Chapter 66 (1/2)

Chapter 66

Chapter 66 Treacherous Intentions

The fourth prince poured a cup of tea for Long Chen . He smiled lightly, “Brother Long truly is a dragon amongst men . No matter what, such boldness truly is worth admiring . ”

“Fourth prince flatters me . But this little brother still doesn’t know just how you recognized me,” replied Long Chen .

He really did want to know just what he had forgotten about . He was confident that his appearance changing technique did not have the slightest flaw .

“Even a wise man who thinks it over a thousand times will forget at least one thing . To be honest, I didn’t actually recognize you at first, and it was only when I saw that ring on your hand that I managed to figure it out something was strange . Then adding on your gaze, I realized it was you . ” The fourth prince pointed to Long Chen’s hand .

Only then did Long Chen suddenly realize that he was wearing his spatial ring on his finger . That ring had a design that was specific to the alchemist guild . He had actually forgotten such a large detail .

“The fourth prince truly is someone observant to the smallest detail . It really is worthy of admiration, but what I really want to know is, why did you help me?” asked Long Chen .

“Haha, you might not believe me even if I tell you . The truth is, I dislike Xia Changfeng intensely . No matter what else, Chu Yao is still my sister . Although familial affection is a luxury that can’t be afforded in the imperial palace, I still have some in my heart .

“I do not have the heart to force Chu Yao to marry someone she doesn’t like . But you also know that the imperial palace is simply like that . All that matters is if it will benefit the empire; no one cares about your emotions . That is simply a helpless truth of living in the imperial palace .

“I’ve tried to persuade the Empress Dowager many times in hopes of changing her mind, but none of it had any effect . In the end I actually ended up infuriating her and being kicked out of her Empress Dowager Hall .

“From the fact that brother Long come to visit Chu Yao today, I can tell you have truly sincere feelings for Chu Yao . But my ability is limited, and I can only help you this much,” sighed the fourth prince .

“Fourth prince is too polite . Long Chen will remember this matter . ” It seemed he would have to owe a favor to the fourth prince for today .

“As for the matter of your Long family losing its stipend, I once tried investigating . But I was shut down before I could get to the bottom of it . So I’m also powerless when it comes to your Long family . ”

Long Chen frowned and asked, “Can fourth prince tell me what he discovered?”

“Ah, well it was something that happened in the imperial palace, so it’s extremely muddied . My brothers and I also fight and scheme against each other . I really am powerless when it comes to it . ” The fourth prince shook his head .

Long Chen’s eyes brightened ever so slightly . Although the fourth prince didn’t give him a direct response, but the fact that he had purposely mentioned his brothers was definitely somewhat interesting .

There were a total of seven princes . Other than the fourth prince, there were six left . Of those remaining six, the seventh prince could also be excluded .

Then that left the crown, second, third, fifth, and sixth princes . Long Chen had observed each of them carefully at the Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival . Other than the crown prince, none of the others seemed to be shrewd enough .

Then the most suspicious one would have to be the crown prince . Moreover Long Chen had recognized the a.s.sa.s.sin who had killed Li Hao as one of his henchmen . All the evidence pointed to him .

“Many thanks . ” Long Chen cupped his hands .

“Haha, I didn’t say anything . I can’t accept your thanks,” laughed the fourth prince . He then sighed, “Sometimes I truly envy you n.o.ble heirs . You can be free and unconstrained, not like us who do not have freedom . I even have to suck up to people I plainly dislike . Speaking of which, Xia Changfeng is returning to the Grand Xia in ten days to prepare for his wedding with Chu Yao . Although I truly wish to punch him in the face, I can only give him a smile . That’s the sorrow of living in the imperial palace . ”

“He’s leaving in just ten days?” Long Chen didn’t bat an eye, but a cold light flashed in his eyes .

The fourth prince seemed to not notice any change in Long Chen’s expression . Sipping some tea, he replied, “Yes, he’s taking the southern pa.s.s, a shortcut to the Grand Xia . A prince’s wedding naturally requires many preparations . ”

Long Chen nodded and kept that information in mind . At the same time, an outrageous idea popped into his head . If he could pull off that plan, this matter with Chu Yao would be easily resolved… .

The fourth prince chatted for a bit longer with Long Chen before politely seeing him off . When he once more returned to his room, a woman had appeared .

That woman seemed to be in her thirties . She was tall and veiled in extravagance, giving off a cold sensation that she could not be offended .

“What you’re doing right now is extremely dangerous,” she said .

The fourth prince smiled slightly and sipped some tea . “Danger means risk, and risk means there’s a chance of a high payout . I feel that it’s worth it . If Long Chen loses then he will just be another corpse, meaningless to us . But if he succeeds, then the plan will advance a couple steps . Mom, don’t worry about it . ”

That woman was precisely Phoenix Cry’s Queen Mother of the Western Palace . She shook her head and said, “I hope you know what you’re doing . I have a mission in being married off to here . You and I have to remember that . ”

“Hmph, you were originally a princess from the Grand Xia, but you came here to Phoenix Cry for your own goals . As for me? Was I born to be just a chess piece? They plan on seizing Phoenix Cry’s lands, making Xia Changfeng the ruler of this empire . Then he’ll monopolize all the rich lands . When the time comes for credit, it’ll all be theirs . As for us mother and son, are we destined to become their tools? Why?”

The fourth prince suddenly let out all his anger into loud bellow . The current him was just like a Magical Beast that had been provoked, capable of devouring anyone at any moment .

“Xia-er, I know you’re mad inside . With your talent, you wouldn’t lose out to anyone . But this is fate . ”

“Fate? Fate is dictated by man . I will control my own fate . I will not be a puppet! I will become the Emperor!”