Imperial Husband Chapter 130

Chapter 130

Because one was the heir to the Prince of Dingbei who would inherit the Dingbei Army in the future, and the other was a prince with the potential to succeed to the throne, the fact that attacks were not simultaneously launched against Ying Yuan was indeed worth pondering.

Li Jin also expressed confusion about this.

After all, Ying Yuan was now Gu Rushuang's adopted son, holding the status of the legitimate heir. Therefore, in terms of legitimacy and rightful claim, no other prince could truly surpass Ying Yuan.

However, Ying Yuan had been out of the emperor's favor for not just a day or two, and even becoming Gu Rushuang's adopted son hadn't changed that much. As a result, this long-overlooked legitimate heir was practically invisible to the court. In other words, if it weren't for the formidable person like Li Jin by Ying Yuan's side, perhaps the other princes would have long forgotten Ying Yuan’s name entirely.

Ying Ziyan smiled bitterly, "Does the Heir have any good ideas?"

Ying Ziyan seemed to have discovered that since waking up, his limbs felt extremely weak, as if he had been drugged.

"It's not exactly a brilliant plan, it's just..."

Hearing Ying Ziyan's question, Li Jin simply told him about the method he had hastily conceived.

Upon hearing it, Ying Ziyan was immediately stunned. "But Miss Shen is, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Right Chancellor Shen. Wouldn't it be improper for us to do this? Furthermore, I've heard talk in the capital that you and Miss Shen are fond of each other."

When rumors spread widely enough, they can start to feel like the truth.

And regarding the matter between Shen Ningyu and Li Jin, judging by Shen Ningyu's blushing reaction whenever she was questioned about it, it seemed this was not mere hearsay without foundation. Therefore, quite a few people believed it to be true; it was just that both were still young, so nothing had been formally announced.

Ying Yuan instinctively said, "It's false. A... Li Jin has barely met Shen Ningyu a few times. How could he possibly have fallen for her?"

"Huh..."

Ying Ziyan hadn't expected Ying Yuan to answer and was momentarily taken aback.

"Fourth Prince, what you hear isn't always the truth." Li Jin shook his head. "To put it plainly, this is not the first time Shen Ningyu has schemed against me. She even directly came to the Prince of Dingbei's Mansion claiming to be my betrothed. Furthermore, those rumors spreading outside also originated from her."

"Really?"

Ying Ziyan's eyes widened in astonishment, not expecting Shen Ningyu to be such a bold woman as to show up at his doorstep.

"Nor did I," Li Jin continued. "After Shen Ningyu left the Prince of Dingbei's Mansion, I did try to clarify matters, but with little effect."

Mentioning how his explanations had been in vain, and combining it with the fact that Shen Ningyu had appeared at Prince Xian's Mansion, it wasn't hard to guess that Ying Ziqi must have secretly pulled strings behind the scenes.

Otherwise, something that could have been resolved with a simple clarification wouldn't have become increasingly complicated.

"She is too... too..."

Ying Ziyan couldn't find the words to describe it.

At the same time, Ying Ziyan's worldview was shattered into pieces over this matter.

Li Jin replied calmly, "This is also meant as a lesson for Shen Ningyu—to show her that trying to force things will only bring her greater disgrace."

Ying Ziyan sighed silently and stopped speaking up for Shen Ningyu. "Fine, let's proceed as you suggested."

"Someone is outside."

Ying Yuan suddenly whispered a warning.

Sure enough, right after Ying Yuan finished speaking, under their watchful eyes, the paper covering the window was pierced by a hand. Then, a small bamboo tube about the size of a little finger was inserted. Shortly after, wisps of white smoke were blown into the room through the small tube.

...

Suddenly, just as Ying Ziqi was engrossed in conversation with others, a servant rushed in anxiously, "Your Highness, it's terrible, it's terrible..."

Hearing this, Ying Ziqi's face immediately darkened. "What exactly has happened?"

The servant swallowed hard, replying with fear and trepidation, "Miss Shen... Miss Shen has disappeared..."

Ying Ziqi pressed further, "Does the Princess Consort know about this?"

Shen Ningyu had used the excuse of visiting the Princess Consort of Xian to come to the Prince Xian's Mansion this time.

The servant struggled to contain his fear, answering tremulously, "The Princess Consort has already... already sent people to search, but she hasn't been found yet, so she ordered this servant to inform Your Highness."

Seeing the anxious Ying Ziqi, Ying Zijun couldn't resist taunting, "Third Imperial Brother, who exactly is this 'Miss Shen' he's talking about? Could it be a new concubine you've taken?" 

Ying Ziqi frowned deeply. "Fifth Imperial Brother, do not speak recklessly. Miss Shen is the legitimate daughter of Right Chancellor Shen. She came to my mansion this time merely to share some private conversations with the Princess Consort."

"Huh... why didn't you say so earlier."

Ying Zijun rubbed his nose awkwardly, momentarily unsure how to proceed.

Ying Zijun had been privately trying hard to win over Shen Zhaoyan. If he had described Shen Zhaoyan's legitimate daughter as Ying Ziqi's concubine, Shen Zhaoyan would surely think even less of him.

Damn it, now that so many people have heard, my words are bound to spread. Wouldn't all my efforts up till now come to nothing?

The more Ying Zijun thought about it, the stronger his resentment grew.

