Imperial Husband Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Just as expected.

Not long after Ying Yuan followed Li Jin's suggestion, Ying Zihui fell for the trick.

However, Ying Zihui did not come in his capacity as the Eldest Prince. Instead, he secretly slipped past the other princes' watchful eyes and stealthily arrived at the Prince of Qin's mansion to see Ying Yuan.

When Ying Yuan first spread this news, apart from Ying Ziqi who had doubts, all the other princes mocked Ying Yuan's foolishness. They had already tried such methods; if it had been effective, the situation would not have remained unresolved until now.

These princes forgot one crucial point: when Ying Ziheng was injured in Zhuzhou three years ago, Ying Yuan was also present.

"Young Master, this way, please."

The steward of the Prince of Qin's mansion seemed to have received advance notice that a guest with limited mobility would be arriving. Therefore, upon seeing Ying Zihui dressed in ordinary yet fine noble attire, the steward showed no surprise and calmly led him inside.

Due to his limited mobility, Ying Zihui did not come alone. He brought a trusted guard who carried him discreetly into the Prince of Qin's mansion.

"Your Highness, this subject believes the Prince of Qin's actions are ill-intentioned."

"Do I not know this myself? But since Ying Yuan dared to make such a bold claim, he must have some confidence. Moreover, three years ago in Zhuzhou, besides me and the Dingbei Army, only Ying Yuan had contact with Batu."

This was precisely the reason Ying Zihui decided to come in person.

Three years ago, while recuperating from injuries in Zhuzhou for three months, Ying Zihui learned much about Li Jin and Ying Yuan's battles against Qianluo, most of which were victories. This knowledge compelled him to make this visit.

Batu, you have crippled me for life. I will not let you off easily.

At this moment, Ying Zihui had extinguished any ambitions for the throne, but his hatred for Batu, the Crown Prince of Qianluo, grew with each passing day. Otherwise, he would not have personally sought out Ying Yuan upon hearing the news.

After a short while, the steward led Ying Zihui into a guest reception room and then withdrew.

"Eldest Imperial Brother, it has been a long time. I trust you have been well?"

Ying Yuan, who had been seated and awaiting Ying Zihui, offered a slight, courteous nod along with his smile.

"Carry me over."

"Yes."

The guard hurried over, placed Ying Zihui on a chair, and then stood behind him, vigilantly watching Ying Yuan's every move to prevent any potential harm to Ying Zihui.

Ying Zihui looked directly at Ying Yuan and stated word by word, "Ying Yuan, you did not spread that news just to reminisce with me. Get straight to the point."

"Correct." Ying Yuan nodded and immediately cut to the chase, "I wish for Eldest Imperial Brother to assist me from now on."

"I refuse." Ying Zihui understood immediately what Ying Yuan meant by 'assist' and frowned, "Three years ago, after I returned to the capital and was enfeoffed as a prince, I made it clear: I will not intervene, do not expect me to help any one of you."

A faint, ambiguous smile touched Ying Yuan's lips, "What if I offer Batu as the condition?"

Ying Zihui was stunned, "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean exactly what I said."

With that, Ying Yuan clapped his hands.

Moments later, a man tightly bound with ropes was led out from a side room within the chamber.

"Release me! I am the Crown Prince of Qianluo, the future ruler of Qianluo! How dare you treat me like this? When I return to Qianluo, I will command our great army to trample your Da Xia flat!"

Having been imprisoned for so long and kept blindfolded, even the usually composed and self-possessed Batu could not help but utter fierce threats upon this sudden release.

However, the person who brought him here seemed long accustomed to Batu's words and paid them no mind.

"He is... he is... Batu..."

Ying Zihui stared at Batu, his eyes wide with astonishment.

Although Batu looked somewhat disheveled at the moment, Ying Zihui recognized him at a glance.

"The Eldest Prince of Da Xia?" Batu also seemed familiar with Ying Zihui's voice. The moment the blindfold was removed, he immediately looked toward the sound, "What misfortune, to let you see me in such a sorry state."

Perhaps the sight of a long-unseen acquaintance steadied his nerves, for Batu too began to regain his composure.

At the same time.

He deliberately flashed a smile at Ying Zihui.

This instantly made the veins on Ying Zihui’s forehead stand out in fury.

"Batu, I'll kill you!"

Ying Zihui, forgetting the disability in his legs, attempted to charge forward and strike Batu. Yet reality was often unforgiving—the abrupt motion threw him off balance, and he tumbled heavily to the floor right in front of Batu.

"Your Highness!"

The guard, startled by Ying Zihui's abrupt action, hurried forward to help him up.

Slap.

Ying Zihui swatted the guard's hand away.

"I don't need your help. I can get up myself."

With that, ignoring the gazes of those around him, Ying Zihui slowly crawled up and sat back on the chair.

During this process.

Ying Zihui fell several more times, but he refused any offer of assistance.

Had his physical condition allowed, Ying Zihui would not have brought anyone with him to see Ying Yuan.

