Three days later, night, the Mu Palace.
The Mu Wang palace has always been heavily guarded, and these days it has been even more so. The aide, Zhou An, hurriedly walked through the front courtyard and stepped into the study. He saw Mu Wang standing coldly in front of the desk, and his heart trembled. He walked forward and paid his respects.
Mu Wang waved his hand impatiently and asked, "How is the Crown Prince's whereabouts being investigated?"
"Your Highness, our men haven't seen the Crown Prince's camp on the official road or at the Ten-Li Slope." Zhou An hesitated for a moment, then continued, "The Crown Prince must have gone through Sankou Town. Should we send someone to pursue..."
"Even until now, you still dare to speak!" Mu Wang berated, "The road to Sankou Town is remote and treacherous. What's the use of chasing after them? If they travel day and night, in at most two days, they will arrive at the Mu Tian Prefecture."
Zhou An's worry flashed through the depths of his eyes, "Wangye, I don't know if Zhong daren has handled the matters of Mu Tian Prefecture properly. If the Crown Prince arrives early and discovers even the slightest trace of the breach in the Two Rivers, it would be a great peril for you, Your Highness."
(wáng yé) - My lord/lord
Mu Wang swept his sleeves and spoke coldly. "This wang had already warned Zhong Liwen earlier to appease the people and not to act excessively harsh and arrogant. If it were not for him arousing resentment among the people in Jiangnan and acting against the court's various decrees in a covert manner, how could the Emperor have dispatched the Crown Prince and Ren Anle to the Mu Tian Prefecture?"
The past two years, Emperor Jianing was not unaware of the growing influence of the Mu wang's Manor. However, if he were to do nothing, like a timorous turtle, waiting for Han Ye's ascension, he would ultimately meet the same fate as those imperial uncles who ended up worse off than dead. It would be better to take a risk. Initially, everything was going smoothly. If it weren't for the recent breach in the Jiangnan River, Emperor Jianing would also have difficulty finding an excuse to rectify the situation in Jiangnan.
He had been cautious, patient, and careful for over a decade, yet he found that man's calculations are no match for heaven's calculations.
(rén suàn bù rú tiān suàn) - literally translates to "man's calculations are inferior to heaven's calculations." This phrase means that despite a person's careful planning and preparations, unexpected events or circumstances may occur.
"Wangye, now is not the time to be angry. Zhong daren has done so much for you over the years, and if he is exposed by the Crown Prince this time, he might turn around and bite you, Wangye..."
"He dares!" Mu Wang's expression turned gloomy, and he took a few steps back to the window. After a moment, he said, "Zhou An, inform Zhong Liwen that those troublesome things should be dealt with cleanly and efficiently. Also, give orders... the secret operations in Jiangnan will temporarily be under the control of Gui Xi."
Zhou An was startled, his expression changed. He was initially a follower of Mu Wang, and many important matters in the Mu mansion were under his responsibility.
However, he knew in his heart that the person most trusted by Mu Wang was the leader of the mansion's secret guards, Gui Xi. This person was extremely mysterious; even Zhou An only knew of Gui Xi's unparalleled swordsmanship and unwavering loyalty to Mu Wang. If Gui Xi intervened in the affairs of Jiangnan, there should be no cause for worry.
Zhou An heaved a sigh of relief, nodded approvingly, and respectfully withdrew.