Qilin Workshop.
No. 68, the Sixth Prince's residence.
In the study.
It was brightly lit, illuminating the room.
The Sixth Prince sat in a chair with a cup of tea. The lid covered the tea and he fiddled with it gently. He was in no hurry to drink it as if he was waiting for someone.
A wisp of demonic smoke appeared in the hall. Demonic light bloomed, revealing the Demoness.
After taking a sip of tea, the Sixth Prince said, "Have you found out anything?"
"Yes."
He told her what he had learned.
After hearing this, the Sixth Prince put down his teacup and tapped his index finger on the table. There was a thumping sound. The Demoness did not disturb him. She looked at him with interest, wanting to see how he would react.
He thought for a moment.
He smiled, his eyes deep and cold. Instead of rushing to make arrangements, he asked, "What's going on outside?"
"The True Dragon Hall has captured many people. They're all the princes' men. There are also high-ranking second-rank officials, including Great Grandmasters."
"This is a good move. Ji Xueyan is his reverse scale. As long as I touch her, I can force him to attack and anger him! At this moment, those good brothers of mine will be furious."
"Are you really not afraid of finding out about us?"
"I won't!"
The Sixth Prince was very certain. Other than Daoist Nine Tribulations, the rest of the forces were all loose cultivators. Even if they worked together, they would not be able to find him. Daoist Nine Tribulations was very loyal to him. Even if he died, he would not betray him.
Unfortunately, he was already dead!
Thinking of this,
his expression was ugly. "The old dog, the Grand Tutor, actually sent experts to secretly follow us. Otherwise, with Ji Xueyan and the other's strength, they wouldn't be a match for Daoist Nine Tribulations."
"What now?"
"The moon is dark and windy. Not only is it a night to kill, but it's also a time to play with power. Find a scapegoat and spread rumors. Say that Ji Xueyan and Zhang Ronghua are fooling around in the dilapidated temple. One is a favored daughter of the heavens, and the other is a member of the Imperial Guard. The difference in their identities is huge. Only then can it be interesting and spread throughout the capital in the shortest time possible, attracting everyone's attention."
Growl!
The Demoness swallowed hard and looked at him in disbelief. This plan was crazy. It was far more terrifying than them getting rid of Ji Xueyan.
Once word got out, the series of reactions it would cause would be catastrophic. No one could withstand the anger of the Grand Tutor, the Crown Prince, and the imperial family. Even she was frightened.
"Are you afraid?"
"To be honest, I'm indeed afraid."
"I'm afraid too!"
The Sixth Prince did not hide it. Through the window, he looked at the night sky outside. "If I had any choice, I wouldn't want to do this!"
The Demoness understood that the mastermind had borrowed the Crown Prince's hand the last time to eradicate all his forces on the surface. It could be said that he had already lost the position of Crown Prince, at least on the surface.
If he didn't act ruthlessly, even if the Crown Prince was crippled, he wouldn't stand a chance.
"After this matter, let everyone disappear and hide for a while. I'm now grounded. I can watch the show and watch them fight. In addition, it's better to recruit more people than to have fewer. We must screen their loyalty carefully before controlling them with the poisonous pill and contacting them with code names."
"I understand."
...
The next day.
Zhang Ronghua had breakfast at his uncle's house and walked toward the East Palace with his cousin.
In the market.
The snack shops and stalls discussed in low voices. Even the passers-by could not help but stop and listen intently when they heard their conversation.
Although these people were communicating, their eyes were guarded. From time to time, they patrolled the streets. As soon as someone from the government came, they stopped.
The two of them were dressed in plain clothes and did not attract attention.
Zhang Ronghua stopped and stood at the back of the crowd, listening carefully.
"Have you heard? The beloved daughter of the Grand Tutor, the Great Tutor of Jixia Academy, the leader of the younger generation, and the future successor, Ji Xueyan, have already been engaged to the Crown Prince. In about half a year, she will be married and become the Crown Princess Consort. However, on the way home to pay respects to her ancestor, she had an affair with the guard in the dilapidated temple!"
"That's impossible, right? The difference in their identities is so great. Even if Ji Xueyan is blind, she wouldn't fancy a guard, right?"
"Who knows? We don't understand the lives of upper-class dignitaries. Perhaps they like it?"
Zheng Fugui was furious. Even if he was stubborn, he would understand. Once this matter was confirmed, his cousin would definitely die. Just as he was about to attack, Zhang Ronghua reached out and pressed his shoulder, shaking his head at him.
He pulled him to the side.
The latter hurriedly asked, "Why are you stopping me?"
"They're all ordinary people. Can you stop them from discussing this? Even if we kill them, there are so many people in the capital. They'll still discuss it when they should. Even if the Imperial Court orders it, they won't dare to do it on the surface, but they'll discuss it in secret."
"Are we just going to let it go?"
"Of course not! Let's go to the East Palace first."
Zhang Ronghua's face was cold. He was not as relaxed as he looked. He was furious and wished he could cut the mastermind into pieces. He saw it better than Zheng Fugui.
Once this matter was confirmed, not only would he be unlucky, but everyone related to him would suffer.
He was prepared for the worst. If such a situation really happened, the Crown Prince and the Imperial Court would send people to arrest him. If he could not use the Origin Divine Jade, he would escape from the capital with his parents and uncle.
Until the end, he did not want to take this step. If that happened, he would be endlessly hunted down by Great Xia.
They arrived at the East Palace.
Ma Ping'an was guarding here as if waiting for him. When he saw him coming, he hurriedly greeted him and whispered, "I believe you!"
Zhang Ronghua did not say anything and only nodded.
With a cold expression, he walked towards Xuanhe Hall.
The Crown Prince was also waiting for him. His face was expressionless, his eyes cold and filled with killing intent. When he entered, Qing'er closed the hall door and guarded outside with Shuang'er, not letting outsiders disturb them.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Have you heard what happened outside?"
"Yes."
"I didn't expect them to be so crazy as to think of such a vicious plan!"
The Crown Prince examined him seriously as if he wanted to see through Zhang Ronghua.
The latter met his gaze calmly and did not dodge.
"I believe in Xueyan. With her upbringing, she won't do this! I also believe in you. With your loyalty, you won't risk the lives of three families by doing something stupid."
There was something else he did not say. The news he had received was that Ji Xueyan's chastity
"This is not something you can participate in. I have my own decisions. Rest at home for the time being and lie low. You can be on duty after this matter is over."
Zhang Ronghua did not completely believe him. When he came, he was prepared for the worst. "Let Zheng Fugui accompany me!"
"Sure."