tea cup to his lips and took a sip of tea.
"It would seem that she isn't to be underestimated" She said in thought
"Yes. father and I will be going to war soon. However the first prince has been building up surport it's only a matter of time before he strikes"placing his tea cup on the table and arranging his sleeves better.
"I will inform his highness on everything" she replied.
"Good, you will have to be very careful with the crown princess consort a desperate person can do anything. He said. Lu Xiaolian just smiled, she already knew where her brother was coming from. After all with Jang Suyin's recent pregnancy it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down.
"mother informed me that third elder brother will be getting married soon" Lu Xiaolian said playfully.
"I only want to defend my country and have no time for anything else" He replied smiling. He could already tell where the conversation was headed. He stood and bowing said "I will now take my leave no need to see me off". He turned and walked out of the room leaving her giggling.
* * *
The Crown Prince sturdy.
"Consort Lu is outside your highness" Chu Yan whispered in the crown prince's ear.
"let her In" he dropped the writing brush, rolled up the report and placed it on the tray next to him.
"Xiaolian greets his highness" She walked in and sat on the chair to his right.
"My brother just paid me a visit Your highness, he had already investigated Madam Six and your original conclusion was right. she really is a spy sent by Jiangxi casino" Lu Xiaolian said in low tones.
"it's only right that I pretend not to be aware but In the meantime I will have to trouble you to watch her closely. The red light district murder case keeps getting complicated. One of the victims just identified The Capital censor's eldest son as her attacker" he said rubbing his forehead.
"what's your take on it all" Lu Xiaolian said.
"I am looking into the possibility however if true, it's going to be difficult to punish him without any solid proof considering his family close relationship with the Empress dowager" He stood and turned facing the open window.
"I believe you will get to the end of it but for the meantime I will pay a visit to the palace most especially the Empress dowager, the crown princess consort and I were invited to a music appreciation in the inner palace" Lu Xiaolian replied.
"Good, In a day's time i will be headed to the South to settle the unrest" he turned and walked over to where she sat a raising up her face said "I will have to trouble you to handle everything at the manor most especially madam six".
"Yes your highness" she replied smiling shyly.
* * * *
The First Prince Manor.
"Your highness our spies just reported that crown Prince will be leaving the capital in a day's time" Yue li the first prince personal guard reported.
"Have someone give my little brother my regards, I don't want him to make it back alive" The First Prince said firmly.
"Yes, your highness" Yue Li said and walked out.
"Have someone prepare the carriage I will be entertaining the palace"The first prince instructed.
* * * *
Jiangxi casino
"master the first prince just sent some men over to assassinate the crown Prince" Yue Li said bow to a masked figure dressed in black.
"the first prince has always been too predictable, why don't we lend him a hand. The Crown Prince has begun digging into our affairs and I fear that is something I can't stand for" the Masked master of Jiangxi casino said from his throne.
"Yes master" Yue Li bowed and walked out of the room.
"Have someone send a message to madam six"He said to his right hand man.
"yes master" Jiangxi sect master's right hand said with a bow.
The Crown Prince was getting too close to the truth and that was something he didn't want. He couldn't afford to surfer anymore lose from the hands of the Imperial family. It was already enough that he had to bow to the members of the Imperial family while being thoroughly suppressed.