Batu laughed, "Eldest Prince of Da Xia, we've just met. There was no need for you to perform such a grand ceremony for me so immediately. I am truly overwhelmed."

"Batu, your mouth is as vile as ever."

Ying Zihui shot Batu a glare, not concealing the deep hatred in his eyes.

Hearing the familiar retort, Batu's smile deepened, "Thank you for the praise, Eldest Prince of Da Xia. I, Batu, am undeserving."

Ying Zihui said through gritted teeth, "Batu, have you forgotten that you are now a prisoner?"

"Of course I know." Batu replied, then suddenly looked at Ying Yuan, "I recognize you. You're the one who captured me, right? If it were the Eldest Prince of Da Xia, he wouldn't have just imprisoned me without doing anything else."

Although Batu maintained a calm exterior when he saw Ying Yuan, a wave of fear surged within him.

He feared the silent, effortless method by which Ying Yuan had captured him.

Batu could well imagine that in his absence, his ambitious brothers in Qianluo would certainly make their move. By the time he managed to escape from Da Xia and return, it would already be far too late.

Ying Yuan ignored Batu and fixed his gaze intently on Ying Zihui, "Eldest Imperial Brother, what do you think of my proposal? If you agree to assist me, Batu is yours. If you refuse, Batu holds no further value to me, and I will kill him immediately."

"This..."

Ying Zihui hesitated.

Although Ying Zihui desperately wanted to deal with Batu personally, asking him to help a potential rival secure the throne—Ying Zihui did not consider himself that magnanimous.

"It seems Eldest Imperial Brother refuses my proposal." Ying Yuan shook his head, stood up, drew the sword from the guard restraining Batu, and placed it against Batu's neck, intending to end Batu himself, "Prince Batu, my apologies. Since you hold no use for me, you have no value in living."

Batu's face instantly turned ashen, "Uh... Wait..."

At that critical moment.

Just as Ying Yuan began to move the blade, Ying Zihui shouted loudly, "Stop! I agree! I agree to help you! Does that satisfy you now?"

Upon hearing the answer he desired, Ying Yuan stopped and returned the sword to the guard.

However, Ying Yuan's blade had still injured Batu. A cut from the sword now appeared on Batu's neck.

One could imagine.

Had Ying Zihui shouted just a moment later, all that would have remained before him was Batu's lifeless body.

"From now on, I must rely on Eldest Imperial Brother's guidance." Ying Yuan stepped forward to Ying Zihui and extended his hand.

"Mhm."

Despite a myriad of unwillingness, Ying Zihui still reached out and shook Ying Yuan's hand.

After their hands parted, Ying Yuan said with a smile, "By the way, to prevent Eldest Imperial Brother from reneging, I have prepared a contract. If Eldest Imperial Brother finds it acceptable after reviewing it, you may simply sign it."

"We have all underestimated you. You are the greatest threat."

Taking the contract Ying Yuan handed over, Ying Zihui looked at Ying Yuan with complex emotions, including a trace of fear even he himself hadn't noticed.

Ying Yuan shook his head, his voice carrying a deeper meaning, "I too never wished to become like this. But without doing so, I could never obtain what I desire most." And the person I desire.

They will likely... regret making an enemy of you.

Watching Ying Yuan's resolute eyes, this sentence involuntarily surfaced in Ying Zihui's mind.

As for Batu, the object of their transaction.

His complexion remained terrible.

If earlier Batu's gaze at Ying Yuan held a hint of rivalry, now only fear remained.

He was serious just now. If Ying Zihui hadn't agreed, he would have definitely killed me.

Ying Yuan looked at the two completed copies of the contract and handed one to Ying Zihui, "Excellent. There are two copies of the contract. One is for Eldest Imperial Brother to keep. The other, I will retain."

"Mhm."

Ying Zihui nodded, took the contract, and tucked it securely inside his robes.

"By the way, does Eldest Imperial Brother wish to take Batu back to the Prince of Jin's mansion immediately?"

"In a few days. After I root out the remaining spies in my mansion, I will naturally send someone to bring him over."

Ying Zihui had always known there were deeply hidden spies in his mansion; he simply hadn't bothered with them. But now it was different. Batu was the Crown Prince of Qianluo; he naturally could not let those spies learn of Batu's existence.

Ying Yuan responded with a smile, "Good. Then I shall keep watch over Prince Batu for a few more days on Eldest Imperial Brother's behalf."

"Let's go."

Eager to bring Batu to the Prince of Jin's mansion as soon as possible, Ying Zihui lost any desire to linger. He immediately had the guard carry him away from the Prince of Qin's mansion.

"Prince Batu, I must thank you."

Ying Yuan suddenly turned and smiled at Batu.

Causing cold sweat to break out on Batu's back.

"Alright, take him away now."

Suddenly, Li Jin's voice came from a hidden chamber within the room.

Who is that?

Batu was startled by the sudden voice.

"Yes."

Following Li Jin's command, the guard immediately led the bewildered Batu away. Before leaving, Batu glanced around the room but could find no place where someone could hide.