Chapter 238: Gaining Power (1/2)

Jun Huang's speculation took shape in her head, but she didn't have any evidence to support it. She kept quiet.

Prince Duan had found out that Ji Bo was in the imperial city, but he didn't know about the relations.h.i.+p between her and Ji Bo, at least not yet. The way Prince Duan treated her could be interpreted in many ways. She didn't know what he was thinking. It was better for her to exercise the utmost caution.

”I know what you're thinking,” Nan Xun said, looking at her furrowed eyebrows. ”What about you write a letter now, and I'll hand it to him when I can?”

Jun Huang nodded. ”That's the only thing we can do. You must be careful. I have a feeling that Prince Duan's been watching me. You're now living in my manor. He must be watching you as well.”

Nan Xun didn't really need the reminder. He patted her head with a smile and said rea.s.suringly, ”Don't worry. I'm a general after all. If I don't want anyone to follow me, no one can. To be on the safe side, I'll have someone else send the letter for me.”

Jun Huang relaxed somewhat. She sat at the desk and thought for a moment before penning the letter. Her handwriting was delicate, the strokes thin but sharp. Nan Xun watched her from next to her. When she was done, he browsed through the letter and carefully folded it.

It was a few days later that Ji Bo received the letter. He broke into cold sweat. He did have a feeling that something big was going to happen, but this he hadn't expected.

Jun Huang briefly described her meeting with Prince Duan and the conversation between him and Qi Chen. She told him to find a safe place to stay at and don't show his face for the time being. If there was anything he wanted to tell her, he could send a message through the House of Heavenly Fiends.

Ji Bo's expression turned dark. He'd thought he'd been hiding himself well, but Prince Duan spotted him. Perhaps it was for the best. He could stay away for some time and avoid getting involved in the conflict. When the time was right, he'd make his return.

Ji Bo took a deep breath and held the letter over a candle. The fire consumed the sheet of paper, leaving only ashes that floated in the air.

He brushed ashes off his robe and put out the candle. He made his way to the main hall for the third prince.

The third prince had not been doing well. He'd spent a lot of money on the weapons. It bothered him to lose them so suddenly. He wanted nothing more than to tear Qi Chen to pieces.

”This gentleman has something to report, Your Highness.”

Ji Bo's voice jerked the third prince out of his trance. He looked up at him with a frown. ”What is it?”

Ji Bo knew the third prince wouldn't let him go without an explanation. He had an idea. He asked the prince to dismiss the servants before proposing a few more plans that could make Qi Chen's life difficult. The third prince was delighted. In his good mood, he readily agreed to let Ji Bo take some days off after asking only a couple questions.

It helped that Ji Bo had been a hermit who stayed in the mountain away from temptations of the material world. The third prince a.s.sumed that it was Ji Bo's choice of lifestyle. He therefore didn't suspect anything.

Ji Bo packed up and left for the home base of the House of Heavenly Fiends with their help. He'd wait and see how everything played out.

Qi Chen was a little surprised when he was told that Ji Bo had left the imperial city, but all in all, it was a good thing. Without Ji Bo, the third prince was a fangless snake that couldn't do much but intimidate. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity he must not miss.

He invited both Prince Duan and Jun Huang to discuss their future plan. Jun Huang gingerly laid out her a.n.a.lysis, careful not to let her tongue slip. Only then did Prince Duan stop staring at her and joined in the conversation. She let out a silent sigh of relief and wiped her sweat away.

They agreed that it was time for them to submit the evidence to the emperor. Prince Duan, however, thought that the evidence Jun Huang had collected wasn't complete enough. After all, they never found the weapons the third prince had been hiding. The third prince might turn their accusation against them.

Qi Chen agreed. They made up some more evidence before Qi Chen took everything to the palace. The emperor was furious. He sent for the third prince to question him.

The third prince ran into Qi Chen at the entrance of the palace. Alarm bells rang in his head. He stopped Qi Chen and demanded, ”What has second brother told Royal Father?”

”Ha, it doesn't matter. What matters is if third brother has committed the crimes.” Qi Chen cackled maniacally. The third prince gritted his teeth. He couldn't do anything but to watch Qi Chen go with his fists clenched. He gathered his thoughts once Qi Chen was out of his sight. This was going to be a difficult fight, but he must persevere.

He opened the door and was met with a teacup flying his way. He shuddered and dropped down to his knees. The teacup shattered on the wall, splas.h.i.+ng tea all over him. Some tea leaves got stuck in his hair, but he didn't dare wipe it off.

He took a deep breath to control his emotions and crawled towards the emperor. ”Royal Father.”