Chapter 203 (1/2)

Chapter 203: The Three Unfilial Things

After leaving Nan Guyue's building, Qi Chen slowed down his pace. He turned around, his mind filled with a mess of thoughts. His personal guard looked at him inquisitively and asked, ”What's wrong, your Highness? Are you feeling unwell?”

Qi Chen shook his head. With a sigh, he looked up at the full moon. ”Have a few men watch the princess. Tell me if anything unusual happens.”

The guard wondered why Qi Chen would make such an order, but he didn't dare to question Qi Chen. He nodded and left to make the arrangements.

Nan Guyue was not the only one Qi Chen was watching. Jun Huang was under his close scrutiny as well. Whenever she left Nan Xun's manor, there would be Qi Chen's men following her around. She had planned to return to her place, but under the circ.u.mstances it didn't seem wise. She could only stay at Nan Xun's.

Nan Xun had noticed Jun Huang's dark mood. He laughed quietly as he approached her. ”Are you still troubled?”

Jun Huang looked up at him and nodded. ”I am. Qi Chen's action shows that he's again suspicious of me. Last time, he had me arrested. His approach was forceful, but I could take the physical abuse. At least I didn't have to hide away all the time. Now, though, my freedom is stripped away.”

”What are his excuses this time?” asked Nan Xun.

Jun Huang scoffed. She downed her room-temperature tea and said, ”He said that I haven't fully recovered, so he sent a few men to watch me in case something went wrong.”

”That can't be helped,” Nan Xun said with a smile. ”Maybe he really is worried about you.”

Jun Huang couldn't manage a smile. She didn't tell Nan Xun about Nan Guyue's sudden change of att.i.tude. It wasn't anything serious. Telling him wouldn't help. It would only weigh him down.

Jun Huang knew as soon as Qi Chen asked her to talk to Nan Guyue that he was testing her. She had no choice but to go to Nan Guyue. What she didn't expect was how quickly Nan Guyue had a change of heart.

Jun Huang wondered what Nan Guyue had said to make Qi Chen suspicious, but not convinced of her guilt.

Well, she wasn't guilty in the way Qi Chen suspected. It was all a baseless lie.

Jun Huang sighed. She hadn't seen Qi Yun for a while. She had almost forgotten about him when she was busy dealing with Qi Chen.

”By the way, can you bring Qi Yun here?” Jun Huang asked, looking up at Nan Xun.

Nan Xun didn't make light of Jun Huang's caution. He nodded. ”Of course. It's too risky during daytime, though. Qi Chen's men might notice. How about I bring him here tonight? We'll talk then.”

Jun Huang nodded. They must be calm in face of moments such as this. Plots and schemes would have to wait.

Silence descended on Prince Chen Manor after night fell. Jun Huang waited in her room for Nan Xun to return. During the time, she made a mental catalogue of her observations on the current situation.

Someone knocked on the door. Jun Huang knew it was Nan Xun and Qi Yun. She hurriedly got the door and let them in.

”I was looking for Gentleman Feng at Wan'er's wedding,” Qi Yun said with a smile as he walked into the room. ”I asked brother Nan and he told me that he and gentleman Feng had left early that day. No wonder I didn't see you.”

Jun Huang threw Nan Xun a glance and smiled at Qi Yun awkwardly. She poured each of them a cup of tea. ”There is something we should have talked about earlier. Qi Chen has become suspicious of me and I didn't have a chance to talk to you until now. Since you're here now, let us discuss the issue.”

Qi Yun and Nan Xun nodded and waited for her to continue. Jun Huang hummed. ”We don't know how many factions are supporting Qi Chen, but there's one thing that's certain – there are two people offering him open support. The one that provided him the funds has been dealt with. That's why Qi Chen turned to illegal salt vending to earn money. The other one is Sir Shangguan. He is a formidable foe that cannot be eliminated easily.”

Qi Yun nodded. ”You're right. Sir Shangguan is one of the officials who has been in the court since the beginning of Royal Father's reign. He's made great contribution to Northern Qi. Royal Father would not take out someone who helped him establish his power. We, however, cannot afford to let Sir Shangguan run free.”

”I agree,” said Jun Huang. ”Half of the courtiers who support Qi Chen are recruited by Sir Shangguan. I can't say for sure why Sir Shangguan did so, but I can speculate. Qi Chen is ambitious. If he succeeds in gaining the throne, he will put Sir Shangguan on an important position, such as an honored lord. Some people are willing to throw everything away for fame and fortune. We must take him out to eliminate all possible risks.”