Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Lu Qianxue

Prince Li, once interested in conversation, began telling the story of Prince Cheng as if it were a tale: “Back then, Fifth Brother was desperate to marry Fifth Sister-in-law. We all thought the two were deeply in love, but unexpectedly, Fifth Brother embarrassed himself in front of Father Emperor, as he hadn’t even won her over yet. Imagine that, a wild person from the Jianghu, who didn’t even care for a dignified Prince, how fascinating!”

Huangfu Yuxuan was surprised: “So, does that mean my Fifth Aunt was rather proud back then?”

Prince Li sighed, “Indeed. You know, what kind of charm did Lu Qianxue have to ensnare your Fifth Uncle so completely?”

Huangfu Yuxuan replied nonchalantly: “Each to their own tastes!”

Prince Li laughed and said, “Speaking of Lu Qianxue, she’s quite an odd woman. Fifth Brother, being a prince of high status in the Capital City, was assiduously ignored by her. But once he was sent as a vassal to Yunzhou, exiled a thousand miles from the city, she willingly married him.”

Huangfu Yuxuan recalled the one time he saw his Fifth Aunt. She wasn’t particularly beautiful, only pretty, at best. Many others surpassed her in looks, so obviously, Uncle Cheng wasn’t attracted by her appearance alone.

Prince Li, deeply engrossed, continued enthusiastically: “Fifth Brother was quite willful. When Lu Qianxue agreed to marry him, he didn’t even bother reporting to Father Emperor. He simply gathered the Yunzhou Governor along with local renowned scholars and had them all witness his marriage ceremony with Lu Qianxue. When news reached Father Emperor, he was furious and threw a fit in the Imperial Study Room. Over the next twenty years, how many times did Father Emperor summon Fifth Brother? Hardly a few times. It’s as if he didn’t even regard him as his son!”

Huangfu Yuxuan thought about such a scene; given how Prince Cheng behaved, Grandfather had good reason to disapprove of him!

Prince Li, with his eyebrows dancing in excitement, suddenly showed a trace of sorrow and anger, glanced at Huangfu Yuxuan, and then said, “Yuxuan, you’re right. Even Third Brother didn’t spare the life of Fifth Brother’s son. My dear Jinglun certainly died by his hand.”

His eyes burst with hatred: “The enmity of losing a child is irreconcilable!”

Furthermore, for him, it wasn’t just the pain of losing a son, but because Jinglun died, Father Emperor ceased considering him for the position of Crown Prince!

Huangfu Yuxuan said slowly, “Uncle Li, let’s not talk about vengeance. Right now, we are at a disadvantage. Our ability to remain in the Capital City depends on Third Uncle’s attitude. Uncle Wang, be careful with your words!”

Prince Li came to his senses and laughed: “It’s not just us now. Our fates are similar, and our circumstances the same. Surely, you wouldn’t betray me to your Third Uncle, would you?”

Huangfu Yuxuan replied seriously, “Of course not. If I intended to do that, I wouldn’t have helped you before! Rest assured, Uncle Wang, we’ll support each other. Together, we’ll find a way to settle peacefully in the Capital City!”

New Crown Prince Mansion.

Since being appointed as the Crown Prince, Huangfu Hanyu had moved directly into the Eastern Palace. He didn’t need another mansion outside, but he petitioned the Emperor for a separate residence.

His reason was that sometimes issues in the vassal lands needed to be handled regardless of time of day or night, and the palace gates would be closed at night, causing delays.

The vassal lands associated with him when he was still Prince Zhuang hadn’t been revoked yet—either because the Emperor forgot or deemed it insignificant.

Building a mansion outside wasn’t a big deal. After all, a Crown Prince seeking to establish his own small court is only natural. But the palace gate makes access inconvenient. Moreover, didn’t the former Crown Prince, now Prince Liang also build a mansion outside the palace? Hence, permission was granted.

The New Crown Prince Mansion is located on East Street, very close to the Imperial Palace, making it convenient for Huangfu Hanyu to come and go.

It wasn’t a newly constructed mansion; rather, it was a residence bestowed by the Emperor. With the Emperor’s blessing, it was naturally impressive, especially after renovations.

At least, it surpasses Li King Mansion by far, although it doesn’t quite match Prince Liang Mansion.

However, Prince Li is wise. His mansion is modest, showing he has no intention of competing with the Crown Prince.

Prince Liang, on the other hand, has always loved luxury. Unable to decorate the Eastern Palace lavishly, he made his outside mansion opulent, which was one of the reasons the Emperor disliked him initially.

Currently, in the pavilion on the eastern side of the Crown Prince Mansion, Huangfu Hanyu was listening to the reports brought back by the Hidden Guard.

The news from three days ago was substantial: the person had been located and was being pursued; soon, Prince Jing’s head would be presented.

There were three pieces of information:

“Caught up!”

“The opponent is strong, but we hold the advantage, his life is inevitable!”

“Mutual destruction!”

Huangfu Hanyu’s face was frighteningly grim.

The phrase “mutual destruction” implies a complete downfall for both sides, no?

The leader of the Hidden Guard, speaking softly beside him, said, “Our guards all have unique ways of conveying messages. This particular way means the sender was almost certainly dying. The message was verbal and confirmed through a special signaling method!”

Huangfu Hanyu grit his teeth; he sent out seven men, four in plain sight and three hidden, to ensure there were no mistakes. But the result was all seven perished, only to claim the life of Huangfu Jingchen?

Thinking about it, though, Gongyang Puyu once prophesied that Huangfu Jingchen had the destined fortune of an emperor. With seven lives for his one, it wasn’t exactly a loss!

In any case, he had eliminated a major threat. Perhaps he should ask Gongyang Puyu whether the threat had been completely obliterated?

These days, Xia Wenjin was very busy.

The founding of Feiyun Pavilion seemed spontaneous, but it wasn’t.

She knew very well that even if she just wanted to wander Jianghu, once Huangfu Yuxuan appeared in Haotian Village, certain things required her to reconsider.

The powers on the Court, she wished to avoid and no longer partake, yet she needed her own means of strength.

Thus, one day when Huangfu Yuxuan’s revenge came, she would have something to counter it.

The establishment of Feiyun Pavilion would provide a home for those unfortunate and serve as the cornerstone of her power!

Being a cornerstone, it must be well-founded!

After several busy days, she let out a long breath.

She had promised Huang Zheng to return the Jade Pendant, and it had been delayed for several days. She’d better retrieve it soon.

Xia Wenjin mounted her horse, intending to take a shortcut to Glazed Pavilion.

The sun emerged from the clouds, making the weather hot.

Xia Wenjin urged her horse to a gallop, the breeze cooling her face and alleviating the heat, leaving her feeling refreshed.

She took a deep breath, but a scent of blood wafted through the air and into her nose.

She frowned slightly.

Jianghu often witnessed the resolution of personal vendettas accompanied by destructive acts. They had their own rules, and Xia Wenjin had no intention of interfering.

However, in her field of view, she saw a man lying in the grass ahead.

A man in black clothing.

Xia Wenjin rolled her eyes. She had been seeing a lot of people dressed in black lately. Those in Jianghu, or the assassins, seemed obsessed with flaunting their sinister roles by donning black attire.

In front of the body of this man clad in black, there was a dead horse in the grass. The horse bore three hidden weapons, each laced with poison. Judging by the weapon pouch on the black-clad man’s waist, the horse undoubtedly perished by his hand.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep