Xiang Ren walked into the garden abruptly. He noticed three masked men beside his brother and his nephew. He smirked, not believing that the Crown Prince had any real connections. It must be a sham!
"Xiang He! My dear nephew! Thank the GODS! They finally heard my prayers! They have healed my dear nephew." Xiang Ren ran to Xiang He and took hold of his hand.
"Uncle, you came?" Even if he was dying to kill this man, Xiang He had to follow Doctor Yi's plan. It's the only way to get rid of this abomination.
"As soon as I heard the news! I just couldn't wait to see you! Oh brother, you're here too. Aren't you glad that your son is back to health?" He smiled wide, brimming with fake joy, and wiped his crocodile tears away while looking at both father and son.
"En." The Emperor replied. He only looked at his brother and sat down. Elder Zhen handed him a cup of tea. He took a sip and observed his brother.
Xiang Ren can act pretty well, can't he? Linyu thought. Crocodile tears... tsk.
"So, Xiang He? Who healed you? I must convey my gratitude to them!" Xiang Ren couldn't wait to steal this connection of his nephew's. If they really came from a high-ranked kingdom, he wanted them on his side. He smiled wryly inside his head.
"This is Doctor Yi, my benefactor. He came from a high-ranked kingdom." Xiang He pointed to Yi Ling again.
"Oh my, where are my manners!" Xiang Ren walked closer to Yi Ling and bowed. "Great Doctor Yi! Thank you so much for healing my nephew. I can't express how grateful the Xiang Family is. If there is anything I can do for you, anything at all, please let this lowly one know." He was thinking the same thing as the Emperor. They both needed connections with a high-ranked kingdom. It's the only way to get stronger.
"Hmm... There is one thing," Yi Ling said softly. Her eyes seemed to penetrate his soul. Xiang Ren was momentarily mesmerized and shook his head instantly, chastising himself. He thought, If only Doctor Yi were a woman, he couldn't help his inner demons. He was secretly a lustful person.
He smiled. "How can this lowly one help the Great Doctor Yi?" He sat down in an empty seat, and Elder Zhen handed him a cup of tea. He took a sip and felt refreshed. Whatever was in the tea was really good. He drank it all and asked for more. Elder Zhen refilled his cup.
"I heard that someone was burning your businesses. Have you caught them yet?" Yi Ling took another sip of her tea and looked at Xiang Ren.
"Tsk... Those bastards had better not show themselves in front of me! Or I will roast them alive! Luckily, I still have other upkeeps. I can still manage. Why do you ask, Doctor Yi?" Xiang Ren didn't know where the conversation was going. He stared at the young masked man.
Linyu and the Viridis couldn't help but smirk behind their masks. The fool didn't know the culprit was standing right in front of him. How naive.
"I heard that there was an illegal gambling house that got burned as well. Is it one of your businesses too?" Yi Ling eyed Xiang Ren.
The Emperor, who was listening to their conversation, almost spat out his tea. He looked at his brother. He knew that his brother had some illicit businesses, including the gambling house. Even though their father forbade such acts, he couldn't do anything about his little brother. Xiang Ren was always stubborn, partly because he had been doted on too much. Their mother died early, and their father was busy handling the kingdom. It was left to him to take care of his little brother, so he kept one eye closed regarding his businesses. Aside from having the gambling house, his little brother was always kind and loyal to the kingdom. That was one of the reasons he had let his little brother do what he wanted.
Hearing the question, Xiang Ren was speechless. How did he know?