But what was done was done. Even if Ying Zijun wanted to conceal this matter, his brothers wouldn't give him the chance.

"Very well. Mobilize everyone in the mansion immediately. Search until Miss Shen is found."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Upon receiving the order, the servant hurriedly withdrew.

After instructing the servant, Ying Ziqi looked at everyone present with an apologetic expression. "Everyone, my sincerest apologies. An incident has occurred now, and it would be inappropriate for me to continue hosting you..."

"Third Imperial Brother, there's no need for such formality," Ying Zijun interjected. "Miss Shen's disappearance in your mansion is a serious matter. It's only right that we assist in the search."

Ying Ziqi shook his head. "This is the Prince Xian's Mansion. Having guests conduct a search would be improper."

Ying Ziheng, who had been silent all along, spoke up coldly. "Third Imperial Brother, Fifth Imperial Brother is right. It's so late now; finding one person won't be easy."

"This..."

Ying Ziqi was in a dilemma, unable to make a decision for the moment.

However, right at that moment, a man dressed as a guard walked in and reported, "Your Highness, the servant who escorted the Heir of the Prince of Dingbei to his guest room said he saw the Heir summon Miss Shen inside."

"The Heir of the Prince of Dingbei?"

Ying Ziqi's frown deepened.

"Tsk." Ying Zijun clicked his tongue. "One really can't judge by appearances. I never imagined he would actually invite Miss Shen into his room. Who knows what's happening now..."

Ying Ziqi said displeasedly, "Fifth Imperial Brother, watch your words."

Ying Zijun shrugged. "I'm only stating facts. On the contrary, Third Imperial Brother, it's not good for you to hinder us like this. Perhaps that Heir has already done something improper to Miss Shen in the room."

Ying Ziqi glared at Ying Zijun. "You... I shall go take a look."

"I'm coming too."

Ying Zijun followed.

"I shall also go and see."

Ying Ziheng followed with great interest.

Ever since returning from Zhouzhou, this heir to the Prince of Dingbei had seldom gone out. Now that they finally had a handle on him, they wouldn't easily let this opportunity slip.

As for the others present, they exchanged glances, not daring to actually follow.

It would be madness for anyone else to follow. After all, these were three of the most powerful princes in Da Xia going to confront the Heir of the Prince of Dingbei.

However, with such an incident occurring, no one left. They all seemed to be waiting for the final outcome, to see if it was truly as they imagined.

As Ying Ziqi hurried over, he subtly glanced at Ying Ziheng and Ying Zijun from the corner of his eye.

With them as witnesses, all that remained to solidify Li Jin's guilt was seeing it with their own eyes.

Ying Ziqi couldn't help but laugh triumphantly in his heart.

Li Jin, the fact that you've ended up in this situation is entirely your own fault.

Ying Ziqi appeared not to have taken offense at Li Jin's refusal on the surface, but in reality, he minded terribly. After all, behind Li Jin was the Dingbei Army. If he could obtain that force, he didn't need to worry about not smoothly becoming the Crown Prince, or even the Emperor.

Yet Li Jin refused outright, even drawing close to the very prince he held in contempt. To him, this was a deliberate and blatant insult.

Therefore, after Shen Ningyu sought his help, Ying Ziqi thought of this method: let Shen Ningyu take action to completely eradicate both Li Jin, and Ying Ziyan—who had no background yet still dared to refuse him.

In a short while, the three arrived at the guest room where Li Jin was staying, accompanied by several servants from Prince Xian's Mansion.

"Princess Consort, you've also come?"

Ying Ziqi quickly noticed the Princess Consort of Xian, who had arrived before them.

"Yes, Your Highness." The Princess Consort curtsied to Ying Ziqi, saying uneasily, "Your consort could see a light still burning in the Heir's room, and the shadows of three people inside. I was unsure if we should disturb them."

Ying Ziqi was taken aback. "Three? Wasn't it only the Heir and Miss Shen inside? Who is this extra person?"

Following his words, they looked over.

Indeed, they could faintly see three figures through the window, and the positions of the three were very close, leading those viewing from outside to let their imaginations run wild.

"Third Imperial Brother, we'll know once we go in and see."

Having said that, Ying Zijun immediately strode over and directly kicked open the tightly shut door.

Bang.

As the sound of the door being violently opened rang out, it instantly drew the attention of the three people inside the room. 

"Heir Li, I never thought you... huh... why are Fourth Imperial Brother and Seventh Imperial Brother in here as well?" Ying Zijun, who had been certain he would catch Li Jin red-handed, was stunned to find Li Jin, Ying Yuan, and the observing Ying Ziyan calmly playing chess inside the room.

How could this be?

"Fifth Imperial Brother, don't be so rash..."

Ying Ziqi, who entered after Ying Zijun, was also startled.

This isn't right. Why is Ying Yuan here? Where is Shen Ningyu? She was supposed to wait here. Why isn't there any trace of her?

Ying Ziheng was equally shocked.

Ying Ziheng rubbed his eyes vigorously, as if confirming whether he was seeing correctly.

But the facts were already laid out before them, leaving no room for disbelief. "You all are... are..."

Ying Yuan was the first to turn around, smiling as he looked at Ying Zijun. "Greetings, three Imperial Brothers. We were just playing chess. May I ask why Fifth Imperial Brother barged in so suddenly?"