Chapter 235: Laying Low (1/2)

Qi Chen ran into the third prince when he was about to return to his manor. The third prince threw him a glare and left with a huff. Qi Chen's expression went dark. He'd just been scolded by the emperor. And now the third prince came all the way to mock him.

Jun Huang met up with Ji Bo and said without ceremony, ”Has the third prince truly been tipped off by someone and cleaned up his trace?”

Ji Bo was caught off guard. He shook his head after a pause. ”No, he hasn't. The third prince thinks it was Qi Chen who took away his weapons. Are you saying it wasn't?”

Jun Huang frowned. What was going on here? She told Ji Bo about what had happened earlier. He fell into a contemplative silence.

Something was wrong. Where had the weapons gone? Who was the one behind everything? Why did he do this?

”It's not necessarily a bad thing,” Jun Huang said calmly. ”Now they suspect each other to be responsible for their situation. The third prince believes it was Qi Chen who stole his things and set him up. Qi Chen believes that the third prince has erased his tracks to embarra.s.s him. It's beneficial to us for them to keep fighting with no regard for their familial bond. What's more problematic is the mastermind behind everything. We have to investigate as soon as we can, or we'll all become the p.a.w.ns on his chessboard.”

Her a.n.a.lysis made sense. Known enemies such as Qi Chen and the the third prince were easy to deal with. The biggest threat was those hiding in the dark. Hidden arrows were difficult to avoid. They had to find those potential threats now.

”The conflict between the two parties would only become more and more serious,” Ji Bo added as a reminder. ”No one can predict what will happen. You must take care of yourself.”

Jun Huang knew the situation she was put in. Qi Chen had introduced her to the other courtiers. Everyone knew she was Qi Chen's strategist. The third prince would target her after what happened. She could only deal with the threats as they came.

She nodded to rea.s.sure Ji Bo and reminded him to be careful as well.

As they predicted, the fight between Qi Chen and the third prince had become more and more intense. Many officials lost their positions before they even got settled, while those Qi Yun recommended had already embedded themselves in the court. Very little effort was required for Jun Huang to find out that those who lost their jobs had bought their t.i.tles from the third prince. The third prince was put in a difficult position between people he'd made promises to.

The conflict between two factions had become a full blown war. Nan Xun was worried that Jun Huang would get hurt in the crossfire. In the past, she was used to walking to the crown prince's manor on her own. Now Nan Xun had arranged a coach to take her around the city out of concern.

Today, she went to Prince Chen Manor as usual. Nan Xun reminded the guards he a.s.signed her to keep her safe. Recently, he'd been doing this every day. He was as fussy as a mother, but she had to admit it warmed her heart every time he gave the guards the rundown.

The coach came to a halt on the main street. Jun Huang didn't need to part the curtains to figure out what was happening. She ran into open arguments between the two factions a lot lately. She was used to it. However, she was in a hurry today. She asked one of the guards Nan Xun a.s.signed her to go mediate the fight.

She stayed in the coach calmly. The two men had a personal feud beforehand. They refused to leave the street and insisted on getting a result.

Jun Huang was exasperated when the guard briefed her. She parted the curtain and glanced at the two group of men, then at the bystanders here for the drama. She sighed. She didn't have a choice but to get off the coach and take a detour.

She was immediately spotted by the two men in argument. The one represented the third prince was a knowledgeable but condescending official. He blocked her way.

Jun Huang looked up at him. The face didn't ring a bell. The man, though, remembered her well.

”Oh, isn't this the men-loving strategist from the crown prince manor?” he called out in a loud voice. His intention to humiliate Jun Huang was clear.

She didn't react the way he expected. Instead of getting angry, she chuckled with her foldable fan in her hand. ”What does that have to do with you?”

He couldn't stand seeing Jun Huang's composed and graceful look. His words grew more and more unsavoury.

”It has nothing to do with me, but it disgusts me to see a filthy man like you in broad daylight. It's said that you willingly open yourself to the crown prince's intrusion to gain his favor. Tsk, does it feel good for you?”

Jun Huang frowned at him in displeasure. She didn't want to start a trouble. She took a deep breath and said, ”The official works for the state. It's unbecoming of you to insult a n.o.body like me in public.”

The official took that as she feeling hurt by his words. His smile widened and turned leery. ”Why would a man like you willingly open up for another man? Why can't I point out the truth? It's said that insidious villains and women are pests you can never get rid of. You must be the insidious ones in this case.”

She'd like to avoid a conflict, but the man refused to cooperate. He insisted on stirring up troubles and spout off insults without thinking twice. Jun Huang was furious, but she had to stay calm so as to not lower herself to his level.