Chapter 187 Resonance: Heinous Crime (2/2)

“The General of Fast Cavalry will be responsible for deploying and contacting the commandery princes. Your Highness doesn't need to worry about this. As for the token for the deployment, it is in Chamberlain Feng's hands. After Luodi and I leave, may I be so bold as to ask Your Highness pardon these people.”

At this moment, the First Prince's feelings were in turmoil. The current Situ was so unfamiliar to him that it made him panic-stricken. He had never expected that the throne was this close before. He had also never thought that there would be a day where Situ would threaten him. Moreover, Situ wanted him to guarantee that he wouldn't touch his brothers nor the family and friends of his beloved woman once he'd left the court and the Xuan Kingdom.

Such thought-out measures and deep affection… The First Prince felt that the good friend he'd grown up with seemed so distant and foreign all of a sudden.

The people remained the same, yet everyone has changed.

“I understand, Duke of Anping.”

Time vaguely turned back to more than ten years ago.

There were a young precocious and isolated Imperial Prince and a young General born from an aristocratic family shouldering great responsibility.

They met on a frigid winter day when flowers scattered down in the plum garden and became close friends.

Everything had suddenly changed one day.

The young General was valiantly fighting on the battlefield in the deserts of the North while every step ahead was difficult for the Imperial Prince.

When the young General was triumphant and gained recognition for his achievements, the Imperial Prince forced to leave Chang'an instead.

The successful young General pa.s.sed his days with precaution and every step he took was filled with danger. The Imperial Prince, on the other hand, seemed downtrodden but he was secretly planning ahead at every step of the way.

They met again amidst the winds of change and noticed that the two of them had changed despite things remaining the same.

On the same night, Chamberlain Feng sat in his Study with the Jade Token in hand, turning it left and right as he stared at it. With only the faint glow of the moon illuminating the room filled with bamboo slips, the atmosphere in there appeared extremely dismal.

Soon after, the sound of knocking could be heard. When he opened the door, he saw the Commandery Prince of Yu Zhang standing outside.

“Father-in-law.”

Chamberlain Feng bowed deferentially and invited him in.

After the Commandery Prince of Yu Zhang settled in his seat, he glanced at the Jade Token in Chamberlain Feng's hand and sighed.

“I have led a military life all those years and now that I'm old, I'm guarding the border at Yu Zhang. I never expected that there would come a day where I would be resisting the Emperor I'd personally a.s.sisted to ascend the throne back then.”

“Father-in-law's words are exactly my thoughts.”

Chamberlain Feng's expression was also complicated.

“However, this would all have to depend on His Majesty's choice. Originally, I should've taken the general picture into consideration and not conduct like this. But, when I saw Duke of Anping's resolve, I also thought that blood is thicker than water. What harm is there in trying?”

The Commandery Prince of Yu Zhang revealed a smile and stroked his grizzled beard.

“That day, when Duke of Anping personally came to Yu Zhang to see me, doubt had brewed in my heart. It was just that I didn't expect that he would actually think so far ahead. He had already antic.i.p.ated today's turn of event a year ago. Otherwise, he would definitely be at His Majesty's mercy and everyone else would be cruelly oppressed while Luodi would be sacrificed in vain. By all means, you can go ahead and do it. He has already prepared everything. Nothing will happen to Yu Shan and nothing will happen to the people in the Feng Residence.”

“Since Father-in-law also agrees with the plan,” Chamberlain Feng grasped the Jade Token in his hand, his voice serious and firm as he continued, “I will definitely accomplish the task at hand at all costs.”

Gan Residence.

“Jianqiu, it's already late in the night. You should rest early.”

Gan Qingjia was extremely vexed as he looked at Qi Jianqiu. She was sitting in front of the table, her face filled with worry. It was as if he had expected. Once Jianqiu found out about the matter, she would definitely overtax her nerves and put a strain on her health. This wouldn't be beneficial to Qianjiu nor the child in her womb. But, he couldn't find a single word to stop her. He understood her temperament the best. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to put in so much effort to win her hand in marriage.

“Qingjia, I'm not resigned to this.” After a long moment of silence, Qi Jianqiu only uttered this one sentence.

Gan Qingjia didn't respond and waited in silence. He knew that Qi Jianqiu merely wanted to vent her frustrations a little at this moment.

“It was me who purposely approached Luodi and she didn't even blame me when she found out the truth. It was me who always bothered her, but she never got annoyed of me. I wanted to open a shop so she came up with an idea. I wanted to run a restaurant so she helped me come up with a plan. Whatever I wanted to do, she fully supported me. But now that she's in trouble and needs help, I can't do anything for her at all.”

“Last time, when she was incarcerated, I sought Father for help but I was rejected. The reason for that was because I couldn't read the overall situation. However, it was then that I made a firm resolution and vowed that I'll definitely not let her suffer from harm nor imprisonment ever again.”

“I wasn't able to fulfil that vow. I thought that after she got together with Situ, Situ would have this ability to protect her, but the truth isn't as sanguine as I have imagined. I'm an idealist and utterly useless.”

“Jianqiu, you're not to blame for this.” When Gan Qingjia said this, his voice was already hoa.r.s.e.

“Everyone's destiny can't be predicted. Perhaps, if Feng Luodi hadn't met Situ, she wouldn't have suffered all these. However, in that case, she wouldn't be the Feng Luodi you know. We should all believe in Situ. He won't give up on Feng Luodi.”

Qi Jianqiu still appeared worried. Her gloomy appearance was faintly visible under the candlelight.

Jiang Residence.

“Young Master, are you really going to do this?”

Lu Bo's expression was one of worry and despair.

“This is the only way, there's no going back.”