Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

60 The real game has begun [Bonus chapter]

Qiu Mu gulped the wine from the glass, and after finishing it, he plonked it on the table. “Why did the Crown Prince kill those thirty servants?” Qiu Mu, with inquisitiveness glanced at Xiaoming, who looked troubled.

“Because I wanted Brother Lóng Wei to go back to the Cold Palace,” Xiaoming affirmed before looking at Tianjie and Zhang Xi. “I did it for us. For years, I only stood for our youngest brother. However, this time he did something which scared me. I was concerned for the safety of my brothers and sisters,” Xiaoming explained to them.

“Lóng Wei is sharp. I am unable to believe that he could not fall into this trap,” Tianjie stated. “The Crown Prince doesn’t have to worry. We brothers are with him,” he assured Xiaoming.

“Yes, Crown Prince. We all want Lóng Wei to leave the Imperial Palace. Is there any way if we can put the entire blame on him?” Zhang Xi asked and looked at Qiu Mu, who shook his head.

“The man that the Crown Prince hired told everything to Lóng Wei. If the Crown Prince had told me earlier about his plan, then I would not have let him meet that man. Even Commander Huang Xi knows about it. There’s no chance we can put blame on Lóng Wei.” Qiu Mu showed them the mirror and it tensed them.

“Let this matter get buried,” Tianjie suggested to them.

“Father will punish me for not investigating. Moreover, Lóng Wei has regained his powers. He is also into this case. So, he will by hook or crook try to bring the truth out. I am well aware of his cunning ways,” Qiu Mu remarked and picked the wine jar. He filled the glass with the wine and put it down.

“We can only bring a puppet forward to take the blame,” Zhang Xi stated. “The Crown Prince told us that Lóng Wei is searching for the evidence,” he opined and curled his fingers around the wine cup.

“Where’s Brother Mingquan?” Xiaoming asked them. “I asked him to join us. Then, why didn’t he join us?” He looked at Tianjie and waited for the answer.

.....

“Fourth Brother has sprained his ankle while practicing. Physician Peng has asked him to take a rest,” Tianjie informed Xiaoming, who rubbed the temples of his forehead.

“The Crown Prince does not have to worry when he has destroyed every piece of evidence. We have many such officials whom Lóng Wei troubled in the past. We can ask any one of them to take the blame,” Zhang Xi again suggested the same idea to Xiaoming, who contemplated for a while.

Tianjie lifted the cup and sipped the wine. He gazed at Qiu Mu and gestured to him to say something.

“Lóng Wei wasn’t supposed to leave the manor in the mid-night. If some other person takes the blame, then the security of the imperial palace will be questioned. More suspicions will grow,” Xiaoming concluded.

“I know who can help us,” Xiaoming said

“Who?” Qiu Mu instantly asked.

“The servant who was present with Li Hua and stood for her- Ju Lin,” Xiaoming stated and smiled. He was relieved that he didn’t order Ju Lin to kill that assassin.

“Eunuch Lishi! Eunuch Lishi!” Xiaoming called out for him.

Eunuch Lishi entered the private chamber and bowed before the Crown Prince. “Bring the servant named Ju Lin here,” Xiaoming ordered him. The other three princes were confused to hear him.

Eunuch Lishi dashed out of the chamber after getting the command of the Crown Prince.

“Who’s Ju Lin?” Qiu Mu asked.

“Someone, who will not let my name appear in all this,” Xiaoming replied with a confident smile.

“If the Crown Prince allows it, may I ask something from him?” Tianjie asked humbly.

“Sure, Third Brother,” Xiaoming allowed him to do so.

“The Crown Prince does not need it to take it to heart. I am only curious to know about it. Does he have feelings for that servant Li Hua?” Tianjie enquired.

Qiu Mu and Zhang Xi shifted their gazes at Xiaoming to hear his answer. They were also curious to know about it.

“Why would I develop feelings for a servant?” Xiaoming chuckled. “I am good to many people around me. It is just that Li Hua served us tea for over a month, so I decided to protect her from getting involved with Brother Lóng Wei.” He elucidated them.

“Brother Tianjie, the Crown Prince, has high standards. Li Hua is made for Lóng Wei.” Qiu Mu made fun of Lóng Wei and laughed. Tianjie and Zhang Xi also started to laugh.

Xiaoming curled his fingers and his fists clenched in anger. He had to lie about his feelings about Li Hua to all of them.

Eunuch Lishi reached the private chamber in a few minutes. Panting.

“Your Ro-Royal Highness,” Eunuch Lishi caught his breath which worried Xiaoming. He asked him to relax first.

After turning stable, Eunuch Lishi said, “Your Royal Highness, Ju Lin has left the palace in the late evening. She no longer works in the palace.”

Xiaoming was shocked to hear it, and he slammed his hand on the floor table before him.

“Are you sure, Eunuch Lishi? The servants cannot leave the palace except under special conditions,” Zhang Xi said and asked him to confirm once again.

“It is confirmed, Your Highness,” Eunuch Lishi said.

The three tilted their heads to look at Xiaoming, who had scrunched his brows.

“Did he do this?” Xiaoming murmured and gulped.

~~~~~

Lóng Wei was on the bed with his right leg over the knee of his right leg. Eunuch Gao Bing was near the other end of the bed, facing the Sixth Prince.

“As per the Sixth Prince’s orders, I sent Ju Lin somewhere safe,” Gao Bing said.

“If anything happens to her, your life will come in danger too,” Lóng Wei warned him.

“That will not happen, Your Highness,” Gao Bing assured him. “But I wonder why His Highness asked me to hide a servant in my residence.” He looked baffled and wanted an explanation from Lóng Wei.

Lóng Wei got up, and his feet landed on the floor. He gestured to Gao Bing to sit beside him, who gulped. He was unsure whether he should sit or refuse Lóng Wei.

“You won’t ever get a chance to sit beside me,” Lóng Wei asserted. Gao Bing, with terrified steps, walked forward and sat beside Lóng Wei, who hung his arm around his shoulder.

Gao Bing widened his eyes in a shock. He tilted his head to peer at Lóng Wei.

“Gao Bing, have you ever wondered about being seen as a hero among beautiful ladies and gentlemen?” Lóng Wei asked.

“What is His Highness saying?” He was perplexed by Lóng Wei’s words.

“I will help you get a raise in your income and make you a hero,” Lóng Wei said with a broad smile and pulled his arm back. “Your residence is built from illegal money. I believe you don’t have any problem keeping a servant in your grand residence.” Those words seemed like a reminder and a threat to Gao Bing that if he would not help Lóng Wei, then his truth would be exposed.

Gao Bing stood up and smiled. “I understand, Your Highness. I am fortunate to be of a useful help for the Sixth Prince,” he said sweetly.

“You may leave, Gao Bing,” Lóng Wei stated.

Gao Bing made a face at him and left his chamber. “Does he think I am his servant?” He muttered. “One day, he will beg me.” He turned his head to look at the door and saw Lóng Wei.

“The day will never come when I have to beg you,” Lóng Wei stated. Gao Bing apologized to him and ran away before Lóng Wei could burst his anger at him.

Lóng Wei went to the balustrade, and settled on the broad wooden rail. His back rested on the pillar. His right leg lied flatly on the wooden rail, while his left foot touched the ground.

“The real game has begun!” He muttered and smiled.

~~~~~

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