Zhou Shuren poured himself another cup of wine, and while pretending to drink, he glanced at the Crown Prince from the corner of his eye. Today, the Emperor had neglected the Crown Prince, speaking with him only twice during the entire victory banquet. Zhou Shuren withdrew his gaze and casually swept it across the ministers attending the banquet; many of them were inquisitively sizing up the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
Zhou Shuren drained the cup of wine. It seemed that with external troubles resolved, the time had come to begin internal purges. Indeed, the Emperor had been cold to the Crown Prince at yesterday's morning court, now setting traps for this most revered father and son.
Qiu Yan lowered his voice, "Are you acquainted with the Princely Heir Yao?"
Zhou Shuren explained, "When I was the Magistrate of Jinzhou Province, Princely Heir Yao was also in Jinzhou. We had some dealings."
