Chapter 95 (1/2)

Chapter 95: We get what we deserve

The official was worried that Qi Chen wouldn't trust his words. He quickly handed the letter to Qi Chen.

Qi Chen was dumbfounded by what he read. There had been signs that someone was trying to steal his supporters away from him, but the signs were so subtle that he had overlooked them. Now he felt himself sweating because of this sudden realization.

He was so angry he ended up letting out a sharp laugh. ”Wonderful. These people dare to make their moves on me!”

”Do you know who they are?” the confidante asked.

The official bowed down and shook his head. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he said, ”This official was threatened and coerced by a villainous man. He used my family as leverage. This gentleman was cornered into a dead end. Then, I suddenly remembered the gentleman Your Highness introduced me to on your wedding. I had no choice but to go to the gentleman for help. He knew that this official was Your Highness's supporter. He did all he could to help me rescue my family. That's how this official is able to come inform Your Highness of this issue.”

Qi Chen's expression relaxed a little when he heard that it was Feng Baiyu who had helped the official. After a moment of contemplation, he stood up and said, ”I'm going to leave the manor to attend to some business. You two should go as well.”

Before he walked out, he patted the official on the shoulder, ”This is a good mark on your record. You will be rewarded in the future.”

The official expressed his grat.i.tude with great enthusiasm. His expression only changed when he ducked his head.

Ever since Jun Huang had moved out, Qi Chen rarely saw Jun Huang. It was the first time that he visited her place. Seeing that Qi Chen was here, the page boy watching the door rushed in to notify Jun Huang. ”The crown prince has come, gentleman Feng.”

Jun Huang nodded. She knew Qi Chen would come to find her as soon as he knew that someone was undermining his influence in secret. She clapped her hands and said to the page boy, ”Lead him here. Later, if Qi Yun or Nan Xun comes, stop them immediately.”

”Understood,” said the page boy. He re-entered with Qi Chen not long after.

”This gentleman didn't know Your Highness was visiting. I hope Your Highness will forgive me for the lack of a proper welcome.” Jun Huang quickly walked up to him, but her att.i.tude was far from servile. Her words were more of a formality than an attempt to please him.

Qi Chen knew how Jun Huang was. There was no point in taking it personally. He sat down on a stone stool and asked, ”Does brother Feng know that Qi Yun is impeaching some of my people?”

Jun Huang sat down next to him and poured him a cup of tea. ”I have heard of the news, yes. What does Your Highness plan to do?”

She didn't tell him her opinions, but instead letting him speak of his intentions. Qi Chen looked down at the hot tea inside his cup and scoffed. ”I will leave them to rot, of course. They cannot even manage to deal with something so trivial. I am not responsible for the mess they've made. They are useless to me.”

Jun Huang's fingers stilled. She knew that Qi Chen was quick to cut his losses, but she didn't expect him to be so cold-hearted. If he became the emperor, people in Northern Qi would be living a torturous life.

”What does brother Feng think?” asked Qi Chen. Her silence had stretched a little too long for his liking.

Jun Huang looked up at him and put the teapot down. After she had taken a sip of her tea, she said calmly, ”Your Highness is admirable for making the decision.”

What she really thought was in stark contrast with her words. Jun Huang never left anyone an escape route. She had thought through what could happen before telling Qi Yun to request for the impeachment. If Qi Chen had been sentimental and sought the emperor out for this matter, he would be severely scolded by the emperor. If Qi Chen chose to abandon the officials like he had decided to do now, he would lose the trust of his supporters. The ones who had not been punished this time would think that Qi Chen was incapable of protecting them. Naturally they would turn to Qi Yun.

For Qi Chen, he could only choose the lesser of the two evils.

”Brother Feng, I cannot take any obvious action in the court now. I'd like to ask you to find out who it was that has been undermining me in secret. What do you think?”

Jun Huang was surprised that Qi Chen would leave this task in her hand. She didn't know if she should laugh. The one who had been undermining him was her! What answer could she give Qi Chen?

At the same time, she was relieved. This meant that she would be able to further divide Qi Chen's power. Qi Chen had always been mistrustful. If he started to doubt people who had been loyal to him, she would be reaping the benefits. Why would she turn this opportunity down?

Qi Chen's decision also showed that he still trusted her. That was a good sign.

After giving it a second thought, she got to her feet and cupped her hands. ”This gentleman will not betray Your Highness's trust.”

Qi Chen was pleased. He didn't ask why the official went to Jun Huang for help rather than going straight to him. Before he left, Jun Huang promised again to do all she could to complete this task, which made Qi Chen even more trusting of her.

After successfully misleading Qi Chen, Jun Huang and Qi Yun started to deal with the corrupt officials. As for the issue that someone had been selling exam questions without any regard to the law, it was already out of their hands.